Writing fresh content is the #1 priority for bloggers – we all know this, yet so many other tasks get the attention because writing is not only the most thought-intensive activity, but it takes time.
I end up checking email, or the Twitter stream first because I view those as activities as things I can complete quickly (not really).
If I’ve got five minutes, I often chose to spend that time doing a low intensity task – since after all, who can write a blog post in five minutes? I type about 75 words per minute, but even I can’t get an entire blog post written in five minutes.
But what I can do in five minutes, is brainstorm. I can also draft up a quick outline that could chop my drafting time of about 30 minutes to 15 or less.
This works because I find that if I already have the ideas in place, and I have a guide for what I need to address, it reduces the thinking load and I’m able to just jump right in get the post done.
That’s honestly the only way I’m able to write as much as I do. I don’t always have time to write a whole post, but I do have time to outline.
I’ll be honest though, even as an English major, I hated doing outlines in class. I saw it as a stupid extra step that wasted time that I could’ve used writing. I’ll admit, I was a bit naive. It’s not an extra step at all – it’s a plan that keeps me from getting frazzled and overwhelmed.
It makes it easier to return to an unfinished post, it reminds me of exactly where I left off and keeps me from omitting important information. It also allows me to skip around, which is especially helpful when I’m struggling with a mild case of writer’s block.
To help you blog a little faster:
Create a quick outline for several future posts. Open up 3 or 4 plain text windows and create the skeleton of a post for each one. Then return to these posts each day and attempt to fill in the gaps of as many as you can in one sitting.
Don’t worry about the exact order and organization, just get ideas down.
A simple outline might look like this:
I. Intro - introduce the problem, writing is thought-intensive and takes time
II. Introduce a solution – use small increments of time to brainstorm
III. Benefits - allow you to blog faster, less overwhelming, helps you get ahead.
IV. Tips and examples – Sample outline
V. Wrap-up/Questions - Other tips?
As you can see, I used this very outline to create this post. It took me about 20 minutes to go from the above outline to this finished post. I know it’s not perfect, but it’s enough to present a useful tip to you and get you thinking.
So how do you reduce your blog post production time? What tips could you offer here? I’d love to hear more because I’m always looking for tips to speed up the process.
About Kiesha Easley
Using Microsoft OneNote is very helpful for this, too. You can also copy/paste snippets of articles, photos, URLs, other research notes in there, and keep a fresh page for each post until you’re ready to draft it. Thanks for the tip!
Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Putting the Power in Power Naps
Great tip! I also come up with an outline first before writing the content. It helps me to write a high quality content that is useful to my readers.
You had me at “even as an English major, I hated doing outlines in class. I saw it as a stupid extra step that wasted time that I could’ve used writing.”
KINDRED SPIRIT!!
It took me years to realize that I actually do outline and brainstorm. In my head. (Pay no attention to that writer behind the curtain…)
Nice to “meet” you. I found your blog by way of DiTesco’s post at iBlogZone. I’ve subscribed. He always leaves the BEST breadcrumbs!
Holly Jahangiri recently posted..Copyright Essentials for Writers
I keep a list of ideas for posts so that if I sit down to write I have something to write about. I use a simple outline like you have for most posts. If I am writing a larger article or book I use a mindmap to help me organize my ideas before pulling the information together.
Julia M Lindsey
Our Little Books
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When a great title comes to mind I start a new post just with the title.
Sometimes I think I make a profound comment (I am probably the only one though) anyway, I grab that comment and throw it into a new post, give it a quick title so I can recognize it again (I will change the title later)and now I have given myself a post idea to run with at a later date.
Works for me anyway…
In my opinion working on several different posts simultaneously is not as effective as it sounds, especially if the articles’ subjects are far apart from each other. At a certain point you might get somewhat confused or lose motivation, but those are just my two cents. Nice article though, keep it up!
Daniel Sharkov recently posted..Histats – Real Time Traffic Counter and More
Kiesha:
Thanks for the sample outline.
I like to use the QuickPress option in WordPress to create drafts for my blog post ideas. It’s a quick and easy way for me to get my ideas down. I just jot down a title and some content and save it as a Draft. I will then come back at some point and edit the draft and create a post I can publish.
I currently have about 20 draft posts.
Thanks!
- Rick
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Keisha,
Great tips. I actually use an outline for just about everything I write and find it very useful.
I also use “snippets” of common text, code, or other commonly used items to save time.
Thanks,
Chris
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for stopping by! I never thought to use snippets, I might have to give that a try.
I love all these suggestions for increased blogging productivity and this is definitely a worthy RT. As a mommy blogger with an incredibly crammed schedule and backlog of posts to write, this is really a huge help!
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Twitter: weblogbetter
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Hi!
I’m glad you’ve found these tips to be helpful. I’m mom too and this is really the only way I can keep it all together.
Hey Kiesha – I have such a hard time putting together outlines! I’ll have to try this. I always start drafts and just come back to them if I don’t have time.
This is very handy!
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Great post!
I love brainstorming. In fact, I use a process called mind mapping when I brainstorm. It’s a circular process that helps organize your thoughts. There are a lot of examples on the web of free software that can be used to mind map but a good one to start with (also free) is xMind.
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Hi Curtis,
Thanks for stopping by! I’ve tried mind mapping, but for the most part, if I’m going to be productive, I’ve got to put the text in the text editor or else it unravels for me somehow. I really don’t even write things on paper any more because it rarely makes it into a post. :) I know I’m super weird :)
Not weird, you just know how to get it done. That’s great and commendable!
Curtis recently posted..Flattr – A New Way to Make Money with Your Blog
I don’t blog as much as you but I have a similar routine. When I think of an idea, I just fire up WordPress and type my thoughts down on a draft post. It might just be a few sentences or fragments but I want to get the idea down.
I’m not nearly organized enough for an outline (LOL) but it does help to quickly get it down because I can come back to it later and develop it. Good post!
Lisa Irby recently posted..Is Your Nofollow Blog Disappointing People
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Hi Lisa!
Thanks for stopping by. I don’t always do this for every post, but when I need to get ahead and get a lot done, I generally open up 3 or 4 plain text windows and go at it. It helps my nerves to know I’ve at least got a piece of post done. :)
Hi Keisha, These will help me blog faster and better. I sometimes am at a loss for words, so checking Twitter and seeing what all the buzz is about is a good idea as well.
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Drafts are great. As you said, it helps keep you going, all you have to do is look down at your scrap paper and find out what the next paragraph should be. I’m going to have to disagree with filling in parts of posts on multiple drafts for different blog posts.
I’m definitely not at the level of writing as most people here though. I just can’t see doing that without constantly re-reading what I have written down and waisting time.
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I usually list down my ideas as soon as it comes into my mind – not waiting until I want to blog. By doing this, I manage to solve the writer’s block (which always give terrible time!)
I love your idea of creating outline and I think it’s very useful. Thanks for sharing Keisha!
Wow – 75 words per minute! I think I type about 15 words per minute. I can talk faster, though.
I love this idea as I tend to write in a stream of conciousness. Between your method here and what Jean wrote about (prewriting), I may just be able to write better posts!
Thanks Kiesha! Have a nice day!
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I’ve tried writing my posts in advance and scheduling them to publish, but there is something about it that leaves me feeling disconnected with my blog. I like sitting down at the keyboard, typing out my post, and hitting publish.
It’s not the best way to blog, and I wouldn’t recommend this process to anyone. The quality of my writing decreases, and the time requirements increase dramatically. There’s also a frustration factor that comes into play after I hit publish and readers are not immediately flocking to my post.
Recently, I have been jotting down post titles and a very quick outline whenever a blog post pops into my head. I’m finding that having a stack of these handy is taking a lot of frustration out of the writing process.
Maybe it’s time to get more sophisticated with the process and start adding to the points a little at a time as you suggest.
As always, thanks for making me think.
Brad Harmon recently posted..Chick-Fil-A Week at The Christian Entrepreneur
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Brad,
I’ve had too many computer glitches and have completely lost things I’ve typed in my browser to work that way. It’s plain text editor or nothing for me.
If you decide to give it a try, let me know how it works for you.
Solid tips Keisha! I’ll put in practice some of them.
Usually I draw a post and return later while I’ve some time.
Other task I do is to take a little micro paper notebook to write ideas, general lines of future posts, etc. not fancy but effective while you’re at places, doing nothing.
Obviously today you can do it with your mobiles but nothing compared to write directly on paper.
Voted at blogengage and stumbled!
Cheers,
Gera
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Hi Gera,
I truly appreciate you sharing my post! I used to be a notebook and pen person, but I’ve come to realize that my handwriting slows me down – I can’t my thoughts on paper as fast as they come out. Typing works so much better for me.
Your outline is now posted on the white board in front of me! I have ideas and sometime get lost while I’m trying to get my thoughts out so this will be a useful tool for me.
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Hi Yolanda,
So glad that I was able to help. It certainly keeps me chugging along. :)
Hey Keisha,
I’ll try and apply your tips to my writing style and program. I wanted to make an outline for my posts, but because of the different ideas that I have, I couldn’t stick to one. Still hopefully, in the near by future, I’ll develop and apply an outline that would suite my blog.
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Hi Ary,
You should give it a try and let me know how it works out for you.
Hey Kiesha,
I didn’t like doing outlines in my writing class. Today, I use them to keep me in check when I’m doing a video or writing a post. If I don’t have an outline I’ll tend to ramble when I’m shooting a video. So having an outline is vital!
Chat with you later…
Josh
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Very great post and lovely tips Kiesha. I always try to work with one post at a time, but what you are saying absolutely makes sense. I think I will try this and see how it works out :)
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Hi Kharim!
I’d love to hear how it works out for you. Keep me posted.
Hi Keisha. I’ve been prewriting posts lately, and the process is basically an outlining system where a bit of flesh gets put on the bones. It’s really making my writing life easier!
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