8 Ways to Speed Up Your Blog Writing

Do you find writing a new blog post a time-consuming and maybe even painful experience? Here are 8 tips from people who write for a living on how to get the word out a lot more quickly, with a lot less trouble. 1. Think first. It's been said that writing is thinking. So if you're having trouble getting the words down, stop and check your thinking. Go through in your mind exactly what it is you want to say. If your ideas are clear to you, the words will come out more easily, and your writing will begin to flow again. 2. Don't procrastinate. A famous author once said, "My best friend is my desk and my biggest enemy is my couch." When it's time to get a new piece out, don't suddenly come up with other things that demand your attention, or decide that you first need a moment to relax on that sofa. Boot up the computer or go old school and pick up a pencil and pad. Either way, just sit down and write. 3. KISS to grab readers. KISS stands for Keep It Short and Simple. When it comes to blog posts, that's the key to getting readers. Break up your writing with headers and bullets. Remember that busy readers will be skimming for key points. Make 500 words your absolute maximum. 4. ABC: Always Be Clear. Business writing is never about showing how big your vocabulary is or how artfully you can craft a sentence. You want to express your ideas clearly and quickly get to the point. The reader should instantly understand what you're saying, without needing a long explanation. 5. Don't try to be perfect. Going for perfection is a great way to get nowhere. Instead, just focus on writing clearly and letting a little of your natural personality come through. Once you're there, stop. 6. If you get stuck, try "automatic writing." When the words simply aren't coming, just start putting down whatever comes to mind. Don't worry about how the sentences are structured, or how well the ideas flow. Just write freely, which is known as "automatic writing." When you've run out of things to say, go back and edit. Try to get everything working from your main point, which may be one you've come up with during this free writing exercise. 7. Try this simple structure for your post. Here's a formula for getting a point across that's been attributed to the U.S. Marines and has been used by countless business presenters: Tell them what you're going to tell them Tell it to them Tell them what you told them You can use this outline over and over for lots of topics. 8. Don't worry about selling. Your business blog post is obviously targeted to customers and prospects. But that doesn't mean it always has to be about something that might retain a customer or make a sale. Focus your blog writing less on promoting your business and more on sharing something interesting with your readers. Talk about how your business does business, things you've observed, or insights you can offer. The more blog posts you post, the better for your business. Keep working at it. Like anything else, the more you write, the better you'll get at it, and the faster you'll produce the piece. Here's to your continued success in blogs and in person, as you keep putting together your best year ever... Enjoy a great month!