Writing Kick-Ass Posts When You’re In A Rush
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Writers get writer’s block, and bloggers get blogger’s block.
But what if you do have a lot of ideas, and know what you want to write about, but don’t have time? Can you still run a blog and update it, say, 5 times a week?
Sure you can.
I find that my best posts (the ones that got the most traffic and comments) were written when I was in a rush, as in “I have to leave the house in 20 minutes, gotta write something“.
Start With Writing A Headline And Sub-Headlines
Often when you start by writing the headline, it’s easier to write the post (works for me). So, choose a topic related to your niche, write a headline (doesn’t have to be perfect yet), then write around 5 sub-headlines, so it’ll be easier to write the whole post.
If you do that, you won’t have to think about what to write after you’re done with the first paragraph, you’ll already know what the next section of your post will be about.
Have A List Of “Future Posts“
Having a list of future posts will help a lot if you’re in a rush and don’t have time to write. If you have a text file with 15 or 20 headlines (and some notes), you can turn to this list if you don’t have time to think about what to write but still have to write something.
Write As Much As You Can Everyday
You don’t have to sit in front of your computer and write a whole post right there. Why not write 1 or 2 paragraphs everyday? Start writing, and when you have to leave, just leave, and then come back later, and write another paragraph. You’ll probably have 4-5 post at the end of the week. Just make sure you always keep doing this, so you don’t run out of “in progress” posts.
I have around 30 unpublished posts just sitting there, waiting for me finish writing them.
Write Like You Talk
No need to sound like a dictionary. Blogging is a conversation, not a contest to see who is better at using a thesaurus. If you’re in a rush, you don’t want to waste time with that. Write like you talk, like you would if you were chatting with a friend and discussing a specific topic.
Look At Your Archives
There probably is a post in there that didn’t get the attention it deserved, so just write a follow-up on that post. You already have the content, just take a small part of this post, and write about this. It’ll be easier since you’ve already wrote about that topic in the past.
Your Turn To Talk
See, this is my last “sub-headline“, I usually end my posts with a “your turn to talk” section. It’s a conversation. So you can, of course, ask your readers to share their experiences and ideas.
So, when you’re in a rush, how do you do it? What’s your secret? :)
Take care
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30 Responses to “Writing Kick-Ass Posts When You’re In A Rush”
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It is so nice to see another blogger with the same problem as me. Having too many topics and too little time is one of my major issues. What I do is I carry my laptop around everywhere I go (almost) and then when I have some spare time I write whatever I can. Waiting to catch a bus or a train (and writing in while riding them) have helped me create tons of good posts by doing 10 minutes here and 5 minutes there.
The only thing I need to do in order to work that way is to have really good notes. If I want to write a comment on another blogger’s post I have emailed that post to my email so that I can work offline if necessary. But it works for me and I get to be more productive.
Great ideas - I used to have a list of ideas for posts directly in blogger, but due to some technical glitches I got turned off to it. I can see how the sub-headlines can be very useful for writing and reading.
Hi Mikael, makes me think I should take the bus more, can’T really write while driving, hehe
I used to e-mail stuff to myself, but it just got lost among the hundred of e-mails I get everyday, so I use a time-management/to-do list app now ;)
Spanish Joe, thanx! You can always use a word processing app and use it to take notes, or even keep a note pad on the desk, helps bunch :)
I wish there was a method to my madness I could pin down - haha
Usually my quickly written posts get the most attention. No matter how long it takes to write, the more I have to think about what I’m writing, the less well received the post is…
Which makes sense because the more knowledge and experience you have with something, the more automatic, instinctual, focused and meaningful it is.
My best advice: Turn your brain off and just write.
I’m with Shane - some of my best posts have been when I just write. Not plan, not rewrite every sentence immediately. Just write.
Hey Shane, good point, it’s actually quite like teaching something to someone, when I give a guitar lesson to a student, I usually don’t have to think too much, cause I know this stuff so well, it’s automatic :)
Angela, that’s so true, I tend to wanna rewrite everything, bu at some point I just go “Jon, it’s fine like that, just publish the thing!” (talking to myself again) ;)
I like your advice on “looking at your archives” for post improvement (or follow-up). What do i do when i’m in a rush and want/need to write a blog post? I use google alerts, scan the headlines, and go from there. I get alot of good fodder from google alerts, when i get bloggers block. I’m referring mostly to my work over at eco-blog, Keetsa. The headline for me is also first, i dont do the sub headlines, but that sounds like a neat speed trick. I might try that one tommorrow, as i have alot of posts to do. I love love “your turn to talk” thing you do on your blog, and have emulated it on some of the posts on Keetsa. It actually was the catalyst that made me turn my blogging conversational and really enabled me to understand what that meant, really well. Thanxs!
Excellent read. Some of my most popular posts have been ’spur of the moment’ or ‘in a rush’ as well. I wonder if this is because I put more emotion into them?
Hi Missy, hey that’s so cool, I’m happy some of my tips helped you!
How did the “sub-healines” went? ;)
Paul, I’m sure it’s because of that, when you write (or talk) with your emotions, usually the results are great.
As an extension to your article: Have A List Of “Future Posts“
In WordPress, whenever I get an idea for a blog article, I throw up a draft with a title, and if anythign comes to mind, a quick outline, or items I’ll be discussing.
Beats forgetting ideas and carrying around a paper and pen. :)
All good ideas Jon. I really use the list of ideas for future posts. Most of my ideas come at times when I can’t sit down and write everything, so I keep an idea list in a notebook with me.
Hi Patrick, I really like the “drafts” things in wordpess, I had about 30-40 posts there, but I copied ‘em all to a text file, I have a bug with wordpress (I know I should update), when you add a “,” at the end of the .com/ it was showing my last draft, not cool :)
Steven, I do the same, or leave myself a messge on my voicemail (faster than having to write notes, I find)
:)
Chandler used to say “When you’re stuck for the next bit, have a man walk in the room with a gun” or words to that effect. Difficult when you’re trying to write blog posts, of course! The best advice on overcoming writer’s block I ever read was similar but more pointed, it goes something like this; “Imagine someone’s pointing a gun at your head ordering you to write”.
Try it!
BB
Awesome article Jon.
I think your point above about being natural is the most important one. There’s no need to get down to dictionary definitions and to use the thesaurus to elaborate on otherwise boring words. Just being yourself and using chatty and coloquial language can sometimes help to attract more attention. I know I prefer the chatty, more informal blogs out there!
Hey! great post Jon as always, very good tips ;)
Investment Property Man, that’s a great tip, although I don’T work really good under heavy stress hehe :)
Adnan, thanx! Yep, totally, I can really relate to a post when it’s more “conversational”.
George, thanx bro :)
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One thing I’ve heard a few people recommend is doing a Q&A type of post.
So, find a question that one of your subscribers or customers has asked you and then answer it and use that as your blog post.
Chances are a lot of your readers have the same or similar questions and would benefit from knowing the answer.
Dave Taylor’s entire blog is based around these kind of posts. (http://www.askdavetaylor.com)
I’ve always run into this problem. This is an awesome post. Very good tips. Thanks for this. :)
Excellent post! I love the drafts feature in Wordpress and now have a number of posts in the works!
TC
Great Post It will be helpfull
Hi Liz, that’s a great way, I did that a couple of times and it was really appreciated by reader :)
Jenny, you’re welcome, happy you found it useful !
TC, WordPress is great, that feature is definitely a time saver.
meditation, thanx :)
Jon, I so much see your point about sending things to yourself. I do that a lot but I’ve set up a rule that automatically sends it into a special folder with to-do tasks and subjects.
Unfortunately the list keeps growing :)
I like your idea and outline approach to writing Jon. I know people who get bogged down by “analysis paralysis” when they sit down to a forced writing session. Their brain gets a cramp and becomes unproductive.
I also have experienced that some of my best writing has happened when I have little time but a great idea. My thoughts tend to flow just right and in a productive manner.
I recommend keeping a noptepad or personal recording device with you at all times to capture your great ideas before they disappear. Don’t worry about structure or format at this time, just write down or record everythiing that comes to mind in that instant. You can connect the dots later!
Mikael, hehe, same happened to me, now I use a time-management app, but still I always have a long list :)
Hey Daniel, always a pleasure to see you on here :) I use my cell phone a lot to keep track of ideas (voice recorder), so I can listen to my notes when I get back home. And it’s cool cause I can hear “how” I said it, and not only read it.
great post Jon this is really helpful
I don’t EVER plan for writing any of my posts! Whenever I get an idea, I don’t hesitate and spread the word because if the idea gets out of my mind, I can’t get it back. Thanks for your post
Or you can simply open up your reader and get inspired by another post.
Brent
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SImply a great post! Another great tips is to make a list of hot issues regarding to your market. This always helps you when you writing a post.