Is it taking you ages to write down weblog posts?
You’re not alone…
Whether or not you’re new to running a blog otherwise you’ve been operating your weblog for some time, the time dedication could be actually overwhelming. Simply getting one submit printed every week generally is a wrestle, particularly in case you’re targeted on producing high-quality long form content.
Even in case you’re not a pure author, there are many methods you possibly can pace up your writing course of. Writing sooner means you possibly can publish extra typically—or you possibly can spend extra time on other vital activities to grow your blog’s traffic.
First, let’s deal with a standard fear about writing sooner…
Quicker Writing Doesn’t Imply Slapdash Writing
One of many worries that some bloggers have is that by rushing up the writing course of, they’ll compromise on high quality.
I don’t imagine that’s true. Positive, some strategies for rushing up would possibly have an effect on the standard of your submit – in case you resolve to shave day off your course of by skipping modifying utterly, that’s most likely going to lead to posts which have typos or different obvious errors. And in case you merely hand the entire course of over to an AI device that may whip up a complete weblog submit primarily based on a one-sentence immediate, you received’t be producing one thing of your typical high quality.
However in lots of instances, working extra successfully improves the standard of your completed posts. Let’s say you pace up by chopping out distractions if you’re drafting: your submit would possibly stream higher in consequence, with smoother transitions between sections. Or how about you pace up by nailing your outline earlier than you begin writing the submit—you’ll have a well-structured piece that covers all a very powerful factors.
With every step we cowl, we’ll be taking a look at the right way to write sooner and higher. Alongside the way in which, we’ll check out some key methods that high bloggers use to constantly produce high-quality content material.
The way to Velocity Up Your Running a blog Course of from Begin to End
No matter sort of posts you write, and nevertheless lengthy or quick they’re, you’ll be going by way of these completely different steps of the running a blog course of:
- Developing with an thought
- Outlining your submit (you could be doing this in your head / as you draft)
- Drafting your submit
- Modifying your submit (you could be doing this as you draft)
- Publishing your submit
Every step is essential, and by recognising every of those as distinct components of the running a blog course of, you possibly can take a look at the right way to pace up and write even stronger posts.
We’ll check out methods to be extra environment friendly and efficient at every step … however earlier than we dig into that, let’s sort out an enormous problem that’s most likely in your thoughts as you concentrate on writing quick.
Ought to You Use AI to Velocity Up Your Running a blog?
As a contract author, I’ll admit to some blended emotions about AI (artificial intelligence). On the one hand, I feel instruments like ChatGPT are very cool—I’ve had enjoyable enjoying round with them. However I’m additionally eager that the machines don’t put me out of a job!
The excellent news for me is that AI actually isn’t on the level but the place it might probably exchange a talented blogger (or freelancer, creator, or journalist). I don’t suppose it’s a good suggestion to “pace up” by merely handing the entire running a blog course of over to AI. You would possibly get a technically competent piece of writing, nevertheless it’s not going to be as participating and well-written as a submit produced by a human.
However AI positively has a task to play, and it might probably assist make your posts stronger. I wish to see AI as a shiny intern. You wouldn’t hand over full management of your weblog to an intern … however you would possibly ask them to hold out some preliminary analysis or to write down a tough define for a submit.
As we undergo the steps, I’ll provide you with some ChatGPT prompts you need to use if you wish to pace issues up utilizing AI. If you wish to go additional, I’d advocate utilizing a premium AI device geared toward bloggers—some good ones to take a look at are:
- Jasper (previously Jarvis): one of many best-established AI instruments on the market, with an enormous vary of various options, the flexibility to study and match your model voice, a variety of AI templates, and the choice to create AI artwork too.
- Copy.ai: a fully-featured AI device, just like Jasper in its options. It’s a barely newer device but additionally is available in a bit cheaper, and contains numerous gross sales instruments in addition to advertising ones.
- RightBlogger: a smaller and newer AI, with a powerful suite of instruments particularly geared toward bloggers. It doesn’t have any credit score/phrase limits, so you possibly can experiment with out worrying that you simply’re utilizing up your month-to-month price range.
Step 1: Coming Up With Concepts – That Work for Your Readers and Search Engines
Step one of the running a blog course of is to give you an thought. You possibly can’t get very far with out one!
To write down a extremely good submit, you need an concept that works for each your readers and for search engines like google. Which means doing some keyword research if doable, so you possibly can work out one thing that persons are trying to find on-line, and write a submit to fulfill their wants. Clearly, you additionally need to select a subject that’s related to your readers.
For those who’re struggling, listed below are some nice ProBlogger posts to assist:
What Chris Garrett Says About Coming Up With Concepts Quicker
A few of my finest articles have come from reader questions. They work nicely as a result of if one reader desires to know a selected reply you possibly can guess many extra do too. For those who can’t discover something helpful in your individual remark space or inbox, go take a look at one other blogger’s feedback or a discussion board.
(How to Generate Post Ideas When You Are Stuck, Chris Garrett, ChrisG.com)
Utilizing AI to Energy Your Concepts
There are many AI-powered key phrase analysis instruments on the market. ClickUp has a great list here.
ChatGPT Immediate
Give me [X] weblog submit concepts for a weblog about [TOPIC]. The viewers is primarily [A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR AUDIENCE]. For every thought, inform me the first key phrase to optimize for.
Instance: Give me 10 weblog submit concepts for a weblog about private finance. The viewers is primarily individuals of their 20s and 30s who really feel a bit daunted by getting on high of their funds. For every thought, inform me the first key phrase to optimize for.
Step 2: Outlining Your Posts – And Giving Them a Rock-Strong Construction
When you’ve bought a transparent thought in thoughts, it’s time to craft a top level view on your submit. That is such a tempting step to skip, particularly in case you’ve bought a title that offers you a fairly clear image of how your submit is structured. 7 Straightforward Methods to Enhance Your Morning Routine, for example, is clearly going to be a listicle.
However spending simply 10 minutes outlining your submit may make a large distinction to how shortly you possibly can draft it. These 10 minutes would possibly prevent an hour or extra … and lead to a a lot better completed piece.
Once I’m outlining, whether or not that’s for my very own weblog or for a shopper piece, I like to incorporate:
- A sentence or two concerning the introduction: what’s the “hook” for this submit? What must be mentioned as a way to arrange the remainder of the submit?
- All the important thing factors the submit goes to cowl: often, I’ll write these as subheadings and embody a brief record of bullet factors for every little part. This makes drafting the submit so fast and straightforward … I’m simply fleshing out what’s already there.
- The conclusion to the submit: how am I going to spherical issues off, and what is going to I immediate readers to do on the finish of the piece?
Some posts are simple to construction, like listicles and how-tos. Others are a bit trickier, like an A vs B comparability evaluation, the place you would give all of the details about product A primary, then cowl product B … or you would do a point-by-point comparability of options, pricing, and so forth. Even an inventory submit could be tough as it’s good to resolve on the very best order to current your completely different factors.
The benefit of writing a top level view is that you could experiment with construction till you’re assured you’ve bought one thing that works and flows nicely.
What Neil Patel Says About Outlining Quicker
A very good define offers you a holistic view of how your article will come collectively.
Purpose to be as thorough as doable. The analysis course of is vital to making sure that you’ve as a lot element as doable.
This manner, you possibly can knock out every level with out having to divert your consideration away from writing.
(How to Become a Better, Faster, and More Efficient Writer in 7 Steps, Neil Patel)
Utilizing AI to Energy Your Outlining
Both use AI to create the define first, then edit it so as to add/take away factors—or write down your key factors, then create a top level view with AI that can assist you spot any concepts you’ll have missed.
ChatGPT Immediate
Write an in depth define for a [XXXX] phrase weblog submit titled [“TITLE”]. Give a prompt phrase depend for every subsection. Embrace a name to motion on the finish to [CALL TO ACTION].
Instance: Write an in depth define for a 1,500 phrase weblog submit titled “Zero-Waste Vegan Kitchen: Sustainable Cooking and Eco-Pleasant Suggestions”. Give a prompt phrase depend for every subsection. Embrace a name to motion on the finish to obtain my free vegan cookbook.
Step 3: Drafting Your Posts – With out Procrastination and Writers’ Block
The stage of the running a blog course of that takes the longest is drafting your content material. Maybe you’ve had the expertise of looking at a clean web page on the display screen, making an attempt to determine what to write down: in that case, you need to discover it a lot simpler to draft now you’ve a strong define in hand.
However even if you’ve bought a transparent define, it may be arduous to remain targeted when drafting. The most important drawback that journeys bloggers up right here is getting distracted and going off-task. This could simply make a one-hour writing job take three hours … and it could additionally find yourself together with your submit seeming disjointed on the finish of the method.
Right here’s what you are able to do to dramatically improve your focus:
- Flip off distractions if you’re writing. Silence your cellphone, shut pointless tabs, change off the TV. It’s primary, sure, nevertheless it actually does work.
- Write someplace away from dwelling. For those who’ve bought children, roommates, or a partner who retains interrupting, pack up your laptop computer and head to your native espresso store to write down.
- Set a timer when you’re writing. Problem your self to remain targeted for half-hour: you could be amazed how a lot you possibly can produce in that point.
- Focus simply on drafting and transferring ahead. Don’t return to edit or lookup information. Put in a remark so you possibly can come again later to any sections that want extra work.
- Hearken to music that helps you get within the writing zone. Some writers I do know love film tracks for this; others like music particularly designed for focus. Chances are you’ll even discover ambient noise tracks work nicely for you.
What Linda Formichelli Says About Drafting Quicker
I take advantage of a writing device referred to as TextExpander — which expands customized keyboard shortcuts into continuously used textual content — for widespread copy, like my electronic mail sign-off, bio, mailing deal with, ebook titles, HTML codes, and phrases and phrases I typically use in my writing.
(How to Write Faster: 10 Quick Ways to Hit 1,000 Words Per Hour, Linda Formichelli, SmartBlogger)
Utilizing AI to Energy Your Drafting
I favor to draft with out AI, however chances are you’ll discover it useful to make use of AI to kickstart your writing – notably your introduction, which many bloggers wrestle with.
ChatGPT Immediate
Write a [XXX] phrase introduction to a weblog submit titled [“TITLE”]. The tone must be [TONE].
Instance:
Write a 150 phrase introduction to a weblog submit titled “10 Frequent Running a blog Errors Holding You Again (and What to Do As an alternative)”. The tone must be pleasant, supportive, and inspiring.
Step 4: Modifying Your Posts – Polish Your Work and Catch Errors Simply
For those who began out with a strong define, you’ll have discovered it a lot sooner to draft your submit. You’ll additionally save a number of time when you edit your post, too. The basics of your submit will all be in place, and hopefully you received’t have to make any actually main edits (like chopping out or including in complete sections).
Probably, your modifying will contain:
- Studying over your submit to test for any additional factors you need to embody or hyperlinks you need to add in (e.g. to associated posts in your weblog).
- Ensuring that every one information (e.g. statistics, quotes, sources) are appropriate – that is particularly essential in case you’ve used AI to provide some/all your textual content.
- Checking for stylistic points, like clunky phrases or run-on sentences.
- Looking for grammatical errors, spelling errors, and typos.
AI generally is a nice assist with factors 3 and 4 right here. I’d additionally advocate studying slowly by way of your submit your self, after all, however AI might catch issues that you simply didn’t realise had been improper (numerous bloggers confuse it’s and its, for example) in addition to typos that you simply failed to identify merely since you’re so aware of what you thought you wrote.
You don’t have to spend hours modifying or goal for absolute perfection. One of many nice issues about running a blog, in contrast with another types of writing and publishing, is that you could shortly and simply return and proper errors.
For those who’re utilizing website positioning software program (like Clearscope or Surfer SEO), the modifying part can also be an excellent time to optimize your article with these, ensuring you’ve included related key phrases.
What Sola Kehinde Says About Modifying Quicker
Some writers suppose one of the simplest ways to create excellent content material is to write down a couple of sentences after which cease to edit all of the errors in it. However on the finish of their writing session, they might nonetheless be caught studying and modifying the identical few sentences again and again with out making any progress. […] To extend your writing pace, do your self a favor and ignore all of the typos and errors you observe when you’re nonetheless writing.
(9 Tricks That Can Boost Your Writing Speed, Sola Kehinde, Craft Your Content material)
Utilizing AI to Energy Your Modifying
My favourite AI device for modifying is Grammarly: it does an awesome job of recognizing not simply errors (like typos and spelling errors) but additionally sentences the place I’ve been too wordy.
ChatGPT is quite inconsistent (generally spots errors that aren’t errors in any respect, and generally misses errors) however you may give it a go for checking your textual content, utilizing the immediate beneath.
ChatGPT Immediate
Verify the next textual content for spelling and grammar errors. Please spotlight errors in daring and provides a advice to repair them. Don’t give a advice that’s an identical to the unique textual content.
[TEXT OF YOUR POST]
Select One in all These Methods to Put Into Observe This Week
Writing sooner whereas additionally producing wonderful content material means getting extra environment friendly at every stage of the writing course of. Whether or not you’re developing with concepts, crafting outlines, drafting content material, or modifying effectively, you possibly can pace up—and get higher outcomes.
Experiment with AI to enhance your effectivity and blast by way of author’s block, however do not forget that you have the ultimate say over every little thing you publish (and the duty to verify it’s correct).
Decide one of many concepts above to do this week … and pop a remark beneath to tell us which one you’ll be incorporating into your running a blog course of. For those who’re already utilizing a few of these suggestions, tell us that are working finest for you.