When You Have To Write That Article FAST!

In my nearly four years of constant blogging, I’ve launched numerous blogs and sold off quite a few. Right now, I manage six blogs which sounds like a lot. But, only three are updated daily with the other three updated 1-3 times per week.

Writing Quickly

Eyepopping articles can be written in a short span which can be helpful if you find that you're especially pressed for time.

Still, that means I’m writing at least 23 weekly articles for my blogs alone, with another ten to fifteen articles for my customers. There are times I need to spend a couple of hours on just one article, but there are other times when I will get an article done in just 15-20 minutes, including this one.

Please allow me to share some tips with you on how to write quality articles fast:

Quick Outline – I’ve grown accustomed to creating most of my outlines in my head. When things are a bit more complicated, I can jot down some notes on a scratch pad to keep everything in order. Fortunately, I rarely have to take the extra step; this doesn’t include my magazine articles which are more thoroughly researched, however.

Killer Headline – I’ve seen people waste too much time on a headline. Instead, think of three or four words related to the article you want to write and then build the rest of the headline around those words. The headline I’m using here is eight words, but to get your attention I capitalized the word fast.

Brief Introduction – Your introductory paragraph should be brief, with two or three sentences being sufficient. One in that group is your topic sentence which will drive the rest of your article.

Use Bullets – If you have three or four points to make in you article, use bullets to separate each point. In some cases, numbered lists are an appropriate way to get your point across.

Conclude Smartly – Once you’ve made your case, conclude your article with a nice, clear wrap up. If you’re trying to sell a product, then include a call for action. Otherwise summarize what you’ve said and leave it at that.

Add Some Meat To Your Work

I’m not a fan of super short articles as I believe those articles which are four hundred words or longer are more likely to get indexed by Google. Thus, if you’re writing fast you’ll want to check your word count before ending your work. Once done, be prepared to include a related photo, links to other articles, the appropriate tags, etc. Proofread your work, tweak a sentence here or there and you should be done.

Write Often To Write Better

Writers are just like piano players.

There, I said it – people who write for a living are just like a pianist. In what way? The more you practice the better you sound (or read).

If you’ve ever played a musical instrument, then you know that there was a time when you sounded dreadful. However, if you stuck at it then your skills eventually improved, perhaps to the point where people actually enjoyed how you played. Maybe they even paid good money to listen to you in person.

Push Yourself To Succeed

The pianist didn't get to where she is at without long practices and much refinement. For the writer pursuing excellence, the same road is traveled.

Throughout my life, my writing skills have ebbed and flowed. While in high school, I had a literature teacher who encouraged me to write, pointing out my strengths while helping me conquer my weaknesses. Run-on sentences were my chief scourge back then, something I eventually mastered through consistent writing.

In college, my term papers were rewarded with high grades because I researched each topic thoroughly, taking the time to fine tune my drafts until I was ready to type my report on an electric typewriter, double-spaced, with no smudge marks please.

Use It Or Lose It

But as with any skill, if you don’t use it you lose it. A restaurant manager’s job followed by a nonprofit gig and six years had passed me by before I got to write consistently again. Even then, I was tasked with writing technical manuals primarily with the occasional newsletter thrown in. I hated the former and craved the latter, a point my boss made note of.

Seven years ago the dreaded technical writing job ended which put me at a critical crossroad. Should I look for employment or should I strike out on my own? I chose the latter and haven’t looked back (okay, the occasional glance over my shoulder when things were particularly gloomy), doing what needed to be done in order to get the job done.

Put Your Career In Gear

Which brings me to the whole point of this piece – if you’re looking for work or are desiring a career change you have to start someplace which may include doing a few freebie projects in order to build your portfolio. Specifically, if you’re wanting to write and you need to show your “clips” in order to pull down paid opportunities, consider taking on the following tasks:

• Write articles for a quality article directory such as EzineArticles.com which happens to be one of the best ones out there. Show yourself no mercy; submit only your best work to this site. Labor over your article(s) until you believe that you have created a masterpiece.

• Contribute an original article to a blog in order to get your name out there. I currently manage six blogs and welcome (related) contributions for each one. However, many of the submissions I have received have been sub-par, demonstrating that the writer hasn’t done his/her research or has written poorly. Usually both. Find a blog of interest to you and ask the blogger if he/she welcomes submissions.

• Contact a non-profit or charity and ask them if they need some writing completed. Many organizations still produce hard copy newsletters while others have blogs that haven’t been updated in ages. Interview someone, write a feature story, explain a new service, etc. Write like you’re getting paid big bucks – you’ll come away from the project with your needed clips and a solid recommendation.

Keep It Up

Once you get a few articles under your belt, you’ll begin to notice a couple of things – your writing has improved and your confidence has gotten a much needed boost. Expect criticism, but learn to deal with it  even if delivered to you with ill intent.

The accomplished pianist got to where she is through countless hours of hard work; if you want to succeed as a writer, then you must be relentless in your pursuit of excellence as well.

See Also — Is It Time For You To Raise Your Rates?