Are you struggling to write blog posts faster? Do you feel like you’re wasting a lot of time while writing a single piece? Trust me, You’re not alone.
Writing a blog post can be time-consuming. On average, it takes up to four hours to write a meaningful blog post, according to Orbit Media Studios. Yet, bloggers are expected to publish 3 – 4 posts per week!
The pressure to consistently produce high-quality content at this volume can be a real creativity killer. That’s why, In this post, I’m unavailing the 6 battle-tested time-saving blog writing tips.
Let’s get started…
Blog writing tips to save time and write faster
Blogging is nothing without quality content. And producing such content is often a challenge, especially among beginners. So, here are the top blog writing tips i personally use to write faster and better.
1. Content Batching
Staring down a black page for hours – Like seriously? Okay, let’s be honest… Despite knowing what to write about, I usually go short of words.
Does that happen to you too? It happens to everyone at some point.
Those moments where inspiration seems to have flown, and the cursor blinks at you… It can be soul-crushing, right?
But what if I told you that content batching can help you combat writer’s block, streamline your process, and even stockpile content ideas for the future?
Wait… What the heck is content batching?
Content batching is a productivity hack that most bloggers use to create multiple pieces of content in one session.
For example, instead of writing a single blog post from start to finish, a blogger might dedicate a block of time to brainstorming several blog post ideas, outlining them, writing the first drafts, and then editing them all at the same time.
While this might sound like an impossible task, it’s quite achievable, and it makes blog writing a lot easier and faster.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “But won’t my content feel stale if I write it all in one go?”
The simple answer is NO! Because, with content batching, you’re harnessing the power of focused concentration.
See, When you start researching a particular niche for multiple blog posts, you’re already in the zone. You will be able to move easily from one topic to another, acquiring a wealth of knowledge in that niche.
But, content batching doesn’t mean that it takes one day to write all your blog posts. You can start by brainstorming blog post ideas in one day, drafting copy for blog posts in another day, etc.
So, writing several blog posts in one sitting won’t be difficult. The next time you feel the dreaded writer’s block looming, embrace content batching. Trust me, your future self (and your sanity) will thank you!
2. Scheduling for Streamlined Blog Writing
Some of us are very busy, we all know that. But squeezing out two or three hours per day for blog writing won’t crumble your other schedule.
Creating a schedule and sticking to it helps save a lot of time, and makes things easier. Not just scheduling your blog posts (although that’s a lifesaver too!), but scheduling your entire blog writing process.
Every week, I map out a day for keyword/topic research, another day for researching the topic thoroughly, and the next day for writing my blog posts.
It sounds a bit intense, but trust me, it’s a lifesaver.
Let me break down how you can schedule your blog writing and turn it into a streamlined, stress-free (well, almost) machine.
1. The planning section
As I said earlier, I map out dates every week and set times for different blogging tasks. During the planning section, I usually grab a notebook, and a steaming cup of coffee (essential!), and brainstorm content ideas.
I would research trends, scour competitor blogs for inspiration, and take note of any interesting ideas that might spark a blog post.
The beauty of it is that you can tailor this section to your style. I prefer dedicated brainstorming days, but you might find it easier to weave it into your ongoing routine.
Takeaway: Schedule time specifically for generating ideas, not while you’re already under pressure to write the post itself.
2. Break your day up into blocks of time
Once you have all the ideas from the planning section, it’s time to translate them into a tangible schedule. It’s called time blocking, and it involves allocating specific time slots in your calendar for every stage of the blog writing process.
You will need to set time for research, outlining, writing, editing, formatting, and scheduling the post itself.
Personally, I find it helpful to break down larger tasks like writing into smaller chunks.
For example, I might schedule a two-hour block for writing, but with the understanding that the first hour might be dedicated to outlining and structuring the post, while the second hour goes towards the actual writing.
3. Utilize Scheduling Tools
To help you create a schedule, there are scheduling tools like Calendar.com available that will make life easier for you.
These tools allow you to visualize your schedule, set reminders, and collaborate with others (if you have a team helping with your blog).
If you add scheduling to your blog writing routine, you’ll be amazed at how much smoother and less stressful the process will become It will empower you to take control and focus on the creative aspects of writing.
3. Templating
I have to be honest. …Even when I have millions of ideas swirling in my head, sometimes I still find it difficult to translate them into a blog post.
But really, I can craft amazing blog posts faster with pre-built templates. That’s the beauty of templating. Think of it as a pre-built framework that jumpstarts your writing process and keeps you focused.
Templating is more like a flexible roadmap that guides you efficiently toward a killer blog post. It saves you time and mental energy.
When I’m writing a blog post from a template, I don’t usually worry about the structure or what section to include because the template already has everything put in place.
Now, you might be thinking; “should all your blog posts follow the same structure?”
Honestly, they shouldn’t. Every type of blog post you are writing should have a different structure.
For example, If you are writing a “How To” post, the structure can’t be the same as a listicle post and vice versa.
The idea is to have a separate template for every type of blog post you are writing.
Here’s an example of a list post (listicle) structure:
So, what makes a good template structure?
- Title: The title of your blog post is what readers see first before they decide whether or not to read the rest of the post. To write a good title, use numbers, and power words, and mention the desired outcome.
- Introduction: Just after the title is the intro paragraph where you make your first impression. Use this section to hook your reader and sets the stage for the rest of the post. Your template can include space for a thought-provoking question, a relatable anecdote, or a surprising fact relevant to your topic.
- Headings, Subheadings & Bullet Points: Headings and subheadings break up your text, making it easier for readers to scan and digest the information. Bullet points add visual interest and emphasize key takeaways.
- Summary/Conclusion: This section is where you give your final/additional tips, and summarize your blog post.
- Call to Action: If it’s necessary, you can include a call to action to engage your readers.
As soon as you have your template library built, writing blog posts becomes a breeze. you won’t have to stare at a blank page wondering where to start. All you have to do is choose the appropriate template and fill in the blanks.
4. The Pomodoro Technique
I bet you don’t know about the Pomodoro Technique. It is a time management system that encourages people to work with the time they have.
This technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo is a deceptively simple yet powerful time management strategy.
So, how can we work with it in our blog writing strategy?
Basically, you set a timer, basically 25 minutes. This will be your Pomodoro, the Italian word for tomato (because the inventor used a tomato-shaped timer).
For those 25 minutes, focus on writing your blog posts. turn off every distraction (we will deal with them later!), but for now, just write.
After 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and then, come back to your computer for another 25-minute Pomodoro session.
I usually aim for four Pomodoros in a row, then go for a longer 15-30 minute break.
Hey! …25 minutes? That’s barely enough time to get started. Right!
But here is the thing; short periods of time keep you focused, keep your mind sharp, and prevent burnout.
The Pomodoro Technique isn’t a rigid system. Experiment and find what works for you. Maybe you prefer longer Pomodoros (30 minutes) or shorter breaks (3 minutes). The key is to find a rhythm that keeps you focused and productive.
5. Clustering
Clustering, in simple terms, is a strategic way to group your blog content around a central theme. This technique helps you brainstorm subtopics around a central theme.
What i mean is that, instead of writing one content, you will be able to come up with a pillar content, as well as other closely related topic ideas to accompany it.
Here’s an example:
With this, you will be sure of a steady flow of content without the pressure to constantly coming up with entirely new ideas.
While clustering doesn’t directly improve your writing speed in the sense of fast typing, it can create an environment that indirectly boosts your writing efficiency in many ways.
For example, when it comes to topic research, clustering helps in grouping related topics. This simply means that youve already done some research to identify these connections, right?
In that case, when you want to write a subtopic, you don’t have to start from scratch. You already have an established knowledge from the pillar post, and potentially other subtopics within the cluster.
Did you now see how it reduces the need for extensive research for each individual post?
Trust me, It’s a big time saver!
Plus, focusing on a specific theme within a cluster allows you to stay focused in writing as you’re already familiar with the overarching topic and the connections between subtopics.
6. Talking it out
It’s cool to type the whole blog post with my keyboard, but some times, i get lazy to even lift a finger. It happens to a lot of us!
But what if talking directly to your computer/phone can help speed up your writing speed? I bet it does!
It might sound too good to be true, but trust me, using your voice to draft your blog posts is way faster than typing them with your keyboard. Give it a try.
I use Google docs a lot, and this cool feature come with it for completely free. you don’t need to download any software or pay for any subscription ever, just grab your phone and dictate your thoughts.
And what’s more?
The benefits of dictating your blog draft extends beyond just speeding up your writing process. Studies have shown that talking can help us organize our thoughts more effectively.
So, next time you want to write, try talking it out, and let your computer do the typing for you. It’s way faster.
Conclusion
You’ve explored the 6 time-saving blog writing tips, you’re well on your way to becoming better in blog writing. But you still need to remember that consistency is king (or queen!).
By weaving these strategies into your routine, you’ll be pumping out awesome content faster than ever before.
So, the next time you sit down to write a blog post, don’t be afraid to experiment with these tips! You might be surprised at how much time you can save and how much more efficient your writing process can become.
Thanks for reading, and happy blogging!
