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How to Write Online Articles Faster and Smarter

(Even If You Hate Writing!)

illustration of a woman frustrated with writers block.

Creating perfect online content can be frustrating and time-consuming. But the problem might not be your writing skills--it could be your strategy.

December 28, 2024 • 7 min read

Well-written articles and blog posts are powerful tools for generating leads, engaging customers, and boosting search engine rankings. However, many of us avoid writing since it can easily consume hours (or even days) with unsatisfactory results.

It doesn't have to be that way. This guide offers tips, tools, and examples to help you create engaging content efficiently and more frequently, even if writing isn't your favorite activity.

A Proven Formula to Write Faster and Better

1. Know Your Audience and Focus on Their Needs

When writing, are you focusing on topics that interest your audience, or do you get sidetracked by your own interests? We've been there too. With nearly 30 years of experience in web design, SEO, and online marketing, we know that what interests us might not always match our audience's most urgent needs.

It might help you to think of this: Bob Levenson, one of the copywriters on the famous Volkswagen advertisements of the 1960s, once explained his writing process:

"I always started by writing Dear Charlie, like writing to a friend. And then I would say what I had to say, and at the end I would cross out Dear Charlie, and I was all right."

This technique helped him write more effectively and with more focus--something we might all want to remember when writing content that connects with our audience.

Example: This article is intended for small business owners and their content creators. We'll provide tips, techniques, and examples for efficient writing and overcoming common frustrations like perfectionism and writer's block. We want to show that writing can be enjoyable and productive with the right mindset and tools.

2. Identify Your Audience's Pain Points and Questions

Good content creators understand their audience's questions, needs, and concerns. You can gather feedback from current and potential clients, but a quicker and more effective method is to use Google. A simple search can reveal valuable insights directly from your audience.

Here is a marked-up snapshot of the Google search results page (SERP) for "how to write articles faster." Below, we discuss three sections of the page that can be helpful to online article writers.

From Sources Across the Web: This section lists related phrases that Google believes may be helpful to searchers. Discussing relevant keywords from this section will help assure that you're focusing on what your audience is interested in. And by naturally including these phrases in your article, you'll be improving your chances of good search engine rankings.

Example: Some of the key phrases from here that we might include in our article include "research efficiently," "create an outline," "set a timer," "use the Pomodoro Technique," "keep it short," and "use bullet points."

People Also Ask: This is a goldmine of common search questions related to our topic. These can inspire ideas for article titles, subheadings, body copy, and visuals.

Example: "How to Write a Good Article in 1 Hour?" This tells us people are looking for speed and quality. In fact, this could be a great title for our article!

People Also Search For: This section suggests related searches, which can uncover content gaps or new angles you might not have considered.

Example: "How to write an article examples" suggests that including examples in our article would be beneficial.

3. Research Efficiently. Focus on Quality over Quantity

Focus on a few reputable sources to avoid research overload. Citing and linking to authoritative sources (like Cleveland Clinic, The New York Times, .gov sites, and industry-specific publications) enhances credibility with readers and search engines.

Tip: It's about the quality of the sources, not the quantity.

4. Choose the Best Format for Your Topic

Following a format makes writing easier, more effective, and engaging for your readers. Here are five popular format options, with examples:

List: Ideal for how-to guides, tips, and resources. They're easy to scan, read, and understand.

Example: "7 Ways to Boost Your Website's Conversion Rate." The list items can be brief or discussed in depth.
Question and Answer (Q&A): Another format that doesn't require advanced writing skills, and it directly addresses audience concerns. Using questions from "People Also Ask" boosts SEO.

Example: Q: How do I overcome writer's block? A: Try freewriting for 10 minutes, changing your writing environment, or taking a short break. Here are 5 examples of how we do it.
Problem/Solution: Clearly defines a problem and offers actionable solutions.

Example: "Problem: Low Website Traffic? 3 Proven Strategies to Attract More Visitors."
Case Study: Showcases real-life examples of success (or failure) and provides valuable insights.

Example: "How We Helped a Local Bakery Increase Sales by 20% Through Targeted Content Marketing."
Comparison: Compares two or more products, services, or approaches.

Example: "Should You Create Your Own Online Content or Hire a Professional? You May Be Surprised at What We Learned."

5. Outline Your Content

Start with your key message at the top and 3-4 supporting subheadings beneath. Under each, create a bullet point list of tips, facts, or examples. A thorough outline provides a clear roadmap to follow. It can help to prevent writer's block and keep your article focused and concise.

"A full outline means that, as I write the story, I have everything in front of me. I will not have pausing for hours to track down that one little fact whose origin I can't remember."

S.C. Gwynne, bestselling author

6. Provide "Just Enough" Information

Don't feel obligated to cover every aspect of a topic. Provide just enough information to support your points. If your article would benefit from more in-depth information, create a follow-up article or link to relevant resources. Always keep the needs and interests of your target audience in mind.

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that splits work into 25-minute intervals, separated by short breaks. This technique helps you maintain focus, overcome procrastination, and prevent burnout.

Here's an example writing session:

Set a Timer: Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Work Focused: Dedicate your full attention to writing. Avoid distractions.
Take a Short Break: Once the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break to stretch, walk around, or grab a snack.
Repeat: Complete 3-4 Pomodoro sessions, then take a longer break of 15-20 minutes.

7. Edit Efficiently

Read your article aloud to catch errors and awkward phrasing.

Remember, "done" is better than "perfect," especially for initial drafts.
(Tools like The Sentence Shortener can help identify unneeded wording, like that sentence.)

Aim for "good enough" initially, and revisit your articles later for improvements.

Tip: Google often favors new and refreshed content over articles that are posted and then forgotten.

Take Advantage of Online Editing Tools:

While your expertise and personal knowledge are what make your articles unique, there are many free online tools that can help fine-tune your writing. Some of our favorites include:

QuillBot Grammar Check: Grammar, spelling, and style checker.
Hemingway Editor: Improves readability.
SEO Writing Assistant: Helps optimize your content for search engines.

By implementing these writing strategies, you can turn what may have previously been a frustrating task into an efficient and powerful business-building activity.

Remember, consistent, high-quality content is a proven technique for attracting and engaging potential customers and staying top-of-mind with current ones. It can also help you earn higher search engine rankings and ultimately grow your business.

How are your writing projects coming along? What tips have you found for writing content quicker? We'd love to hear them. Please email your comments to info@joeweb.com.

At Joe Web site design, we understand the power of effective content and offer a range of services to help small business owners and content creators attract and engage customers. Our online marketing services include:

Content Strategy Development
Content Creation
Website Design and SEO

If you're ready to bump up the effectiveness of your online content or anything else website-related, call us at 828-551-9761. Let's schedule a free consultation. We'd love to create or improve your website and content strategy to deliver measurable results.