Efficient Blogging: Slow Blogging Versus Slow Writing

When I discuss slow writing, my pen is pointed toward those things that hinder efficient blogging. As such, I am talking about the speed of output instead of quality versus quantity.

Back in 2006, Todd Sieling crafted an essay about the “re-establishment of the machine.” He focused on “halting of the lightspeed hamster wheel” for the sake of less quantity and more effective blogging (1). In the context of his article, Mr. Sieling addressed the loss of quality content that followers the demand for daily blog posting. In these matters, his points are well worth consideration.

1. However, this article is not about:
2. Quality of content
3. How to write a blog
4. Why blog
5. Finding your niche
6. Or quality versus quantity.

 

The Internet is already distended with such topics. Instead, I herein chat about the perils of slow writing, the costs this imputes against efficient writing, and the methods that can help you eliminate the time-waste associated with slow blogging. This article identifies the core cause behind your inability to quickly assemble words and thoughts.

The concepts behind this discussion spring forth from a question passed on to me on the Quora question and answer site by Jowanna Daley.

1. The question: “Why Does It Take Me So Long To Write A Blog?”
2. The answer: Too much time on the first draft.

 

When I write about slow blogging, I am addressing your need to write a single blog post within a reasonable frame of time.

Efficient Blogging, Overcoming The Habit of Writing Too Slow

To make money from blogging, your written content must be interesting and of value to a defined target group. You must also excel as an:

• Efficient writer
• Effective writer
• AND Productive writer.

 

Other components and attributes must also be considered, but we are not going in that direction. Instead, let this focus address how you can overcome the inefficient habit of writing too slow.

I have read many answers to the question of “Why does it take me so long to write a blog.” They range far and wide, and often fail to address the core of the question.

One gentleman talks about the importance of thinking your way through the topic, making certain that you do not “just slap up any kind of article,” and getting the headlines and all the links perfect. Another writer chats on about ordering the associated photos, deciding the order of the text, and back-checking with research. Still another author touches on the importance of background work, determining the audience, ordering your thoughts for that audience, and then thinking it out before taking on the keyboard.

I do not condemn these answers. They do address various components of the writing and blogging process. However, they also overlook the fundamentals of the question. Profitable blogging directly links with the time you spend on the writing, the research and the posting of the content. But:

First and foremost, efficient blogging requires that you do some writing.

On-the-fly Habitual Editing Is At Enmity With Efficient Blogging

Slow writing, slow blogging or what have you call it, springs out of the habit of editing as you write. It comes about whenever an author starts spinning wheels over the details. As such, habitual editing causes you to miss the most important component of writing. Be the content a blog post or be it a high word-count novel, the work begins with the writer getting thoughts down on paper, screen or recording.

Moving thoughts from your head to text, even when you have completed no research, helps shape the direction of all other aspects of the blog post. At first, you may produce nothing more than an outline. But in time, the outlines begin to become comprehensive content.

My Personal Experience With Slow Writing and Inefficient Blogging

For years, I worked under a concept of finished perfection, meaning that every sentence was, to my mind, faultless before I moved on to the next sentence, and that every paragraph had to be perfect before I could write the next paragraph.

What a waste of time.

One day I took notice of how quickly I could answer questions on the fly. These things came out of my head, from the writer’s sweatshop set up in the back of my conscious, the place from which words flow quickly and without restriction. Herein abides the heart of efficient blogging.

The grammar was not perfect. The spelling sometimes came up short. Links to research, reference materials and so forth was missing, replaced instead with a note for reference. What did it matter? Once a response was completed, dealing with grammar, spelling and research went quick and easy.

Efficient Blogging Rule 1: On-the-fly habitual editing is an obstacle to efficiency in writing.

Efficient Blogging, Rule 2: Stop thinking and start writing

Efficient Blogging, Rule 3: Write according to your range of knowledge.

Efficient Blogging, Rule 4: Ignore grammar, spelling and research

Efficient Blogging, Rule 5: Finish before you edit

Final Notes:

If you are not certain of direction, try writing a few related and non-related words. Example of an article on air conditioning: Hot air. Condenser. Heat pump. Blower motor. Cost. Effectiveness. Balance.

Now, craft a question using the above words. It might go something like this: “How Does Balanced Air Flow Affect The Cost Of Operating A Heat Pump?”

Then, start writing. If you have no concept of how to answer the question, you are likely slow writing in a niche that does not fit your range of knowledge. In that case, stop writing and start reading. Smiles.

 

1. The Slow Blog Manifesto…and 8 Reasons Why Slow Blogging Will Help Your Career, Your Love Life, and Protect You From Angry Elephants; Anne R. Allen (@annerallen) June 3, 2012