I take forever to write one article!

[tenderone]

I need some tips and hints on how to write a little bit more quickly! For example, it takes me 1.5 hours to write an article for TB. I am a 4, so I am able to get higher paying gigs but still, if it takes me this long to write an article, I am only making $4.66/hr on a $7.00 article. I will never be able to produce plenty of articles in a day in order to make a decent income.

I am relatively new to writing from home, so I am hoping that with time and experience, I will increase my speed.

[FlintVS]

First off, you will get faster with experience!

Start building a Bookmark folder with links for references. Also, choose one topic to write on at a time, and write as many articles for that topic as are available. That way, you'll be able to reuse sources, and will get faster and faster with each article you write.

[sherryy]

There have been quite a few threads on here about the same subject -- I'm sure someone will be alone with the same advice about tools to use, etc.

I'm not that structured -- but what's taking you that long? is it the research? or are you trying to phrase it all perfectly on the first draft? or do you spend forever re-wording what you've alreay said? maybe you have some distractions at home?

you'll get faster -- but a lot depends on what's taking so much time.

[sierras236]

Break down how you write the article, from the beginning to the end. In other words, start timing yourself to figure out how long it takes you to do the research, to write the actual article, and how long it takes you to edit it. Also, count the distractions during the article. Do you find yourself surfing or checking email during when you are writing? Do you constantly have to get up to do something? Stuff like that. From there you can figure out how to shorten your time. For example, if you find yourself using 5 websites cut down to 3 to shorten research time. Try to cut down your distractions. Some times of the day are more productive than other times for writing. Try to write during your most productive times. You could also try using some sort of speech to text software, if your typing speed is lower. The only other piece of advice is that practice will make you faster.

[skcandles]

I agree with the above poster. If you can figure out what is slowing you down, then it is easier to figure otu how to help you get faster

[Jen's Solitude]

I can totally relate to this. I know I will get faster with experience, so that keeps me going. I am trying to learn to spend 20 minutes researching and 40 minutes on writing and proof-reading.

I like the suggestion to write about one subject as often as possible. I will give that a try. Looking forward to other contributions to this thread.

Thanks for starting it, tenderone.

[aumom]

I can totally relate. I am pretty new to web writing, but I have been writing in some way for as long as I can remember and I have always been slow. One thing that helps me is to write the rough draft with whatever comes to mind and (try) to not worry about any mistakes. I just get my ideas down. Then I go back and revise and edit. This speeds me up somewhat.

Also, I find writing my introduction last helps tremendously, especially with DS articles.

[kdbbiz]

I must agree with the rest of the posters. When I first started out, I was only getting $3 per article and it took me 2 hours to research and write!

Over time you do get faster. You learn to scan through articles looking for certain points and tips. I only go to 2-3 websites if that instead of 5 or 6 like i used to. You can also scan through articles on the topics at ezinearticles, often I find they are easier to find and read there.

I work when my kids are sleeping or watching a movie or at my moms, or on a walk with their dad. I have no music, no phone and the hardest part for me is staying away from my email or facebook.

Just keep on and it will speed up!

[tenderone]

Thank you all for sharing!

What is taking me so long is rewriting, rewriting, rewriting. I will type something up and then think of something else even better and work on rephrasing it or I will rearrange the entire article. The research takes me no time at all, and I type close to 90 wph. I work when my children are napping, and I make it a habit to leave checking my email for after I am done. I am my own worst enemy. LOL!

I am a perfectionist, so I know that that doesn't help.

[WAHMBrenda]

I've been at it for 5 years and I know I must have been slow in the beginning but now I can research and write an article in 20 - 30 minutes. This means I'm now averaging $16+ per hour. Give it some tim, you'll get there.