RooneyRyan.com

Getting your writing done, fast!

A couple of months ago, I discovered the website, Copyblogger Media. The site is all focused on how to generate more traffic, inbound links, subscribers, paid customers, and how to grow your profile through the content you have on your site.

Without thinking, I signed up for their free 20-part internet marketing course focused on the above that is delivered one by one via email each week.  It was free and of course I subscribed cause I was on the learning curve.

They send me different posts each week on different topics but I have to admit, I do not get time to read them often. They’re marked unread in my inbox with the greatest intentions of someday getting to read them. But tonight (it’s funny how these things happen) I managed to open the most recent mail…it was all about being focused when writing and churning out content like blog posts: my biggest problem!

I wasn’t a great student in English class at secondary school, I was more of a sports guy with a tendency to be outdoors as much as I could. In fact, my teacher told me I’d probably fail the honors level course, and that I would be lucky to pass the exam. (I’m happy to report that I not only got my honor, but I wasn’t far down the pack. Take that Sir!) 

I really would like to get into writing more. Having working on two internet startup companies, I have learnt so much that I have so much to write about to put down all those lessons I’ve learnt on paper. That was the reason myself and Chris launched this site, we want to get into the habit of actively writing more and more to help inspire others or at least help them learn the key building block as an entrepreneur. 

I have todo lists of topics I want to write about the length of my arm, I just find it difficult to just do it! It’s hard after a long day working on your startup to then go ahead and write about lessons learnt that day or from the previous week. But I’m trying!

So: here it is. Read it! Because if it can help you as much as I feel it has opened my eyes or simply helped me focus when I write, you will hopefully get it too!!

By now, you know that content marketing is the new advertising.

Your readers - and those beloved search engines - highly reward those sites that consistently deliver authoritative content that is focused on a topic, industry, niche, or idea. 

What does this *really* mean? You’ve got to write. A lot.

Sure, there’s other ways to deliver the goods - audio, video, infographic design, etc. But ultimately, the writer runs this show. And, writing - whether in outline, script, or long form - is what underpins all other categories of media.

Writing is the cornerstone skill of all great content creation. So, when it comes to building your business on the Internet, you’re going to be spending a good amount of your time at the keyboard.

Here’s a stripped-down system for getting your writing done, fast:

1. Know what you’re talking about

Obvious, right? If you’re going to write authoritatively about anything, you’ve got to put in your time. You’ve got to read relentlessly on your subject.

Study, research, painstakingly try to understand the movements and theories and motivations *behind* your product, service, and industry.

Stay current on, or ahead of, the news. Get to know the players involved.

This step (which, by the way, is an ongoing process) eliminates the dreaded moments of staring out the window for ideas. Research *is* writing.

2. Outline every time

If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you ever get there? Don’t ever start blindly typing your essay, article, or blog post without a map.

First, think through what it is you actually want to communicate. Then, write down the skeleton of the thing. Major points, subheads, title.

A simple outline takes the guesswork - and in many ways, the *actual* work - out of the picture.

Give yourself a paved road to walk down, and then walk down that road, simply putting one foot in front of the other.

3. The secret lies in 30 minutes

I stole this technique from Eugene Schwartz, and it is the single most powerful practice for getting words on a page I’ve ever used.

Get a kitchen timer. Or, use the one on your smartphone. Sit down at your desk with your notes, research, outline, and coffee. Set that timer for 30 minutes and punch the “start” button.

*DO NOT* get up from your desk until 30 minutes passes and the buzzer goes off.

Here’s the trick: don’t try to write. Don’t stress about it.

After a few minutes of sitting there, staring at the page, your cat, out the window, whatever, you’ll get so *bored* that you’ll begin to write.

When the 30 minutes is up, go do something else for a while. Then, come back for another 30 minutes of not trying. If you get six or seven of these sessions in during a day, you’ll be so far ahead of the game, you’ll wonder why you ever struggled to write in the first place.

4. Write a lot

It is an immutable law of the universe. The more you do it, the more you’ll do it. It may not get easier, but eventually you will become a writer. And that, my friends, can change your life and your business.

Robert Bruce and his team at CopyBlogger have three great products on offer for everyone to use. They are StudioPress for design,  Scribe for SEO (made awesomely simple) and Premise for conversion. Check them out now!