Make Writing a Priority, Not a Pain

Whether you're working on a book or an article marketing campaign, writing is like exercise. And if you want it to really work for your business, then you need to make writing a priority, just like going to the gym or your yoga class.

Let me guess what you're thinking: "But I'm so busy, how do I squeeze writing into my already packed schedule - without giving up ALL my free time?" Well, everyone worries about that. And I have a few suggestions.

To make writing great marketing content a priority in your business without sacrificing everything else you do, consider the following tips.

1. Schedule Small Chunks of Writing Time
You don't need hours upon hours of writing time to be productive - and no matter your intentions, most people can't devote more than an hour to writing on any given day. The key is to schedule small increments of time, maybe thirty minutes a day, on as many days as you can. Then make sure you show up for your writing appointments, and focus on writing during the time you do have.

2. Maintain a List of Ideas
When you're working on a tight schedule, you need to make the most of your time. One of the best ways to do this is start a list of topics you want to cover in your marketing articles and reports. You can add to it whenever and wherever you are, and then pull it out when you're ready to write. For example, I have a list of article ideas that I refer all the time. Maintaining a list of ideas to write about makes it easy to sit down and be productive every time.

3. Improve Your Writing and Self-Editing Skills
The better your skills, the faster you'll be when you sit down to write. And the more you practice the better your writing will be. So just like you'd invest in any other skill, spend time honing your skills by taking courses, reading about writing, and analyzing successful marketing materials that other people have written. Investing your energy in improving your skills will pay off in more effective copy.

4. Be Systematic about Writing Your Marketing Materials
Implementing systems is an easy way to ensure results. I am a HUGE fan of this strategy because once I figure out my system, I don't have to think about it anymore - then all I have to do is write. For example, I know that every Tuesday and Thursday I write a marketing article. Every article is about the same length and structured in a tips format. Then I take that article and systematically submit it to my favorite online directories. This process, which I repeat almost every week, means I don't have to think, "Well, what am I going to write to get the word out about my business today?" I never have to reinvent the wheel.

5. Re-purpose Your Content
Once you've written an article or other piece, look for ways to refocus it or compile it with other materials to create something new. For example, you could combine a collection of articles into a special report or e-book or even a book. And you can refocus your past trade magazine articles to fit the needs of different groups of readers. Looking for ways to reuse your written content makes every minute you spend writing even more productive.

Your Pain-free Writing Time
If you REALLY want to establish expertise and grow your business by writing and publishing, then you need to make writing a priority. Schedule it into your day, and set yourself up for success by maintaining a list of ideas, investing in your skills, and being systematic about the writing and publishing process. Then to squeeze even more results out of your writing time, re-purpose your content by refocusing it for new audiences and combining it with other pieces. When you use these strategies for making writing a priority, you'll develop the writing habit in no time!