Consistently producing high-quality content can be physically and mentally draining. It requires a combination of hard work, creativity, attention to detail and a desire to write content that readers will love.

To help you work more efficiently and write more engaging copy, here are 14 writing and productivity hacks to keep you on top of your writing game.

1. Stop Over-Researching

Do you sometimes find yourself staring at 20 pages of research material for a 700-word article you need to write? You need to cut down on research time. Look at past articles and see how many citations or research stats you used. Stop researching when you’ve reached this number, and save any extra ideas and stats for future articles.

2. Keep First Drafts in Check

To avoid writing a first draft that’s three times too long, you need discipline. Write subheadings for your article first, then divide the total number of words you need by the number of subheadings. For instance, a 900-word article with six subheadings needs around 150 words per section. As you write each section, keep this number in mind.

3. Avoid Self-Editing

Write the first draft without stopping to edit each sentence. Don’t look up quotes or check spellings; insert a note and return to it later. That’s what the editing process is for.

4. Set Fake Deadlines

If you have a week to write an article, challenge yourself to finish it in two days. Having a deadline focuses your mind and also helps you avoid over-researching and procrastinating. This strategy also gives you wiggle room if you do fall behind.

5. Make Headlines More Emotional

To make headlines more engaging, appeal to the reader’s self-interest. Intriguing headlines are good: “Ten Surprising Ways to Use Lentils.” However, appealing to the reader’s self-interest is often better: “Lower Your Cholesterol With These Ten Awesome Lentil Recipes.”

6. Start Strong

Don’t leave your best idea until the last paragraph; put it in the first sentence instead. Many readers will scan the beginning first, so putting your strongest point here will make more of an impact.

7. Set a Timer

Eliminate as many distractions as possible, then set a timer for 30 minutes. The only thing you can do in this time is write or research. When the timer goes off, take a 10-minute break and then repeat the process. Many writers find this technique increases their productivity.

8. Add Interest

When you’re unsure how to improve your first draft, try the following:

  • Make it more scannable by altering the format. For example, add bullet points.
  • Use your unique personality to add more “color” to the writing.
  • Incorporate humor, controversial ideas, or trending news stories.

9. Get Readers to Say “Yes”

To make readers feel more engaged with your writing, ask a question. For example: “Do you ever feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day?” If the reader is saying “yes,” you’re more likely to hook them.

10. Use the Active Voice

Using an active voice is clearer and more powerful than a passive voice. For example, the passive sentence “Thousands of writers have been inspired by our blog” is much weaker in the active voice: “Our blog has inspired thousands of writers.”

11. Be More Specific

When you can, try to back up your ideas with a quote from an expert or a relevant statistic. It adds credibility to your copy and makes it more memorable.

12. Finish With a Strong Call to Action

Whether you’re writing a blog post, an email or a social media post, try to close with a call to action. They add value to your content: “Subscribe to our newsletter for more content marketing tips.” Or they can provoke action: “Use this checklist when you’re next lost for words.” Crucially, they should always focus on the needs of the reader.

13. Keep an Idea File

Sometimes, you’ll struggle to think of something new to write about. Other times, you’ll come up with enough writing ideas for a whole month. Put them in a notebook or on your smartphone, then you’ll never be stuck for new ideas. Also, keep a swipe file of any content you come across that sparks your imagination.

14. Avoid Burn-Out

Any freelance writer can experience creative exhaustion. When you’re constantly having to write new material, it’s important to look after your physical and mental health. Reward yourself regularly by taking breaks from writing.

Physical activity actually boosts mental performance and increases your serotonin and dopamine levels, so try to schedule exercise into your daily routine.

Over to You

Hopefully, these tips will help you become a more skillful and efficient writer, which will ultimately increase your income from writing. Above all, try to trust in your own writing ability and don’t give up when things get tough.

Do you have any more writing and productivity tips for your fellow writers? Share your thoughts on our social media!