#ContentWritingChat Recap: Getting Into a Writing Schedule
Express Writers

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Getting Into a Writing Schedule with Kelsey Jones

by | May 26, 2017 | ContentWritingChat

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Getting Into a Writing Schedule with Kelsey Jones

As content creators, getting into a writing schedule helps us to stay organized and keep on track when it comes to our work. But how exactly do you create a writing schedule that works for you? That’s what we talked about in this #ContentWritingChat! If you need a content creation schedule of your very own, this is the chat for you! Keep reading for some helpful tips!

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Getting Into a Writing Schedule with Kelsey Jones

Our guest host for this week’s chat was Kelsey Jones. Kelsey is a marketing consultant, as well as a writer and the creator of MoxieDot. She knows how important it is to set a schedule and stick to it if you want to see results, so she shared tons of helpful advice with everyone in Tuesday’s chat!

Q1: What is the importance of having a writing schedule? How can it benefit content creators?

Not convinced you really need to have a writing schedule of your very own? We asked our chat participants to share why they think it’s important and how it can be beneficial. Check out what some of them had to say:

Kelsey knows that having a schedule ensures she actually makes time for writing.

Julia knows that having a schedule and sticking to it is going to give you the discipline you need to get your content creation done. Without a set schedule, you risk procrastinating on your work and possibly not even finishing it.

She also reminds us that we shouldn’t fall into the trap of over scheduling. Julia said to allow time for inspiration to strike. And remember that one amazing post will always beat 10 crappy posts.

Think of having a writing schedule as your own deadline. As Jim said, it adds a little pressure to give you that motivation to produce new content. Sometimes you need that to actually create something new.

Having a schedule will ensure you’re staying productive and it holds you accountable. You don’t want to miss those deadlines you gave yourself, now do you?

Accountability, forward planning, and consistency are just a few reasons having a schedule can be beneficial to you.

When you’ve laid out a plan, you’ll always know what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by. This is going to be crucial in helping you stay on track with your content creation.

Jess said that consistency and scheduling help her beat procrastination when it comes to writing. If you find you often procrastinate on writing, try setting a schedule and seeing if it helps you out.

As Bill said, there’s no need to wonder what you should write when you have a schedule and a strategy in place.

Q2: When writing content, do you have a specific process you follow? If so, share it with us!

How do you successfully write a piece of content? We asked everyone to share their processes with us, so take a look at what they had to say:

Kelsey starts by brainstorming topic ideas. She then likes to write headers and then begins creating her content. She even shared some of her favorite tools for coming up with great ideas.

Julia shared the five-step process that’s used to create content here at Express Writers. Do you follow similar steps?

Once you have an idea, jot down your thoughts, perform research, and then flesh out your post. Take some time away before coming back to proofread it. Once you’ve finished editing, you’re ready to hit publish!

Once Jeremy has written his first draft, he selects visuals, writes some more, and then goes into the editing phase.

The team members at Netvantage all have different processes, which is absolutely okay. The one common thing they all start with is keyword research.

After you’ve published your content, don’t forget to measure your results and repurpose it, just like Amanda does.

Q3: How do you make time for writing in your day? Do you find you’re most creative at certain times?

How exactly do you make time for writing in what is already a busy schedule? Check out these tips:

Kelsey started writing early in the morning, but she also enjoys writing while on the plane. The key is to figure out what works best for you and plan your writing schedule accordingly.

When making time for writing, it always helps to look to your deadlines. You want to make sure you get everything done in time, which means you need to schedule accordingly.

Ray makes time to write every morning, which helps him keep up the habit of regular content creation.

Debi also likes to write in the morning because there aren’t as many distractions for her.

On the flip side, if you find yourself most creative and productive later in the day, use that time to write! For Andrea, he writes mostly during 5 PM to 10 PM.

Kristi also prefers to write in the afternoon and evening hours, but she also knows it’s important to just dive right in whenever inspiration strikes.

For Sarah, she feels ready to write once the coffee kicks in!

Q4: What are your best strategies for becoming a better writer?

Even if you aren’t a natural-born writer, it doesn’t mean you don’t stand a chance of creating something amazing. You can always strengthen your skills! Here’s some advice that will help you out:

Kelsey’s advice is to keep reading. Whether you’er reading books, blog posts, or news articles, you can learn from it. She reads or listens to about two to three books per month, which is awesome.

Kelsey isn’t the only one who knows reading can strengthen your skills as a writer. Andrea knows there’s a lot you can learn from other writers.

Jess also agrees that reading is important. She says to learn new words, study the great writers, and even study bad writers. You can always take something away from reading their work.

Practice is key to getting better at anything, including writing.

Julia also knows how important practice can be. She says having a daily schedule is key.

Ray recommends getting some feedback on your writing. Have someone else (or a few people) read over what you’ve created and provide you with advice.

Jenn recommends reading often, but also finding someone to critique your work. You can help each other out and become better writers.

Networking is always a helpful way to better your skills. Take the time to connect with other writers and influencers and learn from them.

Callie recommends pushing your limits and taking on projects that challenge you. It’s a great way to explore new things and get better at what you do.

Q5: What are your tips for remaining consistent when it comes to writing?

How exactly do you remain consistent with your writing? Our chat participants shared some helpful advice:

Kelsey suggests scheduling writing time into your calendar as if it was a meeting. There won’t be any excuses for not getting it done when you’ve already block off time in your day.

She also says to make it easier on yourself by having a prepared topic list, a dictation tool, and a good beverage.

It all goes back to having a writing schedule. If you have a team, put someone in charge of creating and managing the schedule to ensure everyone stays on track.

It’s so simple, but it’s the most effective process. Plan your content, create a schedule, and stick to it if you want to see results. Maria knows this is key!

Having an editorial calendar, a style guide, and a content strategy will always be helpful when it comes to consistency.

Work deadlines into your writing schedule. Ray recommends setting dates you need to have research done by, when you need to draft, and so on. This will keep you on track and help you get everything done on time.

Jeremy also knows deadlines are important, but he suggests giving yourself some flexibility when needed.

Tony relies on notifications to stick to his schedule. You can add your tasks to a to-do list app or your calendar and set reminders so you don’t forget anything.

If it’s a lack of ideas that’s holding you back, go out and seek inspiration. Turning to other blogs and books can be just what you need to get those creative juices flowing.

For consistency in your style of writing, write in your own voice. Don’t try to be something you aren’t because people will see right through you.

You also want to write honestly and speak to your audience to get to know them and their needs better.

Q6: How do you know when the content you’ve written is great and ready to be published?

Is that post ready to be published or does it still need a little work? These tips will help you decide:

Kelsey usually knows something is great as she’s writing it because she starts to get into the flow. She also finds editing is easier on a piece of content she already likes.

Before you hit publish, have someone else look it over to proofread. They might catch mistakes you made or be able to offer valuable feedback.

Julia always has someone else look over content before it’s published. If everyone loves it, it’s ready for publication. If not, changes have to be made.

When you’ve said what you wanted to say in the way you wanted to say it, you’re good to go.

Don’t forget to double-check spelling, grammar, and links. Make sure you also add in some great visuals, too!

If you’re proud of what you’ve created, it’s time to hit publish.

Imagine yourself as the reader. If it holds your interest throughout, then you’ve done a good job.

If you’ve answered the question your readers have been asking, you know you’ve produced something great.

Not only do you want to answer your audience’s questions, but as Zala said, it also needs to be readable and optimized.

Q7: Do you use any tools to manage your writing schedule and your content creation process?

There are plenty of tools that can make the writing process easier, so there’s no reason not to give them a go! Check out these suggestions:

Kelsey is still searching for that perfect tool, but she’s heard great thing about CoSchedule and Trello. These are both tools so many of our chat participants rely on. She does like to use Google Docs, Grammarly, and the Hemingway app.

Debi seconds that Grammarly recommendation.

Asana is a handy project management tool that can also double as your editorial calendar. Evernote is fantastic for storing ideas and also for drafting content.

Jenn also uses Asana to keep track of deadlines.

Google Sheets and Docs, WordPress, the internet, as well as your time and your brain are all essential.

Evernote and Scrivener are definitely go-to tools!

Zala has a few digital tools she loves, but she also relies on pen and paper. You can’t go wrong there!

Max keeps it simple with a classic Excel spreadsheet.

Q8: Any final tips to share about creating and sticking to a writing schedule?

Any tips left to share? Here’s what you need to take away from this #ContentWritingChat:

As Kelsey said, if you aren’t feeling it then you need to take a break. Don’t push yourself, otherwise your writing may suffer.

If writing is your business, you need to treat it like one. Jim says to create goals, milestones, and rewards to push you along the way.

As Julia said, you have to commit. It gets easier once you’ve settled into your schedule.

Michele suggests setting deadlines a few days earlier to help eliminate last-minute stress. This gives you the flexibility of having more time if needed.

Jenn knows it all comes down to you, so just do it.

Don’t be afraid to collaborate. Talk to other writers and bounce ideas off of them.

Jot ides down whenever inspiration strikes so you don’t forget about it later.

Great advice from Debi! Keep inspired, be creative, and do it with joy.

Join us every Tuesday at 10 AM CST for #ContentWritingChat! Follow @ExpWriters and @writingchat to stay updated on topics and guests.

#Contentwritingchat

Tags: content writing | writing | writing schedule