How to Write Quickly (without Sacrificing Quality)
Learning how to write quickly without sacrificing quality is one of the best skills you can develop as a writer, but it often feels elusive. Some days, you feel like you’re on fire; other days, writer’s block kicks in, and you can barely string together a coherent sentence (we’ve all been there).
The good news? Writing faster is something you can learn. In this post, we’ll share seven practical tips to help you speed up your writing process – without lowering the standard of your work:
- Keep a running list of ideas.
- Make sure you understand your brief.
- Research beforehand.
- Write an outline.
- Remove distractions.
- Don’t overthink it.
- Work out your own process.
How Long Should It Take to Write Something?
New writers often ask how long it should take them to write a blog post. Experienced copywriters can often produce a 1,000-word article in one to two hours, but this takes time, practice, and a repeatable process.
That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Your speed depends on:
- The length and complexity of the piece
- How much research is required
- Your familiarity with the topic
- Your typing speed
- Your energy and focus on any given day
For example, a 1,200-word blog on a topic you know well might take 90 minutes, while a research-heavy white paper could take several hours. The key is to aim for steady improvement, not arbitrary speed targets.
And while quality always comes first, the ability to write quickly matters – especially if you want to make a living as a freelance writer. The faster you can write well, the more projects you can take on without burning out.
7 Ways to Write Faster
As we mentioned above, increased writing speed comes with practice. But there are actionable steps you can take now to build momentum and write more efficiently.
1. Keep a Running List of Ideas
If you write for a company, you may be given topics to cover. But if you’re freelancing, you’ll need to generate ideas yourself.
Keep an “idea bank” in a tool like Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, or Notion. For example, you might log potential topics, interesting angles, or links to resources you want to reference. That way, when you sit down to write, you won’t waste time brainstorming. You can just jump straight in!
Top tip: Break bigger ideas down into subtopics. Instead of just “Content Marketing,” you could note “5 Content Marketing Mistakes to Avoid” or “How to Repurpose Blog Content for LinkedIn.”
2. Make Sure You Understand Your Brief
If you’ve been given a content brief by your client, read it carefully. Clarify anything that’s vague before you start writing. This prevents costly rewrites later on.
If you don’t have a brief, create one for yourself. At a minimum, it should include:
- Target audience
- Word count
- Tone and style
- Key points or sections
- SEO keywords (if relevant)
Spending 10 minutes here can save you hours of second-guessing during drafting.
Top tip: Build a reusable brief template. For example, create a simple Google Doc with placeholders for audience, goal, tone, and keywords. You can duplicate it for every project, so you never start from scratch.
3. Research Beforehand
When you sit down to write, you want to stay in “writing mode,” not “Google rabbit-hole mode.”
To avoid constant context-switching, research the topic first – even if it’s just skimming articles to build a basic understanding. Use bookmarks or tools (e.g., Zotero or EndNote) to organize your references, and keep a separate document for quotes, stats, and links you plan to use.
Top tip: Time-box your research. For example, give yourself 25 minutes to gather sources and add notes, then move on. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish with a deadline.
4. Write an Outline
Knowing how to outline is one of the best ways to speed up your writing.
An outline keeps your ideas organized, helps you avoid getting stuck halfway through, and drastically reduces the amount of time you’ll spend editing. As a freelancer, time is money – so the less you waste reworking a draft, the better!
Here’s a simple process you can follow:
- Decide on your topic and angle: What will your post focus on, and what unique perspective will you bring?
- Identify your main points: These will become your H2s or core sections.
- Add subpoints: Note supporting details, examples, or stats under each main point.
- Plan your intro and conclusion: Even a one-line placeholder can help you keep the big picture in mind.
When you’ve done this, you’ll have a clear roadmap that makes drafting faster and far less stressful.
Top tip: Use a simple template. For example, create a document with “Introduction,” “Main Points,” “Subpoints,” and “Conclusion” headings. You can copy it for every project, saving you from ever starting with a blank page.
5. Remove Distractions
Distractions are productivity killers, especially when you work from home.
Before you write, create a distraction-free environment:
- Use a site blocker, such as Freedom or Cold Turkey.
- Silence notifications or put your phone in another room.
- Keep your workspace clean and organized.
- Block out time on your calendar specifically for writing.
For more tips, check out our guide to removing distractions when working remotely.
Top tip: Limit your screen to only what you need for your current project. Closing unrelated tabs and apps helps you stay focused on your writing by removing unnecessary digital clutter.
6. Don’t Overthink It
We know that this is easier said than done! But the first draft is for getting words on the page, not for getting everything perfect.
Try a technique like “writing sprints”: Set a timer for 20–30 minutes, and write without stopping, even if it’s messy. You can always polish during the self-editing stage.
Only go back to a previous section if you feel you might forget that idea before you can return to that section. Don’t worry about editing while you are writing.
Top tip: Use placeholders when you’re stuck. Write “[stat],” “[example],” or “[transition]” and keep moving. You can fill these in during editing to avoid breaking your flow while writing.
7. Work Out Your Own Process
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice we can give you, but it also takes some time to implement: Work out what works best for you. While we think the advice above is good, if it doesn’t work for you, don’t do it.
Experiment with:
- Writing at different times of day
- Tracking your word count per hour
- Using methods like Pomodoro or batching tasks
- Testing tools that streamline your workflow (like grammar checkers or AI – for brainstorming, not drafting!)
Over time, you’ll develop a personal process that’s sustainable and that helps you balance your work and personal life.
Top tip: Track your productivity weekly. For example, compare your word count by time of day. You may find you write 30% faster in the mornings, which is insight you can use to schedule your most important work.
Learn to Write Great Content Faster
If you want to speed up your writing process while improving the quality of your writing, structured learning can make a huge difference.
Our Becoming A Freelance Writer course walks you through the entire process, from planning and outlining to editing and redrafting. It’s a great way to build the skills you need to write efficiently and confidently. You can even try two lessons for free!
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