Blogging is fun, it’s exciting, and it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do with your life. It’s all of these things, but it’s also very, very time consuming. Writing a blog post isn’t something you do on a smoke break, it can take hours, longer if it’s truly in-depth. The only way to create content fast and efficiently, is to stay focused.
That’s not easy either, as anyone who works from home can tell you. The job’s not done when the post is finished either, you still need to edit and promote it on social media. Today we’ll look at 6 ways that you can stay focused and manage your time in a way that cuts down the normal time you need to finish a post.
6 Methods For Staying Focused When Working in WordPress
It’s easy to get distracted online, I mean, really easy. You may accidentally stumble onto a YouTube video while you’re researching a topic, or you may decide to give Facebook a quick check. I honestly wouldn’t blame you if you lost a few hours to reading posts at On Blast Blog either, you’re only human after all.
Next thing you know, an hour has gone by and your post isn’t any closer to being finished. The easiest option is to utilize a browser extension that blocks your access to these sites like StayFocused for Chrome.
These are just the tip of the iceberg though, here are six additional ways to stay focused when working in WordPress:
1. Write the Headings and Bullet Points First
We all know that using H2’s and H3’s in WordPress, along with bullet point and numbered lists helps break up the text, but it also helps you establish the main points of your topic. Think of it like an outline for the rest of your content. If you do these first, you have the layout already in place and you can do to work filling in the gaps.
2. Put in Your Introduction, Conclusion and Calls to Action Second
After you’ve laid the groundwork for your post, the next step should be to throw in the sections that will work around the sub-headers. These include your introduction, your conclusion, and your CTA or call to action. This way you’ve now established the framework and the purpose of the post.
3. Choose Your Focus Before You Begin Writing
Instead of trying to cram in as many points per post as possible, decide on one main topic that you’ll be covering so you don’t have the option of wavering or writing in fluff to pad out the word count. This will help with editing because you won’t have anything that isn’t relevant to your topics. This will also keep the post clear and concise.
You don’t want your readers to be confused, so avoid any tangents or extra paragraphs that don’t pertain to the topic at hand.
4. Save Anything Not Related to Writing Until Last
Beyond the act of writing a post, you’ll also have a lot of other tasks to complete before it’s finished:
- Research involving statistics, data, quotes, etc.
- Editing
- Finding, placing, and sourcing images
- Promoting the content
Leave these things for last because blogging is about writing. The other items can come later, trust me, they’re not going anywhere. You can leave placeholders for images and links to help you out when you finish writing as well.
5. Use a Timer Method
Writing in short bursts is more productive than trying to pump out thousands of words in a single setting. Personally, I like using an online app called Tomato Timer that uses a method called the Pomodoro Technique.
The idea here is that you write solely focused for bursts of twenty-five minutes. In between each of these “pomodoros” you take a short break of five minutes to stretch your legs and maybe grab a drink or snack. When those five minutes are up, you jump right back in for another burst. After four pomodoros, you can enjoy a ten minute break before starting the cycle over again.
It’s easier to stay focused in small bursts like this, and the small breaks are refreshing.
6. Use WordPress’ Distraction Free Writing
For our final method, we take the party back home and situate ourselves in the WordPress writing screen. When you’re ready to start working, but you don’t want anything distracting you on the page, simply utilize the distraction free writing tool by clicking the button on the right side of the toolbar above the writing box.
Suddenly your writing space takes over the screen and you have nothing but a blank space to work with. No buttons, no notifications, nothing to get in your way. It’s liberating honestly, and the best part is that you don’t have to go anywhere else to make it happen. WordPress delivers again!
Final Thoughts
Staying focused when writing in WordPress is easier said than done. That being said, these six methods will give you the perfect means to divide up the work, time, and energy needed to make your posts a reality. Try them out and let us know how they worked for you in the comments below!
Matt Banner
@blastyourblog
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