Once upon a time where there was series of Federal Express television ads where the “star” talked at such a rapid rate it was funny, but it made a point: things had to be delivered immediately.
Writing can be the same way. Things must be produced immediately.
Three ways to quickly produce content include:
1. Use a template.
Dictionary.com defines “template” as “anything that determines or serves as a pattern; a model.”
When it comes to preparing content, templates might not be your best friend. Timely and accurate content, communicated clearly, should be first priority. Templates are worth your while, though. Be sure, before beginning your work, that you understand how others have structured their content and designed their documents.
By following a template, you ensure that your work is consistent, in design and appearance, with other works. Readers expect your work to be similar in these ways.
2. Repurpose your already-existing content.
Often, you’ve already prepared content about your topic. You can repurpose it into articles, books, reports, video scripts. If the old cliché that “it’s not what you say, it’s what they hear” is true, then repurposing your content helps to ensure that more people “hear” what you are saying.
Be careful what you choose to repurpose. Content you’ve prepared as a corporate employee might be copyrighted by your company. In such cases, you’ll have to rewrite your content.
3. Dictate your content.
By following a template, you know how to design your content. By repurposing your already-existing content, you’ve done much of the work.
But if you’re in a position that you need to write things quickly, dictating your content can help you get the words out faster.
Today’s voice dictation technology makes things easier, but the practice of dictating content is not a new idea. Historical figures such as Winston Churchill and Theodore Roosevelt dictated their content to secretaries, who prepared the manuscripts for review and edit.
More contemporary authors such as Sidney Sheldon have also used dictation to prepare their content.
Consider these tips when you must produce your content quickly.
