Part Two
In the previous column, Irene S. wisely asked for some tips on how she could write faster. Deadlines, after all are something all public relations practitioners like Irene, who works with an agency, have to contend with.
We took a page from Laura Forer, who, in an article for marketingprofs.com, shared 15 Tips to Help You Write Faster.
Some of the creative ways she mentioned were:
- Silence your inner editor
- Structure is everything
- Defeat distractions
- Track your words per hour
- Format at the end
- Write what you know
- Keep all notes in one book
We turn again to Ms. Forer, as we continue to discuss her eight other tips that will help us develop our writing skill further.
Use a 30-minute timer
In the realm of time management, the Pomodoro Technique does not refer to a secret pasta recipe, but to a method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1908s.
The technique, which has been widely popularized by dozens of apps and web sites providing timers and instructions, uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by a short break.
Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato, after the tomato shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student.
Forer recommends this method, and taking a longer break after four pomodoros to help us keep our writing targets in check. “Short but regular breaks will have you focused on the task,” she says. “Set an alarm and take a five-minute pause.
Do a five-minute workout
“Research suggests that varying brain and physical activity can boost your productivity,” says Forer.
She recommends 20 push-ups, or doing yoga, as a regular practice of yoga and meditation can “offset the risk of developing memory loss.”
Build connections between your tasks (the bridge)
If you’d had a cool super-productive day, try to keep the same rhythm tomorrow.
According to Forer, this can be done by “summarizing what you have done today and assign yourself new tasks for tomorrow”
“Make a new to-do list for the next day,” Forer advises us. “Do not update or expand your existing one. You’re analyzing what has been done and creating a new list based on the day’s events and tasks.”
Get comfortable while writing
Settle into a cozy chair or couch, fill up your water bottle, play your favorite music, and lock the door if you need to.
“You can boost your writing speed by working in a comfortable environment,” says Forer, which fortunately, you can help create.
“Studies have shown that more precise, detail-oriented work, a clean and organized workspace is beneficial,” she adds. And, of course, “a positive approach is key.”
Think about your reward
Motivate yourself with a cup of your favorite coffee after a long paragraph, or a cupcake after completing your article. Treating yourself can help you move forward in a good mood.
Forer gets even more creative. “Give your friend or relative $20. If you get the task done by 2 p.m., you get your $20 back. If you don’t you lose it.” Now that’s a motivation!
Choose the most productive time of day
Are you a morning or night person? Over time, we have come to know when we are at our peak performance.
“Use this knowledge to identify the best time of day for fast writing,” says Forer. “If you can work on a project for 90 minutes or more with only short breaks, that’s a sign you’re operating a peak productivity.”
Early hours, or late evenings, it’s up to you.
Play typing games
If your slow typing is a deterrent to improving your writing speed, Forer recommends that you can improve on this with free online tutorials.
The Web is full of them, and she cites the top 3 typing games:
- The frogs are off their diet
- Typing maniac
- Type type revolution
Practice
As they say, practice makes perfect, and the more you write, you can become a faster and better writer.
“Writing on a regular basis can help you gain speed,” says Forer. “You will not write superfast after the first article. Prepare to wait and work hard before any results show.”
It gets even better. “Find a writing partner,” Forer urges. “Bet a friend something juicy that you can write an 800-word article faster than she can. Gamble with your reputation.”
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the senior vice president for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.
Image credits: WWW.FREEPIK.COM