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called “apps” – or “applications.” Every app, to you – and when you’re ready to write, you’ll al-
sooner or later, will need to be updated and ready have all the supporting info you need.
are provided free.
3. Edit before you start
Using the Virtual Desktop (Task View), Rosita You’ve probably got twice as many ideas as you
Herrick. Rosita believes the Task View option need at this point, so it’s time to be brutal. Cut out
is an ignored productivity feature. Staying pro- any supporting idea that doesn’t fit with the main
ductive is often as much about staying orga- topic of the article. Remember, we’re talking about
nized as anything else… how to write an article in 20 minutes, not an epic.
Using Wi-Fi on your iPhone or iPad, Jim Cerny You can always use the ideas you don’t need for
In this article, Jim explains the difference be- later posts.
tween a cellular phone network and Wi-Fi. 4. Use bullet points
What is Office 365? Is it for you? Nancy De- Bullet points, or numbered points like “10 Ways to
Marte I get a lot of questions about Office 365 Get More Subscribers”, can make writing an article a
because it’s a unique concept in software ac- lot simpler in terms of organization because you no
quisition; some users don’t understand what it longer have to figure out transitions from one idea to
is or how it works. the next. The great side benefit is that readers like
lists; they’re easier for the eye to follow.
Windows 10 Apps, Rosita Herrick Apps are
usually distributed with the MS or can be 5. Keep it short
downloaded from the MS store. Rosita tells us If you want to finish that article in 20 minutes, try to
how to find apps as well as info about the Cal- keep it under 500 words. Don’t feel like you’re
culator app. skimping on quality content, either: this article is only
about 500 words but it’s chockfull of information.
Make every word count and you’ll save time without
letting quality slip.
6. Come back later
How to Write an If you find that you’re stuck, don’t try to force the
words to come. Save the article and work on some-
Article in thing else for awhile. If inspiration strikes, open up
that document again. You can even switch from one
20 Minutes blog post to another, spending a few minutes on
each as ideas comes to you. It’s a huge time-saver.
7. Never save a good idea
1. Keep an idea list. It’s tempting, when you look through your list of ide-
When inspiration for a post strikes, scribble it down as, to save the best ones for later because you think
in a notebook or a word file. For many bloggers and they’ll be easier to write. You don’t want to save time
content creators, finding the topic to write about later, you want to save time now. Do the articles you
takes up half the time. Keeping an idea list lets you know will come easily and make the most of that
leap in to a new post quickly when you’re ready to time.
write.
Follow these simple steps and
2. Let your ideas incubate. you’ll be on your way to brilliant
articles in a fraction of the time.
If you try to force yourself to come up with support-
ing information for your brilliant idea right away, it’s Share some of your favorite arti-
going to take ages. Let that topic sit for a few days, cle writing tips in the comments!
though, and you can add new ideas as they occurs
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