Creating content in a business can be oppressive. Last week we discussed planning your writing. Now we’ll talk about actually creating that content.
1. Just start. It may seem rather ridiculous to those who think I’m going to have them jump through hoops, but the sooner you start, the better you’ll feel. That said, your first step may not be actual writing.
2. Start by thinking. Last week we talked about thinking seriously about every piece of writing you’re attempting to write. If you’ve already done that and jotted some notes or jotted an outline, go to step 3. If not, reread last week’s post and spend some time thinking about what you’re trying to accomplish. Also, I suggested giving yourself two options to choose from. So, jot down two possible approaches to each piece of writing. Once your brain starts to consider which one to choose, you’re actively thinking about how to begin. At this stage, I’d begin.
3. Do you know what to write? If you need to take some time to read some background material or to do some research, go for it. However, by this stage, you should be using some jotted notes to guide you. The best way is to have a question you’re trying to answer. It can be as simple as “What should be our company’s drug and alcohol policy?” Or a bigger project, as in R&D, “Can we develop a model for this business in order to replicate it 5,000 times?”
4. Once you’ve found some information, I’d start using the double-entry method of note-taking. You get a notebook and take notes about the research and then on the other side of the page, you can start drawing conclusions about what you’re taking notes about. This is a brainstorming method, drawing connections, circling this, underlining that. Make it into a workbook. This step may not take long at all, so don’t get caught up in it.
5. Write a first draft. How long does it have to be? What major points must you make? Did you answer your question? Think of those major points as you write. Later on you can fine-tune it, but for now, just get it down on the page.
