Yesterday, I said you have all the time you need to market your practice. I used the example of creating content, which might seem to be problematic for a lawyer who has a lot to say and feels they have to say it all.
Fear not. You really can write an article or blog post in 30 minutes, if you do these three things:
(1) SCHEDULE IT
If you write “when you have the time,” you’re unlikely to do much writing. When you commit to a writing schedule, however, put the days and times on your calendar, tell your subscribers when to expect your next post, and tell your staff not to book any appointments for you during those times, you’ll be much more likely to keep your schedule. And because it is a commitment, when the deadline is approaching, you’ll work quickly to get the work done.
(2) TOPIC
Despite committing to a schedule, it’s human nature to find excuses for not sticking to it. One of the most common is “not knowing what to write about”. The simplest way to overcome this is to maintain a running list or file of topics you can choose, and continually add to it.
- Keep a list of ideas in a file or in your second brain. Collect ideas, articles by others, notes from books or videos, and copies of content you’ve created before because you can create new content by updating it.
- Read a lot. You can write what other lawyers write about, for example, agree with it or disagree, or write from a different angle.
- Write a lot. You’ll get better at finding topics and angles and ideas related to them, and get better and quicker at writing.
- Choose your topic the day before so can get right to it. Your idea might be a single sentence or you might note your lead or intro, bullet points, examples or stories, or your conclusion.
(3) WRITE LESS
By “less,” I mean shorter articles or posts. When you know you only need to write a few paragraphs or a few hundred words, you’re less likely to resist starting and more likely to finish.
Give yourself 10 to 20 minutes to write a first draft and 10 minutes to edit.
Yes, that means you have to write fast. And that’s the point.
An article doesn’t have to be lengthy or scholarly. You don’t need to include every argument or example or write perfect prose.
Good enough is good enough and you can get good enough done in 30 minutes.
For more ways to write quickly, see this
