Getting your first assignment as a freelance writer is a massive step in your journey. It’s the first opportunity you have to show your skill and ability to meet deadlines. Providing high-quality content on time can help new freelance writers build a positive reputation that leads to additional opportunities.
Having an idea of what to expect before getting started is essential for a smooth writing process. You can plan your writing schedule accordingly when you know how long it should take to write an article. Read on to learn all of the ins and outs today.
Factors influencing time
Topic familiarity
Before examining the estimated timeline for different article lengths, it’s helpful to understand the factors that influence the time spent researching and writing. Topic familiarity can be a massive asset when writing an article. Existing knowledge can help you save time with research and move forward with confidence.
Research intensity
Another factor to be aware of is the research time, especially when you’re writing about a topic that is new to you. Depending on the topic and the length of the article, you could spend hours conducting research before putting together an outline and adding the finishing touches to the piece.
Word count
It’s also helpful to be wary of the word count for the assigned article. Articles with higher required word counts are going to take longer to put together, whether the piece you’re writing is 2,000 words or 10,000 words. Be realistic about the time required to compose such long articles and build extra time into your writing process.
Experience level
Whether you’re writing your first-ever article as a freelancer or the first for a new client, you can expect to experience a learning curve. It’s natural to want to put your best foot forward, and that can add time to the writing process as you check to ensure you’re producing content as the client envisioned.
Revisions
Revisions are a fact of life as a freelance writer. While they take time to make, you can save time by writing a high-quality first draft. It’s also an effective way to build confidence.
Quality and detail
Writing an article backed by facts, stats, quotes, and research studies can add time to the writing process. Depending on the article’s niche and the research involved, you can account for this factor by having a clear idea of what to expect.
Typical timelines by experience and topic
Beginner (Familiar topic)
It’s a good rule of thumb to expect a new freelance writer to need three to four hours when writing a 1,000-word article on a topic they’re familiar with. Four hours allows for in-depth research and a quality piece that matches the client’s brief.
Experienced (Familiar topic)
Experienced writers can typically complete a 1,000-word article on a familiar topic within 1-2 hours. The existing knowledge and clear client expectations eliminate the need to research and second-guess the work you’ve completed, shaving significant time off the timeline.
New/Complex topics
Complex or new topics will require more substantial research before the writing begins. You can expect to spend 1-2 hours researching, and another 3-8 hours writing if it’s between 2,000 and 5,000 words.
Long-form guides
Long-form guides are the most time-consuming articles you’ll encounter as a freelance writer. These guides are usually over 7,000 words, and can take professional writers up to 25 hours to complete.
Tips to speed up your writing process
Specialize
By sticking to topics you know well, you can save time on research and confidently compose a piece that clients will love. It’s one of the best ways to reduce stress and showcase your skills.
Outline first
Your outline acts as a roadmap as you begin writing an article. Once the outline is established, you can fill in each section with the relevant information to save time and stay organized. It’s also an excellent way to improve the quality of your work.
Batch the tasks
Jumping from one task to another can be disorienting and overwhelming. Batching tasks is helpful when you have multiple articles to write. You can conduct research for both pieces while in a research mentality. After completing the research, you can get into a groove writing the articles, leading to an efficient process.
Limit distractions
Distractions can make time disappear at an impressive rate. Find a space with few distractions to focus and get into a writing rhythm. It’s the best way to avoid Parkinson’s Law, with work growing to fill the time before your deadlines.
When writing for Words of Worth, you can work when it best suits you, so long as you stay on track or ahead of schedule with writing assignments. In a month when you’re assigned 60 articles, you’ll be expected to have 30 of them submitted by the month’s midway point. Articles are spread across the month, meaning freelance writers cannot fall behind.