Writing Like a Pro: 3 Essential Productivity Tips for Writers

Read on for top productivity tips for writers from Beth Hayden. Eliminate excuses, balance content creation, and plan your day wisely.

By Mick Essex & Gaukhar Murzagaliyeva
Jun 21, 2023
Writing Like a Pro: 3 Essential Productivity Tips for Writers

As a writer, productivity can be a significant challenge. You may ask yourself, how can I write more efficiently and effectively? How can I make the most of my work time? These are common questions that have long troubled writers and copywriters.

science-of-writing

Source: Martina Paukova

Fortunately, many professionals have found solutions to problems and are willing to share their experiences.

For example, writers who are “asked to write my dissertation for me” by students always maintain a knowledge base and access to all possible online libraries in one document, to avoid wasting time on research and to devote more time to analysis and deliver the best results to their customers.

One of these professionals is Beth Hayden. In 2012, a representative from one of the biggest publishers in the United States approached her about writing a book on marketing through Pinterest.

Despite the tight six-week deadline, Beth accepted the offer, confident in her abilities.

In this article, we will explore the secrets that led to the creation of the global bestseller “Pinfluence: The Complete Guide to Marketing Your Business with Pinterest.”

Despite the book being 35,000 words long, Beth met her 6-week deadline thanks to her years of professional experience. Here’s what we can learn from her.

Top 3 Productivity Tips for Writers


  1. Stop making excuses & start becoming a pro writer
  2. Strike a balance between consuming and creating content
  3. Plan your day wisely

1. Stop making excuses & start becoming a pro writer

Careless writers come up with the most ridiculous excuses to justify their laziness:

  • "I couldn't sleep last night. Today my head doesn't work at all."
  • "The neighbors are fed up with their repairs! They give me a migraine...";
  • "Yesterday, my grandmother (friend, former classmate, fourth cousin...) came to see me. I couldn't leave her out, could I?"

As a writer, imagination is undoubtedly a valuable skill. However, some writers may use it as a crutch for self-justification instead of creating engaging content.

To be a successful essay writer, it's important to eliminate excuses altogether, except in cases of emergencies like an illness that prevents work.

Excuses are often baseless, so it's crucial to focus on finding opportunities to write, even if it's just a few paragraphs or lines, in all kinds of situations.

As humans, unforeseen circumstances can arise, but it's essential to prioritize writing and improve influence skills by practicing consistently.

2. Strike a balance between consuming and creating content

It's not just our stomachs that require nourishment; our minds do, too. To generate innovative ideas, we must consume information.

To enhance your writing skills, it's recommended to read as much as possible from a variety of sources, including books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and more.

However, it's important to prioritize quality and authentic content to avoid overwhelming your brain with irrelevant information.

woman-looking-at-laptop-screen-holding-camera

Source: Skyler Evans

It's important to balance your time between reading other people's content and creating your own. To boost productivity, allocate equal time to both activities.

Track how much content you consume each day, including blogs, social media, videos, and books.

If you consume too much, you may not have the energy or time to create your own content.

3. Plan your day wisely

It's important to recognize your own biorhythms and determine when you are most productive. By scheduling your tasks accordingly, you can maximize your efficiency.

For example, if you perform best in the evening, focus on more complex tasks then.

In the morning, it's beneficial to tackle simpler tasks like proofreading or searching for new ideas.

making-schedule

Source: Theresa Bedford

Setting a schedule is easy, but sticking to it can be a challenge.

Willpower is crucial in this case. If you struggle with remembering tasks, appointments, and meetings, consider using scheduling software.

This can significantly improve your productivity by ensuring that you never miss important deadlines or meetings.

Conclusion

Your productivity is solely dependent on how effectively you organize your work. Writing is an art that requires discipline, focus, and an effective productivity strategy, as well as creativity and talent.

Therefore, establishing a dedicated writing routine is crucial. Setting aside dedicated writing time and creating a conducive environment can help you build a habit and reduce distractions.

If you're struggling with this stage, whether working in the office or at home, take advantage of the expert recommendations we reviewed in this article.

We hope they will help you become more organized and motivated writers and create real masterpieces.

FAQs

1. Why is productivity especially challenging for writers?

Writing requires both creativity and discipline. Unlike task-based jobs with clear outputs, writing depends on focus, mental clarity, and idea generation. Distractions, perfectionism, and self-doubt can easily slow progress. Building structured habits and eliminating excuses are key to overcoming these challenges.

2. How can writers stop procrastinating?

The first step is recognizing that most excuses are avoidable. Set a small, manageable writing goal each day — even a few paragraphs count. Creating a consistent routine and writing at the same time daily trains your brain to treat writing as a priority rather than an optional task.

3. How much time should I spend consuming content versus creating it?

A good rule of thumb is balance. Reading and research fuel creativity, but overconsumption can drain the time and energy needed to produce your own work. Aim to set aside dedicated time for learning while protecting uninterrupted blocks for writing.

4. What’s the best time of day to write?

There is no universal “best” time — it depends on your personal productivity rhythm. Some writers produce their best work early in the morning, while others are more creative at night. Identify when you feel most mentally sharp and schedule your most demanding writing tasks during that window.

5. What tools can help improve writing productivity?

Simple tools like scheduling software, task managers, distraction blockers, and calendar reminders can significantly improve consistency. However, the most powerful productivity tool is a clear writing plan combined with the discipline to follow through daily.


Author Bio

Vanessa Friedman is a content marketing professional who helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers. Previously, Vanessa worked as a marketing manager at a tech startup. For any inquiries or suggestions, please contact her at GuestPostingNinja@gmail.com.