Speedy Writing Tip: Use Templates
Written by Alexis Rodrigo · Print This Article
This is the last in our series of speedy writing tips. In case you missed the two earlier posts, here they are:
Today’s speedy writing tip is to use templates. A writing template is simply a formula or pattern that gives structure to your piece. It also dictates the angle you’re going to write about.
Templates help because they narrow down the choices of what you could possibly write about a given topic. They are particularly useful for written material you tend to use over and over again, such as replies to frequently asked questions. Templates can help get your creative juices flowing when you’re staring at a blank screen with no idea where to begin.
You can find templates for just about anything, from headlines to articles and blog posts. There are templates as well for business documents, such as business plans, marketing plans, and project proposals. You can also find templates for longer content, like special reports and ebooks.
Kinds of Templates
A template can be as simple as a title you can customize to your topic, such as:
“7 Tips to ___”
“Are You Making The 10 Most Common Mistakes in ___”
“What ___ Can Teach You About ___”
“Why ___ Is ___”
“How to ___ Even if You ___”
Other templates are more detailed. For example, a template for a marketing plan would give you headings and sub-headings, as well as a brief description of what each section should include.
How to Use Templates
If you’re using a title or headline template, as in the examples above, just fill in the blanks with your topic or words related to it. For instance, your particular title could be “7 Tips to Feed Your Family on $100 a Month.”
Now that you’ve got a good title to begin with, you can easily hammer out a blog post or article. Let’s continue with our 7-tips article above. You simply list your 7 tips. Then write a paragraph or two for each tip. Now write an introduction and a concluding paragraph. You’re all done!
Where to Find Templates
The Internet is filled with templates for anything you have to write, including templates for press releases, reports and even emails. Some are free; some you have to pay for.
You can also make up your own templates from your favorite pieces of writing. Or reverse-engineer the templates used by your favorite writers. Next time you’re surfing around, analyze the structure of posts in your favorite blogs. In most cases, they follow certain patterns and structures over and over again. No reason you can’t use the same ones in your own blog or site.
Finally, we have templates available right here in Contentrix. Our blueprints for everything from headlines, openers to bylines work as templates for your content. Look at the complete list of content blueprints here.
Templates are very handy when you’re writing content. They keep you from having to reinvent the wheel, by giving your content structure or a specific angle.
But don’t think templates will curtail your creativity or keep your piece from being original. The uniqueness of your content will come from how you adapt the template to your topic. In fact, templates can help you find unusual ways to approach your topic, or perspectives you may never have thought of.
Next time you feel stuck in writing, see if you can find a template to use. Challenge yourself by using a template that looks totally unrelated to your topic. You’ll get your brain cells working and you’ll have a finished piece in no time.
About the Author
Visit Lexi Rodrigo Online at: TheSavvyFreelancer.com
What makes them click? - They read your article, they find it helpful and then they disappear. Not when you follow the Byline Blueprint. Templates, tips and discounts you can use - just click here
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