How To Do Professional Article Research In Ten Minutes

This inkling, this gut feeling comes to me that some of you who read my post on writing an article in 20 minutes are going to say: “Yes, but this 20 minutes doesn’t include the research. Research can take all day, can’t it?” Here’s how to do blazing fast research without getting a speeding ticket.

Huh? Don’t Use The Internet to Research?

Deception is one thing the internet is pretty good at. It looks like the perfect research tool. All the answers are only a few clicks away, right? Do you know how many people go to one of the most popular sites, search for their topic and steal the latest news? Maybe that’s handy for tweeting on Twitter, but not for making original content.

It’s handy to know things like the most popular searches for the few times you’re picking topics for your website, and occasionally for choosing article topics, but not for day-to-day article research. Why?

Simply this: you get too distracted. And it’s designed that way. People are competing for your attention. You want to look at mortgage rates, but all of a sudden you’re reading about the latest celebrity.Obviously, if I blog, I’m not an internet hater. I just want you to know what really works and what doesn’t.

Why It Takes You Too Long To Research - Decide To Quit These Addictions

Are you really the world expert on your subject? Deep down, you probably don’t think so. And if you do, your writing just may disprove it. Most people have the opposite problem. Too much research often means two things: (1) You love research, and (2) You may just lack confidence in your subject.

Do you suffer from either one of these? These are powerful enemies to writing an article a day - and getting tons of website traffic. We all have jobs, or at least a busy life. So how can I say it more emphatically? You need to do only enough research for your articles, and not a minute more. How? Keep reading.

Write Your Article First And Then Do The Research

“What?” I can hear you saying it. That’s right, research after you write. Why? If you already know your subject, you’ll be able to write at least something. Sure, you may have some unanswered questions, but that’s okay. If you write first, you’ll probably get 80% of your work accomplished. Remember the Pareto principle? Put it to work here.

Oh, and by the way, since you’re strapped for time, you’ll find that when you  research this way, you’ll more naturally want to stop when you should. When you’ve found the answers to the specific questions you have and the things that need to be backed up with sources. If you do find that hot topic or something to research later, that’s what bookmarks and notes are for.

Use Only The Best Time To Do Research

Disagree all you want - but isn’t it better to learn from some one else’s experience? The experience of having to pump out a good article and there are literally no minutes left in the day to do it. If it’s not fun, you’ll quit. Avoid burnout at all costs. If its fun now, keep it that way. And this has everything to do with when you do the research.

Be Convinced Of What Really Works

Some of you are probably asking, “John, is this how YOU do research? Don’t you put alot into some articles?” The answer? Yes. (I must qualify that with: sometimes.) At least this quick method is how I researched this article, and many that I’ve written. Long ago, I took some writing courses where I learned that real editors do this.

In fact, this is such a powerful technique - truly powerful, I really hesitated to share it right now. Not because I thought it would hurt me to share it. Because I wanted to give it the respect it deserves.

If I write about it now, you might not pay attention to it like you would when, perhaps, I’m more famous later. You see, I get insecure sometimes too. But I don’t let that hold me back from sharing the best ideas I’ve used.

And this idea is just that powerful. Have you ever seen a book where there’s a chapter like: “Stuff I couldn’t cram into the book, but I learned along the way”? Of course not. You never get credit for research you don’t use. Sure, maybe the research is not a total waste of time. Wandering researchers come up with great stuff all the time. In fact, your wandering research could be the content for your next article. But when you’re truly strapped for time - don’t wander through your research.

Once again, that’s why you want to pick a subject you already know something about. Something you can at least answer some questions about. How do I know if I know enough about something? Well, ask yourself the same questions I do: Do you talk to your friends about it? Would you talk to your friends about it if you could? If you can talk, you can write. That right there includes an awful lot of us, doesn’t it?

Keep It Simple…Smarty!

Another thing about research. Don’t go to the most technical source you can find. The real power of writing, the real power of being an expert is being able to express things simply. Learn from the children’s section at the library and bookstore. Do it. Read children’s books. Find out how to talk simply again.

Don’t just be amazed at the complex topics there - because you will be. Look at the really simple explanations. Those who write about these subjects are usually always considered the true experts in their field. Can you see why?

Be More Original

So there you have it. Enough people spew useless dribble and rehashing of news and such into the internet each day. Write about what you know. Write it first and then research it. The result? You get your writing done. You enjoy it. People will see more of you in your writing. And that’s really your goal, isn’t it?

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