Best Way to Improve Writing Speed with Quality

How to Improve Writing Speed Without Sacrificing Quality

Have you ever stared at a blank screen for hours, knowing exactly what to say but struggling to get the words out fast enough?

If you’re anything like I was a few years ago, you know the frustration all too well—tight deadlines, blinking cursors, and the nagging fear that speeding up your writing might mean letting go of your standards.

But what if I told you that you can write faster and better?

At Convertoid, where we help agencies and freelancers scale content without compromising on quality, we’ve tested, broken, and refined every writing technique under the sun. This isn’t a list of generic productivity hacks; it’s a human-tested, expert-backed roadmap to writing faster without your content sounding like it was spat out by a robot.

Let’s dive in.

Why Writing Speed Matters More Than Ever

Whether you’re a content marketer, freelance copywriter, or in-house editor, your ability to write quickly impacts everything:

Your income (faster writing = more clients served)
Your creativity (less time stuck in perfectionism)
Your mental health (fewer all-nighters, more balance)

According to a 2021 Copyblogger survey, over 63% of writers said that “writing speed” was their biggest bottleneck—not a lack of ideas, not writer’s block, but sheer speed.

So the question is: how do you fix it?

Step 1: Separate Thinking From Writing

Trying to write while thinking is like cooking while grocery shopping.

One of the biggest breakthroughs in my own workflow came when I stopped combining the two. Instead, I began separating idea generation, outlining, and writing into distinct phases.

“Cognitive load theory shows that multitasking reduces overall efficiency and increases errors.” — Dr. John Sweller, educational psychologist.

Here’s what works:

Phase 1: Mind dump. Write bullet points and messy thoughts. Don’t judge.
Phase 2: Outline. Rearrange ideas into a structure. Add subheadings.
Phase 3: Write fast. Fill in the blanks without worrying about perfection.

I use Notion for dumping and Google Docs for polishing. Some prefer Scrivener or Obsidian. It doesn’t matter what tool you use—as long as your process separates thinking from typing.

Step 2: Use the “Two-Timer” Technique

I first learned this from a former journalist turned UX writer we interviewed at Convertoid. Her name’s Melanie, and she swears by this method:

“I give myself a 25-minute timer to write a draft without stopping. Then, I take a 10-minute break and repeat. After two sessions, I switch to editing mode.”

This modified Pomodoro method isn’t just about speed—it’s about focused speed. A 2014 study by DeskTime revealed that the most productive 10% of users worked in sprints of around 52 minutes, followed by a 17-minute break.

Adapt it to your style: 25/10, 52/17, or 60/15. The magic lies in the rhythm, not the exact numbers.

Step 3: Embrace Imperfect First Drafts

One of our junior writers at Convertoid, Zara, told me something that stuck:

“The more I try to write perfectly, the longer I stare at the screen. But when I tell myself ‘this is draft zero,’ I write twice as fast.”

Psychologically, giving yourself permission to write badly frees up mental space. The faster you produce a rough version, the sooner you can get to the fun part: editing and refining.

As Ernest Hemingway put it bluntly, “The first draft of anything is ****.”

Step 4: Build Your Personal Writing Templates

Templates aren’t cheating. They’re structure.

At Convertoid, every writer builds a few go-to formats they can adapt across topics:

For blog posts: Hook > Problem > Insight > Action > CTA
For product descriptions: Feature > Benefit > Proof > Emotion > CTA
For social copy: Relatable setup > Conflict > Punchline > CTA

By reducing structural decisions, you reduce cognitive load. This speeds up your output without making it sound formulaic—because your voice still fills in the framework.

Step 5: Write Like You Speak (Then Edit It Tight)

When speed is the goal, talk it out.

Apps like Otter.ai or Google Docs voice typing let you “speak your thoughts” into existence, then edit them into shape.

“We speak at an average of 150 words per minute, but type at only 40.” — Source: Stanford University

Even if you’re camera shy, try talking through your ideas. You’ll be surprised how quickly they flow.

Once it’s on the page, tighten it up. Trim fluff. Swap vague words. Sharpen sentences.

Step 6: Track Your Metrics and Improve the Bottlenecks

If you want to improve your writing speed, you have to measure it.

Tools like RescueTime, Clockify, or even a simple spreadsheet can help you:

Track average words/hour
Identify high-focus vs. low-focus hours
Spot time-wasting patterns (e.g., too much editing during drafting)

For me, my golden hour is 9:30 to 11 AM. Anything beyond 3 PM? I’m a walking brain fog.

Know thyself, then schedule accordingly.

Step 7: Reduce Decision Fatigue

Some of our fastest writers at Convertoid have the most boring setups:

Same writing playlist every day
Same desk, same water bottle
One writing tool (usually Google Docs or Notion)

Why? Because decision fatigue kills creative energy.

By automating the mundane, you free up headspace for what matters: ideas, clarity, and sharp copy.

Bonus: Speed Doesn’t Mean Rushing

Here’s the truth: writing quickly doesn’t mean rushing. It means optimising.

Optimise your environment
Optimise your mindset
Optimise your process

And when the systems are dialled in, you’ll find yourself producing quality work in half the time—with less stress and more flow.

FAQs:

How many words per hour is good for a writer?

It varies by niche, but a professional writer often clocks in at 500–1,000 polished words per hour. Beginners might start slower. Don’t compare—track your own progress.

Should I edit while writing?

No. Separate drafting and editing. It’s one of the biggest speed killers.

What tools can help me write faster?

Google Docs voice typing
Otter.ai (for transcription)
Notion or Obsidian (for idea storage)
Grammarly or Hemingway (for quick edits)
Clockify or RescueTime (for tracking)

Does fast writing mean lower quality?

Not if you follow a system. The goal is to draft quickly, then edit with care. The combo is where quality lives.

Final Words from Convertoid

Writing faster doesn’t mean compromising your voice or lowering your standards. It means working smarter, with systems that support your flow—not sabotage it.

If you’ve tested any of the tips above—or have your own hacks—I’d love to hear about them.

Which technique do you want to try first? Drop it in the comments or shoot us a DM—we’re all ears.

Until next time, write sharp. Write fast. Write human.

— Team Convertoid