I know each article would vary, but in general, how long does it take you to research and write an article for DS? I am new to DS and just learning the ropes. I am curious what those who have been doing this a while are experiencing. Thanks!
For those who work for DS, how long to write an article?
- Thread starter Kem
- Start date
- Status
I've heard some people do them in 15 minutes, but I'm not sure how. I think my top was 30 minutes, but it's closer to 45 or even an hour sometimes. If you can get a couple titles that are similar that can use the same research, you can speed up your times.
You get faster as you have more practice and get better at scanning the web pages for info you need.
You get faster as you have more practice and get better at scanning the web pages for info you need.
I try to choose titles I think I can complete in an hour or less. If my initial research indicates it will take much longer than that, I let go of the article so someone with more expertise in that area can claim it.
Thanks, that gives me hope. So far, it is taking me a lot of time, but I am sure it will get better. I enjoy the writing.
If I can't get it finished in an hour, it's not worth my time to write. Most DS articles take me about 45 minutes to research, write, proof and upload. My "problem" recently is that I've been accepted to write for Garden Guides, which is nice because I like the topics and this is one of my niches, but then when I'm researching the article I get distracted and end up reading garden books and sites for waaaay too long, and then I remember, oh yeah, I was writing. 
If I can't get it finished in an hour, it's not worth my time to write. Most DS articles take me about 45 minutes to research, write, proof and upload. My "problem" recently is that I've been accepted to write for Garden Guides, which is nice because I like the topics and this is one of my niches, but then when I'm researching the article I get distracted and end up reading garden books and sites for waaaay too long, and then I remember, oh yeah, I was writing.
I LOVE gardening! I am already looking through the seed catalogs and my seed packets so I can figure out what I want to make starter plants of. When I have worked for DS for a while I will have to check out the Garden Guides. Like you, I would get caught up in the reading!
15-20 minutes. If it takes longer, I am doing SOMETHING wrong. If I'm unfamiliar with the subject, add around 10 minutes, maybe.
I believe this thread would find a greater audience in our content forum. Thanks everyone for your replies!
I've only been writing for DS for about 4 or 5 months, but I've already developed a system. With a routine I can usually research, write, and submit an article in 45 minutes to an hour. If its a topic I've written on before or already am familiar with the time is sometimes quicker. I try to make sure I am making at least $15/hour, so if I claim a $7.50 article I don't expect it to take more than a half an hour.
Trust me, it will get easier and you will get faster.
Good Luck,
Kate
Trust me, it will get easier and you will get faster.
Good Luck,
Kate
My "problem" recently is that I've been accepted to write for Garden Guides, which is nice because I like the topics and this is one of my niches, but then when I'm researching the article I get distracted and end up reading garden books and sites for waaaay too long, and then I remember, oh yeah, I was writing.
this is my problem often too. But it happens with almost anything I write. lol
Indeed, it does get quicker with practice. I almost always complete mine in 10-15 minutes, but I also only pick topics that I know a great deal about and don't actually have to research. Heck, half the time I spend is in finding a good resource.
I'm at 30-40 minutes, and I've only been doing DS for about a month. I'd like to get faster, but realistically, I don't see myself being able to go much under 30 minutes before the article turns into a typo-ladden rewrite.
WOW! That is impressive. If I could even get down to 1.5 hours after a month I will think I am doing well!
AmyHill
Registered
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2009
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 0
99% of the time it's under an hour; most of the time it's under half an hour.
The main time consuming activity is looking for titles, not writing them. Sometimes it can take me just as long to find a writable title as it does to write it.
The main time consuming activity is looking for titles, not writing them. Sometimes it can take me just as long to find a writable title as it does to write it.
I find that doing list articles are the easiest. Each one usually takes about 15 - 20 minutes to write. I do fact sheets sometimes just to pick up a bit of extra $.
To research and write? Most take 30 minutes or less. If I am not as familiar with a topic, it takes a little longer. I like to find really good resources, even if I know what I will write beforehand....that might take longer to do than the writing.
I'm about an hour with all the uploading. I am really into quality not quantity, so I probably stress over my DS articles more than I need to! I am much quicker with eHow articles, as they do not go through the same rigorous editing process. I do enjoy both sites, though.
30 min, tops. I set my cell phone timer. That way, it's a guaranteed $30/hr. Any longer than that, it's no longer worthwhile.
What I find kinda odd are the people in the forums who talk about taking several hours for an article. They do interviews, make phone calls. If you do all of that, how in the heck is DS going to actually pay off?
What I find kinda odd are the people in the forums who talk about taking several hours for an article. They do interviews, make phone calls. If you do all of that, how in the heck is DS going to actually pay off?
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 86
- Reaction score
- 7
I shoot for $15 per hour... When I'm really moving, I make $22.50 an hour... Like the others who have replied here, I don't even blink at $15 titles that will take me longer than an hour to research/write/upload.
I started at DS the end of November and as most others commented, it's best not to claim anything that will take over an hour. When I first started I'd pick the titles I was most interested in researching and writing about.
Now I go for the simplest topics--this also cuts down on rewrites. The only thing is I've written over 160 of these things and I am fried on it.
Find the threads on the DS forums: Super Earners Unite, and a new one on doing them faster. There are some good pointers on speeding the whole process up.
Good luck.
Now I go for the simplest topics--this also cuts down on rewrites. The only thing is I've written over 160 of these things and I am fried on it.
Find the threads on the DS forums: Super Earners Unite, and a new one on doing them faster. There are some good pointers on speeding the whole process up.
Good luck.
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2008
- Messages
- 2,098
- Reaction score
- 151
- Location
- Duloc, the Perfect Place
- Website
- www.barbnefer.com
I've been writing PT at DS since last August. (I work full time) I only write articles that I know the topic well, and almost always have my own library of reference material, so I don't have to go looking for anything. It takes me 15-30 minutes to write an article depending on complexity. I do mostly accounting, tax and home improvement.
Thanks, I will check out those threads. I noticed that most of my time is spent trying to find credible references that are within the last year. I am still well over two hours into each article. I have to do something to speed this up.
- Status