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What percentage split is your research time vs writing time?

by phil.wheatley
11 replies
Hi Guys

In the past, when I've had to write copy, it's been for my own products in markets I knew a fair amount about already, as they were either hobbies or something I worked in.

I'd like to know how much of your time would you say (typically) is spent on researching the topic and how much is then actually spent writing/tweeking to the point where you are happy with the copy. 50/50, 60/40 etc?

Many thanks
Phil
#percentage #research #split #time #writing
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    More like 70% research and 30% writing.

    The thinking helps make the writing flow easily.

    That first draft is always too darn long. Then I need to walk away from it for a couple of days...and return to hack mercilessly.
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    • Profile picture of the author AnthonyCeseri
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      More like 70% research and 30% writing.

      The thinking helps make the writing flow easily.

      That first draft is always too darn long. Then I need to walk away from it for a couple of days...and return to hack mercilessly.
      Thanks Jason - Good tip!
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
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    It depends on the niche really; but I would say that the time breaks down to about 60/40 in favor of actually writing the copy.
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Originally Posted by phil.wheatley View Post

    Hi Guys

    In the past, when I've had to write copy, it's been for my own products in markets I knew a fair amount about already, as they were either hobbies or something I worked in.

    I'd like to know how much of your time would you say (typically) is spent on researching the topic and how much is then actually spent writing/tweeking to the point where you are happy with the copy. 50/50, 60/40 etc?

    Many thanks
    Phil
    For me, it's 60% of the time writing copy, 39% of the time spent reading, the other 1% of time is spent giving the research details to my research specialist and sending them payment for their services. I get pages of great stuff for a ridiculously low fee and I reinvest the extra time I would have spent digging into building client relationships.
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  • Profile picture of the author phil.wheatley
    Thanks guys for your replies. As I suspected, a lot of the job is research. Whenever I've asked somebody to write copy for me, or write an ebook, I tend to send them all the info I already have on the topic, as I figure it will make the job a bit easier, especially if I have insider info about the niche.

    What are your main techniques / sources of research?

    Thanks
    Phil
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
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      Originally Posted by phil.wheatley View Post

      What are your main techniques / sources of research?
      Book stores are my absolute best source of niche specific information. It amazes me how many people just completely ignore any source of information that is not a quick Google/Wikipedia search.
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  • Profile picture of the author EricMN
    Depends on the niche. If it's one I'm familiar with and have written for before, it's probably closer to 50-50. If it's something I have no idea about, I don't take the job. Shocking, I know.

    Writing also includes the editing for me, which can actually take longer than the writing. I'm usually close to Jason in my percentages. That's what I'm charging a lot for when I quote -- the time it takes to know. The important stuff.

    I start my research on Google. Nifty little tool, it is. Looking for niche forums is a great start, and if you can find a popular one, they can have years of material for you to work with. Their social media groups will do a similar thing.

    It's good to make a few phone calls, though. Are you writing for real estate? Find someone looking to buy a house in the market you're selling and see what they're looking for. Then give it to them in the copy.

    This is always easier if you can find clients that work WITH you. But that's a different conversation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bruce Wedding
    About 75% research for me. The gold is in the research.

    I don't outsource my research and honestly don't understand how you can and learn what you need to know to write effective copy. I suppose the researcher could do the grunt work of compiling raw data for me to peruse, but they don't really know what I'm looking for... neither do I until I see it sometimes.

    I don't think the Makepeace's and Bencivengas of the world outsource the research, not from what I've heard them say.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
    Does anyone else require incubation time after the research is done? For me it takes time for all the facts to marinate in the back of my mind.

    Leaving out incubation I'm 75% research and 25% writing, but if that time is included I'm more like 40% research, 50% incubation, 10% writing.
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  • Profile picture of the author erin.banister
    I work with about 75% research and 25% writing times. The reason for this is because I've found that the less I know about a subject, the more I repeat unnecessary trivialities. Therefore, by really digging my heels in and knowing the topic from front to back I can ensure that my clients really get the best possible copy.

    When you know your topic, the words just come. When you don't know it that well, it's just painful to write.

    For research, I try to do all my research in one day, then marinate on the information before coming back to write the next day.

    Best to you,
    Erin
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