By Smita Shenoy
Written in June 2018 during the author's Modlingua internship.
"How did it get so late so soon?" - Dr. Seuss
Time waits for no one, especially in the domain of content writing. A missed deadline has a domino effect on everyone in the hierarchical chain - writers, editors, managers, managing editors. However, meeting deadlines should never come at the cost of quality. Shoddily written and edited content can spell doom for content writers and editors, particularly freelancers, and it can mean a loss of goodwill for the management. Time management is thus paramount to success in this field. Here are some time-tested tips for completing work on time without compromising quality, with the Modlingua Rubric - the error control mechanism in content writing and translation - as a companion.
From the content writer's perspective
As the originators of articles, content writers play the most important role, so managing time is vital for them.
i) Compliance. The Modlingua Rubric gives top priority to this point. Strict compliance with the instructions of the client or project manager is not only a must for quality work; it saves time too. Paradoxically, taking time to read the instructions actually saves time later. Once the instructions have been internalised, it is easy for the writer to structure the content.
ii) Focus on error control. Yes, there are editors to improve a writer's work, but that does not excuse any slackness. The Modlingua Rubric lists ten mandatory points covering everything from punctuation and spelling to syntax and formatting. Using AI tools not only saves time but also keeps a check on errors, with results immediately apparent in delivery and efficiency. Grammarly, for instance, acts as an online editor and proofs documents in a matter of minutes.
iii) Balance. Freelance content writers are multitaskers. Besides creating original content, they handle self-marketing, billing and following up on payments. Juggling these acts can be demanding but not impossible. Maintain a schedule diary instead of jumping randomly from task to task, and colour-code tasks according to priority - red for top priority, green for tasks completed, yellow for tasks that can wait a little.
iv) Keep stress at bay. Content writing is cerebral work, and a relaxed brain is a creative brain. The moment anxiety sets in, quality suffers. Keeping an eye on the calendar and the clock is essential, but counting every ticking millisecond only hinders productivity. A "goal buddy" (much like a gym buddy) helps keep you focused, and a ten-minute break for every hour worked is not wasted time but an opportunity for dulled senses to hone themselves for the next inning. The Modlingua Rubric says a careful second reading of the draft is essential, and Mr Kumar also stresses taking a break now and then before re-reading the article, or seeking the help of family and friends to read it. This should not be regarded as lost time, as it leads to quality work in the end.
From the editor's perspective
Most of the points above stand true for editors too, with minor modifications. Two additional tips:
i) Global reading. Instead of attacking the document word by word straightaway, a quick glance at the document to grasp its essence and tone is useful. It puts the document in context and saves editing time.
ii) One aspect at a time. Multitasking is good, but trying to edit and proof simultaneously can spell disaster and lead to time wastage rather than time-saving. Breaking the work into chunks helps.
From the management's perspective
The management can save time by matching the right resource to the right job, and a judicious follow-up as the deadline nears is also useful. As the Modlingua Rubric says, the secret mantra is to work smartly.
"The key is in not spending time, but in investing it." - Stephen R. Covey
