The Time-Weaving Art of Long-Form Quora Answers: A Case Study

Who has the time to write detailed responses on platforms like Quora? I do. I write long answers, usually. In 2018, I began delving into topics ranging from personal finance, investments, insurance, growing wealth, properties, and rental issues. Additionally, I started a dedicated space for Financial Goals Planning. These subjects require comprehensive and detailed insights. I strive to provide data-led analysis and supporting arguments, adhering to a habit I developed during my time at Cognizant.

Conceding my planned retirement on 31-Dec-2020, I continued working as an external consultant with my old employer, Zensar. Surprisingly, over the last two years, my workload has significantly increased. I spend around 12 hours working daily, engaging in real and fulfilling tasks, not just browsing or watching videos. Yet, I consistently find time to produce detailed answers when a topic sparks my interest. What has time to do with it? Interest, inclination, zest, and the desire all make the time issue insignificant—time is always found when one sets their mind to it.

Writing Efficiency: A Skill to Master

A skilled writer with decent typing skills can produce 75 words per minute. That equates to approximately 9 or 10 pages of content in just 30 minutes, though the editing at such a pace would undoubtedly be hasty. Despite the potential sloppiness, if the writer already knows what they wish to say and has substantial prior knowledge, they can craft a substantial piece in just a portion of their lunch break.

However, the average Quora answer is only around 700 words long. This amounts to about 10 minutes of typing, followed by another 5 minutes dedicated to proofreading and editing typographical errors. Additionally, revisiting and expanding upon older answers is a common practice. This means that some of the most organized and meticulously edited answers might have been the result of just 5 minutes of daily work over several weeks. This intricate editing history is often not visible in the main answer but can be seen by opening the editing history, revealing the gradual improvements and revisions.

In summary, the time to write detailed and insightful responses on Quora is always there if one is passionate about the subject and willing to invest time. The key is to leverage writing skills and the willingness to contribute meaningful content, even in a short period.