We know the hardest part of blogging is actually writing posts. And most blogging software, and even word processors, do little to help writers write. Today at WordPress.com we’re proud to announce a new kind of feature, aimed at helping the writing process, called Writing Helper. It’s a new box that appears underneath the edit box on the Add a Post Screen (the entire box can be dragged to the right side if you want it next to the edit box, instead of underneath).

First up is Copy A Post. You can now reuse the hard work of previous posts as the basis for the next one. Simply hit the Copy A Post button, pick a post, and we copy the title, content, tags and categories for you, saving you steps. If you often have similarly tagged or formatted posts, this will save much time. We will always show your most recent posts in the list, but you can search by title too.

Next is Request Feedback. You can now share a private draft of a post with a friend before it is published. They can help you find typos, suggest improvements and give advice to make the post amazing before you publish it to the world.

When you click on Request Feedback, you can enter email addresses of friends who are willing to help. They’ll receive a special private link to see your draft, where they can leave feedback on your post (see image above). Their feedback will appear in your post’s Request Feedback area when it arrives, so you can make changes to your draft accordingly.
For more about how Writing Helper works, read the support pages for Copy a Post and Request Feedback.
And if you have ideas for other Writing Helper features you’d like to see, leave us a comment.
Wonderful, fantastic, Great Idea…. we all need to just do what we need to do here. 🙂
u had me at hello, and this just makes you cooler.
don’t know if it was asked but will this feature be available for wordpress.org too? (pretty plz w/sugar on top)
what would be an awesome thing is to have customizable privileges on a blog. so you can add a writer to your blog but he or she can only edit posts but not upload, or can also approve posts from contributors. or can edit other peoples posts, can post also but needs aproval before it can be uploaded.
See user roles.
Interesting…a way to recruit people as proofers before a post. not a bad idea…I wonder, can I post an entire book? heh.
These new features look great and I will be using them.
Thanks 🙂
These options are very useful! I used Copy a Post a minute ago, and noticed that a very useful feature would be to say exactly what you want copied. For example, let’s say you only need the tags out of another post you made, however the title and categories copy over as well, which means you have to remove them before you start writing. That would be a good feature.
Nathan: We try very hard to keep features simple, and the more options we add, the more complex they become to use and to learn. We think copying the entire post is a good tradeoff of functionality and simplicity, as even if you don’t want everything from an old post, its still faster to copy it and remove some things than to start from scratch.
thank you for this valuable information
This changes everything I like it!
Thanks for the new feature and explanations on how to use it! I look forward to trying it out in the very near future. I appreciate all the hard work you put into making WordPress great to help my blog look MUCH better.
WP is so amazing! I just wish there was a way to not get updates when you link to your own blog. As much as the copying feature is great, it would also be good if there was a way to write blog templates in advance. It just makes the process quicker IMO *shrugs*
I saw this yesterday on my new post thing and was wondering what it was…I can see this being really useful, thanks guys!
These are good ideas. I may not use them personally, but I can imagine that many bloggers will find these features useful. For example, bloggers who write regular product reviews, project updates, or lists should find the the copy feature a great time saver.
What a great idea! I post regularly on certain subjects and it’s really useful to have a copy feature. This will save a lot of work. Thanks, WP.
Thank you so much! This makes everything I do easier! I’m clicking my heels!
wonderful it’s solve my problem because I don’t have any idea to make a great post
As always, WordPress delivers.
Fantastic tool !!! I tried and could publishe 2 articles much more faster than before !!!!
You whould monitor the trend of number of articles published before & after this introduction.
BR
What was the problem with my last comment which causes it to be in moderation for 2 days now?
Andreas: The problem was i was carefully thinking about how to respond. I prefer to approve comments at the same time I write my response. Sorry of that made you feel left out of the conversation.
This is a welcomed addition for serious bloggers especially for those who post to multiple sites for a wide spectrum of readers. Good lookin’ out WP!
Wow You guys at wordpress are doing great work for us! Thank you so much. Now to schedule time to write everyday……
How about fixing a real WYSIWYG-editor to wordpress? Why focus on new features when the existing doesn’t work?
If you’ve ever written a thread/post in a vBulletin-forum, you know what I mean.
I tried to add an image that was left aligned earlier, with some text of course. Then another one in the same fashion beneath it. The lower one placed itself as a sub-list-item (indented) and to solve this I had to add THREE line breaks (pressing ENTER). There is no logical reason for this.
Also the code keeps doing whatever it wants, not what I tell it to. If I for example write a code in the HTML editor, click on “visual” to preview, then the code changes itself!
Take a look at FCKeditor and make something like it (that one I can’t use since it lacks compability with 3.1.2).
With the styling on your editor, there is NO WAY to see where a paragraph or blockquote starts and ends (all is just white background). And how about the placements (visually) of items (text/images) in the editor..? What’s up?!
PLEASE! Prioritize a REAL WYSIWYG editor ):
..why not try to make a editor that show you what your post will look like, according to the THEME applied?
That would be a feature for core WordPress.org. If they do, we will implement it.
See also: our new Custom Design feature.
this is very useful! thanks!
What Rashmi said about finding the right word is so true. A certain paid service tests for grammatical errors, typos, plagiarism, word usage, etc. It would be nice if WordPress had a similar comprehensive checker that doesn’t only check spelling and basic grammar, but plagiarism and word usage as well. On that other site, they check for dull or overused words and offer suggestions, and they have a section for offering even more word substitutions (but which are not graded against the score). One time, they gave one of my blog posts a 0% because it was on a WordPress blog (mine). Hey, they had no way of knowing that the content they found was mine. What else would be good would be if WP had a way to automatically offer viable advice for grammar mistakes like passive voice, nominalized verbs, split infinitives, dangling prepositions, and so on.
Just brilliant. Just sheer brilliant. What will you guys think of next!!
thanks!
That’s a great idea! I manage a blog to report all the early music events in Rome (Italy). It’s almost like a calendar, so all my posts share the same frame. From now on I can save a lot of time by copying a template post. Thanks a lot!
i like it!)
hi Scott, my friend has translated this useful posting into another language.
http://masbadar.com/2011/04/28/cara-mudah-dan-cepat-membuat-posting-dengan-writing-helper-di-blog-wordpress-com/
Cool. That ‘request feedback’ feature is so thoughtful. WP is great! Thank you, Scott and friends. — JJ
Kudos for the feedback / review feature!
Thank you vey much for your new invention 🙂
I am very new to blogging, so every little helps. The way I seem to be working is that I write everything up in Open Office, using the spell check and now ‘Before the Deadline’ I then cut and paste my work in as a page. The page then is drastically changed and the artwork vanishes, however that is the challenge. So maybe I should put complex information in as a PDF file, my readers then can copy this, so that it will be easy to read on a Smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy.
There may be an advantage here, as when I update a page it is reassuring to copy the original one and then modify it. I might then be able to DELETE THE OLD ONE?
Possibly it is best to read comment guidelines before writing or copy, as the comment will get wiped off.
Thanks, Scott & the WP team,
… and another vote for being able to copy draft posts. I use a draft to hold all my formatting, tags, categories, and Twitter settings/content.
But I can work with the tool, and “good enough” is much nicer than waiting forever for “better”!
Love it!
thanks- this really helps!
Thank you kindly. I was quite confused why WordPress would ad plagiarism helper but I release it isn’t intened for that and doesn’t even work that. Way. I am excited to try it out on some of my new posts. Thanks alot.
Careful or you’ll put us freelance editors out of business! LOL.
Great feature addition. 🙂
This sounds really cool, and I see the box below my New Post edit box, but when I click on either Copy a Post or Request Feedback absolutely nothing happens. Is there a setting I need to change to make this work? Peace, Linda
This is a fabulous feature! Love the idea of getting feedback!! Thank you wordpress!
Congratulations. This is a very good move. Keep it up – new ideas help a great deal. If I move out of WordPress.com, will my sats – page viewer showing the number of visitors so far, disappear? I would like to redirect my site and want everything to remain as it is. Gudance sort.
See our site redirects option. 🙂
Ghee this reminds me of my years in commercial broadcasting you survived on feedback and audience reactions.. too bad we could not live edit some of the things that best of been left to a dead mic. The late Paul Harvey had it right some times a pregnant pause and dead air or silence says way more than exposing your real thoughts to the world. (it lets you change your opinion Before it appears in concrete detail.
cool! this is great!
“Copy a post” function is truly a big improvement. Thanks for the thought behind it!
so… like…. a post template? oh, thank the maker!! with formatting and everything? maybe now i can get rid of the silly code on my front page…
Todae indiaz condition? ah!this sound of the poor alwaes makes my mind hot and blocks my thinking..
Wow, this is brilliant! I hate when I have month long lapses because I have no idea what to write.
Good idea! Writing the blog can be a little lonely at times – this helps! Thanks again WordPress.
Hi! Just like Ciaran I was thinking that it might be useful to have a platform (or even possibly one for each language), like the support forum, where the requests of feedback can be posted, open to all wordpress bloggers who would like to give feedback. It would allow bloggers to “publicise” their blog with others and at the same time receive an objective feedback (friends can be even unconciously too generous). So, happy to see that you are onto it already!
‘Copy post’ can be used to transfer tags and settings from a post about a related topic, e.g. if writing a serial of posts about related topics. I hope though that people will use it with caution and won’t publish revised copies of old content. There is plenty of uninspired, low-quality content on the Internet already, no reason to post things just to post.
‘Request Feedback’ is a great idea. I doubt people would be happy to check friends’ spelling and grammar in blog posts on a regular basis, but there are other great opportunities:
1) Blogging-buddies. Connected bloggers who are into the same area of interest/expertise can review each others draft to ensure the quality and also so they complement and inspire each others’ posts rather than write duplicate content about same topics.
2) Expert check. Science blogs for example, often cover a range of related topics bordering their core expertise. Now they can request quick feedback from an expert in a sub-topic (e.g. a co-blogger they already has blog rolled) to ensure they got it right. The person asked would most likely be happy to correct misunderstandings about his/her core field before it is published and maybe even come with suggestions. It could also inspire the reviewer to write about a related topics and link back to the reviewed post, or prevent him/her from writing an almost-duplicate post since he knows the topic has been covered well already.
In conclusion, I think the ‘review’ function has potential to inspire new content, enhance author relationships and improve topic coherence and coordination of posts in the blogosphere, if it goes well…
God one.
Interesting feedback. Thanks.
wow! sounds useful! thanks wp!
very helpful – will give copy post a try today!
so Awesome!!! thanks!!! have been waiting for the copy paste !! such a time saver!!
You people read your posts before publishing? Wow! Maybe I should try that. 😛
Stellar!
As always your innovation and creativity are most welcome.
This is very good news to me, a novice. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting but I hope I don’t get bombarded with feedback requests. It’s enough trying to edit and re-edit my bullshiggidy. LOL!
I run a book review blog, and the fact I can now copy over the form I fill in at the start, and my ending signature without opening up a new tab, I am so pleased! This is an awesome new feature, thanks!
havent tryed any so will wait to comment
These are great WordPress resources – I actually just started digging into a really really solid book on WordPress 3.0. It’s got some really nice code samples, and is written by a few pro WordPress developers (including some from Envato). I’m actually giving away 2 copies of the e-book on my site – check out the details about the e-book and the giveaway here – I think you’ll dig it : http://bit.ly/lq20Ff
Both options are really useful thanks! The ‘copy a post’ one especially will save time with formatting that is similar in posts.
Hey that’s a good idea. Probably will use the copy feature most often though, to make it easy to gather my tags. All my posts are individual, but the tags are often the same. Niiiice one WP.
Is it possible to copy a post on one blog of mine and copy it or send it to be copied to another blog of mine? Of course I’m new and haven’t even posted a single post yet – still setting up. Just checking.
Not yet, maybe in the future.
Many hands, make light work. In this case, the added features can make posting easier. Good stuff. and I like the idea of the bounce board/blogging buddies.
I think these are excellent features that will make writing quality articles a lot easier.. I wonder though if there is a way to perhaps start a community of people who are willing to edit each others posts… Feedback from friends is a great option, but I find that sometimes friends may not be overly honest… In my experience finding a stranger with writing experience to edit my material gets better results… also I would then not be overwhelming one person with all of my feedback, if there was a whole community of people to help each other out it would get things done more quickly and without anyone feeling pressured… just a thought….
We tried to encourage the buddy system through our Daily Post blog and it was quite successful. Maybe more similar options will come in the future.
hmm…WordPress gets more and more interesting; This upgrade sounds pretty useful. Thanks
This is so cool. It will help a lot when I have brain freeze. Thanks guys:)
I thought you are going to provide me someone who types when I speak aloud , he he he 🙂
Hahah, not yet. But software exists for that (your mileage may vary). 🙂
Thanks WordPress.
I have to use several categories & tags often. This will help a lot.
This is awesome, as usual you are guys are constantly improving and we love it! How about these features:
– Auto-Suggestions ( As in “Consider Revising” “Why don’t you bold this?”)
– Brainstorming/Idea Tree (similar to Idea Cruncher but better)
– Relevant Info Box (so for example I’m typing an article regarding camping, and the box will auto list sites regarding camping) this way you can research with out having to leave WP
WordPress, U really rock…… 🙂
This is sweet it saves me ooogobs of time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Thank you WordPress, this will help me out!
As a novice writer I like the feedback feature, which lets me know if I have reached my audience on the level that I wanted to. Also have received many of wonderful pointers from just feed back.
Thank you so much.
The copy a post function helps me a lot with my regular features. It save me much time and repetitive steps.
Grand idea. Paola Emma
i’m going to try this….great feature
Excellent, Keep up the good work it’s much appeciated.
This is awesome! I have a friend who always point out typos on my posts AFTER they’re published. Now I can ask her to check beforehand. Thanks WordPress!
Useful information. Thanks.
What if you don’t have any blogging friends on here to share it with and you still want feedback…? Haha
Heh, maybe a friend generator? 😉
But jokes aside the interface reviewers are presented with is so light and simple, they truly do not need any blogging experience to leave feedback. Anyone can do it.
when I hit Copy A Post button, then select a post, it just copy tags and categories… no title and content. why?
Please contact support if you are having issues. Our Happiness Engineers will help you out.
Thanks for the heads up. This is my first visit back to WordPress in many moons and I’m glad I’m back. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome back. 🙂
cool very cool