Start with the question, not the draft
A compliant process begins by asking whether an article should exist. Writing first and hoping is how drafts get declined and subjects acquire deletion histories.
The seven stages
01 — Eligibility assessment. The subject, its online footprint and its independent coverage are reviewed against Wikipedia’s notability and sourcing requirements. This stage is free and ends in a clear verdict.
02 — Source research. Researchers identify every usable reliable source and separate genuine independent coverage from PR, sponsored content, interviews, press releases and syndicated reproductions.
03 — Article strategy. What can reasonably be said, in what structure, and what must be left out because no independent source supports it.
04 — Neutral drafting. The article is written in encyclopedic language, every statement traceable to a cited source, with no evaluative or promotional wording.
05 — Compliance review. The draft is checked against notability, reliable-sourcing, neutrality, biography-of-living-persons and conflict-of-interest requirements before it goes anywhere near a reviewer.
06 — Publication process. The draft enters the appropriate Wikipedia editorial workflow with proper disclosure. Legitimate reviewer concerns are addressed on their merits.
07 — Monitoring. After publication the article can be watched for vandalism, unsourced additions and citation decay.
How long it takes
Assessment: about one business day. Research and drafting: typically a few weeks. Wikipedia’s own review: controlled by volunteer editors, anywhere from days to months. No consultant can shorten the last stage honestly.