Everything You Need to Know to Be Successful in the Writing Industry
If you’re a great article writer, then you already know that writing isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds — yes, nearly everyone can write, but not everyone can write well. If you’re new to the article writing industry and are looking for some tips, this is the perfect place to get them — this post will serve as a broad overview of what you need to know in order to be successful.
There are actually a few steps that you should be aware of in order to write successful articles, and as you go along in the process, these will all come naturally.
Generate an Idea
This seems like an obvious first step, but there are a few things to consider when coming up with an idea for an article. Getting to know the audience and readership of your article is of immense importance and will greatly shape the way you write it. If you are writing for a primarily academic audience, the style and content will be vastly different from an article catered toward a nonacademic target.
It is great that you want to write an article, but what will the readers learn from it? If you’re having a hard time answering that question, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Try refocusing your general idea and hone in on the valuable information your readers will take away from the article. Adding something new to the already existing information about a subject is a great way to attract readership. Doing research and becoming an expert at a topic is just as effective.
Adding something new will make you stand out in the topic’s conversation — there are millions and millions of articles out there, and if you aren’t unique, yours probably won’t stand out. Don’t just reiterate what other articles are writing; come up with something new and exciting about the topic you’re writing about. Simply injecting passion or excitement about your subject is a fantastic start.
Research
Researching your article topic cannot be stressed enough. If you don’t really understand what you’re writing about, your audience will definitely be able to tell and will not be interested in getting past the introduction. The success of your article depends on your knowledge and expertise.
A great way to start researching your subject is by reading other articles on the same topic. This will allow you to gather information as well as stylistic tactics that you can implement in your own article. If you are going to reference your research in your article, make sure you are getting your information from credible sources; there are plenty of sites on the Internet that give false information.
Finding reliable resources will enhance your article’s credibility — if you’re siting a random blog or spoof news page, people won’t take your article seriously. Look to reference books, documentaries, and established websites to enhance the validity of your article.
A great way to make your article unique is to collect resources that aren’t just text. Adding captivating photos or informational charts is a fantastic way to hold the reader’s attention while also conveying vital information about the subject. Breaking up the text with pictures and charts will make the article easier and more enjoyable to read.
The Final Step: Writing
This is clearly the main job of the article writer, and is the most important step of the process. After establishing your idea and gathering information through legitimate, reliable resources, it’s finally time to write the article.
Before you begin writing you need to establish the length of your article. Many articles have a required word or page count, but if not, decide on an appropriate length that will allow you to include the necessary information on the subject. Often articles are too short and don’t give enough information, or they are too long and tire the reader out. The more you write articles, the easier it will be to tell what the correct length is.
Like with essays, creating an outline of your article is a great idea. This will allow you to easily organize your work and not get lost when you are writing the piece. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, but the outline should break down the article into manageable, understandable sections.
Now that you’re writing the article, it is important to look back at the very first step of this guide. Always keep your audience in mind, as it will greatly influence the style and structure of your writing. Sometimes you will need to use technical, academic language, and other times you will need to use a conversational style and tone. Understanding the needs of your audience is crucial to becoming a successful article writer.
Skillfully implement your research to back up what you’re saying, and remember to include everything that you deemed important to the subject. Even if you miss your word or page count, your first draft should have everything you need to get the point of the article across.
What many people don’t do after completing their article is something that can make or break an article — editing. If you aren’t on a tight deadline, wait a few days to edit your article. This will allow you to edit with a fresh set of eyes. Look for spelling mistakes, missed words, flow and style, and grammar. Another great idea is to have a friend edit your article.
After you’re done editing, you may have realized that you missed some information or have too much on the page. Go back in and add or remove what you feel is necessary. Reading out loud is a great way to hear what works and what doesn’t.
While article writing isn’t the easiest job in the world, the more you do it, the easier it will become. Utilizing these tips and tricks is a great start to breaking into the world of article writing.