Writing an article is a lot like having a conversation with your reader. You need to be engaging, use the right words and phrases, and come up with an interesting topic. Below are some tips on how to write articles that get published:
Takeaways |
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Understand the publication’s target audience. |
Tailor your article to match the publication’s style. |
Craft a captivating headline and introduction. |
Provide valuable and well-researched content. |
Follow the submission guidelines carefully. |
Edit and proofread your article thoroughly. |
Be persistent and open to feedback from editors. |
Build relationships with editors and publications. |
Continuously improve your writing skills and techniques. |
1. Write As You Talk
When it comes to writing, you should write in a way that sounds like you’re talking. This helps with the readability of your article and makes it more enjoyable for readers.
Keep in mind that even though you don’t want to sound like you are writing a dissertation, there is still some formality when dealing with written words. You can still use contractions (e.g., “I’m going to…”) and slang (e.g., “You know what I mean?”), but try not to use too much slang or contractions so that your article doesn’t lose its professional appeal!
You should also consider using passive voice sparingly because it can make sentences wordy (and therefore harder for readers). Passive voice replaces an active verb with a form of “to be” + past participle (e.g., “The study was conducted yesterday”). For example: “The report was written by our team last week.”
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2. Keep It Short And Sweet
When you’re writing an article, the goal is to get your point across as quickly and clearly as possible. You don’t want to waste time or space on unnecessary words or any other fluff that doesn’t contribute to your main idea.
Here are some tips for keeping it short and sweet:
Make sure your article is no longer than 250 words. This should be enough space for one main idea (and no more).
Use simple language that anyone can understand easily, even if you’re trying to write about a complex topic. Avoid using long, complicated words unless they’re necessary.
Don’t ramble on in paragraphs that go on for too many sentences or paragraphs without stopping; it will make it harder for readers to follow along with what you’re saying! Instead, try breaking up each paragraph into several smaller ones so they can digest the information more easily without getting confused by having too much going on at once.
And remember not all sentences have an equal value; there shouldn’t always be three of them per paragraph because then everything would just feel like a filler!
So try only using two sentences per paragraph instead – this way there’ll still be plenty left over afterward when someone wants extra detail but doesn’t have time right now because he/she needs some more time before deciding whether or not something else would work better instead.”
3. Keep It Simple
The third tip is to keep it simple. This is particularly important when you’re writing for a more general audience, which most people reading this article probably are.
A good way to make sure your writing stays at a level that people can understand is by avoiding big words and complicated sentences. Try not to use words that are difficult to pronounce or define, such as “gastronomical” or “implication.”
Your writing should also avoid complex concepts. An example of this would be mentioning something like the “flavor profile” of each ingredient in a recipe when all you’re talking about is whether it’s sweet or salty (unless your reader is a food critic).
It’s okay if some readers don’t know what these things mean, but if those terms make up most of what you write about then there may need further explanation for some readers who just want their information without all the fancy stuff! You don’t have time for that kind of nonsense anyways because.
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4. Give Your Article A Snappy Title And Sub-Headline
You should also give your article a snappy title and sub-headline. Your title is the first thing people see, so it needs to be short and descriptive. If you’re writing for a publication or site that has its style guide, follow those guidelines for how titles should look.
In terms of length: It should be no longer than two lines long on Twitter; two sentences at most on Facebook (and some publications will even limit it to one); while Google+ favors longer titles that can go up to three sentences if need be. In general, though, keep them brief; they’ll help engage your readership more quickly!
5. Get To The ‘meat’ Of Your Article First
Next, you need to get your article down in one draft. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling, just write whatever comes into your mind. There’s no pressure here you can always go back and fix things later.
The main point that I want to make here is this: when you’re writing an article for publication, the first thing they will look at is whether the information is relevant and useful to their readership. They don’t care if it’s written perfectly; they only care if it contains useful information that their readers will find valuable enough that they’ll pay for it with hard-earned money!
6. Write The Ending First!
Writing the ending first is a bit of an “out there” technique, but it’s a good one! You need to know what you’re trying to say to write your article.
This technique is especially important if you don’t know where you’re going with an article. It’s hard to find your way around when you can’t see the end in sight. But if you’ve already written your ending and then worked backward from there, finding your way will be much easier.
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7. Use Bullet Points Or Numbered Lists
When you write an article, it’s important to make sure that the points you’re making are clear. One way to do this is by using bullet points or numbered lists.
You can use these tactics in different ways:
Bullet Points: If you have a single point that you want to emphasize, use bullet points. By listing out each idea in one sentence and breaking them up with periods (or other punctuation), your reader will easily be able to see what the main ideas are.
Numbered Lists: If you want to break down complex topics into multiple pieces of information and give them equal weight, then numbered lists may be right for you! Make sure that each item on your list is related if they aren’t similar enough,
consider grouping them as a subtopic under another heading instead. For example, if I wanted to talk about how writers need inspiration from other great authors but also need to find their voice within those influences (so it’s not just imitation), my writing might look like this:
8. Unfold Your Thoughts And Ideas One At A Time
There’s no need to try and get everything said in one article. It is better to write an article that covers the most important idea but also leaves room for expansion in future articles.
The same goes for sentences and paragraphs. Focus on saying what you need to say, but don’t worry about covering all of your thoughts in one sentence or paragraph. Better to have them divided up into multiple paragraphs so long as each of those paragraphs only deals with one idea or topic at a time.
The same goes for sections, pages (if you’re writing a long article), etcetera don’t worry about trying to cover all of your ideas in one section/page/whatever; instead just focus on saying what needs saying then without worrying about anything else yet!
9. Avoid ‘filler Material’ And Use Attention-Pulling Quotes Instead
You can also use quotes to add interest to your article. A quote adds value and depth, but it should be short, relevant, and interesting for the reader.
Here’s an example: “No man is rich enough to buy back his past.” – Will Rogers”
This quote is short and relevant because it’s about money, which relates closely to the topic of this article (how you can write an article they want to publish). It’s also interesting because it provides more insight into how writing articles that are published helps people become more successful in life by making money.
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10. Ask Questions Throughout The Article – Then Answer Them Later!
The last step in creating a compelling article is to ask questions throughout the piece and then answer them later.
You can do this by asking questions that are interesting, and relevant, and lead readers to the conclusion you want them to reach.
For example: “You’re probably wondering if it’s worth paying for a content writer – especially when you could write your articles for free! The obvious answer is yes – but let me explain why”
11. Connect With Your Readers By Writing Directly To Them, Using The Word “You” To Refer To Them
Connect With Your Readers By Writing Directly To Them, Using The Word “You” To Refer To Them
The most important thing you can do in your article is to establish a connection with your readers. And the best way to do that is by using the word “you” as often as possible when referring to them or their situation.
You want to make sure that they feel like you are talking directly to them and writing specifically for their situation. This will help keep them engaged and give them confidence that you understand what they need, making it more likely for them to share or republish your content!
12. Start Each Sentence In An Active Voice With An Action Verb, Not A Weak Verb Such As “Get, Have, Get”, Etc. (Keep It Positive)
In traditional writing, the active voice is the way to go. To write in an active voice means that you are keeping your sentences short and simple, while still including all of the information they need to know. You also want to use words such as “I” or “we” to keep things personal and relatable for them.
For example:
Active: I ate a hamburger yesterday with my family.
Passive: A hamburger was eaten by me yesterday with my family.
Which one do you want? The first one is much more engaging because it talks directly about what happened and includes a personal pronoun. Plus this will always be true any time there’s an action verb in your writing, it will be more interesting than using passive verbs like “get” or “have” even if those are technically correct!
13. Add A Call To Action For Your Readers (What Do You Want Them To Do?)
It’s always a good idea to add a call to action. A call to action tells your readers what you want them to do after reading the article. This could be something as simple as leaving a comment below the article, or it could be more complex, like signing up for an email course on your website about how writers can make money from writing.
Make sure that whatever call to action you use is easy for the reader and does not require too much effort on their part (e.g., don’t tell them that they have to sign up for an email course if they have no interest in doing so). Include links where appropriate so that people can easily take action without having to look up anything else first!
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14. Add A Resource Box To Each Article You Submit
Once your article is complete, it’s time to submit it to the publisher. When you do, be sure to include a resource box at the end of your article. A resource box is a section at the bottom of your article that lists your name, website, and contact information.
This is a great way to add credibility to your article, and it gives your readers a way to get in touch with you if they want more information about something specific in the piece.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! If you’re looking for a way to get your articles published on blogs and other sites, this is the way to do it. All in all, writing an article that people want to read takes a lot of work. But if you follow these tips and tricks, I promise that your efforts will be well worth it!
Further Reading
How to Write Articles: Learn the essentials of crafting compelling articles for various purposes and audiences.
How to Write and Sell Your Articles to a Newspaper or Magazine: Discover effective strategies to not only write captivating articles but also sell them to prominent publications.
How to Get an Article Published in a Magazine: Unlock the secrets to successfully pitching and getting your articles featured in renowned magazines.
FAQs
How can I improve my article writing skills?
To enhance your article writing skills, consider practicing regularly, reading articles from diverse sources, and seeking feedback from peers or mentors.
What are the essential elements of a well-written article?
A well-written article should have a clear and engaging introduction, a cohesive and informative body, and a strong conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
How do I approach pitching my article to a magazine?
Craft a compelling pitch that highlights the uniqueness of your article, addresses the magazine’s target audience, and demonstrates your writing expertise.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing articles?
Avoiding excessive jargon, staying on topic, and proofreading thoroughly are key aspects to keep in mind when writing articles.
How can I make my articles more appealing to readers?
Create articles that are informative, relatable, and add value to the reader’s life. Incorporating storytelling and visuals can also make your articles more appealing.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.