Writing for a magazine can be a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field, but it also requires hard work and persistence. Before you submit an article idea, it’s important to make sure it will appeal to editors and some guidelines can help you get started.
Here are some tips on how to write articles for magazines:
| Takeaways |
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| 1. Embrace Creative Angles: Explore unique perspectives and angles for your articles to captivate readers and stand out in the crowded magazine market. |
| 2. Focus on Timely Topics: Keep your content relevant by covering trending subjects and addressing current issues that pique readers’ interests. |
| 3. Dive into Investigative Journalism: Delve deep into investigative pieces to provide valuable insights and engage readers with in-depth reporting. |
| 4. Craft Compelling Profiles: Share captivating stories through well-crafted profiles, featuring individuals with inspiring or intriguing backgrounds. |
| 5. Write How-to Guides: Offer practical value to readers by creating step-by-step how-to guides that provide actionable tips and solutions. |
| 6. Develop Opinion/Editorial Articles: Express your unique perspectives and opinions on relevant topics, sparking discussions and reader engagement. |
| 7. Utilize Visual Storytelling: Enhance your articles with compelling visuals, such as infographics and images, to make your content more engaging and memorable. |
| 8. Consider Personal Essays: Share personal experiences and reflections to connect with readers on a deeper, emotional level. |
| 9. Include Topical Roundups: Curate roundups of the latest trends or developments in your niche, offering readers a comprehensive overview. |
| 10. Collaborate with Experts: Seek interviews and insights from industry experts or thought leaders to add credibility and authority to your articles. |
Take A Stand
You can take a stand on just about any topic and you should! But understanding when to take a stand and when not to is important.
First, let’s talk about what it means to take a stand. A good example of an article that takes a position is “How the 10-Minute Break Can Make You Happier,” in which the author lists five ways taking time away from work can improve your mood, then shares her own experience with taking ten minutes for herself during her lunch break.
The author has clearly stated in the first paragraph what she believes (that taking a break makes people happier), but also lets readers know that everyone has their way of doing things by sharing her own story as well.
When you decide it’s time for an article of yours to stake out its ground on some issue or question being discussed in your field, keep these things in mind:
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Make A List
Do you have an idea for a story, but don’t know where to start? Try making a list. I’d even go so far as to say that the first thing you should do when you find yourself with an article idea is to make a list.
A good list has at least three things on it: (1) the most important things to know about the topic; (2) the most important things to do about the topic; and (3) who your sources will be.
For example: “Make a List.” The title might seem self-explanatory, but what exactly makes this piece worthy of being published in an esteemed publication like [insert name here] magazine? Well-established journalists like myself often write lists because they’re simple and people love reading lists!
Provide An Update On The Topic For Readers
- Provide an update on the topic for readers
- Write about the topic from a different perspective
- Write about a new development
- Write about a new trend
- Write about a new study
- Write about a new book or article you’ve read recently, and why it’s significant to your readership.
For example: “In her latest blog post, author Jane Doe discusses how technology is changing our lives.” Or: “The release of this best-selling novel reveals just how much people want to read stories set in Africa.”
If you’re writing for an academic journal, consider citing researchers who have done relevant research (this should be in APA format). Make sure that whatever you cite is relevant if it isn’t, editors will find out and won’t be happy with you!
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Draw Attention To An Overlooked Or Forgotten Issue
An overlooked or forgotten issue is a fantastic topic to write about. It’s important to draw attention to these issues because they may not be getting enough media coverage.
A perfect example of an overlooked or forgotten issue is the prison system in America. There are 2.3 million people incarcerated in jails and prisons, with another 5 million on parole or probation all at taxpayer expense of over $80 billion per year.
Not only that, but the majority of those incarcerated are black men who have been convicted for minor drug charges (such as possession). This means that many black children will grow up without their fathers due to incarceration.
These children have no role model for what it means to be a man, which can contribute to delinquency and poverty later on in life when they reach adulthood themselves!
Look At The Topic From The Future
Look at the topic from the future. What would you like to know about this subject? What’s going to happen in the next decade or so? If you were writing a short story about this topic, what might have happened already and what would happen by the end of it?
Look at the topic from another person’s perspective. Write an article from someone else’s point of view, even if it’s not human maybe write an article from a bird’s perspective on how he sees humans as big things that are loud and annoying but also kind of fascinating because they’re so big and clumsy when compared with birds!
Look at the topic from another period or place in history. Is there an interesting way to compare something happening today with something similar that happened in history?
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Work From A Provocative Quote
One of the best ways to make sure that your article is engaging is by starting with a quote. The quote can either be from someone famous or it can be your own, but make sure that it’s relevant to your topic and not too long or too short.
Also make sure that the quote isn’t too complex or simple; you want an article that’s easy to read and understand, so avoid using quotes with lots of big words or long sentences.
Finally, keep in mind that controversial topics may turn some people off from reading your piece; if possible, try to pick something less polarizing as your opening line (e.g., “I love cats,” instead of “Cats are the best!”).
Tell A Story From Another Person’s Point Of View
Let’s say you want to write about a typical holiday party. You could use the point of view of the host and tell how they were all set up and ready for guests, but then no one showed up. Or, you could use the point of view of those invited and waiting for their friends to arrive.
The important thing here is that it’s not just another story about being left behind at a party—it’s an unexpected perspective from which your reader will be able to relate to this familiar scenario in an entirely new way!
Make A Prediction About What Might Happen In The Future With The Topic
If you have an idea for a prediction, use it! Predictions can be fun and interesting to read, especially when they’re controversial. If you predict that no one else has made it before, then readers will want to know more about your thoughts on the topic.
If you predict something that turns out to be right, then it might help boost your reputation as someone with good ideas.
Write About Yourself
If you’re writing a magazine or newspaper article, the best way to get published is by writing about your own experience with the topic. You don’t even have to invent anything as long as it’s true! Just set up a scene and then have characters have a conversation about the topic.
It could be two people who are similar in age or gender speaking with one another or three people from different backgrounds having an open discussion on their feelings towards alcohol consumption during parties like Mardi Gras!
Using your experiences will make readers care more about what you’re saying because they can relate better than if they were reading something that was made up for entertainment purposes only and don’t worry: no one will know unless you tell them (or maybe someone else does).
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Write About Real People You Have Met Who Is Affected By The Topic
Writing about real people you have met who are affected by the topic is a great way to make any article more personal. People love reading about real people because it brings the story to life in a way that no statistic or scientific study can.
When you write an article with a personal voice and perspective, your readers will feel like they know you, which creates an instant connection between them and your writing.
In addition to being relatable, using real people allows for interesting anecdotes that can be woven into your piece.
Rather than just telling the reader “this happened” or “that happened” when describing something from your research, try sharing how someone reacted in response to said event their reaction will add a layer of complexity and give readers more insight into what went on beyond just what was reported in a newspaper clipping or scientific journal article.
Interview An Expert
Interviewing an expert is a great way to get your foot in the door with a publication. It shows you have the moxie to track down someone who has something to say, and it also allows you to shine as an interviewer.
Consider these tips when preparing for an interview:
Choose an expert who is well-known and respected in your field. This will help make sure that you get published by demonstrating how knowledgeable you are about your topic the magazine wants to know that its readers will benefit from reading about this particular expert’s insights!
Choose someone willing to be interviewed. If they don’t want their name attached or their picture was taken, then no interview can happen!
Plan out each question carefully before interviewing so that it flows smoothly and feels natural when spoken aloud (or typed). You’ll want both sides of the conversation feeling comfortable so they can relax into answering questions rather than trying too hard not to misspeak themselves over nerves or nerves caused by awkward silences during conversation!
Create A Scene, But Don’t Just Describe It
This is where you want to spend some time describing the scene, the characters, and their actions. You can also describe what they’re wearing if it helps set the mood or add detail to your story.
Describe their surroundings as well as the setting and any other details that might help paint a picture in readers’ minds. If it’s an outdoor scene, for example, what kind of weather was there? How did this affect things? Did anything in particular about the weather make this moment particularly memorable for them?
If it’s not obvious from what you just wrote down above: Keep going! Don’t stop until every last detail has been described (and then some). The more you describe in your article everything from who’s doing what and exactly how they feel about it the better chance you have at hooking readers into finishing everything on their journey with your story.
Join An Organization That Discusses The Topic
Finding a community of other people who are passionate about the topic you’re writing about is a great way to get started.
A quick search on Twitter or Google will likely bring up a few groups that may be interested in your work. If you don’t find any groups, consider starting your own!
Joining an organization helps you learn new things and meet new people, two very important things if you want to become an author.
Identify Something New In Your World
First, identify something new in your world. This could include identifying a new person, place, or thing that you’ve never heard about before. It could also mean identifying a new aspect of yourself such as your passion for sports or interest in art that wasn’t as apparent before.
Next, identify something new about the topic at hand: what do you think needs to be said about this topic? What aren’t people talking about yet? Do they need more information on how it works or why it’s important? How can you provide an interesting spin on this subject matter (e.g.through humor)?
Finally, identify something new about the world at large: maybe there’s some interesting news happening right now which hasn’t been covered by mainstream news outlets yet but is still relevant enough to be mentioned in an article format!
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Overcome Fear By Trying Something Scary Related To The Topic
Sometimes it helps to face your fears. If your article is about something that makes you nervous, try doing the thing in real life. You might be surprised by what happens.
For example, if you’re writing about a scary subject like spiders, take a close look at them up close and personal (if this doesn’t make you scream). Then go home and write about why they shouldn’t scare us as much as we think they should.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has encouraged you to start writing and submitting your articles. The key is not to get discouraged if you don’t get published right away, but keep at it! Practice makes perfect, and each time you write something new will bring more experience and confidence in time, you’ll be an expert on the topic and able to pitch your ideas confidently.
Further Reading
Copyblogger – Article Ideas Short Description: Explore a collection of creative article ideas to spark your writing inspiration and enhance your content marketing efforts.
The Adventurous Writer – Types of Feature Articles to Write for Magazines Short Description: Uncover various types of feature articles that you can write for magazines, from profiles to investigative pieces, and hone your writing skills in the world of print journalism.
Calameo – 7 Ideas to Enrich Your Online Magazine Short Description: Discover seven innovative ideas to elevate your online magazine’s content and captivate your digital audience effectively.
FAQs
What are the best types of feature articles for magazine writing?
Feature articles for magazines can vary widely, but some popular types include profile pieces, investigative journalism, how-to guides, and opinion/editorial articles.
How can I come up with engaging article ideas?
To generate captivating article ideas, consider researching trending topics, seeking inspiration from real-life experiences, analyzing audience interests, and exploring unique angles.
What are the essential elements of a successful online magazine?
A successful online magazine should have a user-friendly layout, high-quality and visually appealing content, regular updates, interactive features, and seamless social media integration.
How can I improve my writing skills for magazine articles?
Improving your writing skills involves continuous practice, seeking feedback from peers or editors, reading widely, and studying successful magazine articles to understand their style and structure.
How can I promote and market my online magazine effectively?
Effectively promoting an online magazine involves leveraging social media platforms, collaborating with influencers, implementing SEO strategies, and engaging in cross-promotional activities with relevant partners.
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.