A Six-Step Guide to Article Writing
The author presents a straightforward six-step guide to crafting an article, emphasizing the significance of seemingly minor details in the writing process. With a background in content marketing and a portfolio of over a hundred articles and proofreading projects, the author aims this guide at the many educated, accomplished individuals who might struggle with how to begin writing articles in today’s digital landscape.
The guide underscores the relevance of article writing, particularly for those not specializing in content creation or communications. Articles serve as a vital means for sharing professional insights or articulating opinions, especially for senior executives and leaders. While it’s possible to hire a ghostwriter, actively engaging in the writing process allows individuals to convey their thoughts authentically.This can assist in achieving organizational goals or enhancing a personal brand. The author suggests that readers explore this option when crafting their own articles.
This piece serves as a straightforward guide to article writing, drawing on experiences as a content marketer and communication student. It is applicable across various industries, roles, and formats. Some tips may appear obvious to individuals with previous writing experience. There is a short guide sheet included that gives you an idea of what to expect.
STAGE One: Specify what your article will be about.
- To effectively write an article, it’s essential to have a clear objective. This main point helps prevent straying off-topic and ensures the article remains focused on the specific advantages or effects of your product. For instance, if your article is titled “How Product X is a Gamechanger for Y Industry,” it’s important to educate readers about the product’s influence on that industry. Establishing a working title or a brief description can help outline the article’s scope. Clearly defining your purpose before you begin is crucial.
STEP TWO: Be clear about your audience
- Knowing who your target audience is is the second step in producing an article .This involves considering factors such as their age, education level, industry, and familiarity with the topic. Gaining insight into your audience’s perspective is essential, as it will influence how you structure your article, choose your language and tone, and guide your writing approach. If you are writing for an organization, your internal marketing team may offer specific insights
STEP THREE: Put together an outline
- An outline is an important element in the planning stage of an article, as it sharpens focus and clarifies the final product for readers. It can take the form of a list of subtopics, a summary of the whole piece, or even mind maps. It’s vital to segment the article into sections, even if the writing flows freely without distinct subheadings. The article should begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion, where the introduction establishes the context and the conclusion recaps the main points or insights. The conclusion should connect back to the introduction, reflecting on the responses provided to the initial question.
STEP FOUR: Write! (and Review)
- Starting to write a lengthy article requires careful pacing and reviewing of its sections. Always keep the topic and audience in mind, and stick to the outline. If needed, revisit your planning process to ensure the article stays on course. Ensure that transitions between sections are smooth, creating a cohesive whole. Begin each section by linking back to the previous one or referencing the main idea, and periodically reinforce the topic throughout the article. This approach helps maintain focus and prevents straying from the central theme.
STAGE FIVE: Prepare any required visual components
- Visual elements like images, photographs, illustrations, infographics, and embedded videos can greatly enrich your article. They enhance visual appeal, alleviate dense blocks of text, and highlight key points. The choice to incorporate visuals relies on your ability to create them. If you are writing for an organization, think about collaborating with graphic designers. It’s advisable to start planning for visual components during the outlining phase.
STAGE SIX: Review and Edit
- After you finish your first draft, it’s important to revise your article for grammar, structure, and visual appeal. Step into the audience’s perspective to ensure the article is useful, engaging, and relevant. Focus on the main topic and make any necessary adjustments. If possible, have someone who represents your target audience or has a deep understanding of it review the article. For broader audiences, even a friend or family member can offer valuable insights. Ideally, seek feedback from someone familiar with the target audience or knowledgeable about the topic. This process helps ensure that your article is well-organized and captivating.
These are some things to consider for Article Writing
- When incorporating facts, figures, or statistics from external sources into your article, be sure to mention the source. If possible, include a link to the source if it is available online. In the case of academic writing, it is essential to provide citations regardless. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is something I haven’t talked about much in this piece, but it is a key part of any online story If you’re writing for an organization, prior to publishing, you can get your piece optimized by in-house SEO and content specialists.
- If you wish to manually optimize your post for search engines, ask your internal team for a list of keywords that are pertinent to your main idea or topic. Or you might utilize one of the many paid or free keyword research tools available, like SEMRush, Alternatively, you can utilize a variety of paid and free keyword research tools, such as SEMRush, which you should concentrate on until you’ve become somewhat proficient with other article-writing-related topics.
