Easiest articles to write....
By scribe1
@scribe1 (1203)
United States
September 1, 2007 4:52pm CST
From my experience, I have learned that how-to articles are not only the easiest type to write, but are very popular with many editors. To see what I mean, flip through the pages of practically any magazine and you are bound to find at least one how-to article.
Also, writing how-to articles is the easiest way to become a published author. Before long, one article leads to another and another.... and opportunities. For example, one of the editors liked my work so much that she asked me if I would accept a contributing editor position. This opportunity was also freelance, but offered a "leg up" on other freelancers.
My "real" job was teaching elementary school, so I started writing how-to articles for audiences of colleagues. One thing led to another and I finally used some of the material from my articles for my first published how-to book!
At the present, I still write, but would be happy to answer questions about writing profitable how-to articles. Just my way of giving back.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Aghorri (86)
• United States
1 Sep 07
It's certainly true that articles and books on practical subjects are the easiest to sell. And I' glad that you've used that fact to further your writing career.
My only question is this: what if you don't know how to do anything...?
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
2 Sep 07
Lol, but you do! Just think about it. Make a list of your hobbies, skills, job experiences, travel, etc. Do you like bicycling, for example? How about caring for pets such as dogs and cats? What problems did you experience and how did you solve them? How could a new owner care for a puppy? A kitten?
Go down the line/list and ask yourself questions. You will be surprised at what comes up.
Here's another hint: go to a newsstand and look at the variety of magazines. Which ones interest you the most? What do they focus on? Then choose one of your favorites and buy it. Look at the articles inside. I will just bet that you will find at least one or two that you could have written.
Try it and see! You will be pleasantly surprised.
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
2 Sep 07
When I first began to write how-to's, I submitted articles to Instructor and Teacher magazines (after getting an ok from editors who read my query letters). My audience consisted of elementary teachers.
For other markets, I consult Writer's Market and visit newsstands in large bookstores such as Borders. I have also found that specialty magazines, such as Cat Fancy, are also good prospects.
The whole key is reading magazines that you want to write for and knowing who your audience is, along with its needs and problems. Also, putting a different spin on your how-to may be a good idea, but you can't go wrong with titles such as "Ten No-Nonsense Ways to Get Rid of Garden Pests."
@nishdan01 (3051)
• Singapore
4 Sep 07
Anything that has personal experience in it sells well and will be rated well. How to .....articles are just one example. So how much on average do you earn from writing career?
@ArsonCuff (3114)
• United States
2 Sep 07
i find creative types of articles or oddball ones, generally involving the entertainment industry to be easiest for me
@Graciejean1982 (27)
• Spain
2 Sep 07
That´s awesome that you found a way to write profitable how-to-articles. I would love some advice. I´m a translator and English teacher, but I would really like to get into writing for publication and how-to articles seems like a good start. Please send me any advice to crisio@aol.com
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
2 Sep 07
As a teacher, you are probably most familiar with problems that many of your colleagues are experiencing. Have you found solutions to one or more of those problems? How did you solve a given problem, ie., what are the steps that you took? Then, look through professional magazines that you and your colleagues read. Do any of those magazines feature how-to articles? One example of such a professional magazine is Instructor.
Look through other magazines that interest you as well. Travel magazines are one possibility. Think about the people, your audiences, who read those magazines and the problems they may experience as they travel, for example.
Or maybe you enjoy cooking or skiing or drawing or boating. Your possible audiences may include amateurs and experienced enthusiasts. Make a list of things that you are knowledgeable about and consider writing a how-to article about it. Of course, you'll also want to read a few of your favorite magazine's how-to articles. Look at back issues at your library as well. How many of those articles were written by staff? By freelancers? (If most of those articles are written by freelancers, consider contacting the magazine's editor and describing your article. Remember to give your article a working title!)
