Freelance Writing Tips - July 31, 2007
Writer's Resources...
How to Write an Article a Day?
If you make a living writing web content, you've probably mastered the skill of writing several short articles an hour. On a good day, I can produce about three quality 300 word articles an hour. On the other hand, if you're looking to expand your horizon and write for higher paying markets such as consumer or trade magazines, you should spend more than 20 minutes on a short piece.
Here are a few tips on how to produce a great, well-researched articles in a day. If the article sells at the going magazine rate of $1 per word, you'll earn $500 for a short 500-word piece. Not bad for a day's work!
Step 1: Choose a Subject or Topic - What's your niche? If you can't decide on a topic, browse the internet, newspapers, or magazines. What are people thinking?
Step 2: Pick a Title - If pitching an online magazine or publication, use a keyword selector tool and choose a title that ranks high on the search engines.
Step 3: Write an Intro - The introduction should be catchy and grab the readers attention. If the first couple of sentences are boring or unexciting, readers will lose interest. Begin the piece with a question, or write an attention-grabbing scenario.
Step 4: Research the Topic
Step 5: Create an Outline - Which points will you highlight?
Step 6: Write a Rough Draft - Don't think, just write. You'll have plenty of time to fine tune or edit the piece.
Step 7: Take a Break.
Step 8: Re-read the Article - After a break, you'll be able to notice incomplete thoughts, grammar mistakes, and so forth.
Step 9: Edit the Piece.
Step 10: Submit the Article to the Appropriate Editor or Publication.
How to Write an Article a Day?
If you make a living writing web content, you've probably mastered the skill of writing several short articles an hour. On a good day, I can produce about three quality 300 word articles an hour. On the other hand, if you're looking to expand your horizon and write for higher paying markets such as consumer or trade magazines, you should spend more than 20 minutes on a short piece.
Here are a few tips on how to produce a great, well-researched articles in a day. If the article sells at the going magazine rate of $1 per word, you'll earn $500 for a short 500-word piece. Not bad for a day's work!
Step 1: Choose a Subject or Topic - What's your niche? If you can't decide on a topic, browse the internet, newspapers, or magazines. What are people thinking?
Step 2: Pick a Title - If pitching an online magazine or publication, use a keyword selector tool and choose a title that ranks high on the search engines.
Step 3: Write an Intro - The introduction should be catchy and grab the readers attention. If the first couple of sentences are boring or unexciting, readers will lose interest. Begin the piece with a question, or write an attention-grabbing scenario.
Step 4: Research the Topic
Step 5: Create an Outline - Which points will you highlight?
Step 6: Write a Rough Draft - Don't think, just write. You'll have plenty of time to fine tune or edit the piece.
Step 7: Take a Break.
Step 8: Re-read the Article - After a break, you'll be able to notice incomplete thoughts, grammar mistakes, and so forth.
Step 9: Edit the Piece.
Step 10: Submit the Article to the Appropriate Editor or Publication.
