Do you want to start doing article writing freelance but aren’t sure how to go about it? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you the steps that will take you from scratch to submitting and winning articles for well-paying clients.
Step 1: Research
Before you begin to write, you need to make sure your topic is accurate and credible. This means researching the subject to find factual information, such as who the key figures are in the area or what the issues are. Depending on the story you’re planning, this may involve interviewing a range of experts or people who are living the issue in the real world.
You should also research what others have said about the issue to get ideas for your own piece. You should do this by reading other related pieces on the same topic, looking for articles on your subject at major newspapers and magazines, and using search engines to see who’s written about it.
Next, you’ll need to find some sources to confirm the facts you’ve found in your research. These could be university professors, government agencies, professional associations or leading authorities on the topic.
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to start writing your first draft. Here’s how to do it:
Start by writing an opening paragraph and then move onto the main body of the article. You’ll need to structure your piece so that it flows well and doesn’t lose readers.
Create a rough outline or plan for your article, which will help you keep track of all the points you need to cover. This will make the writing process much easier, and ensure that you don’t leave any important pieces of information out.
Using an outline or plan will also save you time in the long run because you can focus on just one section at a time. For example, if you’re writing an essay about a specific subject, you might want to break it into sections that are easy to write about, such as the introduction and conclusion.
It’s a good idea to do a re-read of your article before you submit it to your editor. This will allow you to check that your facts are correct, that the logical flow of the article is clear, and that the language used in the draft is consistent with the published article.
In many cases, the re-read will reveal errors you missed during your initial reading of the draft. This will give you a chance to change them before they’re pressed into print.
The re-read will also help you to spot any cliches or repetitive language that doesn’t make sense to your reader. If you do this, you can rephrase the sentences to make them clearer and shorter.
This will make your article much more readable and easy to read. And, it will make your article more likely to be successful in attracting readers and getting paid.
Once you’re done with your re-read, edit and fact-check again. This will help you to create a more saleable article, which is the best way to start earning a living as a freelance writer.
