There are many ways to write an article, and while I won’t attempt to cover them all, I’ll share a few of my favorite ways to do so. I am doing this live in my Social Media Saturdays course to demonstrate how easy it is to write an article for my blog.
First – Start with an introduction. What am I going to say? A few sentences or a few words is fine. See above for an example of an introduction.
Second – Think about what you know about the topic. Share a story, think in a list, or just start writing. See what develops and edit later.
Third – Is there a picture that can supplement my story? If so, now’s a good time to find the picture. I like to use Flickr photos that are creative commons licensed so I am free to use them with attribution.
Fourth – I write. I just write as much as I can. I might also take time to schedule the post for later on, save it as a draft, leave it as a brief stub, whatever.
Last – I worry about formatting. I add bullet points, clean up the look and feel, whatever needs to be cleaned up.
What are your best tips on writing an article?
To do list photo credit
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I read other blogs and Internet articles for inspiration. Sometimes there will be a sentence or a paragraph that causes me to think about a topic in a slightly different way, so I will include the inspiration quote and a link back to the original article in the post I wrote.
There are an impressively large number of really smart people out there (you’re definitely among them, Phil), and I feel that I am more or less acting as a clearinghouse to steer my readers in the right direction for good advice.
That is a great tip about Flickr photos. I didn’t know that. I will have to start including pictures from now on. Thanks!
Thank you Melissa. That’s so nice of you to say.
Clearinghouse to steer readers in the right direction…I’d say that’s a good use for Twitter, to be a filter and a sharer. For a blog, add your own points. Expand upon the topic, add a point, disagree with a point, or even look at it a little differently and share that as an article on your blog. There’s not much new under the sun…except for the way you look at the things that happen.
Pictures are really great ways to add to the story. I use http://istockphoto.com sometimes too, but Flickr is free if you use it correctly.
Phil,
Thank you for clarifying the point I was trying to make.
I agree that there needs to be original content on a blog (which I do often add to the inspiration quotes). It’s a good venue for someone like me who is rarely lacking for words or opinions
Melissa – I hope you didn’t think I was saying you don’t do original content. I was just saying the “quick hits” are perfect for Twitter.
I have no shortage of words or opinions either
Hi Phil .. preparation is important and selecting the right topic, or topics for the post – keep it simple is a good phrase, try not to be repetitive, and it must be original in the thougth process. Acknowledge where necessary and where essential.
My blog is a real mish-mash ofideas .. but fellow readers seem to enjoy the mix of content and the learning process they encounter, which seems to be light relief – I’m educating myself at the same time! I enjoy it .. but each post is different, and in a world of its own relative to other more specialised blog expert subjects.
I do work at the articles though .. thanks for your ideas -
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspiratonal Stories
Hilary – I think preparation can be important, though I would caution against OVER preparing and making oneself seem inhuman.
Cool to hear folks are enjoying your blog. I know that’s one reason I keep writing…the wonderful feedback from folks like you and Melissa. Thank you!
Hi Phil -
I think best in the morning while I am having a cup of coffee and reading the Chicago Tribune.
So, this will sound crazy but I write most of my ideas on the margins of the newspaper. A little cumbersome to drag upstaairs to my office but I don’t like a thought, a sentence or even a full article to get away.
Don’t tell anybody. It is too wierd to admit.
Hi Phil,
I keep a notepad on my nighttable, and when I get an inspiration in the middle of the night, I jot it down.
I am also known to write ideas down on napkins, the back of receipts or anything that’s available (if a notepad isn’t nearby). Can’t afford to lose a great thought!
Daisy
Hi there – thanks for a cool blog. Here’s a tip I use: HEY – YOU – SEE – SO. It’s a mnemonic that helps you remember a way to compose your text. I first learned about it on Johanna Rothman’s blog: http://jrothman.com/blog/mpd/2005/10/hey-you-see-so.html
Tobias
I like to keep it brief.
Brief but most useful ones…And I also don’t want to make my comment lengthy…
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