How to Find New Ideas to Write About
10 Ways to Create Article Ideas for Magazines, Websites and Blogs
Feb 4, 2008
To make money writing, freelance writers and bloggers have to continually find new ideas to write about.
These ten ways to create article ideas for writing magazine and website articles are from a variety of sources: the Suite writers’ forum, writing magazines, writers' websites, and personal experience. If you’re struggling with creating new copy for magazines, websites or blogs, you’ll find these writing tips helpful...
10 Ways to Create Article Ideas for Magazines, Websites and Blogs
- Freshen up a classic idea. Article ideas such as “Green Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day” or “How to Have an Eco-Friendly Easter” are a combination of traditional and trendy. These article ideas were recently pitched to Reader’s Digest; the magazine bought them both. Taking a traditional idea and adding a contemporary twist can be a great way to create new article ideas for magazines and blogs!
- Keep an eye on press releases. Businesses send out press releases about new products, services, or changes in management – which can be great ideas for writing articles. To find press releases, Google “press release websites” or “new press releases” for websites that collect press releases.
- Read research studies. ScienceDaily is an excellent source of new research findings, which can be written into research shorts or even expanded into full articles. For a new article idea, consider amalgamating three or four research studies into one full-length article.
- Read research shorts in magazines. These brief descriptions of new research findings or scientific studies can trigger longer article ideas. For instance, a research short about a new way to treat depression can evolve into an article idea about “old versus new ways to treat depression.”
- Listen to talk radio. CBC, BBC, or local talk radio stations are up on the hot topics of the day. Spinning off on an idea, personality, or even a random phrase can be a great way to create new copy for magazines, websites, and blogs -- and make money writing.
- Watch talk shows. Speaking of “hot topics”, shows like The View, Oprah, and Dr Phil are excellent sources of writing ideas for articles (depending on your writing specialty and audience, of course). Talk shows offer hundreds of ideas for writing articles.
- Look at your life. What problems have you had lately – and, better yet, what problems have you solved? What has enraged, saddened, sickened, or excited you? Ask yourself who, what, when, where, why and how much, and you may find ideas for writing new articles for magazines or blogs.
- Pay attention to other people's conversations. To earn money writing, listen to the conversations around you: at work functions, on the bus, in line at the grocery store, between your kids, and in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. People’s conversations can get the article ideas flowing because they talk about stuff they're interested in.
- Go to a conference or work fair. For instance, the Women’s Wellness Show in Vancouver, BC would be a fabulous place to find ideas for writing articles about women’s products. There is an endless variety of pet shows, boat shows, computer conferences, trade shows, etc, -- and all could offer new ideas for magazines, blogs, and websites.
- Read your own past articles. Flip or surf through your old articles, and think about new directions, new formats, new themes, and new content. Have your views changed since you wrote the article? Have you found a newer, better “how to” than your old “how to”? This can be an excellent way to find ideas for writing articles because you’re already familiar with the subject.
BONUS IDEA: The idea for this article about creating new copy came from a discussion on our Suite writers' forum. Surf those forums, discussion boards, chat rooms, etc for new ideas to write about -- but don't let them squander your time. Sometimes, "writing research" is actually procrastination in disguise.
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