Writing How-To Articles That Sell
Brainstorm, Give Clear Instructions for a Great Project
Any hobby or activity that you enjoy and do well can be turned into a saleable how-to article, with research, clear explanations and enthusiasm
Everyone enjoys learning something new, and that is the appeal of how-to articles. Open any consumer magazine and chances are that you will find one such article. Women’s magazines show their readers how to make holiday gifts, and organize a kitchen, while food magazines teach the finer points of making brioche or a perfectly roasted turkey. Travel magazines tell you how to find great bargains in an expensive city, while do-it-yourself magazines (which thrive on this type of article) instruct you in everything from building a bookcase to properly hanging wallpaper.
Brainstorm Article Ideas
The how-to area of article writing is so rife with possible topics that you first need to narrow the selection. You do so many things, and do them well, so start brainstorming using your own talents. With blank paper (or, better yet, your working journal), make a different heading on each of three pages. Your headings might include: hobbies, collecting, outdoor activities.
With headings decided upon, start writing down all the things you do that fall under each heading. For example, under hobbies you might include photography, knitting, sewing, cooking, carpentry, to name a few. Collecting could have items such as dolls, teddy bears, baseball cards, and first edition books, while outdoor activities might be hiking, camping, canoeing, and so on. Break your basic list down further by being specific about each item. If you collect dolls, are they Barbie dolls or antique French dolls?
Write Clear Instructions
After choosing a topic that you feel confident you can research and explain to a reader, outline your article. This invaluable tool will take you from introduction to wrap-up, helping to ensure that you’ve covered everything in an easy-to-follow manner. (For more about outlining, read How to Outline an Article).
Grab the reader’s interest from the beginning by writing a short overview of the subject and what the reader can expect if he or she follows your instructions. Your enthusiasm for your topic will give readers enthusiasm, so don’t pick a topic that doesn’t interest you.
Information about equipment and materials needed, as well as definitions of terms the reader may be unfamiliar with can be written in sidebars to the article (read more in How to Write Great Sidebars). Consider this option.
Instructions for doing something that involves your hands – from knitting a sweater to baking a cake – should be in simple sentences. The same applies for doing something such as collecting fashion dolls.
Think of all the things that can go wrong during the process and try to head off those things by giving the most specific instructions you can. If you have thought through all the possible problems, an editor will appreciate this, too.
Step-by-Step Photographs
With instructions completed, and your article wrapped up with another reference to the final result that can be achieved, think about step-by-step photographs to accompany your article. Some readers find it easier to follow instructions if there is an accompanying photograph. Also, good, clear photographs can help to sell a piece, especially to a smaller publication with a limited budget.
