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Article Writing

Article writing, as the name suggests, is the process of creating textual content for a publication, whether print or digital.
Apr 21, 2022 • 13 minute read
Updated on Mar 6, 2023 by Nitin J.
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Article writing is the process of creating written content for publications, including newspapers, magazines, and websites.
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Articles can be written on a wide range of topics, including news, politics, entertainment, technology, health, and more.
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A well-written article should be clear, informative, and engaging for the reader
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The structure of an article usually includes an introduction, body, and conclusion
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The origins of article writing can be traced back to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, which made it possible to produce multiple copies of written text and distribute them to a wider audience.

What is Article Writing?

Article writing, as the name suggests, is the process of creating textual content for a publication, whether print or digital. One primary difference between an article and other forms of writing such as creative or fiction writing is that it is meant to be informative or educational rather than to be entertaining. That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean that writing an article precludes writers from being creative!
Article writers produce content for a variety of purposes, such as informing the readers about a particular topic, promoting a product or service, or offering instructions on how to do something.
The applications of article writing can be found in newspapers, magazines, blogs, and websites. Article writing can also be found in online forums, where users post content on a variety of topics. Article writers may also work as copywriters, creating content for use in marketing and advertising; or as journalists, creating news stories for newspapers and magazines. Ghostwriting is another type of article writing, where the author produces content for another person or company.
Although article writers may come from all different backgrounds and have different areas of expertise, they typically share a common set of skills. Article writing requires exceptional research and analytical skills; article writers must evaluate the information available on a particular topic before creating content based upon that data. Article writers must also have a strong grasp of the language they are writing, as well as an excellent vocabulary in order to create content that is free from grammar and spelling errors. Finally, article writers should be creative and imaginative; while their main job may not necessarily involve coming up with new ideas or concepts, it will likely require them to come up with innovative ways of presenting information on topics that readers already know about.
An example of article writing is this very post that you are reading.

How do you write an article?

The process of article writing can be broken down into the following steps:

Choose a topic

The first step is to choose a topic that you're passionate about, and that you feel confident writing about. This can be anything from your favorite hobby to your chosen profession.

Identify your target audience

The next step in writing an article is to identify your target audience. This will help you to determine the tone, format, and style of your article, as well as the topics that you will cover. Knowing your target audience will also help you to choose the right platform/medium for your article.

Do your research

Once you've chosen a topic, it's time to do your research. This involves gathering information from a variety of sources, including books, websites, your own experience and people with expertise in the subject matter.

Organize your thoughts

Now that you've collected all of your information, it's time to start organizing your thoughts by creating an outline. This can be a rough outline that helps you visualize the end product and structure your article in a way that is easy to read and understand.

Write your article

The next step is to start writing your article. Be sure to include a catchy headline, and to write in a clear, concise, and easy-to-read style.

Edit and proofread your article

Once you've written your article, it's important to edit and proofread it before publishing. It can take a few iterations to get to the final draft, but at the end of this last step, you will have your article that is error-free and flows well.
Hire article writers on Freelancer

What is the format for an article?

A well-written and properly formatted article can be the difference between success and failure. Following is a guide to help you format your articles in order to get them accepted by publishers:

Headline

This should grab attention, but not give too much away about what's inside (like spoilers) or it could lose readers before they even start reading! Your headline should also include keywords related to your article that people might search for on a search engine.

Introduction

This section should give the reader an idea of what they're going to learn in this piece, as well as why it's important for them personally and why they should care about this topic at all. It's important that the introduction contain keywords related to your article so readers can find it easily when searching on Google or other search engines too!

Body

This is where you write out what you're going to say in detail. The body of an article needs its own structure, with headings and subheadings for each section and bulleted lists to make it easier for people to read.

Conclusion

This should wrap up the information in your article and bring closure to what was discussed throughout this piece; generally speaking, conclusions tend not to include any new ideas but rather summarize those that were presented before!

What are the types of article writing?

There are many different forms of an article. Here are the most common types:

How-to guides

One of the most common types of articles is a How-to guide. This type of content piece gives information about a topic, and it outlines the steps that you would need to take in order to accomplish something.

Reviews

Another popular form would be reviewed, which is usually an article written in an opinionated style but still give factual information about the product or service being reviewed.

Blog posts

Another type would be a blog post, which is typically an article written in first person (I) format with short paragraphs that include lots of pictures, graphics, or videos.

News and magazine articles

There are also news articles that tend to be longer than blog posts but not as long-form in nature; they usually include interviews with experts and writers who have opinions on various topics related to the story being told by journalists.

Listicles

A listicle is an article where ideas, facts, or information are presented in a numbered or list format. This form of article writing is a staple for many websites that rely on content to keep their readers coming back.

Opinion pieces

There are also opinion pieces that give an author's thoughts on a particular subject, such as their favorite TV show or movie or why they think people should vote for a particular candidate

Research articles

These are written about academic topics and present new research that has been conducted on the subject matter.
There are many more different types of articles, and each serves a different purpose, so it's important to choose the right type for your needs.

What makes an article good?

A good article should be:
well researched and well written.
with a headline that captures readers’ attention.
interesting and informative.
structurally well organized and easy to read.
concise and to the point.
free of grammar and spelling errors.
original and not plagiarized.
properly formatted.
proofread before submission.
submitted to the proper publication medium.

What skills do I need for Article Writing?

The most obvious skill in article writing is knowledge of how to write a good sentence structure as well as apply precise grammar rules when composing sentences or paragraphs—and this may not be quite easy at first! It would be best to take some time to practice and perfect this skill by reading books, articles, or any other type of content aloud as well as conversing with others in the same language.
Excellent research skills are another must-have for article writers since they need to be able to find relevant data that supports their claims while also being familiar with different resources such as websites, and books.
Apart from these skills, being able to think creatively is another key aspect that would make an article writer successful. After all, one of the most important goals in writing articles is to be able to capture the attention of readers and hold it till the very end. Apart from being able to write captivating headlines, an online article writer must also be well-versed in SEO (Search Engine Optimization). SEO is the practice of optimizing a website for Google search with the goal of earning higher web traffic levels and improving the visibility of that site.
An article writer must understand how to write headlines that are both attention-grabbing as well as informative, so people would want to click on them and read more. However, click-bait headlines are a no-no because they often mislead people and give them false expectations—this will only result in losing potential readers. These and other factors are essential in article writing and it's something that could be learned with time, practice, and patience.

Where can I learn the skills for Article Writing?

There are many resources where you could learn or polish your skills. If English (or whichever language you are using) isn't your native language, it would be best to take some language classes in order to improve your writing skills. Nowadays, there are apps and websites that could help with this too. Learning a language's nuances would take time and effort, but it would be worth it in the long run. In addition to that, reading different kinds of content would also help in familiarizing yourself with various writing styles and techniques.
Another important skill that would be helpful is learning how to format your articles in a way that's easy on the eyes and wouldn't bore readers. For example, using short paragraphs instead of large blocks of text can make it more visually appealing as well as easier to read. Breaking up sections with headings is also recommended so people could easily scan through an article and pick out the parts they're interested in reading. So, being familiar with word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs would be highly beneficial.
Lastly, when it comes to article writing, always try improving your vocabulary regularly by looking up new terms every day either via dictionary or other vocabulary building apps and websites.
Article writing can be a challenging and rewarding task. While it requires creativity and imagination, it also demands knowledge of the subject matter, extensive research, and good writing skills.

As a business, how can article writing benefit me?

In today's ever-changing digital landscape, businesses must adapt their content marketing strategies to stay ahead of the competition. Article writing is an effective way to reach out to potential customers and build relationships with other businesses. When done correctly, it can be a powerful tool for driving traffic, leads, and sales. Some of the benefits include:
promoting a product, service, or website
driving traffic to a specific page or site
increasing brand awareness and building a brand's reputation
establishing thought leadership within a given industry or niche
building backlinks to a website or blog
generating leads for a business
building relationships with other businesses by publishing guest articles on other blogs or websites
increasing social media engagement by sharing articles across a network.

Should I hire a freelance Article Writer for my business?

Although you can always write your own articles, it may not always be the most effective use of your time. Especially, if you are running an online business, it may be more beneficial to hire a freelance article writer who can help you create content that is both informative and engaging on a regular basis. This will allow you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as product development or customer service while leaving the content creation to someone who is more experienced in that area. A freelance article writer can help you create content that is well-written, and keyword-rich, which will help you attract more readers and improve your chances of ranking higher in search engines. In addition, a freelance article writer can help you create a consistent stream of content, which is essential for building an audience and keeping people coming back.

How to hire a great freelance Article Writer

Finding a great freelance article writer can be a challenge if you don't know what to look for and where. Here are some tips on how to find the right person for your project:

Define your needs

Before you start looking for a freelancer, it's important to have a clear idea of what you need from them. Do you need someone who can write on a specific topic? Do you need someone with certain years of experience in SEO or copywriting? Having a clear idea of what you need will help you find the right person for your project.

Look for job boards or sites that specialize in content

There are many sites that allow businesses to post their writing needs and then freelancers can bid on the projects. Freelancer.com is one such place where businesses can find a large pool of experienced writers to choose from, so you're more likely to find someone who is a good fit for your project.

Write up a clear job description

When you're writing a description for your job, be sure to include all the details. What is this article about? Who are we targeting with it? How long should each section be in terms of the number of words or paragraphs per page (if applicable)? The clearer and more detailed  you are in your job description, the more likely it is that you'll find quality candidates who will deliver high-quality work on time and within budget.

Look for experience

When you're looking for a freelancer, it's important to find someone with relevant experience. If you need someone who can write on a specific topic like fashion or  food, then you'll want to make sure they have experience in this area. If your project requires a certain level of knowledge or expertise that most writers don't have (e.g., SEO), be aware and ask for examples from their previous work before hiring them.

Check reviews and ratings

A candidate's reviews and ratings can give you an idea of their quality of work and whether or not they're reliable. If they have a lot of positive reviews and high ratings, that's a good sign. If they have mostly negative reviews or very low ratings, that's a red flag and you should look for someone else.

Be clear about deadlines

When you're hiring a freelancer, it's important to be clear about deadlines from the start. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings or issues down the road. Make sure you're both on the same page in terms of deadlines and that you have a clear understanding of when the project will be completed.

Set a budget

When you're setting a budget for your project, be realistic about what you can afford to pay. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, so if you're looking for high-quality work, you'll need to be willing to pay more. That being said, there are many great freelancers who are very affordable, so don't be afraid to shop around.

Communicate and provide feedback

Once you've found a freelancer that you want to work with, it's important to communicate with them regularly. Give them feedback on their work, and let them know if there are any changes that need to be made. The more you communicate with them, the better the final product will be.

How much does it cost to write an article?

There are many factors that can affect freelance writing rates. The most common factor that affects how much a freelance writer charges, is the length of the article. The longer the article, the more it costs to write it. Some freelance article writers charge per word, some can charge an hourly rate, while others will charge you based on the type of article.
The other factor that affects the cost of writing an article is the topic of the article. If the topic of the article is more technical, it will cost more to write it than if the topic of the article is more general. Another factor that affects the cost of writing an article is the level of experience of the freelance article writer. The more years of experience the freelance article writer has, the higher rate they can charge. There may be many other factors that affect writers charging rates, but these are the most common.

Do I own the rights to work completed by a freelance Article Writer?

In most cases, as the person who has commissioned the article, you are the owner of the copyright for the article, unless you have agreed otherwise with the freelancer. If you would like the freelancer to be credited for the article, you can include their name and byline, but this also depends on the agreement you have made with the freelancer and is not necessarily required.
However, in case you want to be absolutely sure that you own the copyright to the article, Freelancer.com gives you an option to upgrade your project with an IP Agreement, which is a contract that states that the freelancer will assign all copyright in the work to you. This agreement can be signed before the project starts, and will ensure that you own the rights to the work. You can also ask the freelancer to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA), which stipulates that the freelancer will not discuss or share the details of the job with third parties.

How do I start my own freelance writing business as an Article Writer?

One of the best ways to find work as an article writer is to create a profile on Freelancer.com. This will allow businesses to find you, and it will also give you an opportunity to bid on projects that you're interested in.
Another great way to find work as a freelance article writer is to create a blog and write articles on topics that you're passionate about. This will showcase your writing skills and allow you to build a portfolio of your work.
You can also join relevant online communities and forums, and participate in discussions related to your area of expertise. This will help you to build your reputation as an expert in your field, and it will also give you an opportunity to network with other professionals.
You can also create a profile on social media sites like LinkedIn, which will help you connect with other professionals in your industry and help you with your freelance writing business.

Conclusion

Article writing can be a great way to reach out to potential customers and build relationships with your audience. It can also be an effective tool for driving traffic, leads, and sales. However, it's important to remember that article writing is a skill, and it takes time and practice to perfect this skill. If you're not sure where to start, it may be helpful to hire a freelance article writer who can help you create content that is both informative and engaging. Freelancer.com helps both the Article Writers and the businesses that need their writing services to connect and work together easily and efficiently. If you are a writer looking for work or a business needing help with your article writing, then head over to the project or contest page on Freelancer.com and get started today!
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