Wondering how to get started with writing an article? This article is aimed to show a simple pattern of how to write an article from scratch. The only requirement is that you have the idea for your article, everything else can be done based on a pattern. Next, I will tell you about keyword research, content research and thinking of the outline.

Keyword Research

Once you have the article idea, it is time to search for the article keywords. Keywords are the words that you think people will use when searching for your article. It is important to know the keywords before you start to write, so you can use the keywords through your article. Read more about keywords from Writing SEO friendly Content.

Content Research

Article writing starts with content research. For research material I use search engines and books. When using search engines it is not the point to search for exactly the same type of articles you are writing. You should search for a bit different articles. If you only search for exactly similar articles, you will only end up with writing another duplicate.

Use some sort of software to organize your ideas. I use a free mind mapping tool called Freemind to sketch the ideas I have, it is an excellent tool!

Outline the Article

Now that you have a list or a mind-map of ideas handy, you should make a short outline of your text. Think of the ideas that you have and how you would organize them in your text. I use the strategy of thinking at least three main points that I am going to make. As from this article you can see, my three points were, keywords, content research, and the outline.

Next you just start writing and write the best article ever

Conclusion

Article writing is simple as one-two-three:

1. Research for Keywords
2. Research for Content
3. Outline the Article
4. Write-Write-Write

This article is focused on helping new writers switching from the offline world to online world. If you are already a great writer in the offline world, for example magazines, you need to adjust a bit when writing online content.  Do not be afraid, online content writing is quite easy. Most of the differences relate to articles being easy to read and skim. Biggest differences are in the structure, but there are also textual differences.

Structure Differences with Online and Offline Articles

Online articles are shorter
It is common that online articles have only 200-500 words per article. In magazines articles often have a thousand or more words.

Online articles have shorter paragraphs
People online have shorter time spans and people often search quickly for answers. This means that concentrated posts are better. Short paragraphs are easy to read.

Links and embedded content
In online articles you can add links and other embedded content to make your article more interesting. In the offline world you can only use pictures.

Textual differences

Online articles are more informal
Normally the tone in online articles is more informal and the articles are more subjective. Writers can express their own opinions more freely in online articles than in offline articles.

High points are often highlighted
Often, noteworthy points are highlighted to help finding the essence of the article.

Online articles contain lists
Lists are easy to read and to comprehend. That is why online articles have a lot of lists.

Conclusion

• Online articles are easy to skim and read fast.
• Maximise the ease of your readers to be a good online writer
• Write the essence and nothing more