I often create articles out of my blogs. Today, because of a humungously busy workload, I\u2019m turning one of my articles into a blog. I hope you like it.<\/p>\n
How many different types of articles can one write? The answer hovers somewhere around a dozen. There\u2019s the essay, opinion, bulleted piece, how-to, informational\/research piece, Q & A, article with expert quotes, interview article, photo feature, review, book excerpts, profile piece and the personal experience article, for example. <\/p>\n
But which article types are most popular? And which style should you choose for your subject? You can take almost any topic and create a valid article using any one of these styles. Of course, your choice should reflect the needs and requirements of the magazine you wish to write for. You\u2019re not going to offer a magazine that thrives on hard news an article featuring your viewpoint. Nor would you submit a personal experience piece to a magazine that publishes only how-to and research articles. So, before you write that article, be sure that you are writing the right piece for the right magazine.<\/p>\n
So which article types are the most popular; the most often used? I suggest the following:<\/p>\n
1: How-to<\/strong>. We all want to learn new things\u2014as long as the learning process isn\u2019t too complicated. You\u2019re reading this article in hopes of learning how to write the types of articles that will sell. <\/p>\n A how-to responds to readers\u2019 questions about a physical process or a thought process and guides them in how to accomplish or achieve something. Not everyone can write a successful how-to. It takes someone with a rather organized mind\u2014who can sort out and explain the various steps to a process clearly and logically. <\/p>\n Start by listing the steps you want to cover. And then note the points you want to make within each step. String these together with carefully chosen words and separate the points with numbers or bullets, such as I have done here, and you have a useful how-to. <\/p>\n 2: Research piece with Expert Quotes<\/strong>. This is another popular type of article. This piece is generally formed through research and interviews. The article typically consists of facts and information with quotes from experts in the field to validate the material. <\/p>\n 3: The Profile piece<\/strong> is not the same as one in which you quote experts. A profile piece features usually one individual related to a specific aspect of his or her life. You might profile a celebrity who owns several dogs for a dog magazine. So your focus will not be her celebrity status as much as it will be her interest and interaction with her dogs. Perhaps you\u2019ll profile the head of a major company on the topic of management for a business management magazine or on his thoughts about working past retirement age for a senior magazine. <\/p>\n The key to writing a good profile piece is to interview the individual extensively and long enough in order to get some quotable gems. It may take many more questions than you expect and 45 minutes to finally get that lead quote from him. <\/p>\n 4: The Personal Experience piece<\/strong>. We all like to talk and write about ourselves. This is an easy, slam dunk sort of article to write. But make sure that your experience is truly worth writing about and that it fits with your target magazine\u2019s theme. The Personal Experience article should be interesting to read, have a point and possibly teach a lesson.<\/p>\n 5: The Essay or Opinion piece<\/strong>. We all have opinions. I love to write the essay\u2014there\u2019s no (or little) research involved. You don\u2019t have to conduct any interviews. It\u2019s strictly your thoughts\u2014your words\u2014your perspective. And many magazines publish essays or opinion pieces on the topics of their publications. <\/p>\n The key with the Essay or Opinion piece is to write skillfully, make it interesting, stay on topic without too many sidebars and leave the reader with something to think about.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t avoid submitting articles to certain magazines because they want article types that you are not familiar with. Practice writing the How-to, Profile piece or Expert Quote article, for example, and you will expand your earnings considerably.<\/p>\n