Do you wish to see your byline adorning the pages of your favorite publication? Do you want to build a reader base that awaits your next article with bated breath? Well, with a little bit of work, you can take your magazine article writing skills to the next level.
The key to writing great magazine articles is to create content that engages from start to finish, and provides value to the reader. Regardless of which magazine you are aiming for, a few tips can help you master your craft and produce articles that any publication in the world would be proud to put out for you.
However, before we delve into our tips on writing magazine articles, let’s take a moment to understand how this particular form of writing differs from other online content writing.
Magazine Article Writing Vs. Other Forms of Writing
Writing an article for a magazine is not the same as writing one for a newspaper or an online directory. Moreover, the pieces you may see in a magazine are inherently different from the content you may find in journals and books as well.
The tone and style of these articles vary with each publication, genre, and topic. However, two things set these pieces apart from other forms of writing – they allow more room for creativity and tend to be more visually appealing.
While article writing and book writing also require creative input and critical thinking, drafting magazine articles allows you to play with different visual aspects. The use of colorful graphics and photographs to capture attention becomes a must.
Furthermore, the length of magazine articles depends on the publication you’re writing for, what you’re writing and who you’re writing for. In most cases, writing content for the internet does not come with word count limitations. And insofar as books are concerned, you’re usually your own boss.
But to give you an idea, an average magazine article can be anywhere between half a page to a dozen pages. Nonetheless, the word count for 12-page pieces is usually not as high as you’d think since they are interspersed with pictures and advertisements.
Tips for Writing Magazine Articles that Connect
Here are some tips on how to create magazine articles that will grab your readers’ attention.
1. Write About Things You Are Interested In
You are more likely to create engaging content if you write about something you find intriguing or exciting.
Your passion for a specific cause or topic will not only show in your work, but it will improve the quality of the output automatically. Articles written with passion are more likely to connect as they give readers a peek into your heart and soul. If you let your words reflect your love and devotion to the subject of your article, it will convince your readers to trust your judgment and authority.
Magazine articles are an excellent medium for talented writers to showcase their skills while playing to their strengths. Moreover, publishers always prefer pieces that have an element of individuality. So, if you are particularly fond of something – be it music, traveling, cooking, or martial arts – make sure to use it as your calling card.
However, just because you think you know a topic inside out doesn’t mean you should cut corners while conducting research. It is essential to scour the internet and see what others are saying. Also, look for the latest stats and back up your claims with valuable insight.
2. Use Compelling Headings and Sub-Headings
Although this tip is not unique to magazine article writing, it requires a special mention.
Your headline is the first thing a reader would see while browsing through the index of their favorite magazine or on the front page of their search engine. It is the focal point of your article, as it draws your readers’ attention and encourages them to click on it.
Many experts compare a well-crafted headline to a beautiful wrapping paper. However, in reality, it is a gift itself. An excellent headline, paired with equally compelling subheadings, will build the interest of your readers. Therefore, you should put in extra effort to create headlines that perfectly capture the essence of your article without giving everything away. Just make sure they are not misleading.
It is also a good practice to include your main keyword in the main heading to make your post easy to discover. We’ll discuss more on this later.
3. Reel In the Audience with a Unique Angle
One of the best ways to make your magazine article appealing is by ensuring it has a unique perspective.
Start by creating a profile for your target audience and figure out where their interests lie. You can also look at the articles published by your competitors and industry giants. Doing so will help you determine which angles have been discussed before and which require more exploration.
Instead of just scratching the surface, dig a little deeper and discover fresh viewpoints that establish you as an expert in the field. Even if you are writing on a mainstream topic, such as a new superhero movie that has recently hit the theatres, focus on the aspects that others have not bothered to explore.
Remember, creating value-added content will keep your readers engaged and the publisher happy.
4. Keep It Short, Sweet, and To the Point
Brevity is the soul of any well-written content. If you want your magazine article to remain engaging from the first sentence to the last, you must make it easy to read and understand.
It is generally good to use short and simple sentences. You should break your information into small chunks without leaving any room for ambiguity. Of course, depending on the nature of your article, you may have to use a few complex sentences. However, using too many complicated terms and long sentences can distract the readers.
Moreover, make sure your readers can follow your train of thought without making much effort. Set the pace to match the article’s tone, and don’t let your message get lost between long sentences. If your audience finds your magazine article writing skills tedious or frustrating, there is a good chance they won’t come back for more.
Apart from using short and concise sentences, ensure your paragraphs don’t exceed six lines. Adding bulleted lists to your content can also make it easy to skim and comprehend, attracting the readers.
5. Include Visual Elements
Break up huge chunks of text with striking pictures, powerful graphics, and well-explained charts.
Including valuable visual elements in your magazine article is a foolproof way to increase audience engagement. They will give your audience a chance to rest their eyes without taking their attention away from the piece.
With the right images, you can explain your idea or perspective without saying a lot.
Additionally, photos and videos can make your content more memorable. They can help your readers interact with the piece, which may also increase their willingness to return to it.
These are among the leading reasons why most publishers and brand owners invest extensively on graphic work to support their written content.
6. Get Your Audience Involved and Invested
Starting your magazine article with a thought-provoking question or a shocking fact can help you grab the interest of your audience from the get-go. If your question is something that your readers can relate to personally, it will undoubtedly compel them to read further.
However, to draw the attention of your readers, you must understand their desires and pain points. You should also know about your audience’s gender, age, and location to choose your article’s right style and tone. After all, the ideas that may intrigue women aged 30 to 45 are not likely to resonate with men aged 50 to 65.
Furthermore, always address your readers directly. Writing in the second person will allow you to use words such as “you,” “your,” and “yours.” Your readers should feel as if you have written the article just for them. Once they build that connection, they’ll stay hooked until the very last page.
Also, make your piece sound like a discussion one would have with their friend. It shouldn’t come across as a lesson or an essay.
This magazine article writing tip will surely help your audience feel like a part of the narrative.
7. Don’t State Facts, Tell a Story
Storytelling is an art. While anyone can share factual information, it takes expertise and a unique thought process to tell a story.
As a writer, your biggest priority should be keeping your readers on their toes as they take in your words and build a world of their own. Whether you are writing about politics or deep-sea diving, your anecdotes and experiences can set your article apart from the rest.
Sharing small stories also allows your audience to connect with you on an emotional level. It makes you and your words more relatable. People may not remember the statistics you’ve shared in your article. But they are most likely to remember the tidbits from your personal life that made their way onto the page.
To create compelling content, take inspiration from your past experiences or create fictitious scenarios to leave your audience spellbound. You can also use analogies, quotes, and pop culture references to breathe a new life into your content.
8. Choose Your Keywords Wisely
Magazines are no longer limited to the print medium. You can now access almost every magazine online, with some charging a small subscription fee and others allowing you to read their content for free.
Now, you may have heard that we should write for people and not the search engines. Our question is, why not write for both? Creating compelling and engaging content is just not enough. You also need to make your articles discoverable.
Search engine optimization or SEO is the most effective way to make sure your audience finds your posts. You need tofind out what people are looking for and incorporate those keywords into your article.
According to the SEO best practices, your main keyword should appear at the article’s beginning, middle, and end. You can also include two to three additional keywords throughout the content. It will increase the chances of your article ranking higher on Google.
9. Wrap It Up Nicely
Don’t let your closing statement go to waste.
As you wrap up your article, utilize the last few lines to include a CTA call to action. It is essentially a way for you to tell your readers what to do next. Whether you are looking for feedback or want your audience to check out your latest video series, make sure to include a relevant link that directs them to your preferred webpage or service.
The next step is to edit your content. You can use services such as Grammarly or Copyscape to ensure your article is free of mistakes and plagiarism. This is also your last opportunity to format the piece and ensure no negative spaces or weird indentations.
Moreover, please use different font sizes for headings, subheadings, and body to increase readability and engagement. You can also use bold words and italicized sentences to make your critical ideas more prominent.
Magazine Article Writing Made Easy
To conclude, there are no set rules to writing a compelling magazine article. However, the tips mentioned above will enable you to break the mold by producing great content. A wisely chosen topic with a unique perspective and great headline can do wonders for your career. Similarly, short and clear sentences sprinkled with personal anecdotes can make your article more fun to read.
If you feel a little lost in how to do go it alone, our article writing service could be the order of the day. Our team of experienced article writers ably supported by our team of expert designers can help you create magazine articles that hit the right note every time.
