How to Write a Magazine Article

 A magazine article is a piece of non-fiction writing targeted at a specific interest group. Writers who have magazine features or articles published in magazines enjoy the benefit of seeing their by-lines and (in most cases) receiving payment for their work. Magazine publishing is a business and it can be difficult to break in. The first step is learning how to write a magazine article that sells.

 Writing Your Own Magazine Article

 Formulate an idea. Many beginning writers adopt the well-known writer's premise to "write what you know."

• While "writing what you know" is good advice, it is also possible to write a good magazine article through a strong interest and a willingness to learn through research and interviews.
• Sometimes a freelance writer's background makes him or her an expert for a magazine article. For example, an accountant has an advantage when writing about "10 Ways to Save on Your Taxes."
•  Give your idea an angle. The angle of an article has to do with the way the topic is approached. For example, New Year's resolutions have been written about many, times, but give the idea a fresh angle - such as using social networking to succeed at keeping resolutions - and you might make a sale.
•  Identify your market. This is the time to do market research.
• Read several issues of a magazine that is a potential market. Get a feel for the types of magazine features and the style. Can you slant your idea for a publication's audience?
• An article idea can be slanted for different types of magazines based upon the audience and your approach.
• Once you have identified markets, check the magazine's web site for writer's guidelines.
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  Query the editor of a targeted market. Most magazines prefer a proposal or query, where you spell out your idea in a one-page letter or email.

  • Think of the query as a sales letter from a freelance writer asking an editor for the assignment.
  • Remember to follow the publication's guidelines when submitting a query and/or a manuscript.
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    Research your article. Once you have received an assignment, complete your research using legitimate sources.

    • Arrange for interviews with experts. Good quotes can make all the difference in a magazine feature.
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      Create an outline. No, it doesn't have to be like what your sixth grade English teacher taught you to do with Roman numerals. Think of an outline as an organizational map to your magazine article.

      • Freelance writers find that most nonfiction writing lends itself to sections. Go ahead and write catchy subheadings for these sections
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        Grab the reader's attention with a dynamite opening paragraph. This is called your lead, and it's the most important paragraph of a magazine article. If the first paragraph doesn't convince a reader to keep reading, then you're sunk.

        • Immediately after catching a reader's attention, make certain the point of the article or the theme is evident.
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