If you always write the same type of article then you are probably limiting your chances of getting published. Look at your favorite publications and you will see they print a variety of types of article. Here are five of the most popular types.

The ‘How To’ Article

This is a very popular type of article, in which you tell the reader how to do something. It could be how to build a garage, how to write a book, how to sell a house, or how to clean tar off a pair of trousers. These articles tend to be particularly popular because people love to find out how to do something.

When writing how to do something, and if the sequence is important, then it is a good idea to number each step. Remember to keep your instructions simple, yet specific. And you could even use a picture or illustration if the publication allows it.

The ‘List’ Article

The list article is an article that lists several related pieces of information, and is one of the easiest types of article to write. It could be “10 Ways to Save Money”, “5 Flowers to Plant In April”, or “The Best 12 Places to Live in Canada”. A list article should have:

• An introduction.
• The list; each item may be a paragraph or two.
• A conclusion.

The ‘Roundup’ Article

In the roundup article, you provide a roundup of information, statements, or opinions from a variety of sources. You might interview a number of experts, for example, and ask them the same list of questions. In your article you then write a roundup of the answers, e.g.

“Bill Jones, CEO of SHJ Limited, is confident that the market will turn around soon. “Within the next six weeks at most”, he predicted. But Tom Sloane, at Pickwick Associates, disagrees. He explains why…”

The ‘Inspirational’ Article

Inspiration articles include inspirational narrative, essays, articles on faith and religion, and self-help articles.

Do you know of an issue or concern that affects many people? Think of your own every day experiences. Write about the issue… and help the readers to deal with life and to improve themselves in some way.

The ‘As Told To’ Article

Because many of the people who have outstanding experiences are not writers, there is a market for writing those people’s stories. This is quite similar to ghostwriting, except that in this case the audience knows that you are the writer. In the credits, you would show “By Peter Wallace [subject], as told to Jim Davies…” [writer].

Instead of writing a third-person narrative of the event, the ‘As Told To’ article makes the tale more real and personal by using the first-person.

So next time you are about to write an article, pause… and ask which type of article would best suit your situation and topic. By varying the types of articles you write your writing will also develop a new depth and your articles will be picked up by a much wider variety of publications.

About the Author

David Goldsmith is a freelance writer and author of the popular e-book “25 Ways to Write for Money”. Discover how you can earn a good living from your writing.  Download your copy of his e-book today at http://tinyurl.com/yf3j9sp

There are many ways to earn a good living as a writer.  In my book “25 Ways to Write for Money” I cover twenty five different ways that you can turn your words into cash.  In this article I want to show you five ways that you can get started on right now.

1. Write an E-book

Electronic books or “e-books” have had a major impact on the publishing world. Not too many years ago it was very difficult and time consuming to get a book published and distributed to thousands of readers. Now it is possible to write an e-book and have it published in a fraction of the time it takes for a traditional print book.

Because of this many authors are choosing to publish their own e-books online. By doing this they end up collecting as much as 90% from each copy sold rather than paying it to publishers and distributors.

2. Write Articles for Magazines

When many people think of freelance writing they automatically think of writing articles for magazines. And that’s not surprising since magazines are one of the most popular types of publication that work with freelance writers.

Many magazines in North America pay freelance writers in the range of $0.15 to $0.35 per word. At the upper end are magazines that pay around $1.00 per word. These tend to be the large circulation publications such as magazines for women and travel, and some specialist magazines such as in-flight publications.

3. Write Fillers

A filler is a short item used to fill a space in a publication. Fillers include tips, hints, jokes, facts, light verse, recipes, puzzles, and anecdotes. At the longer end there are sidebars, columns, and short department pieces. Fillers are generally non-fiction.

Many publications publish more freelance fillers than freelance articles. Yet they receive many more articles and article queries from writers than they receive fillers. What does that tell you? There is far less competition for filler writers!

Many markets pay $10 to $25 for fillers. That might not seem like much until you recall that fillers have very few words and are quick to write.

If you consider the pay ‘per word’, or calculate an equivalent hourly rate for the time it takes to write them, fillers can sometimes pay better rates than articles.

4. Write a Column

If you enjoy freelance writing for newspapers or magazines then you might like to write a column.

At Society of Professional Journalists web site, Eugene Kane explains, “Columns are given out by editors, and editors usually reward reporters with a column for exceptional achievement or for a particularly stylish way with words and information.”

A column usually shows the writer’s by-line at the top next to the title. Columns tend to answer the why and how of a topic. They are usually written in a strong distinctive voice, in the first and second person and unlike other forms of journalism in a column it is acceptable to state an opinion.

An advantage of writing a column is that it is a regular work assignment. Compare that to regular freelance writing where you need to make a new sale for every piece you write.

5. Blogging

Blogs are a great way for writers to make money. They are easy to set up and their design is simplified due to the availability of good software and ready-made blogging templates.

There are several ways to earn money from a blog. These include selling advertising spots, showing Google AdSense ads and selling your own information products or e-books.

Blogs are also great for writers because they provide a place to showcase their best work, promote any books, and keep their readers informed about what they’re working on next.

I have shown you five ways that you can start writing for money today. Now forget the starving writer stories you might have heard. Be proactive. Get moving. Start building your successful writing business today.

About the Author

David Goldsmith is a freelance writer and author of the popular e-book “25 Ways to Write for Money”. Discover how you can earn a good living from your writing. Download your copy of his e-book today at http://tinyurl.com/yf3j9sp