How to Write an Article: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learning how to write an article that people want to read is a super useful skill, especially if you’re trying to rank in Google search results and drive traffic to your website.

But unfortunately, writing articles (just like any other form of writing) and structuring your thoughts in a cohesive manner can be daunting.

You might get stuck wondering where to start, what to write, or how to make your article interesting.

Even if you know these aspects, it’s difficult to stand out when there are over 9 million articles being published on the web every day.

On the bright side, there is a step-by-step blueprint for writing a good article, which makes it more visible in search engines.

In this article, I will walk you through a 13-step process you can implement yourself to write compelling articles. If you follow this process, you’ll become a pro at writing articles that win top search rankings for your target keywords and skyrocket your website traffic.

What is Article Writing, and What Are Its Objectives?

Article writing is the process of creating content that explains ideas, thoughts, facts, suggestions, and/or recommendations based on a specific topic.

The primary objective of writing an article is to convey information to your target audience in a clear and concise manner, offer them possible solutions to their problems or queries, and provide them with insights that they may not be aware of.

Nowadays the objective of writing an article is not only limited to expressing ideas, it is also to promote your business online and increase brand awareness.

If you want to make an impact on your target audience, you must consider every aspect to stay ahead of your competitors, such as adding visuals, using captivating headlines, adding CTA at the end, etc.

Honestly, there is a lot we need to cover, so let’s get started immediately.

Different Types of Articles

So, what type of article should you write? The answer depends on your purpose and the audience you want to target.

Here are some of the most common article formats:

1. Educational or Informative Articles

These articles are curated and published on the web to attract, inform, engage, and demonstrate expertise or establish thought leadership on a specific topic or niche.

The primary purpose of these articles is to attract & introduce potential customers to your brand.

One common example of these articles is how-to articles that focus on top-of-funnel. Their sole focus is to provide well-researched information and educate the reader, just like what I am doing in this article.

2. Promotional articles

These articles are written to build trust and a lasting impression among your potential buyers. Promotional articles encourage your prospects to explore your products or services further.

Plus, these articles keep them engaged in your marketing campaigns or brand messages that pique their curiosity. The primary objective of these articles is to boost conversions.

3. How-to Guides

How-to blogs are usually a step-by-step guide that tells your readers how to do something. Whenever you need to learn how to do something, our first point of contact is the Internet. That’s why how-to posts, guides, and tutorials are always a winner.

This blog format teaches your readers on how to do something, for example, ‘How to make money sitting at home?’ They basically provide chronological steps on how to achieve a goal.

The more you help your readers, the more they’ll want from you, and the more they’ll download your content.

4. Listicles

As the name suggests, listicles include a number headline, such as ‘10 Best AI-Content Generators.’ They usually feature one tip, technique or point per paragraph.

These types of blog posts can be useful for readers who are looking for quick answers to certain questions, such as ‘10 Best Gifts Ideas for Your Partner’s Birthday.’

Listicles are great traffic builders and are more likely to go viral than other types of articles, because they streamline information in a digestible and easy-to-share format.

5. Comparison Articles

Comparison articles are written to compare two things to help decision making easier for readers. For example, ‘Polythene Sheeting vs. Bitumen Coating: Pros, Cons, and Recommendations.’

By explaining the different options available to them, these blogs help your readers make decisions.

When writing a comparison blog post, you should pick two related topics, products, services, or competitors that you can compare side-by-side.

Choosing topics in the same industry or niche is important, as you want your comparison to be relevant and useful to readers. A person should enter your comparison blog post with a question and leave with an answer.

How to Write an Article in 13 Steps?

As I promised in the beginning, here’s the step-by-step blueprint you can follow to write articles that win top search rankings and keep your readers hooked throughout the piece.  

Follow these article-writing steps to create high-quality content for your audience-

Step 1- Determine the purpose of your article

Start with a clear understanding of the type of message or information you want to convey with your article. By identifying your target audience and narrowing down the main message you want to deliver with your article, you can get a sense of the scope, direction, and purpose of the writing.

Remember, good articles always start with a clear, well-defined purpose. So, start an article after planning and identifying the primary purposes of your page.

What I realized as a content writer today is that no matter what content you write, it will not be able to take up space on the web without providing something helpful and problem-solving for your target audience.

Therefore, it is important to know the who, what, why, and how of writing an article and decide which type of article you want to write.

Step 2- Identify the pain points of your target audience

Before you start writing your content, it is essential to research your target audience's pain points, demographics, behavior, and preferences. Keep in mind that you are writing for your audience, not just for search engines.

To know your target audience, you can perform a SWOT analysis to determine which audience will fit with the type of article you are writing. So, let’s understand the factors that help identify the right audience for your content-

1. Demographics

This is an essential factor that you should consider before writing an article, as it helps to find out the age, gender, income, occupation, marital status, family size, and nationality of your target audience.

For example, if you are writing an article about the benefits of buying kneecaps, your target audience will probably be people above 60.

In contrast, if you are writing about short dresses for girls, you will target girls/women under 40 years. This way, you can learn more about your target audience and create content accordingly.

2. Audience research

Audience research is the study of characteristics of a group of individuals who are, or could be, potential readers. Without knowing who they are and what they want, creating effective and eye-catching content is impossible.

You can conduct surveys, hold interviews, and run focus groups to get data on where your target audience spends time. You can also join social media groups and various online communities and see what questions they ask and the problems they discuss. This will help you get information on their pain points.

For example, after joining online community groups for fitness, I understood that people are more prone to healthy snacks, especially in the evening. So, instead of aiming to write all types of recipes, I shifted my focus to writing on the best evening snack recipes.

Step 3- Conduct keyword research

Keyword Research is the process through which you research the most searched terms people type into SERPs. It is important to include them strategically in your blogs so that your content appears higher in search engines. This will help make it easier for your target audience to find your content.

Keyword Research enhances your site discoverability, which not only improves website traffic but also paves the way for a stronger online presence. Thus, if your content is successful in getting in front of your target audience as they conduct searches, you stand to gain more traffic.

You can identify the most relevant keywords as per your topic by using any keyword research tool. These tools provide you with information on how often a particular search term is entered relative to the total search volume across various regions of the world, and in multiple languages.

You can also use Writesonic’s Keyword Research Tool, which is very easy to use. Just mention the topic name, and it will give you information on the most relevant keywords based on search volume, keyword difficulty, and other factors.

If your content is engaging and relevant, and you use the right keywords, search engines will show your article the next time someone searches for that keyword or a variation of it.

If you're starting out, or your website is new, you should target long-tail keywords first. This is because it is easier to rank in top search rankings for long-tail keywords. It lets you create blogs that will directly address searchers’ questions and queries.

For example, if someone searches “How to make homemade soaps,” we can assume they intend to learn how to make soaps from scratch. If you write content surrounding this topic,  it will address the user intent directly, making your website more valuable to them.

This means they’re more likely to click on your website among others, provided you wrote a helpful article.

Step 4- Conduct topic research

One of the best ways to conduct topic research is to compile a list of keywords related to your main topic. You should also conduct competitor analysis, as it helps you get an idea of your target audience's needs and pain points.

Additionally, to find the topic, you can type in your keyword on Google and check out the website's ranking on the first page. Go through their content and look out for the subheadings covered in their blog.

This practice will give you an idea about the topic you should write on.

Step 5- Craft your article outline

An article outline is a structured plan that organizes the main points and subpoints of an article before writing it. It serves as a roadmap to ensure the article is coherent, comprehensive, and logically structured.

Furthermore, by drafting an outline, you can ensure that you address all the pain points of the audience related to the topic you are writing. Now, let’s learn how to create an article outline-

• Title- The first thing to do is choose the appropriate title for the blog; you can write a good topic by using a topic generator tool. Writesonic, for example, has a powerful Title Generator. You just need to enter the subject, and it will provide you with engaging titles.

• Content Format- Now, you need to decide the content format. Whether your article will be a listicle, how-to blog, review, comparison, case study, etc. you can choose it by simply looking at the ranking of that topic on Google.
• Body of the format- Break the main body of the content into logical sections and subheads to explore parts of the topic. Have 3–5 key points or sections. Thus, identify the key sections you want to include in your article. Under each main point, note down the sub-points or details you want to cover.

You can use an outline generator to help create a blog outline within seconds. The Outline Generator by Writesonic provides you with the best outline after reviewing the competitor's blog so that it covers all the essential points.

Step 6- Write a clear & compelling headline

Your headline should match the search intent and include the target keyword. Blog titles have the power to influence a reader’s first impression of your article. If the blog title is not enticing, people might not click it.

Writing a compelling headline can modify user behavior and drive organic traffic to the website.

A headline should comprise the targeted keyword as it tells the search engine what your blog is about, which can help increase your ranking in SERP. Additionally, it also helps the readers understand what the blog is about.

Here are the other few tips to make your article's heading stand out-

• Check out the competitor's blogs for inspiration
• Ensure the headline matches the search intent
• Be specific
• Cater to the emotions of readers by using words like free, best, heartwarming, etc.
• Experiment with alliteration and other techniques
• Avoid clickbait

Last but not least, you can also use the basic title structures that are effective in getting clicks-

• Listicles- Using numbers in the headings provides an idea of what the users are about to get from your blog. For example,‘10 proven tips to increase your blog ranking’
• Superlatives- Blog superlatives often aim for a specific category of content. For example, ‘The Best Investment Apps for 2024’
• Questions- Writing a question-like title gives the impression that the blog answers the visitor's query, plus it is going to be conversational. For example, ‘What is the best home remedy for hair fall?’
• How-To’s- They are the most frequently searched phrases on Google and can be used to educate your audience about how to do something they might not know how to do. For example, ‘How to write a Blog Post?’
• The Big Reveal- You can use such titles when you are revealing something unusual that you experienced and that others might not be able to share. For example, ‘7 Secrets I learned when I was in a reality show.’
• Guide Posts- These posts tell the reader to expect in-depth content and an explanation of a particular topic. For example, A Complete Guide to SEO: What You Need to Know in 2024
• Tutorial Posts- Tutorial guides are a great way to engage your audience and educate them in a single blog post. For example,’ Step-by-Step Make-Up Tutorial for Beginners
• Comparison Posts- Comparison posts are all about comparing one thing to another. For example, WordPress vs Wix: Which one is best for you?

Step 7- Add power words and numbers

Using power words helps get visitor’s attention quickly, plus it evokes a sense of curiosity in them. For example, ‘List of Top 10 Power Words for SEO Content Writing.’

If the power words are used strategically, they can trigger a specific emotion in your readers and make your message unforgettable, which will make them more likely to take the action you want.  

They are referred to as “power words” because they are so persuasive that readers can’t resist being influenced by them! Some of the power words you can use are exclusive, authentic, genuine, personalized, ultimate, must-have, exclusive, inspiring, amazing, unique, etc.

Some of the best and most effective places you can add power words are in your blog headlines, section openers, bullets, and just before your Calls-to-Action.

Along with finding the right place to use power words, it is also important to search for the right power word. sometimes the perfect word will just “come to you.” If not, you can also use a thesaurus and see what synonyms you can find that work.

Using numbers is recommended because they give a clear idea of the specific list of ideas they can expect from the blog. For example, 'Top 10 Guilt-free Dessert recipes.'

Step 8- Write an introduction that hooks your readers

In article writing, it is essential to focus on writing the best introduction, as this is where you need to catch the attention of the readers and communicate the value they will get from your blog.

By best introduction I mean that it should explain the article’s purpose, it should comprise a hook- something that engages curiosity or an emotional response from the reader and also refer to a concern your reader has or may have in the future.

The introduction sets the tone of the entire blog post. Always start your introduction with something that evokes curiosity, such as a question about a critical pain point or a shocking revelation.

The major thing to keep in mind is relevance. Try to use this section to convey the benefits of reading the post until the end.

You can also address readers' challenges and hinting at the valuable information they can expect to find in the article helps you keep the readers on your website for longer.

Here's how we should tell readers to write an introduction:

1) Start with a Hook

- Pose an intriguing question that makes readers curious

- Use a surprising fact or statistic to grab attention

- or Share a short, relatable story

2) Provide Context

- Clearly state the problem your blog post will address

- Briefly mention what the readers can expect to learn

3) Establish Relevance

- Explain why the topic is important to your audience

- Show that you understand their struggles and goals

4) Smooth Transition

- Create a bridge that smoothly transitions to the main content of your post

Step 9- Create subheadings

Using descriptive subheadings helps readers navigate the content easily and swiftly. It is the best way to organize your article and let your audience find what they are searching for.

Another important thing to consider is to use a standard heading hierarchy to manage and organize the content. This should be done when you have multiple levels of subheadings in your article.

Remember, each level of heading represents varying levels of importance. So, arrange these subheadings following this structure:  

• H1 (Heading 1)- H1 is the main topic or top-level heading of your article. Your article revolves around H1 and allows readers to see what your page will talk about at a glance. H1 is usually the largest heading on a page and should include the target keyword
  
• H2 (Heading 2)-  H2 marks the first subheading after your document’s main heading. After H1, it appears larger than your main body text and gives readers an idea of the significant points you will cover.

When creating H2s of your article, ensure your content breaks down into digestible sections. It will allow readers to skim through your page and quickly identify the main points.

• H3 (Heading 3)- H3 are subcategories that come under the H2 to further break up the content, making it more reader-friendly and accessible. The primary objective of H3 is to break down the major sections (H2) into smaller subsections. These headings must be used in your article to create a logical flow.

Make sure your subheadings are scannable and designed to help readers grasp the gist of your article. You can also use Writesonic’s Article Writer as it also creates the best sub-heads that align with your main heading.

Step 10- Add data and evidence to your blogs

Mentioning facts in the blog is helpful as it enhances the blog's credibility by adding more depth and expert insights to your content.

See, there are around 30.6 million bloggers in the United States alone, and in the middle of this trust crisis, it is vital to prove your point by backing it up with facts and numbers. You might relate to this more now!

Nothing proves your content better than stats; for example, you just mention because of COVID-19, a lot of people were killed; instead, if you write, COVID-19 killed more than 3 million people worldwide, see the impact. Just by adding facts, your statement becomes less debatable and much more apparent.

It clearly shows readers that you’ve done your research and consulted numerous sources before making these statements.

Apart from using facts, you can also mention case studies and examples. You can also use an example from your personal experience, such as how using the right keywords helped you rank better in SERP.

Step 11- Draft a conclusion including a compelling CTA

The conclusion is one of the most critical sections of a blog as it allows the readers to reiterate the major points. Therefore, a conclusion should be able to communicate effectively with the reader and be concise and to the point.

To make your conclusion effective, you should bring the reader back to the main point to remind them of the objective of the blog.

Restate the points you wrote to support the main idea. Do not forget to make a connection between the opening and closing statements.

Summarizing the key points is essential, especially in long-form blogs where readers will need a reminder of the blog's main points.

Consider writing a compelling CTA in the conclusion, as it assists people in what action you want them to take next. Some of the CTA examples are read more, subscribe now, etc.

Adding CTA to your article helps boost engagement and encourages the audience to continue interacting.

Step 12- Add visuals to strengthen SEO and enhance visibility

Wondering what makes visuals an important element of your article? You will be amazed to know that content and visuals work in harmony to engage readers and convey a message.

Visuals play a dynamic role in clarifying, illustrating, and augmenting your written text. They also simplify complicated text descriptions and break up blocks of text to capture your readers' attention and encourage them to stay on your page for more time.  

Don't think, it will take a lot of time creating images, you can use Writesonic's AI Art Generator. In just a few clicks, you can get the best image as per your instructions.

By incorporating high-quality and relevant visuals, you can make your article more SEO optimized. But how? You can use visuals, including screenshots, infographics, graphs, data visualization, diagrams, presentations, or illustrations, as a potent source to increase the reach of their content and build brand recognition.

In a broader context, visuals play a crucial role in enhancing the visibility of your content and influencing your website's ranking in Google searches.

Step 13- Edit and Proofread

When writing steps on how to write articles, editing, and proofreading cannot be skipped as these steps make the article more readable and error-free.

Proofreading involves removing errors in punctuation, spelling, syntax, and formatting. Whereas editing involves checking the clarity, style, flow and credibility of the blog. Following these steps ensures that your blog is polished and ready to be published.

Understanding how to proofread and edit the blog is important. The first thing to keep in mind is once you are done writing, take a break and start editing with a fresh mind. Always read it from the perspective of the reader, whether your blog answers the question as a reader.

You can also use tools to check grammar and plagiarism. Furthermore, you can use SEO optimization tools to increase your ranking on SERPs and boost your traffic.  

What are the Basic Tips After You Finish Writing Your Article?

Improve the quality of your article by following these simple yet effective tips:

• Analyze the readability of the content with Hemingway Editor or Pro Writing Aid
• Check for language, punctuation, and grammar issues with Grammarly
• Identify plagiarism in the content by using a tool like Copyscape or Quetext
• Use internal and authoritative external links to back up your claims with evidence
• Check the authenticity of the sources or examples you have used
• Ensure the strength and logic of the argument are justified and relate to your readers

How Do I Write a Good Article? – Tips and Techniques

The introduction should hook the readers' attention by explaining what the article is all about and why they should be informed about the topic.

After the introduction, you write the body text. The body develops the subject while discussing the topic and explaining the idea. A good body text should include:

• Topic sentence- The first sentence under the H2 should talk about what the entire paragraph or the subheading is all about.
• Supporting sentence- These sentences could be under H2 or H3, which make up the ‘body’ of your ‘body text’, usually consisting of 2 to 3 sentences. The primary role of these sentences is to give readers a thorough understanding of what our message or information is that can solve their problem or query.
• Transitions- Transitions words create a logical and flow standpoint and help readers engage with your message. Some examples of transition words include furthermore, moreover, and, again, and then, finally, what’s more, etc.

The conclusion summarizes and reminds your readers of what they have learned throughout the post. While restating the main points of the post in the conclusion, make sure you add a compelling CTA to nudge your readers whose problem you solved into taking the next step towards becoming your customer.

You can also end the article by asking them a question that can increase engagement and generate discussion.

Pro tip: Make sure the entire article is tailored to suit your target audience's needs and behavior.

Ace your Article Writing Game with Writesonic!

Article writing is an art that might initially take a lot of effort on the part of the writer. However, once you know all these tips we have discussed in this blog post, you can master the art of article writing.  

Thankfully, you can leverage Writesonic’s AI Article Writer today to produce SEO-friendly content tailored to your audience's needs. You can also use its SEO Checker and Optimizer to identify areas for improvements and increase your article's visibility and ranking on SERPs.

This tool absolutely works wonders for me! So, what article ideas do you want to create next with Writesonic?