| For many writers finding great article ideas is the | | | | or truly seasonal, there is always a demand. Keep |
| hardest part of the job. Most writers all wonder | | | | in mind your lead times. Some publications publish |
| at some point how to get ideas for writing | | | | articles a couple months out, so you may want to |
| articles. We watch other writers pump out one | | | | write about Christmas is September, and not |
| article right after another and wonder how they | | | | December. You can look locally for these, as well. |
| do it. They know where to look! Article ideas are | | | | If your city has an oatmeal festival, others may |
| all around you just waiting for you to write them. | | | | enjoy reading about it. Or perhaps write on the |
| 1) There are millions of people asking questions | | | | history of oatmeal, the health benefits, or oatmeal |
| everyday on the hottest topics. Questions sites, | | | | festivals around the nation. You can take your |
| such as Yahoo Answers, are a hub of potential | | | | subject and spin it in several ways for different |
| ideas. You can browse around in your personal | | | | niche audiences. |
| niche or read under other topics of interest. Not | | | | 5) Like question sites, discussion forums keep you |
| only will you find what people want to know, you | | | | up to date on what people are interested in right |
| may also discover that the answerers have | | | | now. You can join a forum on your niche or on a |
| completed half your research by posting links in | | | | personal interest. The hot topics being discussed |
| their answers. Question sites help you tune in to | | | | will be a gold mine of ideas. On forums you may |
| the newest trends and write what your readers | | | | also stumble across an interesting expert and |
| are wanting to read. | | | | have access to an otherwise undiscovered |
| 2) While the national news is a great place to find | | | | interview source. |
| ideas, many of those have been covered and | | | | 6) Get out from behind your keyboard once in a |
| re-covered and are beginning to get old. Your local | | | | while. Great article ideas really do just line the |
| news is a better place to look for the truly great | | | | streets. When walking around your neighborhood |
| article idea. You can catch the hottest trends | | | | you may notice something interesting or out of |
| before they hit the national arena, or find a topic | | | | the ordinary to write about. Local events, |
| that can be expanded to a national level. Pay | | | | shopping, restaurants, and history are all at your |
| attention to what piques your interest. If your | | | | fingertips but only if you go outside once in a |
| local prison is laying off guards it could be a big | | | | while and discover them. |
| news if it is part of a national trend. Look at the | | | | 7) Don't forget to mine your experience. We've all |
| small picture then zoom out. | | | | heard write what you know, and this really is |
| 3) When you are surfing the net or at the | | | | sage advice. You have experienced a lot of things |
| bookstore researching your own questions, think | | | | that others would like to read about. If you have |
| about writing an article on your findings. When | | | | ever been a parent, childless, a member of a club |
| answering your own questions you are going to | | | | or organization, sky dived, had your wisdom teeth |
| be doing the work anyway, you might as well | | | | out, gone to college, dropped out of high school, |
| write it down. You aren't the only one trying to | | | | been married, been on a bad date, or just about |
| find the best place for your honeymoon or which | | | | anything else you can think of you have article |
| new car to buy. These articles aren't just easy to | | | | fodder. |
| write because you are doing the research | | | | Don't forget to keep a notebook with you to |
| anyway, but also because you already find the | | | | record your ideas in. Once you start actively |
| subjects interesting. | | | | looking, you will be surprised at the amount of |
| 4) Seasonal events are always a sure bet. | | | | great article ideas that are really out there, just |
| Whether they are holiday articles, event articles, | | | | waiting for you to write them. |