If you’re going to offer your services as a content writer, you need to be sure you know how to write a good article. It’s not difficult, but it does take some practice.  Here are the steps I take to make sure my articles are good enough to send to my clients.

• Research the topic thoroughly. Always use sources that have some credibility. If you’re writing on a particular medical condition, for example, look for websites and books which include information from health professionals.   Wikipedia itself is not a reliable source because their content has been contributed by the general public, but do check the references at the bottom of the Wikipedia page. There may be a link to a research paper that has useful information.  One of the most important parts of learning how to write a good article is knowing how to find good, accurate information

• Start your article with an introductory sentence or two which discusses briefly what your article is about.
  “It’s certainly a cause for concern when you see your dog shaking and trembling, but it can be difficult to identify the cause. Here are the more common reasons a dog may shake.”

• Lay out your information in paragraphs, with each one discussing a single thought or idea. When I was working out how to write a good article on trembling in dogs, I made sure each paragraph discussed just one potential cause – cold, pain, anxiety and illness. Some of your paragraphs may be a little longer than others; that’s okay.

• Write a conclusion that neatly winds up your article, and doesn’t leave your readers hanging. You may want to repeat in general terms what the article is about, or give your reader some last minute advice.
  “If you are in any doubt as to why your dog is trembling, or the shaking is lasting longer than you would expect if he was just cold or stressed, make an appointment with your vet. The peace of mind will be worth it.”

• Check your word count. A critical part of how to write a good article is being able to meet the required word count without filling your article with fluff, or words that don’t contribute to the topic. Make sure everything you write has value. If your article is coming up a bit short, see if you can find another useful piece of information that may be used to add another paragraph to your article.

• Proof read, proof read, proof read. Read your article out loud. Does it sound conversational, or does it sound stiff and stilted? Most articles are used on websites whose visitors have a wide range of reading ability, so it’s important that they’re easy and enjoyable to read.  Make sure your grammar and spelling are correct. It’s very difficult to proof read your own work, so do ask a knowledgeable friend or family member to review each article before you send it to your client.

It can take a little while to learn writing skills, but with practice, anyone can learn how to write a good article, and turn their ability into income.