How to Generate Magazine Article Ideas
While this market may not be what it once was, with the current economy and competition from ezines and blogs, magazines are still very much alive and the top ones pay quite well. There are a number of steps to breaking into magazine writing including studying your target market, understanding the structure of a magazine and where your article might fit. Once you have an idea, do your best writing and rewriting. If you need help generating ideas, here are a few tips.
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Instructions
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Begin close to home. Writing what you know is always good advice and a good place to start. Do you have hobbies? You already have a start and a target audience with those of similar interest. Your hobby may have magazines devoted to it already. Think of articles you might generate for those magazines.
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Check out other people's hobbies. Some are quite fascinating even though you might not want to take them up yourself. What information you can't glean from individuals, you can research. Keep your ears open. People with fascinating hobbies are everywhere, you just need to keep your eyes peeled and ask questions when the opportunity presents itself.
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Look to your own education and work experience. Even if you've only worked in a fast food place, there is a story there. What was your favorite class in school or what elective did you take in college you wish you could pursue further? Do you have an interesting experience or have you attended an event that might make for a worthy story? If so, consider writing about it.
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Akin to writing what you know, write about your passions. Do you tend to rant online or to your friends about the ozone layer, independent film, hybrid cars, Sudoku or online role-playing games? The writing and research will be much easier if you can hardly contain your enthusiasm for the subject.
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Be sure to check out the people and places in your own backyard. Interview the man with the miniature train park or do a travel piece on your small town's museum. Is there a funky organic-food restaurant in your community or a quaint independent coffee shop? Did someone famous once live nearby? Keep your eyes and ears open and carry a notebook. You never know what article ideas are right there in the world around you.
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Tips & Warnings
Learn the rules of good interviewing. Carry a notebook and pen to jot down ideas and carry a digital camera both for photos that might illustrate your article and generate additional income, and as quick reminders of article ideas.
Be scrupulous about copyright issues and properly citing sources.
