How To Write An Article For SEO: The Easiest Way To Create Quality Content

A LOT of articles get published online.

Like, a lot a lot. Over 6 million a day a lot.

To drive traffic and views, you need to craft articles that stand out and resonate with your target audience or that of your client.

That’s what we’re going to reveal in this guide. You’ll learn how to streamline the creative process and write articles that people want to read.

We’ll cover:

• What an article is
• What makes a good article
• How to structure your article
• The types of articles you can write

What Is An Article?

An article is a piece of writing that shares information on a specific topic. It provides facts, details, and opinions about a subject.

Like all content marketing, the primary goal of an article is to inform, educate, entertain, and sometimes persuade.

Copy: direct response. Your home page, landing page, etc. Get people to take action.

Content marketing: blog posts, youtube, social media, podcasts, etc. Content to inform, educate, entertain. Written content for SEO.

— Pe:p Laja 🇺🇦 (@peeplaja) March 26, 2021

A great article can help you demonstrate knowledge, promote your services, and connect with potential customers.

Blog Post vs. Article: What’s The Difference?

Articles are generally fact-driven, while blog posts are more casual and informal.

Blog posts are also typically shorter. Articles generally have a higher word count and dive deeper into the subject matter. An article can stretch from 1,000 to 4,000 words or more.

This can be beneficial for SEO. Articles with 900-1200 words attract 21% more traffic and 75% more backlinks than short content (300-900 words).

Types Of Articles

There are many types of articles, each with a different purpose.

News Articles

These articles provide new information about an event or topic. It answers the basic questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how. You’ll find news articles in newspapers, magazines, and business blogs.

Feature Articles

This type of article provides deeper insights into a topic. Feature articles give more background details and often share stories or experiences.

Opinion Articles

An opinion article is more personal. The writer shares their thoughts about a topic to persuade or influence readers.

We’ll reveal more types of content later in the guide.

Know Your Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is key to writing a good article.

Consider their interests, goals, and pain points, along with demographics. What value can they get from your article?

You should also consider their job and education level.

For example, your company might sell software to enterprise clients.

If you’re writing an article targeting executive decision-makers, you’ll want to keep it simple and direct with high-level summaries. For CIOs, you can provide more technical information and detailed specifications.

The better you know your audience, the better your writing will be.

Always start with research.

— Charles Miller (@charlesmiller_7) January 5, 2023

Content Quality

If you work in an agency or marketing team, you’ll have heard the term “quality content” thrown around a lot. But what does it actually mean?

It’s about meeting the needs and expectations of the intended audience.

Here’s how to make sure your article is high-quality:

Clear Information

Your article should have clear and easy-to-understand information. Readers should finish your article feeling like they learned something.

Organized

Make your article easy to follow by breaking it down into sections. Clear headings, logical flow, and a structured layout make it easier for readers. It can also boost SEO performance.

Relevant

Quality content is relevant to the target audience. It matches the needs, interests, or problems your audience might be facing.

Search intent is key here.

The more aligned your article is with the user’s intent, the more valuable it will be. And the more traffic it will attract from search engines.

Finding Freelance Writers

Writing an article can be time-consuming, especially if it’s not your primary job. That’s why outsourcing content writing is so popular.

In 2021, 50% of B2B marketers said they outsourced some content marketing.

You can outsource to freelance writers or use a content writing service like FATJOE.

Word of mouth is often the best way to find good writers. Send out a few social media posts on LinkedIn or Twitter and ask your network. You can also use freelance writing job boards.

If you instead want to start writing shorter, chattier blog posts, check out our guide on how to write a blog post. You’ll learn to sharpen your writing skills, brainstorm ideas for articles, and optimize for search engines.

Outline The Entire Article

Before you begin writing, create an outline for your article. Think about what you want to tell your readers.

This will improve the organization and flow of your content. It also provides a structure to help you avoid getting bogged down in research.

Here’s how to do it:

Introduction Paragraphs

The introduction is the first thing readers see. It’s one of the most important parts of your article.

Readers will decide whether to keep reading or bounce based on your introduction.

You need to grab their attention.

Start with a bold statement, a question, or by agitating a pain point the rest of your article will solve.

Your introduction should also tell readers what to expect. This is especially important for informational articles like how-to guides and tutorials.

Types Of Content

A good article isn’t just plain text. Including a mix of content types can make it more engaging.

Think about the best way to present each piece of information.

Use relevant images to illustrate points and break up text to increase readability.

Writing interesting and engaging #content means:

– include images & videos
– focus on practical points
– use a CTA (Call to Action)

Would you add anything else?

— Adriana Stein (@adrianakstein) June 3, 2020

If your article contains data, use graphs to visualize the information. This can help readers quickly understand statistics and trends.

Adding an infographic to your article can be a great visual way to present information and data. It makes your content more shareable and can increase your chances of earning high-authority backlinks.

According to a Siege Media and Clearscope report, businesses that dedicate 10%-50% of their content efforts towards content design are 33% more likely to report successful results.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you dive deep into your topic. Make them clear, organized, and full of helpful information.

Stick to one idea per paragraph to make it easy for readers to follow. And give examples to explain your points when it makes sense.

Avoid jargon unless you’re writing for a technical audience.

You can use tools like Hemingway App to check for grammatical errors and improve the clarity of your writing.

Closing Paragraphs

A good conclusion ties everything together.

This isn’t the place to introduce new ideas. Stick to summarizing the main argument and what your readers should take away from the content.

With a strong call to action, you can guide readers on what to do next. Whether it’s reading another article or signing up for your newsletter, make it clear.

Common Types of Articles to Write

A key part of developing a content strategy is mapping out which types of articles to use at different stages of the buyer’s journey.

Each serves a purpose and caters to different audience needs.

Here are some of the common types:

How-to Articles

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How-to articles show readers how to achieve a task or solve a problem.

They usually start by explaining why the task is important. Then, they break down how to complete the task in step-by-step instructions.

Make sure you add structured data to tell Google your article is how-to content. This can help you claim a rich result on the search engine results page (SERP).

Another reminder for those creating how-to articles or posts. Take the extra 10-15 minutes & add how-to markup. It yields how-to snippets with BIG real estate in the SERPs (with a carousel of steps). Here’s my latest post about the URL Inspection API ranking with how-to snippets: pic.twitter.com/UGUVrHqP7D

— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) February 11, 2022

How-to articles can be powerful types of content throughout the buyer’s journey.

In the awareness stage, you can help your audience recognize they have a problem or need.

Later in the buyer’s journey, you can use how-to articles to help your audience explore their options and showcase your product or service in action.

Examples:

• How to Identify Signs of a Pest Infestation in Your Home
• How to Choose the Best Pest Control Method for Your Home
• How to Use [Your Product] to Effectively Combat Home Pests

Amazing Articles

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These articles inspire, amaze, and sometimes shock readers. They often have “click-worthy” titles to grab readers’ attention and encourage them to click.

The key to an “amazing” article is offering a fresh or unusual perspective – something people don’t usually see.

This type of content is typically used in the awareness stage of the buyer’s journey.

Examples:

• 10 Life Hacks You Won’t Believe You Survived Without
• How Virtual Reality is About to Revolutionize Your Workouts
• 5 Breathtaking Travel Destinations That Are Better in Off-Season

White Paper

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A white paper is a detailed guide on a specific topic. They help readers understand a topic, solve a problem, or make a decision.

White papers are usually longer than regular articles. Using a more formal tone and backing up your points with supporting evidence is also common.

This type of article is most effective in the consideration and decision stages of the buyer’s journey. You can go in-depth on a specific solution, how it works, and its benefits.

Examples:

• Robotics and AI in Manufacturing: Efficiency Meets Innovation
• Choosing a Global Banking Partner: Key Factors for Multinational Corporations
• Fleet Management Systems: Evaluating the Best Fit for Your Business

Magazine Article

Magazine-style articles often have a distinct style and structure compared to typical blog posts or news articles. They use high-quality images, infographics, and other design elements to enhance visual appeal.

This type of article is excellent for building brand awareness. You can introduce readers to new topics, trends, or solutions.

Examples:

• Exploring the Basics of Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Data
• Networking for Success: Why It’s Crucial for Your Career
• The First-Time Home Buyer’s Checklist: What to Know Before You Buy

Boost Marketing Results By Writing Better Content

When you’re starting a new post from scratch, article writing can feel overwhelming.

But it becomes much more manageable with a clear understanding of the purpose and type of content you’re going to write. Put in the effort to create a solid outline and build from there.

Whether you’re writing a how-to guide or an in-depth white paper, your goal is the same:

Inform, engage, and make an impact.