Let’s face it — most “how to” articles have been written long ago and more than once. Videos have been made about these topics, and AI, like a nerd, knows almost every answer. Does that sound pessimistic? Maybe. Does that mean the end of how-to articles? Absolutely not.
Today, a good how-to article is more than just a set of instructions. It is an expert’s view of the problem, a description of the author’s path of trial and error. It offers warnings, support, and a unique writing style that keeps readers engaged.
Sure, it’s not as simple as scribbling “How to cope with anxiety? — Stop worrying!” But the approach to writing articles we’re going to talk about gives your copy a real chance of success. Let’s break down the creation of professional how-to articles and essays into key components.
How to Start an Article on Any How-to Topic (DON’T SKIP IT)
First, research. Research deeply. Become an expert on your topic or find an expert to help you understand it.
This makes your article valuable to readers and Google. Spend 10 minutes of your life studying the concept of EEAT, and you’ll already know more than most copywriters out there.
Don’t be surprised if researching the topic takes longer than article writing. Strange, but true. Here’s a method on how to start a research we recommend:
- Read at least 10–15 articles on your topic. Pay attention to what aspects of the topic they cover and which ones they skip.
- Research your topic on credible sources.
- Talk to experts. Reach out to them on LinkedIn, social media, or email. You might be surprised by how many replies you will get! People are usually happy to share their expertise. Plus, mentioning them in articles, especially in industry publications, gives them more significance in the eyes of Google and potential customers.
If you are a professional expert in the niche you are writing about, we would still advise you not to skip the research phase for two reasons. First, you’ll have the upper hand. Look through articles, and if you spot any nonsense, write it out. This is your chance to bust common myths. Second, you can provide more valuable information. Look for what the authors are missing. For instance, everyone might say, “You don’t need to treat the common cold,” but few explain why.
How-tos: 10 Tips on How to Write Articles That People Won’t Skip
Now that you know WHAT to write about, let’s try to figure out HOW to write about it.
#1. Vague topic is the worst. Specify it
If you are a commercial writer, you’ll most likely get a topic from a client. But you still have the power to make it more engaging. If the topic is vague, such as “How to Organize a Trip to Italy,” suggest narrowing it down to something more specific, such as “How to Organize a Trip to Italy in Different Seasons: Nuances, Prices, Must-see spots.”
For independent writers, the same rule applies. Cover the topic from a fresh angle and add your experience, for example, “How I Lived in Italy for a Month on $500.”
#2. Understand your audience and speak accordingly
Look at two topics:
The first article is obviously for beginners — regular users or those just starting to promote their FB page. You probably don’t want to use jargon or overload the reader with information.
The second topic is likely for professionals — marketers (or those who perform their function in small businesses). Here, you can dive deeper into the subject, including professional tips and case studies.
So, the style of your copy should adjust to your reader’s knowledge, job, education, lifestyle, etc.
#3. Create an outline with eye-catching headings
Prepare a clear plan with H2s and subordinate H3s. This will help you visualize the final story. Don’t be afraid to revise and restructure the plan to suit your audience or their request.
Remember that most readers skim even short articles to find the answers they’re looking for rather than reading them thoroughly. Make your subheadings explicit:
❌ How to choose good headphones
✅ How to choose headphones under $100
✅ How to choose headphones with great bass
If possible, mark the places where you want to include tips, personal advice, sidebars, quotes, stories. Here’s what a rough article outline might look like.
#4. Create an “Oh really?!” introduction
Most how-to article introductions on the Internet start with dry explanations about the topic’s importance or describe it in general terms. Don’t fall into that trap.
Instead, grab your reader’s attention right away:
- Tell why the reader needs this information: “AI will replace all mediocre writers. Want to stay? Stand out.”
- Offer a controversial opinion (but only if you really believe in it and want to prove it): “Maternity leave for men should be mandatory.”
- Connect with the reader in an “I’ve been there” style (but be honest): “Two years ago, the bank took my house because of debt. Today, it’s back in my possession, and I’m finishing renovations.”
#5. Explain why the reader can trust you
First, fewer people want to take advice from an amateur copywriter. Second, if you’ve already read about EEAT, you know that Google values expertise and authority.
Add a block that proves you have a deep understanding of the topic:
“To create this guide on choosing a stroller, I talked to 20 moms, visited multiple deluxe and budget stores as a mystery shopper, and interviewed the manager of a stroller rental company (did you even know those exist?!).”
Or highlight your credentials:
“As a professional pediatrician, I graduated from Baylor College of Medicine and have been dealing with children’s health issues and parents’ concerns every day for 15 years. My mission is to help parents become more aware of their children’s well-being.”
Tip. If you’re a regular contributor to a blog, it’s a good idea to have an author page with links to your other profiles to build credibility.
#6. Write clear instructions
How-to articles are often about instructions. We know that when you have a bunch of useful information, you want to dump it on your readers. But your job is to simplify their lives, not complicate them. Look: the author gives clear instructions in bold, giving us a chance to scan the text, and then adds tips.
Source: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_an_omelet/
#7. Illustrate everything you can
Writing articles is more than words. It’s also about:
- Images and photos
- Infographics
- GIFs
- Videos
- Tables
- Screenshots
- Drawings, etc.
You may be a damn good writer, but step-by-step photos of how to tie a bow tie say more than words. And don’t make the reader slog through three paragraphs about this yoga pose — just show it instead. Save the words for the details like how to adjust your breathing, which muscles to tense, and how to maintain balance.
Source: https://www.pexels.com/uk-ua/photo/3822906/
#8. Share your experience, don’t be shy
Don’t be afraid to add “I” to your how-to article.
✅ “Here’s my way to free up space on a phone.”
✅ “My first shoe business completely failed. Here’s how I could have avoided most of the mistakes.”
✅ “Everyone told me not to go to Morocco, but I planned the perfect itinerary, and I’m going to share it with you.”
A good how-to article differs from a normal one by including experience. If it’s your experience, great. If it’s your friend’s, colleague’s, or expert’s experience, that’s great, too. Readers feel connected when they see, “This person dealt with the same problem I have. I can learn from them.”
Check out how the author reassures all the overachievers who want everything at once in a few sentences.
Source: https://www.rsvplive.ie/life/bought-first-home-how-saved-32661235
And here is the author of the podcast saying that you can create a successful project even if you record the first episodes on your phone in a closet for better soundproofing. Isn’t that motivating?
Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/podcasting-business-growth
#9. Don’t be stingy — give more than others
Most written articles cover the basics. You need to dig deeper if you want to stand out. Think back to all the texts you’ve read on your topic and throw out the repetitive information.
Here are some ideas of extra valuable information you can give to your readers:
- Answer less apparent questions. To get ideas, we recommend visiting forums, Quora, and Reddit. Read what users are interested in, what problems they face, and what advice they give. You can search for questions in specialized tools like Serpstat, Similarweb, or simply ask AI. By the way, this is a great way to take advantage of long-tail queries and drive targeted readers to the site.
- Support your reader. Think of yourself as a guide. Be caring thoughtful, and always say, “I’ll help you; you’ll be fine.”
- Share your failures. Don’t just show what works; share what doesn’t. This way, you educate and protect your reader.
- Offer next steps. Provide useful sources of information, videos, or books.
#10. Sound like you: Don’t over-adjust your tone
Write the way you sound. [Depending on the situation, of course.]
Sometimes, you need to follow the commercial tone of the company you’re writing for. Sometimes, black humor is inappropriate. But 99% of the time, there is an opportunity to leave your unique mark on the article. If a comparison like “I looked like yesterday’s shrimp” is appropriate, why not use it? Besides, you have it:
- Metaphors and similes
- Examples
- Paragraph structure
- Jokes
- The unique sentence, paragraph, and text structure
These elements keep the reader engaged in your article.
#11. Engage AI
Ask AI how to improve your written article for publication. Maybe half of the tips will be useless, but you’ll be able to find real gems. If you don’t limit AI to 3 tips like we do (for the sake of a compact screenshot, lol), you’ll get a whole bunch of insights.
Final Nerdy Tips on How to Make an Article
In this article, we’ve intentionally skipped over usual tips like “writing articles every day,” “reading different genres,” “noting down techniques you like, “avoiding verbosity and writing concisely.” You probably already know them. But just in case — follow them. They’re solid tips.
Finally, don’t give up. Not every article will be a hit. Sometimes, the topic is not good, or the timing is not right. But not everything is up to you as a writer. Sometimes, it’s an issue with the platform you’re publishing on, SEO and marketing (if you’re a commercial writer), or Google’s algorithm. So, just keep writing, okay?
FAQ
How to write a really good article?
To write a really good article, research the topic thoroughly. Think about your target audience and speak to them in their language. Stick to a clear article structure (one section = one idea), support your words with examples, expert quotes, your experience, and links to credible sources.
How to write articles that are relevant to practice?
To write a practical article, address real-world problems and add your own experience and advice. Whenever possible, put yourself in the reader’s shoes: for example, if you are writing about photo editing in Photoshop, test the process yourself to give relevant tips.
How to write articles more efficiently?
To write articles more efficiently, create a clear outline (you can ask AI for help) and use editing tools like Grammarly or Ludwig guru, Hemingway. Take advantage of speech-to-text tools or just record notes when your mind is racing.
How do I improve my article writing?
To improve your article writing, practice writing in a variety of genres. Read broadly — from investigative journalism to magical realism novels — and identify successful writing techniques.
What makes an excellent article?
An excellent article solves the reader’s problem by holding their interest, is engaging, structured, informative, and gives the reader a bit more value than they expected.
What are the 6 golden rules for writing a good article?
George Orwell identified the following 6 golden rules for crafting a good long or short article, essay, or any piece of writing:
- Avoid using a figure of speech that you are used to seeing in print.
- Prefer short words to long ones where possible.
- Always cut words out when possible.
- Prefer the active voice to the passive.
- Use an everyday English equivalent instead of a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon wherever possible.
- Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.