Here’s one of my writing pet peeves: “Ideas for articles are everywhere! All you have to do is stand in line at the grocery store, and you’ll overhear a conversation that’ll lead to a fascinating article idea.” Please. Who wants to read about grocery store conversations? 

Even if ideas really were everywhere, would Ladies’ Home Journal or Sports Illustrated assign them? No. Not even to experienced freelance writers. Really good article ideas have to be timely, well-rounded, and relevant. Solid freelance writing ideas take work. 

Here’s a writing quip to help prove my point: “Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators.” - Olin Miller. 

I don’t believe that strong, salable freelance writing ideas are everywhere. That’s too easy…and writing isn’t easy. Great ideas need to be mined, like the diamonds they are. So, since I’m married to a geologist, I’ve sharpened several freelance writing tools to help you dig up article ideas. 

10 Solid Freelance Writing Ideas: How to Create Articles That Sell 

1. Use a phrase, idea, or person in a current article. For instance, I recently wrote an article about “how to love your job” for Reader’s Digest.ca. In researching that idea, I came across several unusual jobs. So, I pitched an article about “odd jobs” to Reader’s Digest. They bought it (and we even took it a step further than a single article! In October 2008, all will be revealed). See how freelance writing ideas snowball? Even a so-so article idea can lead to a strong, publishable article - if your eyes are open. 

1.b. It doesn’t have to be your current article. Freelance writing ideas can be found in other people’s articles, books, blog posts, or poems. If you’re reading something and a question or though pops into your head, then follow it up. You could be creating an article that will sell. 

2. Read through your old articles. If you’re really stuck, peruse your old articles for possibilities. I love writing round-ups or “10 Things You Never Knew About…”, and there are usually tons of ideas in my past articles. Freelance writing tip for newbies: peruse those top 10 lists for ideas for articles that work for you. 

3. Look through past research - and find out if new studies are out. My research contains dozens of ideas for new articles: why women don’t fall asleep after sex, whether aromatherapy works for men, and new discoveries about depression. Freelance writers learn how to recognize new ideas in past research discoveries, and find ways to spin off previously successful articles. 

4. Indulge in a retreat, class, or workshop. Getting out of your normal routine will expose you to new people, new writing ideas, and new ways to look at life. In trying new things and taking risks, you’ll find ideas for articles that you can sell to magazines. 

5. Skim science or news websites. I read ScienceDaily and Eurekalerts every day for new ideas for articles. While most freelance writers have their own method for coming up with article ideas, I daresay most tap into the daily news or recent research. And those studies can be cited repeatedly. For example, I used a research finding about aromatherapy and depression in three or four different articles, all with different spins. 

6. Listen to TV or radio talk shows. Freelance writers can really tap into “the pulse of the nation” when they watch The View, Oprah, or The Today Show. I actually don’t watch those shows - but I always mean to because I believe they contain tons of ideas for articles. When I run I listen to CBC, and I’ve found a few freelance writing ideas there. 

7. Find a good press release feed or website. This another thing I believe will help me come up with freelance writing ideas, but I haven’t actually incorporated into my day. I have heard from other freelancers that press releases are solid sources of article ideas. 

8. Don’t ignore your daily life. As much as I don’t believe that freelance writing ideas are “everywhere”, I do admit that you can create articles that sell from your life. I’ve done it. My first article sale was to alive magazine, called “The Upside of Ulcerative Colitis.” It was about how to cope with a chronic illness, which I do every day. It became an article that sold, but I’m still not a big fan of mining my life for writing ideas. 

9. Visit forums & discussion boards. Freelance writing ideas can be found in those forums and chat rooms that proliferate the internet. Me, I’ve only found one article idea from women’s forums - but I’m not the patient type. I tend to breeze through for 10 minutes and when I find nothing that helps me create articles that sell, I tend to leave fast. 

10. Make WIIFM your standard. WIIFM stands for “what’s in it for me”? This relates back to my writing pet peeve that “writing ideas are everywhere.” The ideas could be everywhere, but the paid assignments aren’t…unless you’ve looked through your WIIFM lens. To test the merit of your freelance writing idea, honestly answer the question: “What’s in it for the reader?” You’ve gotta help or entertain them somehow, or you won’t make it as a freelance writer.

What do you think about my freelance writing ideas — are they as solid as I think? I’d enjoy hearing from you, especially if you have writing tips…