Finding great ideas for feature articles may be one of the most difficult parts of being a freelance writer. Luckily, it’s a writing habit that can be learned!

Take this writing quip from Jenna Glatzer: 

“Once your brain has opened up to this kind of idea generating, you’ll be amazed by how much more perceptive you’ll become in general,” Glatzer writes in Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer. “Conversations you overhear will trigger ideas for new articles. An event you witness in a parking lot will trigger another. Moments before drifting off to sleep, you’ll think of your most compelling idea ever.” 

Click on Glatzer’s Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer for more in-depth info, and read on for tips on finding great ideas for feature articles… 

Finding Great Ideas for Feature Articles

Ask your experts. I had this fabulous experience today: Steve Martin, co-author of 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive, e-mailed me some great information for an article that I’ve already submitted to Health magazine. Though his info is too late for this particular article, I’ve already pitched an idea for a new article to the magazine! Keeping your eyes and ears open for new article ideas from anywhere will help you become a successful writer.

Dig around in your life. This isn’t something I do well, but Jenna Glatzer has convinced me of the possible treasures in my own love. In Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, Glatzer says, “If you’re coming up short [of Big Ideas], fill in these blanks and find out the many ways you’re already an expert.”

Jot down the answers to Glatzer’s topics below, and you may start generating ideas for articles fairly quickly:

• I’ve worked as a:
• I’ve visited/lived in:
• My hobbies are:
• Every school I’ve ever attended:
• I know how to:
• My pets:
• My friends are interesting because:
• My religion/spiritual practices:
• I’ve taken lessons in: 

Explore one article idea inside and out. One way freelance writers win new assignments is by poking around one idea until it bleeds fresh juices. To do this, answer the following questions about your general topic. 

(Again, this is from Jenna Glatzer’s Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer – she has some very creative ways to generate article ideas that sell). 

When you have a general article idea such as weight loss, brainstorm:

• One particular angle (eg, weight loss for people with disabilities)
• A more specific idea (eg, weight loss for people with multiple sclerosis)
• Variations on one specific idea (eg, weight loss for children with multiple sclerosis)
• A ridiculous angle (eg, weight loss for cats with multiple sclerosis)
• A funny angle (eg, weight loss for cats with eating disorders)
• A serious angle (eg, weight loss for women with multiple sclerosis who are wheelchair-bound)
• A men’s or a women’s angle (eg, weight loss for men or women with multiple sclerosis)
• A teen’s or children’s angle (already done above)
• An angle you’ve seen, but can twist (eg, weight loss for grandparents with multiple sclerosis)

Fellow scribes, if you have any ideas or tips for finding great ideas for feature articles, please share below. I’d love to hear from you! And, read Tips for Recognizing Great Article Ideas for more tips on being a successful writer.