The Professional Article Writer's Mind Map

Here's a mind map summary of the process I use for writing articles:



1 - Research:
Google helps with basic research, finding references and also competitors.
Check Adwords for what may be selling in the niche.
Amazon usually has a book or product relevant to the article theme. This can stimulate ideas.

2- Keywords:
Sometimes the client has already done this and request specific terms to be used (for what I call 'standard' or SEO-ized articles.)
I also like to look at synonyms and antonyms for writing ideas off the beaten track - 'premium', authority site articles often benefit from this approach. And LSI-themes also present themselves in my mind when more than just raw keywords are applied.

3- Articles:
Standard or Premium?
'Buy' their words ye shall know them ;-)
Ghostwriting Services From Professional Freelance Copywriter, Mark McClure

4- Write!
Just start! Begin! Proceed! Keep going. Get-a-first-draft-done!!!

I'd normally take a break at this point before step 5 - both the writing brain and typing hands need a recharge! This break could be anything from 15 minutes to 48 hours. For standard, mass-distribution articles a shorter break is OK. For authority articles (along with special reports and white papers), I would prefer to leave the ideas to stew in my subconscious for a min of 24 hours. Occasionally, the temptation to tinker, plus client deadlines, have me back in the writing saddle within a few hours.

5- Edit:
This is for layout and style - remember the 1st draft is pretty rough!
I resist (as far as possible haha!) the temptation to proofread at the same time - too many cooks spoil the broth!

6- Proofread:
I check and correct for grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes.
This can take time - especially if I have to research a grammar knot in my understanding!

7- Release:
The article is packaged up (usually as .txt or .doc) ready for release to the client.
Depending on project milestones it may sit in a queue until other articles are completed.

One round of edits at no additional charge is included within the price - provided the client requests it within 5 days of project close. Beyond that, additional edits are charged at an hourly rate.