Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sustainable Writing - Part Two

Go Green

You can also become a sustainable writer by utilizing topics that are always relevant to the reader, there are called evergreen or GREEN articles. Open any magazine and you’ll usually see all of these categories somewhere within the table of contents. Of course there are exceptions, but take a trip to your local bookstore and browse through the magazines, you’ll be surprised what you find. Even niche publications will often include articles about their niche, slanted to include all four categories.

Green Articles fall into 4 major categories

  • Business/Finance
  • Health/Fitness
  • Relationships/Fulfillment
  • Passionate Pastimes
Here are some possible titles within these broad catagories

  • Managing Your Finances in Tough Economic Times (Business/Finance)
  • How to Eat Healthy When Time is at a Premium (Health/Fitness)
  • Re-Learn the Art of Dating by Going Out With Your Mate (Relationships/Fulfillment)
  • Learn to Tithe Your Time (Passionate Pastimes)
The thing that makes these articles so popular is the fact that they answer a felt need for the reader. If you haven’t heard this term before, in writing terms, a felt need is a topic that resonates with the reader. They feel a need to know this information. If you want your writing to connect to the reader you utilize this concept.

Have you utilized green articles when pitching to an editor? Do you think you will in the future? What are some article ideas you can come up with within these catagories? I'd love to know your thoughts.

Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

2 comments:

  1. I'd never heard of green articles, but I love the term. (I think of myself as a bit 'green' because I'm new to this world of writing.)

    I'm like to write things related to relationships.

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  2. Thanks for the info, Edie. Something that guides me is a principle I learned from Marlene Bagnull, "Write His Answer". She taught me to engage the Lord in my writing decisions, to ask Him what needs to be said because He knows the reader long before I do.

    Great post!
    Nan

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