Creative Ideas for Freelance Writers (for Print Magazines)

Many blog writers, SEO writers and general freelance writers would like to write for print magazines (be it a travel magazine, woodworking magazine, men's magazine, or entertainment magazine), but aren't sure about generating story topics. But there is a print magazine for every topic, be it tall women's clothing, wedding music, or home schooling teens.

Hot topics for print magazine articles

1. Men's fitness; women's fitness (fitness weight training, exercise programs)

2. Women's health (missed periods, having cancer while pregnant, work-related stress)

3. Men's health (erectile dysfunction in young men, weight loss plans that work)

4. Anything bridal (wedding planning, wedding favors, wedding invitations, wedding veils, etc.)

5. Motherhood and parenting (teaching young kids how to deal with bullies; getting kids to eat vegetables)

6. Baby care, new mothers

7. Outdoor activities, camping, boating, hunting, fishing

8. Any sport

9. Computers, electronics, finance, investing, home repair, cars

10. Fashion and beauty

And hot article ideas don't end with this list, either.

Don't make the mistake of assuming that you must have firsthand experience with something to write about it. If you're not a parent, this does not disqualify you from writing about parenting topics, one of the hottest-selling topics for print magazines. You can interview parents or childcare experts.

I've never touched a kettlebell, yet I have written a few articles about kettlebell workouts; I consulted with kettlebell trainers. I've never had Huntington's disease, but wrote a lengthy in-depth feature about this fatal genetic disorder, interviewing Huntington's experts and a few Huntington's sufferers. No topic is off-limits just because you lack personal experience with it.

What fascinates you, the aspiring print magazine writer? Write about it. You can review your SEO articles and tweak them for print magazine format. A topic need not be popular to be picked up by a print magazine. For example, if you have experience with chainsaws and would like to write about them, there are print markets for this. You just have to seek them out.

Some writers wonder what they can write about. Page through print magazines for ideas. Or peruse the web for ideas. Nobody owns exclusive rights to any topic. Be inventive. If you think your idea would not appeal to the masses, maybe its uniqueness is what will sell the story; for example, an article about blind golfers (yes, blind golfers exist) or women who sell cars.

Listen to what people talk about on the job. If you work from home, listen to what people talk about in your health club's locker room, or in a slow-moving line at the store. You can pick up ideas this way.

Or, what's been angering you in the news lately? Let anger drive you to many creative ideas.