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The Foolproof Article Formula I’ve Used to Write 1,000+
Articles
Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content , with 750K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.
Posted 11.12.25
I’ve made a living writing for more than two decades.
No, I’m not a writing phenom. Rather, I attribute much of that success to using a simple article formula.
My first published article? I slaved over it for weeks. And I was thrilled with that first $35 paycheck.
I’ve become much faster since then. My articles, now numbering over 1,000, are published on websites, in magazines, on Medium, and in dozens (hundreds) of client publications.
My approach centers on 2 basic principles.
- Usefulness. People want practical content they can use right away.
- Readability. People don’t want to spend much time wading through excess verbiage. Make it clear and easy to consume — and they’ll keep reading.
Over time, I found that those two principles created an underlying pattern in my writing. Call it a format or a template, if you like. This article formula has become my go-to format for producing helpful, simple content.
My simple, foolproof article formula
1. Write a headline that makes a promise
Offer a solution or an answer or a benefit to a problem that your reader faces. Your promise in the headline demonstrates that the subsequent content solves the problem.
For example …
“The Foolproof Article Formula I’ve Used to Write 1,000+ Articles”
What’s the reader’s problem? He’s a writer. He wants to produce quality content — plenty of it — but time and ideas and the craft always get in the way. This headline promises to fix that problem. The reader will get a peek at your article formula. And maybe, just maybe, that particular article formula will transform his writing.
Remember our 2 principles — usefulness and readability? This promise offers your reader a clear and practical benefit: a formula. Checkmark for usefulness.
Writing tip: Many times, I write the headline last. Don’t get hung up on wording out the gate. Instead, focus on what promise you want to make to the reader.
2. Write a personal intro
You can choose from all kinds of techniques to hook your reader. That’s what the lead is supposed to do, right?
But you’ll have even more success if you connect with the reader personally in your first sentence and first paragraph. Here are a few ways you can do that.
- Write in first person
- Ask a question
- Tell a personal story
- Reveal your confusion
- Write in a conversational tone
- Use “you” and “me” language
The point here? Figure out a way to be relatable to your reader. Show your vulnerability. (“No, I’m not a writing phenom” — from the top of this article.)
Writing tip: Use the intro to demonstrate that the reader’s problem is your problem, too. Remember our first premise? Readers want helpful information that answers their questions or helps them in practical ways.
3. Write subheads that keep the promise
You’ve made a promise in the headline. Now it’s time to deliver the solution to the problem … the steps to take in a how-to … the reasoning behind your argument.
List them.
I often write subheads right after I put together my promise, even before I write the introduction. Then, I have a mini outline to follow as I write the body of the content. I read through my subheads consecutively, making sure they communicate the gist of my content.
In fact, that’s what I did when I wrote this very article. Each subhead outlines one step I take as I follow my article formula.
Remember our second principle? Make your article readable, and readers will keep reading. Subheads offer benefits not just for you, but for your reader, such as …
- Subheads are scannable
- Subheads break content into small text blocks
- Subheads offer white space
Writing tip: Use parallel construction in your subheads for clarity.
4. Write a snappy takeaway
Studies show that only 50% of today’s readers stay with a piece of content beyond the halfway mark (at most). Your reader has stuck with you this far. Reward him! Give your readers an appropriate send-off.
- Give him something to “do” — an action step he can take to apply the content.
- Add one additional point or answer to the problem in the headline.
- Focus on the biggest point you’ve made in your subheads with an extra fact, twist, or quote.
- Summarize the key points so the reader feels smarter, more prepared, or empowered to face the problem head-on.
Writing tip: Keep your takeaway short. (Principle #2 — readability — again). This is not the time to belabor your point, but rather make it memorable
Use this worksheet to find your article's main idea.
Is this article formula replicable?
Every week, I churn out at least 2 articles in a couple of hours. Do I use AI? A bit … mainly for keyword research and basic outlining.
But my article formula has remained constant over the years. It brings a steady stream of readers to my door and offers them practical tips they can use right away.
Do you have a format that is successful in reaching readers and providing value for them?
If not, you’re welcome to try mine — if only for its unwavering reliability. I hope you can even improve on it. If you do, please share with the rest of us writers.
Because our problem persists. We’re always looking for ways to produce quality content. And plenty of it.
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