If you want to break into article writing, the round up article is a good place to start. The round up approach, is also a great strategy for blog posts.

Let’s start with a roundup travel article. Adapt the examples below to your own destinations, setting, interests and style. The basic concept will get you started with your own ideas and variations.

What is a Roundup Article?

A roundup article is basically a list, with each heading fleshed out a little. You ony have room for key information, so it’s also a good exercise in honing in on what is important. What you are essentially writing is a series of teasers. You only have a paragraph or two on each topic,(maybe less for a blog post), to catch the reader’s interest, and engage them. The reader needs enough useful and interesting information to be able to (and want to) research further.

The Roundup Travel Article - Idea Starters

Use these ten travel article ideas as starting points. Adapt the roundup travel article concept to your own destinations, interests and experience.

1. Vegetarian Restaurants of Phoenix
2. California’s Best Beaches for Families
3. Strange But True: Weird Museums of Europe
4. Seven Environmental Wonders of the World
5. Five Island Vacations for Honeymooners
6. Budget Eats in Singapore: Our Top Ten Picks
7. World’s Most Unusual Hotels
8. Fun Holidays for Gifted Teens
9. Asia’s Most Family Friendly Airlines
10. Travel Light: Ten Business Travel Packing Tips

Now Add Your Own Variations

Add your own twist to the basic concept. So #5 - Five Island Vacations for Honeymooners could morph into e.g.

* Ten Romantic Getaways for Parents
* Top Australian Wineries for Baby Boomers
* Best New York Hangouts for Book Lovers

and so on…

Takeaway Idea Catcher Tips:

To come up with more variations, use -

* Superlatives and other descriptors e.g. best, hottest, most, friendliest, cleanest, newest, easy, quick etc.
* Numbers are a good way to indicate a list or group e.g. ten best, five top, seven secrets, etc.
* Any other method of defining a group, places or common theme.

Then -

* Start in your own area, or a familiar destination.
* Check your facts. Current, accurate information is essential.
* Brainstorm your list of travel roundup article ideas. What can you tell a visitor to your area?

Or -

Use Round Up Articles For Any Topic

Adapt the roundup article format for any topic e.g. articles about writing, business, parenting, health, food etc. It’s really just a mix and match of your choice of concepts, numbers, descriptors etc. from here on in. Just add a dash of imagination, and your own personal touch and interests, to write round up articles on your choice of topic e.g.

* Seven Reasons to Network with Non Writers
* Top Marketing Tips for Shy Writers
* Cruise & Write: Sail Away Conferences for Writers
* Ten Easter Party Games for Preschoolers
* Creative Ways to Thank a Friend
* Ten Easy Steps to Free PR

and so on…

Use the Round Up Approach on Your Blog Too

Here are a few idea starters. Again, mix and match to suit your topic.

* Five Mistakes New Writers Make…
* Five Good Reasons to…
* Top Tips for…
* Seven Methods of ….
* Best Free Gizmos for…
* Six Cool Gadgets from…
* Twelve Quick and Easy..
* Three Basic Rules of…
* Ten Things I Learned From…
* Painless Promotion Ideas for…
* My Top Ten Book Picks on…
* Don’t Miss These…

and so on…

And then, there are the variations on variations. Do you have idea overload yet? The possibilities are endless. When you think of something, jot it down, so you don’t forget. Happy Idea Catching!

Over To You

What topics would you like covered in The Idea Catcher series? Also, please feel free to ask questions. If I don’t know the answer, I can find out for you. Go catch some ideas to help you Grow Your Writing Business.

The Idea Catcher, Travel Writing, Writing Know How