I often get asked how I turn key word research into articles. So, I thought it might be useful to show you how I go through the process. I’m not saying this is the only way to do it, but it is the process I use and maybe you can, too.

Step 1: Key Word Research
I use SEOBook for my key word research. In this illustration, I’m going to look up words related to my niche blog, The Genre Traveler, a travel blog for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans. I’ve been thinking of using article marketing to increase traffic to the site, so writing this post has given me incentive to start the process.

Basically, I start entering key words I think are relevant and read through the lists generated to see if I’m right or to further hone my list. Here are the resulting key word phrases I thought might be promising to inspire articles.

science fiction novels science fiction movies science fiction themes science fiction book stores science fiction art science fiction theater science fiction conventions common themes of science fiction science fiction authors

fantasy fest fantasy art harry potter theme park harry potter fan fiction harry potter trivia lord of the rings filming locations new zealand lord of the rings costumes lord of the rings swords

top 10 horror movies best horror movies horror art best horror films horror movie trivia horror bookstores Japanese horror movies horror film festivals

Each of these terms has a Google Daily estimate of 50 or more … so I know that a sufficient number of people are using these terms to find things on the Internet.

Time Required:
This research takes me between 15 and 30 minutes to conduct.

Step 2: Brainstorm article titles based on the key word phrases.
Now I look at my research and come up with ideas for articles that would incorporate those phrases. I keep in mind the typical article templates (some of which I’ve been writing about this month). Here are 5 of the article titles I thought I’d work on.

1. Best Science Fiction Novels to Read While Traveling
2. Which Science Fiction Conventions Should You Attend?
3. Harry Potter Trivia: Locations You Can Visit
4. A Quick Tour of Lord of the Rings Filming Locations in New Zealand
5. What To Expect When You Attend Horror Film Festivals

Time Required:
I came up with those headlines in about 5 to 10 minutes. If I wanted to list more, it would probably take longer. Also, because I’ve been doing this awhile (I’ve been a professional writer for more than 20 years), generating these ideas isn’t that hard. So, it could take you longer. But the more you do it … the faster you will get.

Step 3: Do the research and write the articles.
I do much of my research for article on the Internet. But sometimes I also pick up the phone and talk to experts. Since The Genre Traveler is a travel blog, and my traveling has been cut short recently due a variety reasons, picking up the phone and talking to people who actually are at these places is probably my best option for creating compelling and valuable content. And, if I record my interviews, I can turn them into audio files that I can also use to either drive traffic to the site, or use an an opt-in bonus or product.

Time Required:
Once I have my research together, I can usually bang out a 300 to 500 word article in about 15 to 30 minutes. The research and information gathering is the more time-consuming task, depending on how you go about gathering it. If you are doing simple online research, allow 30 to 60 minutes. If you’re going to contact experts and interview them, allow 3 to 4 hours.

And that’s pretty much how I do it.

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Would you like some help with your article marketing? An Content Marketing Marathon may be just what you’re looking for! I’ll hold your hand — virtually, of course — and assist you with key word research, writing headlines and writing guidance.