How to Create a How-To Guide
As a freelance content writer, creating a how-to guide can be a highly effective way to drive traffic to your website, position yourself as an authority in your niche, and attract a loyal audience. If you’re looking to expand your freelance writing repertoire to include how-to guides, you’ve come to the right place!
In this post, we explain the fundamentals of writing how-to guides, including best practices and examples for inspiration. Keep reading to learn how to create your own how-to guide – and discover how Knowadays can help you launch your freelance writing career from the ground up.
What Is a How-To Guide?
A how-to guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish a specific task or solve a particular problem. You can find how-to guides for almost any topic imaginable, from how to bake a cake to how to do your taxes. They’re one of the most popular types of blog posts as they provide readers with a simple and structured way to learn a new skill or complete a particular task.
Readers typically find how-to blog posts through search engines like Google by searching a keyword phrase that begins with “how to…” Most how-to guides are organized as a series of ordered steps that range in complexity, depending on the anticipated experience level of the reader.
Why Are How-To Guides Important?
How-to guides are valuable for both freelance writers and their clients because they can:
- Boost user engagement: There is usually a high level of engagement with how-to guides because readers are already interested in the topic (and likely specifically searched for it). You can further boost engagement by encouraging readers to ask questions or share their experiences in the comment section.
- Build a writer’s authority on a topic: The more useful and actionable your how-to content is, the more readers will see you as an authority on the subject.
- Benefit SEO: How-to guides often rank well in search engines because they match user intent and answer specific queries (which Google prioritizes in their latest content update).
- Attract new clients: including samples of how-to guides in your online portfolio can help you stand out and attract new clients in your chosen niche.
How to Write a How-To Guide
To write an effective how-to guide, follow these steps:
1. Understand Your Target Audience
It’s essential to fully understand your target market before you start writing your how-to guide. Consider your audience’s level of expertise – are they complete beginners or are they expected to have some knowledge of the topic? You also need to consider their pain points – in other words, why are they searching for information on the topic? Are they trying to solve a problem or learn a new skill? These answers will help you tailor your guide to your readers’ concerns and write in a way that’s accessible to them.
2. Research Your Topic
To write an authoritative how-to guide, it’s important to thoroughly research your topic, even if it’s a subject you have previous experience with. Researching and fact-checking your content ensures you’re providing the most up-to-date, evidence-based information. Make sure to check the validity of your sources by verifying the authors’ credibility.
3. Create an Outline
Before diving into your writing, organize your information into a clear and logical outline that your reader will be able to easily follow. Outlining your steps before writing the main content helps you stay on track and ensures your guide flows smoothly from one step to the next.
4. Include Clear and Concise Steps
Break down your chosen topic into manageable steps and write each step of the process clearly and concisely (including listing the materials or supplies necessary to complete the steps). Many readers land on how-to posts because they’re looking for a straightforward, easy-to-follow solution to a problem. Use simple language (plain English) and avoid technical jargon unless it’s necessary. If you use terms your audience is likely to be unfamiliar with, be sure to fully explain them on the first mention.
5. Optimize for SEO
Identify relevant keywords and phrases and incorporate them naturally into your content (without keyword stuffing). Use keyword-rich headings and subheadings, and write a catchy meta description to improve your guide’s visibility in search engines. Unique and helpful content also tends to rank higher on search engines, so try to put a fresh spin on your topic and avoid rehashing competing blog posts.
6. Include Visuals
Enhance your guide with visuals such as images, screenshots, diagrams, or videos. Visual aids can make complex instructions easier to understand and follow.
How-To Guide Best Practices
Below are some best practices to follow when creating a how-to guide:
Use the Active Voice
Write in the active voice to make sure your instructions are clear, direct, and focused on the reader. For example, “shift the gear to reverse” rather than “the gear should be shifted to reverse.” Using the active voice – rather than the passive voice – helps readers understand the specific actions they need to take.
Format for Readability
Optimize your guide for skim readers by using descriptive headings and subheadings to break up the content. Include bullet lists and numbered steps to present your information in an easily digestible format, and keep the paragraphs in your main content short and to the point to maintain reader interest.
Include Examples
Provide examples of your instructions to illustrate your points and make abstract concepts more concrete. Choose specific examples that help readers understand how to apply your instructions in real-world scenarios, essentially giving them a vivid visual image of your instructions. If necessary, include links to helpful outside resources, such as follow-up processes or relevant products.
Test Your Instructions
Ensure your steps are accurate and easy to follow by testing them yourself or having someone else test them. This identifies areas for improvement and helps prevent potential issues from cropping up after publication.
5 Examples of How-To Guides
Here are some examples of how-to guides to use as inspiration:
- This blog post from Bridgestone explains how to change a tire step by step and includes a list of necessary supplies.
- This post from Better Homes & Gardens clearly lays out the steps to fixing a leaky faucet.
- This post from the Hilton Head Island website explains how to build the perfect sandcastle.
- This step-by-step pizza recipe from the Food Charlatan includes lots of helpful visuals and tips.
- This is a guide to lawn mowing by lawn care company Scotts.
Becoming A Freelance Writer
Are you interested in learning more about the different types of blog post formats and how to structure your writing? Check out our comprehensive Becoming A Freelance Writer course for everything you need to know about choosing a niche and launching your new career as a freelance content writer. Claim your two free lessons and start learning today!
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