Deidre Woollard is Fine Living Editor of Luxist.com.

There are certain topics that readers never get tired of learning or reading about. Just as each holiday brings seasonal articles, there are also 'evergreen' topics that work year-round, such as how to trim your personal finances; how to reduce energy bills; and how to travel to expensive places on the cheap. It can be a challenge to make these articles appealing to online readers, especially if they think they've heard it all before.

Online readers are accustomed to scanning headlines and only stopping to read if something really jumps out at them, so showcasing what's unique about your piece will give you a better chance of attracting
their attention.

It's All About The Angle
It's important to cultivate your own enthusiasm for the topic. Even if you don't feel it at first, look for "the angle" -- the thing that will make your article special and what would make you, as a reader, want to read on.
Take a moment to sit with the topic and free associate potential directions the article could go in. Some of the ideas you come up with might not be as appealing as others, but follow your interest. Read other articles on the subject and think about what has been left uncovered and what you would like to know more about.

Example: Luxist's Karat Caviar, Outstanding Osetra from Israel

Depth and Diversity
With some topics many people just skim the surface. Go deeper. Don't get all of your information from a single source. Ask questions, do more research, contact experts or others with enthusiasm for the topic. Stay away from the flat 'press-release' style narrative; be evaluative or even skeptical if the piece warrants it. Incorporating some personal experience can work to make the piece deeper, but be careful not to lapse into cliches and blanket statements.

Example: Luxist's Balsamic Vinegar Facts

Titles and Tips
Try to find a provocative headline or article title that is descriptive and different from what has gone before. For example, if you are writing about diet tips, you probably want to have the word diet in the headline for SEO purposes. You may also want to reference a specific tip or something else that makes the article stand out in a sea of diet tips pieces.

Example: Luxist's How to Clean Diamond Jewelry


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