How To Write a Flagship Hub

Hubpages have announced a program encouraging hubbers to contribute high quality hubs which include a minimum of 1500 words of original content plus relevant photos, videos and links. Now in academia 1500 words is not very much - a very short, 2 page essay. However, in the world of the Internet, sound bites and blogs anything over 300 words terrifies some contributors!

First off you have to get approved by HubPages - thsi is not big deal - you have to sign a form giving copyright of the flagship hub over to HubPages. Then you choose a topic for the currently available pool and wait to be approved: which you will be unless someone has asked first - you usually hear back within 1/2 working day California time. For more details on the Flagship Hub program see the link on the right

The purpose of this hub is to describe the process of developing a hub, or any article for that matter, which involves some original content and research.

Step 1: Choose your topic

Select a topic which you know something about. You probably already know how to find relevant information on the Internet. You don't have to be an expert on the exact topic but knowing the best source of information in a particular field will speed up your research and you will probably produce a better article.

Step 2: Do some research

That's right actually get out and do some research, find some relevant sites and decide why they are relevant! Do the research before you start writing. Think up a list of key words (which could well become your hub's tags) and use them. Stay focused on the topic, hyperlinks can be way too distracting when you are trying to get something done! Make sure you keep a list of useful links as you find them - I cut and paste them to a document, but you could bookmark them too.

Here is a list of links to get you started on almost any topic.

Its personal preference how to write an outline, but however you do it, skip this step at your peril. Without an outline you will end up with a rambling monologue which will take at least twice as long to edit compared to the well structed article developed from an outline. It probably also worth mentioning that a beginning, a middle and a conclusion is a good structure to start with.

Options on how to write an outline:

• paper, some people like to physically write at this stage, use post-it notes write noteson small cards and re-arrange whatever works;
• use an offline word processor. I prefer this as it stops me being distracted by the technology. Beware of formatting as you are going to cut and paste the original to the hub pages editor. I find using OpenOffice works fine - and its a nice editor which costs nothing. WordPad which comes with Windows is good too. Avoid Word if you don't want formatting problems.

• Use the HubPage's tools. You can arrange the capsules in the order that you want them and start using text boxes adding Capsule Subtitles and other headers.

Whichever method that you use - remember this is an outline, not a draft. Don't confuse an outline and a draft. An outline is just that - headers, in the order that they will (probably) appear, notes under those headers, the odd phrase but generally not complete sentences and no regard for grammar or spelling.

Now its pretty easy - fill in the gaps. If you are using paper for the outline you probably want to start using a keyboard at this point. Write the whole thing - quickly, with the spell checker turned off. Try to write the whole article before you start re-reading. Get it all down once and then get yourself a well-earned coffee, gin or chocolate (or all three). It gets easier from here! Remember to keep it readable by using headers, bulleted and numbered lists. Make it easy for your reader to skim if that is what they want to do.

Step 5: Revise the Draft

Ideally you need to walk away at this point and do something else. Now come back and check:

• the spelling, I come from a part of the world that uses British spelling but for the Internet I use the US spellings because that's the majority of the readership
• check your grammar. There are some good grammar hubpages here

• double check that your links actually work.

You may end up re-writing parts, that's fine. Keep going until you are happy, now you do really need to leave it for at least 24hours - its amazing how time gives you perspective on writing!

Step 6: Final Version

Now is a great time to get an innocent friend to read the article - they can tell you the blooming obvious that you will have missed - I am good at missing out small words like : to, of, do, for - and they are really hard to see -you really do see what you want to see not what is there!

If you are all out of obliging friends try reading aloud (even if in your head) this slows your reading down and you will notice the obvious.

Step 7: Submit

Double check all your links (again) Double check the submission requirements and follow them. Good luck!

If you interesting in the final result check out my flagship hubs to date!

Lis Sowerbutts has been travelling since she was 7 years old. To date she has visited more than 55 countries and believes that best traveling can be when you are over-30! Lis,a New Zealander, is currently living in Perth, Australia