Okay, so you're getting a feel for this article marketing thing. Cool. Now you must write articles that will engage your reader and hold their attention all the way through, as opposed to "click and flee." Have you ever clicked and fled? This is what happens when your eyes are weary of the internet information overload. You click on an article that's so copy-heavy, it makes your brain groan from the pain. You do not want this to happen to someone who is reading YOUR stuff, so don't barrage them with words. Here are 5 tips to help you create articles that are super-tight and outta sight!
1. Keep it short. The article websites say to keep your articles under 800 words, but I know from my own writing experience that's difficult when an article concept is blowing around in your head. I'll save you the guilt and say that 500-1,000 words is okay. Just remember: if you start rambling, your reader won't stay with you very long. So keep it short and to the point!
2. Pace and balance. Some people who write short articles start with a slow and intriguing buildup, but then cut the reader off at the end. This may keep the number of words down, but the sudden anti-climactic ending makes for lousy reading. Don't leave your reader high and dry! Write a quick summary of each paragraph, then develop each one with three or four supporting sentences. Close with a motivating call to action.
3. Break it up. An article that's broken up into sections is so much easier on the eyes than one with long paragraphs of copy. For this reason, the How-To, "7 Tips" and Q&A are immensely popular. Use subheadlines in Bold type to help guide their eyes down the page. If you can offer your content-hungry article prospects some great, well-paced copy that will look fantastic on their specialty niche website, you can be sure your articles will get great exposure.
4. Focus on the customer. Of course, your article content will come from your own experiences. But instead of saying, "I know this guy who" and "When I designed my website," you can project your story onto the customer. It helps to address the reader and ask questions: "Ever find yourself buried under piles of paperwork?" (You yourself may know this feeling, but your customer doesn't care.) It's all about the reader!
5. Include a call to action. If you word your articles in just the right way, you can really inspire your key customer to take action without making them feel coerced. Tap their wants and needs, offer solutions, and then spur them on to make a change for the better. Of course, the solution is to get in touch with you. Do this subtly in your article, and then do it again with a bit more volume in your conclusion and bio. "Visit wordfeeder.com today to find out how great copywriting can make a world of difference for your business!" There, see how easy that was?
In general, it helps to visualize the article reaching its final destination. If your article is about cooking, then imagine it on someone else's cooking website. Now imagine the reader, taking in your story. What would they want to read about? How can the visual presentation keep them riveted on your words, so they can make it to the end where your bio and URL link is? How can you get them to click that link?
If you do get wrapped up in the joyous act of article writing, that's a beautiful thing! Just remember to keep your eye on the prize: your business prospects.
Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.
Find out how crisp, targeted copywriting can make a world of difference for your business. Dina Giolitto is a Copywriting Consultant with ten years of experience. Visit wordfeeder.com for free tips on branding, copywriting, article marketing, and more.
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..Last time on "Because your articles suck" ? we discussed... Read More
In today's busy world, whether your business is large or... Read More
If you're writer, I am sure sometimes you may have... Read More
Publishing content on the internet is not a hard task.... Read More
Are you an Article Marketer? If so, you know that... Read More
Heard about article marketing but not sure why you'd need... Read More
Submitting Articles for redistribution is the best way to get... Read More
There are many schools of thought on how to build... Read More
Original quotes, when used at the beginning or at the... Read More
MS: Shelley, you're an excellent person to talk to about... Read More
Everyone focuses their web marketing efforts on search engines, and... Read More
Frequently when I am communicating with other webmasters and I... Read More
When writing articles for publication, it is important that you... Read More
Online publishers, ezine subscribers, and Web visitors want short, useful... Read More
The biggest challenge facing any online business today is how... Read More
By now most entrepreneurs realize that the most cost effective... Read More
Publishers and webmasters can spend massive amounts of time just... Read More
I have a confession to make.I think in "articles."As a... Read More
It is a well known fact that writing, distributing and... Read More
IntroductionThere are two ways to submit to magazine editors.One is... Read More
When I started Ezine-In-A-Box I wanted to help people publish... Read More
Do you wonder what easy, cheap, and fast way you... Read More
Getting people to join your company can be hard work.... Read More
Back when I was in college, I belonged to one... Read More
Sometimes when I am communicating with other webmasters and I... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..How would you like to have your name and web... Read More
To be successful at any affiliate marketing program, you not... Read More
Writing articles for publication on the Internet is, at the... Read More
Yesterday I met a 13-year old boy with a devilish... Read More
The first step to getting published is to find your... Read More
Many online marketers have crowed about the value of writing... Read More
It is a well known fact that writing, distributing and... Read More
The Whole reason you write those articles is so you... Read More
Submitting articles once or twice a week can yield 15... Read More
1. Participate in chat rooms related to your targeted audience.... Read More
I've been able to distinguish 3 main categories that people... Read More
Need traffic? Write an article.Need sales? Write an article.Need Your... Read More
These 7 Important Elements are your Blueprint to Article Writing... Read More
All writers aspire to recognition, but are we dedicated? Ambition... Read More
If you're sick of being #987 for your best Google... Read More
I've noticed a disturbing trend recently of articles suggesting that... Read More
People who have an idea for a website sometimes require... Read More
If you want to really make your article "SELL" then... Read More
Finding something to write about can be frustrating for all... Read More
Adsense is a program designed by Google to help publishers... Read More
The name of the game as far as Internet marketing... Read More
There are times when I want to write an article... Read More
Publishers and webmasters can spend massive amounts of time just... Read More
No one can logically argue against the fact that content... Read More
In today's busy world, whether your business is large or... Read More
Article Writing |