Inspirational articles were once limited to self-help and religious publications, but they are just about everywhere now. (Think about those wildly popular Chicken Soup books or most of the stories in Reader's Digest, for example.) Inspirational articles can be very useful in newsletters, because they make a human connection between the newsletter publisher and the reader.
Well-written inspirational articles move people emotionally and motivate them to do something or to make a change of some sort. Nonprofit organizations can use these articles to motivate readers to volunteer, write letters of support, or make a donation. Businesses can use inspirational articles to create a positive public image, build brand loyalty, and encourage repeat business.
Good inspirational articles have five characteristics.
1. They are personal.
Inspirational articles are all about the power of personal connections. They should include very personal stories about real people's lives. Don't shy away from the emotion, as strong and powerful feelings are central to good inspirational articles. You aren't speaking to your readers' minds with these articles; you are speaking to their hearts and souls.
2. They involve an emotional struggle or challenging decision.
Clearly describe the struggles, obstacles, or difficult choices that the people in your article have faced. How did they recognize the problem, deal with it, and overcome it?
3. They paint a scene.
Help your readers visualize what the people in your story went through. Describe the physical locations where the events took place. But don't stop there. Appeal to your readers' senses of smell, sound, taste, and touch.
4. They include a universal message.
Inspirational articles usually end with an epiphany. They enlighten us or remind us about the essential nature or meaning of some element of our daily lives. These are often very simple lessons -- the importance of family and friends, the joy in giving, the danger in stereotypes, or the value in facing our fears, for example.
5. They are true.
Your inspirational articles must always be true. It is OK to change the names or locations; just state that you have done so. Making up stories to play on your readers' emotions is unacceptable. If you are caught telling lies, you will destroy any trust your readers had in you and your organization.
What would make a good inspirational article for your organization? Think about the stories from work that you tell your friends and family. Consider interviewing a person whose life or work has changed dramatically as a result of your organization. The moments that inspire you to do the work you do will likely inspire your newsletter readers too.
? 2005, Kivi Leroux Miller. All Rights Reserved.
Kivi Leroux Miller is president of Writing911.com, which provides free writing advice, tip sheets, e-courses, and in-person workshops for people who need to write well at work. She specializes in providing guidance to nonprofit organizations on newsletters, annual reports, and other publications. Visit http://www.writing911.com to sign up for "Writing Tips," a free monthly e-newsletter that will help you improve your writing and your publications.
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..As of July 1st, the year was half over! July... Read More
There are two primary factors in creating a successful reference... Read More
As we prepared to move our 12,000 article database from... Read More
Are you a reluctant marketer for your book? Do you... Read More
A Consultant could be an expert about absolutely anything.Calling yourself... Read More
Okay, I admit it: I'm a keen people-watcher. (Most writers... Read More
Do you wonder what easy, cheap, and fast way you... Read More
There is probably no easier way of earning extra money... Read More
I was busiy submitting some articles I ghost wrote for... Read More
There are many different ways to improve link popularity for... Read More
Writing a great deal of articles myself, I see a... Read More
Jim was working hard to grow his business. Long hours... Read More
Most Internet marketers worth their salt know how effective articles... Read More
I have seen the question asked so many times. How... Read More
Looking for another no cost promotional tool? Your fee will... Read More
Well maybe it's not that "little known" but some people... Read More
When you frequently post articles on ezines, you might be... Read More
Ease of Submission With so many article distribution sites out... Read More
What's the most powerful marketing technique on the Web? Search... Read More
Currently many online writers and would-be online writers, feel very... Read More
Ready to jump on the keyword article bandwagon? Billions of... Read More
You've written this wonderful (no question about it) piece of... Read More
Not doing what, you ask.Writing and submitting articles.Writing articles is... Read More
Abandon your frustrations and get a fresh start by trying... Read More
One of the best ways to build credibility and promote... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..If you have writing skills and want to use your... Read More
You have decided on a great idea and researched a... Read More
Ready to jump on the keyword article bandwagon? Billions of... Read More
Still following along on the Copywriter's Crash Course in article... Read More
I was busiy submitting some articles I ghost wrote for... Read More
Writing and leveraging articles is my most successful strategy for... Read More
Original quotes, when used at the beginning or at the... Read More
1. What is the single most compelling subject from your... Read More
Well maybe it's not that "little known" but some people... Read More
Everyone that publishes a newsletter or ezine knows that the... Read More
Here's a depressing fact if you sell anything on the... Read More
People who have an idea for a website sometimes require... Read More
It's not enough to scatter your articles across the internet... Read More
You may be wondering what persuasive writing has to do... Read More
Have you ever wondered why Ezine Articles have become one... Read More
If your business has a website, you're probably searching for... Read More
This is the "real" Money Maker in the Mail Order... Read More
If you've spent any time online trying to promote your... Read More
Article authors who use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) keywords to... Read More
Many successful authors close their mind to learning HTML because... Read More
The experts are always telling us that getting paid for... Read More
If you market online, whether it be your own information... Read More
In order to answer the question I've just asked in... Read More
Rule number one - You must write ezine articles and... Read More
Article marketing works like this. The majority of webmasters are... Read More
Article Writing |