Writing articles for online newsletters and websites can be a low cost, effective and powerful way of marketing yourself to new clients.
Writing for the Web, however, is quite different from writing for other formats. For example readers tend to scan texts more. Often one search can uncover a number of relevant or not relevant articles instantly. The reader must then sift through and find the appropriate ones quickly, offering little time to actually read your article unless it passes the initial scan.
If you want to make the most of the opportunities the Internet provides, here are 12 tips on writing articles for the net:
1. Turn your knowledge into articles.
Take your unique experiences and ideas as an expert in your field and turn them into at least 10 articles. Brainstorm 10 different topics you could confidently speak or write about based on your hard won knowledge. These topics may not be related but will give you a better idea on areas you are confident on writing on.
2. Start with an informal outline of the main points.
The hardest thing about writing articles for the net is getting started! Use a blank piece of paper and a mindmap to work out key themes and points. Add detail later. Sometimes several articles will come from one brainstorm as you identify linking themes or different angles to take on a subject.
3. Research websites.
Look for websites or e-newsletters that are content hungry and will publish articles by others. Target sites matching your target audience and tailor your article to suit that audience.
4. Clarify the logistics.
Contact the editor and clarify the length, style and how much promotional material you can use in your articles. Length will vary from 200 to 2,000 words, with between 400 and 800 words being most common. Often the editor will erase any information from your articles, promotional or otherwise, if it does not fall within the boundaries of the site. It is best to know your limits to avoid having articles taken apart by another party or not posted on the site at all.
5. Keep it short, keep it simple and keep it active.
Remember people don't read computer screens they scan them. Keep your writing style simple and active. Use an active rather than passive writing style. This all starts with the subject line. When a recipient or scanner sees your subject line, you will have their attention for about 2 seconds. Make every second count. After the heading use short sentences and bullet points to keep concepts simple.
6. Use a Dictaphone or voice recognition software.
If you are really busy, use a Dictaphone or other technology to get your thoughts down. I have found this a great way to get articles written during those times you are traditionally not very productive. Use a virtual assistant or ghost writer to actually write the article. Remember it is your ideas and experience readers want, they don't care how the ideas get from your head onto the computer screen. Focus on high value work.
7. Provide solid, practical advice.
Avoid waffle and useless, irrelevant information. Focus on practical tips and ideas. Use dot points and numbering. Make your article as easy to read as possible
8. Personalise.
Use personal stories, metaphors or examples to highlight key points. They make intangible ideas more real.
9. Customise.
Tailor your articles for key targets - for example engineers, scientists or accountants. This includes adapting language, using relevant examples and taking new angles on a subject so the market can relate to it.
10. Timing.
Timing is everything for news and e-newsletters are no different. Use news events or seasonal angles to make your material more relevant. For example we had great feedback from an article on goal setting in January because this is a great month for planning the year ahead.
11. Be proactive.
Always spend time writing articles. It is money well spent and far more credible than advertising.
12. Use links and provide contact details.
Always provide a link back to your website and summary details on your background and how people can contact you.
Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.com
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..I was busiy submitting some articles I ghost wrote for... Read More
The ezine article is of major importance to the world... Read More
Most business owners are overwhelmed with the day to day... Read More
Increase your ezine subscribers by submitting articles once or twice... Read More
Lets face it people use articles to send traffic to... Read More
A recent debate started me thinking about how some marketing... Read More
People who have an idea for a website sometimes require... Read More
Yesterday I met a 13-year old boy with a devilish... Read More
If you are using articles to promote your business then... Read More
Writing articles for your site and for the use of... Read More
This may come as a surprise... to you, but writing... Read More
Would it be worth it to master a technique that... Read More
Don't let overwhelm hold you back- follow this expert advice... Read More
I get tons of emails from people who want to... Read More
Sometimes when I am communicating with other webmasters and I... Read More
Although this may sound like a funny metaphor, if you... Read More
Many successful authors close their mind to learning HTML because... Read More
As an article author, sometimes you can only pull so... Read More
Article marketing-the simple act of writing one 400 word article... Read More
Part 1 of a 2-part series To read Part 2... Read More
If you're sick of being #987 for your best Google... Read More
There's one key rule that every writer should understand before... Read More
There are two primary factors in creating a successful reference... Read More
The traditional print media newsletter is still useful even in... Read More
I've noticed a disturbing trend recently of articles suggesting that... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..Have you ever wondered why Ezine Articles have become one... Read More
I've noticed a disturbing trend recently of articles suggesting that... Read More
I am often approached and asked, how do I write... Read More
If you have an entertainment website then you're always looking... Read More
Many writers struggle with the decision of whether or not... Read More
In order to answer the question I've just asked in... Read More
Recently I interviewed Kevin Bidwell of All-In-One-Business.com on some of... Read More
Jim was working hard to grow his business. Long hours... Read More
The key to selling reprints to parenting publications is the... Read More
It is pretty obvious that content is king online. It... Read More
1. Write to one person.When you're writing your article picture... Read More
When I started Ezine-In-A-Box I wanted to help people publish... Read More
A simple technique to increase web site traffic is using... Read More
Queries are not written like business letters or emails; they... Read More
When I was first advised to start writing articles, this... Read More
Take a look around the Web and you'll find thousands... Read More
Two important factors that play a part in the rankings... Read More
This has to be the number one thing that most... Read More
There are many schools of thought on how to build... Read More
Inspirational articles were once limited to self-help and religious publications,... Read More
You have decided on a great idea and researched a... Read More
There is probably no easier way of earning extra money... Read More
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is... Read More
Article authors who use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) keywords to... Read More
One of the best things you can do for your... Read More
Article Writing |