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.
professional maid services Deerfield ..Many internet home business owners today have learnt that one... Read More
A great way for self employed professionals to enhance their... Read More
Writing a letter to your newspaper's editor is a privilege... Read More
In order to sell your article must do three things:1.... Read More
Overture reports over 1 million queries for article keyword related... Read More
There's one key rule that every writer should understand before... Read More
As you write the outline for your next article, there... Read More
By default, Microsoft Word automatically changes straight quotation marks (... Read More
Writing for websites -- content, as it is called --... Read More
The key to selling reprints to parenting publications is the... Read More
Many online marketers have crowed about the value of writing... Read More
No one can logically argue against the fact that content... Read More
People love to hear stories. They'll identify with what you... Read More
Heard about article marketing but not sure why you'd need... Read More
Many writers struggle with the decision of whether or not... Read More
If you are using articles to promote your business then... Read More
One of the best ways to build credibility and promote... Read More
Rejection is part of a writer's life. You must cope... Read More
If you haven't considered the power of articles as part... Read More
One of the most common blunders by those using article... Read More
Every time I run a course on Freelance Writing, students... Read More
So how can you make your article worth reading?It's all... Read More
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is... Read More
Most writers I talk with who experience "writer's block" do... Read More
Find definitions from H to P... ~~~~~~~~~~~ H ~~~~~~~~~~~ Haiku... Read More
quick home cleaning Lake Forest ..As a follow up to my previous article on the... Read More
In today's busy world, whether your business is large or... Read More
It is a well known fact that writing, distributing and... Read More
You've got to start somewhere, but once you've created your... Read More
Article marketing has become very popular of late, especially with... Read More
Now that you know the secrets to writing great articles,... Read More
Hey! Who's that I see, typing feverishly as brilliant ideas... Read More
Everyone that publishes a newsletter or ezine knows that the... Read More
1. What is the single most compelling subject from your... Read More
Often all the Web Surfer will see is your title,... Read More
Never before in the history of the business of writing... Read More
I have a confession to make.I think in "articles."As a... Read More
A ghostwriter, as one may think is not a writer... Read More
We all know that article writing is a great way... Read More
This is the "real" Money Maker in the Mail Order... Read More
The more you write, the larger your impact. If that's... Read More
If you've spent any time online trying to promote your... Read More
You've already agreed that putting some of your best articles... Read More
Making your articles available for reprints by other ezine publishers... Read More
Writing for the internet requires that you create a large... Read More
1. Participate in chat rooms related to your targeted audience.... Read More
Last month, I began promoting Jason Potash's "Article Announcer." I... Read More
If you market online, whether it be your own information... Read More
There are many schools of thought on how to build... Read More
Gathering information from interviews is really simple. You ask the... Read More
Article Writing |