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.
no-contract cleaning service Mundelein ..A ghostwriter, as one may think is not a writer... Read More
Submitting well planned articles on-line will increase traffic and can... Read More
Recently I interviewed Kevin Bidwell of All-In-One-Business.com on some of... Read More
One question I get asked all the time is how... Read More
Is Putting your Articles in the Public Domain really a... Read More
Writing and leveraging articles is my most successful strategy for... Read More
You pick a pen, grab a piece of paper and... Read More
Ever read one of those web articles written by an... Read More
Two important factors that play a part in the rankings... Read More
People love to hear stories. They'll identify with what you... Read More
I recently became aware that promoting your web site in... Read More
This is the "real" Money Maker in the Mail Order... Read More
Evaluation of a Home-Run ArticleI've been writing articles and posting... Read More
A Consultant could be an expert about absolutely anything.Calling yourself... Read More
Who remembers the 1979 movie, The Jerk with Steve Martin?... Read More
Now that you see that articles are the number one... Read More
I'm betting that that 3 out of 4 of you... Read More
You want your business to be noticed by thousands daily.... Read More
A lot of great ideas happen when two or more... Read More
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is... Read More
Anyone who's been in the business for 2 or 3... Read More
Everyone focuses their web marketing efforts on search engines, and... Read More
Online publishers, ezine subscribers, and Web visitors want short, useful... Read More
"Ten Tips" articles are the easiest piece to write because... Read More
Inspirational articles were once limited to self-help and religious publications,... Read More
maid service near Glenview ..This is precisely what I am doing here today (and... Read More
I've been blogging occasionally over the last two months about... Read More
The Shortest Distance to Your Home Town Enterprise is Over... Read More
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is... Read More
I am often approached and asked, how do I write... Read More
If you are an article writer, you may have been... Read More
If you are going to be writing articles to promote... Read More
Writing articles related to your business is a great way... Read More
MS: Shelley, you're an excellent person to talk to about... Read More
Ease of Submission With so many article distribution sites out... Read More
Don't let overwhelm hold you back- follow this expert advice... Read More
Write articles, be recognized as an expert, drive a surge... Read More
Marketing on a budget is tough. This is a universal... Read More
Recently I interviewed Kevin Bidwell of All-In-One-Business.com on some of... Read More
Never before in the history of the business of writing... Read More
Submitting Articles for redistribution is the best way to get... Read More
Writing for web content is one of the easiest ways... Read More
You may be wondering what persuasive writing has to do... Read More
One of the most common blunders by those using article... Read More
A few years ago as a webmaster with no money,... Read More
By avoiding these common mistakes, you will greatly improve your... Read More
You have decided on a great idea and researched a... Read More
Last time on "Because your articles suck" ? we discussed... Read More
Selling books online means that you need to get interested... Read More
Writing for websites -- content, as it is called --... Read More
Article Writing |