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.
Cadillac Escalade rentals Round Lake ..We all know that article writing is a great way... Read More
By default, Microsoft Word automatically changes straight quotation marks (... Read More
One of the most tried and true methods of self-promotion... Read More
***What is the Resource box?'Resource box' is an information box... Read More
The five essential questions to be answered in your article... Read More
Marketing on the internet can be a costly procedure, especially... Read More
One of the best ways to promote your website is... Read More
Content is an important component of your web site. Learning... Read More
This is a perennial question among writers and wannabe's. Many... Read More
Find definitions from A to G! ~~~~~~~~~~~ A ~~~~~~~~~~~ About... Read More
Every webmaster knows that to gain ranking positions in search... Read More
Marketing on a budget is tough. This is a universal... Read More
By avoiding these common mistakes, you will greatly improve your... Read More
Submitting Articles for redistribution is the best way to get... Read More
Online publishers, ezine subscribers, and Web visitors want short, useful... Read More
When I started Ezine-In-A-Box I wanted to help people publish... Read More
Hey! Who's that I see, typing feverishly as brilliant ideas... Read More
Writing articles, and promoting them for publication, is one of... Read More
By now you probably understand how important writing for trade... Read More
If you've spent any time online trying to promote your... Read More
I am often approached and asked, how do I write... Read More
Do you know the difference between simultaneous article submissions and... Read More
Writing articles for magazines, the Internet or the local community... Read More
There are times when I want to write an article... Read More
Part 1 of a 2-part series To read Part 2... Read More
shuttle from Midway Akin ..As an article author, sometimes you can only pull so... Read More
If you're sick of being #987 for your best Google... Read More
We all know that article writing is a great way... Read More
Been reading up on SEO? If so, you know that... Read More
By default, Microsoft Word automatically changes straight quotation marks (... Read More
Adsense is a program designed by Google to help publishers... Read More
Now that you know the secrets to writing great articles,... Read More
People love to hear stories. They'll identify with what you... Read More
I was asked to write an article on a short... Read More
Online PR in the form of website and ezine article... Read More
Well maybe it's not that "little known" but some people... Read More
Most writers I talk with who experience "writer's block" do... Read More
Rejection is part of a writer's life. You must cope... Read More
By now you probably understand how important writing for trade... Read More
If you have submitted your articles to EzineArticles.com you have... Read More
Everyone that publishes a newsletter or ezine knows that the... Read More
Original quotes, when used at the beginning or at the... Read More
If you want to really make your article "SELL" then... Read More
A Consultant could be an expert about absolutely anything.Calling yourself... Read More
Often all the Web Surfer will see is your title,... Read More
Article marketing-the simple act of writing one 400 word article... Read More
Have you ever wondered why Ezine Articles have become one... Read More
If you haven't considered the power of articles as part... Read More
By avoiding these common mistakes, you will greatly improve your... Read More
Writing a great deal of articles myself, I see a... Read More
Article Writing |