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.
efficient cleaning crew Lake Forest ..I've been blogging occasionally over the last two months about... Read More
Anxiety, apprehension, cold feet, consternation, dismay, distress, dread, fear, fright,... Read More
The biggest challenge facing any online business today is how... Read More
I was busiy submitting some articles I ghost wrote for... Read More
Queries are not written like business letters or emails; they... Read More
Article distribution is currently booming on the internet. Authors do... Read More
"When you provide good information from which readers can learn... Read More
Marketing on the internet can be a costly procedure, especially... Read More
Feeling uninspired? Like you're stuck in a rut with your... Read More
Not every web designer has the time ? or skills... Read More
Many people which in online business world find difficulties in... Read More
In today's busy world, whether your business is large or... Read More
I've been able to distinguish 3 main categories that people... Read More
A lot of great ideas happen when two or more... Read More
There are two primary factors in creating a successful reference... Read More
Have you ever wondered why Ezine Articles have become one... Read More
Adsense is a program designed by Google to help publishers... Read More
If you are not creating articles for your website and... Read More
To be successful at any affiliate marketing program, you not... Read More
Marketing on a budget is tough. This is a universal... Read More
The first twenty-five words of your article are the most... Read More
Writing articles related to your business is a great way... Read More
In order to sell your article must do three things:1.... Read More
By avoiding these common mistakes, you will greatly improve your... Read More
This is precisely what I am doing here today (and... Read More
green cleaning service Deerfield ..Writing articles is by far the most effective online promotion... Read More
Writing articles for your site and for the use of... Read More
A true test for many writers that will require your... Read More
Writing articles is one of the best and most effective... Read More
Publishers and webmasters can spend massive amounts of time just... Read More
"But I've only been on the Internet 3 months! How... Read More
It is a well known fact that writing, distributing and... Read More
Good technical articles are challenging to write. They're time-consuming, demanding... Read More
A great headline can be the difference between having your... Read More
The traditional print media newsletter is still useful even in... Read More
It's no secret-link exchanges are dying a painful death. And... Read More
For me, to decide to start a home business was... Read More
You, too, can become a recognized expert in your specialized... Read More
There is some wisdom in saying that when you are... Read More
Article marketing works like this. The majority of webmasters are... Read More
People love to hear stories. They'll identify with what you... Read More
There are times when I want to write an article... Read More
Everyone knows an expert is just a drip under pressure.... Read More
I've been involved in publishing for over a decade now... Read More
Marketing on the internet can be a costly procedure, especially... Read More
I've been blogging occasionally over the last two months about... Read More
The first twenty-five words of your article are the most... Read More
Do you know the difference between simultaneous article submissions and... Read More
Earlier, I published part 1 of this series, which contained... Read More
Every time I run a course on Freelance Writing, students... Read More
Article Writing |