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
apartment cleaning near Wilmette ..Hey! Who's that I see, typing feverishly as brilliant ideas... Read More
Find definitions from A to G! ~~~~~~~~~~~ A ~~~~~~~~~~~ About... Read More
One of the best ways to promote your website is... Read More
It's no secret-link exchanges are dying a painful death. And... Read More
Evaluation of a Home-Run ArticleI've been writing articles and posting... Read More
Writing articles is one of the best ways to get... Read More
The name of the game as far as Internet marketing... Read More
Submitting Articles for redistribution is the best way to get... Read More
Publicity?you're business can survive without it, but it certainly won't... Read More
It's no secret that writing and publishing helpful articles is... Read More
It doesn't really matter who you are; you definitely know... Read More
If you've spent any time online trying to promote your... Read More
This author started with a clean website and wrote 5... Read More
As we prepared to move our 12,000 article database from... Read More
Not every web designer has the time ? or skills... Read More
Often all the Web Surfer will see is your title,... Read More
Is Putting your Articles in the Public Domain really a... Read More
Writing and submitting articles to article banks is a well-known... Read More
In this article I will show you how to use... Read More
I get tons of emails from people who want to... Read More
Congratulations! You've written your first article (or possibly your 10th... Read More
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is... Read More
If you're sick of being #987 for your best Google... Read More
Lets face it people use articles to send traffic to... Read More
Have you ever seen articles that are not only related... Read More
reliable home cleaners Arlington Heights ..Never before in the history of the business of writing... Read More
Get the Facts you need to start promoting you free... Read More
1. Write to one person.When you're writing your article picture... Read More
Ever read one of those web articles written by an... Read More
1. What is the single most compelling subject from your... Read More
Writing for websites -- content, as it is called --... Read More
Writing and leveraging articles is my most successful strategy for... Read More
Strategically developing online content helps to ensure a small-business owner's... Read More
Writing an article is not an easy task. You have... Read More
By now you probably understand how important writing for trade... Read More
Anyone who's been in the business for 2 or 3... Read More
"Ten Tips" articles are the easiest piece to write because... Read More
If you have an entertainment website then you're always looking... Read More
Writing articles is one of the best ways to get... Read More
Many writers struggle with the decision of whether or not... Read More
Ease of Submission With so many article distribution sites out... Read More
"But I've only been on the Internet 3 months! How... Read More
The key to selling reprints to parenting publications is the... Read More
If you have writing skills and want to use your... Read More
One of the best ways to build credibility and promote... Read More
Are you an Article Marketer? If so, you know that... Read More
Writing articles for magazines, the Internet or the local community... Read More
You know that writing articles is the best free way... Read More
Do you know the difference between simultaneous article submissions and... Read More
Rejection is part of a writer's life. You must cope... Read More
Article Writing |