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Well written articles can help you!
You've heard it over and over again - if you want to get your name out there, write articles and allow them to play freely (with a resource box pointing your way, of course). To a large extent, that is true. Well-written articles can:
- - help you build your profile as an expert
- - drive traffic to your website and
- - help you build a database of potential customers through associated e-courses or a newsletter.
So far you probably haven't heard anything you didn't know. YOU are likely having difficulties with the article writing process. Sure, you can create the content, but how do you really attract those readers? How do you keep their attention throughout the process?
Let's say you understand the basics of building and editing an article (it has a beginning, middle, and end, and you know how to check grammar and spelling). Most of us can.
Put your readers first, always. Give them what they want and they will stand in line to read everything you produce. Give them something soft (or worse, blatantly selfish) and they'll pass you so fast you'll be circling in the back stream.
The following four steps will give you a plan to write articles that will captivate your readers, whatever the topic.
1. Find out what your readers really want
Sometimes you will know what they want because you are an expert in the field and understand the issues. If you are not familiar with the subject area, you will need to do more research. Search forums on your topic and see what people are discussing. What are the problems to be solved? Can you give an answer? ("If they have a headache, give them an aspirin").
2. Start with an attention grabber
Take time to work on your opening. Try to avoid trivial questions like "Have you ever wondered why so many people have a hard time losing weight?" First of all, it is boring. Second, it is not addressed to the person reading the article: what do they care about the difficulties that "many people" have in losing weight? They only care about YOUR weight problem!
Try to find an opening paragraph that gives the reader that warm "Hey, this is about me!" feeling immediately. Even better; try to generate a wave of enthusiasm: "This might be the answer you were looking for ..."
Example: "Diet gurus make everything look so easy: To lose weight, all you have to do is expend more energy than you take in. Hey! If it were that simple, Big People stores would be out of business. In the blink of an eye. Fortunately for those of us who are tired of diets, gyms, and boring group gatherings, there is a basic way to tackle this. A way that won't cost you a lot. fortune will not leave you feeling deprived. "
3. Write as you speak ... Then edit!
The opening example above also illustrates the importance of the tone you use in your article. You need 'meat' in every article, of course, to make it worth reading, but make sure it's not indigestible!
It is best to write your article in a natural and relaxed style, similar to normal conversation. It doesn't matter if the first draft is too casual, you can fix it when you edit. Naturally, you don't want to irritate your readers with too casual a style, but too formal is worse. Readers may want facts, tips, and strategies, but they also hope to be entertained! Let your personality shine through.
4. Finish high
What's one of the biggest problems with most items? They go out! Either they just stop in their tracks or come up with a hackneyed ending like, "So what are you waiting for? Start today!"
The beginning and end of your article are the two parts that make the most impression. Start by creating a feeling of anticipation ... and leave them satisfied (or excited) when you're done.
If you're offering advice to help them solve a problem (like obesity), you're giving your readers a reason to feel optimistic and good about them. Don't make rash promises ... but offer hope. If you're giving marketing or business clues, summarize the benefits of acting on their advice. You can also experiment with using a concise / humorous quote, or give readers a specific action to start with. Be creative and don't rush.
Here's a final tip: create a cheat sheetto write articles for you. Break it down into beginnings / middle / endings and add more useful strategies as you think about them. (For example, if you use the tips in this article, you could write: ENDINGS - finish high, offer hope, use a funny quote, suggest an action to start.
Do this, and you will constantly be producing an article that everyone wants to publish!