4 Steps to a Great Online Article
Learn to write like the pros with
these tips
We’ve all heard the buzz that getting articles published is a highly effective, low cost
method of promoting your on-line venture. While it is
true that useful, intelligent articles can position you
as an expert on your chosen topic and promote your
website, it is a crowded marketplace.
Just as websites began popping up like weeds a few years
ago, online articles are now being produced by the
hundreds on a daily basis. It is no longer enough to
simply write an article and wait for a publisher to come
along and publish it. You need to write articles that
publishers will be interested in using. Here are some
tips to help create the next great online article:
The “Newshook” – Anytime you write an
article about a current issue, your chances of getting
published increase dramatically. It’s called using a
“newshook” (“hooking” your article into a
current news story). Content publishers want their readers
to recognize them as being on the cutting edge of
current events. If Google makes a major change to their
search algorithm, or a new trend in e-commerce emerges
in your industry, being among the first to write about
it will establish your credibility as an expert on the
topic. Your article will face less competition from
other writers, and will be of great interest to
publishers.
Focus your approach – Each time you write an
article, you should have a target audience in mind. If
you observe a new trend that will have an impact on
small business owners, then focus your article on that
target audience when you write it. Articles that appear
to be overly generic are often passed over by publishers in favor of articles that speak directly to
their subscriber base.
Offer Realistic Advice – Most publishers want their readers to get something out of an
article. They are investing the time to read your work,
and in return you should offer them some information
that they can use. Continuing with the above example,
your article about an emerging trend in small business
should contain some practical advice on how this new
trend might affect small businesses and what
opportunities and challenges it presents. The useful
information will make your article more appealing to
publishers.
Add Some Controversy –Asking a controversial
question to start your article (without going overboard)
is a good way to draw attention to your work. If you
begin an article with the headline “In Online Advertising
Overpriced”, you would certainly grab the reader’s
attention. Just be sure that you have facts and
information to back up your stance. There’s nothing
wrong with forming a well thought out opinion on an
issue based on facts, even if your stance goes against a
commonly held belief. It’s NOT acceptable to draw
people in with a catchy headline and then present an
argument that is full of holes.
Getting published on legitimate, respected websites will have a positive impact on your business. The
challenge is that articles are appearing everywhere. By keeping your
content current, focused, realistic and slightly
controversial, your articles will stand out from the
crowd, and make your work popular amongst content publishers.
