Web articles - they're immensely popular these days, for the simple reason that you can broadcast your name and URL all over the web with them. Trouble is, everybody's doing it... and that means major competition in ALL categories! So the question is: How will you keep your reader focused on YOUR article and not the other guy's? Read on for Killer Article-Writing Secrets that Will Bump You Up on the Popularity Charts!
1. Write Power Headlines.
Which of these sounds better: "5 Ways to Create Better Web Articles," or "5 Ways to Dominate Your Niche with Articles that Rock"? Your headlines MUST pop off the page, and that means slipping those dynamic power words in whenever you can. And don't forget the search engines. Give the Google Monster something to snack on: popularly searched keyword terms in the first three words of your article's headline. You can find related keyword search terms right here: http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/
2. Make it Meaty.
Remember how peeved you were last time you clicked that article with the awesome headline only to start reading and find out that the author had virtually NOTHING to say? What makes an article 'meaty'? Specifics as opposed to generalizations. You MUST think details. Instead of saying "Download a free web editor," direct the reader to a specific website: "Download a free web editor at http://nvu.com."
3. Talk it Through.
Here's something that so many new authors forget: in your article, you want to have a conversation with your reader. That means natural emphatic pauses, strong pacing... and yes, even permission to use colloquial speech! (Did you notice that pacing, by the way? How'd she do that?) You're allowed and even encouraged to have fun while writing. Your best bet: pretend you're writing an email to a friend, and then let the story flow.
4. Add Those Keywords.
What are keywords? Popularly searched terms that web surfers use to look up information in the search engines. You can find out what folks are hunting for by going to that Overture tool we talked about earlier, which is here: http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/. Plug in your category and sprinkle the resulting phrases throughout your article. Use keywords liberally in your headline and first paragraph!
5. Give Away Freebies.
Share your favorite tools and web resources (notice I did that here) with your readers, and see how fast you become one of the top authors in your niche. People LOVE free stuff... and if you don't share, some other guru will.
Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.
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