To all writers and non-writers alike, now is the time to dig up those previously buried creative writing skills! Along with the communication technology explosion, not to mention what’s happening in the web 2.0 world, came the ever increasing demand for information-based marketing content. Which, by the way, is one of the oldest and most effective techniques in getting targeted prospects to sites and converting them into buyers.

This is why we’ve seen an exponential, almost overwhelming, increase in demand for article writers, article submissions and publications.  Currently, there is a smorgasbord of tools and services from which to choose to make the process of distributing articles more easily. Though this is invaluable in getting the contents more exposure, it is only one half of the story.
Let us take a look first at the common mistakes that some people make before submitting their contents to article directories.  I have included 3 here for the purpose of this post:

1. Confusing the reason to promote the articles with the reason to write them.

In article writing, there are three key benefits why you are promoting them; branding, lead generation and promotion, which are all part of your optimization efforts.

But there is only one reason why you write an article, and that is to inform your audience. If the article is not focused on this primary and most important purpose, it will fail to achieve the three promotion benefits because no one will be interested in reading them. You must determine first how to get people to read what is in your article, then make them click on your resource box. You can achieve this by producing better contents.

2. Failing to maximize the promotional opportunities of article marketing.

You may know already that your articles can help you generate additional links back to your site. But do you know that you can get more visitors and better search engine results from those same articles?

This may appear obvious to some, but often times people fail to mention keywords at strategic places within their articles. Just be sure not to overdo them, or you’ll do more harm than good! Likewise, many writers use anchor texts which is also an effective method. But it is important to know, that even today many of the directories are not able to support this.

Remember that is not only about the links back to your site. Part of doing well in your article marketing is getting picked up by publishers with a large number of audiences and gaining the ability of leveraging other brands because of the quality of your work. Better search engine results also are great benefits.

But these things do not put much money in your pocket. There are other factors that can turn your article marketing efforts into an opportunity that can boost your earnings. Not just increase the number of visitors to your site. Start out with a plan and see to it that your article will serve the function that you intended it to have.  You’d be surprised how may writers get “caught up” in the process, and forget why they are writing the article to begin with.   Which reason is?

3. Publishing content that does not help your readers.

This may seem like a “no-brainer’ to some, but not to those who write articles simply for creating traffic.

Maybe in the process of writing articles, you are thinking that all you wanted is links back to your site. And any visitors it can generate are fine.  Guess what? Not all article banks and directories are going to accept your content automatically. More often than not, they have some guidelines and specifications on the articles that they are accepting.  If not, then they are more than likely not worth your time and effort to submit to!

Listen, you can double the number of sites you can submit to by writing articles that the directories want to share with other people. All it takes is one publisher with a hundred thousand readers to increase your potential audience overnight. Write the articles that publishers want in their publications if you want your article marketing to work the most effective way for you.  Look at your article writing from the directories perspective, and not just your own.

This also means you have to obey the standard guidelines, spell checks, researching on a good topic and even hiring a writer to produce a good content on your behalf.  In the end, it is all really a matter of choice on your part. You can start getting a little exposure from increased links back, but on a very basic level. Or enjoy massive exposure from a little extra time making quality contents. It will be your choice.

You may not be aware of the fact that, an article submitted on directories is not meant to have the same level of exposure as highly-targeted content ones geared on a narrow group of people.  Learn the difference between these two and it will surely help you know what kinds of articles to write and to submit.

And remember,

“Do What Works!”

James

When it comes to writing articles, there is unlimited subjects that you can choose to write about. However, in order for your articles to achieve the best results, your articles must address the needs of your audience. For instance, if your online business targets stay-at-home moms, who want to start a work-at-home business, then you’ll want to write articles that illustrate your expertise in this area.

By targeting your readers interests and solving their problems, your readers are more likely to click on the link in your resource box once they’re finished reading your article.  For example, writing articles for parrot lovers when your target market is work-at-home moms who want to make money working from home makes no sense. If you want to get the best results from your article writing efforts, then stay on topic and add something of.

Perhaps one of the best explanations I’ve heard on writing articles was by Jimmy D. Brown, who coined the term “Useful But Incomplete”.  What Jimmy meant by this, was that your articles must be “useful” to your readers - but at the same time - “incomplete” in that they should leave your reader hungry for more information from you. This is why your resource box is so important, it is your readers link to you and… more great information!

Another key ingredient to writing successful articles is Quality. Listen, anyone can throw together a couple of sentences, combine a few paragraphs, and then paste on a resource box and call it an article. However, this “slop & drop” writing method is not very likely to produce the results you seek. Quality content is the key to your success as an article writer.

Online article directories can be some of the best examples of poorly written articles. Inferior article directories are crammed full of junk articles, many of which have been written by writers who are not native to the country they are writing for. If writers aren’t familiar with the language and customs, and who may not understand proper grammar or sentence structure, are doing more harm than good for themselves and to the article directories to which they post. Using such shoddy marketing methods will not help your article marketing efforts, and will likely brand you as unprofessional and harm your reputation as a online business owner.

Most editors in search of quality content would rather look to an expert on EzineArticles.com or LadyPens.com with only 10 high-quality articles, than one with 500 garbage articles. When editors and readers see garbage articles, they automatically assume that everything else that person does is garbage. This is NOT a great way to build a business!

When you provide well-written, relevant and quality content that provides your reader an answer to their question, or gain new insight and understanding of a subject they’re interested in, you’ll establish yourself as an expert and advance your article marketing efforts, and your online business. Like Grandma always said: “Son, if you’re gonna do something, you may just as well do it right the first time.”

Until next time,

Blessings to you and yours!

James

Submitting your quality content, and keyword rich articles, is your first step to achieving your personal or business related goals.  However, many article writers are scratching their heads wondering why their articles are not picked up by publishers and webmasters to be placed on their websites.  This does not have to be the case for you if you’re willing to follow these 5 simple tips, you will be on your way to successful article writing campaigns that will grab publishers attention; as well as webmasters and your online readers.

Listen, the truth is, that many publishers and webmasters are looking for fresh, well-crafted content to place on their site that offers their readers valuable information and tips, but they don’t like to accept articles for their sites that show obvious signs of self-promotion of your own business, products, or services. Selling your business in your article is just going to drive people away, and they will move on to the next article that will help them answer the questions they’re seeking.

Okay, did you catch this?  Here it is again… 

Fresh, well-crafted content that is free from hype and sales pitches!

Now, let’s get to these tips for writing more informative articles…

Tip #1:  When readers search for a specific topic of interest, they’re searching for information that answers specific questions they may have at the time. If you’re not exactly sure how to format your article to flow with all the necessary information, just remember that when you start writing your articles, consider formatting your articles with the focus on the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY. When you start to develop your articles in this format, you will definitely make it easier to write your articles on specific topics that will flow naturally.

Tip #2: If you’re writing about a specific topic that can help your readers, provide a brief introduction of what you’re about to talk about. This way if the reader is interested in what you have to say, they will know what direction you’re going in on your specific topic. In the body of your articles, have the key information that your topic is talking about with many features followed by the benefits.

The best way to achieve this is to talk first about the feature of your topic, product, or services briefly, and then follow right below your feature, a detailed benefit (make sure you focus and write more on the benefits!) At the bottom of your article, always end it with a brief conclusion.  Never stop writing without having an ending.  Readers will be wondering if they received the entire article, or if you’re missing some information.  Remember, most if not everyone likes an ending.

Tip #3: In the body of your article, make emphasis on your features and benefits that you’re talking about by adding “bullets” and also “highlighting” the important features and benefits. This does several things to your article,  A) it allows your readers to quickly find the important information in your article, and B) if they happen to not want to read the entire article from top to bottom, they may opt to go directly to the information that they want, and you make it much easier for them to find it with bulleting, and highlights!

Tip #4: If possible, when writing about a unique topic, you will add more impact and credibility to your content when you offer your readers important resources to back up your claim. You can provide a few legitimate testimonials, a list of awards that were achieved, or anything else you feel will back up what you’re talking about. This is a great way to provide your readers solid proof you’re the authority on this topic, and you have value for them to obtain from your information.  

Tip #5: The biggest mistake many new writers make when writing their articles for ezine directories to be picked up for distribution is creating a really weak “Author Bio”! You spend all your time and effort creating the perfect article to be submitted to the ezine directories, and many ezine publishers and webmasters start picking up your article and adding them to their emails and sites. However, if your author bio at the end of your article doesn’t have impact, it will not motivate the reader to click through to either read more, or get additional information on what you are truly offering.

Make sure you spend as much time in creating the best author bio as you do when you start writing your article. Make sure that you let your readers know who you are, and that you are the expert on this topic, and if you’re talking about several products or services, in your author bio, if you’re allowed a maximum of 3 hyperlinks to your site, blog, or email, also make sure that you take advantage of this option, and add your maximum allowable links for your readers to click through and continue their journey to specific information they’re interested in reading.

These tips are only a simple guideline to your article writing success, and if you take some of the information I provide and use it that best fits your writing style, I feel that you will be on your way to being a great Web Author, and many of your well written articles will be picked up by publishers and webmasters hungry for freshly written content that offers a quality message to their readers!

Godspeed,

James

This post on the 10 Tips For Article Writing Newbies, is not written from the ‘backseat drivers’ point of view!  Instead, it is by and from the perspective of someone who remembers the early days of my own uncertainty as a article writer.

It is written especially with the article writing newbie, or rookie, in mind.

Although I have written and submitted hundreds of articles for publication, I still sometimes find article writing tedious.  However, since those early days I have developed these 10 article writing tips that have helped me to become a very successful article writer.

It is my hope that you will reap the rewards from my own personal experience, and put these 10 article writing tips to good use in your article writing efforts.

Enjoy!

Tip #1.  Necessity vs Desire:

Articles and Blogs are imperative to your success in today’s search engine indexing ‘wars!’  This may not necessarily be what the newbie wants to hear, but just remember, “No Pain-No Gain!”  Listen, all of us hate article and Blog writing at times (me included) – and some of us dread the journey to pen and paper (or keyboard) at times.  However, they are a necessity if you wish to get your name ‘out there’ and drive more traffic to your sites.

Tip #2.  Just Start, It Gets Easier:

First it is sometimes difficult to get a subject or theme down on paper, and to get the first couple of lines scribbled down can be exhausting at times.  In fact, I know of some article writers who literally get knots in their stomach just thinking about the process!  Take my advice, chill out! Once you get your starting point and past the initial thoughts, article and Blog writing usually goes fairly smoothly.

The main thing is that you get started, now!  Pick a subject you know something about and just start.  You’ll be surprised at just how easily ideas start to flow, if you’ll just get started.  Also, don’t assume everyone knows what you know.  They don’t!

Tip #3.  Good vs Perfection:

Your High School and College English teachers are not looking over your shoulder.  Your article does not have to be perfect.  Now, that’s not to say it doesn’t have to be on point or to say that it doesn’t have to be correct.  It does, or at least it should be.  Listen, perfection is not the goal and is, in fact, seldom if ever possible.  Too much detail and you run the risk of losing your reader on several levels.  Too long and most readers simply don’t have the time or interest to wade through the material regardless of how important it is.

Tip #4.  Blog Length vs Article Length:

Most publishers want a minimum of six hundred (600) words per article – some will let you slide with four hundred (400) words.  Blogs can be much smaller or, even longer such as this post here. Blogs also can support content related pictures and embedded links as well.

Just don’t over do it.  Too gaudy or too slow to load and you have wasted your time, ticked off a potential reader, and probably upset a host who can ban you from their publications.  Articles, on the other hand, typically cannot carry these extra touches according to the requirements of most publishers.

Tip #5.  Format:

Prepare your article in American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) format.  There are many tools from which to choose to get the job done. A search for ‘free ASCII editor’ or for ‘free plain text editors’ will provide one with a multitude of free options.  Word Press is a popular choice. If all else fails, simply use notepad to turn out your masterpiece (That’s what I used to create this masterpiece!)

Tip #6.  Spelling and Grammar:

Once you have your article ready, run it through a good spell checker and a good grammar checker.  Microsoft Word works well for these purposes.  Just don’t use the MS Word copy for publication of your article.  Rather use it’s suggestions to make any necessary corrections to your plain text copy.  The MS Word copy will work for Blogs although this writer prefers other editors.

Just like the days when you were pushed by teachers to write better, you will find Article and Blog writing skills become easier with time and practice.

Tip #7.  Publish and Announce:

Once your Blog is ready you may want to use some automatic tools to publish and announce it.  First do a search for Blog hosts and select those which best suit your needs.  Join one or more and publish your Blog there.  Then search for Blog announcers and RSS announcers and use them to get your Blog noticed.

Now that you have that out of the way, find an article wizard that will post your Articles to free publishers.  You can post them one at a time by hand if you are really bored and have absolutely nothing else in life to do.  However, using an automatic poster you can publish to hundreds of hosts in an hour or so.  The only way to go in my book!

Tip #8.  Patience:

Now, have some patience (now dang it!)  Here’s an area where you can lose control.  Many of the men and women who host articles are timely and your articles will be reviewed within twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours.  However, some others will take even longer and thus some writers never date an article – A sure way to get your article rejected!

Tip #9.  Rejection - “Sorry your article has been declined”:

Be prepared for some article services to reject your articles.  Do not take it personally!  It usually has little to do with you or your article.

Some databases routinely reject articles for spelling errors when there are none, or where there is more than one way to spell a word.  And, just as in any other endeavor, some hosts are simply too lazy and get so far behind that the easiest and fastest thing to do (and perhaps the only alternative) is to reject everything.  You will learn who these are over time.

Then there are those who run your articles through the sausage grinder and if they find certain words, regardless of how they are used, your article gets no farther.  These are the people who can’t publish the Bible because it contains words that offend them or their readers.  Don’t worry about these folks who have their heads stuck so far in the clouds that they can’t see the ground!

Remember, just as in everything else in life, for every rule there is an exception!

Tip #10.  Keep the faith and keep cranking out articles:

Since most article writers, especially newbies, prepare only one copy of an article against the advice of most seasoned authors, it is important that the newbie keep their chin up – keep the faith!  That will be easier as more and more of your articles are accepted and published driving visitors to your website while creating those all important back links.

It is not necessary for every host to accept everything submitted to them.  After one or two hosts publish your article on any given subject, the search engines tend to penalize you anyway by ignoring additional postings.  This is close to spamming and while it could help someone find you, it probably won’t.  In this case, the more the merrier may not apply.  The additional listings will not increase your page rankings or links reported by the search engines.

It is more important to get published by hosts with the highest Google page rank possible!

Now, a Bonus Tip for you!

Tip #11.  The Rejection Slip:

Along with “the rejection slip” to your article, usually comes a suggestion on how to “fix” your article and a request that you resubmit it.  Don’t waste your time on this, please!

While trying to comply with one database manager’s request, you could have written a new article from which you get much more punch.  Enough publishers will pick your article up so move on and save yourself some time and heartburn.

Everybody has a thought or idea at least once a day, and almost always at the most inopportune time!  How many good ideas have you lost because of waiting?  Don’t procrastinate!  Go!  Capture that thought and write it down before it is gone forever!

Incorporate these 10 Article Writing Tips into your daily writing routine, and see if they don’t help you create more traffic and make more money!

Godspeed,

James Artre