Tips and Pointers for Writing Articles on the Web

Writing web articles can bring you valuable exposure on the web. By writing, you're able to essentially brand yourself or your business with no upfront costs. You don't have to invest a cent, only a little time and effort. Writing free content articles is simple; follow the same professional guidelines you would for an article in the standard, paying market.

Quality Content Matters.

Readers are looking for quality when they visit ezines or upload articles onto their web sites. The competition for content has become fierce. Every website owner needs meaningful content, and web writers want their content seen. Content is free promotion. The signature at the end of your article lets people know who you are and where to find you. Articles that give good, meaningful information, or explain how to accomplish something worthwhile, are the articles most people will bother to read.

Pointers for Writing Articles for the Web

Writing for the web is different than writing for the off-line world. People tend to skim and scan when reading online. They scroll down the page, reading quickly.

Start by identifying your target audience.

A clever, catchy title will get more attention than a bland one; people want to read something that sounds interesting, useful or amusing.

Title should be short. Headings also require some thought and effort. Good headers keep the reader reading. 

Make sure your article flows properly.

Be Professional

Take your writing seriously. Write about something you know about and don't be overly casual in your presentation. Don't write exactly as you speak, eliminate the unnecessary.

Online Paragraphs need to be short. Reading on a computer is harder on the eyes than reading a book or magazine.

Exclamation marks (!) should only be used once in awhile. They're meant to get your readers attention. Do not use capital letters to get attention, it's bad manners.

Make your writing easy to follow. Use bullet points and lists.  

Be Concise

Be concise. Don't repeat yourself. Keep your article under 1,500 words. Most paying markets only accept between 500 and 2,000 words. A well-crafted piece might be "picked up" by a paying client. Concise wording is the hallmark of good writing, and remember, it's more difficult to write concisely than to ramble on. 

Provide specific, focused information for your targeted audience, not broad generalities.

Be brief. Online readers want immediate information. They have limited time.

Humor draws people in. People like to be amused even when they're reading about serious subject matter. Just make sure you're actually being funny and not simply indulging yourself.

Always get to your point quickly, directly and intelligently.

Be Honest

Don't borrow other writer's content. The fact that you do will catch up to you eventually. It's easy to plagiarize on the web, but it's not good form. Do your own research and if you borrow ideas or material, give credit to the writer you quoted. Use quote marks when quoting directly.

Don't patronize your readers. Assume they have some information about your topic and know they can find the same information you're offering elsewhere. Good writers are usually modest.

Write with sincerity, from the heart. Your readers want to know that you're a real person. Be yourself, write in your native voice, write with integrity. 

Be credible. You can write in a conversational style with wit, but know what you're writing about and show it with your words.

Bylines and Signatures

On the web, your byline or signature line is your business card. Make sure you provide enough information at the end of the article to identify who you are. Give your readers contact information, remember your articles are free advertising.

Offer freebees: if you offer a free report with your article you'll be able to collect email addresses for your marketing efforts. Your readers are likely your target market.

Make certain all the links in your article are working before submitting it.

If you've got an email mailing list, send your articles out by autoresponder.

Conclusions Matter

Conclude with a strong message. Your final point or paragraph summarizes your article and/or gets your reader to take action.  

If you want to get published, make sure your layout works well and is clean, professional and easy to read. Make sure you've eliminated typos and misspelling, Use a spellchecker. Be your own editor, read over your article carefully. Reading out loud (and listening to your words) can help you identify problem areas.

Rewrite until you get it right. "Aim for perfection, but settle for excellence."  

Seize the Day

The internet is such an unprecedented and constantly changing medium. It provides a platform for written communication that is entirely unique. It encourages the sharing of information. It also provides instant gratification because you can submit an article and see it published almost instantaneously. Anyone can write articles on their chosen subject, including you!

And remember, if you're marketing on the web, the more traffic you have, the more sales you'll make.  Internet marketers need to be writers or find writers to work with them. So, if you've ever wanted to you're living writing, now is your moment. This is a remarkable time of transformation, take hold of it. 

Carpe diem - That's what Robin Williams told his students in the film, The Dead Poet's Society. It's Latin for Seize the Day.