 Writing
Engaging Articles - Simple Tips to Increase Your
Credibility
By Carolyn Campbell of The Core SourceThere are
hundreds, if not thousands, of publications in print and on the web looking
for articles on topics relating to the needs of their audience or clientele.
By sharing your expertise, you will develop trust, connection and
credibility with the readers.
In today’s internet landscape you don’t even need a source to send your
articles. Adding articles to your own web site provides information for
current and potential clients, as well as improves your site’s ranking on
the net. With the increasing number of marketing sites, search engines
determine ranking by the amount of informative content.
An added benefit of articles -- writing helps you hone your message and
address the key issues of your niche market.
So where to begin? The simplest way to begin writing an article is to break
it into three key ingredients. You want to provide information, incorporate
attention getters and create easy reading.
1) Provide Information - The purpose of an article is to provide
information, tools and/or resources for your niche market. Different than a
promotional piece, where the goal is to market you and your services, an
article addresses a specific issue or concern.
Adding a bio slug with a web link at the bottom of the article is a great
place for information about you. The article itself should address the
issue, not promote how wonderful you are.
So do you find out what information your niche needs?”
- Ask your clients. By writing about the specific concerns of your
clientele, you can build your community through your commitment to address
their needs.
- Make a list of the common issues your clients face.
- Address trends (lifestyle, health or seasonal factors that impact your
reader).
- Write with a goal in mind. Create more than just a “how to” list,
incorporate a message for your clients. The goal of a good article is to
enhance learning and provide actions your reader can implement to change
their life.
- Be personable. Using jargon distances you from your reader. As you shape
your message speak to them in language they can relate to on issues that
have immediate relevance.
- Choose engaging examples that highlight your message and keep the content
relevant, focussed and succinct.
2) Incorporate Attention Getters - This can be done through the title,
stories, statistics and tips and tools:
Title: Draw people in with your title and hook them into the message. Browse
through magazines and notice what titles engage you. Then adapt your own.
Stories: Stories draw your reader in. Keep your writing “alive” by
incorporating active language and be sure that it highlights your message.
Statistics: Statistics or other “data” demonstrate your credibility on the
topic and also expand the learning for your reader.
Tips or tools: Keep them simple and doable.
3) Create Easy Reading - I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to
structure your article for easy readability. Once you are clear on your
message and the information you want to provide, write clearly and
concisely.
- By blending prose with bullet points for tools, you allow your reader to
skim for useable tools while connecting with you on a personal level.
- Use headlines and subheads to help your reader scan for information.
- Incorporate bullet points.
- Use numbered lists.
- Use bold highlights sparingly.
- Pay close attention to length. Different publications seek varying
lengths, but the current “general rule” is 500-700 words for a web article.
Newspaper editorials are typically 500 words. Others request 1,000 words. It
is key to adhere to their requirements.
- Write short, direct sentences.
- Segment your paragraphs to aid quick readability.
- Use engaging, descriptive details and examples.
- Write less. (Web documents are shorter than their hard copy counterparts).
- Edit, edit, edit. If you do not need it, cut it.
Allow yourself to write a “shitty” first draft. This is possibly the most
important step in piecing together the article. Let your ideas flow onto the
page. Afterwards, go back and hone your story, your tips and your message.
And remember...just like anything new, you will have a few drafts before you
find your voice, your rhythm and your story. Share it with friends. Ask for
input from respected colleagues. And before you know it, you will overcome
the “fear of the red pen” and you will begin to enjoy sharing your
expertise.
Carolyn Campbell helps practitioners & creative entrepreneurs build
successful businesses through one-on-one coaching & fun, dynamic workshops.
To find out how Carolyn can help you build your business, visit
www.thecoresource.com
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