Ten Top Tips for Writing Articles on the Internet

Judy Cullins '2005 All Rights Reserved.

Online readers love information, but be sure your information is crisp, clean, clear and concise. Internet writing is different from print.

1. Keep your paragraphs short, even a line or two. Online readers will ignore long batches of words in long paragraphs, whether in an ezine or at a web site. That costs the author a lot of book sales. Respect readers who want material short and sweet.

2. Write tips in consistent format. First, use the command form of a verb. Follow it by the cost of not doing it, or benefits from doing it. End with a positive comment. Use this three or four-sentence formula to bring the curious to you. One tip I sent out in 2004 landed me an offer from a large print magazine to write a longer article on the same topic.

3. Make your heading compelling. If you haven't tested it on associates, or haven't edited it at least three times, it may say "lackluster." People will delete it or click on to something new. Which one will you read? " Write an Article," or "Sell More Books by Writing a Short Article"?

4. Get to the point quickly'in the title and the first line. Keep your introduction down to a few sentences. .

5. Tell your readers what you want them to do. They are waiting for your magic formula to make them richer, healthier, or enjoy great relationships. Use numbered points for this if possible. Make your copy strong, clear, and direct.

6. Target your article to your preferred audience. Not everyone will want your information, so include your audience in the title or introduction. When you focus your information, you write more compelling, focused copy that your readers will love. They will reward you by clicking to where your book is sold in your signature file.

7. Reduce superfluous words such as adjectives and adverbs like "ly." Allow only 2-4% passive verbs. Because of a lack of effort, novices ruin their work with sentences full of "is" and "was" linking verbs. Use strong verbs instead, by starting more sentences with a subject, followed by a verb and object. Neither books, nor articles will sell with these "slugs."

8. Focus on your readers' needs and wants. Keep the "I" out of your copy unless you are telling a success story. If you do use "I" consider couching it like this: "If you are like me, you'. Remember to give what's in it for your readers.

9. Contact an editing buddy who is above average at writing. It's best to get a bookcoach or professional Internet editor to give your first 3-4 efforts some feedback, so you are on the right track'and will get published. Online sites and ePublishers will not publish your article if it isn't well organized; reader centered, easy-to read and doesn't offer something new.

10. Include a powerful signature file that will attract other publishers and web masters to your other articles listed on your web site. Once they start posting you, your message will be seen by your targeted audience who want your service or book information. Include the basics of name, benefit of book or business, free offer such as an ezine or report, your web, email address, and a local and toll-fre.e number.

Keep these ten tips in mind, so that your Internet article will bring potential book buyers to you, your service, your Web site, and your products.

Are you ready to take your business and book to the next level? Get more clients and consistent monthly income? Sandra Schrift, speaker coach and Judy Cullins, bookcoach, invite you to join "Business Marketing Achievers" small group coaching beginning January 19th for 5 meetings. We are looking for 12 committed people who are ready to use speaking and writing to catapult their business. For more details, contact Judy at 1- 866-200-9743 or Sandra at 1-800-340-3683 between 9-6pm pst. For details go to www.bookcoaching.com/teleclasses.shtml.