Nine Guidelines for Writing Articles
These guidelines for writing articles are for articles used
to promote a website or blog - the most common reason for writing
online. Such articles are normally distributed through directories
where readers can read them and where other webmasters can use
them as content on their websites or blogs. This is still one
of the best ways to optimize and promote your web pages.
1. Focus on One Keyword
I've written over a thousand articles, and in my experience
I've found that it isn't worth trying to get traffic for more
than one keyword phrase at a time. Related ones will naturally
be used without any extra effort. When you write about "online
articles," for example, you'll mention the keywords "articles"
and "writing" a few times without trying to.
2. Create a Catchy and Optimized Title
Catch the attention of reader from the start, The title doesn't
have to be unusual or outrageous, although that can help. It
does need to tell the reader what the article is about, and to
be optimized for search engines it needs to contain the primary
keyword that you are targeting.
3. Let the Reader Know What They're Getting
A one or two sentence description is required by most directories.
Tell potential readers what they'll find in your article, and
why they should read it. Some directories only allow a line or
two, so make it short - and include that keyword.
4. Make it Interesting, Entertaining or Useful
Make it all three and it will be even better, but a good rule
of thumb for purely informational articles is to try to have
one or two things that the average reader probably hasn't read
elsewhere. If it is mainly common knowledge, at least present
the information from a new perspective.
5. The Article Body
Between about 400 and 800 words is a good guideline for writing
online articles. That will meet the requirements of most directories.
Smaller paragraphs are easier on the eyes, and you can break
some articles up with headings or a list to make them more attractive.
To be sure it will be found in the search engines, include the
primary keyword a couple times in the body, in a heading if you
have one, and in the final paragraph as well.
6. Market Your Online Property
Perhaps the most important of these guidelines for writing
articles, you have to promote your website or products in the
"about the author" or "author's resource box."
This immediately follows the article, and you can say something
about yourself if you wish, but I've found that it's better to
just include your name and then focus on giving the reader a
reason to click the link to your website or blog. Offering a
free course, newsletter, ebook or other ethical bribe can help.
7. Check That Link
Be sure your link is working.Most of the time you'll link
to your homepage, but not every time. If you wrote about hiring
a home inspector, for example, a link to a page with a home inspection
checklist might get more clicks. Optimize your site better by
linking specific keywords to it. In directories that allow two
links you may want to link a keyword and then also link your
URL - the latter so the reader can find you in case the link
is broken.
8. Directory Tools
Article directories are not all the same. Some have special
tools. Use them. For example, if the directory has an "author
profile" page you should fill in the information and possibly
upload a photo. Readers may check that page for other articles
if they liked the first one they read that was written by you.
9.Get Organized
You will find new places to submit articles over time and
some directories will fail. You need to keep track of which articles
have gone where, so number the directories from the start, and
note the number of each one you where you have an article. Then
you can go back periodically and submit old articles to new directories
as they are added to your list. You can organize your articles
in other ways as well, such as by the sites they promote or when
you wrote them.
These guidelines for writing articles - if followed - will
generate traffic for any site or blog that you own.
|
