Publishing articles is far and away the most effective method existing to build long term interest in and traffic to your website, but many people would rather chew off their left arm to keep from having to face the keyboard in the morning. They think it is far too much wasted work and effort to produce an article no one is going to read anyway. On the other side of the see saw are the people who know that reading those boring and bland articles is a tedious chore. But articles exist to be read and enjoyed. An article unread actually was a waste of time and effort.
To be sure the articles you write get read and enjoyed, here are 6 simple techniques to keep your audience reading:
1) Use short paragraphs.
When the paragraphs are very long, the words get jumbled in the mind of the reader just looking at it. It seems confusing and too much of a chore to read all the way through. Your reader will quickly jump past that long paragraph and move on to much easier reading articles that are nice to look at as well as to read. Paragraphs can be a single sentence, sometimes even a single word! Remember – 8th grade level works.
2) Numbers and bullets.
Numbers or bullets can quickly make your point easy to remember and digest. Readers will know this is the important part of the article and their attention can easily flow through the structure of your article. Format your bullets and numbers so your article won’t look like a single block of square paragraphs. Add a little bit of flair and pizzazz to the shape of your articles. At least the ones where the format is under your control.
3) Sub-divide your paragraphs too.
This will break each point into easy to digest sections that would still be incorporated into one whole article. It will be easy for your reader to move from one point to the next. You will hold your reader’s attention long enough to get your point across.
4) Provide a good attention-grabbing title or headline.
Study the work of successful copywriters. When your title incites curiosity you have gone halfway toward winning the battle for your prospect’s attention and getting your article read. Statements and questions which include keywords people are looking for should start each paragraph. Describe your article’s content in subtitles in a short and concise manner.
Incite curiosity with titles like, “7 Tips To Make Her Want You More”, or “The Secret To Making Her Faint When She Hears Your Voice” incite curiosity. Commanding titles work as well, such as “Make Her Yours In Six Easy Steps”. Titles should draw attention on at first glance.
5) Keep up a fast pace.
With your opening paragraph, include real situations and stories that draw in the reader. Descriptive language can drive home the point your are trying to make. Don’t overdo the flowery language and metaphors though. Don’t waste words just to make a longer article.
6) Use specific facts and figures when possible. Not just weak and ordinary statements.
Specific facts and figures make your article stronger by making it authoritative. But don’t make it too formal. This is not your college thesis.
Writing a great article does not have to be a tedious chore. The above are just a few quick points to watch out for. Some simple guidelines you can use to improve your articles. Writing articles can be fun and profitable once you get the hang of it.
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