HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ARTICLE

Writing articles is an excellent marketing tool for several reasons, from showcasing your expertise to attracting prospects to your website. But your articles need to be read. Let’s go over a few basic rules to write a good article.

1. Write as you speak

Most of us are not gifted to write, coming up with a whole article seems painful. Go back to basics: write as you speak. Talking is a lot easier than writing. Everybody discusses all the time, expressing ideas aloud and in a coherent way.

Simply say what you want to write, and write what you are saying. You can simply formulate your ideas aloud, or you can imagine that you are talking to somebody. In any case, write down exactly what you say. Your writing style will improve drastically.

2. Think your articles as the solution to a problem

Why are people reading articles? Because they are interested in the subject obviously. They are interested in the subject because they are looking for details, an answer to a question, a solution to a problem.

Write your article as the solution of your reader’s problem. Describe the problem first and offer a vision, bring your expertise to solve the issue.

This is particularly true for the title of your article. By writing the title as a problem, you spike the curiosity of the reader who is looking for a solution. The reader will be more inclined to click on the title to read the entire article.

3. Encourage your readers to take the next step

A good article must include a call to action. Whatever this action may be. You must first determine which action you would like the reader to take after reading your article. Do you want the reader to click on a link to your website? Do you want a phone call? Write down what the action should be.

A little trick : use the word “because” in your call to action. Giving a justification to the action is more enticing. The justification does not have to be complicated, it only has to make sense. Take an example in everyday life. The printer is out of paper and you are asking your colleague that sits next to the printer to put a new ream in. Compare these two requests. Request 1: “Can you put more paper in the printer?” Request 2: “Can you put more paper in the printer because I need to print a document.” The second request is not giving any more information, it is not any more polite, yet it has more chances of success. The only difference is a justification of the action. This may sound silly but do not just believe me, try it for yourself. Get used to justifying your requests with the word “because”.

4. Take your time

Writing an article is not easy. Especially if you are a just starting to write, but even renowned writers are not always inspired. Some days writing seems easier than others.

Do not try to write a finished article in one shot. Write what you can, whether it be jotting down a few ideas or write a complete first draft. Then put the article aside and get back to it later, the next day for example. When you get back to the article it must seem like you are reading it with a new light, as if you were not the author. You will make numerous corrections. Maybe you will think that you were not coherent the first time, or your style was completely inadequate, or that you only expressed half of your ideas, or that you have not detailed such or such section.

Rework your article several times, giving yourself time in between work periods. Make changes until you are satisfied.

When you apply these few pieces of advice you will soon realize that writing articles is not a burden anymore. Quite the opposite, it becomes enjoyable. Happy writing!