Ten Top Tips for Writing Articles on the Internet

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.

Judy Cullins �2005 All Rights Reserved.

Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works with small business people who want to make a difference in people's lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," "The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic," and "Create your Web Site With Marketing Pizzazz," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, "The Book Coach Says..." and "Business Tip of the Month" at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 165 free articles. Email her at mailto:[email protected].