How To Write An Article – Four Top Tips

You’ll really need to know how to write an article properly if you want to get into article marketing. In fact, that’s true whatever reason you have for writing articles. Most people might think it can’t be that hard. Their thinking goes ‘if I can write, I already know how to write an article, right’? The truth is, there’s more to writing an article than just putting words down on paper. Have you ever read a badly written novel? Well, people can get turned off just as easily by a badly written article; believe me, I’ve read a few! An article needs to engage the reader just as much as any other good piece of writing. So here are a few tips on just how to write an article that people will want to read.
How to Write an Article That Talks To the Reader
I’ve seen so many articles that lecture people with long boring monologues; or worse still talks down to the reader. Some of these have come from self-styled professional writers. You’d think they of all people would know how to write a good article wouldn’t you? They don’t seem to understand that you need to talk to the reader in a conversational way in order to engage them. Okay, it’s a bit of a one-sided conversation but people will be more interested in someone who speaks to them at their level, one-to-one. People don’t have a lot of interest in someone who puts themselves on a pedestal and talks down to them; I know I don’t and I’m guessing you’re the same.
Throw Out the Formal Grammar
Do you remember being taught at school that you need to follow strict rules when you write? To be grammatically correct a sentence cannot start with the words ‘but’, ‘and’, ‘because’, etc. You shouldn’t use contractions; the words ‘there is’ should be used rather than ‘ there’s ‘. But in conversation we break these rules all the time. To learn how to write an article in an informal, conversational style, forget the old formal rules of grammar.
How to Write an Article that People Want to Read
You want to keep your readers interested don’t you? In fact, if you want anyone to read your article at all, you really need to keep them interested. You’re only going to be able to do that if you provide value. The question then is how to write an article that provides value. The simple answer is to write something that is informative, entertaining or controversial. An article that provides useful content or entertains is likely to be read. One that is controversial is likely to be read and commented on so don’t be afraid to rattle a few cages if need be.
How to Write an Article that Gets Published
If you want to know how to write an article that will get published online, that’s easy. You can write about any subject in any style you like and many of the online article directories will post it for you, regardless of whether it’s a good article or not. Having said that though, there are still some rules you need to follow. Article directories don’t want their systems to be used for spamming people. They want real articles from real people and rightly so. Don’t get too concerned about that though. If an article directory rejects an article, they will usually give you every opportunity, and a lot of help, to put it right.
If you want to get published off-line, in a newspaper or magazine for instance, you’ll need to do a little more research. You have to get your article past an editor in order to get published. Lots of newspapers and magazines will accept input from freelance writers but only if it fits in with their view of what’s good. Before you submit any article to an offline periodical, research it. Take a look at the current writing style; its political standpoint; its language and presentation. Then contact the editor’s office and ask if they accept input from freelancers. Perhaps send them a sample of writing that’s aimed at their publication. Remember, it doesn’t matter how good you think the article is, it has to match the editor’s view on how to write an article.