| Writing articles for online newsletters and | | | | they scan them. Keep your writing style simple |
| websites can be a low cost, effective and | | | | and active. Use an active rather than passive |
| powerful way of marketing yourself to new | | | | writing style. This all starts with the subject line. |
| clients. | | | | When a recipient or scanner sees your subject |
| Writing for the Web, however, is quite different | | | | line, you will have their attention for about 2 |
| from writing for other formats. For example | | | | seconds. Make every second count. After the |
| readers tend to scan texts more. Often one | | | | heading use shortsentences and bullet points to |
| search can uncover a number of relevant or not | | | | keep concepts simple. |
| relevant articles instantly. The reader must then | | | | 6. Use a Dictaphone or voice recognition software. |
| sift through and find the appropriate ones quickly, | | | | If you are really busy, use a Dictaphone or other |
| offering little time to actually read your article | | | | technology to get your thoughts down. I have |
| unless it passes the initial scan. | | | | found this a great way to get articles written |
| If you want to make the most of the | | | | during those times you are traditionally not very |
| opportunities the Internet provides, here are 12 | | | | productive. Use a virtual assistant or ghost writer |
| tips on writing articles for the net: | | | | to actually write the article. |
| 1. Turn your knowledge into articles. | | | | Remember it is your ideas and experience |
| Take your unique experiences and ideas as an | | | | readers want, they don't care how the ideas get |
| expert in your field and turn them into at least 10 | | | | from your head onto the computer screen. Focus |
| articles. Brainstorm 10 different topics you could | | | | on high value work. |
| confidently speak or write about based on your | | | | 7. Provide solid, practical advice. |
| hard won knowledge. These topics may not be | | | | Avoid waffle and useless, irrelevant information. |
| related but will give you a better idea on areas | | | | Focus on practical tips and ideas. Use dot points |
| you are confident on writing on. | | | | and numbering. Make your article as easy to read |
| 2. Start with an informal outline of the main points. | | | | as possible |
| The hardest thing about writing articles for the | | | | 8. Personalise. |
| net is getting started! Use a blank piece of paper | | | | Use personal stories, metaphors or examples to |
| and a mindmap to work out key themes and | | | | highlight key points. They make intangible ideas |
| points. Add detail later. Sometimes several articles | | | | more real. |
| will come from one brainstorm as you identify | | | | 9. Customise. |
| linking themes or different angles to take on a | | | | Tailor your articles for key targets - for example |
| subject. | | | | engineers, scientists or accountants. This includes |
| 3. Research websites. | | | | adapting language, using relevant examples and |
| Look for websites or e-newsletters that are | | | | taking new angles on a subject so the market |
| content hungry and will publish articles by others. | | | | can relate to it. |
| Target sites matching your target audience and | | | | 10. Timing. |
| tailor your article to suit that audience. | | | | Timing is everything for news and e-newsletters |
| 4. Clarify the logistics. | | | | are no different. Use news events or seasonal |
| Contact the editor and clarify the length, style and | | | | angles to make your material more relevant. For |
| how much promotional material you can use in | | | | example we had great feedback from an article |
| your articles. Length will vary from 200 to 2,000 | | | | on goal setting in January because this is a great |
| words, with between 400 and 800 words being | | | | month for planning the year ahead. |
| most common. Often the editor will erase any | | | | 11. Be proactive. |
| information from your articles, promotional or | | | | Always spend time writing articles. It is money |
| otherwise, if it does not fall within the boundaries | | | | well spent and far more credible than advertising. |
| of the site. It is best to know your limits to avoid | | | | 12. Use links and provide contact details. |
| having articles taken apart by another party or | | | | Always provide a link back to your website and |
| not posted on the site at all. | | | | summary details on your background and how |
| 5. Keep it short, keep it simple and keep it active. | | | | people can contact you. |
| Remember people don't read computer screens | | | | |