Articles are a powerful way to convey information, but they’re also an art that takes time and practice to master. That said, there are some basic principles that can help you improve your writing skills and craft articles that sell.
1. Minimize Your Barrier To Entry – Start with an interesting opening paragraph that hooks the reader’s attention from the get-go and sets them up to read the rest of your piece.
2. Keep Your Paragraphs Short & Clear – The main goal of any good article is to get your message across quickly and clearly. This means students should write their articles as concisely as possible.
3. Make Your Title Count – Your headline is one of the most important parts of your piece. It must be both enticing and logical.
4. Know Your Market – Your target audience is the best source of information about your topic, so take the time to learn their needs and preferences.
5. Use Specific Details – When you’re writing about a person, place or object, be sure to include vivid descriptions. This will draw readers in and make them more likely to identify with what you’re saying.
6. Create a Sound Structure – Ensure that your article has a beginning, middle and end. You can do this by dividing your content into distinct sections and separating these sections with appropriate headings.
7. Use a Headline that’s Eye-Catching – Your title is the first thing a reader will notice, so be sure to grab their attention.
The best way to do this is by starting with an exciting fact or a surprising story that will have them hooked right away.
8. Don’t Over-Quote – When you’re using quotes, don’t overdo it and use words that aren’t essential to your point.
Similarly, don’t overuse adverbs. Adverbs can be used to emphasize a point, but they often come at the cost of clarity and coherence.
9. Proofread & Edit Your Work – The final step in learning how to write articles that sell is to thoroughly review your work and make any necessary changes. This will help your writing flow smoothly and avoid a number of common editing mistakes.
10. Write a Rough Draft – This is the step that allows ideas to come through more naturally and focuses on jotting down the most relevant information.
It’s easy to get carried away with your creativity at this stage, so be sure to follow proper grammar usage and punctuation.
11. Check Your Content For Mistakes – It’s a good idea to take a break between steps six and seven, so that you can spot any grammatical errors or other typos that could distract your readers.
You may have to repeat the process a few times before you find the best version of your piece, so don’t be afraid to make multiple revisions. If you do, you’ll be able to polish up your work and submit it more confidently.
