If you fall within that category and believe strongly that your primary audience are the search engines because your articles are there purely to provide links to your website, let me ask you a few questions:

Why do you do article marketing?

• To generate links to my website

Why?

• So I can boost my rankings

Why?

• So more people visit my website

Why?

• So I can generate more sales of course

Aha! So you’re doing this to get more people to visit your website.

People.

So why exactly are you writing mainly for the search engines? You’ve just admitted you do article marketing to attract people – not search engines, people.

If your article is incomprehensible because you’ve stuffed it with loads of keywords do you really think someone’s going waste their time reading it?

Even if it is the number one search result, no one’s going to pay it any attention.

If someone does open your article and finds it unreadable are they really going to want to follow any links within it that will take them to your website?

I doubt it because they’ll think they are going to be faced with yet more incomprehensible drivel.

So the moral is, write for your reader first and the search engines second.

What to think about when writing your articles

 Before you even touch your keyboard you must think about your reader.

•  Who are they?

•  What’s important to them?

•  How much do they know about your subject matter?

•  What issues do they have that they’re looking for solutions to?

• What do they need to know?

It’s not until you have answered those questions can you start to create an informative and interesting article that someone will want to read.

 But what about your keywords?

 Just because you’re writing for your reader doesn’t mean you have to forget your keywords all together.

•  Make sure they are in your eye-catching headline
• Break your article up into short paragraphs so it’s easy to read
• Create informative sub headings to help your reader scan your article
• Don’t fill it with links

To make sure it reads well forget about keyword density. When you write naturally about a subject you’ll automatically use your keywords and other words related to your subject.

Once you’ve written it read it out loud to check for rhythm, an easy flow and errors. If you find you are ‘tripping’ over your keywords you’ve probably included too many. Cut back within the body of your article but make sure they are present in your headings and sub headings.

At the end of the day, if you write with your reader in mind and not the search engines you can’t go far wrong.

Remember – when it comes to article marketing, your reader is king.

However too many understand it is what needs to be done in today’s online world but jump in without thinking.

Their lack of strategy, experience, understanding and their unrealistic expectations lead to the onset of apathy and bewilderment resulting in the misguided belief that online content marketing doesn’t work.

But as a copywriter, I have been using online content marketing to promote my business for the past 4 years and it really does work. You just have to know what you’re doing.

Get an online marketing plan

The number one mistake made by companies that launch headlong into content marketing is their lack of empathy with their readers.

They write about what they want to know about rather than what their readers want. It’s this disparity that leads to a big fat nothing in the effectiveness of their marketing.

So before you even consider blogging, tweeting or Facebooking you must find:

• What they’re looking for
• How they want it presented (their content preference)
• When they need the information

How do you find that out?

There are a number of ways you can research the information you need to know –

Ask them – the good old fashioned survey either through email, blogging or just asking them face to face. Do they need ‘how to’ guides? If so, what format (eBooks, video, podcast etc)?

Analytics – look at your website analytics and see what they’re looking at. If your website has a video on it and it’s not getting any hits, perhaps your visitors are trying to tell you something.

Social media – if you‘re using social media, listen to what your customers are saying, that can give you some great clues about what their needs are.

Keywords – going back to your analytics, the data on your keywords can tell you a lot about what people are looking for, the words they use to find you etc.

If you want your content marketing to be successful you must listen to your customers and provide them with what they want, when they want it and in a format they like.

Of course not everyone will want the same things so your strategy will have to flexible. But listen, understand and then react.

Articles are a great way of building back links to your website and so give a boost to your SEO. Whether you write them yourself or you hire in a copywriter, a steady stream of submissions will give your online visibility and reputation a boost.

Every article website out there contains thousands and thousands of articles on just about every subject you can imagine, so if you want yours to be read and shared it has to stand out and be visible.

There are numerous posts around the internet on how to write great headlines but below are 7 simple tips that will help you create something that will make people stop and loiter at your article.

1. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate the use of exclamation marks. I will generally go out of my way to avoid using them.

If your point is really vital use language and tone to convey its importance not an exclamation mark. To me it’s a very lazy way of making a point. Plus it gives the impression you’re shouting at your reader and that’s not a nice thing to do.

2. Be honest

You might think a great way of dragging readers into your article is by offering them the world. But if your headline offers something other than what’s in your article you’ll lose their trust and they’re unlikely to read anything else you read.

3. Don’t over-egg it

This is similar to number 2. But this time rather than using the headline to make a statement that is obviously untrue, over-egging it means giving an over exaggerated claim. For example giving a headline saying “Discover the top 3 tips that’ll make you a millionaire over night” – yeah, like that’s going to happen.

4. Overstatement is bad

Rather than exaggerating and making false claims to grab your readers’ attention, why not get creative. Have fun with language and use it in a way that’s eye-catching. Use words that will intrigue; use puns and play with the meaning of words to create something memorable.

5. Shhhh

If at all possible resist the urge to use the word ‘secret’ in your heading. There are very few things you are likely to write about which are truly secret. And if you did the chances are you’d be hauled off to a Government covert installation somewhere, never to be seen again.

6. Humour

If you are able to write humorously to grab attention then do so. But be warned. Very few people can pull this one off. Just because it makes you laugh doesn’t mean it will make everyone laugh.

I’m sure at some time you’ve sent an email with an ‘ironic tone’ only to find you’ve offended the recipient. You see, what sounds ironic or funny in your mind as you write may not be conveyed that way when it’s read so extreme caution should be used when trying to be funny in writing.

This 6 simple tips will help you create headlines that work. By pointing out what not to do, you should be able to create something honest, eye catching and intriguing that will draw your readers to you time and again.

As an internet marketer you are spending hour upon hour producing content to promote your business and help build links.

You have a list of topics as long as your arm and every spare minute you have is spent producing blog posts, articles and website copy.

Your dedication is admirable.

Once you’ve uploaded your fantastic value-laden information and hit publish…

…absolutely nothing happens.

No tweets (not even a re-tweet), no comments, no nothing.

Immediately you think “Argh! My writing must really suck.”

But before you enrol in a writing class, just stop and think for a moment. Your writing style is probably perfectly fine, but what about the structure?

You may look at your work and think how proud your old English Teacher would be—stop right there. That’s your problem. When writing for the web and an online audience, you can forget just about everything learnt during your school days.

You need to spend less time writing and more time thinking about how you structure your work.

Writing for an online audience

There is a peculiarity about writing for the web—most people will only scan a web page rather than read every word.

That’s because they are searching for information and if they can’t find it quickly, they’ll move on to another website.

So the trick is engaging your readers and getting them to stay with you until the bitter end.

How do you do that?

1. Snappy

Your writing should be relatively short (long enough to cover your subject). So if you’re writing about a very complex issue it may be worth breaking it down into several posts. Not only will that make it much easier for your reader to follow, it will also encourage them to return to your site for your subsequent posts.

Also when you’re writing start with your conclusion—sounds odd, but by doing that you are immediately giving your readers what they want.  Once you’ve done that, follow up with supporting evidence point by point.

2. White space

Does your finished article, blog post or web copy look like a page from a novel?

If your text is in one long, or several long paragraphs it won’t look very inviting.

Lighten it by increasing the amount of white space on your page. Break it down into small paragraphs (no more than 3 or 4 sentences each).

Or go really mad and use a single sentence paragraph.

3. Sub headings

While you’re following step 2, insert some informative sub headings between your paragraphs. This will help your reader get the gist of your post while they are scanning the page.

4. Bullets

• Using bullet points creates interest
• Highlights important points
• Are instantly scan-able
• Draw the reader’s eye as they break up the rest of the text

5. Links

Don’t only use your post to generate links to your own website. If you have researched your content well you’ll probably have an external source to link to. This will show your reader that your information is well considered (and it may also generate a link from your source too).

6. Bold

Use the bold function to pick out important concepts within your post. These, coupled with the sub headings, should help your reader fully understand the topic you are covering and whether it will be of interest to them.

But don’t go mad—you don’t want to confuse your reader.

7. Numbers

Some people have said that the days of the numbered posts—such as “8 Top Tips to Improve Your Copywriting” are gone. But reader’s still love them.

They help to grab attention and, once reading, retain your reader because they’ll want to make sure they learn everything.

8. Check and check again

Before hitting the publish button, read through your work and make sure it makes sense. Do the headings and bolded words make sense and convey the overall concept of your work?

Of course this read-through should also pick up any typos and other errors.

So there you have it—writing informative posts is one thing, but if you want people to read them they must be presented in a way that:

• Gets your concept over immediately
• Looks attractive and readable
• Gets to the point

Article marketing remains one of the most effective ways of boosting your search engine presence. Not only do you begin to ‘own more of the web’ you also generate those oh so important back links to your website.

But it is only effective if you produce quality content that:

• Is well written
• Addresses the needs of your readers
• Gives value

Many companies are more hung up on quantity rather than quality. They’d rather pay a few pounds per article from writers (who are frequently based abroad and for whom English is not their first language) who churn out dozens of articles, than pay a decent fee and hire a professional copywriter.

It’s not a numbers game

Yes you need a lot of articles to build links. But submitting quality articles that are well written over a period of time is far more effective than bulk submitting sub-standard ones.

Many companies out there do value good quality writing (and are prepared to pay for it) but too many don’t.

Putting a good article together isn’t about scanning the internet and cutting and pasting bits from other articles.

It’s about taking time to discover:

• What topic is to be discussed
• The focus of the discussion
• Who your audience is
• What they are looking for
• What tone should be used
• What do you want to achieve with the article

It’s a pretty safe bet that writers willing to create your articles for a couple of quid a throw won’t ask any of that.

It’s your neck on the line

You might think that it’s only article marketing so it doesn’t matter what you submit.

Wrong. It matters a lot.

If you are putting your name to it, it’s your reputation on the line. You are using these articles as a way of establishing yourself as an expert in your field. If you submit poor quality articles you’ll come across as a cowboy and not someone people want to deal with.

Articles are not just about link building—people do read them—can you really afford to be that careless with your brand?

SEO nightmare

You will need an element of SEO within your articles so they are found by your target audience.

But cheap articles often lead to shoddy SEO resulting in complete nonsense that’s unreadable. Many of the cheap outlets will just stuff your article with your keyword. The result is gibberish.

A professional copywriter understands SEO and knows how to craft your article so it is search engine friendly and reader friendly. In fact, done well, you’d be hard pushed to spot the keywords.

You get what you pay for

As with all things in life, you get what you pay for.

If you want high quantity you’ll get poor quality.

But if you are more interested in your reputation, traffic and quality you’ll pay more but the end result will be far superior.

Every company wants to get the most out of its marketing budget, it’s only natural. But investing in quality copywriting will pay dividends in the long run—to your bottom line and your reputation.

I’ve spent a lot of time in this copywriting blog talking about content for websites, brochures, emails etc. Normally I concentrate on stuff such as keyword placement, headings, subheadings, calls to action, layout…

No one likes to see solid blocks of text, they are a bigger turn off than watching Kim Woodburn eat a witcherty grub on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

The art of creating interesting text is in its layout – and especially the paragraph.

These little fellows often prove problematical to writers. When used incorrectly the reader can be left all at sea and not really sure what you’re talking about.

They can even be repititious – a sure sign the writer has run out of things to say but is desperately trying to hit his word count.

Whatever writing you are involved with (sales, promotional, business or journalistic), perfect paragraphs are paramount.

As an avid fan of Copyblogger I really enjoyed this post by Jo Morrow extolling the virtures of The Art of the Paragraph. This is a ‘must’ read for any writer out there who doesn’t want to fall foul of the “National Society of Writing Snobs”.

Content is crucial in your online marketing efforts. I have banged on about how ‘content is king’ (sorry to use such an awful cliche) and how the internet runs on the stuff. Let’s face it, without content there wouldn’t be any search engine results so the whole point of the internet would be rather redundant.

Just to drive my point home a bit more, I would like to draw you attention to a great blog I found on Copyblogger today. Here, Sonia Simone outlines 49 Creative Ways You Can Profit From Content Marketing.

There’s a better way to advertise your business or website – article writing – ideal for those who want great benefits that don’t cost anything. That’s just about everyone!

By submitting quality articles you’ll get lots of exposure and publicity without a financial investment. You’ve probably realized by now that the internet is about information, so content brings visitors to your site. That’s a no-brainer.

Consider the possibilities of regularly writing for the internet:

• Your work may be seen by millions.
• Your articles can quickly appear on over 100 websites.
• Search engines are constantly looking for new content – make it yours.
• Your targeted traffic will increase.
• By writing regularly, you can reach affiliates or joint venture partners who can help your sales’ potential.
• Your articles can be permanently displayed on the internet.

Your reputation can spread all over the internet and beyond. Think of the reach just one article can have!

As you submit your work to ezines and article directories (such as ezinearticles), keep in mind that top-ranking sites are crawled by Google more often than other sites. When these sites publish your writing, you’ll soon see results.

With each article you submit, your reputation will grow. An author’s work is often kept permanently on websites, so one keyword-rich article can bring thousands of hits for years to come. Plus Google will love the one-way links you’ll achieve.

Your published works prove you’re an expert – at least in the eyes of readers who view you as knowledgeable. You also establish credibility and trust. Your words can create your own brand for your website and business.

So there you have it –

Writing articles can open surprising doors to success!

If the thought of it still fills you with dread, the good news is that after learning a few simple steps, writing your own articles isn’t as hard as it appears.

What to write about?

This is probably the biggest hurdle most new writers face. The easiest way to begin is to write about things you are interested in and preferably passionate about.

Once you have decided on a general area, a good way to narrow the topic down is to focus on the problems that people have. Typically, people read articles because they want to be entertained or they want information.

A guiding principle is to expect the readers to be looking for “What’s in it for them?’ You may already know the common problems that people have in the particular field, but if not, a good source of information is to look at related online forums and note the most common questions asked.

Chunk it

Most people don’t like to read large documents from the Web, so articles tend to be around 400 words long. If you break the article into an introduction, a small number of sub-headings and a conclusion you may only have to write about 50 words in each section.

For your eyes only

The first draft should be for your eyes only. Don’t try to produce a final copy as you write. It tends to be much quicker to get your thoughts down and come back to edit later. The final, and most important step in the writing process, is to proofread your article.

Get it out there

Once you have written your article you may want to add it to your own website as an item that search engines love – a piece of original content.

By adding an ‘About the Author’ section with a link to your website, you can also submit it to article directories. As other websites publish your article you receive another thing that search engines look for, one-way back links.

After writing your first few articles you will find it is not as daunting as it first appears. You never know, you may even want to offer your services as a freelance writer on the Internet as a way to make some extra income.

See also: 4 Ways to Make Your Article Creative and Interesting

The 5 Benefits of Article Writing You Might Miss

Article Writing – How To Write Quality Articles Quickly

Can Article Writing Help Me Get More Newsletter Subscribers?

Before you say thanks for the tip, sit down at your desk as usual and start to write – STOP.

Emotive content doesn’t come from calm, well thought out writing. Emotion comes from within you – something has to stir you up and get you riled before it will come out in your writing.

The best time to write is when you are feeling:

• happy
• sad
• so angry you could punch the next person that looks at you

How do you get to feel like that? Read or talk to people.

Start your day reading a few blogs, even working through your email inbox can do the trick. How many times have you read something and thought what the **** are they going on about! Well when it happens write about how it makes you feel.

When our beliefs are challenged or questioned we become so wound up we need an outlet – let articles or blogging be yours.

Write about whatever has got your blood boiling – forget structure for now and just let it flow. I’ll guarantee that when you’re done, not only will you feel a whole lot better but you will also have one of your best articles in front of you.

I am willing to bet that if you had tried to sit down and write about the same subject from cold you would never have come up with an article that was so damn good.

This is because you are letting your emotion do your talking – you are holding a conversation so your writing is more relaxed and therefore more accessible to your reader.

So next time you see red, start typing or pick up a pen. Let it all pour out and before long you’ll have a stack of fantastic blogs and articles which will spark new debates, articles and blogs…