How to Write a Good Article
Some aspects of a good article go back to basics learned in English class. Any article should begin by introducing the subject in such a way that the reader’s curiosity is piqued, choosing words that make them want to know more. Then it must have a body, substance. After you’ve presented all of your facts and information, summarize it in one final paragraph, and “clinch” the article’s last sentence by tying it in with your opening sentence, make it come full-circle.
The next important aspect is that you actually have something to say. Just giving the reader a trip around the block isn’t going to please or impress anyone. You need to have something to offer, which is why it’s common to see experienced writers advising “Write what you know.” If you have worthwhile original, legitimate content, you’re going to be heads above your competition, both on the search engines and in presenting the sort of image people trust and are willing to buy from.
It’s said that the devil is in the details, which means that the details are often where the problems are found. Some of those details are technical; Spelling, grammar, punctuation, optimal phrasing and word choices, these are all of sublime importance. Some of that is “just” image, but you can send a customer away quickly with a poor word choice. I recently saw a company referring to a food product as “Outrageous!” Bad idea. Outrageous isn’t usually a good thing. It’s usually expressed by shouting in angry tones, such as “This is outrageous!” Such devilish details are clearly to be avoided.
The goal is communication. It doesn’t matter what message you meant to convey if that’s not the message your reader receives. Be clear and accurate in the picture you paint. Present an image that they can recognize clearly, directions they can follow without confusion. If they’re left floundering, wondering who’s on first and/or which is the way home, the article isn’t helpful, and you aren’t either, by association. If your article describes a type of house, you’ll want to be sure that you build that image of the house from the ground up, starting with the foundation. Before you do so, though, begin the article itself by letting them know that you’re about to describe a house. Don’t assume your reader knows anything at all about the subject. Build each section in its own time. The last thing you want to do is leave them flailing. That may work in a Tarantino movie*, but it’s not particularly good for this sort of writing.
Finally, make sure there’s life and energy to the article. It’s an aspect of those devilish details, but be sure to pick active, moving, dynamic words that invoke emotion. Even subtle choices can matter: Prefer “had been working” to “worked”. Pick “This really moves me” rather than “I’m impressed by this.” Verbs, actions, these word choices provide energy. Keep up the pace. Don’t spend so much time on the minute details that most of the audience has nodded off in their chairs. Be brave and daring. Command your reader: HEY! WAKE UP! See how well that works?
When your business is on the line, when the words you present can make the difference between someone spending their money with you or clicking on to another site, it’s time to bring in the big guns. Professional writers can make all the difference in the world. This Geoffrey Chaucer quote from “A Knight’s Tale” sums it up rather nicely:
“Of course I lied! I’m a writer; I give the truth scope!”
A good writer will give your project Scope, depth and breadth it never had before. Marketing is everything, isn’t it?. What would the Pet Rock be without a great marketing team? Just another stone, lying there in the yard, unnoticed and unsold. Don’t let your site and product languish on the vine. Use this advice to help you write better original content for your site, but where it matters, hire the big guns.
For some, writing may be intimidating. Others may find it tedious. Many are simply too busy to take the time to do it well. There are many reasons why clients rely upon wordsmiths such as ourselves for their advertising and web content copy. We certainly appreciate their patronage. If you’d like to save yourself some money and can afford the time, just heed these tips and take the time to think your article through. You’ll find you can write a good bit of your original content yourself, and save your budget for key page copy. Or perhaps you’ll feel better if we write it al for you. Either way, we’re at your service and happy to oblige .I hope you’ve gained from this small revelation. You can do it yourself, now that you know how to write a good article!
– JT
