Article Writing Tips From Heather Turnbow

Writing articles isn’t as hard as you may think. If you understand the rules of proper grammar, and you have a word processor or word processing software that includes a spell checker, writing articles becomes quite easy in fact. Here are some tips to help you out.

1. Don’t make it harder than it really is. This is the first mistake that most new article writers make. Think about what you want to say, then just start writing. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar, just write until you have said all that you wanted to say. Editing comes after the information is down on paper – or on your computer screen in a document.

2. Don’t get stressed over your topic. You already know what it is that you want to sell. Look at your product or service from a customers point of view. Visit forums where your customers participate and find out what their questions are. Base your articles on those questions, answering the questions.

3. Don’t make your articles too long or too short. Articles should be between 300 and 750 words, with the optimal length between 300 and 500 words. Use the word counter on your word processor, and don’t go over or under these words.

4. Do not submit your article the minute you finish it. Put it away and come back to it later. Read it over and make sure that you have said what you wanted to say, and then have someone else read it. Ask for constructive criticism, and really pay attention to what your test reader has to say.

5. You are writing an article, not a sales letter. The article should inform and lead readers to your website. The selling is done at the website. Articles that are obvious sales letters lose the readers respect and damage your credibility.

6. Stay Focused. Make sure your article stays on track. If you find yourself writing away from what you originally intended your article to be about, make a note about the new article idea you have accidentally found, and get back on track with your original plan.

7. Finally, write like you talk. Write like you are talking to a close friend. Don’t try to use words that you have to look up in the dictionary. Use your everyday language, and your personality will shine through. Allowing your true personality to shine through in your articles is the first step to building a relationship with your readers.

While article marketing is easy and effective, there are mistakes that you must avoid if you are to do this successfully. Making some of the following mistakes can cost your credibility. In the world of Internet Marketing, your credibility is all you really have to fall back on! Protect your reputation and your credibility by avoiding the following pitfalls:

1. Do not allow your article to become a sales letter. The readers are not stupid people, they recognize sales letters and ads when they see them, and trying to pass such off as an informative article will lead to your failure – very quickly.

2. Don’t make your article too short. Your article should be no less than 300 words long. Anything less does not count as an article and probably will not be taken seriously. Alternately, do not make your article too long. 750 words is the maximum length for a good article.

3. Check your spelling and grammar! Poor spelling and grammar has been the downfall of many hopeful Internet Marketers. There are many word processing software titles on the market that will help correct any spelling or grammar mistakes you might make. Check and double check spelling and grammar before submitting your article!

4. Avoid a sales pitch in your author’s resource box. This space is for information about the author, and should be used as such, with a link for more information on the topic included at the end of the author’s information. Don’t turn the author’s resource box into an advertisement.

5. Avoid hype in your headlines, sub headlines, summaries, and in the article itself. Also avoid stating facts that you have not researched. You can bet that someone who actually knows the facts will read the article, and they will call you out on facts that are not stated correctly!

6. Do not plagiarize! Plagiarism is the act of copying work word for word, or even paraphrasing. Do your research, then write the article based on what you have learned, or quote and acknowledge your sources. You will never get ahead by stealing someone else’s work!