FIVE COMMANDMENTS, NO PROFESSIONAL FORGETS:Use Key Words

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 39

FIVE COMMANDMENTS, NO PROFESSIONAL FORGETS

Following are the basic commandments, which must not be forgotten by any professional.

1. Make your point and prove it

2. Generalise, but don't use generalities

3. Separate fact from opinion

4. Locate universal images and experiences

5. Entertain

How to successfully write?

Article writing is an excellent way to get your message out, especially if it appeals to your readers

because they expect and enjoy quality articles. Meet their needs and they will come back for more.

Writing your first article can be very challenging for some and not as challenging for others. Whether you

feel challenged or not, you can become a skilled article writer by learning and practicing the following

tips.

1. Mind Map to overcome writer's block

Visualise the three parts of a bicycle wheel - the hub (centre), spokes, and rim. Spokes extend from the

tiny hub at the centre of the wheel and are attached to the rim. When mind-mapping, your subject is the

hub, arrows are the spokes, and the points you make about your subject are the rim.

Use only circles and arrows when mind-mapping. First, put your subject in the hub. Draw an arrow

(spoke) from the hub to the rim. Then draw a circle on the rim and put the first point you will make about

your subject inside that circle. Repeat the process for all the points you intend to make. When finished,

you should have a circle in the centre of circles that are connected by arrows. This is the outline for your

article.

2. Use Key Words

Use words in your title that attract readers and search engines. These words are known as keywords. Do a

Google search to find keyword tracker sites. Follow the instructions on the site. Remember this will select

which keywords to use - the greater the number after the word, the greater the interest.

3. Know Your Niche

What's your passion? What are you interested in? Appeal to readers with the same passion or interests.

Who would know their needs better than you? But there's always a possibility that your readers may have

a different interest. Build a relationship with them through your articles to see what their present needs

are. Then write a message addressing their needs.

4. Write Conversationally

Let your heart speak to the heart of your reader. Your head is your knowledge centre, it wants to be

formal. But your heart is informal; it just makes your points. Easy reading helps your readers know, like

and trust you.

5. Use Quotes, Illustrations, or Case Studies

Give examples your readers can relate to and understand. Stories are an excellent way to make points.

6. Create an Attention Grabbing Title

The importance of titles cannot be over stressed. Your title must capture the interest of your reader or

your article will not be read.

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7. Presentation of Your Message

Your article can be the best on the market, but if it is lumped together, readers won't read it. Just as chefs

make dishes attractive, make your articles attractive. Learn to use short paragraphs, subheads, numbers,

and bullets to add variety to your articles.

8. Rewriting - Blending Your Head and Heart

After pouring out your heart on paper (also known as a heart dump), take a break. No editing is required.

Later, come back and edit your article before submitting it.

9. Final tip

Use an article writing template.

Seven basics to keep in mind

1: Write well

If you are going to spend the time and put for the effort, then make sure you write well. Always use your

computer's spell check. Furthermore, proofread your articles for proper grammar, which is a common

pitfall for many writers.

2: Write often

Beginning writers often struggle with the idea of having writer's block. The truth is writer's block is just a

form of stalling and procrastination to keep you from writing.

3: Keep an idea bank

This is quite possibly your best tool. Yet, many writers don't make it a habit of keeping a running list of

ideas. Compile them in a notebook and carry it with you everywhere, so you'll never miss another idea

again.

4: Write passionately about your topic

If you're going to write, then write whole-heartedly. Your readers will know in an instant if you have no

interest in what you're writing about.

5: Use quick outlines

When you start with a quick outline before you begin writing, you are able to stay focused in your article.

This helps tremendously if you tend to ramble or go off on tangents.

6: Have something important to say

If you're going to write articles, be sure you have something of great value to say. Rambling on for 400-

600 words about nothing in particular will drive your readership crazy and may even turn them off and

cause them to avoid your future articles.

7: Be confident in your writing abilities

All too often, we writers tend to be our own harshest critics. Rather than nit-picking your articles to the

point of desecration, focus on your positive writing traits.

Keep these seven commandments of article writing in mind the next time you write and you'll be just fine.

What you aught to know

There are some basic principles you need to know about writing articles.

1. Consistency is key

If you intend to write articles to submit to article directories for the sole purpose of article marketing, then

you must be consistent. You can't submit a few articles one time and expect to see huge results. Article

marketing requires persistent writing and submitting to the directories.

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

2. Clean copy counts

One of the worst mistakes writers make is not proofreading their articles before submitting. It drives

editors crazy to receive articles that are riddled with grammatical and spelling errors. Do a quick spell

check on your computer and proofread your article for proper grammar usage.

3. Passion perfects your message

Whenever you write about a subject, speak passionately about the topic. When a reader can feel the fiery

passion inside you as you write, they can more easily relate to what you're saying.

4. Your resource box is as important as your article

This is the place where you get your two seconds of advertising. Make your resource box fun and

interesting. Compel readers to click to your website for more.

5. No article is complete without a specific call to action

Every article you write should contain a call to action. This usually comes in the resource box at the end

of the article. Provide good information in the body of the article. Define a problem and tell readers how

to solve it. Then give them a reason to click for more at the end.

Write like a professional

Have you been salivating over other writers' articles? Do you wish you could write with the authority and

detail that they do?

1. Capture every idea

For some reason, a lot of writers don't do this, and I can't understand why. If you are a writer, your best

friend should be a notebook and pen. Keep one with you all the time. Every time you have an idea, even if

it seems like a silly one at the time, write it down. This idea bank will be a lifesaver for you many times

over when you get ready to write articles.

2. Determine the main idea for each article before you begin to write

You should never start an article if you don't know where you'll begin or end. This may work okay for

essays, but when you write articles, you need to have a plan.

3. Create a fun headline for your article

Headlines will either grab a reader's attention or bore them. There is no in-between. Start your article off

with a fun, attention-grabbing headline that will make readers want to keep reading.

4. Write in a conversational tone of voice

It's funny because new writers tend to freeze up and start writing with their "head" voice. They use big

words and long sentences. Don't do that! You'll confuse readers and make them walk away and never

come back again. Write in short, straight to the point sentences. Write like you talk.

5. Use bullets and lists

Technology has drastically decreased our attention spans. Use this to your advantage in your articles.

Include bulleted points and quick lists in your articles. This makes your articles easier to read and more

consumable.

6. Write short paragraphs

Again, don't be long-winded. Keep your paragraphs 3-5 sentences long, at the most. Don't cut your

thoughts short, but be mindful of running on and rambling. Be succinct.

7. Proofread and edit your articles

Never submit an article before proofreading and editing it. If you do, you'll probably end up with simple

spelling mistakes and grammatical errors that could have been caught early on.

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

8. Be entertaining and interesting

As you write your article, think about how you carry on a normal conversation with someone. Write with

this in mind. Say what you have to say in an interesting way.

9. Loosen up and have fun

Finally, don't be so uptight in your writing that you lose your sense of self. If you write stiff and rigid, that

is exactly how you'll come across to those who read your work. Just have fun with it!

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