How to Write a Perfect Article for the Internet 



So you want to write articles for the internet?

Congratulations! You've hit upon one of the fastest growing and most interesting aspects of online business. Internet articles are used for a wide variety of purposes, such as:

• Electronic newsletters
• Article databases
• Free publicity
• Drive traffic to a web site
• Build your portfolio
• Establish new contacts & relationships
• Position yourself as a subject matter expert
• Create opportunities for making more money

Can writing internet articles really accomplish all of this? Yes, and more. But only if you know the right way to write for the internet.

Let's look at Five Keys to Success.

1. Be concise

Most new writers make the mistake of trying to pack too much information and too many words into each article. That's great if you're writing a novel, but for internet, remember that less is more. After you write an article, put it down for a couple of days before looking at it again. You'll be surprised at how much editing you can do to tighten it up and make it concise.

2. Be targeted

Target the subject, tone, and style of your articles for the intended audience. Are you writing for people who are already familiar with the subject? Or are you writing for people who know nothing about it and need an introductory overview? Technical or conversational, formal or informal, be sure your article appeals to the target audience.

3. Be neutral

You've seen those crazy sales pages on the internet; you know, the ones promising "huge riches", "incredible weight loss", "amazing transformation", and the like. Savvy readers recognize this type of language for exactly what it is – exaggerated, overstated, and meaningless. Keep your language neutral and factual if you want your articles to be taken seriously.

4. Be web friendly

The way a person's eyes move and take in information is vastly different on the internet than with printed material. Reading on the web is much easier when text is laid out in short paragraphs, with frequent use of sub-headings in the article. Perhaps the most powerful tool for being web friendly, though, is the use of bulleted or numbered lists. The extra spacing and concise statements make them perfect for catching the interest and attention of internet readers.

5. Be correct

Nothing will damage your credibility as a writer more than inaccuracies or mistakes in your articles. Always double-check your facts, and thoroughly proofread for spelling and grammar errors. Recruit a trusted friend to proofread your material, and do one final check yourself before posting to the web. The best way to do a final check is to start at the end of the text and read backwards, one word at a time.

Conclusion

The bottom line when it comes to writing for the internet is to make your articles perfectly suited for the medium. That means getting rid of wordiness and keeping the content concise and tight. It also means targeting your topic and your writing style to your audience. Avoid exaggerated "sales" language if you expect to be taken seriously, and format your articles to be more readable on the web. Finally, always ensure your material is 100% accurate and error-free before posting on the web.
If you follow these easy guidelines, you will quickly find yourself writing perfect articles for the Internet.