Article Writing for the Web is Different

Many seasoned article writers are of the opinion, because they have published a poem, a novel, wrote for the local press etc, qualifies them to be a good article writer for the web. Sorry people, that is not true.

 

Writing for the web is something completely different from printed media. With printed media you write for someone who will start at one point and are likely to read all that is offered. With web article writing, your article will not be placed in front of the reader and he looks through it and sees if he wants to read it. He must search for it before he can read it!

 

The way you have to structure your web articles is not a complicated formula you need to apply. You can use your own creativity and test various ways and find one that you are comfortable with and most importantly, a way that is acceptable to your clients.

 

Most of the times, your client inform you about the specific structure requirements he have for his articles. You may not agree with this, but do remember, first of all, the client knows why he wants it that way and secondly, while your client does the paying, he can have it the way he want.

 

The Best Structure for a Web Article

 

A properly structured web article will always have 3 basic elements. Note: Not can have; will always have:

• A proper introduction
• Text body that provide the reader with information on the topic
• Summary of the content or a closing paragraph.

 

The Introduction

 

The introduction paragraph needs to put readers in the picture on what they will be reading in the article. It needs to be strong and grasp the interest of your reader instantaneously. Apart from making it attention grabbing, this is one of the most important places to use keywords. It is advisable to use keywords as close to the start of the first sentence of the introduction as possible. This is done so that search engines pick up the article easily during a search. After all, this is the main objective of SEO.

 

 

The Body Text

 

As an article writer that conducts many searches on the internet, you ought to know how frustrating it is to read half of the site before you find the information you are looking for.

 

When you start with the body text, put the facts on the table right away. Give the reader immediately what he is looking for. Web readers are impatient. If they do not find the information they are looking for in the first couple of paragraphs, they are likely to move on the next article that most likely will.

 

To ensure you client receive optimum use from your work, make sure to include the keywords through out the body text in a natural way without compromising the reading ease or flow of the article. However be careful not to start each sentence with the keywords or flood the article with keywords. The secret is to use the keywords without the reader noticing them worked into the article.

 

 

Summary or Closing Paragraph

 

Commonly the closing paragraph serves as a final summary of the content you provided the reader with. In addition, your closing paragraph must create the urge with the reader to take action of some kind or the type of action the client would require from the purpose of the article. Using the keywords in the summary paragraph is very important for SEO purposes.

 

 

With these three elements in your article, you can be sure to end up with a professionally constructed article and moreover one that is effective in the purpose it needs to serve. Always try to make the article as simple and uncomplicated to read.

The Effect of Proper Formatting on Your Articles

 

I am still of the old school type that firmly believe that the type of work that I send off to my client is in large a reflection of myself. Unfortunately, looking at some of the assignments I receive at times, it seems that some people do not really care what others read or see in their work.

When it comes to that old saying about first impressions… That is very much applicable when it comes to presenting your writing work as well! If I open a website, and I am willing to bet on it you too, and it is all cramped up and disorderly I really do not feel like reading there anymore. I rather look for another site where it is well structured and easy to read. The same goes for when I open an article a writer send me. 

Formatting of your work is very important.
It is your job to ensure whoever might cast an eye on it must find it easy to read and have interest at first glance. The content might be absolutely brilliant, but if it is a cluttered, disorderly block of text, the reader will approach your thoughts with negativity before he even read a word.


Now you might ask, what is proper formatting of an article? It sounds much more complicated than it really is. A golden rule I always apply in all I do is to make it look the way I would have liked it to be if I would be the one reading it.

Formatting is about how the article looks even before you start reading it. It is not about the content thereof.

• Structure your article properly with a proper heading and if needed sub-headings.
• Divide your text in to paragraphs of about 3 to 4 sentences. Present every thought you want to convey with a separate paragraph.  
• Separate each paragraph properly with a clear line in between.
• Use proper punctuation.
• Bold the headings and write it in title case letters. Headings are not supposed to be all in capitals. That is SHOUTING! and extremely rude.
• If permitted, use a numbered or a bulleted list to create order.

Even though you may be very liberal and not part of the old school – some things never change and proper formatting of an article is one of those things.

~~~oOo~~~

“Oh! You are an article writer! What do you write?”

Every time I have to disclose my occupation for some or other reason it appears as if I have just landed from another planet! “Oh! You are an article writer! What do you write?” “I write articles for websites…” “Oh! That must be very interesting…”

I can not help to think for myself “goodness people? From what time and age are you? Don’t you use the internet? Where do you think all the information of all the websites come from?”


Why Do We Write?


Do you write articles because it is a way of earning extra money part time? Alternatively, do you write because you are an expressionist and find writing to be a comfortable and safe way to express yourself?


Maybe you find writing to be the perfect way to clear your mind while relaxing at the same time.


I write because I am absolutely hopelessly inquisitive. Writing articles for clients open up thousands of different worlds of which you never even might have thought of. Things like dental vacations! I am having a hard time just to visit the dentist if really needed due to the fear I have for these people and there are actually people who go on a week long dental vacation! Unbelievable!


More so too because I hate stagnation. I can not imagine myself doing the same thing every day at the same time, day in and day out over and over again. When writing articles for the web, you run through various topics a day, research and read, communicate with clients, inspire new writers. Never a dull moment.


Writing provides me with an income with the freedom to schedule and apply my time according to my own needs and the requirements of my family. I have the freedom to choose when and how much I want to work. However, don’t forget, if you work freelance there is no boss looking over your shoulder to ensure you deliver the work you are getting paid for! You and you alone determine you remuneration just as you determine your working hours and quantity of work. Self discipline is of the essence if you want to be successful.


At the end, the most important reason of all – I have a passion for writing. Starting with a simple thought and turning it into a piece of work that makes your client smile is priceless.

So why do you write?

The Beginning...

Not knowing where to start exactly with a first blog post, I reckoned the best will be to introduce myself before we get to work.

I am a full time freelance writer, residing in South Africa.

When I started my online writing career, I never thought that I would be entering a world so diverse, constantly changing and impossible to end up in a monotonous ditch.

Personally I do not think you choose writing as a career - it happens that you end up spending your time doing something you love and with commitment end up being paid for it.

Providing high quality, precise and focused work at a reasonable price is the key to success and that what I aim to do with all projects I take on.

I have experience in various fields of writing but the subjects closest to my heart are personal topics such as depression and trauma. More specific occupational trauma amongst emergency workers. All relating to the experience I gained through being a life coach.

Having experience as an International Public Relations Officer, certified Estate Agent, being the CEO of a community based collaboration program between the Police and the local Community in the past, sure helped to increase my general knowledge and the way the world works in more than one aspect.

Through these involvements, I have seen and experienced life from various angles and through the eyes of all walks of life and with these perspectives I graduated from The University of Life.

Appart from portraying a professional and quality image to potential clients, I would like to see this blog serving potential writers as well. It must serve as a medium where the newcommers of the trade can come and find guidance and advice.

After much contemplation, I can not seem to find a proper way to thank those significant people who served me with guidance and support, which enabled me to reach this point in my career. Leoni, Guilherme, Ali, Sunita, I sincerely hope that I will do justice and portray your excellent advice and guidance through this blog.

Being a devoted Christian, it is amazing to get to this point and look back on the road I have traveled and notice how the imense grace and work of Jesus Christ is visible in all I do and achieve. It is with sincere humbleness that I devote all the honor and glory to Him and go on my knees and thank Him for the endless blessings I am showered with every day.

May you all be blessed in all you do…