Writing an article can be daunting (especially if you don’t feel like you know enough to write one). Still, it is a powerful medium for conveying ideas, sharing knowledge, and engaging readers. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting your journey (like me), honing your article-writing skills is essential to create compelling and impactful content.
Here are five tips I found helpful to create well-crafted and engaging articles (still working on the crafting) that captivate your audience (am I captivating yet?):
- A Captivating Introduction is crucial to grab your readers’ attention. You can start with an intriguing fact, an anecdote, or a thought-provoking question or statement. This sets the tone for the rest of the article and entices readers to continue reading. It provides a clear preview of what they can expect.
- Organizing your article logically and coherently makes it easier for readers to navigate and understand. A well-structured article enhances readability and allows readers to grasp the main points easily. This includes bullet points, numbered lists, and indents for key information for clarity.
- Add personality and authenticity while maintaining professionalism. Infuse your article with your unique voice and personality. Authenticity connects your readers, making your content more relatable and engaging. You can share personal stories or experiences to illustrate your points and establish a genuine connection. Two thumbs up on this one! 👍 😎 👍
- Make it engaging, clear, and concise. Use simple language, and avoid jargon or technical terms they may not understand. Keep sentences and paragraphs short. See what I did there? 😊. This helps to maintain interest and avoid overwhelming them with dense blocks of text. Use transition words to create a flow and connect ideas smoothly.
- Editing and proofreading – the final step! Revise your article for clarity and grammar. This is where it can get you! Check for spelling and punctuation errors and proper formatting. You can read your article aloud, so you can hear it, and catch any awkward phrasing or lack of flow. Consider getting feedback from others to gain valuable perspectives and make necessary improvements. I have a mentor that I reach out to when I get to this stage. Shhh, just between us, she’s a tough cookie and that’s great! Thanks, Debi! 😊
If you know what you want to say but you’re not sure how to say it, you can always outsource to a copywriter. A good copywriter also knows how to infuse your voice into your article. It’s not just about being informative it’s also about connecting with your audience on a personal level.
Things I Enjoy Doing: Movie Marathon
I enjoy watching two or more movies in a row. Specifically, action & adventure, some dark comedy, and the out-of-this-world crazy stuff like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Species, Alien, Predator, and Resident Evil, to name several. And I have some of these on DVD! 🤣 No judging!!
I get my finger food ready (something I did when my daughter was younger) and settle in for the day or evening into the night. So, in my singing voice, no interruptions, please! 😊
My longest marathon was the Marvel Adventures in timeline order with Ironman, Thor, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and the rest. Awesome! That’s a lot of movies, whew! It took some time but I got through it and had fun with it. Yes, more popcorn, please! 👏🏽👏🏽
