A Simple Guide On
Writing Successful Articles For Medium
To Increase Your Earnings
As a writer, you must enjoy the writing process — at least most of the time. If you don’t, then perhaps you have another destiny.
But all writers want to be read, and this article is about some ways you can attract readers and keep them interested in your writing until the very last word has been eyeballed.
Your first paragraph is the most important. You must get the key aspects of your message into this first paragraph. If you can capture the interest of your reader at the very beginning, then it’s likely they will keep reading.
Before you write, ask yourself what is the most important message you want to make with your article. Always mention this in your first paragraph.
Next, make sure your title and headings are exciting and as original as possible. Use your imagination to create a fantastic title and supporting headings. If you want some help to create titles or headings, then there are several free online headline creators. The Title Generator is one I use.
Your headings should grab the readers’ attention. That is their primary purpose, but they should also offer a clue or signal about what is to follow. They must link to the forthcoming content.
For example, if you are writing an article on Losing Weight then a poor, unattractive title or heading would be something like How To Lose Weight Easily. It lacks vibrancy, interest and most of all it is vague and inconclusive.
Far better is the headline Lose Forty Pounds in 28 Days With The Easy Ten Step Diet. This title grabs the readers’ attention, is specific and creates an emotional response (the reader could visualise themselves as being slimmer and more attractive).
What’s In It For Me?
As a writer, you must offer something of value to your reader. That might be entertainment, useful information or advice that has proven to be of value.
Before they read your article, people have the question ‘What’s in it for me’ floating around in their head. This isn’t because they are selfish but because if reading your article has no benefit for them then they will skip to something more pertinent.
As you write your article keep the following reader’s questions in mind;
So what?
Who cares?
What’s in it for me?
Will your article answer these questions posed by your potential readers? If not, then they will soon lose interest and stop reading.
But remember a strong, imaginative title and interesting headings will pull them in and get them reading.
Your Two Best Friends.
Have you embraced white space and bullet points? Do you use them consistently in your articles?
If not, then you are missing out. They are your two best friends as a writer of articles.
Always make sure that your copy has plenty of space. Why? Simply because it makes reading your work easier on the eye. Aim for lots of brief sentences and paragraphs that are well spaced out. And include some extra images to add interest for your reader.
So avoid large blocks of text in your writing. It is a complete turnoff. Remember, large paragraphs of text always look daunting and most people won’t bother to read them.
How about bullet points? Do you use them?
If you can, aim to include bullet point lists in your articles. They are visually more interesting than paragraphs of text and you can use them for a variety of purposes. Using numbered lists can also work depending on your subject.
Incorporate some or all of the tips in this article and you will improve your readership level.
Be creative, always think of your reader, and keep writing.
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