Writing Tips: 5 Proven Methods to Get Your Articles Read

Wouldn't it be great if everyone in your target audience clicked on your articles and read them? The internet is full of content these days. How can you be sure your articles are getting noticed in the mass of information? Here are some proven methods to get your articles read. They will work every time when used correctly.

Catchy Headlines

Always use link-baiting with a catchy title that makes people want to click. However, I advise against using a misleading title. This will make your readers mistrust you and they will be less likely to continue reading your articles. Make sure the title relates to your topic but that it makes the reader to want to know more, thus leading them to click on your article.

Formatting

Formatting is very important when writing for the web. Internet readers like to read what is pleasing to the eye. If your article is hard to read or contains large blocks of unbroken text, they will likely pass it up for something easier to read.

Break your text up into smaller articles.

Use bullet points and numbered lists for key points

Keep it brief and to-the-point

Use sub-headlines to break up your points

If submitting the articles yourself, be sure to double check that everything uploaded correctly with no broken text, garbled characters, etc. Photos

Photos and pictures can be an excellent way to break up your text and draw attention to the articles. Internet studies have even shown that users are much more likely to click on an article with an image than one without. Digital cameras are very inexpensive these days, especially simple point-and-shoot styles. You can get creative and take your own photos. Or if you'd rather use someone else's, there are many sites that allow you to download images for use and many of them are free. Here are some to check out:

Stock.xchange

Free Stock Photos

Geek Philosopher

Big Stock Photo

Clip Art

iStock Photo

Placement

Article placement is another important way to get your articles read. Articles on the front page are always more likely to get read. If you post your articles on a website yourself, you should put your best, most popular and most prominent articles on the main page. You can also use article linking to help people find other articles that you have written. For example, mention one article in another to entice readers to click on both.

Networking

Online networking is a great way to get people to read your articles. Use article submission sites, blogs, forums and social networking sites to advertise your articles. Include links in your email signature, in your forum signatures and anywhere else you are able to post them. Submit to sites like Digg.com and article directories. There are literally thousands of article directories online. You can submit to general article directories or to niche-specific directories. Here are some samples:

Novice Investing

Health and Fitness Articles

Ezine Articles

GoArticles

Free Sticky

There are many, many more article directories if you seek them out. These are five proven methods to help get your article read every time. Also remember the importance of having a high quality, interesting article or your readers will likely not be around for long. Happy writing!