Article marketing has become a very popular method of both free expression and free promotion. So much so that some people believe that the effectiveness of article marketing has been diluted by the sheer volume of articles being written. I believe, in many cases, that article marketing is still the key to your success. To be successful, one must avoid some critical errors in writing and marketing their articles.

Does This Grab Your Attention?

The primary mistake many writers make is failing to provide a headline that invites readership. An effective headline grabs the reader's attention and creates an interest in reading the rest of the article,

A great way to learn how to write effective headlines is to scan the headlines on the covers of some of your favorite magazines. In fact, borrowing high impact headlines from articles in your niche, and modifying them, is a highly effective strategy.

Remember, if a particular article headline in your niche grabs YOUR attention, creating a similar headline will probably grab your reader's attention! So, learn to educate yourself by studying the headlines of other writers.

Pour Spelling

I am as guilty of this as anyone. In fact, in this hub, you may even find some errors in spelling. It is difficult to establish credibility as a writer when your material is full of errors in grammar and spelling. Simply make it a habit to spell check your articles, and faulty spelling should not be a problem.(note- do as I say, not as I do!)

Keep It Short And Sweet

Most people scan articles, instead of reading each word. People are just too busy, and tired, to read all your words of wisdom. For this reason, keep your sentences short, and your paragraphs limited to 3 or 4 sentences. Make sure your article has plenty of "white space."

Remember, We Only Need One "War And Peace"

Most people make their articles WAY too looooong! Generally, your reader's comprehension span is short, much like most people's attention span. The fact is, most people read to be entertained, not educated. If writers forget that fact, and get too "full of themselves", they might find readership diminishing. Do not write 1000 words, when 500 carefully chosen words can do an effective job.

Learn To be Resourceful

Article directories frequently supply an area at the end of the article body for the author to supply information. This area is called the resource box. It gives authors an opportunity to give information to the reader about whatever they deem important. It gives authors an opportunity to give information about themselves, or guide the reader to the next step they want the reader to take.

Another Headline?

Remember, if the article is being written to promote a product or a service, the content in the resource box must be written such that it entices the reader to click on a link. Sometimes, writing a headline of sorts in the resource box will do the trick. Make sure to give the reader ample reason to click the link, and gather more information.

Articles For Profit

If you are interested in profitable article marketing, or how to make money from writing, I would heartily endorse a members only website operated by Debbie Dragon. Debbie has been a successful free lance writer for six years. She is a wonderful instructor, and VERY accessible. She even GUARANTEES your first paid writing assignment as a result of her class!