Byline (By: ME!)

Bylines are simple – just type your name in box. Don’t use your business name - businesses don't write articles! If you're writing for your business, include it with a copyright at bottom of body of article.

Summary (That about sums it all up…)

Summaries are there to pull reader in. Their job is to tell reader what article is about, and to grab their attention so reader clicks and reads article. Much like a headline, these need to be fairly catchy, but concentrate on informing reader about article. This is not place to generate emotion (especially if your headline already has), but instead it’s where you need to leave reader wanting more.

For example, "These tips will help you make over $5000/month" is a good sentence to put in your summary, as is "Find out secrets of how to start your own business, without a lot of startup costs." Do NOT make this sound like a blatant sales pitch, or your article won't get read.

Next Time (Same bat time, same bat channel)

Check out Part 2 of “Because your articles suck” for tips and tricks on how to write a great Article Body and a wonderful Resource Box.

Resource Box/About Author (Last but DEFINITELY not least)

The resource box is possibly second most important part of article, aside from content. This is where you establish your credibility as an author, and prompt reader to go to your website. Start off by explaining, briefly, how you are an authority on subject you’re talking about in your article. Then, inform reader where they can go to get more information.

This area is not a free-for-all link directory; it’s highly targeted advertising. You wouldn’t put up a banner ad for boats on a site for mountain vacations, would you? No, you’d put up a banner for ski equipment or hiking equipment. By same token, link to one site, and ONLY one site, as closely related to article topic as possible. If you get urge to add a second link, write a second article - more than one link changes resource box from a great resource into a text ad. If you can, use anchored text with your keywords in your link - this helps with backlinking and also with increasing your SEO ranking.

Backlinking is discussed in another of my articles – You can find it at http://www.Content-Articles.com/Article.aspx?i=24

To get more clicks on that SINGLE link in your resource box, use phrases like "To learn more, click here..." and "For more information about [enter something about your article topic here], visit..." If a reader is reading your resource box, they’re obviously interested in topic. Now is time to catch them and direct them toward your site to keep learning more.

The End! (Yep, that’s it)

Now that you’ve got techniques you need to start writing effective articles, go do it! I won’t keep you here any longer with my bad jokes and simple questions… Or will I?