(630 words)

Writing for web audience is a whole brand new ball game. Throw out all rules you learned in school or writing for print media. Why? They simply are not appropriate for Internet crowd.

It doesn't matter if you are clever at turning a phrase or your prose is beautiful. The Internet reader is in a hurry. They make lightning fast judgements. If your writing doesn't hit them like a fast ball, they're gone.

If you give hungry Internet reader what they want they will stick around long enough to digest all your clever prose.

In order to write for web and keep your audience you must follow these basic rules.

1. Don't Get Wordy. Web users are busy. Most will not read your 2,000 word article about history of widgets. Keep word count around 800 maximum. If you can't bare to trim your 2000 word article, break it up into 3 separate articles, part 1, part 2, and part 3.

2. Use Short Paragraphs. Forget long winding paragraphs that go on forever! Break up your paragraphs into easily digestible bits. Why? Think about how foreboding a long paragraph is to a reader who is in a hurry. They'll click away quick.

3. Use White Space. Use lots of white space around your article. This will make your article more inviting to eye and easier to read.

4. Use Bold Headings. Internet readers are pro's at skimming articles quickly. If your writing doesn't click they are gone. Use a bold heading before each paragraph or one that tells exactly what paragraph is about. This will draw reader in and capture their attention.

5. Start With A Surprising Lead. Start your article with a surprising statement, statistic, or fact. This will capture readers attention. Follow with a few sentences summing up how article handles problem.

1) Article creation and submission is a totally free marketing method! The only cost is a few hours of your time to write an article and offer it for publication.

2) Well written articles position author as an expert while increasing credibility and educating readers about their business, services and products. Many internet gurus started their careers by writing and publishing articles on internet.

3) Article authors are granted a by-line with each article that will allow readers to click through to a web site where they can be converted to e-zine subscribers for paying customers.

4) A good article can be used over and over again when customized for different audiences thereby reducing need for you to write new articles as often.

5) Many publications will archive your article on their web site giving you a lasting method of promotion.

6) Writing and submitting articles will help you obtain incoming links to your web site. These are not "link farm" quality links - these are highest quality links available and they affect your search engine rankings accordingly

7) Your article can be published on your web site, optimized for search engines and submitted accordingly in order to increase your search engine traffic.