Okay, so you own a website. Thus, there are at least two things you need: content and website traffic. This is where articles come in.
By definition, the word "article" may perhaps conjure up images of newspaper stories or printed magazines. If you where a little too wide awake on the English lessons in school, maybe it means absolutely correct grammar and stuff like that (yawn!). In order to make the intention of THIS article perfectly clear, let me make clear that the articles I am referring to are:
"Relatively short, informative pieces of writing that conveys an idea or concept in a useful, interesting and/or entertaining manner."
Now, take a good look at that definition. There are several key words to help you determine what an article is. The word "informative" is perhaps the most important. Good articles let the reader walk away (or click away, as the case may be) knowing something they didn't know before. People read articles expecting to either learn something or be entertained - preferably both.
What about the term "relatively short"? Articles can vary in length, from a few paragraphs to several pages. The length of an article should depend on the information you're trying to convey. For example, "How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich" would be relatively shorter than "The Basic Operating Principles of Fission Reactors."
Lastly, but certainly not the least, you need to learn what articles aren't. Or rather, what they shouldn't become. Especially if you are using articles as a means of online marketing and promotion you must have something crystal clear - articles are not advertisements.
No one is interested in reading a three-page ego-stroke about how great your product or book is, or why dozens of people in your hometown are raving about you. "Articles" like these will not be circulated or read, and can actually decrease your website traffic when word starts spreading that your site is nothing but a bunch of advertising hype.
I hope you misunderstand me correctly in the above statement. Articles can indeed be used in order to drive both traffic and sales. But if you, in your writing, spell out all too clearly that you are really only looking to sell stuff, it will often have an adverse effect on your success.
By taking a more subtle approach, you will build a large audience much quicker - an audience that may eventually be converted into paying customers.
If you'd like, you can have a look at this free article marketing guide for even more details.
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