Writing articles for publication online is definitely different than writing anything for offline print publications. I have created a list of seven great tips to help you write effectively on the Internet.

1. Write short paragraphs.

Break your text into sections of no more than 100 words.
Use a lot of white space to separate your paragraphs. This makes it easier to read. Online readers tend to scan the text on a website. If you present your articles in small sections, you will deliver your message more effectively.

2. Start your paragraphs by asking a question.

This will probably make the reader want to continue to read your article to find the answer. Try to eliminate unnecessary words between the question and answer to prevent losing the reader's attention.

3. Take time to think about the best headline for your article.

If your title does not capture the reader's attention immediately, they will probably skip your article altogether.

For example: If your article delivers ten specific tips about a particular subject - tell the reader exactly that in your title.

4. Create lists to clearly identify the significant points within your article.

You can create a list using bullets - this is called an "Unordered List." Or you can make a list using numbers - this is called an "Ordered List."
The directions for creating either type of list are explained below:(eliminate the extra space after < and before >)

To create an UNORDERED LIST
Begin with < ul > < li > This is the tag for creating an unordered list
< li > Each thing you type after the < li > tag will appear next to a bullet on the web page < /ul >

To create an ORDERED LIST
Begin with < ol >
This is the tag for creating an ordered list
< li > Each thing you type after the < li > tag will appear next to a number on the web page < /ol >

5. Outline the goal of your article to the reader.

Tell them the specific benefit they will gain by reading it.
Make it simple to understand what tips and/or knowledge they will learn by taking the time to read what you wrote.

6. Make your point quickly.

Less is more. Do not waste your readers time with unnecessary words. Say what you have to say with as few words as possible. But make sure you choose effective words that clearly convey your message.

7. Stick to your topic.

Focus your writing on one explicit subject.
Do not try to cover two or three topics in the same article.
Keep the reader's attention by only writing about one subject and writing about it well.

To summarize these tips:

• Keep it Simple
• Make it Informative
• Write it Concisely, Clearly and Wisely.

Danielle Hollister

Danielle Hollister is a single mom of a seven year-old son, who is her personal assistant in their home office, where she has been working as a freelance writer, editor and researcher for more than 10 years. Danielle?s work has been featured in online newsletters, like Briefme.com's Books & Literature ezine, on various websites, and in print publications. Before expanding her career focus to the Internet, she worked for more than three years as a freelance reporter for The Patriot-News, the only daily newspaper in her hometown of Harrisburg, which is the Capitol of Pennsylvania. She also spent two years as the assistant writer to the Director of Public Relations at Penn State Harrisburg, after graduating with high honors from the University with a Bachelor's Degree in Humanitites/Communications. While in college, she worked part-time to pay for her education as a Special Events Coordinator for the Central PA Chapter of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and as an Editorial Assistant for Stackpole Publishing in Harrisburg.