The Best Tips On Writing Persuasive Articles
Persuasive articles usually try to pit one viewpoint or opinion against another. You make your case and try to win over readers without seeming too pushy or overzealous, and to argue that your ideas are more valid than the oppositions'. But they're also a valuable eLearning marketing tool. You must be able to persuade prospects to visit your author profile or product landing page. But how do you improve conversions and click-throughs? Follow these 8 steps for writing persuasive articles to turn every eLearning article into a sales opportunity, minus the pitches and gimmicks.
1. Verify The Facts And Writing Viewpoint
Accuracy is at the heart of writing persuasive articles. Readers won't be persuaded to click on the links to visit your author profile if the guide's full of falsehoods or errors. You must also determine your target audience and their needs. Who are you writing for, and what do they expect from the guest post? Are you offering tips to novice eLearning professionals? Or troubleshooting advice for experienced business owners who need a new online training approach?
2. Create A Compelling And Concise Title
The title has to grab visitors and make them take notice without making false claims. Keep it concise so that readers know what they're in for and if the post is intended for them. Include targeted keywords to improve SEO and help visitors zero-in on the primary focus of the content. This is also the place to add your keyword phrase and give them a sneak preview of the discussion points.
3. Sum Up The Key Points
Follow the wow-worthy title with a brief summary of what the article covers. Ask a question to engage readers and get to reflect on the topic or surprise them with a stat or fact that encourages them to keep reading. Most site visitors will use the summary to make their decision. Will they invest their time in the post or move onto the next in hopes of finding relevant info? Once again, don't make any promises you can't keep in the body of the article.
4. Keep Paragraphs Short To Enhance Readability
Site visitors don't have a lot of time to absorb the information. They usually skim the article briefly then delve deeper to get the details. Keep paragraphs under 150 words and include sub-headers to break up the text. They can quickly tackle each section, see how it relates to their challenges, then move on to the next. Or even skip around based on their priorities. Concise paragraphs also allow readers to avoid redundant subject matter. Like tips, they've already discovered on their own through life experience.
5. Consider Audience Expectations
Everyone who clicks on your article expects something. Whether it's to narrow down their list of potential rapid authoring tools or see what the future holds for gamification. You must be aware of these expectations and how to live up to them with your guest post. Which details are they looking for? How should you approach their core concerns or problems? Do they need actionable steps they can implement on their own? What about supplemental resources?
6. Include A CTA
Your persuasive article is not complete without a Call-To-Action. You've covered all the key points, shared tips, and highlighted the benefits involved. So, cap it off with an engaging CTA that prompts them to click on the link and visit your landing page. You can also invite them to peruse your author profile to learn more about your expertise and what your company brings to the table. Just don't seem too pushy or gimmicky. Ask them a question that helps them see how your product or service solves real-world challenges. Or a brief statement that catches them off guard and sheds light on a hidden pain point.
7. Avoid Sales Jargon
Unfortunately, many readers expect to see sales jargon in guest posts. Which might make them disengage before they even have a chance to read the content. So, avoid any language that seems coercive or contrived. First and foremost, don't insult their intelligence or make them feel less-than if they don't click on the link. For instance, when every paragraph talks about the devastating consequences of using an open-source tool or not using a specific ID approach.
8. Use SEO Tools To Improve Online Visibility
Are readers able to find your articles? They might be persuasive, but the content won't bring in any business if they're lost in the online crowd. Use SEO tools to find the right keywords and organically incorporate them into your guest post. This can even help you find the best eLearning topics to cover. For example, there are many words phrases you can combine with your primary keyword to change the context. Or focus on overlooked niches within the industry. The secret is to choose keywords that are competitive but not oversaturated. You can also incorporate links to existing articles or landing pages to improve conversions.
Writing persuasive articles for eLearning topics does involve research, planning, and strong editing skills. Sometimes, your hard work must go under the chopping block for the greater good. Thus, you can save the rest of the article and enhance the overall value of the piece. Follow these steps to craft convincing content that grabs their attention and prompts them to click through. You should also periodically update your author's profile to include new areas for expertise or achievements.
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