Do you submit articles to general article directory sites like EzineArticles or targeted sites like Coach Spotlight? Keep in mind that site visitors like your ideal client may be browsing through a whole page full of other articles in your topic or category.

If you’re writing articles about the topic that person is interested in and submitting those articles regularly enough, then hopefully your article appears somewhere on that first page. Because, let’s face it, few busy people are going to click to the next page, and some may not even scroll down to read what’s below the “fold,” or the visible part of the screen.

You’ve done the work to create a great article that’s targeted for your ideal client and displays your expertise. Don’t stop now! You’ve got people to help and they need to find you! So instead of leaving the space blank, or letting the system plug in your first paragraph as a default, take the time to craft a compelling article introduction (also known as a “teaser”).

This is where you and your article need to toot your horns and get your ideal client’s attention. Because until that person clicks through the read your article, they won’t know enough about you to see whether or not you’re the right fit to help solve their problem.

Here are a few things to remember when you’re crafting an article introduction or teaser:

• Think like The Enquirer. The next time you’re in line at the grocery, scan the magazine covers and notice what makes YOU want to turn the page! Try to “hook” your potential readers with the benefits they will get from reading your article (new information, resources, tips, etc.).
• Start a conversation. Ask a question that will get your prospective reader thinking about the topic and how well they relate to it. Use the same language they would use and keep the focus on them.
• Be a tease. Why do you think they call it a teaser? You want to evoke curiosity and urgency about the valuable information they will miss out on if they don’t click through to read your article right this second.

BONUS

Article introductions aren’t just important for article directory websites. One of my own readers pointed out that my Aweber blog broadcasts (weekly updates of new posts from my Idea Generator blog) automatically used the first paragraph of my article. She encouraged me to write a more compelling intro and I’ve been doing it ever since.

Image credit: talk2frank

Technorati Tags: article directory, article marketing, copywriting

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