It is a well-known fact that writing good quality articles and placing them on the internet is a great method for getting exposure. Unfortunately, it is also a great method for exposing yourself in a manner that you would prefer not to.
As an avid writer and reader I spend a few minutes every day reading the thoughts of other contributors. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. Often I am not.
I see the same mistakes made time after time.
Before I list six common errors let me tell you that I spent many years as a professional letter writer, editor, proof reader, report writer and speech writer. I have also penned eight books and have had many letters, articles and short stories published in countless newspapers, magazines and, of course, all over the internet.
If you want to check this for yourself you can look on any search engine and you will see my name come up all over the place. (Now I am really going to be under pressure to perform at the highest level.) Enough about my credentials.
Mistakes...
I am going to list some of the most annoying ones for a reader. Fixing them will definitely make your writing stronger. Here they are:
Too many spelling mistakes will destroy your credibility. People will wonder what other mistakes you make. That leads them to questioning the accuracy of your information.
See what I just did? The paragraph was getting too big. Lots of "white space" around short paragraphs is far easier to read. A dozen or so paragraphs is far easier to read than something that looks like some lawyer's horrible legal document.
I used to place the pages at my feet, stand up, then view them for visual effect. If the paragraphs looked too chunky then I would create more "white space." Eventually I was able to do this naturally from my desk.
Chopping and changing subjects within paragraphs makes your thoughts look jumbled. Do this and you will also lose readers. They will think they are playing a game of mental "snakes and ladders."
Several short sentences with an occasional long sentence like this one will give variation. Short sentences are easily understood.
If you use very long sentences people will have to go back to re-read them to understand what you are saying. Is that what you want?
Often people will use big words to impress their readers. Let me assure you - it is not impressive. You will lose readers.
Having said that - if a large word gives a specific meaning that no other word can then you should use it. Just don't make people run for the lexicon too often. Sorry. I should have said dictionary. See what I mean?
To summarize:
If you adhere to these six key points your writing will improve and your readers will appreciate you for it.
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About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice."