Writing Business Articles

Writing Good Business Articles

In today’s business environment, people are constantly searching for quality information. They want to understand processes, systems, products, services, and organizations better. They are always on the lookout for online and offline articles that present current and relevant information. In business, articles enhance an enterprise’s reputation when they impart practical information to readers in an organized and easy-to-read format.

So, how does a business, whether small, medium or large, use articles to enhance their business? They place their articles on their company websites and on their company blogs. Sometimes a business writes a search engine optimized (SEO) article intended for widespread distribution on the Internet. They provide links back to their company website in the author’s resource section at the end of the article. These articles build traffic to business websites.

Articles are also part of online and offline trade publications. An example would be a business article on new trends in inventory control. Retail trade magazines geared to retail managers, for example, would publish this type of article because it applies to the interests of their readership.

Most businesses today are taking advantage of the Internet. They embrace the exposure that’s available to their business via this medium. Many print publications are adding an online version of their publications. Some are forgoing print altogether and just using the web. Therefore, a significant amount of business article writing is for an online audience.

Here are some points to consider when writing articles that will reside on a business website or business blog:

1. Have a Title That Tells the Reader What the Article is about

An example would be “5 Ways to Ensure Health and Safety in the Workplace”.  The article would have an introduction concerning workplace health and safety. It would then proceed to expand on the 5 points, and offer a suitable conclusion. The reader knows by reading the title exactly what they will receive from the article.

2. Write in a Conversational Tone

You don’t want visitors to your business website or blog to feel as if they’re reading an encyclopedia. Write in a simple, clear style, and make your paragraphs flow logically from point to point.

3. Use Shorter Paragraphs

Very long unbroken blocks of text are a chore to read at any time, and especially online. Strive for paragraphs that have five sentences maximum. In fact, long winded sentences are also a chore to read online. Strive for an average of 14 or 15 words per sentence. That’s an average, though, as some will be shorter and some longer.  You can use Word or Google Docs to check the "readability" of your article (See Below).

4. Include Examples

A business article may talk about a product or service. Including examples or case studies shows the reader how a product or service actually works. The article will explain the benefits of the product or service and examples of how it helped others.

5. Point Your Reader to other Resources

Your article should include references and links to where your reader can get even more detailed information.

You may reference an outside source or direct the reader to other pages of your business website where they can access more information.

In business, articles are also appropriate content for a business’s promotional newsletters and ezines. They’re also suitable for publishing on other sites or in other ezines. These are the aforementioned SEO articles.

A business SEO article is an article of 500 to 750 words based on keywords or keyword phrases. The intent is to have the right keywords in the article related to what web searchers are using as search terms.

For example, an accounting software company may write an article on how software can help a business manage payroll efficiently. Other businesses looking for quality accounting software may key in search terms such as “payroll software” or “accounting software for payroll”.

They’re looking for information concerning payroll software. The SEO article dealing with this topic will have these words and phrases sprinkled throughout the article. This will help the article get ranked higher in search engine results page listings. Consequently, more people will find the article online and from the article readers can click on links back to the company’s own website to get even more information, or maybe even buy something.

Look at various online articles in article directories and similar places. You will notice links at the end of the article stating who wrote it, and usually there is a link back to that person or organisation’s website as well. This is how SEO articles build traffic to websites.

The key to writing business articles is to refrain from making them sound like commercials. They need to be quality pieces full of useful information. They are supposed to answer any questions that your audience might have concerning a particular topic. They present advice, tips, solutions, and current information. Readers really don’t want a blatant sales pitch in an informative article.

Business articles published online or in print are ambassadors for a business for as long as they stay in circulation, and that can be for a long, long time, which means it’s important to get it right; spelling, grammar and style are all important. Businesses can even take advantage of articles to discuss issues that are important to their readers. They can highlight their enterprise in an interesting, dignified way through offering valuable and useful information. They build their reputation as authorities in their field via top-notch articles loaded with good information.

Use articles to promote your own business if you run one. At your workplace, suggest articles as a means of promoting the enterprise. The business of writing articles…for business… is a great way to connect with potential customers.