Writing: Getting Started

Writing for web content is one of the easiest ways for writers to get their work published. If you have yet to submit articles for syndication, you are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to share your knowledge as well as to promote your name. Getting started is not that difficult...you probably already have done so and you do not even know it!

How do you get started? First of all, you are already a writer if you participate on message boards or send out emails. No, I do not mean those one sentence responses on forums, rather your informative, concise, and persuasive responses to interesting and engaging discussions. Typically, we do not think of message board discussions as being good writing. Some is, some isn't. However, much of the writing is at the very least a seed to something greater: by expounding on the thoughts shared, your article will germinate and take root.

Emails can also be an important article seed. No, not a spammy/advertorial type letter, but your missives to friends, acquaintances, and business associates. Chances are some of your emails contain the backbone of a potential article.

To get started, examine what you have written, see if the topic is interesting, and then pull out three key points in your email to frame your article. Include a topic sentence, a killer title, expound on the three points, and add in a dynamic conclusion and you have an article that is interesting, informative, and persuasive. Your email seed is now an article plant ready to be transplanted to quality article submission sites.

You may have to rework your original email or message board contribution, but your original work can be the stepping stone you need to get started. A simple outline containing the points I made in the previous paragraph will help you get started. If you are still unsure about what you have written, have a friend review your writing. You can even start a new thread on a receptive forum and ask for comments. From there, you may modify your work accordingly.

Writing web content can be enjoyable as well as rewarding for you. Get your start today by reviewing your "portfolio" of informative emails and engaging message board discussions -- plant your article seed today and it will result in a bountiful harvest tomorrow.