Well-written articles remain the best way to get your message out there. Articles not only tell your story, but they can also help your audience see how its best interest is served by following the guidance your article provides. For example, “How to Safely Clean Your Gas Barbecue Grill” can help your reader do something safely and place you in a better light, because your article makes you out an expert authority.
Articles, like any other piece of writing, need careful review before publishing. Through this review, you help ensure that the articles—and you—are top notch.
When writing your articles, avoid these mistakes.
1. Don’t make up quotes.
A quotation can enhance and sharpen an article. If you are the source being quoted, think about what you intend to say before you say it. Be sure, also, that the writer (if the writer is someone else) quotes what you say accurately.
If you are the writer, make sure you get the quote right.
Some time ago, I was asked for a comment about someone who had received an honor from my professional association. I gave a quote that was complementary of the individual. This person was worthy of the honor, and I was happy to say complimentary things.
The writer, however, decided on her own that she did not like my quote. She proceeded to make up a statement for me—putting words in my mouth—without first clearing it with me. Because I was editor of the newsletter, I found this out when it was time for editing.
If the writer did not care for the quote, she had other choices available to her. First, she could have repeated my statement back to me and asked if I wanted to say something else that might have been more appropriate. Second, she did not have to use to quote in the first place.
If you are quoting someone for a story, you must get it right. Quote what the person says, and not what you would have liked them to say.
2. Don’t forget to include times, dates, and places when necessary.
Often, an article previews an event that people will want to plan to attend. When writing this kind of article, always be sure to include times, dates and places. If there are other details, such as appropriate attire, or costs, include those also.
By reconfirming that you’ve cited the pertinent details, you’ve done your reader a service. You’ve thought through and answered the reader’s questions in advance. Miss one of these details, and you put both your reader and yourself in a potentially embarrassing situation.
One way to ensure all the details for upcoming meetings are listed is to put it in its own paragraph, which you can structure like this:
The reception is set for 7 p.m. Friday, March 10, at the Westchase Hilton Hotel, 9999 Westheimer Road. Dress is casual. Cover charge is $5.
3. Don’t forget to explain why.
Suppose you’re writing an article about a topic in which you are interested. While it’s good that you find your topic interesting, you must be sure to explain why the topic is important to the reader.
Using the reception example above, we might say that the reception honors someone who has enjoyed a great career, or is a networking function featuring local industry leaders, or whatever it might be.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can take a big step towards telling your story well.
