If you find that you have hit on a topic that cannot be covered in 300-500 words, then you are ready to create an article series. One of the greatest benefits of an article series is that it keeps your audience coming back for more. Just make sure to make yours a successful series by following some tried and trues techniques. Here are some instructions to get you started.
Create an Outline for an Article
Start out by creating an outline for an article. Your outline should have a title line and then several broad topics that define your paragraphs. Each broad topic should have supporting information to build the body of your article.
Research and Prepare to Write
Once you have your outline, you know what kind of research you need to do. Now is the time to hold interviews, read articles and news stories, and find supporting information. Gather all of your sources and begin writing.
Write the Complete Article
Write the entire article before you publish any part of it. Life tends to get in the way of writing when it is most necessary. If you have your whole article ready before you publish, then you will be able to follow through with your promised additions.
Divide the Article into Smaller Parts
Divide your article into 300-500 word posts. Smaller is better, but make sure that you have enough information in each post to make an interesting read. A three part series with great content is better than a five part series with empty fillers.
Create Introduction and Conclusion Lines
There is one feature that is unique to an article series that you don’t use in short blog posts. They are the beginning and ending sentences that connect the series. For your introductory sentence of the first post, let your readers know that this is the beginning of a series. The ending sentences should let your readers know what to expect for the next installment. Your second, and any following entrees, should review the previous posts. On the last part of your series, wrap up your entire series, making it clear that this is the final post.
Publish One at a Time
Some blogging services are set up to allow you to schedule future posts. If that is the case for you, schedule each post for separate publishing times. You can choose hours, days, or weeks apart. Add a sentence to each post of the series that lets readers know when to expect the next post.
Go Back and Link Articles Together
As you add each entree, go back to the previous ones and place a link to the new article. Every part of the series should have links that take the reader to and from each part so that they do not get jumbled about with unrelated blog posts.
Now all that is left is letting your fellow bloggers know about your newly published series!
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