Format Your Article Properly

• Don't duplicate. Don't put the title of the article and your name inside the article text field (entry box). Our system automatically handles attaching your title and name in the appropriate spot. Webmasters who use our system to automatically build their ezine or Web sites often bypass articles that unprofessionally duplicate this information.
• Don't use strings of characters like ----- or ***** in your article to set information apart. This can throw the formatting off on your article and make it look odd or even extend outside the boundaries of the page and be unreadable on some browsers.
• Be sure to press the Enter or Return key twice between paragraphs so that your article isn't one long paragraph.
• Bullet properly. When using bulleted lists either put a
  at the end of each line or learn to use HTML bullet codes.
• Don't use all CAPS. Using all capital letters in your title or within the body of your article is seen as unprofessional and will deter publishers who use our automated system from selecting your article.
• Be consistent. Use consistent formatting and headline styles throughout your article.
• Avoid font codes. Don't use HTML font codes within your article or your article title. They can throw off the formatting of our system and cause your article to display improperly.
• Be conscious of word count. Most people using IdeaMarketers to find articles are looking for Web content. Keep your articles short. 500-1,000 words is optimal. A feature article can be as long as 1,500 words, but do not extend beyond that.

Properly Use the ''About the Author'' Section

• Keep your bio or About the Author information brief. Limit it to 4-6 lines in length and mention any URL's you'd like the article to link to when it is used. By giving publishers a perfect ''About the Author'' bio, you'll increase the chances of them using your article. Some have complained that the author's bio in many cases is actually longer than the article!
• Write it in third person. Third person bios are more professional and more likely to be used.
• Think twice before including your resource box at the end of your article. Our system automatically puts your standard bio from your writer profile at the bottom of your articles. There is no need to put an additional one at the bottom of the article text – unless you need a special different ''about the author'' section to be used with that specific article.

Use Correct Grammar and Spelling

Use a program like Microsoft Word or some other program with a grammar and spell checker to check your article before uploading it to our system. Remember that words like your and you're, then and than, their and there are not always caught by spell checkers. So make sure you read over your article carefully before submitting it. If you have a friend with a good eye for spelling and grammar, have them read it first.

Write Factually and Document

Although there is a time and a place for editorial and opinion and our publishers use many articles of this kind, there is a good market for factual articles. Consider writing articles that do not use the words "I" or "me" in them.

• Do your homework. Use books, online newspapers and magazines to find supportive research to back up your theories or ideas. Quote from these properly by including either a link to the full article or a footnote at the bottom of your article.
• Use quotes. Interview people who know about the topic on which you are writing. Get permission to quote them in your article and give them proper credit for the quote. Read articles in magazines and notice how often magazine articles quote experts to support the information being delivered.
• Read and study writing styles. For whatever topics you write about, read print magazines that cover those topics and get a feel for the type of writing style professional writers use. Watch their techniques, their use of quotations, etc, and learn to integrate these tools into your writing style.

The point is, make it easy for people to use your articles. Don't make them have to spell check, correct your grammar, or edit your biographical information. Give them factual, accurate information in a friendly format, and your chances of being published will increase dramatically.

For information on our Writer's Promotion Package which includes promoting your articles to high traffic Webmasters and through our syndication service along with proofreading services, Click here.