How to improve your articles
IMPORTANT: Report on something people care about. Bookmark Google Trends now and check it frequently for the top searches of the day.
Here's the link again: Google Trends keywords.
1. Headline. Choose an explicit headline that instantly tells your reader what you’re writing about. Make sure it includes a verb. For instance...
Court Rules in Favor of Bridge Protesters in Argentina
is better than
Bridges Over Troubled Water
2. Images. Use images. Photos catch the eye and will draw readers to your article.
Search Creative Commons-licensed images on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/. Always cite sources.
3. Spelling & grammar. Check your spelling. People are less likely to trust the integrity of an article with spelling and grammar errors.
4. Ethics. We recommend writers follow the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp.
5. Links. Link to sources and resources. Readers will trust your article more if you offer proof. And linking to blogs and other news sources increases your standing in search engines.
6. Length. Break up long paragraphs. This makes your article easier—and more fun—to read.
7. Profile. Complete your profile. Add a photo and describe your background so that readers know why they should trust you.
How to get more traffic
1. Rate it. Give great articles a Thumbs Up to move them up the front page.
2. Digg it. Add your article to Digg, StumbleUpon, reddit, netscape and del.icio.us. These aggregators influence the flow of info online and will help people find your articles. Do the same for others to increase overall traffic to the GroundReport.com.
3. Tip them off. If you have a scoop, tip off blogs and mainstream news sites. Most sites accept tips via email. A link from a major news site can drive a ton of traffic. Do not, however, spam these sites--you will get blocked.
4. Email. Email your article to friends, family, student groups or colleagues who would be interested.
5. Facebook. Use social networks. Link to your articles from your profile on social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, LinkedIn, Orkut, etc.
6. Your blog. Link to your articles and portfolio from your blog to bring in more traffic.
7. Groups. Spread the word about GroundReport to your networks at school and beyond.
8. Karma. Promotes articles for each other. More people will come to groundreport.com--and find your work!
How to improve your articles
1. Headline. Choose an explicit headline that instantly tells your reader what you’re writing about. Make sure it includes a verb. For instance...
Court Rules in Favor of Bridge Protesters in Argentina
is better than
Bridges Over Troubled Water
2. Images. Use images. Photos catch the eye and will draw readers to your article.
Search Creative Commons-licensed images on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/. Always cite sources.
3. Spelling & grammar. Check your spelling. People are less likely to trust the integrity of an article with spelling and grammar errors.
4. Ethics. We recommend writers follow the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp.
5. Links. Link to sources and resources. Readers will trust your article more if you offer proof. And linking to blogs and other news sources increases your standing in search engines.
6. Length. Break up long paragraphs. This makes your article easier—and more fun—to read.
7. Profile. Complete your profile. Add a photo and describe your background so that readers know why they should trust you.
