Like so many aspects of writing, articles are very much a process of assembling  specific elements into the finished piece.

Articles not only serve as a key element in a writer’s income-generating arsenal, they can also be used to increase awareness of one’s work online. A number of sites accept article submissions which, although infrequently paid submissions, maintain a direct link to the author’s website. These articles are also frequently reproduced on other blogs and websites across the web, all linking back to the original author. This increased network of incoming links to your website can be a strong mechanism to improve visibility and, in particular, making your site appear higher in search engine listings.

Over at Net Writing, a recent post covers Ten Steps to Writing a Memorable Article. To anyone regularly writing articles, most of this list will seem obvious. But event he most experienced of us need to be reminded of the basics now and then. I never forget hearing how top-level golfers regularly go right back to the very basics and re-start their training by working with their coach right from the basics of grip and stance. It is a great way to ensure those bad habits we all inevitably develop, do not have a continuing detrimental effect on our work.

It’s that time of year when we start to look ahead at the 12 months ahead, how about starting by rebooting your article writing technique.