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Why “WHAT” is a Good Starting Point for Most Article Outlines

Author: Sean D'Souza

where_to_start

In any article writing outline you could start with just about any point of view. Your article could start off answering the questions “why, how, when” etc. So why start with “What”? And when do you start with “What”?

There's a simple answer…
“What” brings all your readers on the same page in a microsecond. The moment you tell me “What” you're referring to, I'm locked in to your wavelength. As a reader, I know “What” you're talking about.

And it's critical to have “What” at the starting point
Because if you don't, the reader is often meandering through your text trying to work out “What” you're referring to. But waitasecond, readers rarely meander. If they don't get answer to their question in a matter of seconds, or are confused by the direction, they just stop reading. And more often than not, the reason for this bail out is because you haven't answered the question “What” in the first place.

So let's take an example of a few headlines:
How Chunking Down Increases Your Expert Status
Why the Yes-Yes Factor Helps Bring Back Customers
The ‘Chocolate Theory’ of Creating Sequential Products and Services

All of these headlines attract attention because they've got these curious-sounding terms or specifics. This draws the customer in, but soon confuses them if you don't get to the “What” question early in the article.

But “What” doesn't apply to all article outlines
So if the concept is clear at the start: e.g. “How to increasing coffee prices”, you'll look like a propah idiot if you go about trying to explain “What” you mean by “increasing coffee prices”. It's only when you have something unusual or specific that you're going to need to get customers on the same page.

And some examples again where “What” isn't needed at the start
How to retain 90% of everything you learn
The Logical Case For Increasing Your Prices
Understanding What “Focus” Really Means

In summary:
1) Answering the question “What” enables the reader to be on the same page as you.
2) “What” is critical in situations where there is a chance of confusion e.g. when you use unusual terminology.
3) A confused reader bails quickly if you don't answer the question “What”.
4) “What” is not needed to start all articles. It doesn't need to hog the spotlight all the time.

So the next time you're writing an article, think about the reader.
Will they quickly grasp your point of view? Or will they be confused? If you have even the slightest doubts that the reader is not on the same page as you, make sure you slide in the “What” at the top. It helps calm the reader down and allows them to read the rest of the article without confusion.
——————–
“Now I hear my staff talking about implementing a new promotion and the first words they utter are “Ah but first we need to do a target profile.” “
I learned about Sean from a restaurant marketing friend. Normally I would have not gone anywhere with this new found information but I respect this guy a lot and he said that Sean is one of the best marketing minds around.

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We are looking at our existing and potential Guests more differently now that ever before.
Thanks, Sean. Looking forward to working with you and your products for many years to come.

David Bardon, Bardon Bowling Centers
, WI, USA

Judge for yourself
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What I found instantly on 5000bc were answers to my most pressing questions related to my business. That made the cost of joining 5000bc, even after only a week or so of being a member, insignificant relative to the value received.

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Peter J. Draper, Equity Transitions Inc., Mississauga, Ontario.
Judge for yourself https://www.5000bc.com
———————
New Products: Introductory Price

1) Learn how to create drama and curiosity and help improve your web page conversion with visuals.

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———————

Next Article Writing Article: How to Create An Overview Topic (Without Spending All Day)
Next Step: Read actionable articles on article writing.

The Headline Report

The Headline Report has been downloaded over 155,000 times. In ten minutes (or less) you’ll learn how to systematically build a headline that works. Click on the button below to get a detailed report on "Why headlines fail (And how to create headlines that work)".

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Filed Under: Article Writing Tagged With: Article Marketing, Article Writing Secrets

Comments

  1. Jef Menguin says

    October 26, 2010 at 10:48 pm

    Thank you Sean. Again, you made me examine the way I write my blogs.

    Reply

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