A lot of people who try to SEO their websites using articles will tell you that somehow, it doesn't seem to be working for them.
That's terrible, considering that it seems to be almost the only method that has weathered the years when it comes to internet marketing.
Why are so many articles that you write or have written before not doing much for you in the way of bringing traffic? They are probably well written and entertaining to read, but that's all.
They will not solve a reader's problem.
You see, most of the time people are looking for solutions to problems they have.
To solve a problem, you need to identify it (and all the better if you can identify with it) and then tell the reader how they are going to work their way out of it.
Let's have a look at 5 features that must be in every article you craft or have crafted for you.
Remember that each article is a salesman that is walking untethered around the net and making your sales pitch for you.
How would you like that salesman to look, how would you like them to speak and what would you like to happen at the end of that sales call? Here's how to get your "salesman" ready:

• Get Attention Grabbing Headlines

I call them must-reads, because whenever I see them, I have to read or otherwise bookmark them for reading later.
This is different from loud, obnoxious sounding titles.
These are titles that speak in a few words of a problem that you're able to solve, but at the same time hinting that the article will provide solid and valid information.
Take a look at the title of this article for instance.
If you have read to this point, it must be because there was something in the title that made you curious.
The thoughts that went through your mind could possibly be: yeah, I need that because it seems I'm getting articles written but not seeing an increase in traffic, or yeah, let me read through this because I want to know how I can write few articles that really make an impact.
Your title should hint towards a solution that can be reached through the reader knowing some kind of information contained in your writing.

• Ease readers into it

It's important that people know what you're talking about, so ease them into it.
Many times, I see people who start from too far off the subject such that they can only eventually triangulate on the subject on the 2nd or 3rd paragraph.
You're wasting valuable room for talking about your subject.
Ease in with the initial 2 or 3 sentences, and usually a highlight of the problem that your service or product will solve is a great way to start.
By the time you complete your first paragraph, mention your product at least once.
Starting by talking about your product right away smacks of sales pitch - that insurance salesman who you're afraid to make eye contact with.

• Get into detail about the problem

This is a catchy area for most writers.
They do it, true, but they end up sounding most unnatural.
Remember that most people, even when they have a problem want an easy read and they want a problem described in terms that they can relate with.
Talk about the problem like you suffer it yourself or know of someone who does or can totally empathize with the sufferer - not in a hands-off way.
You'll keep them reading because each sentence describes the way they feel.
We are all of us narcissistic creatures at heart and we like to see our experiences span to other people.
Why do you think chat rooms and forums are so popular? It's because they are comprised of groups of people who identify with each other.

• Now give them the solution

Here is where many writers go wrong.
Every problem has more than one solution but we all know that there are some that work better than others.
The best IM'ers will always give you more than one solution then highlight theirs as having a particular advantage.
"You have heartburn issues? Yeah, sure, you could eat a banana, drink some milk but what I have here could have you cured in minutes and the problem will go away for a long time".
See, that didn't go all out telling people that this is the only way to cure a heartburn because the writer knows that a heartburn sufferer knows all these alternative remedies and you would look too salesy if you said yours is the only thing that works.
You only tell them that you have what you think is the best amongst all of them.

• Lastly, tell the reader what they can do

This is critical.
It's otherwise called call to action.
Don't let people have to think for themselves what they need to do to get hold of your product.
Make it as easy as possible for them so that they can make that click faster.
If you follow these basic tips, you will find that your articles are getting you lots more traffic than before, and then it's up to you to come up with proven methods to convert this traffic.