HOW TO BRAND AND MARKET YOURSELF AND YOUR ONLINE BUSINESS ON A 'SHOESTRING BUDGET' OR EVEN FOR FREE by Craig Lock
Here are some tips in writing some articles to "spread the word"
about your business, as an internet marketing strategy...
and especially on the smell of an oily rag"...
Me write an article! Yes, you can, because you know more about
YOUR business than anyone else on this planet. And most
importantly, I don't believe that you have to be a "pro" writer
to write good articles.
HOW TO GET STARTED?
To "kick off"... Firstly pick a subject that YOU KNOW - a topic
that pertains (nice word that!) to your area of business. You
are the "expert" in it. Then write to HELP others by sharing
your unique knowledge or experiences. I believe, it's the BEST
MARKETING TOOL available.
And (can I begin a sentence with "an and" - yes)...You DON'T
have to be a good writer to write articles.
My advice is just find your "natural style" by writing as you
speak; as practicing writing in your "natural style" breeds
confidence. Then submit your articles to ezines and announcement lists, like:
Article Announce (the "original flagship" of article announcement lists),
Free Content, Publisher Network, Netwrite Publish Announce, FreeEzineContent, Free-Reprint-Articles and
Article Publish.
First you have to subscribe to these lists (check them out under
Google search engine.
You can also submit your articles to high-traffic web sites, that take article submissions, like internet entrepreneur Rick Beneteau's www.marketing-seek.com, Marnie Pehrson's www.ideamarketers.com and also www.zinos.com.
Check out some others on the net for yourself.
We find these marketing methods by far the most effective means of
getting traffic to our various sites (and one thing then leads to
another)...and best of all, this form of BRANDING your business
in cyberspace costs nothing, but a little time and effort!
Lately, all our marketing has been done through writing articles
based on my experiences and knowledge (in internet marketing,
writing, money and self help) and submitting them to the
above-mentioned article announcement lists.
Often from there they get picked up by ezines with large
readerships - from 10000 ...to even ones with millions of
subscribers. True! These big ezine publishers are continually
looking for new and quality content, particularly ORIGINAL and
valuable material that can help others.
My advice is... Write about what you KNOW - your areas of
knowledge and expertise, based on your unique life experiences.
We find this strategy of SHARING relevant and practical
information most effective of all in drawing traffic to our
various web sites...and best of all, it helps others "out there
in the vast void/realm of cyberspace". That is one of the main reasons why I write my various articles.
*
Here are some other points in writing articles for the www:
Firstly,
* Identify your target audience.
* Keep your title reasonably short* *.
* Keep your paragraphs short.
* Get to the point quickly (enough waffle with maple syrup,
Craig!).
* Target your article to your audience with "valuable and
focussed information".
* Use the occasional exclamation mark (!) to get your readers
attention (not too many, mind you!).
* Make sure your article flows properly. Re-read and re-read to
see how it "speaks" to the readers mind.
* Try to be concise in your wording. Brevity is the hall-mark
of good writing...or so say many of the teachers of writing!
(Though I don't necessarily agree with that last statement -
always breaking the rules eh, Craig!).
* Be credible (big word, eh?) at all times. I try to write my
articles in a "conversational style with dashes of my
funny/weird humour".
* Put some thought and effort into your heading - again to
get your reader's immediate attention.
* Use bullets in your articles - its makes the points easy
to follow (as I've used in this section).
* Conclude with a strong message. The final paragraph
should contain a message that summarises your article, or
gets your reader to take further action.
* Offer a free report with your article - this is an easy
way to collect a list of adresses for marketing your
product(s). An instant target market!
* Finally, make sure your layout is good (not one of my
strong points!), as this greatly enhances your prospects of
getting published.
Some prominent article writers say one should write
differently to one's natural style, when writing for the web.
I say, DON'T. Just write what comes naturally...and BE
YOURSELF. Though you may have to be somewhat briefer than
usual, if you are a "waffler", like this writer. People want
immediate information online and have limited time
usually (and attention span online, like this writer).
It's the "instant coffee, er sorry, generation.
The internet is such an amazing medium for
communication. I've just submitted this article and it's
been published almost instaneously (big word!) in a few
places (some article announcement lists). So
YOU TOO can write articles on your chosen subject in
your internet marketing efforts.
MORE TRAFFIC = INCREASED SALES
Your writing will improve with confidence... so just take
that FIRST STEP, that leap of faith and watch what happens.
Writers and internet marketers - Grab this moment in history well.
"Carpe diem" (seize the moment!).
Happy writing and...
Just GO FOR IT in the year 2004.
Craig Lock
http://www.craiglock.com
Craig Lock's books are available at:
http://www.bridgeniche.com/get-motivated-now/index.html
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE
The "original" Online Creative Writing Course
P.S: As the ancient Chinese philosopher said so well, "A journey
of a thousand miles starts with a ... broken fan belt and a flat
tyre"...er sorry...a single step.
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness
has genius, power and magic in it."
- Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe (German philosopher)
"There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle
or the mirror that reflects it."
- Edith Wharton
More articles on ONLINE-BUSINESS
The Basics of Ezine Publishing
How to Build an Online Business Part 1
How to Build an Online Business Part 2
How to Build an Online Business Part 4
How to Build an Online Business Part 5
How to Work at Home and Keep Your Sanity
Let's Get Back to Business
How to Build Credibility Online
How to Brand and Market Yourself and your Online Business on a 'Shoestring Budget' or even for FREE
Your E-Business Strategy: Is It Love Or Fear?
5 Top Tips For Attracting Targeted Traffic
Creating Content: The Easy Way
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