Publishing an e-zine is the ideal opportunity to showcase your
business. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you build
credibility as an expert, while spreading the word about your
services and products.
While I'm sure that sometimes you have dozens of content ideas, I bet
other times you find yourself staring at a blank computer screen,
grumbling that it's publishing time again. Well, have no fear! Here
are 11 quick (and good) content ideas for when you're in a pinch.
1. Give real-life examples.
Describe a problem you've solved for a client/customer, and use that
as a springboard to offer more general advice. Show your readers how
you've helped customers address challenges - "case studies" if you
will. This positions you as the expert in your readers' minds more
than your coming out and saying so.
2. Think of three areas in which you'd like your clients to think of
you as a resource.
Now develop content in those areas. For example, as a professional
copywriter, I really enjoy working on Web sites. To help encourage my
clients and prospects to hire me for these projects, I published
several articles on how to write Web copy that sells.
3. Read industry publications for ideas.
Are there any hot issues in your field right now? The more
controversial, the better. Don't be afraid to offer your own opinion -
your readers want to know it. After all, YOU are the expert!
4. Jot down 8 questions your clients have asked you in the past.
You know, the ones they ask you over and over. Answer each in a short
article. If you publish weekly, that's two months' worth of content,
right off the bat! And if you can't think of any questions, send all
your current clients/customers a quick e-mail, asking them what
topics they're most interested in learning more about.
5. Learn anything neat lately from an industry conference, workshop,
seminar, or insightful article?
No one says you have to reinvent the wheel of information! Pass on
any gems of advice you've learned elsewhere - just give them full
attribution. Or give your opinion of the event or article itself -
your readers will appreciate your frankness.
6. Offer a list of your top 5 or 10 tips on a certain subject.
It's much easier to bang out a list of tips than to put together a
real article. Of course, the tips can evolve into an article if you
wish! Be sure to list your best tip first, or at least close to the
top. (If you "fire your biggest gun" last, you risk losing your
audience before they get to the good stuff.)
7. Interview associates whose expertise would interest your readers
(while not competing with yours).
E-mail interviews are incredibly easy to do. Just send your
interviewee 3 to 5 questions via e-mail, edit their answers, and have
them approve the final version. Be sure to give them a short plug in
your e-zine as a thank you. (A one-sentence description of their
business, phone number, their Web site URL, and e-mail address should
be fine.)
8. Recommend books and resources that you use, and offer full reviews
on them.
In one issue of "AKB MarCom Tips," I featured reviews of my favorite
four copywriting resource books. I then later posted them at my Web
site. (If you're interested, you can see them at
http://www.akbwriting.com/akbresources.html
).
9. Invite readers to write you with their own questions, and answer
one in each issue.
Right after their question, publish the person's name, business, e-
mail, and Web site address. They'll enjoy the attention/publicity!
10. Invite readers to send in profiles.
Ask them to tell you about themselves - their names, businesses,
locations, and how they use the information gained in your e-zine.
Feature one profile in each issue or one every few issues.
11. When all else fails, borrow an article!
There are dozens of Web sites offering hundreds of articles that you
can use in your e-zine. The articles are free and available for you
to use immediately. The only catch is you're required to leave the
entire article intact, including the author's promotional information.
Here are three places to check out for free content:
Business Article Announce List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aabusiness
EZ Ad Success - http://www.ezadsuccess.com
Idea Marketers - http://www.ideamarketers.com
One last note: Keep in mind that if your e-zine's main objective is
to get you more clients and customers, you should NOT feature other
writers' articles more than once in a blue moon. Showcasing other
professionals on a regular basis undermines the idea of establishing
YOU as the expert in your readers' minds.
(c) 2001 Alexandria K. Brown
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About the Author:
Alexandria Brown, a.k.a. "The E-zine Queen," publishes the FREE
biweekly "Tips from the E-zine Queen." PUBLISHERS: Learn how to write
irresistible content, promote your services/products, and gain
thousands of subscribers quickly.
Subscribe now via mailto:EzineQueen-On@lists.webvalence.com