There are many ways to promote your web site. Some people choose opt-in lists,
some banner advertising, others choose reciprocal links or ezine advertising.
However, one method, which is often overlooked, is writing article and submitting
them to on-line publications. Those who have tried this approach would argue
that it is an excellent way of getting free advertising. In fact, many would
go as far as to say that it is much more effective than paid advertising!
But, how exactly do you go about writing articles? And how do you make them interesting
and informative? After all, when you are putting pen to paper - or finger to
keyboard - you are putting your credibility on the line with every word you write.
Furthermore, writing is serious business because you want your article to keep
the reader glued to the page (or screen) and, ultimately, click on your all-important
link.
All this may seem rather daunting to the novice writer. However, it is not really
all that difficult if you are prepared to put in a bit of effort. Here are a
few tips on article writing:
1. Pick a topic that you know something about - however little. You can always
go to the search engines for more information on your chosen subject.
2. If you can't think of a subject, take a look around you for inspiration. Did
you visit any good web sites this week? Did you receive any good emails? Did
you receive any really bad ones? Did you read any articles that you agreed/disagreed
with? You did? Good, then write about them!
3. Keep a note pad with you at all times. Ideas may come to you at the oddest
of times, so make sure you are ready to jot them down.
4. If you're really stuck for a subject, don't force yourself - it will show
in your writing. Leave it for a while, and then come back to it again another
time.
5. When writing, try to adopt a conversational style. Remember that a good article
does not have to be written as if by Shakespeare - this is not a literary contest.
Imagine that you are writing to a friend and you are giving them instructions
on how to do a particular task. Doing this will help your words flow more easily,
and you will sound as if you are talking to people rather than at them.
6. Avoid making your article sound like a glorified advert. There is nothing
wrong with promoting a product, but an page full of affiliate links and blatant
propaganda does not constitute an article. An article should be informative.
It should be creative and entertaining, and the reader should gain some insight
out of it.
7. Once you have written your article, attach a 5 or 6 line "Resource Box" at
the end of the piece, which contains your url and/or email address.
8. Always proof-read your article when complete, or get someone to check over
it for you. If you have a spell-checker - use it! If your article does contain
spelling errors, many publishers may simply discard it.
9. When you've done all that, leave it. Never submit an article straight away.
Mull over it for a while, and then come back and re-read it. You'll be amazed
ow many improvements you can make.
10. Learn from your mistakes. Your first few articles may not be very successful.
However, if you do receive advice or criticism from publishers, or anybody else
for that matter, take heed. Your writing will be all the better for it next time.
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About the Author:
Cas Amato, Internet Marketer.
Advertise to millions FREE. The Best marketing tool around.
http://www.roibot.com/w.cgi?R22292_BestArt