Content is most valuable asset on the web (see my Content is King chapter from my book for details), but most people don't know how to get started writing. Many people totally freeze up when they think about writing. It's just like anything in life, the more you do it the easier it gets. And the good news is that once you start writing regularly, it can be FUN!
Everybody can write! If you've ever written an email to a friend or loved one - you can write. If you've ever written an essay for school - you can write. You also have a unique perspective on the world. You are the only you out of billions of people, so be the best "you" that you can be. Be unique and tell your story as only you can!
If you hear the word “article”, you might think of stories in magazines and/or newspapers. For the purposes of this article, I have defined it as a short, informative piece of writing that conveys an idea or concept in a useful, interesting and/or entertaining manner. It doesn't have to be long, and 400-800 words is ideal for creating a short, easy to read article.
A good article tells the reader something that he/she didn’t know before. People reading articles expect to either learn something or be entertained. In the ideal case, you will entertain and educate your readers.
So, why should you write an article?
If you want to drive free highly targeted traffic to your website/sales page, then article marketing is one of the best traffic-generating strategies. The search engines and social media sites love great and unique content, and if you can provide it to them, they will reward you by sending herds of targeted traffic (real potential buyers) to your website.
An informative article, filled with lots of keywords and an attractive title, is the best way to get the attention of visitors and buyers without paying for it. For those with a small or no budget, this is a way to trade time for traffic.
Career Opportunities
Another reason to write is that you can sell your articles to others. Many business owners and webmasters, such as those who don't like to write or don’t have the skill or time to write their own content, are willing to pay good money for well written articles. The Information Business is a HUGE market, and the Internet is all about delivering information. It’s a proven fact that the majority of web surfers are looking for information online, be it free or paid.
If a business can’t provide good content to your site visitors or subscribers, then your business is doomed to fail. You can pay a company to send millions of people to your website, but if they can’t find anything useful on your pages, they will click away, and never come back.
Most people think that to write a good article, you have to be born with a special talent, study all the classics, and know all the rules of English grammar, usage, etc. This is not true. Grammar and spelling are important, but most people have access to tools that allow spell and grammar checks, so this shouldn't hold you back. You can also hire professional proof-readers and use that relationship as you build your skills through a mentoring process.
The key to writing a great article is that you just have to enjoy talking and communicating. One of the things you may discover from writing is that the more you write, the better you communicate verbally. Write your first draft with you heart (like you talk - tell your story as you would say it), then write the final draft with your head (fix your mistakes and organize these thoughts). The more you write, the better you will be able to communicate on every level.
You just need to get yourself started.
Writing your first article is most probably the most difficult part of article writing. It can be very daunting to sit down for the first time in front of your computer with a blank screen. The key to getting that first article out comes down to selecting a thought, and writing it down as you think it. Some people use voice recorders, and this may be a good way to go for most beginners that can't type as fast as they think.
Write about your passion. You may love playing basketball or have a passion for gardening. Whatever it is, if you have a strong feeling for your niche, then you will succeed.
Once you learn how to write articles quickly, all you need to do is "rinse and repeat" - do it again and again as you build your information assets on the web.
Some of the key things to focus on in your writing strategy.
- Identify a niche market - your passion.
- Write short articles with 400-800 words.
- Use a catchy title and provide useful and/or entertaining information.
Conclusion
Wait for visitors to flock to your website, and then turn that traffic into subscribers and buyers by offering them a valuable freebie from your sales page, in return for their email address. As you build your list, your sales will increase and your business will grow!
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Writing Sales Copy <--
