Key #1: Choose a HOT Topic
You'll
need to do a little research on this
one. If you are already familiar
with the target market for your
article, this should come easy.
Research, spy, observe. Do whatever
it takes to understand your target
market. What issues are hot? What
topics currently appear within top ezines, messageboards, ebooks? What
keywords are they using to search
online?
It's
also a good idea to frequently visit
article directories and content
sites. These sites contain current
articles on a variety of popular
topics. Often, you can view the most
popular article topics (or clicks)
as well.
Key #2: Choose a "Magnetic" Title
Magnetic title? That's right. Your
article title is your headline. If
it doesn't pull the reader into the
article, nothing will. Just think
... what if I called this article:
"Get
More Traffic In The Search Engines",
"Easy Search Engine Tips", or "Free
Traffic Generation Strategies".
BLAH!
See what I mean? These don't pack
much "punch", do they?
Your
title is just like a classified ad.
Look at it this way. If your article
title is crowded on a webpage with
100 others, what will make it jump
off the page?
Key #3: Use The AIDA Principle
Attention Interest Desire Action
This universal formula applies
to your articles as well. Once
you've enticed your reader to
read your article (via a great
title), you need to keep them
reading.
The
first paragraph of your article is
critical. If it's dull, boring and
lifeless, your reader will surely
bail out. You must keep their
interest right from the start. Try
using short paragraphs, sentences
and words. This will keep the tempo
upbeat and make your article much
easier to read (or skim, as most do
online).
Key
#4: Create Several Sub-Headings
To
better organize your thoughts,
divide your article into
sub-headings.
At
times, writing a 500-700 word article can seem insurmountable.
Sub-headings make things easier. Instead of tackling
the entire article at once, try writing one paragraph at a time.
Key #5: "Close
The Sale" With A Resource Box
One of the worst things you can do
is to leave your reader hanging. They've just read your great
article, now what? A resource box appears at the very end of
your article. It's the last line that your reader sees. It's
your chance to set the next step.
Make
sure that your resource box is
compelling. Make the reader jump
over to your website, sign up for
your ezine, download your latest
ebook, claim their free gift --
get creative!
Entrepreneurial Creativity
Also,
the resource box allows you to
include a direct link back to your
website. Sit back and watch your
link popularity soar!
Key #6: Poofread Your Work
Did you
catch that? It should have read,
"Proofread". Nothing hollers out
amateur, newbie, or just plain
unprofessional than an article
filled with typos and bad grammar.
If you don't have an English major
in the family, hire a proofreader.
Their rates are reasonable and they
can save you from damaging your
reputation online.
Key #7 - Promote, promote, promote
Let's
make one thing clear. Without key
#7, keys 1-6 are a waste of time.
Bottom
line, no one will read your article
if you keep it stored on a floppy
disk in your desk.
You've
got to promote it!
How
can you promote your article? There
are close to 90 article directories,
article banks, free content sites,
article announcement lists, and
article syndication services out
there. And the best part is ... 95%
of them are FREE!
Plus,
there are thousands of ezines,
websites and blogs that are looking
for article submissions. Develop a
list of contacts in your target
market. Next, e-mail each ezine
publisher, blog owner, or webmaster
a copy of your latest article. There
are countless stories of individuals
who have succeeded using this exact
same approach.
Wouldn't you like to get your next
article picked up by an ezine with
32,000 subscribers or have 8,000
websites visitors view your article
tomorrow?
Now go
on, and get writing!

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