Marketing Wisdom: November 2006

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Nourish the spider, engage the human

Writing for the Web:Copyright (c) 2006 Rick Sloboda
Webcopyplus
www.webcopyplus.com

When you're writing for the Web, you answer to two masters:
humans and spiders.

For your website to reach its full potential, your web writing
needs to appeal to the emotional needs of your target audience as
well as the logical needs of search engine spiders.

Nourish the spider

Search engines, such as Google, identify relevant web writing for
their search results by sending spiders (or robots) to 'crawl'
and index websites. Complex sets of rules called algorithms are
then employed to determine how useful your site is and where it
should rank in the search engine results.

Given the facts that more than 500 million world-wide searches
are made daily, and search engines account for more than 85 per
cent of all new visitors to a website, Search Engine Optimization
(SEO) is by far the single most effective marketing strategy you
can use to gain online presence.

But before your webpage can be optimized, you must determine
which keywords to target. This involves:

* Finding relevant keywords
* Determining their popularity
* Assessing the amount of competition
* Deciding which keywords can be best supported with quality web
writing

The selected keywords must then be tactfully integrated into your
web writing. Search engines reward sites with well-written,
relevant and content-rich copy, so your web writing should
comprise a keyword density ratio of three to seven per cent. This
is calculated by dividing the keywords by the total number of
words on a page.

Engage the human

Once you drive traffic to your website, your web writing must
connect with visitors on an emotional level to engage them and
ultimately convert sales.

What's the quickest and most effective way to achieve this? Give
people what they want: relevant web writing!

When you're writing for the Web, recognize and address the real
needs of your visitors, and make it easy for them to find what
they need or want to know.

Do:
Engage, inform, influence and convert online visitors into
customers with clear, concise and relevant web writing.

Don't:
Bore or irritate visitors with company-centered, self-absorbed
messages, which will only guide cursors to the 'back' button.

Ignite readers' emotions by clearly communicating the benefits
of your products or services. It's amazing how many businesses,
large and small, overlook this all-important aspect, and instead
focus exclusively on features. Promoting benefits will help
visitors envision themselves experiencing your product or
service.

By providing relevant web writing, you empower visitors to make
informed decisions. This gains you instant credibility and trust,
increasing your chances to turn them into full-fledged customers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Rick Sloboda is a Senior Web Copywriter at
http://www.webcopyplus.com Put your web writing
to the test with a free, easy-to-use keyword
density tool More Webcopyplus web writing tips

Get HTML or TEXT Copy-and-Paste Versions Of This Article at:
http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/db/s/writing-for-the-web.shtml#get_code

Build Links And Popularize Your Site

Author: Alpna
Word Count: 384
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=104984&ca=Internet
Format: 64cpl
Author's Email Address: bsb_associates[at]yahoo.com (replace
[at] with @)

Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=104984

What is Link Building?

Link-building is the process of obtaining inbound links from
external websites to your own site to improve both direct
referrals (people visiting your site by clicking on your links)
and search engine ranking. It can be very difficult to get
quality inbound links so I am listing a few proven methods that
you can use to build back links that will help you boost your
sites search engine rankings.

1: Article submissions
Write an article on a topic related to your site, then submit
it to free article sites. Your article can then be reprinted
all over the web, always with a link back to your website.

2: Press Release
Press releases can be very effective tool for alerting the
media to your website and getting publicity through media
coverage. You may include link to your site in the press
release, there are number of press release sites for example
prweb dot com

3: Free directory submissions
You can receive a free inbound link by submitting to hundreds
of free directories. Just make sure you follow their submission
guidelines and then be patient as it may take several months for
your site to be listed.

4: Paid directory submissions
Why pay for directory listings if you can get them for free?
Many webmasters choose to buy directory listings, for several
reasons. First of all, your site will generally be listed much
quicker (in most cases usually within 24 hours). Also, you can
often get a higher quality link from a paid submission than a
free submission as most of time paid directory will higher
pagerank.

5: Three way link exchanges
Link exchanges are arguably not as helpful as they once were,
but 3 way links are still excellent. For example you own Site A
and you will provide a link Site B and Site C will provide you
with a inbound link.

6: Forum posting
Join forums related to your site and become an active member of
forums. Of course, you can include a link to your site in your
forum signature.

7: Blog posting
Find blogs to your site and leave relevant comments on blog
posting and leave a link to your site within the comment.

About The Author: Alpna owns & operate http://www.mingleon.com

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=104984

For more free-reprint articles by Alpna please visit:
http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Alpna

Write Articles & Get Your Website Noticed

Author: James Hunaban
Word Count: 413
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=104707&ca=Marketing
Format: 64cpl
Author's Email Address: james[at]wyesidecomputers.com (replace
[at] with @)

Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=104707

As you are reading this article, I take it you want your
website to get noticed online and you want to drive some
traffic to it. Of all the marketing strategies, article writing
is one of the best, and my particular favorite, and best of all,
it's virtually free. It definitely helps your site to get a
better ranking and a better placement in the major search
engine results.

Article writing is also a good way to gain some sort of
credibility in the internet marketing world. Writing articles
for content websites is quite a bit different than writing say,
magazines articles. Don't forget that the reason every one is
banging on about article writing, is that there is no better
way to obtain a one way link and generate traffic to your
website.

If you are having trouble getting started, have a look at
published articles on the same subject as you intend to write
about. As with any subject these days, there is plenty of good
advice on article writing flying around the net, you just have
to go and look for it. Article writing is not that difficult
and is enjoyable for some, while others find it hard work. Me,
I am somewhere in between, and find the trickiest bit is coming
up with a subject that will be of interest to people.

The resource box which you put at the end of your article
should have a short bio and definitely your website address,
because this is the link through which you can generate traffic
from your articles. You may well be pleasantly surprised at the
targeted traffic it will bring to you. If you ask any
successful internet marketer of a good way to drive targeted
traffic to your website, I'd wager that article writing would
get a strong mention.

The good news is that there are loads of article submission
sites on the internet. By submitting your articles to these
sites, you are almost guaranteed to gain some traffic for your
website. Just ensure you read the submission guidelines on
these sites, as they can vary quite a bit. The article
submission sites usually stipulate a minimum and maximum amount
of words for each article; most of them want at least 250-300
words. I usually aim for 350-600, but it's your call. Well
that's, all, go and get writing. If I can do it, anybody can.

About The Author: James Hunaban is the owner of
http://www.article-land.com/ a Free Article Directory. A great
place to submit your articles, and get free content for your
website.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=104707

For more free-reprint articles by James Hunaban please visit:
http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=James+Hunaban

A Few of Jay Abraham's Secrets

Copyright (c) 2006 Steven Gerber

Quick Turn Marketing International, Ltd.
http://www.WebsiteConversionExpert.com

People excel in different areas of specialization. And this
usually depends on their capability and intelligence. Not all
people are born intelligent, or with special gifts. Since the
early times, there are quite a number of people with special
gifts, like the inventors, the musicians, and so on.

One man who is very well known today because of his exceptional
talent and capability is Jay Abraham. He is the CEO and founder
of the Abraham Group Incorporated, located in Los Angeles.

He is even considered as America's no.1 marketing wizard because
of his ability to boost the success of different business,
income, and wealth. Small or big, it doesn"(tm)t really matter.
There are a lot of satisfied testimonials of Abraham's superb
ability and expertise.

The secret to a business' success are its hidden assets,
undervalued possibilities, and overlooked opportunities. And
these things can only be identified by Abraham. Aside from this,
he can also identify patterns which limit or restrict the growth
of a particular business. He can look into a business' marketing
approach and effectively tell what is wrong with it. He is able
to impart to many business owners the concepts which they can
adopt to ensure market competitiveness.

Here are just a few of Jay Abraham's secret to a successful and
wealthy business venture:

* business owners should learn what they really want, and how
they want to get things done without holding back; some even go
through it all without following the status quo

* every business encounters certain obstacles and problems,
and once you triumph against all this things, you can reach the
peak of success

* always think positive, disregard negative thinking; if you
encounter problems, try to look at them as opportunities or a
solution

* the saying 'try and try until you succeed' can do miracles
and it's definitely true; giving up easily will not take you
anywhere

* business ethics is very important; never compromise, lower
standards, or sell out, take a firm stand in everything you do

* you must be able to believe and commit, and once you have
set a goal or goals, do everything possible to achieve it without
stumbling on others

* you must focus, diversions should not sway you from your
goal; focus on accomplishments

* don"(tm)t be afraid to take risks; if you think you can
attain maximum yields and minimum downside, go ahead

* have no fear; move forward, and take chances

These are just some of the secrets that Jay Abraham imparted to
people and business owner. If you absorb all these things, put it
in your mind, then you're ready to make your way to success.

You can even memorize it if you want. But don"(tm)t let it end
there; you must be able to apply it in real life. Incorporate it
in all your undertakings.

Being America's no. 1 genius, he has his very own website. Feel
free to visit the site, and perhaps you too can discover the way
to success and wealth. Any business undertaking wants to succeed,
and if you think Jay Abraham is the answer, go for it.

Take the chance. And who knows, he's just the person that
you're looking for to help you in your business troubles. And
perhaps, your success is just around the corner, waiting for you.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Steven Gerber is a professional copywriter and
marketing consultant with more than 8 years of
expertise. He is a protï¿½gï¿½ student of Dan Lok ï¿½
The World's #1 Website Conversion Expert, and
in Stevenï¿½s totally biased opinion simply THE
BEST. Youï¿½ll find the latest internet marketing
techniques and tricks at:
http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com

Get HTML or TEXT Copy-and-Paste Versions Of This Article at:
http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/db/g/jay-abraham's-secrets.shtml#get_code

Content: How Can It Help You Generate Traffic?

Author: Daryl Daughtry
Word Count: 476
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=105335&ca=Marketing
Format: 64cpl
Author's Email Address: janet[at]coachjanet.com (replace [at]
with @)

Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=105335

The term "content" when used by Internet Marketers refers to
written words, audios or videos. Incorporating content in your
website can help you generate more traffic in a number of ways.

How Does Content Help You Get More Traffic?
Search engines love website that offer valuable content. No
matter what type of site you have, you can leverage this to
increase the traffic to your website. Whether you have an
online store, a forum, or a blog, you can add content to
generate traffic.

Also, visitors just plain love sites that offer free content.
Personally, if I go to a website that is just a storefront, I
may be hesitant to buy. However, if I come in and click around
a bit and get to know more about the owners and their products,
I may just pull out my wallet.

Plus, content makes websites "sticky". This means that, if a
visitor comes to a website and finds good information (in any
format), they are more likely to return than if they just land
on a sales page.

How can you Add Content to your Website?
1. Add articles to your website. You can use a mix of your own
unique content, free reprint articles and Private Label Rights
(PLR) articles.

2. Add a blog. If you don't want to add articles directly to
your site, then create a blog where you can talk about your
products or services and list special offers. You can add
articles to your blog, or simply chat and showcase specials and
uses for your products and services. Establish yourself as an
expert and people will come back for more.

3. Tweak your product descriptions. This is a simple way to
increase the content on your website (and, possibly, increase
sales). Just add more text to your product descriptions in your
storefront - be more descriptive, and you'll be providing more
content.

4. Ask for comments and feedback. No matter what kind of
website you have, incorporating comments from others can help
make your website more valuable.

5. Add testimonials. Simple and effective, testimonials not
only make your site appear more trustworthy, but they also add
content for search engines.

6. Archive your newsletters. If you publish a weekly
newsletter, archive your previous issues on your website.

7. Add audio. It's simple and easy to record and publish audio
online now, with services that do everything for you. Interview
someone or have someone interview you. Include your interviews
on your website for added credibility and information for your
visitors.

8. Frequently Asked Questions. Keep track of the customer
service questions you receive, and answer them on a FAQ page.
You'll add content and spend less time answering repeat
questions from your potential clients.

About The Author: S.D. Daughtry is an internet marketing
professional who hosts an online discussion forum called Net
Business Talk featuring internet business marketing. Visit the
forum at http://www.NetBusinessTalk.com .

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=105335

For more free-reprint articles by Daryl Daughtry please visit:
http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Daryl+Daughtry

Monday, November 27, 2006

Dan Kennedy-the millionaire maker introduces the harsh reality approach

Copyright (c) 2006 Steven Gerber
Quick Turn Marketing International, Ltd.
http://www.WebsiteConversionExpert.com

Among the companies which collapsed in a lifespan of three years,
what could have been the hole in the bucket which was sustained
for two years but failed on the third? The product quality? The
insufficient capital? Or the lack of advice from a pro? In any
way, there is a man who could point out the root of failure and
give straightforward solutions. And he'll hit it right to the
core.

In almost every topic as long as it falls under business
category, name it and Dan Kennedy has the say. He is recognized
internationally for his practical advices that can overturn
bankruptcy to a Fortune 500 company. And for those who want to
start a career in business in a non-conventional way, Dan Kennedy
can guide you to a new and better perspective. He is a superb
guru in the marketing field providing success in a way no other
can.

Dan Kennedy uses a fashion of provocative and sometimes sarcastic
way that cuts directly to the core of the matter. He deviates
from the idealistic point of view because he sees the potentials
of failure or success in a more realistic line of attack. He was
able to infuse his humor to present the harsh realities in the
web market. These all took him to be the leading consultant of
many fields in the business.

His circle of clienteles ranges from sole proprietorships to
companies and titanic corporations. And testimonies of
debtor-turned-millionaire clients had inspiring stories to tell.
For instance, there was a couple whom Dan Kennedy rescued from a
failing advertising business. In a matter of two years, a new
mail-order letter generated their income which hiked to 250
thousand dollars monthly. Another Guthy Renker Corporation where
Dan Kennedy served as a pillar is now a profit-generating $200M
corporation.

Dan Kennedy is the genius behind the remarkable pages of striking
ads among the distinguished publications such as USA Today, The
Wall Street Journal, Success and the list of magazines goes on.
You'll easily know that Dan Kennedy has had a touch in it when
you spot the work of a pro.

Because of an astonishing talent in resolving marketing failures,
Dan Kennedy had also been a speaker in numerous business
engagements. He has proven to be the master of the platform in
marketing related techniques which also had molded him as an
outstanding entrepreneur. The applications of his philosophies
are seen in his own business.

Dan Kennedy has established a name not only as a speaker, but as
a writer as well. So what else do you expect to be the topic of
his writings? Will anyone be any better than Dan Kennedy in
business tools formula?

No wonder, Dan Kennedy is hard to spot just being in one place.
He is the person who gets tired when he is doing nothing. The
revenues that other people gain because his teachings are the
sources of his adrenaline. He manages to tend to his own business
while assisting others who come to seek his help.

So if you think you need to gain orientation on the philosophies,
strategies, effective techniques and practical applications on
any angle of business, there is only one person you need-Dan
Kennedy has the solution to it all.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Steven Gerber is a professional copywriter and
marketing consultant with more than 8 years of
expertise. He is a protégé student of Dan Lok -
The World's #1 Website Conversion Expert, and
in Steven's totally biased opinion simply THE
BEST. You'll find the latest internet marketing
techniques and tricks at:
http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com

Get HTML or TEXT Copy-and-Paste Versions Of This Article at:
http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/db/g/dan-kennedy-the-millionaire-maker.shtml#get_code

SEO

If you are shopping for an SEO company, there are two things you
should know about the content aspect of any search engine
optimization strategy:

1. Properly optimized copy is hugely important to the search
engines, right up there with link popularity and spider friendly
coding. Run like the wind if you encounter an SEO company that
doesn't understand the significance of content or offers shoddy,
cookie cutter style copywriting.

2. The proof is in the pudding. Always ask to see samples or visit
websites they have optimized so you can scope out their content for
yourself. Be very picky.

Here's why.

As an SEO copywriter who's been around for while, I sometimes
receive invitations from SEO companies looking for freelancers to
write optimized content. Usually they want writers who will churn
out thousands of words for a few bucks.

Recently, I received one of those email invitations from a UK-based
SEO firm. And when you read the following, I want you to pay
particular attention to the stark difference between the pitch they
use to entice writers to work for them, and the sales pitch they
present on their website to entice SEO clients.

First of all, here's what their website tells the public:
"(Name of company) will provide: A team of experienced content
writers who are trained in writing quality Search Engine Optimised
Content. "

Now take a look at the qualifications they are actually looking for
when they seek out copywriters to work for them. This is a direct
quote from their invitation to freelance writers:

"Writing the content is simply a case of cutting and pasting
different bits of information, whilst adhering to a few easy rules
such as beginning each opening sentence with a key word etc, it is
not necessary to have a journalism background, anybody can do it!"

Aside from being misleading and insulting to web writers, this
approach totally ignores one crucial fact of online content: human
beings read it. Human beings make buying decisions based upon it.
And human beings know the difference between a slap dash cut-and-
paste job, and informative benefit-laden content that instills trust
and creates an appetite for a product or service.

What's even more insidious about these SEO companies is that often
their copywriting services are embedded as part of a total package
deal. Many prospects will simply look at the optimization services
listed, check the price tag, and sign the contract... and then
suffer buyers remorse for the duration of the deal.

How To Avoid SEO Buyers Remorse:

-Before signing that paper, review the SEO company's portfolio of
work carefully.

-Visit their clients' websites and read the copy. Would it persuade
you?

-If possible, make contact with a few of their clients and ask about
their experience and results.

-If you reach the contract stage, read the fine print religiously as
loopholes and exceptions abound among unscrupulous vendors of SEO
services.

And always remember this wise proverb: "Wed in haste, repent at your
leisure." Same thing with search engine optimization.

Heather Reimer is an SEO copywriter and owner of The Write Content
(http://www.thewrite content.com). She offers website content
writing services, search engine copywriting, and article writing.
For a free content analysis and proposal, visit:
http://www.thewrite content.com/ freereport. html

10 Easy Ideas To Attract Client Like Crazy -

Author: Jen Blackert
Word Count: 1090
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=81445&ca=Marketing
Format: 64cpl
Author's Email Address: jen[at]jenevice.com (replace [at] with
@)

Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=81445

You've got products. You've got a website. You've even got some
traffic (hey, even a little traffic is some!) Now comes the
clincher for any business. To make money, you need to entice
online visitors to buy your stuff.

How can you do this? Well, you can't grab hold of their hands
and make them click the "Buy Now" button. But you can do
specific things that may help them decide to click on it
themselves.

In my line of work as a client attraction marketing coach to
small businesses, I've seen many business owners who
consistently let visitors click off to web wonderland rather
than convincing guests to buy their wares. These businesses may
have products or services that are just as good or better than
their competitors, but they're missing out on some key
information about how to convert page views into sales.

Relationship-Building: The Missing Link to Online Money-Making

To understand how your visitor's online experience can lead
them down the buying path, first "become" your visitor. What
convinces you to buy things from other websites? Being human,
most of us are more eager to buy from companies or people whom
we feel we like, know, and trust.

An online customer can't look you in the eye, shake your hand,
and think, "Hey, I like, know, and trust this person!" The good
news is that by taking shrewd advantage of the the multimedia
nature of the internet and the power of good writing, you can
give your visitors the experience of having a positive,
personal relationship with you.

Here are some tips for boosting your personal relationship with
customers to help them feel an intimate connection that makes
them more likely to buy from you.

Before I share the tips. I ask that you make an intention.
Intend to use tips that reach you. You are reading this article
for a reason.

Ten Relationship-Building Tips

1. Show
Post photos of your employees and your workplace. This helps
visitors feel more like they know you.

2. Tell
Add audio clips of you speaking about your products or
services. Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) tells us that many
of us learn with our ears as well as our eyes -- don't miss out
on this additional way to connect.

3. Educate
We all like learning new things. Help customers like you more
by providing them with useful articles.

4. Share
Showcase your generosity by providing visitors with other
people's articles and links to pertinent websites.

5. Care
Ask for feedback and comments. This helps customers know that
you're in the business of serving them and that you take their
opinions seriously.

6. Clarify
Define any confusing terms in your copy. Let them know exactly
what you want them to do for you. People like to follow clear
instructions. When people feel comfortable with their online
experience, they're more willing to purchase.

7. Be an Expert
Don't let people choose between you and your competitors. Let
them know that you're the only one who can help them. Write
articles, create presentations, and demonstrate your expertise.

8. Be Genuine
When writing website copy, direct your message to one person
who represents your target audience. Personalize your marketing
emails by using people's first names and other personal
information.

9. Relate
Convince your target audience that you know and understand
their problems by sharing stories and specific examples.

10. Stay in Touch
Don't let prospective customers slip away. Make every effort to
get them to give you their first name and email address by
offering them a free ebook or report. Stay in touch with
prospective customers by sending them a regular e-newsletter
with useful tips and friendly updates about your company.

Case Study: Tracy's Picks

One of my clients, Tracy Jones, sought out my coaching services
to help her brand and market a new program in Austin called
"Tracy's Picks." Tracy's company helps restaurants serve
portion-controlled meals to their customers and educates
customers on the benefits of purchasing these meals.

Like many small businesses, Tracy had a website that wasn't
taking full advantage of the internet's potential to help
customers "know, like, and trust" her business. It's a good,
clean website, but it needed to be tweaked to help customers
really feel a connection to Tracy and her business.

I recommended that Tracy:

1. Change her photo to a more intimate shot that would help
customers feel a greater sense of closeness with her.

2. Move her opt-in box higher up on the page to encourage more
visitors to sign up for her newsletter.

3. Add a picture of the free ebook that people receive when
they sign up for her newsletter.

4. Post a blog, which serves the dual purpose of providing
fresh content for search engines and helps people learn about a
company in a more personal way.

5. Provide articles and outgoing pertinent links.

Your Homework

As a client attraction marketing coach, I can't leave you
without assigning some homework to help your rev-up your site
up to its full relationship-building potential.

Go to your website now and take a good look at it. Go on, I'll
wait.

Now ask yourself:, "If I were a new visitor to this site, would
I feel that I 'know, like, and trust' this business?" What could
be added or changed to make my experience with this business
feel more personal and inviting? (Hint: re-read my Ten
Relationship-Building Tips above).

Write down what you as a prospective customer would like to see
that could help you make a decision to purchase your website's
products. When I say write, I mean write. Get out a piece of
paper and pen and jot down your ideas.

Now make a commitment to implement these ideas on your site.

Presto, you've just increased your potential visitor-to-buyer
conversion rate. And you've done it without paying a penny in
advertising or pay-per-click fees.

It just goes to show that a personal touch still goes a long
way, even across the wires.

About The Author: Jen Blackert, Attraction Marketing Coach, is
a results-driven marketing strategist that teaches
entrepreneurs how to attract all the clients they need. Her
methods are based on the universal laws of attraction. Visit
her website at http://www.jenblackert.com and her marketing
podcast at http://www.insightsintomarketing.com.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=81445

For more free-reprint articles by Jen Blackert please visit:
http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Jen+Blackert

Using The Internet To Make You Money

Author: Morgan D. James
Word Count: 1049
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=81455&ca=Finances
Format: 64cpl
Author's Email Address: jime[at]synnex.com (replace [at] with
@)

Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=81455

The internet is one of the most important and easiest-to-use
tools of our time. Using the internet wisely can help you save
time and money.

But what if I can't afford the internet at home?

You can always access the internet from your public library,
your school library, or a friend's house. If you plan to spend
long hours on the internet, consider going to the local college
to use their computer lab. Some computer labs are password
protected, and others aren't.

You could also choose a cheaper connection. Many of the premium
internet connections are overpriced. You can get a mid-speed
connection for very reasonable rates.

Research

You can use the internet to research everything. You can
research if you are being paid enough at your current job. If
you find that you are being underpaid for the market, you could
possibly ask for a raise, bringing with you up-to-date proof
that your skills are a more valuable asset than the company
admits.

If you are starting out with something that you are not that
familiar with (for instance, getting a loan), you will want to
find websites with information that can help you on your way.
Gaining information will save you time, because you will know
what you are looking for. As you know from finding this
article, there are articles on almost any topic on the
internet. The more you know, the better deals you will be able
to achieve.

Shop Around

It used to be that shopping around was a time consuming (and
gas consuming) event. Now, you can determine what store you
want to visit at the click of a mouse. Before you make any
major purchase, you will definitely want to use the internet to
research your options. You can compare major brand prices on the
internet. Check out the different home pages for varying
information, for instance, on cell phones.

Oftentimes there are consumer guides available online that will
help you with your comparisons. You can read reviews of products
by other consumers. You can find out things that the salesperson
isn't likely to tell you. Third party comparative sites can be
very helpful for you in framing your research.

Even if you are not buying something tangible, like a car, the
internet can help you decide. The internet will have current
investment rates for all the major banks, and it will have
rates for other items like insurance.

The internet not only allows you the opportunity to compare
different prices, often there are online comparison
calculators. Use these calculators to your benefit, but always
get a second opinion.

Buy Online

Just because you have researched your purchase online doesn't
mean that you have to buy it online. However, you might
consider making a major purchase online if you trust the seller
and the price is right. Often, shopping sites like eBay or
Overstock can help you find better deals than you would in
stores.

Websites like Indigo or Staples often offer the same items they
do in their store. However, they might have bargain deals on
their sites that are not available in-store.

Remember: when you are making an online purchase, you need to
take into account the shipping costs and taxes. These can often
make what seems like a great deal online into an unwise
purchase. You should be able to easily find out the shipping
costs, or else don't buy the item.

Buy Electronic

Sometimes the items that you buy online will be electronic. It
will cost you less to buy an Antivirus program that you simply
download, than to buy the equivalent CD. Would you rather
download an album or buy it at the store? Do you prefer
e-books or books? Would you rather read your morning paper
online? Consider electronic alternatives for your purchases to
save you time and money: these purchases are often just a click
away.

Also: if you don't mind reading e-books, you can check out many
free books online (from Project Gutenberg) whose copyrights have
expired. Read the classics for no cost.

Make Money Online

Use the internet to make you money, not just save you money!
You can use the internet to advertise for your company, or to
post upcoming events. You might even consider working for an
internet-based company. If you feel entrepreneurial, you can
start an eBay store and make money that way. There are many
guides on how to make money using the internet. Just be sure
not to buy into any scams.

Caveats

When you are researching anything on the internet, you need to
judge the validity of the source you use. Three of the major
points for judging sources are content, currency, and
respectability. Is the site's content what you expect, or is it
reasonable? Is the site current? There is not use looking at
pages from 1998 because those prices will be out of date. Is
the site reputable? Is it a site that you have heard of, or is
it affiliated with a company you have heard of? The site might
even be written by someone you know. Before taking anything on
the internet as gospel, ask yourself these three questions to
judge the validity of the site you are viewing.

Do not make online purchases unless you feel comfortable. If
you don't feel comfortable using your credit card online, then
don't. Make sure that you only give your information to
websites that you trust.

If the old adage time is money holds true, watch that you don't
spend all of your time on the internet. You don't want to waste
your valuable time that you can spend in other ways, though
investing a little bit of time online often pays off in many
ways.

Although you have to be wise when you use the internet, the
internet is a valuable tool that can help you on your path to
financial success! Happy Surfing!

About The Author: Morgan James is the editor of
http://www.theguideto-loans.com/debt-management/. Check out the
guide to loans for more information on how to save money, how to
get money, and how to find financial satisfaction.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=81455

For more free-reprint articles by Morgan D. James please visit:
http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Morgan+D.+James

Saturday, November 25, 2006

7 Secrets For Beating Writer’s Block

Authored By: Shaun Fawcett , Submitted On: 2006-07-27

Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block". It is a well-known phenomenon that just about everyone has faced at least onece in their lives.

I used to suffer from writer's block, big time! Thus, I know through personal anguish and suffering, that it is definitely not a pleasant experience.

Especially when the due date for one's project or paper is getting closer by the day; and the boss asks you "how's that project going" every time you don't manage to avoid him/her as you sneak down the side of the corridor.

WRITER'S BLOCK IS FEAR-BASED
Writer's block is a fear-based feeling. For whatever reason, many of us have this incredible fear of committing ourselves in writing whenever we are faced with a blank page or computer screen.

Fear no longer! I'm here to tell you that writer's block can be beaten! Every time.

Just realizing that writer's block is really an irrational fear that keeps us from putting pen to paper is half the battle. It's actually a fear of the unknown, often coupled with a fear of failure.

We secretly wonder just what exactly is going to come out of this pen/keyboard, and when it does, will we be revealing some kind of incompetent idiot who doesn't know what they're talking about?

On the other hand, if we have done the proper preparation, our rational mind knows that we can do it just like we did it all of those other times before.

Unfortunately, fear often wins the day when it comes to writing. As I stated above, I suffered from writer's block for many years and it was not the most enjoyable of experiences.

THE 7 SECRETS
Fortunately, somewhere along the way I did manage to develop a few tricks to overcome writers block. Some are obvious, others are not. Here are my personal hard-earned practical secrets for overcoming writer's block:

1. Don't Write Too Soon
Before trying to write, it is important to prepare mentally for a few hours or days (depending on the size of the task) by mulling the writing project over in the back of your mind. (Just as athletes don't like to peak too soon, writers shouldn't write too soon either!). Don’t worry; your sub-conscious mind will be working away on the problem while you are doing other things.

2. Do The Preparation
Read over whatever background material you have so that it is fresh in your mind. I read through all background material carefully marking important points with a yellow hi-liter and then review it all before I start to write. This is the material that your sub-conscious mind need so it can do it’s job in the background while you are doing other things.

3. Develop A Simple Outline
Before sitting down to write, put together a simple point-form list of all of the key points you want to cover, and then organize them in the order in which you are going to cover them. (I know, I know... your Grade 6 teacher told you the same thing... but it actually does work).

4. Keep Research Documents Close By
When you sit down to write, make sure that all of your key background materials are spread out close at hand. This will allow you to quickly refer to them without interrupting the writing flow once you get going. I keep as many of the source documents as possible wide open, and within eyesight for quick and easy reference.

5. Just Start Writing
Yes, that's exactly what you do. Once you have prepared mentally and done your homework you are ready to write, even if your writer's block is saying "no". Just start writing any old thing that comes to mind. Go with the natural flow. In no time at all you will get into a rhythm, and the words will just keep on flowing.

6. Don't Worry About the First Draft
Once the words start to flow, don't worry about making it perfect the first time. Remember, it's your first draft. You will be able to revise it later. The critical thing at the outset is to write those thoughts down as your mind dictates them to you.

7. Work From An Example Or Template
Get an actual sample of the type of document that you need to write. It could be something that you wrote previously, or it could be something from an old working file, or a clipping from a magazine article, or a sales brochure you picked up. As long as it is the same type of document that you are writing. Whatever it is, just post it up directly in your line of sight while you are working. You'll be amazed at how it helps the words and ideas flow. The main thing is to have an example to act as a sort of visual template.

In my experience this last point is the ultimate secret for overcoming writer's block.

To help with this, be on the lookout for good examples of writing that you may see in newspapers and magazines, and clip out the useful ones for future reference.

Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett

Shaun Fawcett is Webmaster of two of the most visited writing-help Web sites on the Net. He is the author of numerous “how-to” books on everyday practical writing help. He also writes about how to create and publish books and ebooks. His main “writing tools” site is: WritingHelpTools.com

Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

5 Easy Ways To Power Article Writting!

Authored By: Jerry Johnson , Submitted On: 2006-08-10

Writing an article doesn’t just mean putting down thoughts into words then typing and writing it. You have to capture the interest of your readers and get them to keep on reading. To send your message across you have to command the attention of the reader explode their interest and ignite their curiosity.

The main ingredient in baking up an article is a large dose of creativity. While creativity may come natural to many people, some get writers block and just can’t seem to get their minds in gear. Many writers have literally torn their hair out when they get writers block. But there is a safe and effective way to get that fountain of words flowing.

Converting words into images in the readers mind is an art. A clear and crisp depiction of an idea requires a certain flair to make it come alive. It has been said that the imagination is the Mother of creativity. In the imagination of the writer the idea is born, and the imagination of the reader is stimulated thereby. So we must build a total environment ie, physical and mental, that encourages the imagination,that mighty engine
of ideas, to come forth and manifest.

The strategic use of Similes and metaphors are devices that are born of and fostered by dynamic creativity. The creative process generates an idea and then guides it and nurtures it sentence by sentence then paragraph by paragraph until it’s eventual end is a full blown thought provoking, emotion stirring , gut ripping get out and take action article.

So just what do you have to do when nothing comes to mind? There are no surefire ways to get the perfect idea. No one knows when it might strike. But there are easy ways to get your creative juices flowing. No one can guarantee you of having the perfect mind set but many methods may aid you in achieving that state of mind. Here are five easy ways to accomplish that .

1) Keep a diary or a journal or micro-recorder with you always. Ideas can be triggered by anything you may hear, see, or smell. Your senses are your radar in finding great ideas. Record all of them and file them away for future reference. You may also write down anything that you have read or heard, someone’s ideas could be used to develop your own ideas and this is not stealing. Remember that ideas and creativity can come from anywhere; it’s the development of the idea that makes it unique.

2) Relax and take time to sort things out. A jumbled mind contains no space for new ideas.Everyone must have a clear mind if one wishes to have their creative engine go full bore.Let go of all of the problems and concerns of the day. If you are bothered by something, you cannot force your mind to stay focused.

Try to relax,and think about your positive experiences and interactions with others. Your experiences are what shape your mindset and your opinions which could be reflected in your writings. Try to discover yourself, find out what triggers your emotions. Discover what inspires you and what ticks you off. You can use these emotions as grist for the mill of idea generation.

3) Create a working place that can inspire your creativeness. Your working place can be a hindrance if it doesn’t make you feel happy or relaxed. Creativity comes from being in a calm and positive state of mind, and a disorderly working environment can throw a wrench into the creative process. And while anger can stimulate ideas, actually converting those ideas into a logical flow of text requires a calm focused mind.

Populate your work place with objects that make you happy and relaxed. You may put up pictures, or scents, objects that inspire, or anything that can provide a proper framework within which the process of creativity may flourish. A well organized and ordered workplace limits distractions and hindrances. With a good working space, your mind can literally take flight into the realm of ideas.

4) Set the mood. A properly constructed workspace is part of the process of setting the mood , but you can go further. Don’t cringe, but a 10 minute jaunt around the block can have beneficial effects on your overall frame of mind. The increased level of oxygen in the blood and the increased flow of blood to the brain that exercise produces,can stimulate the brain in positive ways. Perhaps a sip of wine or a cup of your favorite coffee could do the trick. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. My favorite is a double mocha latte!

5) Go on a getaway and just do something crazy. Not too crazy. But just enough to loosen the restraints we place on ourselves daily. Letting yourself go and having fun produces adrenaline that can cause the imagination to go wild. Do something different.Take the long way home one day. You just might see something that triggers that million dollar idea. Try getting out of bed on the opposite side a few times. The drudgery of every day life has stifled many a budding artist or writer.But by the same token, that very drudgery, if viewed properly, can serve as an impetus to amazing intellectual and creative achievement.

Now get in there and write that article!

Jerry Johnson is the owner and operator of ArticlesAmerica.com,a free content free submissions article directory.Get free contentforyourwebsite.And submit your articles now.www.articlesamerica.com
Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

Compelling Articles Make Great Content

Authored By: Sharon Housley , Submitted On: 2006-08-21

Writing Articles are excellent tools to generate web traffic and product interest. Writing articles, may sound easy enough, but it is important that you write the proper types of articles to attract interested readers. Follow these simple steps to create compelling and interesting content.

Compelling Titles

Think of article titles as news headlines. They must strike a chord with the reader and encourage them to read on. Article titles are the writer's opportunity to grab the casual web browsers interest. Consider using a play on words or slightly modifying a common phrase to make the reader pause. Use a provocative title. Consider making the the title a question, and the article the answer. Questions are particularly useful as an article title because readers are naturally curious and will be enticed to read more. Titles can also be calls to action.

While it is important that titles be compelling, they should also not lead the reader astray. The title should relate to the general subject of the article.

The first letter of each word in the article title should be capitalized for emphasis. Articles should not only be thought of as educational tools, but also a benefit to your search engine ranking. With that in mind authors should include relevant keywords in the articles title.

Examples of compelling titles:

Content is Queen
What Are The Newest Technology Trends?
Learn The Secret To Windsurfing

Types of Articles

Articles that are timeless have the longest shelf life. Consider "How-to" articles or instructional articles that explain common questions in simple terms. Authors should always keep in mind that the types of articles that tend to be the best received contain useful original content.

Articles that are portrayed as educational articles should not be infomercials, but should contain objective information and tips that will genuinely assist readers.

Keep It Real

People will not be impressed by complex sentences that make little sense. Readers are looking for relevant information. Focus on topics that allow you to provide concrete helpful information.

Article Length

The ideal length for articles that are to be syndicated is between 600 and 800 words. If you have some content that is considerably longer, break it into a two-part article.

Proof Read

Articles that are embraced by publishers are well-written. Like it or not, grammar and punctuation do matter. The quality of your writing will impact how the content is received. Double and triple check for typographical errors and incorrect grammar usage. Edit each article for spelling and grammatical errors. Typos reflect poorly on the author. Regardless of whether the information contained in the article is accurate, articles that are poorly formatted or include spelling errors, will be quickly discarded.

Article Formatting

The article should be written in such a way that it can easily be broken into small paragraphs, making it easy for readers to skim. Small paragraphs will also increase the article's overall readability. Each paragraph can include a mini-keyword rich title that will highlight the information contained within that paragraph. A bulleted list, highlighting important points, is another way to draw attention to a specific section of an article.

Archive Articles

All articles should be archived onto a stable and persistent webpage. Each article should have it's own page, and the page should be optimized for keywords related to the contents of the article.

Resource Box

Use the author resource box to show expertise in a specific area. The author resource box should include the article author's name, company, web address and any call to action items that relate to the article contents.

Copyright 2006 Sharon Housley

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

Writing for Online Article Sites - Horrors and Blessings

Authored By: Rev Michael Bresciani , Submitted On: 2006-08-06

Each Ezine article database has its own terms of service (tos). They are generally uniform and mostly based on common sense. Most of them want well written articles that have had spell checking. They allow only so much html within an article and they don’t want hate material and a short list of other things that most readers don’t want to see either. What if we the authors could ask the publishers if they would comply with our terms of service? What would that look like? Here is what mine would look like and I believe that anyone who has been submitting articles for a while might concur.

Things authors would require if we had terms of service:

A timely review. Three months is not a timely review, yes some sites actually take that long. It makes you feel that whatever else they may be doing that publishing articles is not at the top of their list. If the article subject is time sensitive like current events or recent movie reviews where does that leave the author? Most authors don’t like to be late for dinner because the publisher is out to lunch.

A large and useful category list: Publishers insist that the authors choose the right category and some will delete submissions out of hand that are not put in the right category. So give us some choices! If my article is about politics and current events with religious overtones and some general advice to wrap it up can I put that under society and forget it? Not likely. Instead of one category for politics how about, conservative, liberal, commentary, world, state, local, gee maybe even a category for bad politics, there’s plenty of that around.

Real reasons for an article being denied: If an article is poorly written or is full of avarice then we should expect it to be denied. Or if the database is only for a specific kind of reader this is perfectly reasonable. Reasons like, it is not politically correct shows us that you need some unbiased reviewers who can respect good journalism without getting personal. Or the article doesn’t flow, which without further clarification is like telling an author he may have Alzheimer’s and doesn’t know it. If we are writing for a particular kind of reader we don’t care if your reviewers are part of that group. We do care that the reviewer has two feet on the ground and is over twelve years old.

An active hyperlink in the bio box: The readers are far more likely to go to the author’s site if it is only a click away. Most authors are counting on that as much as you are counting on us to give you the very best of our material to compliment your site and its underlying purpose. I’ll scratch your back…

Things authors would like to see:

Only one article database is known to have features on their authors in their opening page. Of course some publishers have thousands of authors so this idea would be hard to float unless it was slightly modified. Say, the twenty feature articles for the week. Yes a whole week that would cover 1040 authors a year. Those chosen should be both newbie’s as well as those with hundreds of articles.

Editing improvements that would allow authors to change misspelled words or add simple changes without re-submitting the article all over again. Your time is valuable, hey, so is ours.

A few pointers for publishers and authors:

Sometimes publishers create conflicts for the authors that they seem to be unaware of. Authors always appreciate tips and advice from publishers but they do not always seem to be on the same page. One publisher advises that we should find a niche that we are known for, like family matters or arts and crafts. Other publishers seem to frown on getting all one kind of subject matter. Some people can just blab without saying anything and such people are not taken too seriously. It is not that different for writers. Because we can write doesn’t mean we should write about everything. The term, author, implies that we are authorities. Who has ever met an authority on everything? Writers must have the literary freedom to write about what they know best. We don’t ask football players to compete in pole vaulting, eh?

Authors will be approached by the owners or webmasters of the publishing site from time to time about getting in on a new marketing endeavor. There is nothing wrong with this but don’t suspend your judgment because it is your publisher. Give such offers the same scrutiny you would if you were approached by a complete stranger. Unknown to one publisher recently was the fact that in his call to join the new marketing enterprise he inadvertently mentioned that we should forget ad blasters, mlm schemes and articles. Forget articles? Hey you’re not going to forget our articles, huh?

Using article submission software is another issue for writers. They are helpful for reaching a lot of publishers in the shortest amount of time. They require a bit of time to set up. After you have signed in to each article base and confirmed each account the rest is fairly streamlined. Beware of article spam. If your articles are largely to promote sales or some other enterprise on your site you will find that the publisher knows an ad from an article. And give your readers a little credit because they know that too. If your stuff does float over the transom you have one more hurdle yet to face, the search engines. If they think you are article spamming you will not recover from the result.

Some writers look only for publishers that have search engine rankings. Now most article submission software provides lists with each sites ranking. You will see more of your articles showing up on websites and searches by sticking to only publishers with rankings but there is a downside to this. First it may encourage you to be disloyal to the publishers you started with and who gave you your initial platform. Your readership will see this and if you’re worth anything as a writer the readers are why you started writing in the first place. Remember the publisher that is just starting a new database can become the premiere publishing site before you can write your next piece. It happens.

Many online publishers have plenty to offer. Letters of encouragement, fast reviews, readily available stats on your articles and sometimes they even host seminars and conferences. I have about ten favorite sites I like more than all the rest but my very best site is Ezine Articles. About a year ago when I reached platinum level they sent me a coffee mug with their logo on it. Sure it’s no big thing, but wasn’t that a real big thing? Put that under using incongruity as a literary device.

Talk about paying attention to your writers.

Good Writing.

Rev Bresciani is the author of two Christian books and has many articles both online and in print. He is a regular contributing author for several online news sites. Visit http://www.americanprophet.org

Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

Writing Articles - Writing for Productivity and Achieving your Goal Part 2

Authored By: Kanaga Siva , Submitted On: 2006-08-06

Part 1 of this article dealt with the aspects of writing for Pleasure, Publicity or Profit.

We shall now explore the aspects of writing for Productivity and achieving your goal as a Smart Webmaster.

The article writing craze is on. There is a glut of articles everywhere. Article Directories have sprung up like mushrooms. In fact some of them have come up with very special innovations and benefits for their subscribers. The old and popular directories too have restructured with outstanding features to keep up with the present surge in demand.

Hundreds of articles are written and submitted to article directories and article distributors everyday but how many of these are being read and published by webmasters is anybodies guess.

Articles are written to achieve certain goals and if you are unable to achieve those goals then why waste your valuable time in this exercise. In fact you should get maximum productivity from your effort. In other words you should get maximum quality return for the time and effort you put in to write your articles.

What then are these goals your article should achieve?
1. To obtain maximum one way links.
2. To increase your link popularity.
3. To get maximum traffic.
4. To make your presence felt in the internet world.
5. To be acknowledged as an expert.
6. To secure sales.

To achieve good productivity there are certain strategies you have to adopt. Unless you adopt these strategies you will not reap the full benefits of writing your articles.

These strategies are

1. Select a Popular Topic related to the theme of your website.

2. Have a Catchy Title that will make the eyes pop up.

3. Have a Powerful Introduction that will entice the reader to continue reading your article.

4. Write Good Content for Content is King.

5. Write a Captivating Conclusion that will tempt him to read the resource box.

6. Have a Powerful Resource Box with your URL that will make him click your URL.

7. Choose Good Keywords and place them in strategic positions in your article.

8. Comply with Instructions of Article Directories and Article Distributors or else your article will be rejected.

9. Submit to High Traffic and Popular Article Directories, Article Distributors, Announcement Lists and Websites to start a viral effect and explode traffic to your site.

The above strategies are dealt with in detail in the article “Powerful Article Writing Strategies for Exploding Traffic and Link Popularity." which can be viewed at, http://www.business-fromhome.com/article459.html

All the above mentioned strategies deserve special consideration and attention. The Webmasters who skillfully incorporate and adopt these strategies in their articles are bound to achieve high productivity and attain the goals mentioned earlier.

Copyright © 2006 Kanaga Siva

Kanaga Siva has a wealth of experience in Marketing, Operating a Successful Home-Based Business and writing popular articles.For quality Articles, Advice and to make money from home you are welcome to visit his Make Money From Home Website and his Affiliate Marketing Blog.

Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

Tips for Writing Successful Articles

Authored By: Gary Fountain , Submitted On: 2006-07-30

It is not uncommon for everybody to be writing on the internet in today’s world. The question is not “if” you are writing on the internet, but “what” you are writing and how often. Blogging and other types of online diaries have greatly increased the amount of writing that people do, whether it be personal sharing, opinions or technical writing. The important thing then becomes how successful you are at writing. Regardless of what you write, there are a few factors that will help to make your articles stand out from the sea of other pieces of writing available on the internet.

View Your Article Like A Classified Ad

Many viewers have a short attention span and understanding that your article must catch their attention right away is critical in constructing a piece of writing that will be effective. Make the article short and sweet. Writing web articles is not the place for long dissertation or explication. People will simply not read them. You need to catch the attention of the viewer quickly, get them the information that they are looking for even quicker and wrap it up.

Use Sub-headings

Again, this is a key to quick distribution of information. Many articles are found based on a keyword search through a search engine. By using many subheadings, you will be able to organize the information that you are providing. Viewers tend to read articles that are well-organized and broken down into pieces that are easily assessable.

Proofread

This is extremely important! Nothing will turn off a viewer more quickly than an article that is poorly written and that is grammatically unprofessional. A simple run through with spell check is a good start, but should not be the only method that you use to check your work. One trick that many try in order to proofread their work is to read it out loud. This allows you to hear the words instead of simply reading the words. But regardless of how you check your work, it is essential to make sure that it is spotless!

Market Your Article

Even if you have to most innovative article that will revolutionize the world, if no one reads it, you might not have even written it. In order for you to get a maximum amount of exposure, you must get your name and your article out so that viewers can find it! Post it to as many places as you can, with links to your site. This will create momentum and will further increase the amount of hits, as the wider the distribution, the higher your article will rank in search engines. Your article is more than a piece of your writing; it is a way to market your ideas and your site.

Seek Out As Many Formats As Possible

Do not limit yourself to simply blogging or posting in forums on websites. If you wish to make your article into a successful piece of writing, try getting it published everywhere! With electronic resources such as “how-to” websites and ezines, the cost to your will be relatively low. It is simply a matter of sending an email to publishers of these sites. Many publishers send out articles to a list of email subscribers. What better way could there be to get your name to many people?
Gary Fountain runs websites on Rich Adsense Keywords and Profitable-In-4-mation. Please check www.richadsensekeywords.com/articlesubmission

Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

Writing Business Articles? Follow These 5 Steps To Business Writing Success

Authored By: William L. , Submitted On: 2006-07-27

Business articles are a great way to let readers searching the Internet know everything about your new or existing company, and what you can offer them in your unique products and services.

You may be a company that only does business on the Internet, or a Brick & Mortar retail store that would like to increase their online presence via your web site to create additional exposure internationally or worldwide, and increase your customer base.

No matter what type of business approach you take, you will realize that finding a variety of marketing avenues to reach new potential customers is one of the most important components for the growth of your new or well-established business.

When you finally decided to test the waters in article writing because you wanted to add it to your overall marketing plan, I’m sure you will quickly realize that this is a very powerful, yet cost effective way to reach enormous amounts of targeted traffic!

However, in order to reach your desired traffic online, you must not only create value added, informative and creative articles, but you must place them on the Internet for people to find and read. If you’re not sure where to start, you can use my 5 simple article-writing steps as a guideline, and create your own writing style and article distribution plan that will work best for you:

Tip #1: Have a complete understanding of the business you’re in, the product and services you offer, and don’t over sell and underachieve your readers!

I’m surprised how many times I read an article where some company is telling me they will offer you the world, and when you visit their web site, it looks like they actually do offer you the world, a lot of dirt, and the some of that smelly stuff.

Example: Company XYZ expresses that they’re #1 in customer service online, and when you provide a link to your site for your readers to view your claim that you wrote in your article, the reader navigates your site, and quickly they notice you have no access to a live customer service chat service, any toll-free numbers to reach a customers service specialist, and all you’re providing them is an email address saying that you may get back to them sometime after the summer beach season is over. If you don’t offer the best customer service on the Internet or planet, don’t even think for a minute to convey that message to your readers.

Tip #2: Don’t get business article writing mixed up with a press release!

Writing press releases are a good way to get the message out that your company offers a unique and exclusive product in the market, and you want to introduce it with a bang, or that your business just hired a top executive that will drive your company shares straight up in the stock market. Writing your business article is slightly different, you want to use your article to express your company’s best features and benefits offered.

Write about how you can save time and money, or give them a better lifestyle, how about your products/services offer customers that give them complete “Peace-of-Mind”. Believe it or not, people do searches to find your products and services to either solve a problem, or possibly to fill a desired need they have. You have to tell them how you’re going to solve their problems, and fill their needs, and put it in writing.

Tip #3: Find out who your readers are, and write your article in their language!

Nothing is worse than when I come across an interesting article, and I find out halfway through, there is a completely different language that I don’t understand. There are many business writers that have a technical writing background, and when they communicate their message in the article, readers may stumble on your article that is saturated in technical mumbo jumbo that only tech savvy individuals understand.

When you start preparing to write you article, think about your people you want to reach, and who will be interested in reading your information, because if you’re writing for the non-technical person, and you put a ton of information that the average individual won’t understand, your message will definitely be lost and your readers you’re trying to attract will move on and find another article that is easier to read.

Tip #4 Once you have written the perfect article, now you want to know how to reach your targeted readers!

You wrote the perfect article, and it is jam packed with your features and benefits. You’re telling your potential readers how to reach you, but they won’t be able to reach you if you don’t take the steps to get your article out there on the web.

The best way to get your company article distributed is through ezine and article distribution directories. You may decide to only submit your articles to a select few of the top article directories that offer a high volume of traffic, but I would suggest that you consider also submitting to a variety of smaller ones, because you never know where they will be picked up from and prominently placed for inbound traffic.

One of the biggest changes happening with article directories is that you will find more niche targeted business content distribution sites that focus on your related themes. Highly consider these sites, because they not only offer you more category options, these sites will eventually be classified as an authority site on your specific business topics.

Tip #5Your Author Bio can make or break the goal of your article!

Believe it or not, but your Author Bio is probably the most important piece to your article puzzle! You worked very hard on your article, and you took the time to make sure your message was clear and to the point, but what I find with many well-written pieces is that they end with a very weak author bio. It’s like winning your customer over with a knockout presentation, and then not asking for the sale.

The same goes with your Bio, you should not over sell, but you definitely should let your readers know you’re the expert, and that everything you talked about in your article will be explained in more detail once they click through your hyperlinks. If you’re talking about a specific product or service and you have several pages with more information, normally most directories will allow you to place up to a maximum of three links including your main index page. Take advantage of this, and always maximize your links that will give you many optimizing opportunities.

These tips are pretty straightforward, and most of you would consider them to be common sense, but even the best article writers sometimes get off track, and may forget some of the fundamentals of writing. It’s always good to get some outside tips to get you right back on track. Take my advice and use it as a tool to help you design your own writing style, and before you know it, your article will be flooding the Internet with business flair!

William is the Author and owner of GobalArticle-Business.com A free article directory source for Business and Marketing Authors, Ezine Publishers, and Webmasters looking to exchange and share their industry experience and knowledge in one convenient place.

Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

Your Signature Makes or Breaks Your Online Small Business

Copyright © 2005, Beth Engel

What’s in a name you wonder? The real question is-what’s in
your signature? Your email address and signature can make or
break your business efforts. Your customers and clients want
professionalism and credibility with those they choose to do
business.

Small Businesses Need a Professional Email Address.

Your email address in some ways tells your customer or client
about your neighborhood. To assure professionalism, your email
address needs to be credible. Your email address screams “cheap”
or unprofessional when it is listed as: yourname @ yahoo.com,
or some other popular but widely used domain (unless of course
you actually work for those businesses).

Think about it. You’re online buying a wedding gift for a
friend. You find a product you like at two sites, but have a
question about shipping. One email address appears to go to the
service department of the named site. The other to an AOL email
address. Which site is more credible and more likely to get
your business? Most people will choose the first example as
it appears to be professional and credible.

Your Email Signature Should Always Include More Than Your Name.

Your email signature should include a tagline, a promotion or
a two line message about your business, along with a link or
listing of your business website. Small home businesses usually
have limited resources for advertising. Never miss an opportunity
to promote your business. Take advantage of this opportunity to
announce a special, a new product, or a seminar your business
is hosting. Every communication from you should promote your
business in this discreet, inexpensive and professional manner.

Make the Move to a Better Neighborhood

If you have a website, you web host most likely has email
available with your hosting package or has it available an
option. Contact them to get your email set up. If you do not
have a website, you can subscribe to a service such as Yahoo
Business Email to get an email address which is professional
and customized. For a few dollars a month, you have a way to
market your business and build your credibility.

Attention to detail makes the difference in any business. Show
your customers and clients that you are a professional, and
assure them they can have confidence when they do business
with you. Be sure to use a professional email address and
email signature in your business.

Writer's Resource Box:
Beth Engel combines her extensive business experience with her
experience as a small business owner of four websites to help you
get your small business online. If you’re a new small business
owner, visit her website at http://www.eBusinessTribune.com and
learn how to get your small business online.

Article Source - http://www.thephantomwriters.com

10 Secrets For Everyday Writing Success

Authored By: Shaun Fawcett , Submitted On: 2006-07-27

During my 30-year career in a variety of professional positions in both the private and public sectors I have written literally thousands of letters and memos and hundreds of reports. If I had to boil–down everything I’ve learned about practical day-to-day writing for both personal and business purposes into 10 key points, this would be my “Top 10 List".

1. Preparation Is the Key
Do all of your research first, before you start to write. Even a letter normally requires some minor research such as making some phone calls or reviewing a file. It’s also very important to prepare yourself mentally before writing. So, don’t sit down to write too soon. Mull it over for a while, sometimes a day or two, sometimes an hour or two, depending on the complexity of the job at hand. It’s amazing how the sub-conscious mind will work on the problem “behind the scenes” and when you finally do start writing, it will flow.

2. Always Use a Sample
For me, this is critical. No matter what I write, it helps tremendously if I have some visual stimulation. If I’m writing a letter I post a copy of a similar letter, or the one I’m responding to, somewhere in my direct line-of-sight. It helps me focus and keeps my mind on the subject at hand, minimizing the tendency for my mind to wander. No matter what it is, I always make a point to find some previous work or a sample of work similar to what I’m doing. It really stimulates the creative writing process and increases productivity significantly.

3. Shorter Is Always Better
Whether you’re writing a report or a letter, look for ways to cut it down in length. Concentrate on conveying the essential message. If something you’ve written does not enhance the core message, or doesn’t add value, consider cutting it. These days, you have to be “short and to the point” to get your message read.

4. Use Concise and Appropriate Language
Your letter or report should use simple straightforward language, for clarity and precision. Use short sentences and don't let paragraphs exceed three or four sentences. As much as possible, use language and terminology familiar to the intended recipient. Do not use technical terms and acronyms without explaining them, unless you are certain that the addressee is familiar with them.

5. “Be” Your Addressee
A key technique to use when writing anything is to clearly “visualize” your audience. As you write, try to imagine in your mind’s eye the specific person(s) to whom your written product is directed. I often imagine that I am sitting across the boardroom table from my addressee, trying to explain my points in person. Make an effort to see the situation from the other person’s perspective. What would you be looking to see if you were the recipient of the letter or report?

6. Do the Outline First
Even if it’s a one-page letter, it doesn’t hurt to jot down a few quick notes on the main points that you want to cover. This process forces you to think logically about exactly what you want to cover and it helps you decide in which order you will approach your subject. For a letter this is helpful. For a report, this is absolutely essential. In fact, I believe that you should force yourself to go through the entire thinking process that is required to develop a complete draft Table of Contents, before you start to write any report.

7. Write and Then Rewrite
No matter how much preparation I do, I always find that I can improve on the first draft. That’s partly because when I’m writing that first version, my main focus is to get the essence of my thoughts down on paper. At that stage I don’t worry about perfect phrasing, grammar or logic. My main mission the first time through is to make sure that I capture the critical words and phrases that form the core meaning of what I want to communicate. Then I can do the fine-tuning in the last pass.

8. Format Is Important
Whatever you are writing, make sure it looks professional. This is where proper formatting comes in. Your credibility, and/or that of your organization, is on the line; with your report or letter serving as your representative. If it is not professionally formatted, it will reflect negatively on you, even if the content is good and it is well-written. Rightly or wrongly, the value of your work will diminish in people’s eyes if the formatting of your document is shoddy or amateurish looking. On the other hand, weak research and/or writing will appear better than it really is if the formatting is good.

9. Read It Out Loud
Some people who haven’t tried it may laugh when they read this, but it really works. At any point during the drafting process, but definitely at the draft final stage, read your report or letter to yourself “out loud”. It’s amazing what one picks up when they actually “hear” their words as if they were being spoken to them as the addressee. I find this helps me the most in picking up awkward phrasing and unnecessary repetition of words or terms.

10. Check Spelling and Grammar
Last, but far from least, make sure you double check the spelling and grammar in your document. These days, with spell-checkers built into word processing programs there’s really no excuse not to do this. Once again your document is a direct reflection of you and/or your organization. If it is riddled with spelling mistakes and obvious grammatical errors, it will appear unprofessional and your credibility will suffer. Watch out for the words that sound the same but have completely different meanings that a spell-checker won’t pick up. Words such as “four” and “fore”, for example. Your final read-through out loud should catch any of these.

Whether you're writing a letter, a memorandum, a report or an essay, follow the above tips and you won't go wrong.

Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett

Shaun Fawcett is Webmaster of two of the most visited writing-help Web sites on the Net. He is the author of numerous “how-to” books on everyday practical writing help. He also writes about how to create and publish books and ebooks. His main “writing tools” site is: WritingHelpTools.com
Article Source: Article Search Engine Directory at http://www.ArticleSphere.com

The Ten Search Engine Commandments

Copyright 2001-2003, Anthony Kavas

Thou shall not overlook the POWER of the search engines!

After all- where do over 80% of Internet users look before
finding the web site of their choice?

Here are 10 tips that will help you on your journey toward
search engine heaven!

#1 -
~~~
Thou shall not -

Try to trick the search engines with techniques such as
invisible text. This will only make your journey a difficult
one. Try to work together with thy search engine brother, and
HELP them to find your web site's useful content.

#2 -
~~~
Thou shall not -

Fill thy "meta keywords" with useless words such as "business"
if your site is about "computers". Be kind to your search engine
neighbor and try not to confuse him. These days, it's virtually
impossible to be placed for "business" if your site is about
"computers"! Narrow your focus, and you'll start to notice that
it was MUCH more difficult to be a "jack of all trades", yet
master of none!! ;)

#3 -
~~~
Thou shall not -

Submit thy site more than ONCE a month! Search engines are very
strict about SPAM. If you've been submitting your site every
day, chances are that you have been banned by the time you
read this article! If you are currently using a search engine
submission/optimization provider, like Guaranteed Top-20.com,
be sure not to sign up for any other service or submit the site
yourself. Doing this will most likely ruin your chances for
placement.

#4 -
~~~
Thou shall not -

Repeat keywords right next to each other! Make sure to include
each keyword only ONE TIME! Too many people make the mistake of
repeating keywords over, and over again.

For Example: "computers, business, computers, components,
computers"

This is a HUGE mistake, and will only make sure that you end
up at the BOTTOM of the list!

#5 -
~~~
Thou shall not-

Use the same keyword list, and "title", for every page! Each
one of your pages can get placed for a different keyword. Don't
"sell your pages short". Besides, one page on your site might
be seen as more relevant for a particular keyword when compared
to another.

#6 -
~~~
Thou shall not -

Submit dynamic pages such as ASP, or Cold Fusion, because most
search engine spiders can only read basic HTML pages. If your
site was developed in a language other than HTML, make sure
that there's AT LEAST SOME static content for the spider to
read.

#7 -
~~~
Thou shall -

Write relevant, useful content that pertains to your web site
and it's keywords. Whatever you do, make sure that writing
educational, informational, and useful content is your FIRST
priority. Search engines cannot read your pretty web design,
graphics, or FLASH. The only thing that is of use to them is
your content, and the code that verifies what each page is
about ("meta keywords", {"description", "title", "alt tags",
and the list goes on..).

Be Specific!

Tell your users what each page is about, and include the
keywords a few times within the text. Do not repeat your
keywords excessively- but make sure to include them!

#8 -
~~~
Thou shall -

Make all pages accessible to the search engine spiders within
1 or 2 levels of the home page. Even better, if you make a web
page with a list of every page on your site (kind of like a
"site map"), then the search engine spiders have a way to find
all of your content!!

#9 -
~~~
Thou shall -

Attempt to get reciprocal links between your site and other
sites in the same industry. This should be easy, as it will
benefit both your site AND theirs. Link popularity is one way
in which some search engines judge what your site is really
about. Web site's with more "link popularity" can place higher
on some major search engines.

#10 -
~~~
Thou shall -

Be patient! You will not achieve top placement overnight. You
might not even get placed at ALL for months! The major search
engines can get backlogged or full, and sometimes will not even
accept your submission. One thing that I've learned is that
successful search engine optimization is a time consuming and
laborious task. You must be patient and will learn the most
about it mostly through trial and error.

CONCLUSION:
These 10 Search Engine Commandments are just a very basic set
of rules for your web site to live by. There are so many other
crucial factors involved in achieving Top-20 search engine
placement, and I've covered all of them for you in an easy
to understand format at: http://www.SearchEngineSchool.com .
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope
that it has helped you.

Good Luck!

Anthony Kavas

Anthony Kavas is the Co-Author of http://www.TheSearchEngineSchool.com , and President/CEO of http://www.GuaranteedTop-20.com . He has been closely studying the major search engines since 1997, and achieving top-20 placements for clients on an unbelievably consistent basis.

Article Source - http://www.thephantomwriters.com

Blog Marketing

Blog Marketing is sweeping the Net ! The Blog Marketing Explosion ! There in no need to know HTML, no need to put up a site, no need to upload the files after editing them onto a server.

50 million blogs ! The real good ones stand out. There are readers for the good ones. There are many people who make a living out of blog writing ! There is one guy who quit his job, as donations from his blog surpassed his salary !

Once you set up your blog and submit it to the blog directories, with keyword optimisation, traffic will come to you. You can display your ads on your blog, as you do on your site. The RSS feed can be submitted to directories. Submit your blogs to Blog Search Engines like Technorati and watch the traffic that comes to you.

As in sites, so in Blogs. Content is King. If you write good content, sure there will be readers !

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

5 ways to break writers block for article marketing

Writing an article doesn’t just mean putting down thoughts into words then typing and writing it. You have to capture the interest of your readers and get them to keep on reading. To send your message across you have to get the attention of the reader and have a firm grasp of their interest and pique their curiosity.

The main ingredient in baking up an article is a large dose of creativity. While creativity may come natural to many people, some just gets into a block or something to that effect that can drive someone crazy. Many writers have literally torn their hair out when they get writers block and just can’t seem to get their creative juices flowing.

Putting words into images in the readers mind is an art. A clear and crisp depiction requires a certain flair that only creativity can provide. Similes and metaphors help a lot, but the way an article gets entwined word for word, sentence by sentence then paragraph by paragraph into a whole article develops the essence of the article.

So just what do you have to do when nothing comes to mind? There is no surefire ways to get the perfect ideas but there are easy ways to get your creative juices flowing. No one can guarantee you of having the perfect mindset but many methods may aid you in achieving that state of mind. Here are five easy ways for that.

1) Keep a diary or a journal with you always. Ideas can be triggered by anything you may hear, see, or smell. Your senses are your radar in finding great ideas. Write all of them into a journal and keep it with you for future reference. You may also write down anything that you have read or heard, someone’s ideas could be used to develop your own ideas and this is not stealing. Remember that ideas and creativity can come from anywhere; it’s the development of the idea that makes it unique.

2) Relax and take time to sort things out. A jumbled mind cannot create any space for new ideas. Everyone must have a clear mind if one wishes to have their creativity in full speed. Get rid of all obstacles that can be a hindrance to your creativity. If you are bothered by something, you cannot force your mind to stay focused.

Try to relax every time that you can and think about your experiences and interactions with others. Your experiences are what shape your mindset and your opinions which could be reflected on your writings. Try to discover yourself, find out what triggers your emotions. Discover what inspires you and what ticks you off. You can use these emotions to help you in expressing yourself and your ideas, with this you can grow creatively.

3) Create a working place that can inspire your creativeness. Your working place can be quite a hindrance if it doesn’t make you feel happy or relaxed. Creativity comes from being in a good state of mind and a messed up workplace that causes distraction won’t be conducive in firing up your creative flow.

Surround your working place with objects that makes you happy and relaxed. You may put up pictures, or scents, objects that inspire, or anything that can get your creativeness cranking. A clean and well organized workplace also rids of distractions and unwanted hindrances. With a good working place, you can work in peace and never notice the time pass by.

4) Set the mood. Setting the mood requires you to just go with the moment or to induce your self to feeling what makes your mind works best. Finding out what makes you tick could help you find ways to get your creative juices flowing. Set the pace and tempo for your mood and everything else will follow.

There are many ways to set the mood. Some writers have been known to use alcohol, a little sip of wine to stir up the imagination. Some would like some mood music while others let the lighting of the environment create the mood.

5) Go on a getaway and just do something unlike crazy. Letting yourself go and have fun produces adrenaline that can make your imagination go wild. Take an adventure or a solemn hike. Whatever it is that is unusual from your daily routine can take the rut out of your schedule. In no time at all, your creativeness will make use of that experience and get your imagination to go on overdrive.

====================================================================
Author Biography:

Matthew Meyer. For more information on affiliate marketing see the affiliate marketing section of TheFreeAdForum.com directory at:
http://www.thefreeadforum.com/infowizards/CAT/Affiliate-Marketing_68_1.html

Marketing Wisdom