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Better than offline promotion such as press releases, talks,
or networking? Better than search engine placement, banner ads, ezines and
news groups?
Yes! The number one way to promote your service and your
products is through informational how-to articles that you send to top Web
sites and dozens of no spam opt-in ezines.
Content is still King on the Internet. People want your free
information. That is why they go Online. When they see your useful, unique
information, they will be more inclined to click the link in your signature
file that leads them to your Web site where your coaching practice or
products are sold.
Where to Start?
1. Find an existing article, excerpt from your book, coaching
sessions stories, or how-to information from your talks.
You already have a wealth of information to choose from, so
this step is the easiest one. Once you get going, you can write an article
in less than one hour.
2. Target your article to your Web site buyer or ezine
subscriber to attract more interest to your service. Think of each article
as a mini sales letter.
Without a specific audience such as entrepreneurs, personal
growth seekers, or small business people, your article may lose cohesiveness
and continuity. People lose interest if your article is too general. Your
best audience is your online business audience because they want and need
many kinds of information and services. The best part? No competition
because the Net is still underused as a promotional tool.
3. Write a new introduction for each article.
An introduction leads to what you are selling--the valuable
information you want to share. Your first line must hook your audience. Ask
a question about its concerns or problems. Think what questions need
answers. Lead your audience into the how-to's by writing a headline
following the introduction, something like: Use These Five Ways to Boost
your Ezine Subscribers.
4. Write what the opt-in ezines and top web sites want.
Most opt-in ezines and Web sites publish articles from
500-1000 words because they need new, fresh content almost daily. They need
you to submit your articles in 65 characters per line. A good program for
this is www.textpad.com, which automatically formats your articles to these
specs. Make your articles useful, original, and written in a conversational
way with how-to steps.
Don't worry about giving away too much. These articles put
you in an advanced category of dedicated professionals that attracts new
clients regularly.
5. Write for your audience.
Your online audience will be primarily other business people.
They want and need your information. They will post it on their ezines and
on their sites. Some people like conversational articles. Others want short
and sweet, so they can get what they want fast! They like headings so they
get the main points fast. They like tips, how to's, interviews, and question
and answer formats.
After you write with one focus, change it slightly. Reinvent
a new angle. Write for a different audience. I submit the same information
about writing and publishing eBooks to authors, speakers, coaches, and
entrepreneurs who subscribe to the multitude of ezines available.
6. Give the background of the problem.
You need to reach your audience where they are. Point out
their challenge. Perhaps it is procrastination. What are its consequences?
Include those. Write how many suffer from this malady too. Include your
audience so that they will read on. Next meet them where they want to
be--their problems solved. That's where you give your list or how to's. This
is the formula put forth in the book, "How to Market your Business Online."
7. Write the benefits of your information.
If you don't give your reader a "reason to buy" in your
article's title, headlines, or how to's, they won't go to your signature box
and link back to where your products or services are offered.
For instance, the one main benefit to writing online articles
is to quadruple sales within four months. Other benefits include raising
your credibility, gaining subscriber and audience trust, and becoming a
household name, so your unique, useful message can reach many more people.
8. Maximize the promotion power of each article you write. In
less than an hour, your can revise one article to meet the needs of
different audiences. Angle one topic like procrastination to business
people, at home women, students, or personal growth.
Include specific benefits for each audience. Put the benefit
into a picture or feeling.
Like giving your book a specific angle these ideas can
attract many new potential clients to your site. You'll only need to write a
new introduction and conclusion to fulfill your endless creativity.
9. Give each article an introduction and conclusion.
Of course, create these in just a few sentences, because
Online readers want shorter sentences, say under 15 words; shorter
paragraphs, say under five sentences, and shorter length than articles for
print media, say under 1000 words.
The best introduction can be a shocking, or benefit-driven
sentence such as, "Stop Throwing Promotion Time and Money Down the Drain."
Your introduction hooks; your conclusion can sum up main
points, or add another reason why your information will benefit your
audience. You may want to include a consequence of not acting on your
suggestions, too.
10. Finish your article with a signature box at the end that
pulls people to your site for more information.
A weak signature file kills sales and contacts. Make sure
your email address reflects your business name. Forget selling here. Instead
offer free ezines, free reports and a link to where you want your visitor to
go.
Did I say include benefits? Yes! Use a concept phrase like
20-year coach helps manifest your online promotion dream. Include a local
and toll-free phone number, email, and Web address.
Yes, it takes a little of your time, but these articles do
make a difference in attracting your target audience to know and want you.
They made your coach number one in Google with the sales to follow--and in a
short time of eight months.
Judy Cullins ©2005 All Rights Reserved.
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Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works
with small business people who want to make a difference in people's lives,
build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income.
Judy is author of 10 eBooks including The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode
Targeted Web Traffic. Get free help through her 2 monthly ezines, "The
BookCoach Says...," "Business Tip of the Month." Phone: 619/466-0622 --
Orders: 866/200-9743. mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com.
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