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FEATURE GUEST ARTICLE

How to Write an Online Article

by Scott T. Smith, of PromoMinder & Copywriting.net,

Publisher of 'Starting Point' Newsletter

Words power the Internet - and now it's your turn. Getting published online is one of the best ways to invite new traffic to your site, generate more sales, and build your credibility and visibility on the Internet.

Ezine publishers get lots of article submissions, but they still don't get enough good articles. Here's the truth: if you talk about a business issue from your own personal perspective and offer genuinely useful information, you WILL get published. Keep your articles short - under 500 words - and end with a list of 5-10 quick problem-solving tips.

Here's a simple 4-step outline for an article:

1. Tell a personal story that highlights a problem of interest to your audience.

2. Describe how you discovered the solution.

3. List the specific benefits of your solution.

4. Give the solution in a series of simple steps.

TIP SHEETS

One secret I use to getting many articles published is to send out a 'tip sheet'. Here's how it works:

Pick your topic, create an introduction, then list a series of problem-solving tips. This can be emailed to ezines, magazines, newsletters, and even to newspapers.

Ezines publish tip sheets for two reasons:

1. They're aimed at solving the problems of their readers.

2. They're short, to-the-point, and valuable content separating their ads!

ARTICLE IDEAS

Here are five article ideas to jump-start your writing process:

1. 'How To' Articles

These include detailed step by step instructions. Examples: how to sell your products, how to promote your business, how to attract visitors to your Web site, insider methods for dealing with customers in YOUR industry...

2. Hot Tip Lists

These are a group of hot tips listed in order, usually numbered from first to last. Examples: 'top 7 ways to get customers', 'top 10 ways to build your product line', 'the 3 most important ways to keep your customers coming back for more'. Customize your title for your specific industry.

3. Industry News Articles

These can include news about your industry or company information. Examples: joint ventures, new product releases, special events, mergers.

4. Interview Articles

Includes interviews with customers, employees or experts. Examples: interview a satisfied customer, an employee that won an award, an expert in your industry, or the new person entering your industry.

5. Product Articles

Describes your product or services from the standpoint of the benefit to the end-user. Examples: new product announcements, existing product enhancements, or innovative uses of your products.

Explore these ideas, pick your approach and get started right away. Not only will you build more visibility for yourself online - you'll also create valuable new content for your Web site!

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