Archive for July, 2009

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

If you write for a living, that is, if you write articles for clients you often have heard about writer’s block. Personally, I think the topic is overdone and simply something that comes about when the author is too tired, distracted, or simply not interested in the topic at hand [oh, yes...this does happen!] On the other hand, do your clients sometimes suffer from writer’s block? Okay, before you throw your hands up wondering how could this be, just think about it: do your clients always know what they want you to write? Am I making myself clear? If so, read on…if not, please read this paragraph again!

As writers, we can assume that when a potential client approaches us to write for them, that they always know which topics they want you to cover. Without sounding cheeky, only if this was always so! To put it mildly, you may have a client who wants you to write “X” amount of articles, which he or she will place on their own web site in hopes of building up SEO [search engine optimization, that is], and your part of the equation is to write interesting and compelling copy that will drive traffic to their site.

Well, this only works out if your client knows exactly which topics/subjects are to be covered, keywords used, and the length of each article. No, your client isn’t going to write the article, but they will certainly lay its foundation. No web content article can possibly get going without your knowing certain essentials including the topic and which keywords are to be utilized. Make certain that these building blocks are included with your proposal, otherwise you risk going down one path while your client wanted you to go down another.

Unless you have plenty of time to constantly rewrite every article I recommend that you uncover precisely what the client wants from you.

When I sense that a client isn’t sure which direction they want me to proceed, I then start asking several questions, including:

Do you have a topic you want covered? If so, what is it and do you want me to come up with the article title or is this something that you would like to do? Knowing this information will help you create the introductory paragraph and your topic sentence.

Next questions: which keywords do you want me to use? I try to limit my clients to a small group of 2-4 words per article. Additional keywords mean additional articles…why confuse your readers? Why kill SEO? As I write this article for you do you have 3-4 points you want me to make? All of this information will comprise the article’s body.

Finally, what sort of “call to action” are you desiring? Do you want readers to buy a product? Read something else? Call their representative? I leave the anchor links up to the client, but I try to bring the article exactly to the point where the client wants it to be.

If you have gotten satisfactory answers to each of your questions, you have helped your client get over their own case of writer’s block. Yes, to a certain point every client has already visualized what they want written [they bring you on because they don’t know how to craft the right words or are simply too busy to write for themselves]. If they haven’t, you must help them answer the previous questions in order for you to write effectively.

If you don’t take the time to make certain that your client is sure of what he or she wants, you will have wasted time and delayed the opportunity to go to the next project.

I don’t know about you, but time is of the essence and we writers cannot afford to waste any of it. Nail down exactly what your client wants before tackling any project to save yourself time and to preserve your sanity!

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

If you write for a living, that is, if you write articles for clients you often have heard about writer’s block. Personally, I think the topic is overdone and simply something that comes about when the author is too tired, distracted, or simply not interested in the topic at hand [oh, yes...this does happen!] On the other hand, do your clients sometimes suffer from writer’s block? Okay, before you throw your hands up wondering how could this be, just think about it: do your clients always know what they want you to write? Am I making myself clear? If so, read on…if not, please read this paragraph again!

As writers, we can assume that when a potential client approaches us to write for them, that they always know which topics they want you to cover. Without sounding cheeky, only if this was always so! To put it mildly, you may have a client who wants you to write “X” amount of articles, which he or she will place on their own web site in hopes of building up SEO [search engine optimization, that is], and your part of the equation is to write interesting and compelling copy that will drive traffic to their site.

Well, this only works out if your client knows exactly which topics/subjects are to be covered, keywords used, and the length of each article. No, your client isn’t going to write the article, but they will certainly lay its foundation. No web content article can possibly get going without your knowing certain essentials including the topic and which keywords are to be utilized. Make certain that these building blocks are included with your proposal, otherwise you risk going down one path while your client wanted you to go down another.

Unless you have plenty of time to constantly rewrite every article I recommend that you uncover precisely what the client wants from you.

When I sense that a client isn’t sure which direction they want me to proceed, I then start asking several questions, including:

Do you have a topic you want covered? If so, what is it and do you want me to come up with the article title or is this something that you would like to do? Knowing this information will help you create the introductory paragraph and your topic sentence.

Next questions: which keywords do you want me to use? I try to limit my clients to a small group of 2-4 words per article. Additional keywords mean additional articles…why confuse your readers? Why kill SEO? As I write this article for you do you have 3-4 points you want me to make? All of this information will comprise the article’s body.

Finally, what sort of “call to action” are you desiring? Do you want readers to buy a product? Read something else? Call their representative? I leave the anchor links up to the client, but I try to bring the article exactly to the point where the client wants it to be.

If you have gotten satisfactory answers to each of your questions, you have helped your client get over their own case of writer’s block. Yes, to a certain point every client has already visualized what they want written [they bring you on because they don’t know how to craft the right words or are simply too busy to write for themselves]. If they haven’t, you must help them answer the previous questions in order for you to write effectively.

If you don’t take the time to make certain that your client is sure of what he or she wants, you will have wasted time and delayed the opportunity to go to the next project.

I don’t know about you, but time is of the essence and we writers cannot afford to waste any of it. Nail down exactly what your client wants before tackling any project to save yourself time and to preserve your sanity!

Are you looking into ways of promoting and marketing your website? Are you trying to attract more visitors to your website? Are you looking to increase your online sales? Are you trying to increase your adsense earnings? If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, article marketing could be the answer for you.

Writing articles has for many years been a popular way of going about increasing the number of backward links to ones site, but it can be a very boring and time consuming one. This is where a ghostwriter can become invaluable as they can do all of the donkey work for you. Most of these people are experienced, expert writers and are likely to produce a much better quality of article as well. The better the article is, the more likely it will be picked up and used on other websites by other webmasters.

Ghostwriters can be found on many of the webmaster forums or even by doing a search on the internet. Prices of course vary but you should be able to find a price that suits your budget.

There are even people or establishments that offer to write an article for you and will also submit the article to a number of the main article directories. Articles-submission.com offer this service for only ten pounds. They also offer to submit an article that you have written to around twenty of the article directories for just J7. As many people know, writing each article is one thing, but then submitting it can also take a great deal of time.

People who do have enough spare time on their hands are able to write and submit their own articles. It is important in my opinion not to write too many articles at once to promote just one site, as to build up the number of backward links too quickly can be seen in some search engines eyes as a bad thing. Writing articles for yourself will without doubt save some money but you need to ensure that the content is interesting and is of benefit to the reader.

The best part of this form of web promotion is that the links you obtain are all what is known as one-way links. These type of links, without doubt, have the highest value.

You will of course not only obtain additional traffic from obtaining these links but the readers of your article are also potential visitors to your site.

Writing articles is a win win situation and should be seen as an important part of any web marketing campaign.

Are you looking into ways of promoting and marketing your website? Are you trying to attract more visitors to your website? Are you looking to increase your online sales? Are you trying to increase your adsense earnings? If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, article marketing could be the answer for you.

Writing articles has for many years been a popular way of going about increasing the number of backward links to ones site, but it can be a very boring and time consuming one. This is where a ghostwriter can become invaluable as they can do all of the donkey work for you. Most of these people are experienced, expert writers and are likely to produce a much better quality of article as well. The better the article is, the more likely it will be picked up and used on other websites by other webmasters.

Ghostwriters can be found on many of the webmaster forums or even by doing a search on the internet. Prices of course vary but you should be able to find a price that suits your budget.

There are even people or establishments that offer to write an article for you and will also submit the article to a number of the main article directories. Articles-submission.com offer this service for only ten pounds. They also offer to submit an article that you have written to around twenty of the article directories for just J7. As many people know, writing each article is one thing, but then submitting it can also take a great deal of time.

People who do have enough spare time on their hands are able to write and submit their own articles. It is important in my opinion not to write too many articles at once to promote just one site, as to build up the number of backward links too quickly can be seen in some search engines eyes as a bad thing. Writing articles for yourself will without doubt save some money but you need to ensure that the content is interesting and is of benefit to the reader.

The best part of this form of web promotion is that the links you obtain are all what is known as one-way links. These type of links, without doubt, have the highest value.

You will of course not only obtain additional traffic from obtaining these links but the readers of your article are also potential visitors to your site.

Writing articles is a win win situation and should be seen as an important part of any web marketing campaign.

In our modern world, we frequently compare and contrast several things, facts, theories, events or personalities. We have been comparing different economical, social and political systems for ages. How we develop this process? How this technique is achieved and perfected? It can be achieved by comparison/contrast technique. One should show similarities in comparing several things, and one should point out the differences when contrasting. First step in the writing of comparison/contrast essay is the choosing of particular topic. However, do not try to choose incomparable things- the taste of lemon and the color of the wall, or the toughness of the ball. One should choose some events, figures and things that have many similarities. Once, you have chosen the subject of comparison you can start working on your compare/contrast essay. Second, you should enlist all things that you know about these subjects. After, you have completed this process try to identify differences and similarities. Third try to develop the main point of your argument. For example, if you compare the cat with the dog, you should indicate differences and similarities, by answering the following questions:

What I have learned about these animals?How does the cat differ from the dog?Once you have answered these questions, you may develop your argument. It may look like the following: Despite the fact that the cat and the dog are husbandry animals, nevertheless they have some similarities and some distinctions as well. Many students do not understand why this type of an essay is so frequently assigned to them. The answer lies in the fact that your tutor would like to teach you to develop your analytical and argumentative skills. That is why the compare/contrast essay is one of the most popular essays assigned at the colleges and universities. Compare and contrast essay is widely used in many other types of writing assignments. For example, one can use it in designing of the English essay.

This type of an essay is assigned to test your abilities to express yourself in clear, lucid and coherent language. Regardless of the topic of your essay, you should demonstrate your reader your ability to write on familiar and unfamiliar topics alike. Apart from this, you should clearly and unequivocally express your point of view on the subject you research as well as provide some proposals on the possibilities to resolve some controversial issues of the subject. You might also, answer such questions as advantages and disadvantages of the situation you research as well as describe the problem you research, why it is important to resolve it, and what effective steps should be taken to eliminate it. You certainly, may use some compare/contrast techniques in order to show differences and similarities between some points of the events, things and personalities you research.Remember, however, that it is vital almost indispensable for this type of assignment to connect your paragraphs with logical and convincing sentences; also do not provide any facts unless they are backed up by some evidence. And whatever topic you are assigned with, whatever subject should be written do not forget to check out your essay on grammar and spelling mistakes rushessay.com

In our modern world, we frequently compare and contrast several things, facts, theories, events or personalities. We have been comparing different economical, social and political systems for ages. How we develop this process? How this technique is achieved and perfected? It can be achieved by comparison/contrast technique. One should show similarities in comparing several things, and one should point out the differences when contrasting. First step in the writing of comparison/contrast essay is the choosing of particular topic. However, do not try to choose incomparable things- the taste of lemon and the color of the wall, or the toughness of the ball. One should choose some events, figures and things that have many similarities. Once, you have chosen the subject of comparison you can start working on your compare/contrast essay. Second, you should enlist all things that you know about these subjects. After, you have completed this process try to identify differences and similarities. Third try to develop the main point of your argument. For example, if you compare the cat with the dog, you should indicate differences and similarities, by answering the following questions:

What I have learned about these animals?How does the cat differ from the dog?Once you have answered these questions, you may develop your argument. It may look like the following: Despite the fact that the cat and the dog are husbandry animals, nevertheless they have some similarities and some distinctions as well. Many students do not understand why this type of an essay is so frequently assigned to them. The answer lies in the fact that your tutor would like to teach you to develop your analytical and argumentative skills. That is why the compare/contrast essay is one of the most popular essays assigned at the colleges and universities. Compare and contrast essay is widely used in many other types of writing assignments. For example, one can use it in designing of the English essay.

This type of an essay is assigned to test your abilities to express yourself in clear, lucid and coherent language. Regardless of the topic of your essay, you should demonstrate your reader your ability to write on familiar and unfamiliar topics alike. Apart from this, you should clearly and unequivocally express your point of view on the subject you research as well as provide some proposals on the possibilities to resolve some controversial issues of the subject. You might also, answer such questions as advantages and disadvantages of the situation you research as well as describe the problem you research, why it is important to resolve it, and what effective steps should be taken to eliminate it. You certainly, may use some compare/contrast techniques in order to show differences and similarities between some points of the events, things and personalities you research.Remember, however, that it is vital almost indispensable for this type of assignment to connect your paragraphs with logical and convincing sentences; also do not provide any facts unless they are backed up by some evidence. And whatever topic you are assigned with, whatever subject should be written do not forget to check out your essay on grammar and spelling mistakes rushessay.com

On the one hand I don’t want to have to submit more than one article a day, I use a posting utility but yet I still have to log in to each site and submit to each site. But on the other hand there are days when I come up with many different subjects, different ideas, that would make great articles. I have created a specific directory to keep these articles organized but there still is the problem of having to open an article and using the copy and paste function having to copy and paste the subject, the article body and then having to go through my article for the keywords.

I have a great solution that solves all of this. I am using a free utility where I can create articles on my desktop and with a click of a button that article will be automatically posted to my blog. Now when it comes time to submit another article I’ll just submit one of these posts from my blog. If you want to ever know what utilities I use just email me and I will tell you. I used to include all of these in my articles, posts, but some of these article directories then think I am promoting these products and they don’t approve my article.

I have learned this past week that writing and submitting articles is the fastest way to become known as an authority. I created several articles this past weekend and submitted them right away. This was on Saturday and by Tuesday of this week, when doing a search on my name, I saw my articles with the links back to my site. I have spent money on solo ads, created a Google adwords campaign, joined several traffic exchanges, posted on forums and when all is said and done the creating and submitting of articles so far has been the fastest. I still have not seen any sales but I expect that when end users read my stories that they will come to my site and follow the links I have there to my other sites. This, hopefully, will produce sales for me.

Another post I will be making today will be on using traffic exchanges and how to get the most from them. A famous book said that in order to see results in this world you have to be like A purple Cow, you need to stand out from everybody else. I consider myself to be a Purple cow. I do things differnetly than most people and I will always post what I learn and discover.

Another great benefit of writing and publishing articles is that I can use all the links as reference in a special section of my resume. I am always looking at new opportunities and if i want to gain some work writing content i can use these links as references.

On the one hand I don’t want to have to submit more than one article a day, I use a posting utility but yet I still have to log in to each site and submit to each site. But on the other hand there are days when I come up with many different subjects, different ideas, that would make great articles. I have created a specific directory to keep these articles organized but there still is the problem of having to open an article and using the copy and paste function having to copy and paste the subject, the article body and then having to go through my article for the keywords.

I have a great solution that solves all of this. I am using a free utility where I can create articles on my desktop and with a click of a button that article will be automatically posted to my blog. Now when it comes time to submit another article I’ll just submit one of these posts from my blog. If you want to ever know what utilities I use just email me and I will tell you. I used to include all of these in my articles, posts, but some of these article directories then think I am promoting these products and they don’t approve my article.

I have learned this past week that writing and submitting articles is the fastest way to become known as an authority. I created several articles this past weekend and submitted them right away. This was on Saturday and by Tuesday of this week, when doing a search on my name, I saw my articles with the links back to my site. I have spent money on solo ads, created a Google adwords campaign, joined several traffic exchanges, posted on forums and when all is said and done the creating and submitting of articles so far has been the fastest. I still have not seen any sales but I expect that when end users read my stories that they will come to my site and follow the links I have there to my other sites. This, hopefully, will produce sales for me.

Another post I will be making today will be on using traffic exchanges and how to get the most from them. A famous book said that in order to see results in this world you have to be like A purple Cow, you need to stand out from everybody else. I consider myself to be a Purple cow. I do things differnetly than most people and I will always post what I learn and discover.

Another great benefit of writing and publishing articles is that I can use all the links as reference in a special section of my resume. I am always looking at new opportunities and if i want to gain some work writing content i can use these links as references.

My mom was visiting recently and during our mother-daughter shopping time I noticed something interesting. Almost all of the stores I made a purchase at asked me if I’d like to get on their mailing list. That’s very smart.

However, the WAY in which they did this made a big difference in my answer. I said NO to almost all of them because they simply did not make it enticing for me. I mean, who WANTS more junk mail? So if you simply ask me if I’d like to be on your mailing list, the answer will usually be NO.

But one store in particular got me. First of all, it was a designer clothing store I loved. Second of all, they didn’t ask me if I wanted to be on their mailing list. They invited me to become a “VIP Client”.

Say the words “VIP” to me and my ears perk up. It of course stands for “very important person”. And in general it indicates a level of advantage and prestige. Suddenly I WANTED to be on that mailing list, especially when the salesman explained to me it came with certain benefits, such as early notice on new arrivals, a personal shopping service, and private trunk shows.

And you know what? I would have even paid to be part of that - to be regarded as a VIP.

You see, people WANT to be part of something special like ezine advertising. The example above was free. But don’t underestimate how much your clients or customers will PAY to do that, either.

Example: A friend of mine recently shared he pays $15,000.00 a year to belong to the President’s Club of a local playhouse, even though he and his wife could attend each show there for just $150.00. Why would even a loyal attendee want to pay 100 times more? Special treatment like preferred seating, valet parking, invites to VIP functions, private restaurant for members only, networking with a higher level of people, etc.

Another friend of mine pays for membership at a private nightclub here in Los Angeles up on Sunset Blvd. for many of the same reasons (but more so, I believe, because it impresses his dates ; )).

My marketing mentor Dan Kennedy taught me there is a segment of virtually EVERY customer or client group or market who will happily pay FAR above standard prices for convenience, status, and special treatment.

I call it “country clubbing” your business. Why be the driving range with an hourly charge when you can be the classy six-figure membership club down the street? You can offer both of course, but look at what will skyrocket your business FASTER, with less transactions and higher quality clients.

One example of this is my private Platinum Mastermind program, which I launched in 2006 due to overwhelming demand for my personal coaching. This group of 15 serious small business owners each pay $15,000.00 a year to have greater access to me than anyone else, and in a small group setting where we meet 3 times a year at luxurious 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts.

My Platinums are, essentially, VIPs in my world! And because I maintain a bit of mystique about the group, people seem to want “in” even more. (One of my members got cornered in the ladies room at my last Online Success Blueprint Workshop by several attendees who demanded to know how they could get into Platinum!)

I share this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that in YOUR market (yes, *yours*) there IS a percentage of folks who will gladly pay MORE - much more - for a higher level of service or treatment. Remember, you’re not trying to please EVERYBODY, just the select few who can afford that level of service.

So now, take a minute or two and consider how YOU can start your own “country club” for your clients and customers. Whether it’s a VIP level of service or a private client group that meets a few times a year.

To get your wheels turning, imagine this… if you can get 10 people to commit to some type of program that is just $10,000.00 a year, that’s an extra $100,000.00 this year for YOU!

My mom was visiting recently and during our mother-daughter shopping time I noticed something interesting. Almost all of the stores I made a purchase at asked me if I’d like to get on their mailing list. That’s very smart.

However, the WAY in which they did this made a big difference in my answer. I said NO to almost all of them because they simply did not make it enticing for me. I mean, who WANTS more junk mail? So if you simply ask me if I’d like to be on your mailing list, the answer will usually be NO.

But one store in particular got me. First of all, it was a designer clothing store I loved. Second of all, they didn’t ask me if I wanted to be on their mailing list. They invited me to become a “VIP Client”.

Say the words “VIP” to me and my ears perk up. It of course stands for “very important person”. And in general it indicates a level of advantage and prestige. Suddenly I WANTED to be on that mailing list, especially when the salesman explained to me it came with certain benefits, such as early notice on new arrivals, a personal shopping service, and private trunk shows.

And you know what? I would have even paid to be part of that - to be regarded as a VIP.

You see, people WANT to be part of something special like ezine advertising. The example above was free. But don’t underestimate how much your clients or customers will PAY to do that, either.

Example: A friend of mine recently shared he pays $15,000.00 a year to belong to the President’s Club of a local playhouse, even though he and his wife could attend each show there for just $150.00. Why would even a loyal attendee want to pay 100 times more? Special treatment like preferred seating, valet parking, invites to VIP functions, private restaurant for members only, networking with a higher level of people, etc.

Another friend of mine pays for membership at a private nightclub here in Los Angeles up on Sunset Blvd. for many of the same reasons (but more so, I believe, because it impresses his dates ; )).

My marketing mentor Dan Kennedy taught me there is a segment of virtually EVERY customer or client group or market who will happily pay FAR above standard prices for convenience, status, and special treatment.

I call it “country clubbing” your business. Why be the driving range with an hourly charge when you can be the classy six-figure membership club down the street? You can offer both of course, but look at what will skyrocket your business FASTER, with less transactions and higher quality clients.

One example of this is my private Platinum Mastermind program, which I launched in 2006 due to overwhelming demand for my personal coaching. This group of 15 serious small business owners each pay $15,000.00 a year to have greater access to me than anyone else, and in a small group setting where we meet 3 times a year at luxurious 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts.

My Platinums are, essentially, VIPs in my world! And because I maintain a bit of mystique about the group, people seem to want “in” even more. (One of my members got cornered in the ladies room at my last Online Success Blueprint Workshop by several attendees who demanded to know how they could get into Platinum!)

I share this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that in YOUR market (yes, *yours*) there IS a percentage of folks who will gladly pay MORE - much more - for a higher level of service or treatment. Remember, you’re not trying to please EVERYBODY, just the select few who can afford that level of service.

So now, take a minute or two and consider how YOU can start your own “country club” for your clients and customers. Whether it’s a VIP level of service or a private client group that meets a few times a year.

To get your wheels turning, imagine this… if you can get 10 people to commit to some type of program that is just $10,000.00 a year, that’s an extra $100,000.00 this year for YOU!