Archive for July, 2009

Writing articles for more exposure!

Do you include article writing in your marketing strategies?

When performing keyword research you will notice that millions of searches are done for a certain keyword. When these keywords are typed into the search boxes of search engines such as Yahoo or Google, indexed websites containing articles including those keywords will be displayed in the organic results. And this is what drives traffic to websites with keyword-rich articles.

Yes, the magic word is articles, and I’ll tell you why.

I’m certain you’ve heard the saying before that in the internet world, content is king. You can say that again. That is why writing articles is one of the most popular and magical Internet marketing strategies today. Internet surfers just can’t get enough information on a plethora of topics. Providing information through articles is a surefire way to drive hot traffic to your web site.

Here are a few reasons why writing articles is a magical internet marketing method:

1. It’s absolutely free.

You may think it’s too good to be true because it doesn’t cost anything. Okay, you have to pay for your Internet Service Provider, but you do that anyway. But that’s it. All you need is your thoughts, your expertise, your computer, your hands and of course, some time. If you have those, nothing will stop you from typing words that will make you complete that article for your website. On which step of the process did you actually part with any money? Some of you may be saying you don’t have the time, but if you use simple templates to begin with, your articles will be completed quickly and easily.

2. Your website will be noticed quickly.

Submit your article to article directories that get the most web traffic and if you include an effective resource box, your web site will be crawled in no time.

3. Obtain back links automatically.

When you submit your content rich articles to directories, other websites will make use of your article too. With the copyright terms of your articles, and the resource box including the URL of your website still in tact on these other websites, more traffic will subsequently be driven to your website.

4. Raise your credibility.

As an online business owner, if you just display your products and services on your website, you will not achieve a high conversion rate. Conversion is when your traffic converts to sales. You have to show that you are knowledgeable in your field. And what better way to show that than by writing articles that will allow you show off your expertise?

5. Articles can be repurposed.

Once you’ve put your knowledge and expertise into an article, it can be repurposed or repackaged into information products. Create a teleclass using the same content as your outline. Write a number of articles and repackage into a special report, an e-course or a teleseminar series. Before long, your articles will be lining your product funnel.

Just allow your creative juices to flow and jot down your ideas quickly to jumpstart your article writing momentum, or refer to the idea generators here on www.productfunnelformula.com to get you going.

With the all the benefits including those listed above, you’ll quickly understand why writing articles is one step in the product funnel formula as well as a magical internet marketing method.

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Danette Hibberd © 2009

Grow your Prospects, your Prestige and your Profits. Turn your knowledge into income with the free report, “11 Quickest Ways to Monetize Your Expertise and Fill Your Product Funnel” at http://www.ProductFunnelFormula.com

Danette Hibberd helps female entrepreneurs turn their knowledge into multiple streams of passive income.

Powerful copywriting that effectively sells is a skill, and those marketers who know how to do it well could even ’sell snow to the eskimos.’ Not every business owner can afford to invest in a professional copywriter, and if you are in the position where you write your own copy, it’s important that you follow a few guidelines to make sure your sales copy is done in the best way possible.

Copywriting is the one skill which all business owners, whether online or offline, should learn. However, in this article, we will focus on the benefits of powerful copywriting for those who conduct a large portion of their marketing and business online. As an online marketer you communicate through words – if those words aren’t effectively conveying your message, then you’re in for a long and bumpy ride.

You’ve spent your valuable time and effort creating your product, and it’s now time to let your target market know about it.

To help get you started, here are a 6 copywriting tips:

1. Really Know your Target Market.

Effective copywriters know exactly who they’re writing for before starting. They speak directly to ONE person and keep that same person in mind at all times. If you try to reach too many people with your copy you’ll end up missing your target altogether and not reaching anyone at all. Before starting, visualise your ideal client, what does she look like, what is she feeling, what is her pain? Ask yourself, what does she want more of, and how will she feel after learning or experiencing what you offer? Know exactly who you’re writing your copy for and stick to it. Make reference to her in your headline or sub heading for more powerful and effective copywriting.

2. Use Powerful Headlines that Intrigue.

Use clear headlines throughout your copy to guide the reader. Your main headline should be in bold and large letters to grab the reader’s attention. It is true the headline which can either make or break your copy. Use a benefit-focused headline, which explains in powerful detail how you can help solve the customer’s problem. Then use sub-headlines throughout the copy to keep the reader intrigued so they will keep reading.

3. Avoid Using Big Words.

Online writing is different to the writing you did in English class. Throw out the text book and forget all those rules your teacher taught you. Online writing is casual and needs to convey emotion and a clear purpose. You need to speak to the person as though you’re sitting down with them and chatting over a coffee… stay away from big words and long adjectives or risk boring (and losing) your prospects!

4. Be Persuasive and Honest.

If you love your product that’s great but it’s also a bit biased. Your customers want to hear from other unbiased people who have used your product. Include customer testimonials but not just any testimonial will do, the more information you can include the better. For more powerful copywriting, try to include the person’s full name, city, state, website URL and if possible a picture, or for more impact, an audio or video of that person. The more information your testimonial includes the more persuasive and believable.

5. It’s Not All About You!

In fact, it’s not about you at all. Effective copywriting is concerned with the needs of the customer. The writer doesn’t really matter… Of course, you may need to add a little personal information about yourself in order to gain trust and to explain why your customer should trust you, but even in this case it’s all about what you can do for them. Read through your copy and check. If it contain a lot of “I’s” then it’s time for a serious re-write. Go back and change most of those “I’s” to “You’s”. Remember the most important radio station WIFM (What’s In It For Me?). Your writing should always be about the customer.

6. Don’t Forget the Call.

The call to action that is. Never assume your reader will know what to do, but guide them and tell your visitors what you expect them to do. If you want them to click over and purchase your weight loss product, say so, and say so in a clear way which promotes all the benefits of your products . “Click here to learn how you can lose those last 5 kilos and keep it off for good”. Be precise in your wording and always include a clear call to action. This will certainly add power to your copywriting, and be more effective as your conversion rates skyrocket.

Use the above 6 tips for powerful copywriting to effectively sell your products, and before you know it, your info products will be ‘walking out the door’.

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