Archive for the ‘Article Writing & Marketing’ Category

Guide to Writing a Great How-To Article

February 2nd, 2010 admin

Writing a how-to article seems like an easy task, but forget one step and your “Simple Guide to Installing a Toilet” could end up as a simple guide to disaster! Spend a little time analyzing your subject matter, however, and the outcome will be valuable content your readers will love.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Great How-To Article:

  1. Pick a Topic in Your Niche – Think about things that you have done that require a specific set of steps, like how to install a toilet, build a bookshelf or make a 3-bean salad.
  2. Lead with a Great Title – What is the top benefit of your informative article? Use that as your title. Try this template: “How to [get/save/become] and [insert big reward here].” In his book, Advertising Headlines That Make You Rich, copywriter David Garfinkel gives these examples:
    • How to Save Time and Get Things Done (Time Management Coach)
    • How to Get a Better Job and Make More Money (Recruiter)
    • How to Save Money and Retire Rich (Financial Planner)

    You don’t have to use the words “How To.” You could just say “Install a Toilet Yourself and Save a Pile of Money” – or whatever.

  3. Begin with a Simple Introduction – Maybe relating a personal experience as to how you came to know about the topic the hard way – or, conversely, how simple it was to learn.
  4. Include a List of Supplies, Tools and/or Resources – If your reader is going to need something besides their wits to accomplish the task, tell them upfront so they can prepare everything in advance.
  5. Write Instructions in Chronological Order – Don’t make your instructions convoluted or confusing – keep it short and simple (KISS) and don’t include more than one thought per step.
  6. Create Mental Images – Since your article can’t include photos or illustrations, use words to paint a picture instead.

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How To Write Niche Articles

October 23rd, 2009 admin

Definition: Substantive Articles – Articles that contribute to your niche. These include suggestions, ideas, sources of information, insights into the topic and almost anything that will stir discussion.
Your readers should want more! They should comment on your article and offer you suggestions for more articles. If you’re getting this already, you know the meaning of substantive … Keep up the good work!

If you’re not having this dynamic conversation with your readers, then here are some tips that will help you achieve this:

  • It’s Not OK to be Short and Sweet – Saying something is a cool idea without adding the WHY does nothing for the reader. This is not quality – this is easy writing. Your readers will see right through it. Good writing takes hard work and research.
  • Relate Yourself to Your Work – Readers want to know how this has affected you and why it works. Add YOU to the topic by offering tips and further exploring why the tip works. People want MEAT. They want to know they can trust you. You’re the expert, so show them you are. Give them the MEAT.
  • Make Connections with Your Audience – Do your research and ask them what they want. Then deliver this value in articles. This is worthwhile stuff.

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3 Tips for Getting Your Articles Approved on the First Submission

September 17th, 2009 admin
  1. Don’t Get Promotional in Your Title or Article Body – Putting your name, product’s name, or website name/URL in either of these fields makes the article promotional. Instead, use these areas to provide quality content that draws your readers in. If the reader finds value in your article, chances are better they’ll consider visiting the links provided in your Resource Box.
  2. Sort Your Links – Self Serving links (SS links) are links that you own, or have a vested interest in. Non-Self Serving links (NSS links) are links that you do not own, but you provide in your article as examples or references. Use these link guidelines to increase your chances of article publication:
    • All links should be “Below the Fold,” meaning no links can appear in the top half, or first 3 paragraphs, of your Article Body.
    • Your article can contain no more than 4 links – 2 SS links, and 2 NSS links.
    • Place one SS link in the Resource Box and one in the Article Body or place both in the Resource Box.
    • Use appropriate anchor text with SS links to make them non-promotional.
    • Place NSS links wherever you like in the Resource Box or below the fold in your Article Body.
  3. Use Good Grammar – Good grammar leads to a positive reader experience.

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Common Grammatical Errors That Make Authors Look Dumb

September 15th, 2009 admin

Here are some common errors that are guaranteed to make you look unprofessional:

  1. Lose and Loose

    2. – These are not the same word! “You can lose your car keys if you put them in your very loose pants.” They are not interchangeable!

  2. Affect and Effect

    3. – If something affects you, it has an effect on you. For example: I am affected by the wind. The effect is that my hair gets messy.

  3. Semi-colons

    4. – Semi-colons are not commas. They’re also not colons. A semi-colon is used between closely related independent clauses not conjoined with a coordinating conjunction.
    Which means something like this:
    “I went to see a movie; I was told it was sold out.”

    Or between items in a series or a list that has its own punctuation:
    “I have three friends: Maddie, who is my aunt’s daughter; Jane, who is my sister’s teammate; and Nancy, who is my father’s sister.

  4. It’s for Its – and vice versa

    5. – “It’s” is short for “it is.” “Its” is the possessive form of “It.”

    So…you have then:
    Yes: “It’s a good day for going to the beach.”
    No: “Its a good day for going to the beach.”

    And: Yes: “This is a really cool gadget. Just look at all of its features.”
    No: “This is a really cool gadget.

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Article marketing Works!

August 12th, 2009 admin

Article marketing absolutely works to bring in that initial bit of cash to make you stay the course on your online journey.
Even better, you don’t need to buy “spinner” software or submission services or anything else. This is all free.
In July of 2009 (so not even a whole month has passed), I started a new site in a legal related niche. The Site

The site uses a basic wordpress theme optimized for high adsense CTR rates (the CTR so far on this theme is about 4x my SBI site’s, with an ECPM over $100).
I wrote 5 pages for the site and uploaded them right around the holiday.
I also put Google analytics on the site to track where traffic was coming from and more importantly what traffic resulted in adsense clicks/affiliate sales.
Marketing With Articles

Then I published 2 articles on ezine articles. They had good headlines, used good but somewhat incomplete information to encourage people to click the resource box below. For example, I would talk in the article about the risks of using a fly-by-night online company to draft your legal document, and then direct them to check out my site for recommended providers.

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Create the Perfect Resource Box

July 18th, 2009 admin

In article marketing, there’s a concept of give and take. The content of your article is the give – it’s the value you share with your readers. Your resource box is the take – it’s where you’re given an opportunity to make a call to action that the reader can pursue if they want to learn more about you.
But did you know that a properly used Resource Box is probably the most powerful tool in your article marketing toolbox? It’s the one thing that can have the greatest impact on the amount of website traffic your articles generate.
This video will explain how you can create and utilize the perfect resource box.
Downloadable Versions:
WMV Format MOV Format MV4 Format MP3 Format

Bottom Line: If you really want to make your articles sell then you’ve got to craft the perfect Resource Box. You have provided your expert advice to the reader for free, now is your chance to get something in return. Update your Resource Boxes today and take full advantage of the power of a perfect Resource Box.

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Comma and Colon Tips for Article Writing

July 15th, 2009 admin

Commas:  Everyone has their own style when it comes to comma usage. Most modern styles guides now recommend using fewer commas rather than more, but be wary of run-on sentences.
1. The use of a comma before “and” in a series is usually
optional, provided there is no danger of misreading.
Example: We have apple, orange and grape juices. (no comma)

Example: We have apple, orange, and strawberry and
grape juices. (comma)

“Strawberry and  grape” is one flavor; therefore, a
comma is needed to avoid confusion.
2. Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause.
Example: After I realized that the store had not
applied my discount voucher to my purchase, I
returned to the store and customer service credited
my account.
3. Use a comma to join independent clauses.
Example: I went to the grocery store to pick up some
milk, but they were already closed. (commas with two independent clauses)

Example: I offered to help and she accepted. (comma unnecessary with short clauses)

4. Do not use a comma before the first item or after the
last item in a series.
Example: [Wrong] You should combine, aerobics,
weight training and stretching into your workout
routine, if you want to see the best results.
Example: [Right] You should combine aerobics,
weight training and stretching into your workout
routine if you want to see the best results.

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Subject and Verb Agreement for Article Writing

July 12th, 2009 admin

1. Number Agreement: A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example: This radio has six preset buttons. (singular)
Example: Most radios have six preset buttons. (plural)

2. Person Agreement: A subject should also agree in “person” (1st person perspective, etc.) with its subject.
Tip: This affects only 3rd person singular subjects
in the present tense.
Example: He runs to the store. Example: The table looks warped.
Tip: Non 3rd Person Singular Subjects

Example: I run to the store. Example: We run to the store.
Tip:  The verb “to be” is an auxiliary verb and has eight forms.
(1) Present Tense: am, is, are

Example: I am hungry. Example: She is hungry. Example: We are hungry.
(2) Past Tense: was, were

Example: I was hungry. Example: We were hungry.
(3) Infinitive, Past Participle & Present Participle: be, been, being

Example: He has yet to be identified. Example: He had been mean to my sister. Example: He was being mean to my sister.
Hint: An agreement problem can sometimes occur when the verb of a sentence precedes the subject.
Example: [Wrong] There was several writers waiting
for their articles to be approved.
Example: [Right] There were several writers waiting
for their articles to be approved.

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The (3) Stages of “X” Article Template

July 5th, 2009 admin

Another great template that you can put to use NOW!

Almost every article niche contains topics that can be quickly plugged into (3) clearly defined stages, or levels. Although these stages could be given any number of different labels, for the sake of simplicity let’s just call them:

  1. Mild
  2. Moderate
  3. Severe

This article template capitalizes on the fact that your readers can mentally plug themselves into any one of these stages and in so doing can easily identify with content that is of interest or appropriate to them. In the case of painful subjects, like unhealthy debt, your article can guide the reader through the steps of escaping the negative impact of a particular stage. In the case of more enjoyable pursuits, like yoga, your article can give the reader a road map to the next stage of proficiency.
Here are (3) excellent examples of stages within a niche:

  • Debt Relief
    • Mild – Low Debt: Self-management through Consolidation
    • Moderate – Medium Debt: Settlement Services and Grants
    • Severe – High Debt: Bankruptcy
  • Yoga
    • Mild – Getting Started (Novice)
    • Moderate – Developing a Routine (Intermediate)
    • Severe – Maintaining Excellence via Advanced poses (Expert)
  • Anti-Aging
    • Mild – Topical and Nutritional Products
    • Moderate – Simple Procedures
    • Severe – Cosmetic Surgery

How the “(3) Stages of X” article template works:

  1. Find a topic in your niche that can be easily broken down into (3) levels of severity and give each stage a label.
  2. Important: Only list (1) stage per article – but you can list multiple examples and methods within each article.
  3. The first paragraph or two outlines the (3) stages and clearly defines the attributes of the particular stage explained in the article.
  4. In the next paragraph, relate to the reader’s current stage and reassure them many others are currently at this particular stage.
  5. Provide examples of how others have escaped this stage or graduated to a more desirable stage using your methods.
  6. Give the reader clear directions to either escape the stage they’re currently in or to achieve a more desirable stage.
  7. Once you have shown the reader the path(s) to their desired outcome, explain how they can maintain their new status.
  8. Conclude with a quick summary of the (3) stages as you defined them, your method(s) for improvement and how the reader will benefit by following your advice.

By using this template you should be able to write at least (3) articles on each of the stages of “X” you discover within your niche.

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Capitalization Rules for Article Writing

June 28th, 2009 admin

1. Capitalize the first word of every sentence.
2. “I” is always capitalized, along with all its contractions. Example: I can do it. Example: I’ll do it tomorrow. Example: I’m going to do it now.
3. Capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence. Example: She said, “I can do this.”

4. Capitalize a proper noun. Example: Eiffel Tower
Example: Christopher Knight
Example: Federal Bureau of Investigation

5. Capitalize a person’s title when it precedes the name. Example: Doctor Smith
Exception: Mr. Smith, the doctor at the hospital,
came to check up on me.
6. Capitalize any title when used as a direct address. Example: “Will you please answer the question, Senator?”

7. Do not capitalize names of seasons.
8. Capitalize points of the compass only when they refer to specific regions. Example: I have relatives visiting from the South. Example: I drove south to the end of the block.
9. After a sentence ending with a colon, do not capitalize the first word if it begins a list. Example: These are my favorite foods: chicken,
potatoes and bread.
10. Capitalize the first word and all the words in titles of books, articles, works of art, etc. excluding short prepositions and conjunctions. Example: “EzineArticles Writing and Marketing”

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Harness the Shower Power

June 22nd, 2009 admin

Most of us when forced can’t pull fresh ideas out of thin air, yet we often find our best ideas coming to us in the shower, on the toilet, at the beach or gym, or even behind the wheel of our car. Each of us is different and we each have certain situations that seem to be fertile ground for fresh new article ideas.
Don’t you wish there were ways to harness the power of these spontaneous ideas so they happen just when you need them most?
Actually, there are.
Here are (5) strategies that you can use to “spontaneously” generate great ideas for new articles. Put some of these to use to help fill your article writing hopper.

  1. Use Your Thinking Spot Winnie the Pooh has his thinking spot. John in our cartoon has his thinking spot. You have a thinking spot. Find your thinking spot and use it whenever you need to come up with new ideas.
  2. Let Your Subconscious Mind Do the Work A day, week or month before you write an article, create the TITLE for the article.

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Article Writing: Paragraph and Grammar Structure

June 15th, 2009 admin

Coherence literally means “to stick together”.  Coherence in paragraph writing means that all of the ideas in a paragraph support the topic sentence of your paragraph and allow the reader to easily understand the ideas you want to express.
Paragraph coherence can be achieved by using major and minor connectors, these are also called “transitions”.
Major Connectors: Major connectors help organize the main points of your paragraph. These can also be expressed as bulleted or numbered lists.
Examples:
* First,
* Second,
* Third,
* Finally,
* In conclusion,
* To summarize,

Minor Connectors: Minor connectors provide coherence to a paragraph by connecting the sentences within each of the main parts of your paragraph.
Examples:
* In addition,
* Others include,
* …,but… * also
* That is,
* For example,
* For instance,

Paragraph Unity means that the paragraph is about only one main idea or topic.  All the sentences in the paragraph (topic, supporting/detail sentences and sometimes, the conclusion sentence) are telling the reader about one main topic or idea. If you have a sentence that is not directly related to your main topic, your paragraph is considered to “lack unity” or the sentence is “off-topic” and should be removed from the paragraph.
Each paragraph in your article is a sub-division of your complete article topic.

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