Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
How Can I Market With Articles If I Can't Write?
by Bonnie Jo Davis
The shrewdest and most effective means of free advertising is through providing interesting and relevant information to your potential customers. You can do this easily by writing and distributing free reprint articles at various web sites around the 'net. There are literally thousands of e-zine and web site publishers actively searching for the interesting and informative articles you can craft in your area of expertise. Targeting the audiences of these publishers is an essential element of your cost-effective advertising and marketing strategy.

I am convinced that anyone with a web site can promote that web site along with its business, products, and/or services by implementing this basic marketing strategy. Sure, it sounds simple enough, but what if you aren't confident in your writing skills? Accurate written communication is the foundation of this marketing maneuver.

Can you write?
My initial experience involved submitting articles written by other people to publishers. I was so excited when I saw the response generated by this technique that I decided to use it when I began my own business.

One day I sat down with pen-in-hand attempting to begin writing my own articles and spent the next half hour staring at the blank sheet. In frustration, I eventually put down the pen and walked away, later complaining to a friend that I hated to write. I complained about lacking writing expertise and that my qualifications basically amounted to the good grades I earned in English classes long ago. My friend gently interrupted me pointing out that I had been writing on a daily basis at work. She also brought to my attention the fact that my education provided me with the necessary skills to write competently and effectively.

After kindly showing me the forest which I couldn't see for its trees, my friend generously offered an incredible suggestion. Her solution for my dilemma was that I should try begin again by choosing a topic and then creating an outline representing the points I wanted to cover about that topic in my article. Choosing a topic would give me a foundation upon which to build my article. Drafting an outline would allow me to address the issues that I saw as pertinent and relevant to my topic.

I took her advice, narrowed my possible topics, and selected one that I would reduce to writing. With that one topic in mind, I proceeded to create a comprehensive outline on that blank piece of paper. After completing my outline, I fleshed it out, added stories to illustrate my points, and Voila... I had right there before me a rough draft of my first article! That rough draft, after being carefully proofed and polished, became an article that was published in dozens of online publications. The positive result of my effort was that my article netted me thousands of web site visitors and rewarded me with a treasured long-term client.

Can't get past the outline?
If you're absolutely certain you can't write there are at least three options well worth considering. The first option is to enroll in a writing class through your local university, adult education program or online. A couple of online options include Write101 Writing Tutorials at http://www.write101.com/writewell.htm or Writers' Village University at http://writersvillage.com/. Many local universities, community colleges and adult education programs also offer online courses.

Your second option is to hire a ghostwriter. Most ghostwriters will take your topic, conduct the research and write an article for your review. Upon your approval of the article the ghostwriter will add your byline and release the article to you for distribution. Offering research resources or providing an outline for the ghostwriter to follow may reduce the ghostwriter's fees. You can post your article project and take bids from ghostwriters online at http://www.elance.com, http://www.creativemoonlighter.com or you can seek a ghostwriter using any search engine. You'll find various options that will fit your budget. Freelance ghostwriters can negotiate regarding their fees since they work for themselves and often offer reduced rates to returning clients.

A third option also requires hiring a ghostwriter to write your article and add your byline but going further to enlist that person to distribute the article for you. This is a convenient and time effective way to have the entire writing and distribution project completed by the same individual. You can review two companies that offer packaged services at http://thephantomwriters.com/purchase/index.shtml and http://www.marketingwords.com/ezinearticle.html.

Even if you honestly can't write you can certainly still educate your target audience, earn loyalty and establish yourself as an expert by using free reprint articles. You can invest a bit more in your advertising and promotional efforts by taking a writing course or hiring a ghostwriter. Whichever of the two you may choose, you are making an investment that will be well returned many times over in beneficial results to both you and your readers. Be willing to go the extra mile in establishing your web site as the definitive choice of your targeted audience. You'll be pleased with the rewards of your efforts.

Bonnie Jo Davis is an expert in using articles to marketing your business, services and products. Visit http://www.ArticlesThatSell.com/newsletter.htm to sign up for a free monthly newsletter to learn everything you need to know about marketing with articles.

(c) 2003, Davis Virtual Assistance. All rights in all media reserved. The author grants reprint permission to all venues so long as the article is not used in Spam and the copyright and byline are included intact. Article Courtesy of Winkingpig Webmaster Resources and brought to you by
Douglas Wolfe AKA 'The MatchMaker'
www.affiliatematch.info
www.1stmonday.com
Jul 3rd 2007 01:41   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
I just wanted to add to what Bonnie said in her article above that Writing for Blog Posts is much the same as writing stand alone articles or messages for apsense express bulletins or even email messages.

Yes I violate some of the rules myself. Such as, long sentences tend to lose readers. Short sentences and small paragraphs work best in public writing of almost any kind. Its like sound bites in text.

Ever listen to public speakers? Next time see how they use shorter statements with numerous pauses to make their points. The same applies to writing ads, emails, posts, articles and more.

Remeber always that your reader wants you to get to the point. If you do not they lose interest in what you are writing and go elsewhere.

Douglas Wolfe
www.1stmonday.com
www.affiliatematch.info
Jul 3rd 2007 14:29   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Get More Affiliate Success Via Email Marketing Promotion
Author: Patrick Ubuane

Do you know why most online & even offline companies regularly engaged in email marketing? The answers is numerous, but the 2 most vitally important reasons are that, 1) it is less expensive & 2) can be used to promote your products with much ease & record substantial profits.

But it is funny that many affiliate marketers scoffed at [b]email list marketing[/b] article
thinking the idea is good only for product owners. But the
truth is that even YOU - an affiliate marketer can learn from
[b]email list marketing[/b] article & apply the ideas & strategies to earn more $$. See article at http://webmasteraffiliateprogram.biz/why-you-must-build-lis
t.html

Your [b]email list marketing[/b] will begin with your opt-in
list by offering a free newsletter about your industry to your
website visitors. To gather names & email addresses of your
subscribers, place a subscription box on your website.

You can also be extra careful & make this a double opt-in
where the subscriber must confirm their subscription before they
join your list. Once you have built a good-sized list, you can
place small ads for your product in your newsletter & can even
start an announcement list for those who are looking for new
products, tools & opportunities.

Types of [b]email list marketing[/b] newsletter, information mailer & special announcements, which you can send
to your entire list to promote new services or products. 2 very
important tools are Autoresponder & Email signature.

In conclusion to this [b]email list marketing article[/b] let
me suggest that you use spam filters to cross check your mails
before sending to your list. Spam filters will block your mail
from getting into the recipient's inbox.

Also Read [b]why email list marketing article[/b] at http://webmasteraffiliateprogram.biz/why-you-must-build-lis
t.html [b] how to email list marketing article[/b] at http://webmasteraffiliateprogram.biz/howto-build-email-mark
eting-list.html & [b] Types of email list marketing[/b] at http://webmasteraffiliateprogram.biz/email-marketing-types.
html

Brought to you by
Douglas Wolfe
www.1stmonday.com
www.affiliatematch.info
Jul 5th 2007 11:50   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Conversion Secrets for Free Downloads to Paid Customers part 2 Of 2
By Sean Cohen

On your thank you page (or redirect page) they are taken to after they fill out the form you need to provide information on verifying. Verified opt-in allows you to ensure that the person subscribing did so with his or her own email address and didn't provide a fake or malicious email. Let the visitor know that they should check their email inbox. Tell them what the subject line of the email says so they know what to look for. Convey that they must click on the link inside to verify and receive the download link to your product.

In the autoresponder they receive after verifying, give them the download link. Since they are subscribed to your list and have confirmed that the address they provided is valid you can effectively follow up providing more information about using the free or trial software, training tips, and further benefits or features earned by becoming a customer.Using these techniques you are sure to increase your sales when converting free downloads to paid customers.

Sean Cohen, Director of Client Relations & Development of Newtown, PA based AWeber Communications, Inc. an opt-in email service provider. With 7 years managing <a href="http://www.aweber.com/?id=204812" target="top">opt-in autoresponders, automated follow up and newsletters for small businesses. </a>

Learn more about effective <a href="http://www.aweber.com/?id=204812" target="top">email follow up. </a>
Looking for FREE,<a href="http://www.aweber.com/articles.htm?id=204812" target="top"> high-quality web site or e-zine content? </a>

Brought to you by Douglas Wolfe AKA The MatchMaker<br>
<a href="http://www.1stmonday.com">First Monday Trade Days</a><br>
<a href="http://www.affiliatematch.info">Affiliate Match</a>
Jul 9th 2007 07:54   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Conversion Secrets for Free Downloads to Paid Customers part 1 Of 2
By Sean Cohen
Do you give web site visitors the opportunity to download a free trial of your product or service with the intention that they will come back and purchase? How are you following up with these visitors? Asking them to fill out a form and immediately giving them the download on the next page is not the best way to generate a quality opt-in list. Collecting accurate opt-in information from these visitors is essential to follow up education and making the sale.

Download giveaway opt-in conversion is extremely simple when done with the correct process. Unfortunately many businesses are leaving significant profits and subscribers on the table by using the wrong methods.

Wrong Way:

A visitor comes to your site and they fill out a form to request your free download. Upon submission of the form they are taken to your thank you page where you provide the link to download.

This person has been given your download but you have not given them a reason to subscribe to your list. They might have given you a fake email address and in all likelihood did give you a fake email knowing that they just need to get to the next page to receive your information. Since you can't follow up with them you might have lost a sale.

Correct Way:

Insert the AWeber opt-in form on your site. Within eye site of this form provide information about the importance of subscribing to your list. Add value to your list by giving them compelling reasons to subscribe. Make it clear that the download link will be provided in the email they receive after confirming their subscription.

Brought to you by Douglas Wolfe AKA The MatchMaker<br>
<a href="http://www.1stmonday.com">First Monday Trade Days</a><br>
<a href="http://www.affiliatematch.info">Affiliate Match</a>
Jul 9th 2007 07:55   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Making Money Online. Part 2 of 2

The key on how to make money online is finding your knack. What are you good at? You can research all of these things on the web. It's more than easy to get information on what you enjoy. Simply pick a topic involving your interests, then type in some keywords. You will receive a number of websites that can offer guidance. No matter what your aspirations are, there is likely to be a market for it somewhere.

Many careers are attained with online work. Web designers, graphic artists, and editors all find work online. They can actually hang out at home all day, and not bother with the madness of the workplace. It is ridiculous to assume that you can't make money online.


With the popularity of the Internet, it's more than feasible to attain an online job. Whether you're looking for a company who is hiring online workers, or trying to start your own business, there are websites to help you with this goal. Always exhaust your resources. Check out the online sites like, careerbuilder.com and monster.com when searching for jobs. You can really narrow down your search when using these free sites. It just takes a little browsing and consideration to discover how to make money online.

Douglas Wolfe
Jul 13th 2007 03:35   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Making Money Online. Part 1 of 2

Many of us now days are in search of that goldmine. We all want to know how to make money online. This way we can hopefully do something we enjoy, while doing so from the privacy of our own homes. Let's face it, we don't want to deal with the public all of the time. The public is full of angry patrons who take their daily frustrations out on you for no good reason. Why put up with them if you don't have to. The fact is that there are many options on how to make money online.

My wife is a perfect example of someone who's fed up with the chaos and anguish of a work place. She complains constantly about having to go to work. Now, this isn't because she hates her work. She simply doesn't like the atmosphere. The noise, the tempers, the headache. Who needs it? She is always telling me that she would like to work from home. Well, many people are making this happen these days with the Internet. If you have a business idea, then maybe you already know how to make money online. Start your own company. A friend of mine designs children's clothing and markets them online. She does this all from home. She even has a regular clientele now.

Douglas Wolfe
Jul 13th 2007 03:36   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Achieving Your Goals Part 2 of 2

The goals we set for ourselves are meant to better our lives and to increase our happiness. The journey towards goal achievement does not have to be paved with self denial and pain. Make an effort to enjoy the steps made along the way. Bask in the glory of making small improvements. Things are not going to change over night. If a goal is worth writing down and talking about it is most likely going to take a while to achieve it.

So often people let their goals fall by the wayside because they feel defeated if they do not accomplish them immediately. When you are writing down the goals that you are working on also write down a reasonable time frame in which to complete them. Do not make the time so long that you will procrastinate and do not make it so short that you are setting yourself up for failure. Be realistic and take time to enjoy the journey to success.


Brought to you by
Douglas Wolfe
www.1stmonday.com
Jul 16th 2007 10:29   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Achieving Your Goals Part 1 of 2

Have you ever noticed that with the beginning of each season there seems to be a push for people to make improvements in their lives? When the New Year arrives most people talk about making new years resolutions. When spring comes people talk about wanting to shed a few pounds to fit into summer apparel. In the fall people discuss that they are going to plan for holiday time better and at the holiday’s people make promises to make more of an effort to stay in touch with family members and friends. Usually within a few weeks of making a statement about changing our ways we are back to our old routine.

There are a few tips that can help you to achieve your goals. One of the most important things to do is to write down the goal that you want to work on. By writing the goal down you are making more of a commitment to work on this area of your life. If you seriously want to achieve your goals discuss them with the important people in your life. By sharing what you want to accomplish with others they can help keep you accountable by asking you what you are doing to achieve your goals. Give your friends and family permission to remind you what you have said you want to accomplish.

When you are working towards something it is often times easy to forget or overlook small steps that are made to achieve your goals. By keeping a journal of the steps that are taken to achieve your goals you can look back and see that you have been working on things, or you can look back and realize that you have not been making effort and that you need to put more time into what you want to accomplish.

Brought to you by
Douglas Wolfe
www.1stmonday.com
Jul 16th 2007 10:30   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Online & Computer Training Part 2 of 2
You can easily hop online and check out the various types of computer based training available at every school. Whether you're computer savvy or not, it is prudent to learn and understand this modern form of work and play. The chances are you will need some computer based training for some aspect of your work or studies. The Internet is a very simple concept to adapt to. Cyberspace is where you will find tons of free information concerning computers, software, and many other things you may wish to know about. If you have no prior computer based training, but wish to better understand these modern innovations, hop online where ever you have access and get a richer understanding of computers today. With computer based training you can certainly expand your options when it comes to careers. Most employers these days request some knowledge of software and PCs.
At RFN we will be giving many forms of training to all who wish to receive it. The RFN University ( The Rotatrix marketing University or RMU) will be the focal point for teaching many subjects. Starting of course with how to use communities online, How to Brand yourself or your create your image and how to network & market one on one. From there we will expand into all areas of networking, marketing, advertising and starting or running a business from home or online.
Douglas Wolfe
www.1stmonday.com
www.rotatrix.net
Aug 2nd 2007 13:12   

Douglas Wolfe   Web Designer & Developer
Online & Computer Training Part 1 of 2
The world today is rather different than it was 20 years ago. While so many things used to run on manual labor, computers have certainly changed the way we do things. In fact, computer based training is almost essential in every field there is. Think about it. How many jobs do you know of that never use computers? I can only come up with a few. Then there are our daily lives. We take advantage of computers on a regular basis in order to simplify things. Overall, computers have made our world a much more convenient place to live and work in, and whether you like it or not, doesn't really matter. These electronic wonders aren't going anywhere.
When I was in college a few years back, computers were essential. We all strolled around campus with our note books and laptops in our bags. Wireless access is everywhere now days. It's simple to hop online and do some research for a paper or check your email. I recall back in high school when they really tried to adapt us to the computer age, hence preparing us for college. You'll quickly notice how many of your University peers are receiving in-depth computer based training for their future career. Computers are a huge business. It's easy to say that they're used in everything. You want to be an engineer; get some computer based training. Are you an English major? You'll need computers for your writing no matter what type of scribe you are. You can achieve computer based training at community colleges that will prepare you for a good career. My Cousin has been a computer technician for 12 years and he is doing very well with a two-year degree.
Douglas Wolfe
www.1stmonday.com
www.rotatrix.net
Aug 2nd 2007 13:14