Sunday, April 13, 2008
Small Business Marketing
Small Business Marketing
Small Business Marketing - How To Write An Article To Grow Your
Business
By Marketing Buzz
Do you subscribe to internet newsletters, read books or buy the
same magazine or newspaper on a regular basis?
If so, why?
Well my friends I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and
say the main reason for you reading something on a regular basis
is because what is being said is of interest to you. Yes I know
that assumption or guess is hardly rocket science but when it
comes to writing your articles you have to remember that the
most important thing is the content.
The actual subject of your article isn't really that important
in a way as the chances are there are people out there who will
be interested in what you're writing about. However if you use
articles as just another way to promote your business instead of
focusing on your readers then I'm afraid your articles won't be
read, won't be published by many people and won't bring you
results.
So if killer content is the key how do you actually make sure
you do it?
Well here are 5 top tips on how to write an article that if
followed will turn your thoughts, observations and words on a
particular subject into article gold dust.
Top Tip Number 1 – A.I.D.A
For those of you already familiar with A.I.D.A you'll know just
how important having a structure to something is (be it a
letter, an advertisement, a press release or an article).
A.I.D.A being:
Attention
Interest
Desire
Action
For many articles you will only get a small opportunity to get
the readers attention and make them want to read more. Therefore
make sure your article begins with a catchy headline and ensure
the first paragraph explains what the article is about (in many
cases a problem) and how the article is going to solve the
problem.
So once you get your readers attention, make sure what you're
saying is interesting. How many times have you brought a book
based on the cover, the title or what's written on the back only
to start reading it and think BORING!
The same applies to your article writing. It is pointless
promising the world and delivering next to nothing. Not only
will it annoy the reader but it will also put them off your
writing long term.
Also on the subject of interest make sure what you're saying is
somehow different to the crowd (and believe me in the world of
article writing there's a pretty big crowd). Don't worry though
as they'll still be hundreds and thousands (and dare I say
millions for the right articles) of people wanting to read well
written articles.
Desire – what do you desire? The secret to great article
writing is turning curiosity into a desire to get something. If
you do that your article writing will transform your life and
the lives of others. By that I mean that you have to make people
really want to know what you have to say. Just imagine an
article with the headline of "The secret of life finally
revealed". I for one would want to know what it was (PS…I do
actually know what this is so if you'd like to know please visit
the Nettle Helpdesk at http://thenettle.com/helpdesk/index.php
and just ask me).
Clearly your articles may not reveal such things but for many
people across the World what you have to say will be important
to them and they will want to know more. Examples being:
"This Years Top 10 Christmas Presents" – people will want to
know what they are
"The secrets to playing better golf" – people will read it (I
know I would)
"Why 8 out of 10 women prefer Chocolate to Sex" – women will
probably want to know who the other 20% are and men will be
checking the Top 10 Christmas Presents above to see if they
should take the sexy underwear they've just brought their
partners back to the shop and instead buy them a big bar of
chocolate instead! (my tip on this is buy both – well, you never
know!)
My point is, make people want and desire you knowledge.
The final point of A.I.D.A is Action but we'll look at that
more in Top Tip number 5 next month.
Top Tip Number 2 – Share your secrets
I'm not a religious man myself but I'm sure there's a passage
in the Bible somewhere about in order to receive you must at
first giveth. The same is true with articles. The chances are
you will be writing about something that you have some expertise
in or you have a real passion for. With this in mind you
shouldn't hold back with your knowledge. Instead share your
knowledge and yes your trade secrets with your readers. And the
good news is even if they don't agree with you; they will
respect you sharing your thoughts with them.
Top Tip Number 3 – Benefits
If you're not an Information Technology expert and you have
ever gone to purchase a computer you'll know what I mean here.
You go into a computer shop and you're told all about the latest
computer and what features it has. RAM, Hard Drive, Multiple
USB's, Pentium Processors, Prompt Action Mean Drive. OK so I
made the last one up but going shopping for a computer might as
well be like attending a Rocket Science conference as far as
many people are concerned because the sales people focus on the
features and not the benefits. All I want to know can I set it
up quickly and use the internet, can I write some letters and
store accounts information and can I download and play the
latest tunes and films. Tell me that and you might have a sale.
Make me look stupid by using jargon and technical mumbo jumbo
(is mumbo jumbo jargon by the way?) and I'll smile and way away.
Top Tip Number 3 is to focus on the benefits that your article
gives.
If you're giving tips on how kittens can be taught to use a
litter tray then focus on the benefits that your house and
carpet won't smell of cat wee. If you're writing on how to get
the best insurance deal then focus on you the fact that you will
save time and money.
Features don't sell. Benefits do.
Use benefits in your article writing and watch your profits
increase and your business grow.
About the Author: Mark Burdett is the owner of The Marketing
Buzz. For information on The Marketing Buzz and their range of
small business marketing services visit
http://www.themarketingbuzz.co.uk
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=213625&ca=Marketing
Small Business Marketing - How To Write An Article To Grow Your
Business
By Marketing Buzz
Do you subscribe to internet newsletters, read books or buy the
same magazine or newspaper on a regular basis?
If so, why?
Well my friends I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and
say the main reason for you reading something on a regular basis
is because what is being said is of interest to you. Yes I know
that assumption or guess is hardly rocket science but when it
comes to writing your articles you have to remember that the
most important thing is the content.
The actual subject of your article isn't really that important
in a way as the chances are there are people out there who will
be interested in what you're writing about. However if you use
articles as just another way to promote your business instead of
focusing on your readers then I'm afraid your articles won't be
read, won't be published by many people and won't bring you
results.
So if killer content is the key how do you actually make sure
you do it?
Well here are 5 top tips on how to write an article that if
followed will turn your thoughts, observations and words on a
particular subject into article gold dust.
Top Tip Number 1 – A.I.D.A
For those of you already familiar with A.I.D.A you'll know just
how important having a structure to something is (be it a
letter, an advertisement, a press release or an article).
A.I.D.A being:
Attention
Interest
Desire
Action
For many articles you will only get a small opportunity to get
the readers attention and make them want to read more. Therefore
make sure your article begins with a catchy headline and ensure
the first paragraph explains what the article is about (in many
cases a problem) and how the article is going to solve the
problem.
So once you get your readers attention, make sure what you're
saying is interesting. How many times have you brought a book
based on the cover, the title or what's written on the back only
to start reading it and think BORING!
The same applies to your article writing. It is pointless
promising the world and delivering next to nothing. Not only
will it annoy the reader but it will also put them off your
writing long term.
Also on the subject of interest make sure what you're saying is
somehow different to the crowd (and believe me in the world of
article writing there's a pretty big crowd). Don't worry though
as they'll still be hundreds and thousands (and dare I say
millions for the right articles) of people wanting to read well
written articles.
Desire – what do you desire? The secret to great article
writing is turning curiosity into a desire to get something. If
you do that your article writing will transform your life and
the lives of others. By that I mean that you have to make people
really want to know what you have to say. Just imagine an
article with the headline of "The secret of life finally
revealed". I for one would want to know what it was (PS…I do
actually know what this is so if you'd like to know please visit
the Nettle Helpdesk at http://thenettle.com/helpdesk/index.php
and just ask me).
Clearly your articles may not reveal such things but for many
people across the World what you have to say will be important
to them and they will want to know more. Examples being:
"This Years Top 10 Christmas Presents" – people will want to
know what they are
"The secrets to playing better golf" – people will read it (I
know I would)
"Why 8 out of 10 women prefer Chocolate to Sex" – women will
probably want to know who the other 20% are and men will be
checking the Top 10 Christmas Presents above to see if they
should take the sexy underwear they've just brought their
partners back to the shop and instead buy them a big bar of
chocolate instead! (my tip on this is buy both – well, you never
know!)
My point is, make people want and desire you knowledge.
The final point of A.I.D.A is Action but we'll look at that
more in Top Tip number 5 next month.
Top Tip Number 2 – Share your secrets
I'm not a religious man myself but I'm sure there's a passage
in the Bible somewhere about in order to receive you must at
first giveth. The same is true with articles. The chances are
you will be writing about something that you have some expertise
in or you have a real passion for. With this in mind you
shouldn't hold back with your knowledge. Instead share your
knowledge and yes your trade secrets with your readers. And the
good news is even if they don't agree with you; they will
respect you sharing your thoughts with them.
Top Tip Number 3 – Benefits
If you're not an Information Technology expert and you have
ever gone to purchase a computer you'll know what I mean here.
You go into a computer shop and you're told all about the latest
computer and what features it has. RAM, Hard Drive, Multiple
USB's, Pentium Processors, Prompt Action Mean Drive. OK so I
made the last one up but going shopping for a computer might as
well be like attending a Rocket Science conference as far as
many people are concerned because the sales people focus on the
features and not the benefits. All I want to know can I set it
up quickly and use the internet, can I write some letters and
store accounts information and can I download and play the
latest tunes and films. Tell me that and you might have a sale.
Make me look stupid by using jargon and technical mumbo jumbo
(is mumbo jumbo jargon by the way?) and I'll smile and way away.
Top Tip Number 3 is to focus on the benefits that your article
gives.
If you're giving tips on how kittens can be taught to use a
litter tray then focus on the benefits that your house and
carpet won't smell of cat wee. If you're writing on how to get
the best insurance deal then focus on you the fact that you will
save time and money.
Features don't sell. Benefits do.
Use benefits in your article writing and watch your profits
increase and your business grow.
About the Author: Mark Burdett is the owner of The Marketing
Buzz. For information on The Marketing Buzz and their range of
small business marketing services visit
http://www.themarketingbuzz.co.uk
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=213625&ca=Marketing
