By Anthony Farrell © Copyright 2003

If you have a product to sell, or a service for people to use, you should consider writing an article to promote it. Why?

Because if you see a certain product that is being advertised, versus that same product being described in an article, which one would you buy?

Even though both products are exactly the same, chances are that you will buy through the article. The reason for this is that an article lends credibility to both you and the product. It also establishes you as an “expert”.

Whereas the advertisement is just that… an advertisement!

Furthermore, to advertise your product will cost you. How much it will cost you depends on the type of advertising you use. For example...

A classified ad in most ezines will cost you. The price of the ad is determined by where in an ezine it is to be placed. If you place an ad at the top of an ezine (Top Sponsor Ad) it will be dearer than placing the same ad in the middle of that same ezine. The reason is because a Top Sponsor Ad is the first thing that a person sees when they open up that ezine.

Where a person sends a “Solo Ad” to a particular ezine, they are now going into a higher price range. This is because a Solo Ad is sent to a list of subscribers on it's own. No other ads accompany it. This gives you even greater chances of people purchasing your product. But, the price is also much higher, depending on the number of people you are sending a Solo Ad to.

With your own articles, you are getting free promotion. Most ezine owners are always on the lookout for articles to use. They want free content for their publication. You want your article to be published to promote your product. Therefore, you will get your article published for free by most ezine owners. It's a “Win-Win” situation for both of you.

Here's what to do:

1. Identify ezine owners who are looking for content for their ezines or web sites. You may already be a subscriber to various online publications.

2. Make a list of these and read the articles there. They will give you a good idea of how to write your own articles and will also give you ideas for your own content.

3. Chose a subject. Start writing. Don't worry about getting the format right yet. Just write! You can edit it later. The main thing here is to get your thoughts onto a page. You'll find that when you get into it, ideas just keep pouring out. So, remember…just keep writing.

4. Now organise yourself to format the article so that each paragraph flows into the next and makes sense.

5. Write your article as if you were talking directly to someone. It's not an essay competition or work of art you are trying to write.

6. Check for spelling and grammar errors.

7. Ad in your “Bio” at the end of the article. This will be a few lines about you, or your web site with a link to your web site. Ideally offer a free ebook, ecourse or software to encourage the potential client to click on your link and give you their email address. Consider setting up an autoresponder for this purpose. When someone gives you their email address, they are giving you permission to contact them. This is your opportunity to build your own list and further establish your expertise and build trust.

8. Put in a couple of lines giving the reader permission to use your article in their publications, or to give it to their lists. Make sure they include your Bio and Links. This can cause a viral effect and get you to other places you didn't even know existed.

9. Now, work on the Subject Line for your article. Re-read the article and try to use your content to pick a good hook (Subject Line). Hook them and get them reading your article.

10. Send an email to you new list of ezine editors requesting that they print your article in their publication/website.

11. Include your article with the request email. Put the article in the body of your email, not as an attachment. Most editors will not open an attachment as it may contain a virus.

After sending a few articles to online publications and ezines, you will become accustomed to writing. Aim to send out a new article at least once a month… more often if circumstances permit. Get your name around. The more often people see your name popping up everywhere the more likelihood they will notice you. Also, send your articles to your list to keep your subscribers updated. Afterall, they are your potential customers.

Here are some great places to submit you articles or newsletters to...

http://www.ezinearticles.com/add_url.html
http://www.amazines.com/
http://www.articlecity.com/article_submission.shtml www.ezau.com/latest/articles/0127.shtml
http://webprotimes.com/articles.html

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