| One of the most important aspects of any | | | | writing a great article. |
| business venture, whether it's selling books or | | | | When I though to write this piece, I looked around |
| auto parts, is building a database of your | | | | for a common problem. I've noticed that many |
| customers and potential customers. The most | | | | online business operators really hate to write. |
| popular method to achieve this is by offering a | | | | These are people who can apply lots of proven |
| newsletter or eZine that visitors to your site can | | | | methods when it comes to site design, product |
| subscribe to for free. The problem many online | | | | development and promotion, but many of them |
| business operators face is, they don't feel they | | | | would rather visit the All Night Root Canal Clinic |
| can write worth spit. | | | | than write. So I first identify a problem. |
| In this article I'm going to walk you through a | | | | In my opening I talk a little about the difficulty and |
| process using a proven template, that will allow | | | | state how I'm going to fix it. (Tell 'em you're going |
| you to create outstanding eZine articles. | | | | to tell 'em) Are there problems in your field? If |
| There's an old formula in the public speaking and | | | | there aren't, shoot me an email quick - I'm in the |
| writing arena that, if followed, virtually guarantees | | | | wrong business. There are problems in any |
| a great presentation or written piece. All you've | | | | worthwhile venture. Problems provide the |
| got to do is stick to the formula. This is it: | | | | opportunities to prosper. Once you've identified an |
| | | | issue, write from the heart about the solution. |
| 1. Tell 'em your going to tell 'em. | | | | That's what I'm doing now. If you're concerned |
| 2. Tell 'em. | | | | with grammar and spelling, get yourself a word |
| 3. Tell 'em you've told 'em. | | | | processing program that will point out any |
| That's the formula or template, if you will. Notice | | | | mistakes. I've been fond of Word for years. |
| how I began this article. I talked about a problem | | | | The truth is though, when you write with passion |
| facing many online marketers - writing eZine | | | | and from the heart about something, people will |
| articles. In the second paragraph I told you what I | | | | often forgive tiny glitches in your prose. They're |
| was going to tell you, which is, how to solve the | | | | much more interested in the WIIFM (What's in it |
| problem. Now, I'm explaining the technique. The | | | | for me) aspect of your article. Then, after you've |
| formula always works. | | | | explained the solution, take the time to tie it all |
| Let's talk a little about what it takes to write a | | | | together and, you're done. Simple. |
| good article. To do this I'm going to make a big | | | | So let's take a look at what we've learned: |
| assumption. That is, that you know something | | | | |
| about what you're doing or selling online - and that | | | | 1. Define a problem or a situation of interest to |
| you have, at least a bit of passion for it. | | | | your audience. |
| With genuine enthusiasm behind you, it will actually | | | | 2. Explain to your audience what you're going to |
| be easy to write something of interest and value | | | | discuss and how it will help them using the "Tell |
| to your customers and visitors. All you've got to | | | | 'em" template. |
| do is come up with a topic and apply the formula. | | | | 3. Discuss it - in other words, download your info. |
| Now, if your interest in Web marketing is | | | | 4. Writing with passion about a topic you're |
| motivated only by the chance of making a quick | | | | knowledgeable about is easy when you have a |
| buck, and you have little or no interest in what | | | | formula or template and follow it. |
| you're doing outside of the money aspect, I'm | | | | If you follow these simple guidelines you'll find that |
| afraid I can't help. Sorry, that's the cold truth. If | | | | with a little practice and some patience you'll be |
| you find you fall into this category, my advice | | | | turning out copy like the pros. Who knows, you |
| would be to take some time and find your | | | | may even find that you like it. |
| passion. Okay, having said that, let's get back to | | | | |