Article Marketing: Publish Your Way To Sales

Copyright © 2008 Bonnie Gean

One of the best ways to solidify your reputation and credibility is by writing articles for print publications such as newsletters, trade journals, and magazines. This in turn creates an influx of sales as people gravitate towards experts and simply put, getting published makes you an expert! We naturally tend to have more confidence in those who get themselves into print. And who doesn’t want to create more confidence, and therefore more sales, from our target audience?

Being published is also free advertising. You can pay for the best, most expensive print ad, but nothing will create more results than the publication of your article. Your audience knows that you didn’t pay for it, you earned it, and that is the significant difference that will explode sales.

It may seem a daunting task to get published but in reality it is not difficult to attain. Many newsletters and trade journals are constantly looking for writers to contribute work. Consider these steps when planning your article marketing strategy:

1. THINK BIG BUT START SMALL

Rather than going for the large mainstream magazines, shoot for small focused publications such as newsletters or trade journals. These publications are more likely to accept your work and even help edit your articles to suitability. To locate these publications visit your nearest University library and ask for reference books that list trade journals or newsletters. Once you have been featured in these publications you can begin to build up to larger mainstream magazines.

2. ASK FOR GUIDELINES

Never submit articles without first understanding what the publication is looking for and will accept. You need to be aware of word count, spacing format, style, and the type of information each publication is looking to include. It is wise to ask for a sample publication to read the articles currently being run. It is a waste of an editor’s time to receive articles that in no way fit the theme of their publication. Consideration will go a long way to creating a good relationship with a particular editor.

3. DON’T WRITE AN AD

The most common mistake a businessperson makes when trying to get published is writing articles that read like ads. You must write articles that contain information that is useful and educational to the audience. You may also write articles that are inspiring or in some way adds to the reader’s understanding of a particular topic. Often giving away little trade secrets will increase your chances of getting published and build your credibility with both the editors and the reading audience.

4. BE PERSISTENT – NOT PUSHY

Article marketing is not for the weak of spirit. Put your pride aside and resist the natural tendency to be hurt when receiving a rejection. You will receive your share of rejections… every writer does. When you receive a rejection write a polite thank you to the editor for considering your work. This paves the way for future submissions. Consider calling and asking politely what you might do to further your chances of being accepted into their publication. Never, ever be rude or pushy with an editor. This will only insure you will never be considered for future opportunities. Editors are often inundated and they select writers willing to be cooperative. Kindness counts. Then keep at it. Set a goal to submit so many articles a week and stick with it.

WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT A NATURAL WRITER?

If you just don’t have the skills or time necessary to develop great articles, consider hiring a ghostwriter to help you achieve your goals. A ghostwriter produces work in your name so that editors see the articles as being your own. This is a common practice among corporations and businesses of all sizes. Sometimes our greatest strength is in understanding our weaknesses. The most successful business people understand this and hire that work out to experts.

Article marketing is not an impossible task and the rewards can be great. Quit paying for expensive ads that get varied results. Give yourself and your business the professional edge by submitting your information articles to the appropriate publication today. Then sit back and watch your credibility rise and your sales soar!

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Talk To Me
Please post your comments and let’s discuss. I’d love to hear what you think. Do you participate in article marketing? If so, how often do you publish new articles and what type of results do you get?

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Bonnie Gean teaches a no-cost, step-by-step article writing system about How To Write Effective Articles to help you learn how to capture the reader’s attention and compel them to click through to your offers.

Putting The Service Back In Customer Service

By Sean Cohen

The future of customer service is here. Technology has made seeking out support faster and easier than ever. But, has your digital age company sacrificed true service in the name of automation?

Today, finding customer support is as simple as writing an e-mail or picking up the phone. But, even though you’re not face-to-face with your customers, you still leave a lasting impression. Do you come across as caring and competent, or menacing and mechanical?

Offering stand-out service on the Internet isn’t as hard as it is rare. Take these simple steps towards old-style service in the digital age:

Give Each Customer a Personal Response

• Be Clear, But Sincere
• Offer Live Customer Support
• Make Sure Your Support Reps Have All the Answers
• Give Each Customer a Personal Response

When a customer sits down to e-mail your company, it’s because he needs help. He chooses e-mail because it’s quick, but his request still warrants a satisfying and personal response!

Companies eager to save time and money often take automation too far in their customer support. Each customer has a unique question, and deserves a unique answer. Even if you save time by copying and pasting stock replies, change the opening and closing to make the message sound less robotic.

Be Clear, But Sincere

When responding to customers’ e-mail, be sincere and to the point. Before sending a message, try turning the tables. Ask yourself, “Would this answer satisfy me if I were the customer?”

Take that extra moment to give your customer the help he deserves. It might mean the difference between a satisfied customer and a credit card chargeback!

Offer Live Customer Support

E-mail has become an acceptable form of communication. But, live customer support is still necessary. The plethora of information available online can be overwhelming to customers, especially those new to the Internet!

Single your company out from the crowd by providing customers with a real person to talk to. Live phone support is an invaluable way to foster trust. When your customer has reached the end of his Internet rope, and just needs help, your toll free number is the answer he’s looking for.

Make Sure Your Support Reps Have All The Answers

The presence of phone support will do no good if your staff doesn’t know your product! Customer support reps should be warm and friendly, and willing to help with any aspect of your product.

What a good feeling it is to talk to someone who feels confident in his product. It’s even better if he’s knowledgeable enough to solve your problem without transferring you all around the company!

Provide Stand-Out Service; Gain Lifelong Customers

Too many e-businesses skimp on customer service, hiding behind web sites and message boards. Customer support is an integral part of every company, even those operating solely online. Be one of the few to offer stellar service, and gain customers for life!

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Customer Service is becoming a lost art, but Sean Cohen wants to make sure that never happens at AWeber Communications! Find out what service is meant to be.