Monday, August 10, 2009

2 Important Article Distribution Tips

Article distribution is an effective link building and traffic strategy for website owners. It differs from article marketing in a couple of key ways, though. Understanding these differences and capitalizing on them is how you can use distribution of your articles to maximize the amount of traffic your site gets. Here's what you need to know.

Longer Articles Are Better

For the most part, article marketing involves relatively short articles with a tight focus. 250-500 words is the typical range. Good articles used for this purpose will provide solid information, but won't go into much depth about any particulars. This is saved for the page being linked to at the end of the article.

With article distribution, on the other hand, the articles should be longer and more in-depth. 600-1200 words is the typical range for distributed articles. To be clear, these articles can be shorter, but there's a very good reason to write them longer. Namely, the odds of distributed articles being picked up and published by ezine and site owners are better with longer articles.

There are competing theories about why this is so, but the fact that it is true is not in doubt. Longer is better when engaging the services of a distribution service.

Beware Too Many Links Too Fast

Here's a word of caution about having articles distributed: slow and steady wins the race. Specifically, beware the possibility that Google will flag your site if it's new for getting too many inbound links too quickly. This is debated among so-called SEO experts, so take the warning with a grain of salt, but it is worth considering. Better to err on the side of caution.

There are services out there that will allow you to distribute as many articles as you can write. If they're good and about popular topics, there's the real possibility that hundreds or even thousands of sites and ezines will pick each of your articles up and publish them.

Obviously, this can be a tremendously valuable thing for your business! It just might be a better long-term strategy to start slowly and build up to that level, so that Google won't have reason to believe you're doing anything artificial to build incoming links too quickly. Again, this is heavily debated, but it's worth considering.

If you decide to give article distribution a shot, a couple of the more noteworthy services are ISnare and Article Marketers. Both charge fees, but they are very reasonable.

Are you looking for ways to bring in more free traffic to your website? Pick up a copy of John's tips on article writing and learn how to create articles that become traffic magnets.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Be a Successful Freelance Writer

These days, anybody can be a writer. With the amount of freelance writing jobs available over the Internet, you don't even have to set a foot out of your house to earn some extra cash. And if you're hardworking and skillful enough, you'll probably earn more than many day job workers.

Freelance writing jobs are not as daunting as they used to be. Offers can range from anything and everything under the sun. In fact, there are plenty of people looking out for writers right this very moment.

And if you hang around long enough, you'll learn how to avoid basic mistakes and spot golden opportunities. Here are some helpful tips to succeed in freelance writing.

Surf the Net and Be Observant.

You can start making money by typing freelance writing jobs on your favorite search engine. As impossible as it is to believe, that's how easy it is. Of course, most of the links will then lead you through blogs, forums and Web sites.

As mentioned earlier, topics to write about can range from anything and everything. It could be something as common as travel, or something as technical as manipulating graphics.

Stick to What You Know.

Aside from their obvious popularity, blog articles are also easier to write. They're less formal and use a more easygoing tone.

For a beginner, it's the best place to start your career as a freelance writer. If you're fond of cooking, you can look for a blog that focuses on that subject. If you're into marketing, there are hundreds of blogs out there which deal with your interest.

Accept Payments.

Payment transactions are usually done online. You'll need to set up an account at a credible online money transferring company or payment processor in order to receive your money.

Personally, all I earn from my freelance writing jobs are wired through Paypal. It's easily one of the most popular and credible companies out there. If your country is not included in Paypal's list, another good alternative would be 2Checkout.

Freelance writing jobs may seem easy-and they are-but they also require proper working habits. You might think that it's okay to slack off since you don't exactly have a superior watching over you like a hawk; however, how you work can determine where your next paycheck comes from.

If your employer decides that he or she likes your writing style as well as your work habits, you'll be the first person he or she will call up the next time a project pops out.

Want to earn a 5-figure monthly income through freelance writing jobs? Go to http://www.20daypersuasion.com/5figurewriter.htm and discover how to earn massive amounts of money by becoming a freelance writer

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Writing as Therapy

It would be wrong to underestimate the power of writing as a point of therapy. Most writers are aware of the therapeutic nature of writing, but most may be less than willing to admit such writing therapy may be personally beneficial.

Sometimes the writing that is most helpful us on a personal and emotional level is writing that we do not wish to be published. It is highly personal, but can helps us understand something about ourselves.

Leslie Ridgeway and Dale Griffith have seen firsthand the benefits of using writing as a therapy among the women inmates at York Correctional Institute in Connecticut.

These two individuals worked with the women at YCI. They encouraged the inmates to write their inmost thoughts without the threat of condemnation. They discovered there was a sense of healing that took place when these women admitted their hurts in writing.

According to their 2002 report entitled, "Struggles: Writing as healing" Ridgeway and Griffith admit, "Many women had reached the limit of their coping skills... educational staff worried about the women's mental and physical health and discussed ways to help them cope. A safe port in the emotional storm was needed."

The 'Struggles' program centered around using words to capture their recollections on violence in their lives.

One inmate wrote, "As children we're taught to respect and obey our parents. Usually I covered with my hands up protecting my face and head. A reaction that I'm sure is a defense mechanism of survival. I didn't harm my mother, but my physically defensive behavior of pushing her away from me shocked her back into reality. The beatings finally stopped and I was left with the question as to why I hadn't reacted to her actions years earlier."

While we seek to identify with the pain the author feels, we also gain a sense for the liberation she feels in finally saying in print what had been bottled up inside for so long.

One unnamed woman who was part of the inmate writing exercise reported, "Seeing our violent experiences in writing is more personal and real - especially when we read them aloud. When I hear myself aloud, I'm relating my experience to someone else, and the emotional feelings, which have often been repressed, hit me."

As a focused writer it might be assistive to you to take regular time to write something that is simply theraputic. None of us came from perfect situations in life. By writing about your past you may discover a sense of personal freedom and increased freedom to pursue your writing career with less baggage.

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of FaithWriters and many other web projects. FaithWriters has grown to become one of the largest online destinations for Christian writers and Christian authors. FaithWriters is a great place for writing jobs.

Productive Press Release Writing

Press release writing is not something that can be learned on the fly. And it is not something that amateurs do well at in the vast majority of cases. If you are interested in productive press release writing, there are 7 best ways to excel at press release writing today.

1. You absolutely must understand and learn the proper format that a press release is to be in. Over 90% of all press releases that are written today are in the wrong format and are thrown away. Reporters know who is a professional and who is not.

2. In regards to productive press release writing, you need to be concise. Long, drawn out press releases will be completely ineffective.

3. In order to excel at press release writing, you need to be familiar with how the press works. Unless you've been a part of the press in the past, or actually have been involved in media relations, you need to get educated.

4. In productive press release writing, you never bombard reporters with one release after another.

5. You need to make certain that your press release contains accurate and honest information. Submit false information to a reporter one time and you will be finished in press release and in productive press release writing.

6. Do not make grandiose promises to anyone you are doing press releases for you can make no guarantees about what the media will or will not report on at any given time.

7. Finally, when it comes to productive press release writing, you need to understand and rely upon those media niches that will be most receptive to a certain type of announcement or information.

Want to learn more about it? Download the free ebook, Steps to Article Marketing Success

Friday, August 7, 2009

7 Elements of a Perfect Website Copy That Converts

A perfect website copy is the one that converts visitors into clients. In order that this happens, there are 7 key elements that a writer must incorporate in the article before it can work this way. Let us consider the elements and see how they are relevant in the conversion.

1. Has a compelling offer

Maybe we should define the meaning of the term compelling so that you understand how this element works. When an offer is compelling, it is probably irresistible. You would feel the temptation to take the offer any time. So, a writer would need to make sure that they give a reader such an offer.

The best way a writer can do this is to explain to the reader in clear and concise terms how the products and the services being marketed would be of value to them. It is the value that readers look for, not the cost, not the name either.

2. Targets the right audience

Yes, a writer must first of all identify the audience before they can start writing a copy. This is very crucial because in the writing, the writer needs to connect with the readers and certainly you will all agree that you cannot connect with someone you do not know.

Understanding your audience is about understanding their needs, fears and above all what they would want most. Try to figure out what you target market would appreciate most before you start communicating.

3. Must have reasons

The reader is very smart. They must not see that you are into marketing strategy. You need to convince they why they are the right people for the message, products, site and why they are not lost being in the site. These answers must flow and they should be convincing.

Never try to bring so many points together at once. At least, you need to be sure that the reader will not have any 'why' questions unanswered while reading the copy.

4. Must call for action

Even though you are not forcing the readers to take action, it should be clear from the copy that there is an action they are supposed to take. So, you need to state clearly what you want your visitors to do in the copy.

5. Does not give room for next time

It should be clear at the copy that the time for action is now. This can be done when you answer all the visitor's questions and they have nothing else that they would want to think about. As in, they feel the information is adequate and what they need is just to make their orders.

You must be focused in the call for action. Do not expect so much from the readers. You must have one intended outcome and let it be.

6. Must have sense of credibility

Readers are very wise. You have to give them enough proof that your claims are true. They need to see some testimonials and even case studies at least so that they are sure.

7. Finally, a perfect copy must use the right words

While trying to craft a professional website copy, perfect choice of words is the number one thing you need to ensure. This would invoke emotions hence the readers would take the desired actions without coercion.

No doubt, this is one of the most crucial services that a copywriting agency would offer. It has the power to build or break a business.

Cleva Smith is an expert author who writes SEO articles and strategies tips. She also works for copywriting company, Content Axis, one of the best copywriting agencies that offers premium copywriting services, article submission services, press release writing and eBook sales packages. To know more about the services, please visit Content Axis Inc

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Are You Letting Travel Writing Opportunities Skip Town?

Here's a news flash for everyone: many people thrive in the midst of economic turmoil. Did you know that more millionaires were made during the Great Depression? Do not let opportunity pass you by because you are buying into the limited thinking of your fellow countrymen. What do they know? These people signed their name on the dotted line knowing they could not afford their purchases.

You may believe travel writing opportunities are non-existent. This is far from the truth. My writing has taken off because I write on other topics besides travel. That's the key. In order to support your dreams, you may have to take on other work. I'm a die-hard writer who is passionate about many topics and genres of writing. I've written articles on how to install shelving to dog sympathy cards. Believe me, my writing muscles have been stretched in more ways than one.

Ideas to support your travel writing

1. Take a road trip and write about your experiences.

2. Edit guidebooks.

3. Search Craigslist.

4. Enter writing contests - submit your "travel fiction."

5. Sign up with Elance.com and Guru.com.

6. Post an ad on Craigslist advertising your writing services.

7. Go to the new restaurants and write about the food and wine.

You may have to take a full-time or part-time job to support your travel writing. Will you be all right with this? Are you an all-or-nothing person? If you have a dream, you'll do whatever it takes to see it come to fruition. This may require a full-time or part-time job outside of travel writing. Of course, you could always get a job within the travel industry. Become part of the crew of a cruise ship and sail around the world. You'll have no shortage of travel writing articles.

Get a vision for your life. You may have to write on other topics other than travel writing - so be it. This will make you very valuable as a writer. If you know and understand SEO marketing, you're writing services will be in demand. This is a "hot commodity" right now. Organizations always look for people who can help them. "Ask not what an organization can do for you, but what you can do for the organization." Does this sound familiar?

Travel writing can be a fun job and you can earn extra cash. Look around and you'll discover travel writing opportunities that you are just waiting for you. Remember, your area is a destination spot for people. If you're passionate about golf, visit a few golf courses and write about them. If you enjoy horseback riding, find a couple of dude ranches and ride off into the sunset. Sometimes you must create your own opportunities in life. Brainstorm for travel writing ideas and you'll find a few gold nuggets!

Our website is dedicated to aspiring and experienced travel writers. You'll find inspiration, encouragement, and education on everything travel writing.

Sign up for our weekly blog recap. If you're about to travel this is a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest in travel writing. Also, check out our forum. If you have a question, login, and with a click of a button you'll have the answer to your question.

URL: http://www.Travel-Writers-Exchange.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Increase Your Traffic by Writing Articles

If you want to increase you website traffic quickly there is only a few ways to it. One of the ways is by Writing good quality articles that people would want to read.

It is not easy to increase your website traffic without cutting corners and this is something you should never do. There are a few things that can increase you traffic that are legal as long as you have the time and skill to be able to write interesting articles.

So you've built your wonderful new website and submitted it to the search engines and directories. In your eyes you are so proud of all your hard work that Google and all the search engines will just fall over themselves to add you to the top page.

So you wait...and you wait...and nothing happens. It takes a very long time for a newly developed website to get any form of listing in search engines and directories and even longer to get any meaningful listing. So, what's the solution to speeding up the process?

The best way you can increase traffic to your website for a short period of time is to write and submit newsletter articles. The beauty of this method is that anyone can do it all you need is a good idea, the ability to write accurately and some spare time. I'm not talking here about working for a magazine or website but the wonderful world of free articles. If you are short on cash and can't afford to promote your business then this technique is especially suited to you.

There are many websites that require constant content on a daily basis and most Newsletter editors are always looking for well written content. This is more so if their newsletter or blog is updated daily or weekly. As you can imagine it would be very difficult to maintain that level of content and prohibitively expensive and so they turn to free articles to ensure their website is relevant and interesting to their visitors.

As with most things on the internet if a gap appears it's very quickly filled and so we have the wonderful world of free articles. The deal is that in exchange for allowing the authors content to be published for free, the author of the article is allowed to place a link or advert at the bottom of the article without any charge.

Just imagine that for a minute, if your article is interesting enough and good enough it could be included in hundreds of websites in a matter of days and what does that mean, one way in-links. This of course is great for your pr ranking and will no doubt increase your traffic for as long as the article is placed high on the publishers website pages. The thing to remember is that you are not giving the article away just given away the rights to use the article on other peoples websites...you still own the article.

These links or adverts are usually placed just below the article and are called "resource boxes". The resource box is your chance to sell yourself or your website or both. It usually contains information about the author and a link to his website.

It's important that you take some time over the content of the resource box because if it is well written then more people will be tempted to click through to your main website and let's face that's the main reason you're given this information away in the first place. Don't add a affiliate link or straight link to another persons site as most publishers are wise to this and would not add your article.

Once you have written your article you now need to find the write publishers and newsletters that will take your work of art. This can be a long and boring job but it is a very important one. I would suggest you find at least 20-30 newsletters of a decent size and don't give up until you have done so.

The main reason why taking a little time over this part of the process is simple: It does not take much longer to submit your article to 500 sites that only main difference is the amount of traffic you will receive.

It's hard to say how much this type of approach will increase your traffic because it's very dependent on how well your article is written and how well you market it. In the best case scenario your article could be accepted at several larger ezines that have 150,000+ subscribers each and could result in 1000+ visitors to your website.

On the other hand you could end up with nobody publishing your article and not single hit. My personal opinion and experience is that a reasonably well thought out and written article usually produces around 500+ unique visitors per article.

There is another way you can get help with the tiresome job of finding publishers and newsletters and that is to pay one of the many companies out there to submit your article for you. I have used several of these companies and the quality and cost of their work can vary enormously. Some of these companies charge per submission ad some charge a flat monthly fee. The most important thing is that you are getting your article to enough quality publishers.

Brian is the editor of Bee Ltd a domain acquisition and development company that has many years experience in the domain name and internet market. You will find many useful articles and advice on all manner of subjects associated with domains names at our site: Bee.eu.