Free Article Writing Suggestions

Here are a some Free Article Writing Suggestions from Bigfoot.Marketing.

Here is some Free Help Writing Help: Learn How to Write an An Article for Your Small Business

Articles are a great way to promote a small business.

In the early days of the internet, all most all websites were written like a news or feature article or expanded brochure, and typically a blend of the three. 

The early webmasters would interview the business owner and then develop the website and publish as a third person, which made sense then.

That doesn't make sense any longer.

Your website should be written in the first person and should be spoken directly to your target audience.

Small Business Articles are Written About a Company in the Third Person

However, it is completely appropriate for an article about you and your business to be written in the third person.

When someone visits your website, you should greet them just like they walked in to your place of business.  You would not use third person language if someone walked into your business.

You would say, "Hi, my name is [your name] and I am the owner here."  You wouldn't say "Welcome to [my business name] and say, [your name] is the owner.  You would address them in the first person.

Small Business Marketing Articles are Typically Hosted on Third Party Sites

Once your article is created, you can upload it to your website and provide instructions for others that see it to follow if they would like to host your article on their sites.

Content publishers need great content, so do a great job and you'll discover that publishers will want to use your content on their sites.

Follow these Three Article Writing Steps

If you will follow these simple steps, you can write your own effective article for your business.

Step 1: Determine the Purpose of the Article

Is the purpose of your article to educate, entertain or inspire?  Making a conscious decision about this will provide a guide for keywords that you should select and make sure they are included in your article.

Create a list of at least ten key words that match the purpose of your article.  Here are just a few to get you started:

Educate

1. Learn
2. Curiosity
3. Knowledge

Entertain

1. Enjoyment
2. Fun
3. Pleasure

Inspire

1. Dream
2. Give
3. Action

Step 2: Create Your Business "Pitch" or Marketing Message

If you have not already done this, take the time to craft a marketing message for your business.  You'll definitely want to use this in your article, regardless of its purpose to educate, entertain or inspire.

Most small business owners that I have worked with spend way too much time focusing upon their logos and are typically completely unaware of the need to develop a marketing message.

I've NEVER had ANYONE says something like: "I saw your logo and it was so amazing that I immediately knew I wanted to business with you."

However, I've won lot's of clients after telling them: "I can help you attract more clients, increase their satisfaction with you, and make you more money.

They usually want to know how I can do that. 

Develop and Implement a Marketing Message

Logos are powerless in convincing people to do business with you.  Their purpose is simply identification.  They are not intended to convince your target to hire you.

A well-crafted marketing message is what you need for that!

7 Steps to Craft a Powerful Marketing Message

Here are the basic steps:

1. Identify Your Target
2. List the Problems your Target Has That You Can Solve
3. List the Emotions that Your Target is Experiencing due to their Problems
4. List How You Can Solve Your Target's Problems
5. List What Makes You Different (Better Choice) than Your Competition
6. List the Results that Your Target will Experience as a Result of Your Products or Services
7. Take Steps 1-6 and Put them Together!

Step 3: Create an Outline for Your Small Business Promotional Article

Your Article's Keyword List

From the list of keywords and concepts that you have created, you will find the over-arching principle that will help you create a powerful headline and the outline for the body of your article.

Your Article's Headline

Give your article a good headline. 

This is listed first because it will print at the top of your article, but you should write it last.  In many instances, you may spend more time developing your headline than you will writing the article itself.

Don't try to do a crazy SEO title for the headline of your article.  Just name it properly.  It will naturally include your most important keywords for search engines to index.

Your headline is vital.  If your headline does not win the interest of its viewers, they will not read your article.

• Address your readers in the first person (you),
• provide numerical data (numbers) when you can,
• arouse curiosity by using questioning words (how to, why ...),
• be sure to highlight their problem,
• and boldly state your solution to their problem.

Your Article's Sub Headings

Take your keywords list and use it to create the outline for your article. 

Build a paragraph or more around each sub heading.

How much to write?  Enough to cover the subject as completely as you need to for the article.  Otherwise, don't worry of the length of the article or the word count.

Just make sure you are providing good, understandable and legitimate content.

Your Article's Introduction and Closing

Aft you have completed the body of your article, write a one paragraph (one to five sentences) introduction or summary.  This should be the first paragraph in your article.

Tell 'em What You're Going to Tell 'em.

The purpose of the introduction is to tell them what you are going to tell them.

Tell 'em What You're Telling 'em.

In the body of the article, you are telling them what you are telling them.

Tell 'em What You've Told 'em.

Similarly, write a closing for your article as well.

The purpose of the closing is to wrap things up with a review - tell them what you told them and provide some action steps for them to take.

Common Questions About Small Business Articles Answered

1) Should I use images in my article?

It is fine to use an image or two or three, depending upon the length of your article.  Keep in mind that some publishers may disallow images.  If you choose to use images, make sure they are small in byte size (try to keep to 100kb or lower) and actually help with the comprehension of your article.

2) How many links should I publish in my article?

Customarily, it is appropriate to provide a link at the close of your article along with your colophon as the author.  

3) Should I allow anyone to republish my articles on their sites?

In most cases, you should not worry over this too much, so long as your policies require that they include your complete article, including your colophon or signature at the bottom.

Don't expect publishers to include images, however.  Leave that up to them.

Most publishers will not want to provide content that doesn't interest their readers.

If you do want to restrict who can republish your articles, then make that clear, but make it as easy as possible for those that want to publish your content to do so.

Writing Marketing Articles