One of the best ways to attract clients is by positioning yourself as an expert. To gain recognition, you need to demonstrate your knowledge as an expert. One of the techniques you can use is to write articles.
You can write articles and post them on the internet to attract clients. You can post the article on article directories on the internet. You can include a byline with a link to drive traffic to a web page, blog or lead capture page.
So, what are the steps to write an article?
1. Select a topic
What topic should you select? If you’re not sure where to start, brainstorm a list of potential topics. Select 5-10 topics you feel you could write an article about. Then, pick one and get started. You may find it helpful to write several articles at a time. Once you get into a rhythm, it’s easy to continue writing a few more articles.
2. Create a title
A title helps to refine the content for the article. Create a title early in the process. You can always change the title later. The title of an article is critical. You need to grab the attention of a reader and draw them into the article. The title of an article should be about 5-10 words. It should clearly identify the content of the article and it should imply a benefit to reading the article. You can also create a subtitle. You should also use keywords to increase search engine optimization (SEO).
3. Draft an outline
You may feel comfortable simply starting to write the article. But, for many people who suffer from writer’s block, it helps to draft an outline. Create a short list of points you want to cover in the article. Make sure that you communicate the value you promised in the title of the article.
4. Write content
The next step is probably the most challenging. It takes about an hour to write a 500 word article. An article should be about 350 to 700 words. You can check the word count using your word processing software.
Don’t worry about trying to make the article perfect at this stage. If you’re writing several articles, just type the words. You can edit the article later.
5. Edit the article
The final stage of writing an article is to edit it. 80% of the work is done. Now, it’s time for the last 20%. There are several stages to editing. Read the article and look for any gaps that need to filled. Review the article to make sure that it flows nicely. Finally, add keywords to make the article more search engine friendly.
In Your Byline, Explain Why You Are the Expert!
Write a byline, 4-5 sentences about you, for your article that explains why you are the expert and include a link to a website, blog or lead capture page. This is your opportunity to generate a lead.
Another benefit to writing articles is that it creates content that can be repurposed. You can use the information in an article on a blog, a teleseminar a product or a class. If you see the value in writing articles, then make a commitment now to write an article in the next week. Good luck and happy writing!
Take Action,
Rick Cooper
The Attraction Marketing Expert
Sales & Marketing Success Coach
