10 Ways To Start Your Article (A two part series on great beginnings)

Ugh! One of the hardest parts about writing an article is knowing how to start it. You can literally spend hours staring at a blank page, struggling to write the first sentence. This post is the first of two parts that takes a look at 10 ways to start your next article, or any article for that matter, to help you write faster, better, and to be more productive.

Ask a question. This is perhaps the easiest way to start writing an article. It’s not so creative however it does pull the reader right into the article if they feel connected to the question or have an emotional response to the question.

For example, a question to begin this article might be “Do you have trouble starting your articles?”

Provide a quote. There are several mainstream websites that provide quotes on just about every topic under the sun. These can be a great, and inspirational, way to start an article. However, beyond these notable quotes, you can also quote experts in your industry, respected gurus, and even mainstream media sites. You can also quote customers and people who have posted on your blog provided you ask their permission beforehand.

Start with the data. 70% of writers say their biggest hurdle is writing that first sentence. This isn’t true, I made it up, however it is a good example of how to use data to begin your article. Data adds credibility to your content and it helps people have a frame of reference.

Tell a story. Personal stories are a great way to pull readers into your content. It helps readers relate to you and it taps into their emotions.

For example, this blog post could have started with me telling a story about my first article project and how I hemmed and hawed over the first paragraph for several hours before I wrote something down, anything, and then moved on to write the remainder of the article in just a few minutes. However, I’ve since learned several successful strategies for effective beginnings to any article.

Tell ‘em what you’re going to tell ‘em. I worked with a client last year on a series of business books/workbooks. When we began the project, she had a format she wanted to use throughout the book series. She said, “Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. And then tell them why you told them.” It sounds repetitive but it works. Give your audience an introduction to what the article is about, then give them the details, and then sum it all up.

Sounds easy, right? It is. And the good news is that once you get the first paragraph, or even the first sentence out of the way, the rest generally flows much easier. And you can always go back and rewrite that first sentence once your article is complete.

Happy writing!

Are You Running Out of Podcast Topics?

It happens to the best of us. Show topics don’t grow on trees afterall. Inevitably we face a show deadline with no guest and no topic to work with.

What do you do?

I have three fast and fun ideas for you.

Idea #1: Go to Your Stats

Look to see which of your programs have generated the highest number of downloads or comments. Revisit the topic and give listeners an update.

Idea #2: Go to Google Blog Search

Search for your topic in the Google Blog Search engine and see what the bloggers are buzzing about. You’re sure to find a timely topic in there.

Idea #3: Go to a Newbie

Ask someone brand new to your niche what they’re wondering about right this minute. It will probably be something super basic – and you’ll look uber smart answering their questions!

Three Tips to Write Attention Grabbing Twitter Posts

Twitter is certainly a social networking tool on the rise. Seems everyone and their brother are tweeting. And yes, internet marketers are using this tool to market their websites. That being said, not all posts are effective for driving traffic to your website. Let’s take a look at a few tips for writing attention grabbing twitter posts:

1. Ask Questions. Tim Ferriss, author of the 4-Hour Workweek, measured and tracked several statistics as they relate to Twitter. Among many things, he found that “70% of the most-clicked Tweets are statements, but 4 of the 4 questions in the top 10 were opening questions.” Twitter is a social networking tool, emphasis on the social. This means people are there to get involved. Asking a question helps engage your reader immediately.

For example, “What’s your favorite writing tip?” This question could lead to a post about writing tips and/or a poll.

2. Arouse curiosity. Copywriters are taught from early on that the key to an attention grabbing headline is to appeal to the reader’s emotions. Due to the nature of Twitter, curiosity, is perhaps the single most effective emotion, though I’ve seen sex used several times quite successfully as well.

3. Provide value. A “How to” statement demonstrates value and let’s reader’s know immediately what you’re linking to. It can also arouse curiosity when framed correctly. For example, “How to know if you’re being lied to,” is a great example of a how to headline that also arouses curiosity.

When writing Twitter posts, write your content first and then play with the twitter post headline. They don’t have to be the same. Additionally, remember to keep your Twitter post to around 120 characters so you have room for the link. Finally, measure click through rates to see what your audience responds to. Twitter is a great tool and using it effectively can provide the business boost you’ve been looking for.

Five Tips to Finding Writing Inspiration

Writing content on a regular basis can be a difficult thing. Many blog owners set aside one day a week or a month to write all their blog posts. What happens when you sit down to write those posts if you’re uninspired? You’re facing a very frustrating day.

Here are a few tips to find writing inspiration:

1. Read your favorite blogs. Blog posts are a great source of inspiration because they get the wheels spinning. In fact, your responses/comments on blog posts can be a post of their own or at least the beginning of one.
2. Read articles in relevant magazines. If you’re an avid online reader then stepping outside your normal reading habits can help you see published content in a new light. For example, an article on integrating technology into your fiction writing helped me come up with two blog posts on using technology to help your content writing, one about organizing your content and one about research resources.
3. Read forums. If your website already has a forum then you’re likely inspired by member comments and questions as these are excellent blog post material. Additionally, your responses are good blog post material. However, if you don’t already have a forum, consider inspiration from other relevant forums. What topics do people get fired up about? What are the most common questions members ask?
4. Ask. Post a survey on your blog/website, ask friends via social networking sites, or contact your favorite customers and ask them what they want to know.
5. Grab it from the headlines. Grab your local newspaper, hit the news sites, or do a quick search online for the most popular topics of the day and use that as an inspiration for your next blog post.

Writing content doesn’t have to be difficult. Wonderful ideas are all around you. Step outside of your normal writing routine and look for inspiration.

It’s Easy To Lose Track

You know, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a store or a restaurant or some other types of brick and mortar business.

Put aside the start-up costs, overhead and the loss of freedom, but it almost seems sooooo simple, doesn’t it?

You run a store that sells women’s clothes.

You sell sushi.

Period.

Running a business online comes with a whole new set of challenges. There are so many distractions, so many opportunities and sometimes you can lose track of it all. Case in point, it’s been months and months since I’ve posted here. How shameful, but I do plan to correct it.

If you feel things running away from you, here are a few tips that might help:

• Be realistic about how much time you really have. Schedule less rather than more.
• Don’t take on every opportunity for free promotion when labor is involved (i.e. guest posting, etc.)
• Crunch your numbers regularly. Shave of the least profitable activities and projects.
• Restructure things so they are less labor-intensive and more profitable.
• Keep an inventory. Domain names add up, so do all your online business holdings. Keep an at-a-glance inventory at your fingertips at at ll times.

I want to thank Mila for realizing that the writers on the blog here may have over-extended themselves. We enjoy posting here and we know Mila’s readers enjoy reading the posts. She took the time to restructure things and make it easier for us to participate. A win-win for all. :-)

(PS I know the running a brick and mortar store is not simple or easy…just imagining the reduced distractions.)

10 Secrets to Repurposing Your Content Part Five

In this series we’ve discussed how to repurpose just about every type of content. However, we haven’t talked about repurposing blog posts or the most obvious type of repurposed content…PLR (private label rights)

Blog Posts

Blog posts are typically left alone and not considered for repurposing because they’re written with a different tone and perspective. They’re often written with a more personal touch by sharing personal stories and experiences as well as opinions that may not be used in your day to day informational content. However, blog posts can be repurposed quite well into article and even report formats.

Consider a blog post series on repurposing content. The series could be pulled together into a report on repurposing content. You might tweak the report by adding statistics, and data as well as examples on how to repurpose content. You may also change the POV, point of view, of the post from an informal “I” or “You” to “He, She or They.”

The structure of the report is already present in the 5 part series. The opposite, as we’ve discussed in previous posts, is also true. You can pull apart a report and create blog posts from it.

Private Label Rights

Private label rights content is a great way to supplement your content strategy. It can be used as is, or it can be repurposed into a variety of content types. Here are just a few of the ways PLR can be repurposed:

• Ecourse. Group a series of how to PLR articles all on the same relevant topic, add an exercise or action steps to the end of the lesson, to add value and you have an instant ecourse.
• Report. Gather a group of relevant PLR articles and create a report. All you’ll need to do is write a cohesive introduction, transitions between the articles and a conclusion to make it complete. However, you can modify the content as well, to include some of your own content or to change the POV.
• Blog posts and autoresponders. PLR content can be pulled apart to create brief blog posts and/or autoresponder messages. Additionally, while people typically think of articles when they think of PLR, there are also PLR reports and ebooks available. One PLR ebook can create hundreds of articles for your blog and website.

Repurposing your content is part of a sound internet business strategy. It can optimize your ROI and help keep valuable content flowing to your prospects and customers. Speaking of prospects and customers, remember them when creating your content strategy. Make sure they’re receiving value and avoid the temptation to say the same thing over and over again – keep your repurposing strategy in check. The goal is to provide value and maximize your content.

Happy writing!

Sometimes I Wish I Didn’t Have A Blog

It’s true. Yes, it is kinda shocking since I have been helping people build their blogs since 2005 and continue to do so.

When blogging started, it was a good idea to bring to people to your site and create an openly communicate with your potential customers and customers alike and it still very much so. That really hasn’t changed. But at the same time, conversations happen everywhere and some blogs will have better traction with a particular audience than yours. So guest blogging becomes quite important too. What better way to reach out to the right group of people for little or no money and build credibility. Plus, you don’t have the added responsibility of creating content every week to keep the blog going and also promoting it.

In that sense, I can say sometimes I wish I had more time to produce quality guest posts on others’ blogs like I’m doing here.

If you want to start being a guest blogger, it’s easy. Scope out the blogs that have a decent following so that it is worth your while contributing to. Make sure they are relevant to your own target audience, prepare a few good blog posts that will resonate with the audience. Then make contact with the blog owner. Pitch the post to them. It doesn’t cost you but a few minutes of time and the worst people can say is no.

You can also come on over to BlogEnergizer. Our premium members are always free to list their guest blogger availability and we’ll help to get the word out to bring bloggers to you.

Meanwhile, am I giving up my blog? Nope. Because ultimately, I need someplace to point someone back to and while it’s OK to point people to a site filled with products, it’s even better to point people to more relevant content they can sink into and channel people to subscribe to my newsletter. It still has it’s place.