Is It Really This Easy to Get Free Advertising?
By Nicole Dean
One of the best ways to get free advertising is to simply write articles and give them away. It's a foreign concept to those new to online business, but you'll really be impressed with the results.
1. Why Should You Write Articles?
Newsletter and website owners are desperate for content. As someone who owns a website and publishes a newsletter, I can vouch for this. Every day, I search article lists, looking for quality information that will help my readers. And, every article I use from these resources gets published with the author's information and a link to their site.
2. Why Give The Articles Away?
How much would you pay to include your ad in a newsletter or popular website? Anywhere from $5 to $80. Wouldn't you prefer to have your ad placed for free? It's easy to see the financial reward. Look at the bottom of this article. Right there, plain as day, you can see a resource box with my website included, so you have proof that this method works.
3. How do you write an article?
Take another look at the article that you're reading right now. It's short. It's simple. I'm not a Literary Genius. I'm just being me.
Start by picking something you know about, or a problem that you can solve, and start writing. Personally, I enjoy shorter articles more than longer ones, so don't feel you have to write a novel in order to get noticed. Some of the best articles are "Top 10 ..." or "5 Ways to ..." Just do it!
If you have difficulties writing, try recording yourself talking about a topic. Then, transcribe the conversation.
4. What should you include in the Author Bio?
This can be the hardest part of writing articles. Spend time on your resource box. Make it catchy. Show your personality or expertise.
Things to include:
Your Name - this shouldn't be too hard.
Something interesting about you or your business - what is unique or special about your service or products?
Your website link - Don't forget this one!
Special offer - Mention a freebie or special offer if you have one.
Don't use this area for the *hard sell*. Just grab interest so they'll come to your site or sign up for your newsletter.
5. Who Wants Your Article?
After you've proof-read your article several times and spell-checked it, submit it to some of the great places online who'll spread the word about your article.