TAKE HOME POINT: Figure out what’s popular and why, and do more of it.

FURTHER TRICKY POINT: This website tells you which articles were VISITED, not necessarily used. Take this into account. For instance, catchy titles will definitely get someone to look.

My second and third most popular articles are “An Emotionally Intelligent Workplace Culture: Is It for You?” and “What’s Going on with Mobbing, Bullying and Work Harassment Internationally.” Since I write many articles for individuals, and social and relational applications of emotional intelligence, this is valuable information for me. The workplace may be a better focus for my work. And Internet is becoming a smaller world. I do international work. I’m glad it’s becoming popular.

The fourth most popular article is also amazing. Never – NEVER – underestimate public. While we are told that people on Internet are idiots with short attention spans who want their articles written at 8th grade level, my fourth most popular article is entitled, “Special Report: What Do IQ Tests and SAT Measure, and Where Does EQ Fit In?” That’s not pabulum!

Tricky part about marketing, part II: Could it be use of “special report” that got them to access this article? It sure could be. It’s latest buzz word in business, along with “white paper”, so why not use it? I did, and either it alone, or an intriguing topic that raised bar, or both, made this article a winner.

Coming in at number 5, “The Top 10 ‘Hurtin’ ‘ Breakup Songs.” Love and heartache. The dynamic duo that never fails. If there’s anything that’s part of human condition, it’s that. This placed far above other two in series – getting-over-it love songs, and “I’m so in love” love songs.”

Yes, “love” will always place high on our readers’ lists. Number 6 is “10 Emotionally Intelligent Questions to Ask Before You Marry.” This one, BTW, has been popular in other countries besides US, and was featured in a magazine in India. The editor told me it would sell because his readers were interested in avoiding marriage of convenience, or arranged marriage, and wanted to make their own romantic and reasoned choice of a partner.

If you can write about relationships, dating, and romance, you should do well. Nearly half adults in US are now single, and they’re looking. The success of such sites as eharmony.com should give you a clue.

Number 9 on my list is also romantic: “Some Tips About Wedding Toast.”

HOLIDAYS

Topical articles are a good idea. Editors will be looking for articles around Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Super Bowl, etc. I did something on guys grilling for Super Bowl that got placed on splash page of a site that brought my services to attention of a whole new crowd, and that’s what you want: exposure!

And what’s #1 holiday? Christmas? Nope, guess again. My articles around Valentine’s Day were accessed far more often. It’s love thing again, I guess. At any rate, if you can work Valentine’s Day into your products and services, do it, and write those articles.

TIPS

1.Suggested length: 900 – 1200 appears to sell best but there’s also a market for short, pithy “fillers” of say, around 300 words.

2.Use an article-submission service ( http://www.webstrategies.cc ) .

The most labor-intensive part is submitting articles.

3.Use an article-writing service - http://www.webstrategies.cc .

Commission them to write articles for you, and about you. As I say in my ebook, “How to Write Articles for Internet,” ( http://www.webstrategies.cc/wsearticle.html ) this amounts to 3rd-party endorsement which is highly effective.

Placing among my top ten most popular articles is one I was commissioned to write entitled, “An Interview with an Expert on Introversion.” This article has brought IntrovertzCoach lots of business!

4.Commission article written by a writer with a reputation on Internet.

Their name will carry article and get it noticed, whereas yours might not. For instance, I am rated “A+” on www.ideamarketers.com, so article-searchers know to look for my stuff. They know they’ll find quality, and their time is short.

5.Don’t be afraid to raise bar.

Sometimes a marketing client will tell me “the stuff on Internet isn’t very good.” Yes, in some cases that’s true, but that doesn’t mean your “stuff” can’t be “good.” I repeat: Never underestimate public. Placing among my top 20 is “Corporate Ethics, Your Ethics, Intentionality & Emotional Intelligence.” You almost need a dictionary to get through title, and it isn’t any easier once you get to article. And it’s about ETHICS!!

We folks here on Internet are good, smart, ready and willing to learn. Give us some substance!

Tip 7: You can eliminate any last minute hesitation prospective customers may have by announcing a pleasant surprise near end of every selling procedure. For example, add an unexpected bonus to each transaction immediately before final action that completes sale.

Tip 8: You can boost your total sales volume and your average size sale at same time by combining 2 or more related products or services into a Special Combination Package. Set price lower than cost of buying each item separately. This "special deal" will motivate both procrastinators and bargain hunters to buy now.

Tip 9: You always need to find new customers. But don't overlook sales you can easily get from your existing customers. It's easier to get more business from them than it is to get any business from new prospects. Follow up with your existing customers to get more sales of same product or to offer them additional products and services.

Tip 10: How would you react if you got a personal "thank you" from a business several days after you spent money with them? You'd feel good and probably want to do more business with them. Give that same feeling to your customers. They will reward you with more business - and a flood of referrals.

Tip 11: Convert your customers into publicity agents. Develop an incentive for them to tell associates and friends about value of your products or services. An endorsement from them can produce sales you would never get with any amount of advertising.

How many of these 11 marketing tactics are you using? How many have you overlooked? You are losing sales if you don't use all of them.

Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses like yours find new customers and increase sales. He just released a New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast With Simple Postcards ...and launched *BizTips from Bob*, a newsletter to help small businesses grow and prosper. You'll find his low-cost marketing methods at: http://BobLeduc.com or call: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV