Types of articles for promotions and publicity:

-Tips -How To -Column -Interviews

When asked to write an article you absolutely must make sure to keep articles at length requested by editor. If they ask for 500 words, then give them 500 words. They know exactly what they need and if you can accommodate them, there is a greater chance you will be asked to write for them again. They have specific areas in their publication they must fill and if you give them too much, or too little, you make their job more difficult. The idea is to make their job as easy as possible.

Secondly, make sure articles are well written. No typos, good sentence structure, no misspelled words. Although I consider myself to be a very good writer, with many of my articles I send my information to my editor to tighten up information.

Always submit your work by deadline given. If possible, get it to editor before their deadline. Again, this makes their job easier.

Keep in mind that once something is in written form, there is no turning back. You never know how long life of an article is, nor do you know how many people might see article. That is why it may pay to have your own professional editor.

Study publication for which you would like to write. There is no point to write for a publication that doesn't reach your target market. Again, this is about gaining exposure within your market. When I first started writing for publicity, I would write for just about any publication and often on topics that, although qualified to write on, were not focused on area I wanted recognition as an expert. I soon came to realize that this was a waste of time, money and energy. Now, being fully focused, I am getting extremely great results.

I mentioned a byline. Simply put, that is section at end of article that tells readers a bit about you. In many cases you will be allowed to include your contact information such as a phone number, email address and web address. If given a choice between three, I will put web address over other items. My website can provide even more information about my company and services I provide.

Sample Byline Kathleen Gage is a business advisor, keynote speaker, and trainer that helps others gain market dominance and visibility within their market. Call 801.619.1514 or e-Mail kathleen@turningpointpresents.com . Get Gage’s FREE 4 day online marketing course by visiting www.kathleengage.com.

Well, this is how it works. Keep in mind this is only an example to make my point, but if you have ever published an ezine, then you will know I am right on money with this observation.

In one week:

· 500 people sign up for first time. · 40 of those people unsubscribe after very first issue because they do not like content. · 30 people quit after first issue because their only purpose in subscribing in first place was to get freebie you had offered to new subscribers. · 30 of those people unsubscribe because they do not remember subscribing to ezine in first place. · 80 email addresses bounce due to ISP email filters. · 20 people bounce because they did not pay their Internet bill. · 35 people have simply changed their email addresses without submitting a change of address to you. · 15 people have quit Internet altogether.

In final analysis, 100 of your new subscribers, or 20% of your newcomers are gone after one week. Another 150 subscribers were long-time subscribers who are gone for other reasons.

If you make mistake of stopping your advertising, your ezine list will eventually wind down to one subscriber --- you. In our example, 150 long-time subscribers disappear every week, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. You must absolutely keep a fresh flow of new subscribers coming into ezine in order to stay ahead of attrition curve.

STAYING AHEAD OF THE ATTRITION CURVE

An ezine or a business, what is difference? Not much. Your business will suffer same fate as ezine if you do not advertise. I don’t know how to make it any more clear than this.

Yes, you must be careful not to throw your money away on advertising that does not generate results. But you cannot afford to throw baby out with bath water.

Carefully, pick your advertising, study your results, and put your money back into what is working for you.

In conclusion, you must decide. Do you want to advertise your business, or do you want to watch your business die? The decision is yours and yours alone. Well, what are you going to do?