That's why I write articles.

Articles help to build your reputation as an 'expert' in your particular field. Over time, they build credibility, and through credibility, trust. And we all know that people tend to buy from those they trust!

If you have some basic writing skills you can benefit from writing and distributing your articles. Here's a quick overview of how it works: you write an article based on your own experiences or research. Make it informative or entertaining (or both), depending on audience you're trying to reach. At end of your article you include a 'resource box'. This small blurb (usually 5-7 lines long) provides a description of your business and a link to your website URL and/or email address.

You then offer your article, free for reprint, to other sites or newsletters within your target audience. In exchange for this free content, webmaster/editor publishes your resource box. Readers that appreciate your writing can click on your link to find out more about you and your business.

How to Find Editors that Accept Submissions ---------------------------------------------

You can manually find and email editors within your market, asking if they accept submissions. It's tedious and time- consuming, and often times you won't receive a response... but it can be done.

If you are a non-techie like me, you may not have heard of what a "sticky" Web site is (it is stuff that lures visitors back again and again). But we do know we want that!

Forget getting to top of search engines. Let your Webmaster do that. Instead, try out some of these low- maintenance ways to bring 'em back to your Web site for more.

1. Upload new, original, and useful content often. Do not think of your Web site as a virtual brochure. Avoid blatant ads such as banners, which turn visitors off. Give them information only they can't find anywhere else and give it free. People want and need how to's, especially.

Always think benefits when you post some new article. Helping your visitors get what they want will bring their trust and respect as an expert, and eventually, bring you profit from your book, other products, or service.

2. Update your Web site content regularly and often, perhaps daily or weekly. If someone visits your site and finds nothing new, they will disappear into cyberspace and spend their time on other sites.

If you don't want to write articles, copy and paste other people's articles or tips from their ezines or Web sites with their permission, of course. Keep pieces under 1200 words. Common lengths are anywhere from 75-1000 words. You can include a tip list, past feature articles from your ezine, an excerpt from your book, poetry, a heart-felt story, or a character sketch from your fiction book.

3. Publish your own ezine. Make it short and sweet. Start with a monthly, then see if you can do it bi-weekly. If you don't stay in regular touch with your possible buyers, they will forget you and your book's message.

People want to know you better, so they can trust you and think of you as an expert in your field. Your free information, tips and resources will keep them as subscribers. If they like your eMag, they will recommend it to others. The opt-in eNewsletter tops all other ways to drive traffic to your site, and it can be mass mailed free, too. Check out www.topica.com.

4. Include a recommending service on your site. Your repeat visitors create new traffic. Check out www.Recommend- It.com. It's free, fast, and versatile. Each time someone recommends your site, they are entered in a contest to win a Palm V reading device and a chance to win $10,000.