One of keys to small business success is ability to develop, write, edit and design your own marketing material. In order to accomplish this goal a small business owner must learn essential art of self-promotion. The Internet has opened many doors for small business owners and entrepreneurs to market themselves for little or no cost through online writing and publishing. To take advantage of this easy and affordable marketing opportunity all you need is time to research and skills to help you express yourself. Writing skills can be honed with creativity, planning and practice. Building your skill in this area helps create a more focused marketing campaign and increased confidence in your sales approach. Once focus and confidence are infused into your marketing scheme it can generate more leads, more sales and more exposure to your identified consumers.

Framing A Story

The Internet world is a place where small business entrepreneurs can be published and feature their expertise, problem solving techniques and personal success stories. This can generate networking contacts and qualified leads. Writing a story is like building a home. The most important part of house is foundation and framework. The framework must be strong and solid. The rest of article is shaped by your individual voice, humor, insight, educational content and clarity. Framing a story is first step to writing an article that will stand out and catch audience’s attention. There are three basic frames to consider. Choose carefully according to marketing goals you have set and consumer audience you want to attract.

Frame #1 A Chronological Sequence

Three Big Reasons Why You Should Blog

Reason #1: A blog gives your book more exposure on web, thanks to pinging services (pingomatic.com) that alert search engine spiders and newsfeeds every time you post a new entry. You also have option of submitting your site to top blog and RSS feed directories for an even wider exposure for your book. Another resource is Blog Explosion, which is a traffic exchange service. For every blog you read, someone else will read yours.

With a website, you are limited to submitting your site yourself or paying submission service to do it for you. Then you can only submit once a month without any guarantee that your site will get listed. Submitting more than once will run you risk of getting blacklisted as a spammer.

Reason #2: A blog not only establishes your expertise in your genre/topic, but allows you to build one-on-one relationships with your readers. Your blog is an excellent tool to build your fan base. Take time to answer your reader's comments. Once you develop a relationship with them, more likely they will buy your book. If they like your book, well . . . need I say more? I was surprised to find that very few bloggers take time to network with their readers.