Part 2 will cover formula and format you can use to write your own article as well as provide valuable resources where to publish your articles for maximum exposure.

How to write your own ezine article

1. Research a topic you are very familiar with or have a passion about. This makes it easier to write and will show through in your writing.

2. Take out a sheet of notebook paper and create an outline of your article. Write down all points you wish to include. Don't worry yet about order because you just want to let your mind flow in beginning.

3. Write down a number of headings and sub headings that concisely describe your topic. You will probably edit these a number of times before you have finished your article.

4. Write a catchy introductory paragraph that will immediately get readers attention. If you are writing a "how-to" article, you could first explain problems people are having "how to do this task". You then provide solution to their problems.

5. Offer clear solutions in succeeding paragraphs. These should expand and support heading, introduction and sub headings.

Write four or five sentences for each paragraph. Your sentences should be formatted to 60-65 characters per line. This ensures your article can be read by all types of email software.

Most ezine publishers prefer short articles under 500 words, others prefer longer copy under 1000 words.

6. Write your conclusion - this paragraph should give a brief summary of what you have just written, emphasizing main benefits.

7. Include a 5-7 line resource box at end of article - give a brief description of who you are, what product or service you are selling, your web site and email address. See resource box at end of this article for an example.

Keep as many interested prospects on your site by avoiding these blunders:

__Multiple Popup and Popunder Windows.

Many online business owners swear by effectiveness of popups and popunders for getting more subscribers, making sales, or generating leads.

At same time, a large percentage of users claim to dislike popups and popunders. And it's no wonder; many of us have been 'held hostage' by popups that spawn even more popups when you try to close them, until your screen is filled with windows and you're completely frustrated. Most people simply do NOT appreciate multiple popups or popunders!

If you choose to use them, try for a 'happy medium' -- a window that appears only once upon entry or exit. One such script is available fr*e at DesignerIndex, http://www.designerindex.com/Free_Tools/popupwindow.shtml .

__Unreadable Text.

Certain formats are easier to read than others. For example, it's generally accepted that black text on a white background is easiest to read. The reverse -- light text on a colored background -- can cause fatigue when reading large blocks of text, and is better used to highlight a portion of page.

Similarly, text that is too small can cause problems. Although it's possible to change displayed text size on a browser, many Internet users don't know how.

__Confusing Navigation.

Ever been to a site where it's hard to get around? It's just as easy to leave and go instead to a competitor's site. Make your navigation clear and simple.

__Trapping Visitors In Your Frames.

Improperly designed frames can leave your visitor 'trapped' on your site, unable to use 'back' button on their browsers to leave. You can bet they'll never be back if you try to force them to stay! BigNoseBird.com has a nice little tutorial on how to get 'Frames look' without actually using them. Read it at http://bignosebird.com/k3.shtml .

__Broken ordering links!

It sounds silly... heck, it *is* silly. Check your order links regularly to ensure that they still work. Enough said.

__Splash pages.