Even this one – I’ve been hemming and hawing for more than a week now just trying to decide on a subject.

It has been said in so many places that to put out a newsletter is easy because of amount of fr*e content that’s available on net. And I suppose that’s true. I could peruse net and find articles – in fact, I DO. All my newsletters contain an article I have read and particularly enjoy.

But I still feel that it’s necessary to contribute something original. There are several reasons for this: Credibility – Why would people want to read your newsletter when you don’t even contribute to it yourself?

Content – If you write your own articles, then you are guaranteed to have fresh content.

Visibility – Once you start writing articles, you will get to point where you will start to submit them to ezines, article databases, etc. This is a great traffic builder!

Anyone who reads my articles knows – I am no writer. I’ll never win any awards. But each one I write gets a little easier. Even a little more fun. You start to realize that you really do have something to say. You even start to believe that what you have to say has an impact on SOME one. That maybe one or two of your readers become inspired through one of your articles. That’s where rush is for me.

My problem is imagination. Or lack of one, really. I find it hard to come up with an article idea. Even in this day and age of information at your fingertips you still need to sit and brainstorm for ideas. For me this is hardest part of writing. It’s amazing, though, once you have found subject you want to write about how it will just flow once you start.

Over time I have learned a few tips about preparing your next article or ezine. Some of these tips come from numerous books I have read on subject – rest from personal trial and error.

1. Always carry a small notebook and pencil or pen. This tip I think has helped me most. There are times when an idea will pop in to your head, but by time you get home – poof! It’s gone. With this handy little tool you can write down your ideas as they come. A small recorder will do same thing.

2. Schedule yourself brainstorming time. You really need to make a conscious effort to brainstorm. If you plan this first, you will find yourself thinking ahead and putting yourself in right frame of mind to do this.

A clever title is great if it is clear, but a clear title is always preferable. The best? A clear and clever title. A shorter title is better than a longer one. Your reader will spend only four seconds on cover. While some long titles have succeeded, usually shorter, better.

A title is part of your book's front cover. Busy buyers including bookstore buyers, wholesalers, distributors and your audiences buy mainly because of cover. Dan Poynter, author of Writing Nonfiction, says, "The package outside sells product inside." Make your cover sizzle.

Start with a working title before you write your chapters. Include your topic, your subject and use book's benefits in your sub title if possible. Here's your ten tips for titles that sell:

1. Create impact for your title-check out print and radio ad headlines. Check out other authors' titles on bookstore shelves. Your title must compel reader to buy now.

Which title grabs you? Elder Rage or Caregiving for Dad?

2. Include your solution in your title. Does your title sell your solution? Make sure it answers question rather than asks one. For instance, Got Minerals?, or Minerals: The Essential Link to Health. Use positive language instead of negative. For instance, Without Minerals You'll Die can be Minerals: The Essential Link to Health.

3. Make it easy for readers to buy. Readers want a magic pill. They want to follow directions and enjoy benefits title promises. For example, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books by John Kremer gives at least 1001 ways for authors and publishers to market their books.