Free Blog Posts When You
Use All Custom Content

If you do business online,  then you know that a blog can help increase your exposure, reputation and most importantly, your profits. Blogs:

• Showcase your expertise.
• Help you build your list quickly.
• Are easy to share on social networking sites.
• Allow you to connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs.
• Create closer relationships with your readers and customers.
• Can help you get media publicity.

In short, they can be an incredibly valuable piece of virtual real estate. Problem is, a blog is also hard work. To reap any of the benefits, you have to publish with some regularity and as a business owner, you have more important things to do with your time than write all day.

How to Fit Blogging into Your Work Week:

• Plan your content ahead of time (Use Annette’s Editorial Calendar Tips)
• Make sure your content has purpose, so you get the most out of your time.
• Make a schedule you can handle – don’t over commit yourself. You’re running a business and blog simply complements that.

Or You Can Get Someone Else To Do the Writing

Alice & Annette wanted me to share an opportunity for you to get your blog posts written and some of them for free! For the whole month of March, All Custom Content is offering 2 free blog posts for every order of 10.

Important Note: This offer is good only for requests made in the month of March 2010. Just fill out the request form and let the ladies know you heard about the 2 free blog posts deal.

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Saving Your Content Ideas – Any Time, Any Place

Writers get their ideas from a variety of places and many come from real life situations. But, it’s not always easy to put those ideas into hard copy form, especially when you are on the move. Here are some tips to keep those great ideas from getting away.

Ideas come from the obscurest of situations and they can happen at any time and in any place. You think of a brilliant article topic or title, but standing on a crowded subway train or driving down the road is hardly the time to start writing that article. But just waiting to later may mean you completely forget that brilliant idea you had…we don’t want that to happen!

1. Carry a notepad and pen with you. It can be a small notepad that can easily slip into the pocket of your jeans or the front compartment of your purse. In the elevator, when the guy with the look of death sneezes, you can write down that you want to write an article on elevator etiquette. You can right in shorthand if you know it as long as you get it down. That little notepad (and a flashlight) comes in handy around two o’clock in the morning when it’s dark and you get a burst of inspiration.

2. Use a voice recorder. On the crowded train or driving, it is easier to voice your ideas into a tape recorder, an mp3 player or your cell phone if it has a voice recorder. It can be used anywhere. Don’t worry about the people staring at you. You’re being creative.

3. Send a text message or the notepad of your cell phone. When you have no pen or paper, send your idea to yourself via text message. Sure, you’ll get charged for the text, but you’ll also have the idea you didn’t want to forget. Or if your cell phone has a notepad function (most do), just record your ideas there.

Writing ideas don’t often materialize when we are prepared to write them down. You’ll need to carry a few things with you to make sure you are prepared for the rogue idea that slides into your brain on the Number 9 train or sitting at the intersection of First and Main.

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How to Write a Product Review

When you want to buy a new product, it is logical to ask someone you trust what they know about the product. For the article writer or blogger, one way to get noticed, build that trust and create traffic (plus earn money through affiliate links)  is to write product reviews for your products and others.

A snippet about this product or that won’t cut it. You need a structured article that answers all of the questions buyers like you might have. Here are a few pointers for writing well-read product reviews.

1. Mention the product in the title. Some people think of titles like, “The Last Mop you’ll ever need.” That’s great, but without pointing specifically to a brand of mop, this article will be passed over for one that does. Instead you can say, “Swiffer WetJet: The Last Mop you’ll ever need.” That mentions the product up front and a little extra to bait the hook. This will be helpful for driving organic search traffic to your review.

2. Capture their attention in the first paragraph. What can you say about the Swiffer WetJet? Hit the high points in the first paragraph so your readers will know what will be discussed further down in the article. Mention the product again and what it has done for you.

3. List the pros and cons of the product. Readers can spot a sham product review in a minute. If it is just a glorified testimonial with no substance, you will lose readers for future product reviews. Be honest about the product. Some people may not consider the cons as important as the pros but they have the right to decide for themselves without you hedging your bets.

4. Add photos and screenshots. A visual can go a long way your review. Demonstrate key features or show the product in use. Sometimes multiple photos or screenshots (in the case of an online or digital product) can be very helpful.

5. List tips for improved use of the product. Maybe you know that the Swiffer WetJet works best if the Swiffer Sweeper is used first to get up as much dirt and grime off the floor. Let readers know that. You could sell them on another product. The point here is that tips like this let the reader know that you have actually used the product and are familiar with it. A little snippet doesn’t show any of that.

6. Allow comments. User comments offer even more valuable information to your readers. It also offers the confidence that you are bringing a balanced perspective to the review.

Product reviews can make you money through affiliate programs or promoting your own products. For a dynamite review, include the information mentioned in the four pointers above.

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The Opening Paragraph: Get Their Attention

You’ve just written a fantastic title. It’s a great hook that would get anyone interested in your article. Now that you have that title, the first paragraph has to be equally as dynamic to hold the reader’s attention.

The first paragraph of your article does many things:

First of all it tells the reader what you will be talking about.

Second, it tells the reader why they should be interested.

Third, it does both of these things in such a way that the reader can’t help but keep their eyes glued to the screen until the last word is read.

We are assuming that your paragraph will contain at least three sentences. Three to four sentences is good for your opening paragraph. You don’t want to give away too much, but just enough to peak your reader’s interest.

The first paragraph needs to make a statement. Let’s say that you were writing about the safety of airplanes. You have written a compelling title or headline for your article. Now, you have to say something that tells the reader where you are going with your title.

“You are ten times more likely to be involved in an automobile accident than in a plane crash.”

That sounds like a good first sentence for your opening paragraph. This line conveys two things:

1) Planes do crash, and

2) Planes don’t crash as often as some would like you to believe. With one sentence, you have stated your position and what you are going to be talking about within the article.

Why should the reader care about what you have to say?

You are going to be talking about airplane crashes according to the above scenario. Well, we know that airplanes crash. Why is it such a big deal to your readers? That is what you are going to explain in the second sentence.

“Airline pilots go through extensive training to learn to fly a plane, while automobile drivers are not always as competent when they hit the road with a license.”

Now, you have told people why they should be interested in the first sentence. Air travel has its issues but you can be assured of the training of your pilot. Other drivers on the road pose a bigger danger to you than the airplane.

The reason why the readers need to care is a thought-provoking point. You want to draw the reader into your way of thinking. With a compelling argument, even someone who doesn’t necessarily agree with your point will keep reading to find out what you have to say in support of your position.

Your opening paragraph is the introduction to your article. It needs to tell the reader everything they need to know about your article. How well you state this fact will determine if they continue reading or click on something else.

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Content Writer’s Fatigue? Banish It With These Tips

One of the secrets of successful content marketing is consistency. If you want to reach more prospects and subtly sell them your products, you’ve got to get the content out there. That likely means sticking with a content publishing schedule or the whole content marketing thing gets thrown out the window.

You know how it goes, “I’ll do it tomorrow” becomes “I’ll get to it next week” and so forth.

The easiest way to avoid what I call writer’s fatigue (you know, when you just don’t feel like writing anymore)  is certainly to hire a ghostwriter or grab some PLR. Then it’s somebody else’s job to come up with the content and you’re off the hook.

But I assume you’re reading this because you write some or all of your own content. Here are some tips to help you keep pushing forward:

1. Think about the glorious AFTER. If you are tired, distracted or just don’t feel like writing, that can really mess with things. Get yourself in the mood to write by thinking about all of the benefits of getting your content written right now. You have more fodder to reach your prospects. You get to go out and have fun. You can goof off on Facebook – whatever.  Think about how much sooner you can do these things if you get to work right now.

2. Set yourself up for success. Dedicate a section of your home to be your writing area. Wherever it is, design the workspace to be conducive to writing. Don’t do anything but write in that space. That way, when it is time to write, you have a place to go that inspires your writing genius.

Alternatively, if you need a change of pace. Take your laptop into the backyard, to a coffee shop or somewhere to see if that gets you in the mood.

3. Get out paper and pen. You may not want to write your articles entirely by hand, but start writing down your ideas, main points, titles, etc. Sometimes just getting away from the computer can be incredibly inspiring.

4. Accept imperfection. The first draft is always about getting all of your ideas down on paper. Don’t try to wear the editing hat and the writing hat at the same time. It stifles your work. Instead, be happy with run-on sentences, half thoughts and grammatical errors. You can always clean it up later.

5. Do more research. If you are having a tough time coming up with what to say, dive back into the research mode and find more information on your subject. The information you have is alright but maybe you are missing that one element that will make drive your point forward. Look for quotes and references and other things that can fill out your content.

6. Take a meditation break. Maybe you are anxious about writing. Are they going to like it? Do you really have the knowledge to share? All of these thoughts can cause you to end up with a blank creative slate. Take a minute to relax your mind before setting back to work. Assure yourself that even though you may not have all the answers, you offer a unique perspective to your readers that they’ve come to know and appreciate.

Staying on track isn’t always easy, but establish a routine and use the tips above, and you’ll get there.

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Article Writing: Use What You’ve Got in Your Noggin

You want to flex your writing muscles and expand your horizons through article writing, but then you run into the problem so many others do: What can you write about that will interest others?

Well, you can always begin your writing journey where a lot of people begin: write what you know (and outsource the rest to talented writers).

Have you ever been given a topic to write on that you knew little or nothing about – and had absolutely no interest in? Yes, I know it brings back bad memories of high school. It was tough to put pen to paper or fingers to computer keys ( typewriter or stone tablets – depending on your age ) because you had no earthly idea what to write. If you want to incorporate writing into your marketing strategy, you don’t want to start out this way.

An easier start is to write about subjects that you are familiar with. Many online businesses rise out of hobbies and interests that people have a passion for. When you can write intelligently about a topic, readers are more likely to understand and accept what you are saying.

How do you know what you know? Start with a few questions:

• What do I like to do?
• What things don’t I like to do?
• What hobbies do I enjoy doing?
• What are my talents?

All of these questions lead to the formation of a list of topics that can begin your article writing career. You can write for others on assignment or you can strike out on your own and create a blog or online business using your list as a base.

What’s next? Now that you know what you like, find out all that you can about the topic. Become intimate with your topic. Readers are looking for writers who can be a resource for them. That is what you want also – to be their main “go to” person on a particular subject.

You might love making origami animals but what else do you know about origami? Readers who are interested in origami will want to know the history of the art, how to create various objects and where to purchase their products. It is your job as the writer to provide them with this information. The more that you know, the further you will go and the more money you can make with your chosen article topic.

Writing what you know about has many advantages:

• You can establish yourself as an expert and write for other sites
• Your informative articles can lead to increased sales on your website
• You can convincingly promote affiliate products

In other words, just get out there and do it. Even if you don’t fancy yourself a great writer, starting with what you know will allow you to build your skills – and increase your sales too.

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