?I make marketing materials for small businesses. I'd like to write a few articles about the positive side of using these materials for promoting your business but it seems all the articles are written already. How do I write an article without people thinking I ?stole? the content from another author? Thanks, Kelli?

This is a great question that many of people face when they try to get into article marketing. The fact that people are writing on the topic is actually good news because, in this case, it means you have a business in a thriving industry. However, that doesn't mean you can't stand apart from the others.

Just like when you're establishing your online presence and developing your product, you needed to determine what made you unique and set you apart from your competition. We call this your USP'or unique selling proposition. You can do the same with your articles.

It's true that some or many of your ideas will have already been published in articles, but that's because they are tried and true methods of promoting a business. Just because you have the same idea as someone else, does not mean than you copied them?and if you're putting your ideas in your own words, there is no copyright violation. You also have your own voice and as you write more and more, you'll develop that unique voice.

Still, I understand that you want true original content. One way to stand apart from other articles is to go the extra mile in explaining your points. Flesh out articles with concrete examples, case studies and other things that make it easier for your reader to really understand and apply the knowledge you're providing.

I've written articles on plenty of subjects that have been written on thousands of times. I occasionally search article databases for ideas to incorporate into my articles, but mostly I just sit down and right from my own knowledge and experiences, creating a unique perspective on the subject. You'll probably want to try the same.

As far as people thinking you ?stole? their content, there are always people feel like that. They live in constant fear of someone taking something from them and in an almost paranoid way, they think everyone is copying them no matter what it is. This is minimalist thinking and don't let yourself become a part of it. Ideas are a dime a dozen, but what's important is what you do with those ideas. Rise above and write the best, most informative articles that you can.