Yes, the tried-and-true information article that tells you how to do something is still one of the fundamental draws of the Internet.



People search for articles, read them, and try what they say. Millions look up to anyone who writes an article as an expert, putting authors right up there with scientists, college professors, and CEO's.

And guess what? When a prospect looks up to you as an expert who knows the territory, they are many times more likely to buy from you AND pay just about any price you ask.

You don't have to be the next great novelist. Simply write a page of instructions that tells someone else how to do something. It can be information you learned on the job or advice you picked up in books and conversations.

Customers buy because they have a problem they need solved. When you appear as a helpful expert with lots of answers, you're half-way to a sale.

Newspapers, magazines, ezines, and industry newsletters all need a steady stream of good informative articles. It is easier to get your articles into smaller publications that closely target your best customers. Often these smaller ezines and newsletters draw better response than some of the big glossy national magazines.

Write your article with this simple formula. I know it will work for you because I used to give it to classes full of college students. Half of the them could hardly write their name and the other half didn't want to be in the class, but using this formula almost all of the students could write a great article.

1. Start by pointing out a problem your reader has. I could have started this article: "Spending lots of money on advertising and still not getting the results you want?"

2. Then make your reader's problem seem worse. Point out the ways this problem can impact their business, life, and happiness. "Your ads bring in only temporary response. Without an effective and affordable way to get the word out on your business, you may be closing your doors before the year is over."

3. Next suggest one to five ways the reader can solve the problem or make the situation better. "One simple way to get lots of new prospects and customers is to write articles for trade publications in your industry." I could go on to explain how to write an article (as I'm doing now).

4. End your article with a paragraph or two that reviews your most important points. Wrap up with a positive spin that paints a bright picture for your reader.

"Many entrepreneurs and professionals use their articles to launch successful national careers earning healthy six figure incomes. By following these easy steps, you can become a widely-respected exert in your field and give your business a big boost."

5. Finally, include your contact info in a final paragraph at the end. Now that readers are impressed by your good ideas, they will want to contact you to pay for more information, services, or products.

Put your article on your web site for search engines to find. Send your article to other web sites who might use it, to ezines, and to friends in your industry. Send your article to a local radio talk show host with a note on how to contact you for an on-air discussion of the topic.