Thanks for visiting my marketing blog! We now have 20 clients seeing great results, and I'm excited to share with you all the strategies we're using to make them a success. Over the coming weeks, I want to teach you marketing for professional services. I'll update you with an article, video, interview, or podcast every two weeks that's fun, short, and educational so you can get more clients, grow your business, and charge higher fees. Questions? Leave a comment below or send me an email to frank@getvyral.com. I love your feedback!
A well-written article will position you as the trusted expert in the eyes of your audience so you get hired. Write at least two, one page (500-700 word) articles every month that your audience deeply cares about. Your articles must be short, educational, and well-written. Here are my tips to make your articles the best:
1. Write An Outline
It's intimidating to write an article when staring at a blank screen. Make it easier on yourself - start with an outline of your important points. Determine your subject, write your topic, identify your major headlines, write your sub-headlines, then fill in the rest. A great methodology is to identify the problem (introduction), communicate your solution (body), and define specific action steps (conclusion).
2. Compelling Headline
An effective title will appeal to deep emotional needs with psychological words that are proven to sell. Your best headlines contain specific benefits, numbers, and strategically use search engine friendly keywords (example: 10 Insider Secrets To Beating Wall Street Call Options) so your article is easily found by your right prospects.
3. 100% Educational - No Selling
You are the expert your prospects trust in their time of pain, need, and vulnerability. To be their trusted expert, you only need to know more than your audience. More importantly, your expertise is only judged by your audience - not your peers. Teach and help solve their problems without expecting anything in return. Do not ask them directly for their business, nor tell them why they should hire you - that's for your sales letter (more on this later). Give, don't take. You are their leader.
Write in a simple and conversational style - think 'visiting', not 'telling'. While proper grammar and spelling are important, write as if you're casually visiting with your audience. In other words, once you've written your article, read it out loud and add or subtract any words that flow naturally in your speaking. Feel free to use contractions, aggressive punctuation, and colorful adjectives to brighten your writing.
5. Graphical Highlighting
Keep your article easy to read with numbered lists, clear headlines, bullet points, short paragraphs, and plenty of white space. Immediately, your reader must see the purpose and benefit of your article. For example, you've identified their problem and offered your solution in your title, headlines, or opening paragraph. Be sure to boldface and italic all important points, but never underline. Only underline hyperlinks.
Search Google Images for 2-3 supporting pictures, then hyperlink key words and phrases in your article to authoritative resources, such as Wikipedia. Be sure to link 'anchor text' that describes or relates directly to the destination of your link- do not hyperlink the web address itself. (example: Visit Yahoo! today
- not www.yahoo.com)
7. Have a SOFT Call-to-Action
Never ask your audience to directly do business with you. If you must have a call to action, ask them to forward your article, leave a comment, or refer you to your ideal prospect. If your article will be printed or hosted off your blog, include personal contact information and a link to your website. If a visitor is genuinely interested in your services, he or she will actively seek what you offer and contact you for more information.
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Check your article with these seven strategies for effectiveness every time - your audience will enjoy your article, forward it to their friends, and leave comments so you can build a better relationships. Simply publish two remarkable articles a month and you'll build trust and creditability so you get hired - and with time (and hardwork) - charge the highest and most respected fees in your industry.
Do you agree or disagree? Leave a comment for me below...
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