| Writing for print and online publication can | | | | 5. Your Own Print Newsletter |
| generate new business leads, drive traffic to your | | | | If you have a long list of past clients, a print |
| site, build relationships with your clients and | | | | newsletter (like the e-zine) is a great medium for |
| prospects, and attract an audience. If you need to | | | | keeping in touch and generating repeat business. |
| grow your business, consider the following ways | | | | Some experts suggest incorporating both a print |
| to get your byline out there. | | | | newsletter and e-zine into your marketing plan. |
| 1. Online Article Directories | | | | Printing and postage are more expensive than |
| If you've never published an article before, article | | | | doing everything electronically, but if you include |
| directories-like and EzineArticles.com-are a great | | | | good content that your clients want, they are |
| place to start. Basically, you post articles to these | | | | probably more likely to read the print newsletter. |
| directories and other web publishers can read | | | | 6. Special Reports |
| them and republish them on their sites (don't | | | | Nothing gets people interested and builds a list of |
| worry; you get credit and a link back to your site | | | | prospects like giving away a freebie. I've used |
| in return). All you need to do is create a profile | | | | downloadable special reports that appeal to my |
| and start uploading articles. | | | | ideal clients and their needs to generate new |
| 2. Trade Magazines | | | | leads, and people love it! An informative special |
| If you belong to professional associations, then | | | | report also gives people a taste of what it's like |
| you probably get some of their publications in the | | | | to work with you and lets you answer some |
| mail. And if you serve a market that belongs to | | | | frequently asked questions up front. |
| an association, then you SHOULD be getting that | | | | 7. E-books |
| publication too. When you flip through the pages, | | | | After you've written a few articles and reports, |
| you may notice that other members and experts | | | | why not repackage them into an e-book that you |
| often contribute articles to these magazines and | | | | can sell from your web site? This adds a passive |
| they get an about-the-author box at the end that | | | | income stream to your existing business, and lets |
| lists their business and web site. A great way to | | | | you help prospects in a way that's often less |
| establish expertise and get new leads is to | | | | expensive than working with you one-on-one. |
| contribute your own articles to these publications. | | | | With an e-book for sale on your site, you can |
| 3. Your Own E-zine | | | | literally get clients and make money while you're |
| Everyone with a business can and should send an | | | | out doing something else! |
| e-zine or electronic newsletter to their clients and | | | | 8. Books |
| prospects. It's an inexpensive way to stay in | | | | Although you may not be ready for it now, |
| front of people on a regular basis and e-zines | | | | writing and publishing a book is still one of the |
| allow you to build relationships and stimulate | | | | heaviest marketing hitters out there. And with |
| repeat business. So start collecting e-mail | | | | print-on-demand publishing making it so easy, |
| addresses (the legal way) and publish your own | | | | there's no reason why you can't write a book |
| e-zine, even if it's just plain text to start. | | | | that will allow you to raise your rates, get more |
| 4. Blogs (Your Own or Someone Else's) | | | | lucrative speaking engagements, and grow your |
| Blogs are another way to build relationships and | | | | business dramatically. |
| establish expertise. They're easy to set up and | | | | Getting Started |
| update, and you can post new material at a | | | | If you're a consultant, coach, speaker, small |
| frequency that suits your schedule (such as once | | | | business, or self-employed service provider, |
| or twice a week). Blogs are also great for search | | | | writing for publication is one of the best ways to |
| engine optimization because they're usually | | | | differentiate yourself from your competition, |
| updated more frequently than a web site. If | | | | attract new clients, and make more money doing |
| you're not interested in maintaining your own blog, | | | | what you love. So pick a publication from the list |
| try guest posting at blogs where your ideal clients | | | | and get started. You'll be amazed at who might |
| and readers are likely to see your material. | | | | be reading your words! |