The "Secret" to Effective First and Free Steps in Internet Marketing

Article Title: The "Secret" to Effective First and Free Steps in Internet Marketing
Author Name: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Internet, online marketing, internet marketing, writing articles, online writing
Web Site: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

Other Articles by the submitter are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management (how boring now, craig!)

Publishing Guidelines:

We hope that the following article (originally written in the year 1998) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site.
As with all my articles, you have permission to publish this piece electronically or in print.

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."

"If you have knowledge, let others light a candle to it."
- Margaret Fuller
(That's a metaphor, btw).

#
THE "SECRET" TO most EFFECTIVE and FREE STEPS IN INTERNET

What is the best (and most effective way) to get the word out regarding your product or service to those "millions of consumers out there in cyberspace"... to bring TARGETTED traffic to your web site? And best of all, it's FREE (that "magic" word of the www).

What is it (I can't wait for the suspense a moment longer)? In my opinion (humble), WRITE ARTICLES - for ezines (or online newsletters) and article announcement lists.

WHY DO THAT and WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO ME ("WIIFM")? If it is well-written and most importantly, helpful and informative, your article could become widely published =

* Extra exposure (sounds rude that!)

* You'll "brand" yourself and your business. You then "make a name" for yourself online; so that you become known as an expert in your field.

* You'll gain people's trust, as you establish extra credibility online, regarding your product or knowledge in your field.

* It's free advertising at its very best (ie. most effective).

Writers don't usually get paid. But on the other hand, they get free advertising, which may be just as valuable...especially as most writers live off tins of baked beans and carrots (no wonder they are "arty-farty types!). What's the difference between a writer and a large pizza? The pizza can feed a family of four!

After that little joke at the expence of my occupation (get a "proper job", Craig!), back to my point... You are advertising your web site (in the form of your resource box with your web site listed at the end of the article); so that your www... could multiply all over the internet, like a "marketing virus", a "bubonic plague" (that's a metaphor, by the way!).
*

Now a little "info" on E-BOOKS...

When you have a number of useful articles written and published, you could perhaps put them all in the form of an electronic book and offer them for download on your web site. (Our associate Stefan in South Africa did that with my writings) . My various articles (internet marketing, writing, self help and money) are available free at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981

At the end of each article is a resource box with a link back to your main product site... and hopefully you'll make some sales (especially if your site visitors like the style and content of your articles)! (Incidentally, one of my main writing aims is to try to inform in a "light breezy style", ie. inform + entertain at the same time!).

If you're really adventurous and innovative, you can even create an e-book and give it away for free. Really good for promotion of your product or service. Just place a link to your web site on each page of your e-book. I've got the first three chapters of my various books available as e-books. You are giving away free information (or entertainment) of value (hopefully!). Give and you'll freely RECEIVE many benefits - in business and in life (the law of "sowing and reaping", which is the basis for most of the world's religions, I believe). No harm in all this, is there? Now after that 'little philosophical interlude', do you see the benefits of article writing? Enough questions, Craig (like the Spanish Fly, er sorry, Inquisition!).

Lastly (and most importantly), writing ezine articles HELPS others out there in cyberspace. Though it takes quite a bit of time and effort (even for us writers). Though you don't have to be a writer to write good articles. I believe, virtually ANYONE can do it.

So YOU TOO can write articles on your chosen subject in your internet marketing efforts. In addition, the more articles you write and submit, the more you will find web sites LINKING to yours (as many of the major search engines, like Google use the number of links as a factor in placing your web site).

It's simply a "numbers game", ie
MORE TRAFFIC = INCREASED SALES

Though the results for your efforts don't usually come overnight. My advice is...Do a little writing and research on your topic(s) every day...even if it's only an hour. ("What, me find an hour in my busy day! Come on - get real, Craig!") Just do it regularly and re-write your article (many times). Re-read it aloud, so that it flows nicely. With practice, you'll get better in your article writing and your confidence will increase in "leaps and bounds". Funny expression that, like a "runny babbit" (that's a simile, by the way)!

Tourist to street vendor... "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice, Sir, practice!"

Back to my point after that little interjection (my "grasshopper mind" at work - creative minds are rarely tidy, as my dear exasperated mother, Hazel, often said to me) . Then just be very patient and the results DO come.

As the saying goes...

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. Success comes to those who ride out the 'ups and downs, the highs and lows' of life." They are the ones who stick with their dreams, never giving up.

Why not start writing articles for the www?

This new year could be a new beginning in your internet marketing strategy.

YOU CAN DO IT...

and there is no better time to start than...

TODAY

To your internet marketing dreams in 2011 and beyond...

Craig Lock (Eagle Production Books: "Information and Inspiration Distributors, Incorrigible Encouragers and People-builders" )

# article originally written in 1998

"Eagles may fly high, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines"

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

P.S: We hope that these tips help in your article writing. In my opinion it's the best internet marketing strategy there is... and best of all it's FREE. Hope this "info" helps and best wishes in your newsletter article writing and internet marketing strategy.

Happy writing and I look forward to seeing your articles on the www.

"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."
- George Washington Carver (1864 -1943)

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man how to fish and you get rid of him every weekend."

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal."
- Pamela Vaull Starr

"You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true."
- Richard Bach

“Together, one mind, one life at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”

THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

PPS

Don't worry about the world ending today...

it's already tomorrow in little scenic and tranquil New Zealand