Since we started ChinoHills.com a number of people from many professions and backgrounds have requested Writer's Access. We would like to thank those of you that have written (or offered to write) articles. There are usually two reasons that we do this. 1.) We enjoy it and like contributing to the community, or 2.) We use it as a tool to build our business. I'd like to talk to the number twos for a minute.
Did you know that done properly, writing articles is a great way to build a business reputation? It is free. It doesn't take too much time. And it gets results. Here's why...
If you are doing any good at all for people in your business, then it is likely that there are people out there that want and need information about your expertise... And experts write articles; not articles just to sell products, but articles that are of general interest to the public in the areas where you have the expertise.
When you begin publishing articles on a regular basis, people eventually begin to see you as the "expert", as the "consultant", as the person they should go to when they need help in the area that you provide a product or service. They will begin to knock at your door rather than you having to knock at theirs. This is a proven method of gaining respect and building your business. Take advantage of it. Here are a few tips...
1.) Write on a regular basis. A good frequency is once weekly or once monthly. People will come to expect your articles and they'll come back to read them.
2.) Use an editor. The best writers in the world use editors to bounce ideas off of and for proofreading. Feel free to create drafts and then ask for us to take a look. We will send you suggestions and help you to see your writing from another's point of view.
3.) Write or copy your articles in Notepad or MS Word while you're working on them so you don't lose your work if your computer shuts down or something. It's also a handy way to check your spelling.
4.) Upload a picture with your article to make it more interesting.
5.) Keep your articles between 150 and 400 words long. That's about the right amount for the average reader's attention span. People are busy so sometimes the best thing you can spend your time on is cutting the length of your article.
6.) If you are writing for the Internet, it is ok to keep things personal and informal, but do your best to correct misspells and grammar.
7.) Don't forget to write your byline. We allow a brief byline with contact information for all of our writers.
8,) Don't make your article a blatant advertisement. Everyone has information that others need; so do you. Be creative and think of what you know that others would be interested in reading about.
9.) If you are having a hard time coming up with writing ideas, "Throw up your mind". Play a game with yourself. Get a pen and paper and check your watch. Make a rule that you must list ideas for just one minute. That's all. You must write something constantly for one minute even if it is writing the same idea over and over in different ways. The only rule is that you have to write. At the end of one minute, take another minute or two and add anything that still comes to mind that you didn't get to write down and reorganize the list. You'll be surprised at how this gets new ideas to flow.
10.) Carry a notebook or index card and pen with you everywhere you go and when you get an idea about something to write on, write it down instantly. Otherwise you'll forget.
Good luck and I hope these ideas help you to take advantage of the tools at ChinoHills.com. Next time, I'll write to you recreational writers (the number ones).
For more information, visit the Writer's Section at ChinoHills.com:
