Building eCommerce

By Vincent Dupuy

Every day that goes by sees thousands of new articles being published on the Internet. Many marketers have discovered that articles are a great way to get free targeted traffic to their website. What will really determine the success of your article marketing strategy is the originality and value of the topics you choose, and the content you write about them. Here are a few pointers to write articles that get visibility and traction.

Participate in chat rooms related to your targeted audience. Watch what questions people are asking and ask others what information they’re interested in. The more you participate, the more you build your credibility in that field, and the more likely potential readers (and buyers) will follow your links and read what you have to say. Also, hang out in similar message boards. People leave questions for information they’re seeking. That is a strong indicator of subjects to write about. Once you’re established on a board you won’t have a problem replying with a link to your article when you have answers to their questions.

Examine what information in being broadcast on television, news and talk shows. That information is usually hot topics. When topics are that popular, you don’t necessarily have to be a reference in the field to be read. Prime time news material can be researched by millions of people in a short period and if your timing is right, you can get lots of hits to your article.

Survey your web site visitors or current customers. Ask them what type of articles they would like to see published on your web site or in your e-zine. Currently customers are a great source of information, and you can typically trust their feedback. They know you; they will deal with you again if you answer their questions. Regularly check your site’s guest books. People sometimes leave questions or comments that would help you generate high readership articles. Eventually, you can make a file of visitor or customer questions you receive via e-mail or phone. Usually, others have the same questions, but never ask.

Check online bookstore’s best sellers list. They’re very good resources for finding winning topics and ideas to write about. You can also visit your local bookstore for the same results. Some magazines are also a great source for hot topics; they sell copies by having good, current articles. What a fantastic source of inspiration! You can also use the time of year to come up with good topics. You could relate your content to the holiday, season, things that happen years ago during that time and so on.

Another good exercise would be to join some related e-mail discussion lists. Explore the question being asked and the subjects people are discussing. After a certain time you will see that some questions and topics just keep showing up. Writing relevant articles about those will surely attract reader.

These are only a few ways you can use to find popular topics to write about. There are many more. Perhaps you can relate your article to a current fad that’s going on in your specific industry. The topic is usually interesting to your target audience. The key is to always be watching for the opportunity to write about something people want to know about. If you do that, you will get readers, visitors and credibility.

About The Author

Vincent Dupuy’s research is focused on home business opportunities. To find the best home based small business ideas and opportunities visit: http://www.OnlineProfitHome.com

By Erol Orderland

The World Wide Web is known as the information super highway. With a click of the mouse, a person can find the perfect dress for a formal occasion or health advice, to determine if professional medical care is needed as soon as possible. Basically, if the web surfer can think of a topic, a product to buy, or an item to sell, he/she can find it on the web, with a few carefully selected keyword searches.

The question is: where does all the information come from? Obviously, someone is writing articles for publication on the Internet. After all, the web is simply a means of disseminating information. The knowledge displayed has to come from someone. So, why does a person take time to write articles, and what is the compensation factor?

The main reason for writing articles is to inform the reader. The message is generally to educate the public, a marketing tool, or both. First, the altruistic reason is to give the reader valuable information or advice.

For example, a teacher may have web site articles to help students find educational material. Some schools may even have resources for parents and students to check grades, scheduled extra curricular activities, and academic dates.

An individual suffering from an illness may want to provide support and helpful information to others who feel sick and all alone. For example, the renowned Mayo Clinic has a medical site. Searchers can look up medications and find out information regarding the benefits and possible side effects. Also, an individual diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, crohns, or heart disease, may want to locate a support group.

One of the most popular reasons people seek information on the Internet is interpersonal relationships. Cyber dating is on the rise. Entrepreneurs are essentially making big bucks by instituting a lonely-hearts club- a virtual matchmaking service. If an individual knows how to utilize a computer mouse, he/she can find the information and assistance for every aspect of life.

In addition to assistance, writing articles is also necessary to bring potential customers to an entrepreneur’s site-an individual selling a product or service. For example, a newsworthy, or even entertaining, article attracts the reader. Enticed, the viewer may decide to explore the well-placed links to see what the writer is all about. Since the article is generally related to the product or service presented on the site, writing articles brings in potential clients or customers.

The more site viewers reading the article, the greater the opportunity to garner a sale, and build a returning customer base. Simultaneously, writing articles can become a lucrative business for the writer, and the end result often brings revenue to the client. Therefore, writing articles is a win-win situation. Internet marketing is a steadily growing business.

Today, corporate executives are trading in the sixteen-hour day job, for a chance to earn a substantial income with an Internet enterprise, and still be able to spend time with the family. From the comfort of a living room or home office, a growing number of forward-thinking individuals have actually managed to realize a 6-figure income.

Likewise, on the other end of the spectrum, the individual writing articles, used to promote and link back to the business, can also work from the comforts of home and make a decent living without ever walking out the front door. Thus, writing articles can result in great jobs for frustrated executives, stay-at-home moms, and people with limiting disabilities. Great!

The option to work from home is great for many single parents who do not want to be away from their kids, or who cannot afford a babysitter. Writing articles is also an excellent way to earn extra money in the evenings or on the weekends.

In a perfect world, writing articles can promote a passion and earn an income. For example, some sites will pay an individual to write about a subject he/she actually lives every day. A person with diabetes can write articles to help fellow diabetics, and earn money at the same time. While a site may sell products diabetics need, the articles are also available to inform and encourage.

Even if an entrepreneur does not have the time or ability to write articles compelling the reader to take action, articles are available for rewriting, reprinting, and redistribution. In addition, to give a site fresh and original material, writers-for-hire are available. A good key word search will provide a plethora of writers or ghostwriters, who are willing to sell the ownership of the written word, and the businessperson can claim authorship.

So, if an individual has an important message to share, a product to promote, or a service to sell, a valuable tool for increasing readers and web traffic is article writers.

About The Author

Erol Orderland shares his passion for articles, writing articles and provides excellent article content for internet readers. Erol Orderland writes from his home in the Netherlands.