Jump From Unknown to Widely Quoted in One Week

Start by Being Quotable

It's tough to stand out online. With millions of experts andwebsites on the Internet, what are your chances of gettingnoticed? Long odds, certainly. But that's not your biggestchallenge.

Most fail to grab attention because what they're dishing outis dull - rehashing what's already been said, time andagain. Content has been over-sold. It is NOT king if it'smediocre. Ezine editors and webmasters are selective aboutwhat they'll share with their readers. They know that toomuch of what's being submitted to them isn't worth passingalong.

First, you must have something worth saying that connectswith readers in a fresh, engaging way. People are starvedfor that - it's why they keep looking. There's less goodstuff being written than you'd expect, given the vast sea ofWeb pages.

Jettison the bland and run of the mill. Spend sufficienttime at this step because here's where many writers drop theball. Write from your unique vision and real-lifeexperiences. Make your words so interesting and relevantthat people remember them. That's what gets your articlesforwarded along and mentioned in passing (making you widelyquoted).

Articles can quickly blanket the Internet with yourexpertise

Writing and posting articles to many websites or newslettersrapidly spreads your message. Systematic submissions soonbrand you as a trustworthy expert.

- Focus your content to satisfy the interests of a definable group or niche

- Develop a list of websites and ezines that reach them, where you can submit your output

To illustrate the speed that Google responds to postedarticles, this is article #2 for my new website. It justwent up November 1 - http://www.promotewitharticles.com

Two weeks after submitting article #1, I queried Google:"What Posting Articles Online did for my Google Page Rankin 90 Days". Results already showed 673 cites (many wererepeats), and that's sure to increase. Remember, it's abrand-new site, so Google only learned it existed from thatarticle.

The fact that you're already reading this one (submitted Day14) demonstrates article marketing is working.

People go to the Internet to get information needed to makedecisions

Reliance on the Internet keeps growing. A Harris Interactiveconsumer survey (2004) found that 73% of adults are nowonline - 156 million users. That's up from 69% eight monthsbefore.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that mostInternet users (80%) expect that they'll be able to findreliable detailed information online. They will go onlinefirst when they need information. Internet users say itmatters to them that businesses have a Web presence, even ifthey intend to make purchases locally.

Other studies have found the Web is one of the most trustedsources for making major purchases and decisions - secondonly to spouses for finding referrals. Your well-placedarticles bring you to the attention of people looking forwhat you have to say (wherever they are).

Get your article and message widely distributed and read

- Make it informative and useful

An article is not a sales letter. Resist the temptation tosell. That should be confined to the signature (Sig,resource box) at the end. That's where you provide a linkback to your own site from every website posting yourarticle.

- Make it interesting

Net surfers are unforgiving. If you're boring they're gone.Flat articles won't enhance your reputation or credibility.Your title needs to be a zinger that pulls the reader intothe topic. Most readers won't read more than that.

- Make it relevant to specific people

Too many articles fail to connect because they're writtentoo generally to hit anyone's "bulls eye." Attempting tospeak to "everybody" results in not speaking directly toanybody. There's no substitute for knowing precisely whoyou're trying to connect with, so you can address theirconcerns.

- Make it as unique as you are

If you have a distinctive or quotable viewpoint, let itshine. Expose your personality. A little wit or self-revelation is welcomed. And if you can sustain it acrossrepeated articles, readers will search you out.

Better than shouting from the rooftops

Your posted articles provide your soapbox - as broad as theWeb. So make the most of that exposure, and get you voiceheard. Create a ripple of interest which you can continue tobuild on about yourself, your website, your book, etc.That's how reputations get made.

Discover everything you need at the Article MarketingAcademy, http://www.promotewitharticles.com to find in-depth how-to from the experts. You, too can start findingyourself widely quoted in as little as a week.

© 2004, Lynella Grant

--Dr. Lynella Grant http://www.promotewitharticles.com Use posted articles to build your business Expert in the "body language of printed materials" Author, The Business Card Book and Yellow Page Smarts grant@promotewitharticles.com (719) 395-9450