Article marketing is all about providing readers with educational content. The article should speak to the reader, suggest resources, and flow fluently so the reader can comprehend what you are communicating. It is all about the tone and how you deliver it with written words. The reader will either engage or move forward.

Even if you’re not a writer by trade and you have no interest in becoming a freelance author, having the ability to write ‘How-To’ articles can be beneficial as it allows you to establish yourself as an expert in your niche. As an expert, you bring a wealth of knowledge to your industry and the only affordable vise that communicates to the web community just how knowledgeable you are is the Article Directory.

Therefore, you need to push your fears aside, roll up your sleeves, and teach yourself to write effective ‘How-To’ articles. Here are seven points to consider:

1. (a & b) Who is your audience? (c) What would you like to teach your audience?
a. Internet users, entrepreneurs, and people interested in learning.
b. People interested in __________ (topic).
c. How to ___________ (topic of interest)

Scenario: If you operate a storefront, you may routinely inform your customers about the product you sell. Your customers may want to learn how to care for the product, how to store it, or even how to get the best use out of it.

2. Track your steps carefully.
a. Write down the steps that must be taken in a chronological order. It must make sense.
b. Then explain each step in detail. This is referred to as “fleshing out” the steps.

Note: The content on your sheet of paper should all flow properly. At this stage, it will look more like an outline rather than an article. As you add more “flesh” to your bullet points, the article will magically come together.

3. Write your introduction and conclusion paragraphs.
a. Introduction paragraph: Your introductory paragraph should be a three to four sentence summary of the article. If you are writing a “search engine friendly” article, this is where you will want to pay close attention to keywords focused around the subject of your article.

Note: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) writing is for the experienced writer. With SEO writing, keywords are strategically positioned throughout the article to pull the attention of the top search engines. SEO writing is used as a marketing tool to position a company on the net.

b. Conclusion paragraph: The closing of your article should be three to four short sentences that carefully bring your ‘How-To’ article to a close.

4. Watch your formatting.
a. Paragraph length: A paragraph that looks like it takes up half a page is likely to chase a reader away. When people read material online, they want to get right to the point.
b. Format content: Don’t use bullet points and numbers to bullet point text. Choose one and be consistent throughout. This includes bolding or italicizing text.

5. Name your article with a proper title.
a. The title should always name the subject / topic of your article.
b. The title should be eye catching and luring.
c. The title should include a keyword.

Conclusion

Writing an article isn’t as difficult as one might think. It begins with a creative idea, takes a small investment of your time to jot down the steps and fill in the blanks. However, when you’re done, you’ll have an article that is informative and empowers a person to read more of your writings.

The written word is the key to branding your business, communicating with others, and building an online presence. If you cannot write, you should invest some time to learn why. Why can’t you write? Are you afraid? Are you lacking creativity? Whatever the reason is, you need to get over it especially if you’re going to spend the majority of your days communicating with prospects and colleagues online.

I personally believe that you cannot operate a virtual assistant business without having a command over your written words. The following is a list of five areas in business you will need to not be afraid to create and present in written context:

1. Communications: You cannot work online without communicating with clients, colleagues, and vendors. Therefore, you need to know how to write an informative reply and the basic business responses to inquiries. It’s like being a secretary sitting in the office and not knowing how to compose a business letter.

2. Branding: You can hire someone to help you brand your business, but that will become very costly. It is much easier if you can pick up the knack for writing sales blurbs and promotions. Even your company’s mission statement can be created by an outside source; however, if you truly want a sense of accomplishment you’ll step up to the plate and write it yourself.

3. Proposals: The number one reason you should know how to write. You won’t be able to win over a new prospect if you cannot tell him/her what is unique about your services, how you provide those services, and explain your terms in writing. It just cannot be done. Every new client will want some type of proposal in writing.

4. Contracts: Once you’ve been awarded a job, you’ll need to create a contract. Sure you can pick up a template but you will need to modify it, and if you’re not confident in writing you will not be confident in revision.

5. Growth: More and more job postings are requesting a versatile VA. Prospective clients are looking for individuals who can write web copy, articles, blog comments, and eBooks. If your VA service is limited to only providing research, data entry, and let’s say accounting; you’ll have to turn away the opportunity of growth.

Instead of saying, “I can’t write!” invest some time in learning ‘How-To’ write. Position yourself to be challenged and to meet the challenges you face with great expectations. Your VA business won’t fail because you don’t know how to write today; however, it could affect the growth of tomorrow.

UCS Training & Development Center announces its first Virtual Career Training program developed and instructed by Diane Hess. Ms. Hess is the owner of Hess Business Professionals & Associates LLC, a virtual executive firm that specializes in supporting Internet entrepreneurs across the globe. Diane’s expertise is in interactive marketing, project management, mentoring, and managing virtual business entities. The Virtual Career Training program is unique as the graduates can go on to become a Virtual Business Associate or pursue a business of their own.

The Virtual Career Training program provides the education, knowledge, and hands-on training an individual needs to pursue a career as a freelance writer, a virtual assistant, a web developer, or an affiliate marketer. By utilizing the Certified Virtual Professional’s Success Toolkit, the individual partakes in a one of a kind professional certification program sponsored by Hess Business Professionals & Associates LLC.

Students are required to attend a six week course, participate in classroom discussion, turn in material, and create a business presences online using SnapPages.com. Diane Hess will instruct you step-by-step through each chapter of her book, “The Starting Point in The Virtual Industry” and assist you with completing “The Business End to Working Virtually” workbook. This hands-on training and instruction can only be provided in a classroom setting.

Class: Virtual Career Training
254B – Ford High School
Tuesdays and Thursdays
March 2, 2010 (6 weeks)
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $397 (Includes materials)

Requirements:
Basic understanding of the computer
Experience using the Internet
Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel

Registration:
Call 586-797-6900
Online: www.ucscommunityeducation.com

Limited Seating Available

Here is a sneak peek at what type of training participants of the Mentoring 2 Success Workshop receive. Through presentations, one on one consulting, and group networking, you're prepared to make those decisions to boost your business.