The Supplemental Kick

Writing for the public is a discipline. And that means WORK. Do not be daunted though – you do not need a University Degree to write well. You just need to apply yourself. If you follow the Tips below you will soon be on the right track to turning out good professional copy.

Read as much as you can, concentrating on quality writing.
The more you read well-written material, the better you will write. Bookmark the websites of people who write well and check back often to soak up their style. Analyse what it is that makes them good writers and how they grab your attention.

Go over your work with a fine toothcomb at least 5 times before you consider it done.
Never, ever, EVER (and this is the most important Tip of all) write something once and consider it finished. I can assure you that no good writer ever does that. This process should ideally be spread over several days at least, to allow the passage of time to give you a more objective view of your new creation.
Here is what you are looking to do:

o Prune those words.
After a while, you will become an expert at this. The first time we write our thoughts down we tend to type as the thoughts come into our heads. That is not good enough for the finished product. Get your delete key ready and strip out all the superfluous words and phrases that clutter the flow of thought. Don’t do this just once – keep at it until you are satisfied that every word left in there deserves its place.

o Establish a clear, logical flow.
That first draft represents the thoughts tumbling into your head – not always in the best order. Try to see where you can move, delete or rewrite paragraphs and sentences so they form a clear, logical sequence. Your readers will thank you for it, and you will reap the rewards. If people are struggling to see what you are driving at they will click away very quickly.

o Do not allow your sentences to get too long.
Long sentences are attention-losers. Watch out especially for the “and” trap – many inexperienced writers use “and” to string multiple ideas into long-winded sentences that lack sparkle and lose the reader’s interest.

o Keep paragraphs short.
Long paragraphs are a give-away of amateur writing. Remember also that people unconsciously shy away from reading great blocks of text. Examine any long paragraphs you have to see if they can be broken down logically. This will also help the flow of thought – we all need to be told where an idea ends. When we finish reading a paragraph we have a momentary pause to assimilate the idea it presents. Help your readers to do this.

Create a compelling headline for your piece.
This is very important. You have a few seconds only to grab your visitor’s undivided attention, so make full use of the impact potential of your headline. Craft your headline around a powerful Benefit Statement and embed that in action words.
Remember, visitors come to your site asking, “What’s here for me?” They do not want or need a lecture on how good your business is. They want to know how to solve a problem or need they have. Offer an answer or product they want, right up front, and they are likely to stay.

Get to the point quickly.
Don’t let your good headline down – strike while the iron is hot by keeping up the momentum. Briefly develop the headline concept before moving on to your main message.

Do not leave people hanging.
Be very sure what you want your visitors to do next and tell them to do it, nicely of course – but firmly. If you are giving directions make them clear. People like to be told what to do – with an explanation. It’s easier to remember what to do if you know why. Follow the format used here and you will not go wrong.

Spelling and grammar.
In the computer age, there is no excuse for spelling errors or bad grammar. Use the spell check for peace of mind every time you write. It’s so easy!

Do not succumb to “Writer’s Block”.
We have all sat poised over a keyboard wondering where to start. Don’t wait for hours for the perfect intro to drop from the sky. Don’t cry “writer’s block” and put the job off for another day – that is not how the Pros operate.

Overcome the problem by ACTION. Start to type – just get started. Put down anything relevant to the topic that comes into your mind, without worrying about whether it’s great copy or not at this stage. Keep typing in this mode of “suspended judgement” until you run out of steam. You will be surprised at how much copy you have come up with.
NOW, sit down and start working on it as outlined above. Prune and reorganise it until your copy takes on a real shape and flow that conveys your message. More ideas are likely to surface once you start this process.

It is very satisfying to use this method. I have done so many times when under a deadline to produce and it has never failed me.

Start putting these Tips into action right away. Armed with this knowledge, you will soon feel more confident about what you write. We all have our own style, which is what makes our writing interesting – yours will develop the more you use your keyboard. Just be sure to follow the instructions in this guide and you will not go wrong.

Patricia Howitt
Webmistress, Web and Graphic Design, Author
Patricia’s career has been as a government lawyer working on the medico-legal field. She now indulges her passions for art and writing as a graphics and web designer.
Visit http://www.healthnews-nz.com for information to empower you in making decisions about your health.
Visit http://marketing.1stclassweb.info for Internet marketing and web development insights.

For aspiring and experienced speakers alike, each aspect of credibility is to be closely guarded and continually built upon. This series of articles will focus on 15 facets of credibility that must exist for all speakers to succeed over the long run. “Instant Credibility” through celebrity or notoriety must be nurtured for a career to flourish. If you are building from the ground up, each point must be examined and properly attended to in order to build deep roots on the speaking circuit.

Facet #3: Eye Contact

It’s mid-afternoon during day two of your annual conference. You’re hearing your 6th speaker of the weekend, and they are making some good points, you think – but you are tuned out. Until she stares right at you! Your head pops up, you sit up straighter, and you are laser-focused, listening to each point, hoping not to be caught “napping” again.

Eye contact is a critical tool for all speakers in front of any size of group. Even if you are working from notes (see Facet #4: Notes), eye contact must be a part of your speaking arsenal if you expect to be taken seriously.

5 Ways to Use Eye Contact to Win the Audience:

1. Maintain audience interest. If you won’t look at them, why should they look at you? If they aren’t looking at you, they’re losing a significant portion of the message, or are becoming engrossed in something else, from your hand-outs to a game of hangman with their neighbor.

2. Make a point. When you make a point, stare at one person for at least 2 beats. It will create intensity and exclusivity, forcing the audience to listen closely to be sure they hear what you are telling that “one person”.

3. Gesture with your eyes. Wide eyes. Rolling eyes. Squinted eyes. Distracted eyes. Closed eyes. Your eyes must reflect the feelings in your words. What they see in your eyes, they feel in their hearts.

4. Inspire trust. When you look at the audience instead of looking at notes, they know YOU know your stuff. That the stories are true. That you are the expert. That you have invested the time in preparation to speak to them.

5. Show strength and vulnerability. When your eyes are on the audience, they know you aren’t afraid of them. If you are personally revealing, they see the emotion in your eyes. Either way, they are closer to you, and your message.

Practicing eye contact requires that you know your material well, and know when to use each tool mentioned. Just as you plan gestures and vocal variety, plan eye contact. Mix with your audience ahead of time, and find out who’s friendly, and where they sit. Play to all parts of the audience – even split them up in your mind. If your speech presents pros and cons – pick which part of the audience you speak to for each.

Eye contact adds to your credibility to a greater extent than most realize. Think about it…who do you trust? Someone who looks at you, or their shoes? The number one rule of job interviews? That’s right – look them in the eye. When your eye contact becomes smooth and authentic, your message grows exponentially stronger!

Rich Hopkins is a speaker, coach, and consultant who aligns his clients with their own potential. He has 20 years of business background in marketing, sales, and customer service. He consults with individuals, student groups, non-profit organizations, and corporations. http://www.richhopkins.net

It has been said that every person has a book to write. Although I knew I would one day write a book, I don’t consider myself a writer. I have written over 200 articles and two books. My approach to writing is simple: decide what message you want to convey, whether fiction or non-fiction, and write with the audience in mind.

Although I am not a writer, I produced a 203-page book based on my knowledge and expertise regarding protecting children from sexual abuse or incest.

When M. Scott Peck wrote his first book, The Road Less Traveled, he began the first chapter with the sentence, “Life is difficult.” No truer words could have been spoken. Throughout the book he explained the concept that once we accept that simple truth, everything (everything) becomes easier because we have accepted it. Throughout the book, he explained how that simple truth, if accepted or rejected, is played out in our lives.

Thus, the simple truth to writing is no more complicated than, “You can write an article or book.” The fact that you found this article and are reading it says you want to write and want to learn to write–another thought-provoking statement.

You, too, can use your knowledge and sell it in the form of an article or book. Everyone assumes that they are ordinary, and that they know nothing of value. The truth is, everyone lives a life of unique circumstances and experiences that results in the building of a body of knowledge or expertise–knowledge or expertise that has value and that can be packaged and sold to others.

YOU are an expert in something, and that knowledge has value to others. People will gladly accept the message you wish to convey rather than experiencing your painful learning curve. You are reading this article aren’t you? What prompted you to read it? You wanted to learn something about how to write successfully. OK, someone might be reading this article because they don’t have anything better to do. But for the rest of you, you want to avoid going through a painful learning curve. How is that for a thought-provoking statement?

If you believe you can’t write an article or book, you’ve created that belief – for which you have no proof. What proof do you currently have that confirms your belief that you can’t write an article or book? If you hold the belief that every best-selling author wrote every article or book in perfect form the first time they started writing, you are setting yourself up to fail. The simple truth is that every author writes and rewrites many times before the article or book rolls off the press. Accepting that “Life is difficult” or, in this case, writing is difficult allows the task to become easier. It is our beliefs that create our reality.

Using the following seven guidelines, I have produced this article that will benefit many would-be writers who have not heretofore had the courage to write.

1. Develop an outline–include all the points you want your audience to know.

2. Tell the story as if the audience has little or no knowledge–avoid talking down to the audience or above their heads. For example: If you are writing professional material, write at the level your audience would be in terms of education and sophistication. If you are writing to a general audience, use common language to convey the message.

3. Tell the story in a conversational tone. This style draws your audience in and holds their attention.

4. Be descriptive; give details to help the audience develop a clear mental picture of what you want them to understand.

5. Challenge your audience to dig deeper into themselves to understand your message. Use thought-provoking statements and questions. How many thought provoking statements and questions can you find in this article?

6. Research your topic thoroughly from every angle, thus giving your audience a broad spectrum of depth and breadth.

7. Last, but not least, have a good editor. Editing is the final touch that can make or break your material. Writers write and editors edit. While editors may write, it is fool hardy for writers to double as their own editor. Remember the simple truth that surgeons don’t operate on themselves. Choose an editor who is interested in or has knowledge of your topic.

The main message I want to convey to my audience is: although you (an ordinary person or skilled professional) are not a writer, you can write an article or book.

The simple truth: writing is as easy as explaining something to a friend who is interested in your topic.

Are you with me so far? Have I convinced you? If I have not yet convinced you, continue reading. If you are already convinced, I will see your work in print soon. Let me know the name of your article or book; I would like to read it.

There are thousands of people who would benefit from your knowledge or insight on a specific topic, without going through what you went through to learn it. Have you seen the plethora of infomercials on television? “How to buy real estate with no money down.” How long did it take that person to perfect the system they are selling–weeks, months or years? If you buy their course, you will have the same knowledge they do within hours or days. Many people are willing to spend the money to avoid a long learning curve. There are thousands of people who have the same interests you do in fiction or non-fiction genres. How many non-fiction and fiction books have you read and thought, “Why didn’t I write that [book/story]?” When I read M. Scott Peck’s book, People of the Lie, I thought to myself, “Darn, I could have written that book.”

In fairness to those of you who are not yet convinced, but want desperately to write an article or book, I will confess. When the public relations manager for my publisher informed me that one of the things I needed to do to promote my new book was to write an article on writing, I went into total panic. “I am not a writer, I whined…”I am a healer, who happens to be able to string a few words together. I write as I would talk to my clients or in a conversation.” Nonetheless, I promised her I would be a “good girl” and do my best. In the meantime, I was frantically busy with my practice and getting ready to go on an 11-day vacation. So, here I am sitting on the plane with my laptop, 36,000 feet in the air, writing the article I said I was not capable of writing. Up to this point, I have not researched the fundamentals of writing. Wow! I am really putting myself out on a limb.

Researching a topic is important. My style is to write what I know and then find research to collaborate my statements. I take this approach because I know it is not possible to have a perception or creation that does not exist. Therefore, I know I will find articles or books to support my perceptions or creation. This is my style; however, you may prefer to research your topic and then begin to write. The Internet is a great resource; however, for some topics you might need to use the library.

The final thought I want to leave with you is this familiar axiom: “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you are right.”

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, “If I’d Only Known…Sexual Abuse in or Out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention, specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life’s challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.gen-assist.com/book.asp

Recently a point was brought up that is of interest on an online article submission website. And that was should the readers of such articles be notified of the status of the writer who has submitted the articles on their Authors Bio Page? For instance is it helpful if the reader knows how long the author has been submitting articles and when the last submission date was given? Indeed these are intriguing questions.

Perhaps this might be a thought, yet I see some authors on the premier online article submission website such as Earl Nightengale with only a few articles, yet some may not know who this gentleman is or his significant contributions to the world. So, an author might be a one-shot wonder and his or her article might be an essay that they had been working on for years to get perfect. Considering every aspect of it. Then again by your concept they would have their date on it how long they have been posting for and with time their one article would show that they have withstood the test of time?

Also there maybe very famous authors who go onto write great novels of our time, who start out by writing little articles or essays online or there could be a deceased author who has they articles up and well it would certainly be unfortunate to have their status lessened in any way you see? These are some intriguing issues and questions in the quest to disclosure pertinent information about the information being put out into the public, so we must think of things like this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

If you write articles, you probably know how important it is to use keywords in helping to get them indexed by search engines, and in getting the attention of publishers who might want to use your content.

Most people submit articles to directories while maintaining a copy on their website, often creating two nearly identical copies on the web. But is this really an effective approach? When a web user is looking for an article to read – do you want them to read it from your website, or from the article directory?

Here are some considerations:

- You want to get maximum exposure in article directories so that publishers will pick up the content.

- You want to get top ranking in search engines to pull in traffic.

- You don’t want the article directory’s copy of your article to have a higher ranking in search engines than the copy on your website. When this happens, they get all the benefits of having their Adsense ads clicked on among other links on the site. Considering your link in the article is often at the bottom of the page, your chances of the visitor going to your site is cut dramatically.

You essentially have 2 kinds of traffic: general web users looking for information & publishers looking for content. The goal is to find a strategy where you can direct web users to your site, and let article directories be the targeting source for publishers.

So, what is the solution?

In my own experiments, I learned that by creating two sets of keywords (one set for the directory copy, another set for the copy on my site), I could not only tackle these issues – it actually gave me the advantage of creating a much wider reach in the search engines.

The Strategy:

1. Keywords For Articles In Directories
My goal is to get the interest of publishers who will want to distribute my content so I’m going to focus on keywords and keyphrases which are most likely to be used. For example, the publisher might be interested in articles about “Adsense”. Unlike the average web surfer, publishers aren’t using long phrases, likely not making typos and will use more specific terms so that they have the best results. Publishers aren’t looking for the information to benefit them, they are looking for content which benefits their own readers. This sets them apart from the general web surfing population.

My article keywords start off with the top priority keywords, followed by less used ones.

Example: “adsense, google, google adsense, adsense tips, adsense google, adsense tricks, adsense articles, adsense article, articles about adsense”

If in doubt, think about what kinds of keywords you would use (or do use) when searching for articles to republish.

2. Keywords for articles on your website
This is where it gets good. I use this method for articles I write on another website and it’s very powerful. You can find some free and low-cost keyword tools here:
http://www.carolenickerson.com/post/index/19/10-Free-Keyword-Analysis–Search-Tools

You’re looking for targeted low-competing keywords. Basically, this means keywords and keyphrases which have little competition in the search engines. Anything with less than 600,000 competing websites is a worthy target. Here are some examples along with competition stats (as of the writing of this article & based on Google competition stats) :

- “google adsense tips techniques start” has 0 sites competing for this phrase

- “where to place goggle adsense” has 1 site competing for this phrase

- “What are the best web sites for making money with AdSense” has 0 sites competing

- “sites making a lot with adsense” has 0 sites competing

- “free adsense research tools” has 19 sites competing

There are many, many more you can find and different ways of analyzing their potential with just a few minutes of work, but you get the point.

Now you want to put them to use. Just like in an article directory, you’re going to put your low-competition keywords at the bottom of the article. I put mine underneath my resource box. 10-15 keywords or keyphrases works good. But something else is happening here too – more instances of the keyword “Adsense” are appearing on the page, thus enhancing keyword density.

Really, you’re killing 4 birds with one stone:

- You’re giving yourself a unique advantage over article directories which have copies of your content. No need to worry about them getting all the search engine traffic (general users) and stealing it away from you.

- You’re increasing your search engine rank through greater keyword density and getting a larger reach through keyphrases actually used by web surfers.

- You’re reaching article publishers more effectively by mainly focusing on the keywords and keyphrases they are using – not what the general user population uses.

- You’re also getting a major advantage over other websites listed in the search engines, allowing you to compete not just with low-competing keywords and keyphrases, but with higher-competing terms as well. You might be surprised how a single page on your site will jump to the top 1-10 results among 100,000’s of other websites.

Good Luck!

Carole Nickerson has been a web developer and internet marketer since 1998. Visit http://www.thenetter.com for more free articles, tips and software.

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters:

The Hero’s Journey:

• Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

• Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

• Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of conventions. Before screenwriters can decide whether to accept or reject the conventions, they must appreciate their purpose and value.

Consider this:

• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) – All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero’s Journey.

• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

Easy First Draft Screenplays

To write your first draft easily, map your story out according to the 17 major stages of the Hero’s Journey. Then use the micro stages of the Hero’s Journey to develop each stage.

Allowing yourself a day for each major stage and writing only seven pages per stage, you will complete a words-on-paper first draft of 119 pages in 17 days.

As a preliminary study, Elizabethtown (2005) is deconstructed below. Purchase the complete Hero’s Journey and watch the movie, making sure you follow the outline below.

Elizabethtown (2005)

Following is a deconstruction of Elizabethtown (2005):

Fade In: starts strong (communicates salient information immediately): shoes recalled.

Introduce Hero (Drew Baylor) in his Ordinary World, which he is unwelcome in. Tangible representation of the Ordinary World (Ellen).

Foreshadow of the Journey: we meet Drew’s family around the table.

Back-story of Hero: Drew in the World of the Shoe.

Supernatural Aid pushes hero out of his Ordinary World (meeting with Phil).

Development of Inner Challenge: Drew’s suicide attempt in his apartment; what to do now that he is a failure.

Call to Adventure by the Herald (his sister): Drew’s Dad is dead.

Preparing to cross into the First Threshold with allies (sister and mother): in the airport.

First Threshold and meeting the Romantic Challenge: Drew meets Claire in the aircraft.

Allies encourage the journey: Claire draws a map.

References to the inner and outer challenge: Drew references that he was fired; Claire realises Drew’s father is dead.

Back-story of the Outer Challenge: Drew when he was young and with his father. Reminder of the Inner Challenge: that he is a failure / lost $1b.

Magical gift: Claire gives Drew his wings, the directions and her number.

Physical Separation: exit 60-B.

Resistance to the Transformation: difficulty getting to Elizabethtown.

A New World: entering Elizabethtown.

Meeting the Mentor (Jesse, his cousin).

Mentor shows the hero around the World of the Transformation and the Creatures within: Jesse introduces Drew to everyone.

Polarization: they want a burial and Drew is thinking about cremation; he’s from “California.”

Meeting the Creatures of this World: the congregation.

Trial [passive]: Meeting his father lying in a coffin; lessons: “if you move around a little bit, you’ll see different aspects.” The word is “whimsical.”

Trial [passive]: Meeting the relatives and familiarising himself with the family.

Trial [proactive]; Drew saves Samson in the car.
Celebration at the passing of the trials: Drew is congratulated in the house.

Mentor’s challenge: Jesse admonished by his father; “you can’t be buddies with your own son.”

References to the Outer Challenge; Mentor’s back-story and capabilities: Lynard Skynard sequence.

Foreshadow of the break from the Old Self and preparing to Seize of the Sword: Drew calls everyone, including Claire.

Pulled Backwards to the Old Self and Forwards to the New Self: Heather, Ellen and Claire all on the phone simultaneously.

Break from the Old Self: Ellen says Goodbye.
Journey to the Sword: Drew and Claire on the phone.

Seizing the Sword: Drew wrests the Champagne from Chuck.

Rebirth through Death: Claire offers to “let Drew go.”

Reward: Claire and Drew meet by the Roadside.

Allies confront limitations: Hollie takes tap, comedy, cooking lessons etc. Claire doesn’t go to Hawaii.

Warnings about the Atonement: Hollie warns Drew about Bill Banyon.

Preparing for the Atonement: Buying the cremation vase.

Second Thoughts: Claire and Drew think about being just friends.

Atonement with the Father:: Drew confronts his uncle et al and makes a decision about the cremation.

Reference to the mentor’s challenge: Jesse is ignored and admonished.

Apotheosis: Rusty’s Learning to Listen video. Mentor’s challenge overcome: “thank you for taking an interest in Jesse.”

Ultimate Boon: “feels good doesn’t it. I can see Mitch now, so proud, in that blue suit.”

Refusal: Drew tries to stop the cremation.

Magic Flight: Drew prepares to leave.

Rescue from Without: Drew meets Claire and sleeps with her.

Crossing the Return Threshold; confronting and overcoming the
Inner Challenge: Drew chases Claire and tells her about his failure. She doesn’t care. References to the Outer and Romantic Challenges.

Master of the Two Worlds: Hollie wins over both sides of the family with her tap and comedy. Convergence aided by Mentor (Jesse’s tribute).

Tangible representation of the New Order: the burial to appease the Kentucky family.

Freedom to Live. Drew goes on the road trip with his father’s ashes [the trip they always meant to go on] and comes to terms with his death (conquest of the Outer Challenge). Finally seizes Claire (conquest of the Romantic Challenge).

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

Publicity…you’re business can survive without it, but it certainly won’t thrive without it. Maybe you’ve seen your competition at it – their website was featured on a major newspaper or television show. Or perhaps you heard them mentioned on your favorite morning radio show on the way to the office. The point is, when it comes to publicity, some businesses are getting it. And here comes the real shocker – some of them are getting it for free! Yep, there really is such a thing as free publicity, and we’re going to show you a very simple way that you can start getting it.

But first, let’s take a moment to discuss what publicity is. According to www.dictionary.com, publicity is “Information that concerns a person, group, event, or product and that is disseminated through various media to attract public notice.” Did you see what I just did? Through this article, www.dictionary.com just got free publicity (they’ll need it, so you can look up “disseminated”). Articles are just one of many ways that you can spread the word about your business, but it’s the one of the easiest to use.

Free Online Articles

The number one way to get free publicity (and to establish yourself as an expert in your field) is through writing and submitting free online articles that relate in some way to your business. Now before you throw your hands up in disgust, saying something like “I’m not a writer, I’m a business owner!” just wait a minute. The chances are, your business’s new or existing product, service or upcoming event is something that the rest of the world cares about (otherwise, you wouldn’t BE in business). As obscure as it may be, you’d be amazed at the number of people out there who are yearning to learn more about something that your business makes you an expert about.

If you don’t believe me, narrow your business down to a list of ten keywords that come to mind when you describe your profession. Now, do a Google search on each of those ten keywords (see, I slipped in yet another instance of free publicity, and through your articles, you can do the same!) The top ten or twenty results are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sites that could be featuring your articles.

You may be asking yourself “Sure, the readers get something out of these free articles, but what about me?” Well, despite the fact that no one is paying you to publish your articles, free articles come with an incredibly valuable thing…it’s known as the resource box.

The resource box is where you get to promote yourself and your business! You can include a brief biography about yourself or business along with a link to your website or affiliate program, your address, phone number, email address,… whatever! The point is, when your readers get done with your article and they want to know more, the first place they’ll go to is your resource box! The next place they go is…well, where ever you want them to!

What Do You Write About?

Well, just about anything. The first place you should go for inspiration is your Frequently Asked Questions. If you don’t have a FAQ section of your website, check out your competitor’s sites (really, it’s okay, as long as you don’t copy it down word for word…) If your FAQ’s are truly that, and not just a list of questions that you hope and pray that people would ask but they never do, then you’ll have plenty of possibilities.

Whatever you write about, make sure it’s something that people are genuinely interested in. Because if it’s something people are interested in, then it’s something that the websites that cater to those people will be interested in. And don’t worry, there’s no need to write a novel, nearly all web content articles are within a 300-1000 word range.

Also, make sure to follow the basic rules of grammar and spelling. Even if your article is worthy of a Pulitzer, it’ll never earn one if it’s full of careless mistakes and spelling errors.

Once you’ve checked your spelling and grammar make sure to read the article aloud. This will give you a chance to make sure that the article flows smoothly and logically.

Getting Your Article Published

Once you’ve written and edited your article, the next step is to get the word out. And unlike articles that are written for pay, it’s really not that hard to find webmasters and ezine editors willing to publish your piece. Since they don’t have to pay you for the content, they’re more than happy to provide you with free publicity.

If you have a lot of professional and Internet connections in your industry, don’t be afraid to take advantage of them at this point. Not only will it give you more exposure, you’ll be doing your friends a favor! Once you’ve contacted them, you’re next stop will be to submit your article to free online article databases. Here are a few to help you get started:

• www.articlecity.com

• www.ezinearticles.com (requires free membership)

• www.thewhir.com/find/articlecentral/

• www.businessknowhow.com/newsletter/articleguidelines.htm

• www.expertarticles.com (requires free membership)

• Or, just go here www.bellaonline.com/articles/art12838.asp for an extensive list of places willing to publish your work on their site or publication!

Now, you’re armed with all you need to know to start getting the free publicity that you’ve been dreaming of. Better yet, no one will be able to pinch and wake you up!

About the Author:
If your website could use some fresh, custom content but you don’t have the extra money in your budget, there’s no need to worry. Jennifer Gibbs (http://www.JenniferGibbs.com), a 5 star freelance professional from South Georgia is more than happy to provide your site with original, tailored and EXCLUSIVE content in exchange for free products, services and/or membership access. For more information, send your request (along with your website URL) to: info@jennifergibbs.com.

(Note: Determine if this is politically correct for your audience.)

You can throw in a cute diversion to a boring public speaking engagement by attributing a saying to an ancient Chinese philosopher. Since these sayings are not attributed to anyone in particular, feel free to change or update them to fit your situation and to enhance their humor.

(The term ‘original’ here means as original as something can be after being recited and translated for several hundred years.)

Original: You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from nesting in your hair.

Update: You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from pooping on your Gucci blazer.

Original: He who walk on eggs should tread lightly.

Update: He who walk on eggs should find out the price per dozen.

Original: People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Update: People who live in glass houses should pull down the blinds.

Copyright © 1998 – 2005 Advanced Public Speaking Institute

Tom Antion provides entertaining speeches and educational seminars. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, having owned many businesses BEFORE graduating college. Tom is the author of the best selling presentation skills book “Wake ‘em Up Business Presentations” and “Click: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Marketing.” It is important to Tom that his knowledge be not only absorbed, but enjoyed. This is why he delivers his speeches laced with great humor and hysterical jokes. Tom has addressed more than 87 different industries and is thoroughly committed to his clients’ needs. http://www.antion.com

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The article represents, practical and useful guide on how to write the dissertation. Even if you have already completed dissertation, you might find some of the advices of this article useful.

Sometimes, students as well as scholars are afraid of designing and completing new project, one of the most difficult in their turbulent student life, one of the longest during their short period of study, and one of the most important as well. Why are so many people afraid of the writing assignment? Why so many students afraid of dissertations? Apparently, they have too many questions and too few answers.

Let us, answer some of them.

First, remember that it is not always necessary to make your own research. Certainly, when you are assigned to undertake some research in your instructions than you should perform it. In the majority of cases, however, you can use available statistical data.

Second, the data mentioned can be found relatively easily. There are plethoras of publishing sources that contain the data you are interested in. Even, if you do not have data on some specific problem (for example media coverage of the war in Iraq), you have the possibility to conduct the research and analyze available publishing sources.

Third, there are other sources that can be researched. For example, if you are assigned to complete the assignment on geography, then you should visit library to conduct your research, or visit geographical society, if your research pertains to some regional topic.

Fourth, both quantitative and qualitative data can be used in your research. Certainly, what type of the research should be used depends on the type of your assignment. Needless to say, it is imperative to use quantitative methods in the writing assignments of technical subjects, but even in this case you should indicate why the particular method has been chosen. When you need to back your research up with statistical data, the use of quantitative research is indispensable. Qualitative date is frequently used when you would like to find out the psychological or social reasons of a particular event or trend. You can either use your own date, or use data from other sources.

Fifth, in your dissertation project you are expected to analyze your data, both the one collected by yourself from your own research or from other sources. You should answer such questions as why does this trend continue, what makes it grow or fall, why is it changing? You could explain how particular methods are applicable to the process that you research. One should reveal one’s own understanding of the vital elements of the concept mentioned and their influence on the process that you research.

Fifth, you dissertation can be written on some literature. In this case it would be a literature-based paper. If you are assigned to conduct the research on particular book, you should emphasize some important topics of the book, which in your opinion make this book distinctive. This type of dissertation requires some research on literature criticism; however make sure that you use literature criticism, after you have read a book.

Francis Dower is a senior writer of http://www.BestEssays.com For more than five years, Francis Dower has written the number of projects on History, History of Migration, Ancient and Asian History. He has 17 years of experience as the professor of several universities.

There was once a time when grandparents sat amidst a group of wide-eyed grandchildren telling stories of days gone by. As the global village shrinks and families spread out across the nation and the world, the tradition of sharing family stories orally is in decline.

Oral tradition – passing stories by word of mouth – has been the primary means of sharing family histories until the very recent past. As families spread out across the globe, it is far less likely that multigenerational families will spend extended time together; however, just because the method of communication is changing, does not mean that the global village will be the death of family history.

Despite the fact that extended families are more separated than ever, modern technology narrows the communication gap caused by distance. As such, families do not have to be distant even though they live far apart.

The same holds true for sharing family histories. While family histories may not be shared at the dinner table as they once were, it does not mean that they can’t be shared. The same modern technology that allows families to stay close also allows them to communicate family histories from one generation to the next. The only difference is the absence of the dinner table and the means of communication.

Since the written word is a much more permanent – and accurate – method of preserving family history than dinner table conversation, it is actually recommended that all families make an effort to preserve their family histories in written form.

In some cases, the stories will only hold significance for the family itself; however, in many cases, one family’s history may be representative of an entire town or era. Just as historians and students today study Revolutionary or Civil War era letters to learn about what life was like for regular people, one day, people will turn to our electronic transmissions to learn what life was like in the early 21st Century.

Those people who do not feel confident enough to write their family histories themselves should seek out professional writers to ghost write for them. The most important thing is to get the stories in written form to preserve them for later generations, but some families may even choose to go a step further and self-publish their family histories in a nicely bound book. There are many self-publishing services that copy and bind books. Because of new print on demand technology, people can order 10 copies or 1,000 copies. Some of these services even sell the books online, making it easy for family members and members of the community to obtain copies.

No matter how you choose to proceed, preserve your family’s history in written form before the stories are lost to coming generations.

Michele R. Acosta is a writer, a former English teacher, and the mother of three boys. She spends her time writing and teaching others to write. Visit http://www.TheWritingTutor.biz/articles for more articles, http://www.TheWritingTutor.biz/writing_editing_service for professional writing and editing services, or http://www.TheWritingTutor.biz for writing and educational resources for young authors, teachers, and parents. Copyright (c) 2004-2005 The Writing Tutor & Michele R. Acosta. All rights reserved.