We all know we can pay a magazine or a newspaper to run ads for us. Businesses do it all the time. In many cases, you're obliged to advertise to survive. But wouldn't you rather promote yourself and your company in a number of publications, and get paid for it?
You can. Simply by writing magazine articles. When you write articles as a business person, you gain on three levels: 1. You demonstrate your knowledge. 2. You help other people. 3. If you write often, you develop a following.
Contrary to common belief, most articles in magazines are not written by professional writing staff. They're written by freelancers. Many of these people are just like you, experts in their field, writing on the side. Many don't even write their own articles, they hire other writers to ghostwrite for them.
As a published author, you're exposed to a wide audience, with whom you've gained an authority and credibility you might not otherwise be able to achieve.
But how to get published? Study the magazines your target audience reads. Analyze the type of articles that are in them. (i.e. anecdotal, how-to, case studies, etc.) What's the word count? It's even a good idea to look at the titles and the subheads-- how many words in them?
Contact the publisher and ask them to send you their Submissions Guidelines. It will be free, and it will tell you all you need to know about what the magazine is looking for, and what they pay. Study it--follow it.
Consider the readers. What kind of people are they? What interests them? Even look at the classified ads. They'll tell you who the advertisers believe reads the magazine.
Review what's been published in the magazine over the last couple of years. Don't try to submit something that's been recently published. The editor won't even look at it. And he will dismiss you as an amateur, potentially ruining any future chances of getting published.
Now, write your article based on all the profiles you've built of the readership. How- to articles are the easiest to write and, usually, the most in demand. Readers can't seem to get enough of them.
Your article must give your readers valuable information. Doing so proves to the editor and the readers that you're an expert on the subject.
There are two ways to submit an article to a magazine. You can send the editor a query letter, in which you tell the editor about your idea, why you think it will sell magazines and how it will help the readers.
Or, a few magazines don't mind you sending the finished manuscript directly to the editor. Your choice depends largely upon which method the magazine prefers. The guidelines will indicate what they prefer.
If you want a reply from the editor, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) whenever you correspond with them.
Publications vary as to what they will allow you to put in your byline. Sometimes they will allow a brief bio, such as: "Keith Thirgood, creative director of Capstone Communications Group. Specializing in helping business get more business through creative marketing design." Some will even let you include your address, e-mail and phone number.
If you do get published, you'll get a cheque and more advertising than you could ever pay for.
What stops many business people from writing is that, try though they might, they feel they can't write an entertaining article. They may be able to write fantastic proposals, but magazine writing is a different kind of activity. Anyone who fits the above description, may hire a professional ghostwriter. It's not cheap. But it's still a lot less expensive than buying ad space.
Many writers charge from $1200 to $3500 to ghostwrite an article. Sometimes, this includes advice on how to sell the article. The client gets the byline and all the publicity it generates. The ghostwriter remains invisible.
The value of your article is more than just its initial publication. It has a life beyond. Include copies of it in all your promotions. Post it on your website. Show it to prospective clients. (Even after you have sold your article to a publisher, as the creator, you own the copyright on the article. Even if the publisher asks you to sell all rights, you are usually allowed to retain the right to use the work, with proper credit, in your own self-promotion.)
Does free advertising, getting published, and being regarded as an expert in your field sound good to you? Seriously consider writing for magazines; you may discover a whole new creative outlet in the process.
Keith Thirgood, Creative Director
Capstone Communications Group
Helping businesses get more business through innovative marketing
Markham, Ontario, Canada 905-472-2330
Subscribe to Thrive-on-line http://list.capstonecomm.com/ma il.cgi?f=list&l=thrive_on_line
You DO use direct marketing for your small business? right?... Read More
Preparing a Marketing Plan for your product or service is... Read More
Is your marketing plan dull, flat, and downright boring? Is... Read More
If you need evidence that a testimonial or referral can... Read More
Small & Mid Sized Business owners, have you revisited your... Read More
Marketing can be expensive. It doesn't have to be, but... Read More
If there is one thing I can't say enough it... Read More
Information is coming at us from all directions nowadays. This... Read More
Before you create your postcard, do a little planning. Ask... Read More
I recently drove by a business that had a sign... Read More
The N-word! We all know the value of networking and... Read More
My mother used to tell me, tongue in cheek, that... Read More
Every professional or consultant knows that clients typically hire people... Read More
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming... Read More
You probably spend a great deal of your time looking... Read More
I was saddened to hear of the passing of one... Read More
When you place brochures from every mortgage company side by... Read More
There is a simple but almost mystical law which governs... Read More
What if -- every time you had a networking appointment... Read More
If you're reading this article, chances are that you, like... Read More
Thousands eyes were fixed. Hearts were beating hard against the... Read More
Any economics student can tell you that price is a... Read More
Maybe you've heard these different marketing terms, maybe you haven't.... Read More
Business marketers have a lot of weapons in their arsenals... Read More
It was the fall of 1998 when I had just... Read More
Your market is not everybody, as so many small businesses... Read More
How Colors Effect Our Emotions?One of the most interesting things... Read More
Thank-you letters are one of the most important letters that... Read More
I have been working on a direct mail campaign for... Read More
Postcards are perhaps the least expensive way of reaching a... Read More
Recent studies concerning the "new world of women" have been... Read More
1. Your Most Valuable AssetA mailing list of valued customers... Read More
It was a real eye-opener to hear the perceptions people... Read More
Most professional copywriters would say that headlines account for 80%... Read More
Do you ever wonder if you could be doing a... Read More
If you want to double your business, then you need... Read More
Direct Mail CampaignsDespite the proliferation of communication facilitators--mobile phones, faxes,... Read More
Are you planning an event or participating in a trade... Read More
A seasoned networker knows the real meaning of networking --... Read More
If you've got a mailbox, you're no doubt aware of... Read More
Printed material is just as important today as it was... Read More
The difference between a successful business and one that just... Read More
The following 3 simple selling tactics produce sales by responding... Read More
If you are like most service professionals and small business... Read More
Looking for the magic formula or the whiz-bang approach that... Read More
Most B2B marketers spend a great deal of time analyzing... Read More
..products or services now. They may not revisit your web... Read More
We all know the importance of marketing to increase sales... Read More
1. Mail to a different list Your list is the... Read More
This is an excellent way to grow your business using... Read More
A little advice about using leads that you purchase from... Read More
It's a great concept, - and it has a 'cool... Read More
Donors will stop responding to your fundraising letter appeals for... Read More
When you want someone to like you, associate yourself with... Read More
More of the findings of the recent studies in behavioral... Read More
Easy Direct Marketing Methods for Insurance AgenciesThis Month: Strategies for... Read More
Your local Chamber of Commerce.Now before you stop reading, I... Read More
Are you on track for hitting all your business goals... Read More
Entering into Global markets is a great way to organically... Read More
How do you personally define success? High income? Substantial net... Read More
Here are 9 low-cost but highly effective marketing tips to... Read More
To be your own marketing expert you first need to... Read More
SMS is good for:? Short lead times and immediacy ?... Read More
Regardless of how many forms of promotional material you create,... Read More
Donald Trump's hit reality show, The Apprentice is a godsend... Read More
Marketing A Resume BusinessWhen starting a resume business, your marketing... Read More
Marketing |