Do You Know This Secret To Writing Great Articles?

It is true that writing quality articles can your increase your web traffic and boost your business tremendously, but did you know that authoring great articles is not enough? There is one overlooked secret that most authors take lightly or over look altogether. It’s called a resource box.

Besides promoting your business, a reader will sometimes be someone who is looking for a good writer. If you wrote an impressive article and didn't include a resource box, the person who is looking for a good writer to employ will never know how to contact you. A resource box contains all the information about you, the author; it’s like your calling card.

There is a multitude of people, companies and corporations hiring and contracting good writers. You can be one of authors they are seeking! Start making extra money by hiring out your services. Here are some of the important items to include in your resource box:

Include Your Full Name
It is amazing how many authors write great articles, then post them to the Internet but forget to put their names on their work. Your name should be the very first thing you place in your resource box.

Include Your Website URL
The first place people are going to look who want to read more of your work is your website. People who are looking for writers will often visit the writer's website to view their other articles.

Include Your Copyright Signature
This signature acknowledges you as the legal author, protects you from plagiarism and innocent infringement and advises others not to use your intellectual property without your authorization.

Include Your Blurb BIO
Put together a short and sweet but hard hitting BIO. This blurb BIO is designed to get people interested in you. It should be no more than 1 to 3 sentences that give readers an attractive glimpse into who you are and what you do.

Include Your Invitation
Since a single article and a short blurb BIO usually contains limited information about you, it is imperative that you invite people to your website. Look at your invitation as a date proposal. In order to go on a date, you must ask the person out! Just like a date offer, you have to entice readers to visit your web presence. A wise man once said, “You have not because you ask not.” Therefore, put your best foot forward, (i.e., write a great article) and then invite your readers and you will get visitors. These are the most important facets of a good resource box. My current resource box:

Resource Box No No’s
You’ve written a great article and your resource box is as the Italian say, "magnifico!" My only caveat is, don't fall into the overkill trap. Here are some things you should not include in this essential part of your articles.

Do Not Post All of Your Achievements
Concerning your resource box, the rule is, (KISAS), Keep It Short And Sweet. Your box should be short, sweet and to the point. Remember: this resource is not for boasting rights, product endorsements, trash talking or egos.

Post No More Than Two Websites

If you have numerous websites as I do, do not include every site in your resource box. This will ruin your credibility and make you look like a broke, over anxious used care salesman. Don’t over do it!

Do Not Go Against The Flow

If your article addresses chocolate lovers, don’t startle your readers or potential employers by putting one of your sports fans websites in your BIO. That move reeks of unprofessionalism. The websites you include should be related to the topic at hand. If you only have one website, then simply adjust your resource box.

Do Not Include All of Your Articles

Placing other articles in your resource box is a move made only by amateurs and inexperience writers. People can learn about your other article  s by visiting your website, blog or other Internet presence. Again, don’t over do it!

Do Not Include Your E-mail Address

It seems like a given to include your e-mail address in your resource box. However, if you have been at this like I have since 1999, you know there are evil monsters in cyberspace known as spammers with attitudes. Their sole mission in life is to make yours absolutely miserable.

Once spammers acquire your e-mail address, make no mistake about it; they are going to shred your e-mail account to pieces. I can tell you stories of how my web host shut my e-mail down due to these jerks. (Yes, I am fuming mad and beyond livid …taking a breather …Ok, I ’m calm now.)

I ’ve been scolded numerous times by my web hosts engineers for receiving over 200 Spam e-mails in less than an hour. Yes, my cyber authors, this game can be brutal at times. All you need is one spammer to acquire your address and it's all she wrote. The sign in your In Box will read, “Welcome to cyber space hell, we gotcha! ”

How do you address this critical issue? The best way is to point everyone to your website, then use one of the professional form mail scripts on your contact page. These scripts are designed to hide your e-mail address and detect, discourage and block spammers. I cannot emphasize this point enough; these people have nothing better to do than to shut your e-mail down and ruin your day.

As you follow this concise guide, you’ll gain the confidence of your readers, increase your web traffic and open yourself up to more writing opportunities and even speaking engagements.

To your success,

© Copyright 1998 - 2009 by Joe Elliot. All Rights Reserved