I’ve got a writing client I hate to love.

I mean, this guy really pushes my angry buttons.

But sadly, like my all-knowing wife, he’s always right. And his criticism and feedback are making me a better writer. So I’m afraid I’m growing to love the guy.

Maybe I’m a victim just waiting for someone to criticize  me. Who knows? All I know is, this guy (my client) makes me more productive, makes me think harder about every writing assignment, and brings out my best work.

Actually, he’s the kind of client who makes me feel I should be paying HIM, not the other way around.

So let’s all raise our glasses to the clients we hate to love.

Have you ever tried looking under rocks for frogs?

I have.

In fact, I used to love trudging barefoot through toe-squelching mud at the end of winter in search of a frightened frog or two.

Even if I had to look under 100 rocks just to find one speckled frog, I didn’t mind.

The thrill of finding one of those slimy little critters was enough to spur me on to keep looking.

Kind of reminds me of the thrill of searching out a “killer” article idea.

Here are 6 of the most frequent “rocks” I look under nowadays …

1. Frequently asked questions – especially questions where there is a lot of debate or disagreement about the answer.

It goes without saying that if a question comes up frequently … then … it’s a question based on a hot topic with a lot of interest. Try reading the frequently asked questions on the top websites within your niche and see if you can come up with a better answer for each.

Base an article around each answer you come up with.

2. New legislation effecting your reader.

I saw this recently with a new FTC ruling that will effect everyone using testimonials in advertising literature online.

The moment the legislation was announced the blogosphere was buzzing with questions and answers about its implications. People were looking for a well researched article or news item spelling out the new legislation in clear terms. It’s also a topic that will be debated for months (if not years) to come.

3. A new solution to a problem experienced by readers in the niche.

If you’ve ever had a problem that wouldn’t go away no matter what you tried then, you’ve experienced the kind of frustration that leads you to welcome any new breakthrough (or perceived breakthrough) that just might solve or cure your problem once and for all.

Yeah, I know — that was a loooong sentence. But get this …

Whole industries have been built around people’s need to solve the supposed unsolvable problem.

You see it in books and articles promising new miracle cures for all kinds of diseases. And I’m sure many great cures do exist. But for writers and marketers, the power is not in the cure, it’s in the opportunity to create endless content promising to solve the unsolvable. After all, people dash madly after any resemblance of a cure in the hope that something new is out there that can help.

4. Dispel a commonly believed myth.

For many years it was believed that soy (a product derived from the soy bean) was good from you. Thousands of articles were written in support of its merits. But guess what?

The idea that soy is good for you is a myth! Or is it? When you find a commonly held belief — especially a popular one held by thousands in your niche — you can be sure to get their attention by taking an opposite view and attacking the very belief they hold so dear.

5. Documented evidence proving a view point expressed by a minority in the niche.

This point relates to the last point in that, in any niche, there will always be a group of people who are quite passionate about an alternative — often controversial — point of view.

For example, many people in Australia hold the belief that it’s a good idea to put fluoride in the water system. However, there is a growing number (yet still a minority) of free thinkers who believe there is much evidence to support the opposite view point: That fluoride is, in fact, poisonous to the human body.

Therefore, articles about the dangers of fluoridation of the water system get a lot of attention from both sides — each wanting to see their own view point supported or rebutted so they have more ammunition next time they talk with someone about it face-to-face.

6. Any topic that divides or forces readers to take sides.

Which is better, an Apple Mac … or … a PC? Which would you buy, and why?

Questions like this get a lot of attention and Mac build much of their advertising campaign around this very controversy. A recent blog post on one blog asking the question, “which is better?” saw a record number of comments. All giving their reasons for or against each computer type. Many of the comments expressed a level of passion you don’t normally see from a subject as benign as technology. Or at least, it’s benign to me.

Technology lovers obviously don’t think so. What do you think?

Finding a topic within your niche that divides or forces readers to take sides can be like finding a hidden vein of gold you can mine for months. So look for these kinds of topics within your niche.

One of the best places to find these hidden veins … is … the comment section of popular blogs. Find posts with over 100 comments and you’ve likely stumbled into your own rich gold mine of topics to write about.

Now go write something.

Here’s a question for you:

Have you ever stared wide-eyed at your computer screen without a clue how to get your next article started?

You know what it’s like …

You sit there with all that pent up writing energy waiting to spill out on the page.

But when your fingers hit the keyboard your brain freezes over.

What do you do?

Here’s something I do …

I reach for the following list of the six easiest ways I know to start any article you’ll ever write.

Just choose the one that best fits the article you’re working on and … Presto! … like magic your opening practically writes itself.

See if you can spot the one I used in today’s article …

1. The descriptive statement opening:

This is where you take the main idea of your article (usually expressed in the title) and work it in to your opening paragraph. It is a very direct approach where you more or less, ‘call a spade a spade’.

Example: If you’re writing an article about software that can be used to turn a blog into a paid subscription or membership site, you might open with this as your first paragraph:

“It used to be hard to turn your blog, with all its free content, into an income stream. But now there is a simple piece of software that changes all that. The three case studies below show how almost any kind of blog can become a paying proposition for its owner – often without having to create any more content than you already have.”

2. The personal comment or anecdote opening:

A personal comment or anecdote can be an opinion or statement made by someone you or your reader knows. It can be a brief story about someone you know.

Using this opening format is a great way to add a touch of humanity to your writing – making the transaction between you and the reader more personal.

Example: If writing about new opportunities for writers on the web you might begin this way:

“I still remember the first time I laid eyes on the Internet. It was back in 1997. I came home from my early morning jog through the neighborhood and found my wife typing on the computer screen. Strangely, the computer seemed to be typing back. I soon learned she was on an “Internet Chat Room” … and … I’ve been glued to the screen ever since.

“Since that time I’ve witnessed all kinds of changes. The latest being the wide-spread use of blogs as a platform for all other marketing efforts. And, as the popularity of blogs has grown, so too has the opportunity for writers to build their writing careers — as this article explains.”

3. The question opening: (I used the “question” opening to start this article.)

A great way to arouse your reader’s interest is to ask questions that will interest her.

Especially a provocative question, or one that questions a belief she holds dear.

Example: If writing a brochure to promote a local all-boys private school you might begin:

“Other than providing a safe, caring learning environment for your son, what advantages do private schools have over the public school system?”

Such a question is bound to draw the reader into your text. Again, the trick is to know what your reader wants to read about. Once you know that, the right question for your article flows relatively easily.

4. The opposite view point opening:

Arouse interest with the opposite view to a commonly held or popular opinion. Then follow immediately — usually in the same paragraph — with your true point of view, while pointing out how absurd the original view point is.

Example: If writing an article about law enforcers getting away with the crimes they sometimes commit you might begin:

“One of the things that pains me most about the criminal justice system is the fact that a judge or anyone practicing law — especially the police — should have to pay a fine or face prison time for the crimes they commit. Surely, anyone involved in administering the law should be above it!

“Obviously, the statement above is absurd. But it does raise a great question: Why do judges pay smaller fines or no fines at all for traffic offenses? And why do …”

5. The quotation opening:

An appropriate quote may offer an effective beginning, especially a poignant quote that summarizes, in only a few words, the very fact or point you wish to express. Using a quote has another important effect in your writing: It can “credential” your writing piece.

Example: If writing a piece on top travel destinations for writers and poets you might begin:

“The poet Robert Frost once stated, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on!” And while that is true, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a damn good time while enduring it. Here are 7 of the world’s top travel destinations for creative people that you simply must see before your time is up:”

6. The shocking statement opening:

Magazines featuring celebrities thrive on this type of opening. So, too, do newspapers. You can’t pass a news stand today without seeing some kind of shocking, irreverent, or outlandish statement about what some celebrity is doing — complete with pictures. And it works. This approach sells millions of dollars worth of magazines everyday.

So, if there’s an appropriate (or in some cases, a not-so-appropriate but “relevant”) thing to say about your topic, one that may shock the reader into staying attentive to your message, lead with it in your article.

Example: If writing an article about violence among women (as a journalist for the UK news website www.dailymail.co.uk did recently), you might begin:

“Violent crime committed by women has soared since Labor came to power, it is revealed today. The number of women found guilty of murder, vicious assault and other attacks has risen by 81 per cent since 1998.”

Conclusion:

Anyway, that’s enough to get you started.

So go write something.

Today’s educated readers want information from a credible, trusted source, says researcher and writer Michael Low. When you convince them you are that source, they will believe and read what you have to say.

Here are twelve ways to make your blog posts more credible:

1.Use rich, vivid detail. When you use rich, vivid language, words that paint vivid pictures in your reader’s mind, she tends to believe what you are saying because she can see it for herself. After all, seeing, as they say, is believing!

2.Use scientific or technical language. I know this goes against the grain of what most people suggest. But depending on the type of article you are writing, it might be appropriate to use scientific or technical terminology that demonstrates (without over doing it) your grasp — and thus, your authority — on the topic.

3.Use sequencing or process description. In some cases, it may be appropriate to describe the steps involved in achieving an outcome. A list of numbered steps would be a good example of this. Or even a simple description in a single paragraph such as:

After taking your new computer monitor out of the box the first thing you will notice is a small bag containing three cords. One cord is blue, one is red, and the other black. Take the blue cord and plug the USB end into your computer, plug the other end (color coded orange) into the left side of the monitor in the port labeled “audio in”. And so on.

4.Use charts, diagrams and graphs. There’s a saying in selling (where credibility is paramount) that “nothing sells like a demonstration”. The saying holds true in building the credibility for your article content too. If the content of your article lends itself to demonstration via a chart, graph or diagram you should use it.

5.Use a photograph depicting the article topic in action. This may not always be possible. But have you noticed how the news media use intriguing photos to pull you into the article by attracting your attention? Photos can be as equally powerful when used in your articles to add credibility to your message.

6.Use awards, certificates or qualifications. Have you any special certificates or awards for achievement that support your credibility as an author or that support the message you are writing about? If so, use them in your articles. The majority of the masses still regard qualifications as a measure of a persons knowledge and trustworthy-ness.

7.Use testimonials and endorsements. If you say it it’s hearsay. If someone else says it it’s probably true. So use testimonials or endorsements in your articles, especially from a recognized source. If it’s written about in the New York Times or if someone famous backs it up, mention it in your article.

8.Use a logical flow of information, especially logical argument. Start your article with a strong point your reader will agree with, then carefully walk the reader through a series of “facts” or flow of information that leads them to the conclusion you want them to accept. In this way, you can build a bridge from the things your reader already believes to the things you want them to accept and trust.

9.Use personal stories or anecdotes. It’s pretty hard to argue with a true story about something that happened to you or someone you know (or even someone famous). If you have stories or anecdotes relevant to the point you want to make in your article, use them.

10.Use case studies — especially examples from the lives of people your reader can relate to. If there’s a good documented case study of the point you want to make, use it in your article. Bring out the detail of the people and places involved and your argument becomes even stronger.

11.Use meaningful specifics, not vague generalities. There’s a certain attractive quality in the specific. The more specific facts and details you use the more people feel what you’re saying is accurate. For example, avoid using phrases like: “Many years ago”. Instead say, “On the 26th May, 2005, a week after my Dad’s birthday …”

12.Use examples to illustrate your point. Even in conversation it helps if you give your listener examples of what you are saying to help him or her understand your message. It’s no different in writing articles. If you want to see the true power of examples as a “communication improver,” try deliberately explaining yourself through examples in the next conversation you have with someone at home or at the office.

There you have it, 12 ways to make your credibility soar.

Michael Low is a writer, researcher and entrepreneur. He’s also the writer of a free ebook titled How To Write Articles People Want to Read

Ever wandered through a book store and found certain book titles leaping out at you?

A great title does this. In fact, it’s the number one goal of the book title – to capture your attention!

It’s the key to your success as an author and article writer. And it’s the key to getting attention in the media.

Do you want to know the fastest way to come up with ideas for article and book (or ebook) titles?

For me the answer lies in something I read (can’t remember where though) about being a “title writer” before you become an “article writer”.

This idea is based on two facts:

1. The title accounts for 80% – 90% of the success of your article or ebook. (And therefore, it better be good.) And …
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2. Once you’ve nailed down your title, the research and writing of the rest of the article or book is relatively easy.

So how do you come up with a good title idea?

One way is to search out existing ideas and combine them in new and unique ways.

Here’s how:

1. Check out the covers of a few of your favorite magazines and write down a list of the headlines that grab your attention.
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2. Pick a handful of the very best headlines and try combining and adapting them to create fresh new headlines for your area of interest.

Here’s an example.

I just visited a magazine subscription website to browse the covers of half a dozen or so magazines, most of which I have no interest in whatsoever.

I simply clicked the magazine title, clicked the image of the magazine, then wrote down any teaser-headlines that grabbed my attention.

Here are the first eight headlines I locked eyes on:

1. Why Yadier Molina is the best backstop in baseball.
2. How to beat an educated player
3. When is it ok to call the clock on an opponent?
4. Pitfalls of slow-playing
5. The 30 best album covers
6. Dr. Katz’s Top ten food rules (tape ‘em to the fridge)
7. A ones-stop graphic guide to how a new plan would effect you
8. The 77 meals to try before you die

Next, You examine each headline and think about ways it can be adapted for your niche topic.

For example, if you are writing travel related articles you could adapt each of the headlines in this way:

1. Why Sandals Resort is the best honeymoon spot in the Caribbean
2. How to beat high travel costs when traveling on a budget
3. When is it ok to lie when checking in your luggage?
4. Pitfalls of first-time visitors to Fiji
5. The 30 best Australian holiday destinations
6. A seasoned traveler’s Top ten vacation rules (tape ‘em to the inside of your hand-luggage)
7. A one-stop visual guide of Hawaii’s holiday hot-spots
8. The 17 sea-side resorts to stay in before you die

I think you get the idea.

Another way to do it is to take two or more headlines and combine them together. For instance, I can combine headline 2, 4 and 5 and get a 9th headline or article idea titled: “How to avoid the top 30 pitfalls of first time visitors to Fiji during peak holiday season.”

Or, combining headline ideas 1 and 7 I get: “A visual guide to Fiji’s 10 hottest honeymoon escapes.”

How does this apply to ebook writing?

You simply take the most inspiring article title and use it as the title for your ebook.

For instance, if you choose “A visual guide to Fiji’s 10 hottest honeymoon escapes” as your ebook title … then … each chapter could take the reader on a visual tour of the top-10 Fiji honeymoon sites.

After studying each of the top-10 destinations you can repeat the steps here to come up with a title for each chapter.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Give it a try and let me know how you get on.

“In a world where everybody is screaming for your reader’s attention, you need your articles and blog posts to stand out,” says researcher and writer Michael Low.

“To stand out you need to make your articles easy to read.”

“Fortunately, readership studies teach lowly-writers like you and me a thing or two about “how” your readers like to read.”

Here’s what we know about your reader and the way she likes to read:

1. She likes short, easy to read sentences containing only one idea per sentence.

Have you ever read a long paragraph only to get to the end and forget what you read in the beginning? It’s annoying. Especially if you are forced to go back and read the entire paragraph again just to get the gist of what the writer is saying.

Instead, use short, easy to understand sentences. And express one idea per sentence. This makes reading easy and keeps the momentum of your piece going.

2. She prefers short paragraphs to long paragraphs.

No more than 5 lines where possible is best for your paragraphs. This is because staring at big, gray blocks of text can be intimidating.

Remember, watching a video or listening to an audio program requires little effort on the listener’s part. But reading takes effort. And the prospect of reading one long paragraph after another can tire your reader.

3. She prefers short, descriptive words and phrases.

Although she understands big, “intelligent” words and phrases, she prefers short, descriptive words and phrases, especially when a shorter word or phrase will do.

But that’s not to say you should replace all long words with shorter ones. The final choice should be to go with words that paint the clearest picture in your reader’s mind – making your message easier to understand.

4. She doesn’t want to think too hard.

Your writing should do the thinking for her. After all, she’s not reading to think. She’s reading to get ideas already thought out for her. So, if you want to explain how something works, for example, spell it out in minute detail. Get it all down on the page. Don’t leave any gaps for her to fill in.

Remember: You need to be detailed, descriptive, and give a full explanation of every point you make. If you leave gaps the reader will pick holes in what you say and quickly turn off.

5. She prefers a list of points rather than multiple pages of unbroken text.

There are a couple of reasons for this:

1. Your reader decides almost instantly upon seeing your article whether she wants to read it or not. If your article contains a clear list of points then your article seems less intimidating.
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2. An article containing a list gives the reader the impression the writer has thought through many issues or points pertaining to the subject. This intrigues her sufficiently to want to find out what those points are.
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3. When reading an article in list format the reader can skim the article looking for the points of most interest to her.

6. She likes main points to be highlighted and, where appropriate, put into a subheading.

This makes it easier to skim to the points in your article that interest her most.

7. She likes sentences and paragraphs to start with connecting words and phrases.

When you begin sentences and paragraphs with connecting words and phrases you automatically build momentum for your reader. The feeling of momentum keeps the reader reading.

For example, try starting your sentences and paragraphs with words and phrases like:

For starters … if history has taught us anything … speaking of which … in a nut shell … however … besides … if you thought that was good … and another thing … again … why not take it a step further? … warning … fortunately … here’s why … here’s an example … but first, check this out … furthermore … my point is … not only that … look … listen … but that’s not all … and so on.

Now that I’ve hopefully got your brain thinking about words and phrases to open your sentences and paragraphs … create your own file (either in a physical folder or on your computer) where you can collect all manner of such words and phrases for future use.

8. She likes it when you pack your paragraphs with interesting facts.

And she likes it even more when those facts are presented in interesting ways. This is due in part to the age of multi-media and fast-action movies and video games. People’s attention spans are often shorter. Unless you attract and keep her attention at every turn with one interesting fact after another you’ll quickly lose her interest.

9. She wants the font face and size to be easy to read.

Just changing the font type can make your article appear more readable. But the wrong font type or size can turn your reader off.

Also, fonts can be like the emphasis in your voice. The right font can add expression to your writing and bathe it in personality.

10. When using bullet points or numbered points she likes the list construction to be logical and consistent.

You’ll notice every point in the numbered list you are now reading (except this one) begins with the word “she”. I did this on purpose. It’s because the consistent use of the word “she” anchors you to my original point: Your reader prefers to read information presented in a certain way.

This drives my message home more powerfully.

Keeping your bulleted or numbered lists consistent has another benefit: It builds momentum. As the reader sees (even if only subconsciously) the pattern in your writing, she can fly through your text at a greater pace. This increases the likelihood that she will read all the way to the end.

11. She likes points in your articles to follow a logical sequence.

If your article points out how to do something or tells a story about an event, then, following a logical flow makes it easy for the reader to keep track of what you are saying.

For example, if writing a list of steps, you may begin sentences or paragraphs with: “This is what you do first …” “Then you …” “Thirdly you …” and so on.

When your writing follows a natural sequence the reader feels subconsciously compelled to read on.

12. She likes it when your sentences contain the strongest point at the beginning.

For example, if your article explains ways to buy bargain real estate in a falling market, you wouldn’t say, “Buying real estate during a temporary slump in housing prices is the best time to get a bargain!”

Instead, you’d say,”The best time to get a bargain on real estate is during a temporary price slump!”

13. She likes it when you write in colloquial language.

Such language includes the use of metaphors, similes, clichés, and common figures of speech. Again, start a colloquial language file to keep great examples you can use in your own writing.

14. She likes it when you use words and phrases that paint a vivid picture in her mind.

The trick is to think about what you want to say then see it running through your mind in a vivid movie. Next, simply describe on paper what you see, detailing the colors, textures and even the sounds, smells and temperature.

The goal is to bring your text to life so the reader no longer sees words on a page but a vivid movie playing before her eyes. Even better, paint the reader right into the movie.

Let her see herself interacting with the detail of your article content.

15. She likes it when you use narrative.

Good journalism is dominated by this “he-said, she said” narrative style of writing. And for good reason …

Readers tend to trust you more when you quote others, especially reliable sources.

Plus, using narrative in your writing makes your writing more interesting. It’s like the movie director using different camera angles in the same scene to add variety and hold the viewers attention.

16. She likes it when you are not redundant.

Redundancies slow your writing down. Your reader wants to get your point then move to the next point. She doesn’t want to dwell too long on something you’ve already made clear.

That’s not to say you can’t repeat important points. But don’t beat a dead horse.

If you feel you need to repeat a point for impact try coming at it from a new angle. For example, you can make your point then give an example that illustrates your point. Then, if you feel you still need to remake your point, present it in the form of a narrative, where you quote someone making the point you want to get across.

Another subtle and often overlooked form of redundancy is the use of the same word mentioned often throughout the text. In the paragraph above for example, the word “point” is used too often and weakens the impact of my message.

Yet another form of redundancy is the use of two or more words in a sentence that mean the same thing. “Little babies” for example. Or “young child.” Aren’t all babies little and all children young?

17. She likes it when you give examples to illustrate your point.

Do I need to give you an example here. If so, see the paragraph above this one. Obviously, giving an example makes your message clearer, easier to understand.

18. She likes it when you leave white space (called “secondary leading”) between paragraphs.

“Leading” is the technical term used to describe the vertical space between lines of text – the space between the line above and the line below.

“Secondary leading” is the space between paragraphs. Long blocks of gray text tire the eyes. They give the impression that reading will be “hard work”. Therefore, put a full space of secondary leading between paragraphs as I do in this document.

19. She likes the occasional one sentence paragraph … and … even a one word sentence or paragraph.

I do too!

It breaks up the pace of the message by adding variety to your writing. This makes the reading of your article more interesting. The brain likes variety. In fact the brain needs variety. So breaking your paragraphs up into occasional one sentence paragraphs (or even one word paragraphs) makes sense.

O.K?

20. She prefers narrow columns of text (of around 65 characters) to columns of text 100 plus characters in width.

Again, this goes back to making your message appear easy to read. Wide columns of text tend to leave the reader’s eyes feeling tired. And tired eyes stop reading. A narrow column of text looks more inviting, and so, the reader finds it easier to agree to reading at least the first few lines.

And if you’ve followed the earlier suggestions in this book you only need the first few lines to turn her initial attention into interest and persuade her to read more of your article.

21. She likes it when your article contains one clearly expressed, useful idea … instead of multiple interconnected ideas.

A good rule of thumb for staying on track is to make sure each paragraph relates to the main topic and even the title of the article you are writing.

Michael Low is a writer, researcher and entrepreneur. He’s also the writer of a free ebook titled How To Write Articles People Want to Read

In this short audio I’ll be discussing the growing popularity of video content on the web and how it might impact your article writing career.

I’ll discuss the answer to three questions:

1.  Is written content taking a back-seat to online videos?

2. Will written content play a smaller role in the future of the Internet?

3.  What does the increase in online video mean to article writers?

Press the PLAY button to listen (Allow a few seconds to load)

Will Video Content Replace Written Articles on The Web?

Click the link below to read the full written transcript

After listening to my comments or reading the written transcript, come back and leave your own comments below

Hope this helps.

When I “retired” some years ago, I didn’t suddenly stop working. Quite the contrary. I actually started really working for the first time.

You see, up until that time, I was working for someone else – a boss. I was spinning my wheels. And frankly, I felt more like a slave than an employee most of the time!

I always felt I was wasting a lot of the precious hours in my day. Time I could never get back.

When I worked in a car dealership for example, I felt the time spent doing anything other than talking with potential car buyers was wasted. Sure I had to move cars around the lot – to keep the yard looking fresh and presentable.

But I was a salesman. I was hired to sell. So my only real productive time was when I was toe-to-toe with a prospect, doing what I did best.

If I could spend every minute of my nine to ten hour day actually selling … then … I would be spending my time on activities that where worthwhile.

Of course, it doesn’t work out that way. I probably spent about 20% of my time selling and the other 80% following up with prospects or tidying the lot or sending out brochures or … or … or.

However, in my own business, I do get to spend my time on those things I’m best at. In fact, I must spend my time on those things or my business goes no where.

And I’ve structured my business so I don’t have to do anything except those few things.

Yes, I may be free from the daily grind … the daily commute … the daily office politics … but I’ll never be free from doing those things that make my business successful.

Maybe I don’t always call it work. But it is work. Enjoyable work.

What about you? Are you spending all your time on the few core activities you are best at? Or is a lot of your energy wasted on activities you neither enjoy nor do well?

If you want to escape the daily grind you must do less of the things you’re not good at and do more of the things that create success.

I’m often asked why I bother writing for different article directories on the web. After all, aren’t I just helping the directory sites generate and monetize their own traffic? Where’s the BIG benefit for me?

The simple answer is that article directories bring traffic to your blog and website.

But there are other reasons why you should post articles to directories.

1. Networking. The web is a relationship building tool. When you write articles for your niche topic or interest, your articles are found and read by people who are interested in the topic you write about.

Some of these people will become valuable contacts for you. Some will become valuable joint venture partners or affiliates. Others will introduce you to other important players in your industry. Others will link to you from their own blog etc.

2. Back links. Yeah, this is obvious. But overlooked. You can NEVER have too many relevant links back to your site — especially from authority sites.

The more relevant links you have, the higher google, yahoo and every other man and his dog will rank you. Higher search engine rankings get you more traffic.  Article writing for directories is a great source of back links.

3. Competitive edge in Search rankings. I’m not repeating myself here. This is different: Your articles on directory sites will often rank higher, faster for your keywords than your website or blog will.

This means writing articles for directories gives you a competitive edge over others in your field who neglect directory submissions. But their loss is your gain. Just because they miss out on getting their articles amongst the top pages ranked for their search terms doesn’t mean you have to

4. Content. Writing for article directories forces you — or someone you hire — to sit down and create content for all the content hungry web surfers.

This content can be reformatted into white papers to be given away to subscribers, bonus reports to add value to your products or services, or content for your regular ezine (remember, many, probably most, of your ezine subscribers will never see your content in the article directories, so there’s little chance of doubling up).

There are more reasons. But this will do for now. I’m off to write another article for an article directory.