Article Surfing Archive

"Kendall, I LOVE your newsletter. You always have something fresh to say to your readers. How do you manage to come up with fresh and interesting things to write about every single week? I'm struggling to get an online newsletter out once a month! Can you please offer any internet marketing tips? I'm desperate for content!"

As a marketing coach, I frequently hear these sorts of anxious pleas.

The idea of publishing a newsletter more than once a month can feel daunting, even for a successful entrepreneur. The secret I've revealed to my business coaching clients is: you need a good system for creating fresh content. If you feel like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to creating fresh content for your newsletter, then these five tips will be a life saver.

Tip #1: Create a "template" outline for your newsletter.

Having a consistent format for your articles frees up your creativity so you don't feel like you're starting from scratch each time. For example, I typically start each article with a question, followed by a short paragraph describing the problem. Next, I include a bulleted or numbered list of tips, ideas or points. I complete my marketing coaching articles with a summary paragraph that includes some type of action request. Simple and easy!

Tip #2: Keep an article idea journal.

While I used to rely on the backs of envelopes and sticky-notes, I now have an article journal I keep in my desk drawer. Every time a business coaching client says something that sparks an idea, I immediately jot it down in the journal. Then, I simply pull out the journal each week and, voila, I am ready to write my article.

Tip #3: Use workshops and seminars as a gold mine for article ideas.

Get away from your daily routine and attend a workshop or seminar and get infused with new ideas and fresh inspiration. Join other successful entrepreneurs to share business solutions. When I attend a workshop, I keep a special note sheet of article ideas with me at all times. I always have an ear open for fresh article ideas as I'm listening to the presentations and chumming with the other participants.

Tip #4: Listen to what your clients are struggling with.

If all you do is write about the issues that your clients are struggling with, you'll never run out of article ideas. (And your articles WILL get read!) Need I say more?!

Tip #5: Be a contrarian!

What makes a juicier article: reading about facts, or reading an article written by someone who isn't afraid to voice their opinion (or their displeasure?) People love to read strong opinions that are unabashedly expressed. Have you read about an issue lately that got you hopping mad? Have you heard about something that left you totally disgusted? Use those topics to start your next articles. The point is: give voice to your opinions.

Creating fresh content for your newsletter isn't difficult as long as you are staying connected to the world around you. My marketing coaching challenge for you this week is to grab a piece of paper, title it "Article Ideas" and carry it around with you for the entire week. Set a goal of jotting down seven article ideas, and I bet you'll reach it!