Publishing articles, especially via an e-zine, is the ideal opportunity to showcase your business. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you build credibility as an expert, while spreading the word about your services and products.

While I’m sure that sometimes you have dozens of content ideas, I bet other times you find yourself staring at a blank computer screen, grumbling that it’s publishing time again. Well, have no fear! Here are 11 quick (and good) content ideas for when you’re in a pinch.

1. Give real-life success stories.
Describe a problem you’ve solved for a client/customer, and use that as a springboard to offer more general advice. Show your readers how you’ve helped customers address challenges — “case studies” if you will. This positions you as the expert in your readers’ minds more than your coming out and saying so.

2. Think of three areas in which you’d like your clients to think of you as a resource.
Now develop content in those areas. For example, in my past life as a professional copywriter, I really enjoyed writing for Web sites. To help encourage my clients and prospects to hire me for these projects, I published several articles on how to write Web copy that sells.

3. Read industry publications for ideas.
Are there any hot issues in your field right now? The more controversial, the better. Don’t be afraid to offer your own opinion — your readers want to know it. After all, YOU are the expert in their eyes.

4. Jot down 8 questions your clients have asked you in the past.
You know, the ones they ask you over and over. Answer each in a short article. If you publish weekly, that’s two months’ worth of content, right off the bat! And if you can’t think of any questions, send all your current clients/customers a quick e-mail, asking them what topics they’re most interested in learning more about.

5. Learn anything neat lately from an industry conference, workshop, seminar, or insightful article?
No one says you have to reinvent the wheel of information! Pass on any gems of advice you’ve learned elsewhere — just give them full attribution. Or give your opinion of the event or article itself. Your readers will appreciate your frankness.

6. Offer a list of your top 5 or 10 tips on a certain subject.
It’s much easier to bang out a list of tips than to put together a real article. Of course, the tips can evolve into an article if you wish! Be sure to list your best tip first, or at least close to the top. (If you “fire your biggest gun” last, you risk losing your audience before they get to the good stuff.)

7. Interview associates whose expertise would interest your readers (while not competing with yours).

E-mail interviews are incredibly easy to do. Just send your interviewee 3 to 5 questions via e-mail, edit their answers, and have them approve the final version. Be sure to give them a short plug in your e-zine as a thank you. (A one- or two-sentence description of their business and their Web address should be fine.)

8. Recommend books and resources that you use, and offer full reviews on them.
In one issue of my old e-zine, “AKB MarCom Tips,” I featured reviews of my favorite four copywriting resource books. I’m glad I also gave my Amazon.com associate links, because I ended up making some nice commission, to boot!

9. Invite clients or readers to write you with their own questions, and answer one in each issue.
Right after their question, publish the person’s name, business, and Web address, with their permission. They’ll enjoy the attention and free publicity!

10. Invite readers to send in profiles.
Ask them to tell you about themselves — their names, businesses, locations, and how they use the information gained in your e-zine. Feature one profile in each issue or one every few issues.

11. When all else fails, borrow an article!
There are dozens of Web sites offering hundreds of articles that you can use in your e-zine. The articles are free and available for you to use immediately. The only catch is you’re required to leave the entire article intact, including the author’s promotional information. One of my favorite places to search for articles is www.ezinearticles.com.

One last note: Keep in mind that if your e-zine’s main objective is to get you more clients and customers, you should NOT feature other writers’ articles more than once in a blue moon. Remember our main goal is to continually showcase YOU. : )

This is a great resource of ideas for creating content for your email newsletter…  the article is courtesy of my coach and mentor Ali Brown!

© 2001-2008 Alexandria Brown International Inc. Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown publishes the award-winning ‘Highlights on Marketing & Success’ weekly ezine with 28,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.alexandriabrown.com

You are invited to the Sydney Wholistic Business Network Event on Monday 23rd June 2008 where I will be presenting on the Topic of Email Marketing - “Grow your Business using an Email Newsletter”

“GROW YOUR BUSINESS USING AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER!”
presented by Belinda Jackson

Does your Online Presence work to increase your sales & profits by converting visitors into customers? First of all, are you converting website visitors into real leads that you can follow up with? Are you building relationships with prospects and clients through regular communications?

Come along to this presentation to learn simple and effective Online Marketing strategies that revolve around Email. Yes, Email - it’s simple and yet it is highly effective. It’s also easy to get it wrong!

You will learn;

• Email Marketing: What, how and why it could work for you
• What to put in your Email Newsletter to ensure it gets read
• The legal essentials: Spam Compliance rules & regulations
• Growing the List - how to get more people on your Email List
• This presentation is full of real world strategies that work. See for yourself why her clients love her newsletter and be inspired by the power of little old Email!

Belinda Jackson of Web Chameleon has been working with her clients to improve their online marketing efforts for over 5 years. Her previous background including over 14 years experience in marketing, sales, graphic design and IT provides a perfect blend to place her where she is today - helping business owners market themselves through Email Marketing, Blogging, Websites and more.

The other presentation on the evening is as detailed below;

“IF YOU COULD BUST LOOSE FROM THE TREADMILL - WOULD YOU?”
presented by Chris Wakeford

Did you know that over the next 5-10 years there will be MORE wealth created than in the entire history of the world for those people who engage in playing a whole new game? Hear how a new multibillion dollar mega trend market is shaping exciting new lives for people who want the keys to the love & the MONEY.

Transformational Spiritual Entrepreneur Chris Wakeford is a retired Ex Lend Lease financial planning wealth creation expert who now teaches people to do the complete opposite to what the traditional planners do and why they secretly come and see him now for advice!

Chris will share with you how transformational personal growth creates the money… how ordinary people who learn to UNLEARN are able to become audacious spiritual wealth entrepreneurs; without having to attend any type of public education system where it is NOT taught! http://thewealthcentre.com

How DO you to create 50-100K from home from the Internet even if you are a 2 finger typist… IE NOT a techie seems to help!

$1000’s worth of Prizes often given away on the night

Your opportunity to meet interesting and inspiring people… join us for a dynamic & fun evening filled with inspired business networking - opportunity to learn from others that already have success, meet old and new friends and create the personal and professional connections you may be looking for.

Monday evening, the 23rd of June 2008

“The Wealth Centre” Level 1, 24 Falcon street, Crows Nest

For full details go to http://www.wholisticbusinessnetwork.com/wbn_centres/sydney.html

or Contact Sandhi - mobile 0419 233 448