10 Ways to Use Articles to Attract Clients

While it may be true that a picture speaks a thousand
words, the written word has a power all its own. Seeing
something in print tends to make it more
credible-especially if it's speaking to an issue that is
present in the reader's life-and it helps establish the
author as an expert.

For these reasons, articles are extremely valuable
marketing tools when building and maintaining a private
practice, whether you're a coach, consultant,
psychotherapist, attorney, massage therapist, organizer or
other professional. If you don't have the time to write
articles, or the idea brings out all your "I can't do
that!" gremlins, you still don't have to miss out on the
opportunities that articles bring.just outsource!

How specifically can you use articles? Here are 10 great
ideas-both online and in print-to get you started.

1. Submit them to your local newspaper or other local
publication (parenting magazine, community journal, etc.).
Get creative as you brainstorm the types of print
publications that might run your article.

2. Print articles in a tri-fold brochure format or on a
flat 8.5 x 11 sheet. Use colored paper for better
eye-catching qualities. Be sure to include your name,
contact info and maybe even a photo and/or logo. Stack
copies of these in acrylic holders in your own office-but
more importantly, in the offices of other professionals to
generate referrals.

3. Create themed "sets" of articles: relationships, career
transition, communication, personal/professional growth,
etc., and use as above. Keep topical files and give or mail
them to clients as needed.

4. Place articles on an "Articles" or "Resources" page on
your website. It gives excellent content depth to your site
and lets people know where you're coming from.

5. Create an e-book of one, several or all of your
articles. Give it away on your website in exchange for
people signing up for your ezine or as a bonus for those
who buy your product or services.

6. Send your articles to online article submission sites,
where they will be distributed and placed on websites
throughout the Internet to help drive traffic to your
website. It's a mini-industry all its own, and will require
a little bit of learning. Just google "article submission,"
and away you go!

7. Use them in your own newsletter or ezine. People want
what you know!

8. Stuff them into informational packets, press kits or
proposals of any kind. Again, this adds depth to your
material, and shows you as an expert in your field.

9. Hand them out to your groups and/or workshop
participants. Relevant articles (with your info on them)
serve as solid, gentle "touch points" with people who might
be considering using your services.

10. Create catchy headlines and then tack them to community
event bulletin boards.

This is just a start. Perhaps it will get your creative
juices flowing. Remember always to include your name and
contact information (at a minimum) on every article. You
may want to include a photo, call-to-action for services,
etc.

Articles offer valuable information to readers. When you
use articles to market your practice, you've started your
relationship with the reader by offering the gift of the
article. And a gift is always a good place to start any
relationship.

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Linda Puig is a newsletter marketing expert, a writer with
nearly 30 years' professional experience and president of
Claire Communications, which provides high-quality,
low-cost articles to busy professionals who don't have the
time or inclination to write articles.
http://www.articlesforsale.net