Creating To Write List(s)

I like to form lists of titles and topics that I think will be interesting to tackle. This list is often scribbled on a legal pad, extracted and tucked in my notebook.

My notebook is my writing desk. Even though I am typically toting my MacBook and do most of my writing there, the notebook is my repository of ideas and home to quick impromptu writing sessions.

However, there is another fountain of inspiration that I use almost as often and it is of a more technical design. And that makes it a more dynamic inspiration tool.

Using Delicious to Track Writing Ideas

My first step involves delicious.com. I still use good old delicious as my preferred bookmarking tool. It is simple and fits tightly with my Firefox browser, where I do my online reading.

I do the majority of my Internet reading over my morning coffee and breakfast. I catch up on my favorite news and blogger via my Google Reader.

Items that trigger thoughts or ideas for future writing get bookmarked with delicious.com and tagged with “towrite.” In addition, I like to use the notes feature to add any comments that may guide my writing later.

This little habit of bookmarking your daily reading will build a rich river of writing ideas and a huge repository of research material.

I will often print off this evolving river of inspiration. Tucking it in my writing notebook along with my handwritten list–many times they are complimentary.

Use Twitter to Get Audience Reaction

The next step is where your writing ideas list can become very dynamic and exciting. I use delicious.com’s relatively new integration with Twitter. Every time I bookmark something I have it broadcast as a Tweet to my thousands of followers.

This simple automated step brings me enormous value. Not only does every Tweet typically help add targeted followers, but more importantly it brings me reaction to the topic or article I just bookmarked.

These reactions can bring me additional ideas, insights, sources, or even clients. This little passive trick can bring even more inspiration and opportunity to your writing.

Engage to Build Expertise or Sources

Don’t neglect the opportunity to engage those who respond on Twitter. Many times these can be experts and sources of information that will add depth and credibility to your writing.

Writing can be a frustrating if every blank sheet of paper or screen involves generating a topic or inspiration. Having that first step dynamically flowing all the time makes each new project a little more fun.

• Try to find the most appropriate category for your SEO article test
• Consistently post all of your test articles into that category
• Ideally you have already published yourself into a top 10 author for that category
• Write three unique articles for each keyword you are testing
• Vary keyword density, key phrase word order, alternate keywords
• Try multiple headline techniques (try a number in at least one)
• Try various summary techniques (try a famous quote in one)

Marketing the Article

Once written and submitted this is where you can get a bit more scientific. You can attempt a variety of different article marketing techniques. Here are a few that I recommend:

• Blog reference/link
• Twitter comment
  
• Social bookmarking
• Email

I like to use bit.ly (a tiny URL technology) because it gives you detailed click-through source and tracking metrics.

Measuring the Results

If you are not measuring then you are simply hoping for miracles and most people don’t pay for that. Before you start submitting and marketing your test articles make sure you are certain of your objective and key tracking metrics. Here are some possible metrics:

• Views
• Click-through
• Syndication/Publication
• Traffic sources

Quality article directories, like eZineArticles, are making it easier to track and capture these metrics.

The nice thing about using article marketing as an SEO content and keyword test environment is, once complete, you have a great repository of validated and ready to deploy SEO Web copy.

—

If you have any questions–contact me: http://twitter.com/billrice

Target Venture Capital

Finely written Web copy and experienced keyword research famously attracts search engines, motivates customers, and compels action. If you are an entrepreneur with a hot idea, but not quite enough capital to take it to its full potential angels and venture capitalist should be part of your target market in your marketing plan.

Keyword Research

Start with good keyword research and analysis an zero in on what venture capitalist are looking for–markets, benefits, ideas, and trends. Then create an SEO plan to bring vector in interest to your project or company.

Highlight Synergies

No one will know companies and technologies that are natural components of your value chain. These become powerful synergies when two or more of these opportunities are in one investor’s portfolio. Make sure your Web copy and marketing materials clearly demonstrate these connections and potentials.

Focus on Benefits

Like customers they are looking for benefits and need to be emotionally inspired to action. A professional copywriter can help you achieve this result on your website, in your emails, on your business card, and even in your pitch.

Get Emotional

Remember what drives venture capitalist to action: large markets, smart teams, and a passionate inferno. These are all qualities that a good copywriter can bring to vivid life your marketing.

Target Bright Entrepreneurs

This difficulty in connecting is not limited to entrepreneurs trying to raise capital. In fact, the problem of investors trying to locate the right ideas, quality teams, and attractive deals to meet their goals may be more acute.

Venture capital websites typically highlight past successes, current portfolios, and partner profiles, yet do little to attract targeted new opportunity.

A top copywriter can design a search engine strategy and experience that will efficiently attract, segment, and engage the types of entrepreneurs and ideas you want to fund.

Write for the Sale

Like any marketing or copywriting project, don’t forget to write for the sale. Hope and opportunity will still pass in the wind if you don’t ask for a conversation.

—

If you have any questions–contact me: http://twitter.com/billrice