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The "how-to" newsletter with action items you can implement today!
or How to Use "About the Author" to Make More Money
by Dianne E. Dawson, M.A.
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Do you write articles, top ten lists or other works that you submit to websites? Do you put out an ezine with articles you wrote? Are you writing an ebook or a tips booklet? There's an important part of publishing that you don't want to miss! Resource boxes (sometimes called "about the author") are a frequently overlooked tool for building your business by driving traffic to your website and making sales. Often left until last to design, many find themselves at a loss for what to write, or how to use the resource box effectively. After you read these tips, notice how I used them to create the "about the author" section below. With these tips, you, too, can create a resource box that's a powerful tool for building your business. 1. Understand YOUR purpose for the resource box. Many people mistakenly believe that the purpose of a resource box is to "get their name out there". The problem with this approach is that, while you may get "name recognition" for writing articles, if it isn't leading to sales of your product or services, what are you "putting your name out there" for? You should have one goal for your resource box and it should look something like this: To direct potential clients to your website to make a purchase (products) or begin the decision-making process for a purchase (services). Of course, once they get there, your website will have to do the sales job, but make sure you are designing your resource box to elicit a click-through. You website can't make the sale if nobody visits it. 2. Study successful resource boxes. Check out articles written by those whom you know to have a really HIGH sales volume. What's in their resource box? Does it make you want to know more? Does there seem to be a formula? Is there something about it that "draws" you to click the link and visit their website? 3. Design your resource box ahead of time. This is particularly true when submitting articles or top ten lists to other websites. The resource box could be considered the most important part of the article, yet many wait until they are actually at the website submitting the content to decide what to put in the resource box. Treating it like an afterthought doesn't take advantage of its' power. Keep in mind any restrictions that might apply on the site where you are submitting your resource box, for example, 60-66 characters per line, or a limit to the number of lines allowed, such as four-seven. Be sure to include the actual URL for those who may print your article for later reference. 4. Focus on one product or service. Don't try to sell everything you've got in your resource box. Select one thing to focus on. Design a compelling sentence or two about that one thing. 5. Make the resource box content specific to the article. A resource box touting your new hair tonic makes sense when your article is about hair care or beauty secrets. It doesn't make sense if your article is about how to start a business or finding one's passion. Wrong audience, and too much of a leap from your article topic and the product/service you are selling. There should be a natural connection between your article content and the product or service mentioned in your resource box. For example, these tips are about using your resource box as a powerful tool to build your business. At the end, you'll find my resource box talks about "The New Client Toolkit", another powerful tool for building your business. Those who are reading this article are interested in building their business. Right audience, right product. You may have on file the content for several different versions of a resource box, depending on what the content of your article is to be, and what products or services you want to promote. 6. Have something consistent in each resource box. At the same time, it's important to have some consistency with your resource box so that your public will come to recognize you and your company. There are plenty of items to keep consistent: your name, your title, company name, a slogan or tag line, etc. While you might change the portion of your email address that comes before the "@" for tracking purposes, keep the portion following the "@" the same. For example, I might use dianne@dawsonresources, coaching@dawsonresources, or info@dawsonresources. By the way, email addresses from free sources lack the same credibility as having your own domain name email address. Even if you don't plan to get a website for awhile, get the domain name along with the email service. It will forward to your regular email account, and it advertises your company. Discoveryourdreams@freemail.com is not the same as melanie@livingtheseniorlife.com. 7. Use a call to action. Ask the reader to take action. Tell them to "click", "visit", "download", etc. Don't just assume that because you have provided a link they will click it and visit. Tell them to! 8. Link directly to the page concerning the product or service you are touting. Don't link them to your home page and expect them to explore around to find it. And don't think, "they might see something else they want". If you want to make the sale, take them directly to the page. You've already gotten their interest - they clicked the link. Don't risk losing it by expecting them to search around for the offer that got them there. 9. Put your resource box at the end of everything you write. Get in the habit of using your resource box on everything, especially if you've given reprint/reproduction rights. Even if it's an article printed on your own webpage or brochure, include your resource box. If someone links to that page, it may be the only chance you have to capture them. If someone reprints from a brochure or hand-out, they may simply list your name as the source if you don't have the resource box. Once you've designed a really good resource box, consider also using it as an email signature. 10. Use your resource box whenever you need a short blurb about yourself. There are many times that you may need a short blurb about yourself, your company, or your product. Your resource box may work perfectly for this, or serve as a good start with a little tweaking. As you can see, there can be a lot more to a resource box than simply giving your name and telling what you do. Take advantage of its' power. Develop a winning resource box for your next article. Let it be one of many tools that you use to build your business. About the Author Dianne E. Dawson, M.A., Business Development Coach and Principal of Dawson Resources, LLC, also created The New Client Toolkit to help her clients bring in new business quickly and easily. This powerful, money-making tool gets rave reviews from successful users. If you're not making the income you deserve for your time and talent, don't spend another day "wishing"! Take the 21 easy steps to start bringing in new business. Click here to get started with The New Client Toolkit today! The New Client Toolkit: http://www.dawsonresources.com/shop/order1.html To subscribe: Send an email to dianne@virtualbusinessincubator.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line or use the form below: Reprints: You have permission to reprint this article in its entirety, including attribututions, subscription instructions, and this notice (subscription form not required). You may not alter the article or attribution. Please send an e-mail with the link to the webpage where this article is reprinted. Check-out the highly acclaimed New Client Toolkit for bringing more clients into your business - 21 Easy Steps In 21 Days! Back to Ezine Index |
