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Home » The Famous Blog » Getting Back to the Basics – Simple Solution to Success

Getting Back to the Basics – Simple Solution to Success

March 7, 2012 - Last Modified: March 29, 2014 by James Martell

Getting Back to the Basics

I have gone over the need for quality content a few times. So, I am now going to focus on the development of quality material, as well as a few other basics that we tend to overlook at times. Whether you are just starting out, or feel like you are stalled in your Internet business, the following information can help you get a much needed boost.

I am going to show you simple steps in creating written pieces that will grab the attention of Google, which is a good thing. They are interested in ranking material written for human eyes, rather than computers who snag on keywords and phrases.

Are keywords important? Yes, but so is substance to go along with them.

No more spinning and stuffing. Their days are numbered, and it can’t come soon enough.

First Things First

Yes, I said getting back to basics. So, the first thing you need to do is to take a look around your work area. Are you sitting at the dining room table, between meals? If so, you are limiting yourself to creative time, which is vital in developing a quality site and written material.

That would be equivalent to saying you can’t be creative around breakfast, lunch, or dinner times…because you don’t have an area to take advantage of great ideas that randomly pop into your head. If you have a designated area, which is used solely for work, you can sit down anytime to ‘let it roll’.

Don’t worry. I’m not suggesting you  don’t sit down with the family for meals. I am suggesting that you shop for a nice desk, such as the many available glass computer corner desks, so nobody disturbs you in the middle of a creative flow.

Having that professional space that you can go to at any time is important in getting professional results.

Opinions Matter

Just not our own so much. When it comes to quality content, the only opinions that matter are those of who we are hoping to capture as a client, or guest on our website. If we are not producing material that is appealing to them, all other efforts are in vain.

It doesn’t matter what type of site we are running, the same rule applies to everyone. Develop content that the readers are looking for, or they will move on to someone who is supplying it. For example, if you are running a review site, but all your reviews are biased with a positive spin, are you doing this reader any real service by not giving them both the good and the bad?

They simply want the truth. Anything less than that can easily be seen as an advertisement.

Telling a Story to the Reader

If you have ever paid attention to the most popular print publications, you probably noticed their style is one of telling a story to the readers. It draws the reader into the story, as if they are having a conversation.

By talking about real events and people, you are also making it personable and intriguing. And, as a bonus, you are backing up what you claim with real life occurrences. If you can’t find anything to directly back up your words, then use relative samples from your own experience. For example, if you are writing about a hotel you have never stayed at, you can relate to unique amenities that it has in common with a place you have stayed at before.

Not Everyone is a Natural

Writing was not on my ‘top 10’ list of things I wanted to do when I first got into affiliate marketing in 1999. In fact, carpentry was my background. While I love to tell a story, that doesn’t mean I like to put it down in writing, or that it comes natural to me. Podcasts are a different story. Turn the camera on and let me roll.

However, I knew I had to have quality written content and that I needed to find a way. After trying for quite a while, I decided to outsource that part of the business. And, it was during a conversation I had with one of the professionals I hired that I learned how important research is. She said that she spends 3 times the amount of time researching, as she does writing.

This is important, because it gathers a great deal of information, and allows us to know what everyone is saying about a topic before we even start. And, it doesn’t matter how well you know the topic, it helps significantly.

The ABC’s of Quality Content

These steps are important, no matter what the topic is:

A. Research. As I mentioned above, it doesn’t matter how well you know a topic, research can enhance your material. By taking notes and finding relevant links and quotes, it gives a sense of authority to each piece.

B. Use an Outline. If you put your material in an outline, it makes the actual writing process go much smoother, giving it a nice flow from start to finish.

C. Keep it Real. Try to use real people and events to help your readers relate to what you are telling them.

D. Short and Sweet. Keeping the paragraphs and sentences fairly short and to the point, it will hold your reader’s attention far longer than run-on blocks and sentences. Use subheadings to not only break it up, but as an announcement of what is to come.

E. Finishing. After the article is written, go through it to check for errors, but also to see if you are left with unanswered questions. If you are, your readers will also feel it.

Even if you still find writing to be challenging, you have the basics laid out for you to know what to expect when hiring someone. Use these steps when instructing them on what you want, as well as when you check through the work.

Any Tekkies?

Whether or not you are in love with technology, or have a love-hate relationship with it, it serves a wonderful purpose in our world. There are many items to help you with your career, by making it easier and quicker to get our jobs done.

Items such as software, iPads, or video conferencing tools are all available to make our work at home much easier. iPads allow you to work from anywhere, especially if you are on the road a lot when creativity strikes.

If you are not familiar with some of these things, or they intimidate you, that is fine. It’s easy to find someone who can help you. Tekkies like to share their opinions. For example, if you need to know how video conferencing works, ask the sales person at the store, or find a message board on the Internet. Help is readily available, so don’t let something like intimidation keep you from using these great finds.

Well, that is my take on the basics. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment box below.

Image © Claus Mikosch – Fotolia.com

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Filed Under: Online Business

About James Martell

Follow @JamesMartell

James Martell is an Internet pioneer who discovered the lucrative world of affiliate marketing in 1999. He is a self-taught Internet entrepreneur and a leading expert in affiliate marketing training, outsourcing and natural search engine optimization. James is also the host of the "Affiliate Buzz", the first and longest running affiliate marketing podcast in the industry (since 2003). Google+ James Martell

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{ 17 Responses }

  1. Thomas Brewer says:
    James, Really good points. I am newer to this new revolution of quality content. Your article certainly will help me moving forward.
  2. Sara says:
    Hello James, The specific working area helps indeed, and brings creativity and also good results!Speaking about naturals, I think like in many fields of our life, you have to work on it in order to be good at it.I mean you may have talent but hard work and research are required.The readers will determine if your content covers the needed criteria to be a good article and generally if it worths and that's why article needs good planning and preparation. Thank you for reminding the basics.
  3. Joe Elliott says:
    Hi James, Great Post! I think this is great for newbies to blogging but also for pro bloggers as I think like everything once you have been doing it a while we do forget the basics. I keep a spreadsheet of ideas, think this really helps, and combats writer block, and makes things more efficient. I have a sheet of titles and another just with things that i have in my mind. So gives you a base for you to research :). Thanks Joe
    • James Martell says:
      Hi Joe, I find that when I get away from a certain task such as writing that I get rusty and have to focus on getting back to the basics. I write my ideas. I also find keep things such as sample headlines to model also helps a lot. How to Photograph Silhouettes in 8 Easy Steps How to Get More Energy Naturally – The Smooth Energy Drink Sleepover Ideas for Kids – Fun Furniture for Slumber Parties 7 Helpful Tips To Immediately Increase Your Confidence 6 Ways To Grow Unhappy, Resentful Employees The 10 Best Foods For Your Skin Top 5 Best Piano Songs of All Time Ferrari Leather iPad Case – A Little Elegance for Your Electronics
  4. Mark says:
    I think one of the most basic thing to do is to PLAN. Planning gives direction to the business and it keeps you on track.
    • James Martell says:
      Agreed. I have an article outline template. I use it to plan the article from beginning to end.
  5. Jamie Northrup says:
    So many people forget the basics and just jump on to the current trend, they think they can tweet a few affiliate links and be rich. I'm curious, since you mention outsourcing your writing, did you write this guest post or outsource it?
    • James Martell says:
      Hi Jamie, now there's a great question "....did you write this guest post or outsource it?" A bit of both. I do all the research, organize my thoughts, share the stories, write the headline and organize the logical flow of the article ...and then do quick write. I then hand it off to my editor (from Elance) to polish it and to make sure it reads well. Then, when I get it back, I go through it again to make any changes. I then hand it off to my Coordinator who posts it to the site. I so also answer and provide the comments myself. How about you? What is your process? James
      • Jamie Northrup says:
        Thanks for answering James, as of right now I do everything myself, but I'm looking to outsource some of the things I do, I like your process a lot and may try something out similar to it.
  6. Nishadha says:
    I really like your idea about having a separate place for work because that way your creativity is enhanced and you tend to get brighter ideas ;) . Also it helps to make better use of your ideas, because if you get a bright idea in the dinning room you are less likely to do something about it.
    • James Martell says:
      I agree. I also like to get out of the house some times to work in a different environment. For example as I write this I am sitting in a nice little neighborhood pub called Sawbucks - www.sawbuckspub.com. I do love the portability of working online.
  7. Jeremy says:
    It sounds like I need to be doing more research before writing posts. My blog is fairly new and I had been mostly just writing from personal experiences. I hadn't bothered looking up additional information to include such as stats or quotes. I could see how it would add a lot of value to my posts though. Thanks for these tips James. I'll keep them in mind as I continue my blogging journey.
    • James Martell says:
      Hey Jeremy, I am glad to hear you enjoyed the tips. You'll find do the extra research will help to separate yourself from your competitors in most cases.
  8. Morgan says:
    Sitting down and working at a designated work space is SO important. Even getting dressed in work-ish attire and generally getting ready for the day can have a huge impact on how productive we are. Thanks for the tips!
  9. Ryan Biddulph says:
    Hi James, Short and sweet works so well. Keep things brief. Say what you want to say, and exit stage left. No need to rush, and no need to drag it out either. I hear you on practice. I had no real desire to write when I became a blogger/gifting coach. Then I realized, if I wanted to develop some clout, I needed to learn my stuff inside out and share my knowledge with others via my blog and articles. In time, I became better...after like 1200 posts ;) But seriously, people who appear to be naturals in the blogging or copy game had to work like heck at it. You need to develop your skills over time, to learn what words and presentation styles push emotional buttons which cause readers to take your call to action. Thanks for sharing James! Ryan
    • James Martell says:
      Yes, I would think 1200 posts would do it. There's nothing better than working hard and learning by doing....something obviously understand well. Thanks for the comment!
  10. Jim Jenks says:
    There's no technique that is as effective as going back to the basics in my opinion. It's good to delve deep and get creative in your techniques (you need to do this to succeed), but the basics is what we all should use in our foundations. Thanks for the article.

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