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Life Design Ezine>
BECOME VISIBLE THROUGH E-PUBLISHING TIP SHEETS
February 1, 2009
How To Write A Tip Sheet
Writing a tip sheet can be a good way to draw attention to your business, but only if the topic relates in some way to what you do. Submitting a brief article or tip sheet to your online newspaper or favorite E-magazine is a simple as can be--especially if you keep it simple.
By crafting a message that meshes well with your own business offerings, which must be supported by facts to make your case, you establish your presence in the community, and can gain publicity for your business.
That said, it’s important to pick a a relevant topic that speaks to people in search of your particular knowledge, expertise, or experience.
A Tip Sheet is not an essay, something that slowly unrolls like a carpet, building momentum to some point or conclusion. It's a very brief message with back-up points that you make in ways that are helpful for the reader and simple to follow.
When writing a Tip Sheet, you essentially state your conclusion first. You make your strongest point up front, then spend the rest of time with very easy-to-follow tips. Done right, it's fresh, entertaining, imaginative and inspiring.
You can help your business connect with people who need what you offer, gain high-quality publicity, and reach your "just right" niche (potential customers) who regularly read the online vehicle (magazine, blog or journal).
Here's a checklist to keep your Tip Sheet on track:
Focus tightly on one issue or idea--in your first paragraph. Be brief.
Express your opinion, then support it with basic factual, researched or first-hand information.
Be timely, controversial, but not alienating to your reader. Be unique, be innovative.
Be personal, share a story in a conversational way; it can help you make your point. No one likes a pontificator.
Use humor if it feels natural to do so, provided that your topic lends itself to humor.
Have a clear point (or points). Be clear. Take a stand. Don't equivocate.
Provide insight, understanding: educate your reader without being too teacherly or preachy.
Near the end, clearly re-state your position and issue a call to action. Resist being too abstract or metaphorical.
As I've said several times: "Keep it Simple." Say it in a sentence, not a paragraph. Don't ramble. Use clear, powerful, direct language.
Emphasize active verbs, forget the adjectives and adverbs, which only weaken writing.
Avoid clichés and jargon.
Appeal to the average reader (a smart 8th grader--think "Chicken Soup for the Soul"). Accesibility is paramount.
Write 500 double-spaced words or less (fewer is always better).
Include a brief bio, along with your phone number, web and email address. If you don't have these vehicles of making contact, include your "snail mail" address.
Be sure to see your publication's website first to be sure what its policy is. It will be published if your tip sheet is relevant to the journal/magazine's subject matter. The production editor or publishing editor is your "go to" person around the publishing requirements.
Remember, there are at least 77,000 journals and magazines in print and probably 10 times that many online. Keep "fishing" in different "ponds" and you will be published!
If you need my help, proofing and editing, I'd be delighted to see you through.
http://GettingIntoPrint.com
Jennifer Manlowe, PhD
Life Design Unlimited
206.617-8832
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