The decision to start your own publication is a significant one, requiring not only writing skills but also a deep understanding of the topics you plan to cover. Collaborating with skilled writers and being knowledgeable in your chosen field is crucial. One of the most common pitfalls for new publishers is focusing on a subject they are not well-versed in. While contributions from other authors can enrich your publication, original content is key to success.
Creating high-quality content on a regular basis is a challenging task. However, individuals like Rozey Gean from Marketing Seek and Larry Dotson from LD Publishing have mastered this art. The most difficult part is often coming up with fresh ideas for articles. Once an idea is in place, the writing process tends to flow more smoothly.
Ideas for articles can come from a variety of sources. Reader questions often provide excellent starting points, with a simple query potentially blossoming into a full-fledged article. Emails, even unsolicited ones, can contain keywords that spark creativity.
The internet is a treasure trove of inspiration. Discussion forums, where people engage in conversations about various topics, can provide ideas. Controversial discussions can be particularly fruitful. Articles by other authors can stimulate your thinking, but it's important to avoid plagiarism or even the appearance of it.
While it's clear that you can't claim someone else's work as your own, it's also unacceptable to take someone else's idea and simply rephrase it. This is a gray area in content creation, and you may face criticism even if you've never seen the original work. For instance, I once faced accusations of rewriting someone else's article, even though the two pieces bore little resemblance to each other. They shared a common title, which was a widely used business term. This incident serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned actions can have unintended consequences.
Outdated articles can be a great source of ideas. For example, many articles have been written about how to optimize your website for search engines. Given the rapid changes in this field, new articles on this topic could be written several times a year. The dynamic nature of the internet means that what was true a few months ago may no longer be relevant.
The ideas are out there, and keeping a log of them ensures a steady supply of topics for your articles. When an idea strikes, jot down a potential title for the article. As the article develops, the original title may no longer fit, but don't discard it. It could spark another idea in the future.
Searching the web for quotes can yield a wealth of information. Resources like "Power Quotes" by Kevin Eikenberry at Power Quotes and Dr. Kevin Nunley at Dr. Nunley are idea factories. These and similar resources should be on your reading list.
When researching for your current article, always keep a notepad and pen handy. If an idea comes to mind, write it down immediately. Don't trust your memory to recall it later. Interestingly, this article was initially intended to be about advertising, but it evolved into something quite different. That's the beauty of the creative process.
A Live Human Being
A Live Human Being by Bob ... try to call a company for ... or ... and have to fight your way through a ... unending maze of ... from an ... robot. "For t
The Winning Combination
The Winning ... by Bob Osgoodby We could all take a lesson from ... As they are growing up, and learning right from wrong, they are ... testing to see what they can do, and what i
Visions Of Sugarplums
Visions Of ... by Bob ... a day goes by that I don't hear about someone ... about their decision to leave ... America and work at home. Maybe they were laid off, opted for e
