Commas are important, because they separate the parts of a sentence into clear segments. It takes a conscious effort to translate the rhythm of a sentence into writing using punctuation. The comma often marks a brief pause in the flow of a sentence, and helpfully distinguishes one phrase from another.

The comma helps the reader, and without it the reader would often have to go back and reread a sentence to find out exactly what the writer meant.

The comma often helps set off interrupting matter within sentences. Many writers don’t realize that they are setting off a phrase, so they begin with the first comma but omit the second, which should conclude the parenthetical matter. Check for this sort of thing in your proofreading.

A standard use for commas is in separating the items in a series: knives, forks, and spoons. Authorities differ as to whether that final comma before the and is required, so you can use your judgment.

Use the following rules for clear and correct comma use:

• Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these words: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
  i.e. The class was over, but the teacher would not finish talking.

• Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause. Introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include: after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.
  i.e. While I was jogging, the rain would not stop.

• Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not crucial to the meaning of the sentence.
  i.e. My favorite desert is ice-cream. My brother, however, prefers chocolate cake.

• Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.
  i.e. Angie, Dan, and Tina went to school.

• Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.
  i.e. Los Angeles, California is a dynamic city.

• Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

• Don’t use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.

• Don’t put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.

More writing tips: href="http://www.whitesmoke.com">WhiteSmoke English Grammar Software

The grammatical tense is a method used to express the time at which an event took place. In English, this is a property of the verb form, and it is important to understand the meaning and use of tenses. There are three basic tenses: present, past, and future. Each tense has a perfect form indicating a completed action, a progressive form indicating an ongoing action, and a perfect progressive form indicating an ongoing action that will be completed at some definite time.

Here is a list of these tenses with examples:

Present Simple - Present Simple expresses an unchanging, repeated, or reoccurring action or situation that exists only now. It can also represent a widespread truth (”I go”).

Present Progressive - Present Progressive describes an ongoing action that is happening at the same time the statement is written. This tense is formed by using the verb ‘be’ as am/is/are with the verb form ending in -ing (”I am going”).

Present Perfect - Present Perfect describes an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past, or an action that began in the past and continues in the present. This tense is formed by using ‘has/have’ with the past participle of the verb (”I had gone”).

Present Perfect Progressive - Present Perfect Progressive describes an action that began in the past, continues in the present, and may continue into the future. This tense is formed by using ‘has/have been’ and the present participle of the verb (verb form ending with -ing) (”I had been going”).

Past Simple - Past Simple expresses an action or situation that was started and finished in the past. Most past simple verbs end in -ed. The others have irregular past tense forms and must be learned (”I went”).

Past Progressive - Past progressive describes a past action which was happening when another action occurred. This tense is formed by using the verb ‘be’ as was/were with the verb form ending in -ing (”I was going”).

Past Perfect - Past Perfect describes an action that took place in the past before another past action. This tense is formed by using ‘had’ with the past participle of the verb (”I had gone”).

Past Perfect Progressive - Past Perfect Progressive describes a past, ongoing action that was completed before some other past action. This tense is formed by using ‘had been’ and the present participle of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing). (”I had been going”).

Future Simple - Future Simple expresses an action or situation that will occur in the future. This tense is formed by using ‘will’ with the simple form of the verb (”I will go”).

Future Progressive - Future Progressive describes an ongoing or continuous action that will take place in the future. This tense is formed by using ‘will be’ with the verb ending in -ing (”I will be going”).

Future Perfect - Future Perfect describes an action that will occur in the future before some other action. This tense is formed by using ‘will have’ with the past participle of the verb. (”I will have gone”).

Future Perfect Progressive - Future Perfect Progressive describes a future, ongoing action that will occur before some specified future time. This tense is formed by using ‘will have been’ and the present participle of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing,) (”I will have been going”).

More writing tips: WhiteSmoke English Grammar Software

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Demonstrating the Magical Gift*****

One often missed stage of the Hero’s Journey is the demonstration of the Magical Gift. In the Bond franchise, Q also demonstrates the gadgets. In Star Wars (1977), Ben fires up Luke’s light sabre. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie dares Clyde to use the gun.

*****Transmogrification and the Antagonism*****

It is around the time of the Seizing of the Sword and the progression of the Transmogrification that the Antagonism increases in intensity. In Straw Dogs (1971), Norman appears with the gun and rapes Amy too.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Rest Break*****

It is common for a rest break to occur (past the stage of the Road of Trials). In The Godfather (1972), Michael gets to walk around Sicily.

This is a time to bond with Allies. In Alien (1979), right before the Alien explodes from Kane’s stomach, time is spent getting to know the characters. In Romancing the Stone (1984), Joan gets to know Jack in the downed aircraft.

The Hero and allies reference their Old Selves and Back Story. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zach talks about his days in the PI. In Romancing the Stone (1984), Jack didn’t know the Doobey Brothers had split up; he was into short cuts.

*****Refusal of the Call*****

A staple of the Hero’s Journey and Transformation. The Hero refuses psychologically for a number of reasons, is interdicted by the interdictor (punishments for following the Call) and blocked by Doves using a number of techniques. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie plays hard to get, she’s is going to work. She walks, Clyde follows.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.monomyth.info/

188 stages of the Hero’s Journey can also be reached from http://www.heros-journey.info/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Night Sea Journey*****

It is post the Seizing of the Sword that the Hero is led on a Night Sea Journey. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis and Jack go to the mountains for a couple of days.

*****Final Conflict: Hand to Hand Battle*****

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. One element of this stage of the journey is the direct conflict with the antagonist. They do not battle from afar. In Straw Dogs (1971), David takes Tom’s son out with a crowbar. Then he takes on and kills Ratboy.

*****Final Conflict*****

Often in the Final Conflict, it is the Hero that travels to a place of great danger (from his perspective). But the danger can come to him (or her). In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom et al drive to David’s house and once inside, become antagonistic (the pointing and pushing).

*****Inner Resolve*****

With the coming of the Inner Resolve, the Hero says goodbye to his Old Self and the Old World. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis drives away and this will be the last time they see each other.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.monomyth.info/

188 stages of the Hero’s Journey can also be reached from http://www.heros-journey.info/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

Do you fight with the English language when you write articles for your website or articles for free reprint distribution because English isn’t your mother tongue? Learn to turn your bilingual capacity into a stronghold for easy production of high quality articles to enhance your article submission.

The English language is at present the dominating language of the Internet internationally. Many of us who have another language than English as our mother tongue struggle to write our texts for articles and web pages in proper English.

In the following I will take the production of high quality articles for free reprint and distribution as an example of how to turn this disadvantage into an advantage for prolific writing and article submission.

The advantage of producing an article in two languages

The first point to make is to emphasize the advantage of being able to produce the same article in two languages. This might seem obvious but in reality most bilingual authors aren’t making full use of this advantage.

The reason might be due to an underestimation of the value of websites or articles in your mother tongue language - may be with reference to a much smaller population than the population of English speaking people in the world. But! - take into account that the competition among English websites is the toughest in the world.

A webpage in English with your article might do very poor in the search engines and get only very few visitors, while the same text in your mother tongue at a national website might rank in the top of the search engines and receive many visitors despite the much smaller population speaking that language.

Find the most efficient way for writing your articles

Is it easier for you to start writing the article in your mother tongue and than make a free translation into English or the other way around?

You might find that writing an article about something that you know extremely well is best written in English and then made with an easy translation and elaboration into your own language – instead of the other way round. You will have free hands to make each language version of the article unique. In fact you are free to turn your one English article into three versions of your mother tongue.

Bear in mind that the keywords and key sentences you use should be selected with care targeting keywords and sentences people are searching for in the search engines. You cannot be sure that a simple translation from the one language to the other will provide you with the most fruitful keywords.

When you search for background material for your articles you will have access to some sources that aren’t available in English. Make use of this advantage without violating any copyright laws.

Upload your English articles to http://www.ezinearticles.com and find more article directories at http://www.jubiii.com/free-articles-directories.htm

Take these tips into account and you will for sure improve your productivity as an article writer resulting in many more article submissions.

Soren Breiting is a Dane with his articles well distributed on the web in English as well as in Danish. You will find some of his English language articles at http://www.free-articles.net and some of his Danish articles at http://www.GratisArtikler.com

There is no longer room for the starving writer. Why? Writers do not have to live from hand to mouth anymore because now writers are in high demand in the Internet Marketing Industry. Some brilliant marketers discovered the value of writers. They discovered that people really do look for information on the internet.

Daily, the internet is bombarded with millions of people worldwide search for answers to certain questions, information on a variety of topics and mainly searching for information that will help them make their lives better. It is the very reason why the internet is known as the Information Superhighway.

As such, the people who best fulfill this need are writers. As a writer, if you can answer some questions or know how to improve people’s lives, why not earn a living doing it? However, what writers must accept is that this does not undermine the integrity of the work.

So, the question now is: “How do you fulfill this need of information as quickly as possible. After all, the internet is about getting information and getting it fast. The answer is online e-books. Online e-books are electronic books that people can read online. Online e-books can be read in many different formats. However, the best format is Adobe pdf format because readers can download Adobe Reader absolutely free.

This makes it all so much easier. Your online e-book should the following this very effective formula:
1. A letter from the author telling your readers why you have written the e-book.

2. An introduction to the subject matter

3. An answer to the top 20 questions most people ask about the subject matter.

4. A new piece of information most people don’t know about (this can be very important to your marketing strategy).

5. Instructions on how to effectively apply the information you’ve provided.

6. A conclusion

7. Information about additional products, services, or business opportunities related to the subject matter (this would be a great area to up-sale any affiliate programs or products you may have).

Now the question you might be asking is: What will people pay money for your information? E-books are strange in this way. Some people pay more for an e-book than they do for a book from a bookstore. The reason is a simple one. People pay more for e-books for the immediacy of the product. If you decide to market your e-book on a site like Clickbank.com or Paydotcom.com, then a competitive price range would be $27.00 to $97.00 depending on how in demand your information may be. Furthermore, you will be paying your affiliates anywhere from 25% to 75% of your e-book’s price. This can become a lucrative option. However, if you are marketing your e-book from your personal website, then you should price your e-book from $15.00 to $39.00.

Again, as a writer, there are options available to you to help steer your writing career in the right direction while you earn a lucrative income online.

Carmellita M. Brown is a Success and Wellness Coach. She is the instructor for the online class Abundance Training 101 located at http://universalclass.com/i/crn/14056.htm and she is the publisher of an Article Directory at http://www.headlinearticles.com Ms. Brown has developed the popular blog entitled “In the Company of Writer” specifically for self-published writers or writers who wish to self publish. Her philosophy as a success coach is to help her audience live in wellness, wealth and wisdom. Ms. Brown believes this can be accomplished by considering the whole self which includes health, relationships, finances, spirit, intellect, and purpose.

The following are tips to help you master preparation for executive presentations. “Executive Presentations” are those presentations intended for introducing new ideas or reviewing performance for management within an organization. These suggestions are intended for optimizing powerful and focused communications.

Be Brief, the Ten Minute Rule

Regardless of the amount of time that you may have scheduled for your meeting, make sure that you can convey your complete message in ten minutes or less. Strip away conjecture, comments or perceptions to convey the core message as quickly, accurately and concisely as possible. If you have additional interesting materials, place it in an appendix for leisure reading. (Do you know many executives who have time for leisure reading? If your audience is not going to read the material on their own spare time, then don’t put it in the heart of your presentation.) Would you rather present to a Board of Directors, or board directors?

Bullet Points, Numbers, Dollars, Graphs, Charts and Pictures

Can you convey your message in five bullet points or less? Can you substantiate your message with numbers, dollars or a graphical representation? Then do it. A picture is worth a thousand words, but dollars can common sense will get the most attention. Graphical and financial representation of data and trends changes what you “think” into what you “know”. Do not waste time discussing opinion, but rather provide substance to generate meaningful conversation about interpretation of the facts.

Who

Be prepared to name the resources required and the individuals, organizations, departments or customers who will contribute or be impacted. Be prepared to respond to the worst case scenario impact by person or area, and the countermeasures.

What

Try to state what you are presenting in seven words or less

When

Be prepared with a timeline, plan, milestones and metrics of measurement. If you are proposing an idea that has fiscal impact, demonstrate the key milestones as points in the process that can be measured and compared for progress. Don’t wait to measure at the end of the project, know how you will measure from the beginning and through the entire process. Identify the critical path elements that could delay a project or strategic direction, as well as points in the process at which a project could be completely stopped, if necessary.

Where

Is your presentation related to specific geographical or demographical area? If so, it may be appropriate to indicate the limit or scope of the topic. It may not be necessary to include this in the presentation, but you should be aware. It is equally important to recognize if your presentation or proposal specifically excludes a particular geography or demographic. For example, does your idea benefit end-user customers at the expense of corporate customers? Is your global strategy equally relevant in Latin America as it is in Europe?

How

This can be included with the ‘When” of your planning process. If you are presenting a plan, proposal or change in strategic direction, then show your plan. How you plan to implement or improve should be integrated with timelines, milestones and measurements. It is much easier to review a plan than to discuss a concept.

Why

Unfortunately, far too many presentations are completely focused on the intent of the message. It is reasonable to assume that the purpose of a presentation is some benefit. The benefit may be associated with reduced cost, risk avoidance, strategic initiatives, revenue generation, compliance or planning. Whatever the benefit may be, it is important to balance the benefit message with substantive facts and responses to the above mentioned details as applicable. The benefit statement in your presentation should also be concise, easy to understand and very focused. State the purpose of your message in one sentence.

Alternatives

Every presentation or ideas has alternatives. The alternative to change is to remain status quo. Although remaining status quo could be a substantial competitive disadvantage for most organizations, sometimes it is better than the risk associated with proposed changes. Enhance the power of your presentation by offering a few bullet points that demonstrate investigation of the alternatives and the potential comparative impact.

Method

Use an appropriate manner of communication to accommodate your audience. This may be a Power Point presentation, a single sheet of paper with bullet points and graphs, or a documented study with an executive summary at the beginning. The most important element of your presentation is the content. Convey your message quickly. Be prepared to substantiate your message with facts, a plan, impact and alternatives. If a conversation erupts about your message, embrace it and use the communication as an opportunity to engage the audience. A conversation is infinitely more interesting than a presentation. Deliver your material in a manner that fosters thoughtful interactive dialogue with active participation for best results.

______________________________________________________

Words of Wisdom

“And, of course, you have the commercials where savvy businesspeople Get Ahead by using their MacIntosh computers to create the ultimate American business product: a really sharp-looking report.”
- Dave Barry

“I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.”
- E. B. White

“I have always found that in preparing for any presentation that the plan never applies, but the preparation does.”
- John Mehrmann, Executive Blueprints Inc

______________________________________________________

John Mehrmann

John Mehrmann is a freelance author, industry expert and President of Executive Blueprints Inc, an organization dedicated to developing human capital and personal growth.

Not too many years ago the only way to get your book published was to send a manuscript to a large publishing house and hope they liked it enough to publish and distribute it. Even then, there was no guarantee of success because the publishing houses did little or nothing to promote a book unless it was written by a well known author or likely to garner some impressive sales. Whether it might have been in the best interest of the publishing house to promote a book did not seem to matter, advertising dollars were only pumped into those works most likely to return multifold returns for the publishing house.

Another drawback to having a large publishing house publish your book that is still true today is the distribution of revenues from sales of YOUR work. If you are “lucky” enough to have a major publisher “accept” your work and publish it, you are on your way to receiving pennies on the dollar for each copy they sell. Did you ever wonder why you are given such a small percentage of the sales revenues - maybe as little as 2 percent? Well, it boils down to corporate profits and shareholder dividends. Almost all of the large publishing houses are publicly held stocks, and like any other stock, shareholders expect double-digit growth on their investments. That, combined with huge CEO and executive salaries, corporate inefficiencies, and a need to show profits, means that they can only pay you - the author, the one that did all the real work - a few cents for each copy of YOUR book that they sell.

There is an alternative, Print on Demand, POD. Several POD printing firms have sprung up in the last decade, making it easier for an author to get their work published. With the Internet online bookselling marketplaces growing as they have, it is even possible to market your own book alongside those published by the biggest publishing houses out there. Other than a marketplace commission of about 15% on the sale of your book and the price of printing, you do not have to give anyone a penny to publish your book. On top of that, you do not give up any of your rights to your own work.

It no longer makes much sense to beg a big publishing house to publish your book. Of the hundreds of thousands of books they publish each year, few make the authors rich anyway. Why not take the entire matter on yourself. You will need to do most of the marketing yourself anyway, and setting up a website to promote your book, writing some articles to draw attention to it, and mailing it to customers that buy it will secure the profits for you instead of some corporation.

Michael E. Mould is the author of “Online Bookselling: A Practical Guide with Detailed Explanations and Insightful Tips,” [Paperback ISBN 1427600708, CD-ROM ISBN 1599714876] and the developer of “Bookkeeping for Booksellers” [CD ISBN 1427600694], you can learn more about online bookselling at: http://www.online-bookselling.com, or by emailing mike@online-bookselling.com.

It is the one thing that prevents them from

clicking on Delete and makes them read your Copy!

You may get 10,000 visitors to your Website, and perhaps 2% of them interact and complete one of your forms, allowing you to add them to your mailing list. However, the 98% who leave your Website, usually within the first few seconds of arrival, will never knowingly return. That means 9,800 potential customers are gone for ever-and you may be losing that number every month, week, or even every day!

Your headline is the feature that mostly influences your visitor to read on or leave immediately, because when they read those large, bold words at the top of your page, they decide whether your Website has something they want.

A great headline must interest the visitor to your Website, because in that first glance they will decide whether to read further or click on Delete and close your page. You are already a crackerjack copywriter and you know that to interest your reader with your headlines you must include a benefit or two.

That works, and can encourage your visitors to read some of your copy. Take a look at the following headline that was used by a UK garden decking company about 3-years ago:

You Don’t Have To Be Cramped-Up Inside Your Home

Enrich The Quality Of Your Life!

It is not a good headline, but it promised some benefits, and almost 2% of visitors joined their mailing list. However, there is something missing from that headline; an ingredient that can make a massive difference to their conversion rate, and of course their profits.

The problem is that the headline predicts what you are going to read further down the page. You know that you are going to read all about great garden decks and this is fine if you are looking for garden decking. But this predictability of your copy can prohibit many readers from continuing down the page. They know what to expect and decide it is not what they want.

The feature that is missing from the above headline is curiosity.

Your headline has to intrigue the visitor in such a way that they just have to continue reading your copy, and you can do this easily by making them curious. Once I added the missing ingredient of curiosity to the headline at Topdeck, their conversions went up through the roof to a massive 10% and more!

How To Use The Secrets Of Good
Deck Design And Deck Building To
Improve Your Home And Garden

The rest of the copy on the page was virtually untouched, just cleaned up here and there to complement the promise in the headline. Once you make a promise you must deliver it quickly and in abundance, or your visitors give up and move on to the next Website. You can read the page on their Website and judge for yourself: HTTP://www.Topdeck.UK.com

You are a good copywriter, so you do not need more examples of curiosity in headlines. However, think about a conversation in the bar with your good friend; if your friend says, “I’ve started to build a garden deck, today…” You are likely to turn back to your beer with a big sigh. However, if your friend says, “I learned the secret of building a good deck, today…” you are likely to ask what it was-in other words, you want to know more.

To increase your Website ratings, your readership, your conversions, and your profits you must first make your readers curious!

© Copyright 2007. Brian Hunt. All Rights Reserved.

Brian Hunt
http://www.PowerBusinessPublishing.com/

The author of this article is Brian Hunt, who has been writing, publishing, and marketing books and articles on business and leisure related subjects for the past seven years. He is a highly successful person with a broad depth of sales and marketing experience in various fields gained over many years in business. In addition to his publishing business, Brian works as a consultant for selected clients wishing to expand their marketing presence online.

There is a time and a place for just about anything. That includes articles you don’t write yourself.

With high quality Private Label Rights (PLR) articles, affordable ghostwriters, and even software that can write articles for you, why bother writing your own articles and web content? The articles you buy have the exact words and content you need and, after all, you do own the rights.

But there is one very important thing these articles can’t do. They can’t BE you. PLR articles, though they may be well written, aren’t going to tell your reader anything about who you are. Even a ghostwriter, unless you have a very good ghostwriter and you’ve given him or her good notes to work from, can’t sound like you. Computer generated articles are occasionally written in proper English, but they can’t show your personality.

One of the most important things your articles can do for you is help your audience get to know you. As your reader, I want to see your personality, hear your opinions, understand what you think. Even if I disagree sometimes, I really do want to know who you are.

Someone once told me that writing is the closest thing there is to true telepathy. You, the writer, have an idea you want to share. You put your thoughts into writing. When others read your article, they’ll read the exact words you were thinking. Even if it’s not telepathy, your writing still has amazing potential to build a connection between you and your reader.

Some of the most successful writers, on the web and off, write just the way they talk. Readers love to hear the author’s unique voice come through their written words. It makes the article interesting and it helps the reader make a connection with the writer.

And that leads me to why it’s so important to show who you are through your articles. On the Internet, where trust is always a concern, your writing helps us get to know you and learn that we can trust you.

There may be a place for PLR and ghostwritten articles in your business, but don’t rely on them alone. Take some time to share yourself with your audience through your own articles too. The rewards are long lasting and well worth your while.

Denise Willms is co-owner of WAHM-Articles.com and author of the eBook, Uncovering the Secrets of WAHM Article Marketing.

Visit http://www.wahm-articles.com to get your free copy and to submit your own WAHM articles.