It was 11 years ago when I published my first Article on the Internet. It was a niche topic for a website catering to hard-core programmers.
It was the turning point of my professional career. It was the moment that others started taking me seriously. Whenever anyone looked my name up on the search engines, all of a sudden hundreds of results would come back from different outlets that had syndicated the article.
I landed a couple of jobs just because of that one article. I mean, I worked hard to become a good programmer, but around the turn of the century, there were many good programmers out of work… (And they had prestigious degrees, my only degree is from the school of hard knocks) that article was the competitive difference I needed to push me ahead of the others…
To this day, 11 years later, that article still comes up in the search results when you Google my name. It’s amazing for me to think that something I did so long ago would have continued to have such an impact on my life…. So many years later.
Then, in 2003, I paid $800 dollars to syndicate a Press Release when I started a company called RideOnTime. At the time, I remember thinking… “This is a hell of a lot of money just to tell a few folks on the Internet that I’m starting a new company with a few friends…” But the effects of that Press Release still benefit me today. I’ve had the craziest things happen since that Press Release went out…
Prior to syndicating the Release, I was “a decent programmer”. That Press Release was published on news, transportation and technology press sites all over the Internet. All of a sudden, I was “a businessman” – a Chief Technology Officer – a respected and senior ranking person, in the press for what I accomplished.
Weird things started to happen to me. One day a man called me out of the blue and remarked that I “was all over the Internet”, and asked if he could invest in any of my companies … I didn’t know what to say… so I said “no”. (I often wonder what would have happened had I said “yes” instead). Then, my daughter’s mother took me back to court for more child support because, now that I was a “Chief Technology Offer”, I must be making more money! Lol. I was still the same, broke dude that I was before!
That press release is also still in the search results for my name. If you Google ‘travis giggy rideontime’ you can see lots of stuff hanging around. That was 5 years ago…
I could relate more stories about publishing on the Internet, because I’ve found it to be one of the more important activities that I can do. But I think you get the point!
The bottom line is, that, my career has benefited by the small amount of writing that I have done. The simple fact that you are here, reading this letter, is proof enough of the power of writing. The benefits are many…
The Benefits of Being a Writer
Authority
The number one benefit of being a published writer is that, simply… once you publish a work of your own writing; now you are an author. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word author?
For many people, the first thing is a single word thought – authority. A published author gains respect and authority for their subject matter. And what advantages does authority give you? How about this for a start:
- Your reputation will precede you. The first impression a person has determines the lifetime of how you interact. When you walk into the room as a known authority, you have the upper hand, the power, the attention of your audience. You make a first impression within 3 seconds of your first meeting - if you walk in the door as a “known authority”, and then there is a much better chance that first impression will be a good one.
- Increased competitiveness. If a potential client must opt between someone who is a published author, a well-known authority in the field, and somebody without those credentials… who do you think they are going to choose? It’s a no-brainer!
- Increased credibility. Authority = credibility. Few people will differ on your viewpoint if you are an authority on the subject. Another person must respect your viewpoints, even if they don't agree.
- Higher fees. If you provide a service (like a consultant, coach, graphic artist, doctor, therapist, financial advisor, accountant, or other service professional), a history of published materials gives you license to charge higher rates. It all comes because of credibility. Many people want to work with “the best of the best”, and are more than willing (it even makes them feel better) to pay top dollar for the peace-of-mind that an expert brings. If you are a published professional, your rates should be higher than everyone else.
That’s just a start. I’ll go over the benefits of being a published author in more detail in a future post, but I think you are starting to get my point!
Business Collateral
A large part of being in business for yourself is the interface with clients. Every business has clients. Every business must communicate with those clients in one form or another. If you’re like most businesses, you have to have a LOT of material to put in front of your clients. Here is a brief list of things you might need to write down before you can get your business started:
- Web site
- Ads
- Flyers / brochures
- Proposals and Quotes
- Presentations
- Position papers
- Customer support emails
- Autoresponder emails
- Newsletter
- Client follow-up
- Repeat business
- Referral requests
- Internal communication, manuals, project planning, etc...
Once again, this is a brief list of items. By no means is it comprehensive.
The bottom line is – to be in business, you must be a writer. And if you are smart, you’ll become a published writer – an author. And Internet publishing means you get the SEO benefits…
Search Engines Optimization (SEO)
Publishing yourself on the Internet is a great idea. Just imagine the impression it makes when somebody Google's your name or business and sees thousands of websites have published your Articles and Press Releases…
Plus, every time you publish an article or press release on the Internet, it should include links back to your web site. Each link that points to your web site, in Google’s eyes, counts as a “vote” for your site. The more “votes” you have, compared to your online competitors, the more likely you are to appear at the top of the search results.
Being at the top of the search results means free traffic, more customers, and more money. It can get complicated, but the basics are easy– it’s not Rocket Science… and I will teach you more soon… (If you follow a few simple best practices, you’ll be ahead of 95% of the sites on the Net.)
I’ll go over the specifics of Search Engine Optimization in much more detail soon.
(Off topic: Next week, I will interview one of the foremost experts on the Internet when it comes to SEO. That recording will be available shortly thereafter…)
In Summary…
Becoming a writer is not for everyone. Some people find it tedious and boring. Some people never took the time to learn grammar (not really needed to become a writer, but it helps with confidence and readability). But, and I stress this BUT – if you’re an entrepreneur, and you want to be successful in business… you must be able to communicate in writing. And if you publish yourself, it’s like a catapult to the top ranks of respect, authority, credibility, and puts you on the fast track to success.
Writing opens doors that would never have presented themselves otherwise. I can attest to this fact personally. My next several posts are going to be on this topic, because it is very very important, and I want to drive it home.
I’ll be giving you some hints and tips on becoming a better writer – and then I’ll show you the most powerful method in the world to get published all over the Internet, just like I have had the luck and luxury of being.
I am interested in hearing your thoughts about the subject. Also, if I could show you a way to get published on thousands of websites, all over the Internet, month after month, and reap the rewards of all that comes with it… would you be interested in learning? If you have thoughts on this topic, just leave a comment below.
Looking forward to next time,
Travis