This may come as a surprise... to you, but writing articles that get published is an art anyone can learn.

For many Internet Marketers getting publicity and the traffic it brings is second only in importance to making sales.

Writing articles, press releases, and advertising copy is a sure fire way to get publicity, but for many people, writing is a chore best avoided if possible.

Learning how to write is as simple as putting this seven step repeatable method into action.

Step #1 - Define Your Topic and Set Goals.

Good writers start by clearly defining what they want to write about.

Start by focussing your mind on the topic and broad message you want to communicate.

The topic can be one you are an expert on, something you have an interest in, or even something about which you intend to do some research.

The important thing is, be clear on the topic you intend to write about.

Next, with topic and subject firmly in mind, define your goals.

Decide on the writing format you want to put together.

For instance, writing these types of articles results in different output even though you may be writing about the same content.

* A report * A "How To" style article * A Press release * Ad copy (display v classified) * An e-Book

Setting goals focuses your mind on how best to present your written material. It forces you to set standards by which you can measure the quality of your work.

Step #2 - Research and Order Your Material

Depending on your knowledge about your topic, research can be a completely new study of the subject matter or it can be an organisation of your knowledge, thoughts and opinions into a logical sequence or order.

Depending on content and subject matter, the Internet is probably all you need for most research purposes.

For more complex content you have to use other sources such as

* Libraries, * Interviews with experts * Public and private archives.

Make notes during your research, and catalogue the content into structured order as you find it.

Step #3 - Write Mode

The objective in this step is to put all your material onto the page without stopping to edit, format or in any other way manipulate the writing.

This is a pure "Brain Dump", a non critical outpouring of your material onto the page.

For short articles the "Brain Dump" can happen in one sitting. For longer articles, break down the material into manageable chapters or sections which you can then process using the write, edit and polish method.

This is perhaps the most difficult step to perform because we constantly try to improve things as we write. However, going back and forth as you write interrupts your creative flow and makes the whole process more difficult.

Such improvements come in the next two steps. For now concentrate on getting the content out.

Step #4 - Edit Mode

In this stage you can now format the article, spell check, order, and replace or modify the content. Organise your paragraphs and get the layout and presentation correct.

This is where you proofread and check your grammar, turning the raw material from step 3 into a product resembling the finished article.

Editing probably takes more time than any other stage in writing.

Be prepared to spend time going over the material to get it just right.

Step #5 - Polish Mode

At this point, your article is free of spelling mistakes, it is formatted correctly, the content is ordered and it flows in a logical sequence.

However, it needs polishing to improve its "readability".

The way to do this is to take it and read it out loud.

The objective is to discover the "flow" or "tone and rhythm"

Flow is like an elephant - difficult to describe, but easy to recognise. Just as you listen to music or a poem and identify rhythm, you should "listen" for the rhythm of your written work as you read it out loud.

Using one word instead of another or changing the order of words can make a huge difference in the "tone and rhythm" of an entire sentence or paragraph. In turn, this affects the readability of the entire article.

This is what makes the difference between words people read and words people feel they HAVE to read.

Your aim is to write content using "flow" from words, tone, and rhythm that make people feel they have to read everything you write.

Think of it as compelling writing.

Step #6 - Submit For Publication

Once your article is ready you must submit it to as many publishers as will put it on "paper" for their readers.

This is the heart of the article publicity generating machine.

You can submit articles manually or automate the process to an extent using software such a ezine announcer.

The process is the same in either case.

* Find the publishers by using directories on the Internet * Send them the written piece with a short cover asking them to publish * Ensure your resource box with appropriate contact details is prominent at the bottom of the published piece.

Remember you cannot over submit your writing - get it published as often and as widely as you can.

Step #7 - Start Again

Even though a written and published article will give you f'ree publicity, you must publish frequently and to an equally high standard in order to build a reputation as an author or expert in your field.

Start selecting a new topic and doing the research for your next article even as your current one is hitting the publishers' pages. ------------------------------------------------------------ Use these 7 steps and writing will become something you enjoy rather than a chore. ------------------------------------------------------------