How to Write 16 Knockout Articles When You Only Have One Wimpy Idea

Serious content creators know that each article they publish is a piece of a larger content marketing arena.
But the thought of generating content ideas on a regular basis often knocks us out before the opening bell even rings.
It can be difficult to consistently write exceptional content that encourages visitors to stick around and learn about your unique selling proposition.
For example, let’s pretend you’re the marketing director for a store that makes and sells boxing equipment. You need to convey the passion, care, and expertise your company puts into creating its specialized gear, but the problem is that your message is only a couple paragraphs.
Your wimpy, single piece of content reads more like a press release or “About” page than a compelling story that spreads across multiple blog posts.
You’re stuck with limited material when you need to develop many different articles that help boxers and boxing enthusiasts find your merchandise. Instead of “throwing in the towel” and losing a marketing opportunity, view your situation from a creative perspective.
With that in mind, here are 16 ways a boxing equipment business could approach blog post writing. Note that each idea below can be applied to your niche to make your website a fresh and valuable resource in your industry.

Focus on products
1. Tell stories
Feature your individual products in separate blog posts, rather than merely listing that you sell gloves, bags, mouthguards, tape, etc. What are their special benefits? Which qualities make them the perfect purchase for

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How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part Two

International bestselling sci-fi and thriller novelist and screenwriter, Blake Crouch, took time out from his busy schedule to talk to me about his mind-bending new book Dark Matter and adapting his work for both film and TV.
The hybrid author has penned more than a dozen novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages, and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications.
In addition to having his Wayward Pines trilogy adapted into a #1 hit TV show by FOX, Blake wrote the screenplay for his latest novel, Dark Matter, for Sony Pictures. He also recently co-created Good Behavior, a TNT show based on his novellas, starring Michelle Dockery (set to premiere November 15, 2016).
His novel Dark Matter was described by the NY Times as an, “… alternate-universe science fiction …. countdown thriller in which the hero must accomplish an impossible task,” and bestselling sci-fi author Andy Weir called it, “An exciting, ingeniously plotted adventure about love, regret, and quantum superposition.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half, you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Blake Crouch and I discuss:

The author’s tips for conquering writer’s block
Why versioning and backing up drafts is crucial
How to lean into procrastination and find your most productive writing time
Why understanding that “everything’s been written,” can set your creativity free
Why you need to write the kind of book you want to read

Listen to this

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Why Your Website Must Have a “Who We Are Not A Good Fit For” Section

Every company/brand website loves to say why their product/service/brand/etc. are great. They (hopefully) love to talk about all the problems they solve and who they serve. All of this is good, but the problem is that it doesn’t completely align with basic human psychology. Why? Simple: Telling someone why you may not be a good…
The post Why Your Website Must Have a “Who We Are Not A Good Fit For” Section appeared first on The Sales Lion by Marcus Sheridan.

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3 Eye-Opening Techniques to Wake Up Your Readers with Your First Sentence

“I was only four years old when I saw my mother load up a washing machine for the very first time in her life …”
That is global health and data expert Hans Rosling’s opening line of a 2010 TED Talk, as he stands on stage with a bundle of laundry and a washing machine. Rosling does what the best presenters in the world excel at; in a matter of seconds, they get and keep your attention.
When you write content, your job is similar to someone standing on stage. Your readers are distracted and you have mere seconds to get their attention.
To grab and keep your audience’s attention, it’s best to use at least one attention-grabbing method that yanks your readers into your articles by creating intense curiosity.
Want to know three methods I recommend? Keep reading …
3 ways to hook your readers
In this article, I’ll present the following three attention-grabbing techniques, with examples of how they can be used in your content:

Method #1: Story of a demonstration
Method #2: Case study
Method #3: Opposing stance

Method #1: Story of a demonstration
Notice how this article started with a description of Hans Rosling standing on stage.
And what was he doing on stage? He was holding a bundle of laundry while standing next to a washing machine. He then proceeds to talk about the process of washing clothes. While he goes about the demonstration, your eyes are riveted to what he’s going to do next.
Rosling is lucky — he’s

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