Hey, I'm a visual artist, not a writer. If anyone told me I'd be writing for a living a few short years ago, I would have seriously questioned their sanity. Sure I could write term papers. Every good student can do that. But professional writing is something entirely different. Surprise! The more articles I write, the more "expression" happens. The more expressive your writing becomes, the easier it will flow out of you. That's why people here encourage you to write like you speak, become conversational in your manner. Or, write like you paint. Or, write like you cook. Or, write like you play a musical instrument. Or, just plain write like you write. Put YOU in it. It'll happen naturally without any conscious effort. It's organic. The process is similar to a conversation with good friends as opposed to one with business associates. When you are with friends, communication is easy and natural. In business, you are natural too, I hope, but you hold back a lot. I call it the "personality" of communication. It changes.

Article marketing is more like conversing with friends, in that you want to create a friendly relationship with your customers. But remember let loose, but hold on to your dignity and keep some mystique. It's basic selling. Don't put it all out at once. Leave them a little hungry. Good psychology. That way, you can keep it coming, and make your content fresh every time, with every article. Remember to leave room for surprises. Don't let them think they have you all figured out, because they don't.

We learn techniques for making sales copy. This is an art form too. I like subtle and I don't like it when technique shows. Others here will argue about that. Some of the copy I have seen is blatant SALES, but it works, so who am I to tell other marketers they're wrong. It's just not for me.

Google wants content! Period. We get the point, don't we? We are all willing and able to supply Googe with good information, while sharpening our writing and SEO skills. Doing research has all kinds of perks: we can learn new things about a variety of subjects, we can get new ideas for niches as we research, we become speed readers, we grow our capacity to hold information. Heck, the biggest advantage is that it is just plain fun.

Research is my favorite part of IM. I have to guard against being carried away in the endless sea of Internet learning. I used to go to my computer at 5:00 AM, and be there till 9:00 PM, just researching. Nothing else. Euphoric, yes. It took me time to conceive of the entire picture. First, you have to see how all the parts fit together as a whole. Yes, I need to see the whole.

Will you indulge me in a metaphor? Again. Were you ever given a puzzle as a kid? You spilled the pieces on the game table, and it looked hopeless. You looked at the photo on the box cover, and were sure it was hopeless. Then you started fitting the pieces together. You did it! All the pieces fit. You take it apart again, and do it all over again, only this time it is easier. Why? Because you have already traced it. Sound at all like "rinse and repeat"?

IM is great fun, but it has taken me away from my other work, which is frustrating to me. I'm the kind of person who jumps in with both feet.

Gotta get back to the painting and graphics. After all, that's the real me. (Working on a project that'll marry the two in an informative, entertaining way).

Have a wonderful day, friends.