Bylined Articles
Writing Bylined Articles
Are you an expert on what you do for a living? If so, bylined articles are a great way to generate free publicity for your company. We'll tell you everything you need to know about bylined articles and how to go about getting your name in print.
You might not be a writer . . . but that doesn't mean you don't have something important to say.
In fact, whether you're a writer or not, a bylined article can be the perfect vehicle for stirring up interest in your company and its products.
Everything you read, from magazine articles to online weblogs, has to be written by someone.
But you might be surprised to learn how many of the articles you read weren't written by professional writers. They were written by people who could lend perspective or expertise to the publication - people just like you.
What are bylined articles?
A bylined article is an article written by a business professional or expert on a topic related to their area of interest. Industry journals and trade publications like bylined articles because it gives their publication an aura of real world expertise. Business owners, on the other hand, like bylined articles because they are represent free advertising for their businesses. However, it's important to understand that bylined articles aren't blatant promotional pieces. Many publications actually have policies that prohibit you from mentioning your company or your products in the body of the article.
What are the benefits of bylined articles?
Free publicity isn't the only benefit business owners receive from bylined articles. The most important advantage you gain from a bylined article is credibility. The right bylined article can set you up as a thought leader in your industry. While everyone else is paying for their advertising, you're getting it for free through articles that enhance your reputation among consumers. Additionally, a bylined article can draw attention to issues that are important to you and your company, and that's something that's much harder to accomplish through other marketing vehicles.
What is the process for publishing bylined articles?
The first step in publishing a bylined article is to identify target publications. You probably already read the trade journals and other publications that are most likely to publish your article. Next, contact the publication about their submission policies and provide a one-page synopsis of your article, if required. When it's time to write the article, you can either do it yourself or hire a professional copywriter. If you're on the fence - hire a copywriter. The money you spend on copywriting will be substantially less than the amount you would spend on a similar piece of paid advertising.
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Are you new to contributing bylined articles or are you a seasoned pro? In any case, we welcome your comments, questions, and advice regarding bylined articles.