Effective Article Writing for Thought Leaders

1. How to “Think Ink” Article Writing for Speakers and Other Experts

2. You’re More Than A Speaker… • You’re A Subject Matter EXPERT • Disseminate your expertise in multiple ways, including IN PRINT. • Your Writing can take many forms… Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

3. Work Backwards: One Example 1. Clients You Seek? 2. What do they read? 3. Write for them! Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

4. Research, Then Write • Seek Editorial Guidelines and Calendars of publications • Study Writing Style of their authors overall publication • What’s the VOICE of the magazine? • Be able to PITCH your Story or Article Idea in summary form • Write to their word count and beware, they often cut from the bottom. • For BLOGS, write shorter, pithier and with more of an edge Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

5. Authorship Comes in Many Forms • Articles • Case Studies • Q & A • Tips Lists • Stories • Interviews • FAQ Lists • White Papers • Op/Ed Pieces • Quizzes • Poems • Haiku • Columns • Letter(s) to the Editor • ____________________ • ____________________ Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

6. The Interview Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

7. The Tips List • Opening Paragraph • Tips (Bulleted List) • Closing Paragraph Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

8. Is Networking NOT Working For You…9 Mistakes & 26 Tips… Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

9. Articles Turn into Presentations! Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

10. The Story • A Tale of Two Elections • A Date with Destiny • Finding Confidence Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

11. The Story Click to read Online Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

12. The Quiz Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

13. Same Quiz, Different Publication Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

14. How To’s Click to download PDF Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

15. A “How To” Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

16. The Case Study • THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR OAKLANDwww.expressionsofexcellence.com/ARTICLES/Oakland.html Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

17. Haiku Click for PDF Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

18. From Snippet to StoryFrom A Kernel…to a Story Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

19. Voilà! Click to download PDF Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

20. You’ve Got Stories! Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

21. Thoughts On Titles • Use Working Title while developing piece; then brainstorm final title(s) • If it bleeds, it leads! • Make them Sick, Make them Well • Consider subtitle too. One to tantalize; Other to elucidate • Use mystery, fear, surprise, humor, puns, riff off known title, etc. to attract attention • Study TV News Teasers before commercial breaks • Pay attention to new movie releases: Titles & Tag Lines Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

22. Article Ideas • Solutions, Outcomes, Benefits • Solve Problems • Innovation • New Concepts, Processes, Movements • Draw From Other Industries • Observe and Take Note(s) Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

23. Writing Strategies • Mind Map your article at its conception • Create Master List of pieces you are working on (see next) • I am always writing several articles at once; When I get stuck on one I switch to the other. “Ease and Flow!” • Use SmartPhone’s audio recorder to capture thoughts. Snippets of conversation, interviews with others, and more. • I use Google Hangouts, Free Conference Call for conducting interviews and use transcription services from elance. Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

24. Track Your Articles Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

25. Outline Your Article: The Basics • Topic: • Working Title: • Who is it for? • What need does it fill? • What format will it take? • Proposed length? Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

26. Mind Map Your Speech Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

27. Outline Your Speech • Working Title:___________________________________________ • Introduction: ___________________________________________ • Body A: ___________________________________________ • Body B: ___________________________________________ • Body C: ___________________________________________ • Conclusion: ___________________________________________ Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

28. See Other Examples of Different Article Formats Here: • www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com/articles.html • Download the PDF file containing Craig’s Handout for THINK INK Craig Harrison’s www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com