Well someone asked about article marketing and so I'm going to answer it in a blog post. Essentially, I do no article marketing. It just doesn't fit into my business plan currently. Note I said currently ;-)
For me I already have a good market share in the industry, people know who I am, they talk about my blog. I don't really need article marketing to function. In fact, I'm doing great without it.
That being said, I see the value in it - especially when you don't have a following already. It's a way to get your name across other sites. But I wouldn't just submit it to a bunch of directories, I'd do it in a more targeted way.
I'd find blogs, sites, and newsletters that could use the article, and I'd contact the person in charge directly. With the specific goal to reach the people in their list or traffic they already receive. I would not do it for search engines.
The problem I see with all the hype about article marketing for search engine results, is that I'd rather have my blog rank for what I write rather than these other sites. Because then I can get you directly subscribed to my blog and in my list with the subscribe form on the page, rather than hoping you click the link in the bio box.
So for me I'd write something up for Jon Olson to publish in Hit Exchange News. That would get me exposure on his list. I might even buy some advertising to go along with it, to make a complete branding package. More work than sticking it into a directory, but more targeted reward!
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I see your point, but if you submit your articles to directories that are reputable in Googles eyes and put the link to your blog in your resource box, that’s a high rep backlink. This raises your blogs rank in Google. It all depends on your goals.
Yup just depends on what you’re doing. Personally I find article marketing to be an absolute chore.
If you’re in a tiny niche it might make sense, but if you’re looking to reach internet marketers, there’s a lot easier and faster ways to get traffic than article marketing.
Solomon Huey
Thank you. Tim. There are only so many hours in a day. And I see your point, Brian. I’ll drop the social bookmarking awhile and see what happens. Time for work.
Tim, I agree. My market uses traffic exchanges so I would rather buy credits., But still I run several blogs because it helps
Your post says it all-you are well known in YOUR market. Brian Mann is correct-article marketing could help your Blog and introduce new people to the use of traffic exchanges, but your primary market is traffic exchange users. Article marketing can bring significant TARGETED traffic, and with the outsourcing available online today no reason NOT to!
Hi Tim.
It’s insane for anyone who is looking for a free or an inexpensive way to brand themselves other than traffic exchanges not to use article marketing.
I don’t care how you use it or approach it is definitely worth the work. An article a day can’t hurt anyone.
I think of it in terms of valuable content that belongs to you where you can ultimately use to create multiple streams of income – think Product Creation.
Jimmy Adames
Hi Tim,
I can see why you might not do article marketing as you said you are already well known in your area (traffic exchanges).
I personally write 3 – 5 articles per day. They are a great source of free traffic, helping your website rank, and what I love most is articles never die (unless the site shuts down).
Regards,
Chris
Hi Tim, your idea to send your Article directly to Blogs, Websites or Newsletters is a great idea, often used by Bloggers as a source of traffic.
Article Marketing is a great resource, as I personally learnt.
I written also a great guide about it and today I’m using Article Marketing as my first Advertising source.
The difficult thing is to be constant, sending Articles every day to a maximum of 5 to 10 websites.
It’s not necessary to send the article to hundreds of different Article Directories, but to change them for the most known ones, like EzineArticles, GoArticles, and so on.
Thanks and Goodbye by Alessandro Zamboni.
Hey Tim,
When I first encountered you I was a bit “put off” by what I mistakenly perceived as arrogance.
Now you’re on my daily must-read list. Great content and insights.
I’m a lazy article marketer, so I think I may follow in your footsteps and build a following through my blogs. Yes, article marketing is great for backlinks, but writing short useful blog posts is easier. Plus I control the content and can pull off any content that doesn’t serve me.
Thanks again for all you do – you’re my hero now! (Completely won my heart with the hilarious “speak their language” video!)
Cheers!
Lynne
I think you should use everything possible when it comes to marketing your business on the internet. The sad part is we only have so many hours a day so you have to pick and choose your strategies for building your business. What you should try to do is start outsourcing your other work that you can’t fit into your daily routine.
I do articles only when by following the news breaking stories. First I commet on someone elses article. Then I do one of my own if I feel like it. This works for me. 24/7 is all we get.
Yes Tim, you are well known and your blog is well read, and i agree you do not really need to submit articles to directories.
People like myself find that submitting articles is a very useful source of free traffic and value the backlinks they provide.
I will take on board the useful advice ie:writing articles for specific people or websites, and give it a try.
I may even be knocking on your door in the near future.
Nice blog by the way.
See you in chat,
pjaybee
Just to add a point…
If ANYONE wants to contribute to Hit Exchange News with an article or two, I would gladly publish it.
Anytime, let me know =)
Hello there Tim, TrudyVan here, I love article marketing.
My free organic traffic comes from my article marketing sites and well as my blogs
Thank you for the most successful traffic exchange. StartXchange.
Good people. cool chats
kindest regards
TrudyVan
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