Article Marketing: Your Questions Answered

Article Marketing is one of the most effective link building strategies in existence. You see, article directories allow you to include a resource box at the end of each article you submit. Used wisely, a resource box can drive Quality Traffic to your website. That’s a free backlink for every article you submit. Ten Articles equals ten backlink! There are thousands of article directories online – thousands of backlink! Of course, your articles have to be quality pieces to be accepted.

Many article directories have a high Google page rank – PR4 or PR5, and some are even PR7 or PR8. Backlink from a high PR website are looked on very favorably by the search engines, giving your site a significant boost in the rankings.

So why isn’t everybody achieving great success with article marketing?

As with any other traffic generating strategy, article marketing takes WORK! This is one area of Internet Marketing where Private Label Rights (PLR) products don’t get you an easy ride. Duplicate content is cursed by article directories, and many ghostwriters who sell PLR packages stipulate their articles may not be submitted to directories ‘without Significant’ rewriting.

To be successful with your article marketing campaigns, you need to be Original and consistent in your writing.

So if I submit the same article to many article directories, won’t it be classed as duplicate content by the search engines?

No. Since we’re dealing with high-ranking websites, search engines will assume that the submitted content is their original work. So directories can be quietly confident about the articles they display. However, directories don’t want to be seen as a dumping ground for junk, so PLR articles and articles highly peppered with affiliate links, just won’t make the mustard.

So that means I can display my submitted articles on my own web pages, right?

Wrong! Since the search engines will assume that the higher ranking websites are the originators of your content, you may be penalized for duplicate content, which could mean being ‘sand boxed’ or de-indexed and your pages will no longer show up in search results. Not good, not good at all.

Should I submit many articles to many article directories?

Absolutely. This is exactly how a traffic building strategy works. But remember, write great content, don’t include tons of affiliate links and be as consistent as you can – success doesn’t happen overnight.

Build your backlink slowly and steadily. Search Engines, particularly Google, are wary of websites whose backlinks suddenly explode. Make it look natural. Submit an article, and then wait a couple of weeks before submitting a new article.

But does Article Marketing really work?

Yes it really works!

If you’re not experiencing steady traffic growth, ask yourself…

• Is the subject of my article interesting?
• Does it cater to my target audience?
• Is my title enticing enough to draw my readers in?
• Does my article offer value to my readers?
• Is my article comprehensive?
• Is it easy to read and digest?

These are the most common factors, which may contribute to low traffic statistics. Try re-editing your article, spell-checking and improving grammatically or adding new content.

Another factor to take into consideration is the popularity of the article directories you’re submitting your articles to – some have thousands of readers, while others much fewer.

Ok, my article’s good to go. How can I be sure that my work will be kept intact by other publishers?

You can’t be sure, but you can run a check from time to time searching for unique phrases in your article. Determine if the Webmaster is honoring their publishing rights. If not, contact the Webmaster directly and politely ask for your resource box to be included – if this doesn’t work, you can file a complaint with the article directory and they can act on the matter.

I hope this post has answered some of your questions about article marketing. Please feel free to add a comment below and continue the discussion.

Regards,
Steph.

P.s. If you’re looking for free software to compare articles for duplicate content, or a directory submission tool, look no further! Kontent Klone Killer and Directory Submit Pro are downloads of the month for Feb and May respectively. Install The Smart Marketer’s ToolBar and download your article marketing tools today!

Do You Twitter?

Social Media Rocks.

Whether you love or hate the likes of MySpace, FaceBook, Bebo, Digg, Del.icio.us, Stumbleupon, Flickr, etc, they're here to stay. So if you can't 'beat 'em' do you 'join 'em'?

One of the most debated of hot apps is Twitter.

So What Is Twitter?

Twitter is a MicroBlogging platform, described by some as "stupid" or "time-sucking" and certainly the latter can be true - in fact Twitter can be quite addictive!

But the simple beauty of Twitter is your ability to communicate, in Real Time on a global scale with people from all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor. How or where else can you do that?

What people 'tweet' about varies enourmously, from mundane daily taks and occurances to a new blog post or website announcement, offers of private beta invites, quick polls, joint venure opportunities, births and birthday wishes, good news and bad news...

Many bloggers make announcements FIRST on Twitter, even before mailing thier subscriber lists, often giving Twitters a golden advanage when early adoption is paramount.

Let's have a look at few examples of the diversity of Twitter...

In 2007 @nateritter tirelessly tweated updates about the Sandiego Fires. For several days Nate gave out phone numbers of emergency shelters and aid, warned of impending evacuations, kept the world informed on the progress of fires, linked to pictures and help pages and even let people know when it was safe to go home.

@andybeal over at Marketing Pilgrim put together an excellent list of interesting and informative marketers worth following.

@SethGodin follows no-one, but more than 4,000 Twitters follow his wise words.


@drmani raises awareness of his work with The Congenital Heart Defects Foundation.

@CaseStevens keeps the community informed of useful links and additions to his valuable blog 'Affordable Internet Marketing'.


@WarrenWhitlock and @CoachDeb are currently creating 'The Twitter Handbook' - collaborating with Twitter users, via Twitter, for 'Twinterviews' and other ideas for the book.


@JeremyPalmer has a dedicated Twitter account set up for his @blackinkproject students.


Other brands feed Twitter automatically from thier blog's rss feeds, like @bbcnews


So how do YOU use Twitter? Not started twittering? Why not give it a whirl and let me know what you think and leave your comments below?

@Riquochet

...And don't forget to get your copy of The Smart Marketer's ToolBar - May's Brand New Software will be uploaded in a couple of weeks.

The Smart Marketer's ToolBar - Launching Tomorrow

I've been 'missing in action' for the past few weeks, but I've not been sitting around twiddling my thumbs!

I've been working hard on a new tool for you - actually it's a whole host of tools. Think of it as a free membership site, continually growing, with all the tools and resources available to you right from your browser, without the hassle of navigating to the site or having to login...

Introducing... (drum roll please:)

The Smart Marketer's ToolBar is already loaded up with all manner of useful tools and resources - and just about everything is free.

Some of the tools available...























Items marked with a '' are gadgets or widgets that open in thier own space...

...and can be left open, moved around your desktop, minimized or closed with one click.

Every Month your ToolBar is loaded with a Brand New Free Software Title - February and March's software is installed right now!

Top Blogs from around the net are aggregated and categorized in your ToolBar. That's some seriously good information at your fingertips.

Search The Web, Riquochet, Dictionary, Stocks, Weather, Encyclopedia, images and more. Click the highlighter to pick out your search words in results.

Click the down arrow, next to Riquochet's logo, to reveal a comprehensive menu. From there you can reach support, our knowledge base, Tell a Friend and Refresh your ToolBar to keep you up to date with new additions.

'ToolBar Options' is the place to go to customize your ToolBar. Add an email notifier, radio or shortcuts to applications.

Ready to add The Smart Marketer's ToolBar to your Marketing Arsenal? Wondering what it's going to cost?

It's Free!

Launching Wednesday 19th March as part of The Easter JV Giveaway 2008. Register (you can pre-register now and be one of the first through the doors) for The Easter JV Giveaway and Stake your Claim!

See you soon,
Steph.

P.s. Like the screenshots? You'll find the software we used in your ToolBar.

Even The Guru's are buzzin'

Remember me? The cynical one?

I've just been blown away!

I recently uncovered a storm that is brewing fervently, quite by chance, and I'm not the only one who's been caught by surprise.

Have you taken measures to ensure that you're the first and not the last? Because, my recommendation is that you better act fast.

This storm is going to be the latest marketing trend that is already starting to rise in the Internet world and it's about to cause an explosion in the online marketing scene - it's called 'S-Buzz Marketing'.

So, what's this storm all about?

Imagine being able to brand the latest and most useful softwares in the market with your very own affiliate links and distributing and marketing it using viral marketing strategies!

I've been exploring the Internet Marketing scene for quite some time - searching for the latest products, affiliate programs and marketing strategies and I must say that this is something really new, impactful and innovative for any online business.

From the looks of it, I know it's set to take viral marketing to a whole new level and this is really something you want to take a look at before everyone else does!

The power of S-Buzz marketing has just been unleashed, you should check out the IM Buzz Software Membership, set to become one of the most powerful membership sites on the planet!

Given the current membership status, it's evident that people are starting to hop unto this bandwagon really quickly. I kid you not - when I saw what was on offer I was so excited at the boundless opportunites, I simply couldn't resist!

Alright, Calm down Steph, what's the deal?

Every month members recieve...

• a brand new, top-notch Viral Buzz Software - complete with 100% Re-branding Rights
• the latest IM related eBooks
• an extensive library of S-Buzz Marketing Training Videos
• attractive commissions
• access to exclusive JV opportunities
• closed door 'beta testing' for future products
• special discounts on future products

Just mentioning all these is good enough to get my adrenaline pumping!

It is bound to drive tons of traffic, exposure and profits for any online business! And I know that it's a great opportunity that you should not miss!

So do hurry! Join me and others who have already caught hold of this new marketing revelation now before you're the last one to chance in on this new viral phenomenon!

Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Hope to see you join me as a fellow S-Buzz marketer soon!

Steph

*Note: Membership is limited to 1000 members, to retain exclusivity. You can get in now for less than the price of a pizza - or wait until the price tag rises!


Check out this Free S-Buzz Marketing report which reveals everything to you... You'll probably want to grab a copy NOW, to understand the immense impact that S-Buzz Marketing is going to have in the online marketing industry.

"An Obvious Truth"

With the New Year upon us, people have been discussing what will be "hot" in 2008.

One of the most common topics has been VIDEO.

That's no surprise really but I think the difference is HOW video will be used.

That's why so many are talking about the significance of the video I'm about to show you.

It gives tremendous insight regarding the emergence of entertainment and marketing working together in the same video.

Armand Morin has put together something very similar to a "movie trailer" which is generating a lot of excitement - especially when people are finding out that it leads to a TON of free video lessons.

So here's what you should do:

1) Watch the video and learn
Notice how it creates an element of "curiosity" and draws you in - very powerful for maximizing conversion.

Ask yourself this - how could I use a similar approach in 2008?

2) Claim your free video content
After you watch the video you'll be redirected to an optin page where you can claim an entire month's worth of free video content.

Armand has already posted 10 videos and he's adding more throughout the month of January.

BTW - don't forget to comment on the blog as Armand is frequently responding to thoughts about each video (you'll see his response outlined in blue).

Now Click on the image below and download Armand's Free Report

"An Obvious Truth"

I have to tell you though, Armand pulls no punches - he tells it like it is, as controversial as it may be. Go ahead and discover what the "CRAP" system is about!

When you've devoured all 51 pages, come back and leave a comment...

That's all for now.

Steph.