Article marketing often includes submitting content to article directories. Potential publishers browse these directories looking for content to repost. But they have no interest in your business or your website, and no patience for thinly disguised sales content.
If you have used any automated services in the past to create links to your business then here is how to fix the problem you may now be experiencing in Google,
To succeed in the article directories, keep your business out of your content.
Writing for Publishers
Publishers want content with relevance to their own website or blog’s topic.
The content should educate readers about a specific topic. It may be entirely informational, or teach a specific skill.
It’s important that article content relates in some way to your business, even though you’ll keep your name out of it.
You’re establishing yourself as an authority in your field, and slowly spreading that perception across the Internet. For instance, an SEO company might write about improving Google SEO, a mechanic might offer car maintenance tips, and so forth.
Rocking the Resource Box
If the article doesn’t promote your business, how do you convert readers into potential customers? The answer lies in the resource box, a text box containing information about the article author.
The resource box is vitally important, so its content requires careful crafting. The box must contain your name, a description of your business and products, and a link to your website. It should also contain an actionable reason for readers to click your website link.
The resource box is your chance to net extra traffic, but even here hard-sell tactics are discouraged. Remember, your readers aren’t looking to make purchases; they’re in search of information. Make a sales pitch and you’ll scare them off.
Instead, attract them by offering more information. Marketers often include teasers in their resource boxes: pieces of valuable information with the promise of additional information on the website. It’s at this point that you can start steering them towards some form of action.
Get Site Visitors To Take Action
Once at the website, visitors should immediately see a call to action: sign up for a newsletter, take advantage of a limited time discount, or browse the site for more information. Ideally, the consumer should get a premium, such as a free e-book, access to a restricted part of the site, or a discount code.
As you can see, article marketing takes a much subtler approach than other marketing strategies. By establishing yourself as an expert through your articles, you’re building trust with potential customers before they even reach your site. Done correctly, article marketing can increase your site visitors, sales and Google ranking.
This have changed considerably in the last few months when using guest posts or any form of article marketing, read what I wrote about here.
I only use directories that allow links. Otherwise, I find them inefficient, just like you presented in this article.
That’s a good way to approach them, Laura! Thanks for your feedback, I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Hey Michelle! Just a quick hello from me to let you know I’ve been reading around the blogosphere and stumbled on your site – I believe from a comment you made on affiliatedestination.com. Anyways, I like this place!