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First of all, if you haven't been
marketing on the Internet recently, you might not even know what an
article directory is! A simple definition is that an article
directory is a site which specializes in hosting articles.
The articles are written by folks like you and me, and posted
there. Most commonly the writer will have a byline included,
usually at the bottom, and in this byline will be the contact
information of the writer. In most instances, a link to a
website will be included.
Now, just because you might be reading this AT an article directory
doesn't mean that this is the only place the article winds
up. The author may have posted it on a blog or turned it into
a webpage or sent it out to a mailing list as well.
However, let’s talk about the articles on the article
directories and the writer's purpose for posting the article or
articles. What are the possible benefits of posting these
articles?
Obviously, if the writer's goal is simply to gain recognition as a
writer or to satisfy a desire "to be published", an article directory
fills the bill. While most directories are adamant that the
material be the writer's own work, they are seldom very demanding
editors otherwise. Therefore, even a very amateur writer can
get a piece of work "published". Since many of these sites
ARE high traffic areas, visited by people seeking information and/or
articles they might be able to use, there IS an opportunity for a
writer to be "recognized".
However, one of the most common goals driving many writers to post
articles at article directories these days is simply the desire to make
money.
Remember that link at the bottom of the article or wherever the byline
may be? It is becoming more common for people to write
articles about subjects related to their business, or a business of
which they are an affiliate, and then place a link to that website of
that business in their byline, or, as it is sometimes called, "resource
box".
Here's how these articles help the writer make money.
1. People who read the articles may follow the link to the
writer's website and make a purchase.
2. By writing well, and often, on a subject, a writer may
gain stature as an "expert" on the subject. This can serve to
enhance his or her stature and allow the writer to suggest products or
services with an air of authority. People will be more likely
to react favorably to the advice of an expert than an anonymous website
which asks them to buy something.
3. Most article sites allow the article to be copied on other
websites or in emails as long as the writer's byline and link or links
are left intact. Thus, an article posted on one site has the
chance of being posted on several sites, not only increasing the amount
of human traffic which may see and follow the link, but also...
4. Having the writer's link on multiple sites can enhance the
ranking of the writer's website in some search engines.
Increased ranking means more visibility, which means more visits to the
website, which means more interested humans who may purchase the
writer's product or service, or join their business opportunity.
A writer can also enhance the effect of their article and link by
posting their article at multiple sites and by creating multiple
articles on the same or related subjects. A good site to
start with is EzineArticles.com.
As you can guess, submitting articles manually to each site CAN become
a bit tiring, and is quite time consuming. There are several
services, such as SubmitYourArticle.com, which, for a fee, will submit
a certain number of articles a month to several different article
directories. Since many article directories get the articles
which are published on THEIR sites by going to some of these sites, it
is possible for a good article, with its author's link attached, to
experience exponential distribution around the internet.
Here's a short list of places to post articles:
EzineArticles.com
Searchwarp.com
GoArticles.com
It's easier than you think to get started. You can be a
"published author" in a few minutes and have a multitude of backlinks
to your website in only a few days with the right article.
Heck, even the "wrong" article gets you at least one backlink you didn't
have before!!
Article Marketing
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