subject: Use Of Article For Online Marketing [print this page] Marketing online has to take on several forms to ensure the most success. Social Network marketing, Email marketing and marketing through other blogs and websites are all popular. Another popular and often underutilized marketing option is article marketing. This can take on several forms and each has the potential to provide multiple benefits.
Online Article Directories
Sites that allow resource boxes.
Online article directories that allow you to place resource boxes at the end of your articles provide you with the benefit of not only writing about topics that relate to your site, but they also provide valuable back-links. These directories usually has a wide range of subjects so you are provided with more opportunities to write about any topic that is of interest to you. If you identify a target market and write about topics that relate specifically to that topic, you can generally submit articles with your own titles and provide links as you see appropriate. However, be sure to read the terms of service because most of these directories do not allow affiliate links. One of the popular directories of this nature is Ezine.
These directories generally offer the author a variety of opportunities to link within their articles back to their blog or website as well. Terms of service vary tremendously but these sites offer additional benefits that can be gained through social media marketing and bookmarking after an article is published.
Online writing sites such as Helium offer those who are seeking back-links and marketing opportunities additional opportunities to link to their work. However, there is a big difference in the way they function.
Helium allows you to write about a variety of subjects and share your knowledge. The best ranked articles are not written in first person language and your article will be ranked against other writers who may elect to write to the same title. On your article titles, you may suggest one of your own or you may use one that already exist in their wide range of article titles. You can place links to blog posts or websites provided that they offer information that expands on your article. You cannot identify yourself in the body of the article through the use of your name or your website. For you to be able to use Helium to the fullest, you should take part in the rating process which gives you the chance to earn additional income for your articles based on a "start" system.
Squidoo & HubPages are both directories of sort. While others may claim that these sites are not "article" based (and in theory this is true) each "part" of your account (known as "Squids" or "Hubs") are really articles. The major thing that differentiates them from a standard article directory is the ability to link an AdSense account, and to create your content as "modules" versus the standard paragraph format for most articles. These two sites both allow affiliate links and they also offer modules that lets you link to Amazon, EBay and other money making sites.
More bang for buck
You have the opportunity to get even more bang for your buck from using these writing sites in addition to helping establish your credibility in your field. Articles placed on these sites can be social bookmarked through Stumble, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter and more. Regards every submission as a potential backlink to your site and an extra opportunity for exposure.
Summary
If you neglect article marketing as part of your overall long term marketing plan, you could be missing out on a great chance to not only drive more traffic, but to get additional back-link opportunities. Well written articles that are relevant can assist you with your SEO work and help your page rank.
