subject: Article Marketing Strategies - Are You Using Them? [print this page] Article marketing is a powerful method to generate traffic to your sites, build an online presence, and make sales. Of course, knowing that is only half the battle. But developing and implementing a profitable campaign is a different matter. All successful article marketing campaigns require: work, effort, and a bit of savvy. There's much more to it than writing three or four hundred words and publishing it somewhere. Next are some proven and powerful tips so you can begin building your business as smartly as possible.
The first thing you should do is upload and use your longer articles on your own websites. The articles you want to submit to other sites should be kept somewhat short. Most readers will start to turn away after 300 words. All the rest will probably not want to read much more than 500 words all at once. Article directory readers are searching for fast answers, so they want fast information. You'll also want to limit the word count so you can build a more extensive article package. So by doing this you'll be creating 5 article series instead of something a lot shorter. A more extensive package will allow you to build more backlinks, and you'll be drawing in more readers.
Always write with your readers in mind, not search engine optimization and keywords. Many of the article directories have strict rules on the percentage of your article that can be keyword-centric. If you try to "keyword stuff" your articles it won't work because they won't be fully read. You'll find a range of about 1-3% target keywords to be the norm for acceptability in article directories. It's also dangerous to stuff your keywords because most article directories will just ban you on the spot.
Create a well written resource box. Just about every directory or similar site will let you use an author's resource box. The resource box is where you can have links to your money sites or squeeze page.
The resource box info really needs to written in a manner that makes people want to click-through and go to your site. You really cannot just tell people to click here' and buy. Always be sure you adhere to the websites policies and terms of service. Marketers have more than one approach they use when they do article marketing. But as you progress, you'll find there are undiscovered ways to do it better, improve your marketing, or become more efficient. Article marketing can help you build your traffic, establish yourself as an authority in your niche and even sell your products.
