Is this considered bad? 2,872 Article Views, but 85 URL Clicks?

[Tristan Lee]

When I submit articles to EZA, I don't really do keyword research or kind of manipulate the reader into clicking my resource box...? I just write for the heck of it, or just write whatever comes out of my head.

I have some URL clicks (85) but the ratio seems a little off. My first question, is this considered bad? Should I change the way I go about things, or just continue sticking with this plan?

[Geode]

If you just want to write for the heck of it carry on, if you want to get clicks for any reason such as selling affiliate products then you're going to have to do some work regarding keywords/resource box etc. If you're just writing for the sake of it you don't need clicks, write a novel.
Seriously, what are you aiming to achieve? You can get all the help you need here, tell us what you want.
Kev

[coolfineok]

Depends, if you are getting good sales out of 85 clicks, it is worth.

[CurtisN]

Tristan,

What is the plan you want to stick with? Do you want to make money/build a list with your articles or are you just submitting them for fun?

Right now, you've got a rough 3% click through rate. I don't know what the average is, but 10-20% CTRs are easily achievable.

Curtis

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lee

I don't really do keyword research or kind of manipulate the reader into clicking my resource box...?

I think that's your answer, right there.

Looking at it superficially, you might think that keyword research wouldn't affect the clickthrough-rate percentage, because people have to "be there already" in order to click it, but this isn't right: people who find your article via SERP's are "looking for something", and if you've done good keyword research appropriate to your article, that will help the clickthrough as well as the views.

[yves]

Originally Posted by alexa_s

Looking at it superficially, you might think that keyword research wouldn't affect the clickthrough-rate percentage, because people have to "be there already" in order to click it, but this isn't right: people who find your article via SERP's are "looking for something", and if you've done good keyword research appropriate to your article, that will help the clickthrough as well as the views.

I agree with Alexa, that is pretty much what I was going to say.

Also, I tend to look for a around a 35%+ clickthrough rate to make the article writing worth my time. Just keep track of what types of resource boxes do well and with trial and error, soon you will fine tune your shpeil for each article niche for a good clickthrough rate.

[googlerankingexpert]

Yeah, 3% is pretty low for an article. Is your article pitchy? (for example, sounds like you're trying to sell something)

[terryd]

Yeah that's really low, I think you need a stronger call of action in your Bio box.

[misterwrecker]

My suggestion is if you plan on doing article marketing, you should definitely change the way you are doing things. You MUST do keyword research. Your ctr is poor but that is only for one article. All article marketers are going to have some dud articles. I just recently starting to apply article marketing and my worst ctr is 5% and my best is 50%. You are getting a lot of clicks which is the first part of the battle but you are losing your readers either during the article or your resource box is poor. Make sure you do your keyword research, make sure your keywords are in the article 2-3 times for a short article, use lsi keywords, make the article interesting and provide good content, and have a strong call to action in the article. There are many threads right here in this forum that will get you on track.

[Tristan Lee]

Hey guys. I got some great answers and replies from all of you! I'm sorry if my original post came off as "indifferent" which wasn't my intention at all.

What I meant was I try my best write for people and to help people out with self-improvement. I try not don't obsess over the title or placing specific keyword phrases in every paragraph. I know this is how it's supposed to be done.

I've once heard the phrase, write for people, not for computers or search engines. But I guess a lot of you guys think otherwise. That's why I created this post.

I've submitted many articles, not just one. The 2,882 Article Views its an entire collection of article views from months of writing. Most of these articles, I write because the words just flow from my head onto the computer screen.

But the thing is, I want to write articles to put in my blog as well as article directories that really sound genuine to readers.

I hope I can get more clicks, but with I believe someone here said less than 3% click through rate, I don't know if I should start implementing a massive keyword research campaign. I also don't know how this would further affect the quality of my articles in the way that they might sound a little contrived, forced, or awkward.

I hope this response has answered some questions here, and thanks for everyone's responses, but I'm still kind of stuck with this conflicting issue. Can you help me?

[kelvin yeo]

Tristan:

As some of the others have pointed out, it really goes back to the goal you have for your blog. I see you have no monetization elements at all. Do you plan to put any in at all?

If indeed your one and only goal is to help people out, that's great. But to do so effectively online needs one major element -- the people who can benefit must be able to find your blog. Otherwise, you have a great blog (which I believe you do) but no one coming by to read it primarily becoz no one can find it.

For folks to find your blog, you'll have to either optimize it for good SEO so that people who google for tips on self-improvement can find your blog. OR, you're gonna have to do the keyword thingy with your articles so that people find your articles which then lead them to your blog.

Agree that you do have some decisions to make... Hope this helps a bit.

[GeorgR.]

yes this is bad.

See your article as a "giant" adwords ad, if you will. And no, you do NOT have to sound promotional or selfish, and the article shall and can be informative.

a) article should not be too long. In fact, from what i see 300ish - 350 ish words might be good.

b) Instead of using a lame line (like 90% of article marketers do) like
"If you want to read more about acne you can visit AcneGone.com" <--- what a lame ending line!

You can very well put a "call to action" into your article (again, without sounding too promotional!). For example, say you tested a acne product. You can VERY WELL write
We did some research and tests and we think that Acne Gone is the best cure for acne.
(notice the blatant use of "best" and the 100% direct recommendation)

3) Make sure the article is good and that you convince the reader you are an expert. Create CONFIDENCE and a buying mood

4) DELIVER A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM

Your articles addresses a problem AND a solution. In the article of course you will NOT spill all the beans, but you convince the reader about your authority and knowledge. The solution to the problem is then delivered by the reader ultimately clicking/purchasing on your link!

5) No KW research == ultimate fail..

PLEASE read my latest two blog entries http://www.1up-seo.com also if you want. I blogged a bit about article marketing.

[adamv]

If all you're trying to do is help people and you don't care about getting people to your website or selling products and services then just write about whatever you think will help people.

However, you are in an internet marketing forum here so if you actually want to get traffic to a blog or website and make some money you're going to have to improve on the 2.95% CTR.

Keyword research is a huge factor. Write about what people are searching for. If you want to get people to your site, don't give all of the information (or solution to their problems) away in the article. Make your resource box compelling so that the reader feels that they have to go to your site to get the answers they're looking for.

There's nothing wrong with just writing for fun or to help people or whatever but if you're asking the question about your CTR it sounds like you may be interested in improving that so you'll have to change your approach.

A CTR of under 3% is terrible. Your CTR will vary depending on your niche. I have some niches where I average 15% to 20% and another niche where I'm averaging just a hair under 50%. Depending on the niche I think a 25% CTR is a good number to strive for (the more the better) but if you're not even in double digits you're doing something wrong.

[kempos]

My clicks are about the same rate, and also looking for ways to increase it.

Hope to get it fixed soon as well.

Good Luck

[GeorgR.]

there are some "tricks", ok, not really tricks, its all research and math and science

Sometimes i dont want to tell too much, but really, really get Market Samurai (the keyword research module is free!!) and learn some basics of keyword research.

You could also try keyword elite, and another one (i think its not sold anymore) called "Niche Shark". With proper research you can weed out duds and low performers BEFORE you even start working on it.

If you check out the Market Samurai forum, one of their rule is:

Don't bother with LOW VOLUME traffic keywords. If no one clicks because no one searches - how would you ever make money? Thats why you look for LOW COMPETITION keywords with 200+ searches A DAY.

With proper keyword research you already have a substantial base before you start writing and you have a pretty HIGH CHANCE your article getting ranked and getting clicks!

ATM i am finding ultra interesting keywords even in markets like DIET or INSURANCE. 1000+DAILY searches and <20.000 competing sites == GOLDMINE!

http://www.1up-seo.com <--- and my hoster is down again...GRRRRRRRRR
(otherwise this is my blog

[Keith_Purkiss]

My CTR varies for each article between 5% and 50%, the overall average is 20%.
You can improve by looking at why some get a better rate than others.
Is the call to action effective? Is you article related to the search term they used to find it (if it came from a search rather than browsing)

[Okane]

The "look" of your article can be important as well. It's quite possible that people click your title and click the back button quickly when they see something they don't "feel" comfortable to read.

Some guidelines:

* State the problem/topic and the benefit the reader will find in your article quickly in the first paragraph.

* Do not write more than two or three sentences per paragraph.

* Use bold sub-headers to provide entry points for people who scan texts instead of reading them (90% of your visitors)

* Make your bio box part of the article. Don't use "Peter Krane is an expert in.. blabla". Instead, remind the reader of his problem/desire and make him wanting to click the link.

[Michael Franklin]

Also, always try and blend your bio box with your article. I always find that my high CTR articles tend to be the ones where you can't even tell where the bio box starts! It takes a little practice but one that yields good dividends!