A Click-Happy Article Resource Box!

18 replies
Warriors,

Here's a tip I don't think I have shared here before.

I have found over time that the best performing resource boxes contain five very different, but very important elements.

I have studied these little boogers (resource boxes) for quite a long time now and I can see which ones are getting click-throughs and which ones are sitting there gathering dust.

While these five elements will increase your CTR tremendously, they can also hurt you if not done properly. So remember to test, test, test. If you implement this strategy, use a few different versions and go back later to see which ones are doing the best and tweak - rinse and repeat.

If you can marry these five elements together in a nicely-flowing resource box, without sounding pitchy, your CTRs will consistently hover around the highest possible levels for your niche, writing style and product/service.

These five elements are:
  • Keep the focus on the reader - by keeping the focus on the reader and his problem, you will be able to maintain their complete attention throughout the entire resource section.

    This will also allow you to keep any momentum, trust and excitement generated in your article body.
  • "Call out" the reader - by calling them out on an embarrassing or painful topic, you will inadvertantly pull on their greed strings and give them a subconcious motivation to alleviate that embarrassment or pain...and click through to do it!
  • Offer something for free - by offerring a free product, trial or information, you are furthering the trust, respect and loyalty factor that has been built up by your quality, compelling and expertly written article.
  • Use peer psychology - Very simple. Go straight for the jugular. If thousands have already rid themselves of the problem with your product, and they are flaunting their results, why shouldn't I?

    Be careful here and don't spout out any lies!!!!
  • Call to action - Somewhere in your resource section, make sure to let the reader know that they need to click through to your website.
    You would be surprised how much of a difference this will make! Seems that without it, a lot of people will think your article is over and they will simply hit the back button if you don't tell them they can find more by clicking the link.
It is extremely important to be subtle, but firm with these elements. Like I said above, when the resource information sounds pitchy, the CTR's drop. You have to remember that you these people are trusting you (if your article did the job) and that a sales pitch will turn them off faster than a bright light in a brothel.

Before you try this - and I definitely suggest you do - you need to step back and place yourself into the mind of your prospect. What would you like to read in order to really think the author is actually an expert and really wants to help you?

And if you have found something not listed above that helps in your niche - use it too!

Good luck and KEEP WRITING!

Respectfully,
Allen Graves
#article #box #clickhappy #marketing #resource
  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    Thanks Allen - some good advice for a very important part of any article. I think I'll write these down so I will have them next to me when I'm writing my next article.

    Take care
    Sheryl
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Franklin
    I had to go through all of my old articles (when I first started article marketing) and change the resource boxes to make them more engaging to the reader....It's amazing how many of us don't put the kind of thought and effort into the resource box that we actually put into our article content.

    Those of you who have any articles out there, be sure to take the time and go through and make sure that your resource box engages the reader....Follow Allen's advice and you won't go wrong!
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    Allen,

    This seems like very good advice. I will also implement this into my future articles too.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Tal
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  • Profile picture of the author SRLee
    Thanks for sharing, implementing it flawlessly would require practice and testing, but the results would prove astonishing.

    However, I do have one question. What did you meant for "Call Out to the reader"?
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    • Profile picture of the author Allen Graves
      Originally Posted by SRLee View Post

      Thanks for sharing, implementing it flawlessly would require practice and testing, but the results would prove astonishing.

      However, I do have one question. What did you meant for "Call Out to the reader"?
      Basically, if you are selling a weight loss product, you would want to say something like - Are you tired of being embarrased at the swmming pool? - or - Are you tired of your husband staring at all of your cellulite?

      Or if you are selling a stop smoking product, you could say something like - Are you scared that you won't be there for your daughter's wedding - or - That little cough could mean a big tumor.

      Don't be so mean, though Be subtle but firm at the same time.

      Those are basic, of the top of my head examples, but they get the point across of what "calling them out" means.

      Allen
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  • Profile picture of the author diggy20
    That sounds like some great advice Allen. What kind of CTRs are you getting with your resource boxes?

    Dave
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    • Profile picture of the author Allen Graves
      diggy,

      For me, it really depends on two things:
      1. Where the article is published/syndicated
      2. What niche/product/service the article topic covers
      As far as where it is submitted, I find that I get the highest percentage when the article is on Website-Articles.net. This is obviously because there are no adverts on the page and other than internal links, mine are the only ones that are on the page.

      And since there are three resource sections, one at the top and two at the bottom, the CTR is higher as well.

      I also realize a higher percentage because links are allowed in the body of the article, so when stripper programs get rid of the resource box, my links still get syndicated in many cases.

      Here's an example of what I mean:

      Members of the Warrior Forum - Are They Really Who They Say They Are?

      and a diamond article:

      Tinnitus Therapy: Effective Ways to Find Relief from Tinnitus Symptoms

      Other than at Website-Articles.net, I find good CTRs at niche-related article directories (obviously) and niche-related websites and blogs. My ezine articles -I mean articles that are published in exines...not the article directory - get a very good CTR as well.

      By very good, I mean 75% and above. At other article directories, and I only submit to a few others, they average around 50% consistently.

      As far as niches go, there are just some niches that you wll not get a high CTR on no matter what you do. I personally do not have any VRE within those niches. And if I run into one, I forget it and move on.

      Remember that a lot of it has to do with the article, the title, the summary, the writing style, the niche, the product, etc....

      Article marketing is not a simple technique anymore. I liken it to a puzzle. You can have all the pieces, but if you don't put it together properly, it just doesn't work.

      The resource box is a pretty big piece of that puzzle, so don't overlook it's importance.

      At the same time, there is no "most important part" of article marketing or article writing. Like I said above, all the pieces have to be put together correctly and in the right places in order to have a successful result.

      Respectfully,
      Allen Graves
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Allen, what you've summed up in your 5 points, I've summed up in 3 steps.

        1. Remind them of their pain.
        2. Give them the URL to your site
        3. Tell them what solution they'll find there.

        For the first part, phrases such as...

        Tired of
        Sick of
        Fed up with
        Annoyed by

        work very well.

        For the third part, generic phrases such as...

        Get my free report
        Discover how to
        Find out how to
        Get rid of <problem> forever

        And so on.

        It's pretty cookie cutter stuff once you get the hang of it.

        The biggest key, and this is where you have to think like a copywriter, is
        doing your research properly to find out what the prospect's pain is and
        what solution they're looking for.

        Like you said, don't lie, but if you have the solution, make damn sure you
        tell them that you've got it.

        Works pretty well when done correctly.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zack Lim
    Hi Allen,

    Thank you for sharing these tips.

    Will try to marry the 5 points into one resource box.

    Zack
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Diamond
      Thanks, Allen. You've made me realize that my resource boxes probably tend to be a bit too subtle. Off to make some revisions!

      Steve
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      Reduce stress | Stay focused | Keep positive and balanced
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  • Profile picture of the author David Raybould
    Allen-

    That's great advice, lots of people
    struggle with getting a decent CTR.

    If anyone's interested, I've got a
    free report that covers this stuff in
    a little more detail.

    It's in the war room, and it's totally
    free for war room members, no opt
    in or anything required.

    Hope it helps some people out...

    -David Raybould
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  • Profile picture of the author Poppy61
    [*]Use peer psychology - Very simple. Go straight for the jugular. If thousands have already rid themselves of the problem with your product, and they are flaunting their results, why shouldn't I?

    Be careful here and don't spout out any lies!!!!
    [/QUOTE]

    This is the best and most important tip ,according to me.
    While many use this tactic in their resource box and among them most people make false claims.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shannon Tani
    These are great tips!!!

    I have a hard time calling to action but using the keywords as the anchor text. Anyone care to share an example?

    Love,
    Shannon
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    • Profile picture of the author Allen Graves
      Originally Posted by Shannon Tani View Post

      These are great tips!!!

      I have a hard time calling to action but using the keywords as the anchor text. Anyone care to share an example?

      Love,
      Shannon
      Hi Shannon,

      I sent you a PM.

      Hope you and the baby are doing well!

      Allen
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      Every day I check the obituaries. If I don't see my name there, then I know it's going to be a good day!
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  • This is great advice! I went through and changed some of my resource boxes this morning. Let's see if it delivers any results.
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    • Profile picture of the author Allen Graves
      Originally Posted by SurviveUnemployment View Post

      This is great advice! I went through and changed some of my resource boxes this morning. Let's see if it delivers any results.
      Definitely let us know how it goes!
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      Every day I check the obituaries. If I don't see my name there, then I know it's going to be a good day!
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  • Profile picture of the author BradCarroll
    Thanks Allen, I could've really used this info when I started writing resource boxes for clients. I had a couple of the elements down but not all five, and it took me a while to figure out how to do the boxes well.

    (Actually, the "calling out" is something I've only done sporadically--and something I've never consciously thought to do. I'm going to try this with every resource box from here on out b/c the theory behind it makes great sense.)

    And if there are any new writers reading this: you'll make a good name for yourself and get some extra business if you offer resource boxes along with the articles you write. Take Allen and Steve's posts on this thread to heart as they're both full of great advice!
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