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Article Marketing -- Can A Good Writer Still Drive Traffic?

by Writingman1421
25 replies
Been out of the game for 3 years now -- left after the big updates that took my 10k per month business (lasted about 1 year and half) down to less than 1k per month... and then to maybe 2k per year.

It's on complete auto pilot, which is definitely nice -- considering I haven't touched my niche sites in that 3 year period. However, I want to amp things up and I don't know where to start in this new environment. (3 years is life time in this game after all).

I figure I will start with the same method that started it all and where I really shine... article marketing and content creation.

My biggest method for traffic was article marketing. I'd get clickbacks from my resource box for a good article that hit top search for a chosen keyword (articlebase or ezine or some such other) and then I'd get links from said articles that would help boost my ranking further. I then would spin a new article and build links to that. I would flesh out my sites with new content and new information. Overuse of buildmyrank and other types of private link networks etc direct to my site eventually became my undoing. That and the whole "over use of specific anchor text" -- I won't get into it, haha.

So, it all crumbled and I moved on to a new business (I make dog treats now if you can believe it.... running a collection of websites making 10k per month to making dog treats making not even half that per month. Funny how life it, but I'm happy).

Point is, I have some down time and would greatly like to get back into.

The notion that every task completed is a building block that makes your business bigger and more profitable VS set amount of time = same amount of money made. Yes, it pays the bills, but I long for that feeling of "empire building" with a plethora of niche sites (affiliate products was my monetization method).

Back on track.... I'm a competent and fairly engaging writer and have no problem writing articles that give good information and engage the reader. I just don't have a grasp of the landscape like I once did.....

Is submitting articles to directories effective at all any more?

Does one need to build their own private network with expired domain names with fresh content added daily?

Is contacting website owners and offering articles for links still a go-to method for quality links? (always preferred automation, part of my downfall I would say)

Is there a place that accepts articles (is ranked high by google) and actually drives traffic to your website like the old days -- or is that kind of article marketing dead?

I could go on and on and on, but I'll stop there. Just need someone to point me in the right direction to get the ball rolling. Tips, pointers, etc.

Thank you very much for your time. Will check in often.

-Sean Saunders

P.S. Types of websites I created were simple niche websites designed around correcting a problem. Favorite was skincare -- aging, cellulite, moles, dark eye bags, etc. I gave great tips and information which kept them engaged and wanting more. Then they'd get hit with offers that would quickly fix their problem for a small price (and without all the effort that is required of home remedies/tips). This led to a review of different products and hopefully some commission in my pocket and their problem solved. They were happy, I was happy. It was a good relationship until google decided to pull us apart.

PPS. Yes, I am already researching my way into this fresh start and am doing a lot of reading already (probably too much, information overload, it sucks). Please don't tell me to go use google. It doesn't hurt to ask the experts in the very place that helped me take my $100 per month business and turn it into a $10,000 per month business for nearly 2 years. Some sort of information to just get me started would be HUGELY appreciated. Not looking for 10k in a month, lol, this isn't one of those posts. Just need someone to put the training wheels back on until I get my balance. THANKS!!!!
#article #drive #good #marketing #traffic #writer
  • Profile picture of the author webmonopoly
    Hey Writingman,

    Sounds like a very interestng IM adventure you have been on.

    I'm currently working with some niche review websites. Recently sold a small network of my sites and now starting to build back up again.

    From what I understand, content is still king but it takes alot more than just posting it on ezines to get the article marketing ball rolling.

    Private network are also considered fairly dangerous at the moment, that is from what ive been reading as I personally like to keep my sites as natural as possible anyways.

    I think your best bet is to hop back into the game with a more natural long term approach, build authentic relationships, provide value to your readers etc...

    Anyways just my 2 cents as I sit at my 9-5 job dreaming about going full time back into my venture asap.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Hi Sean,

      Although I've been "retired" from active article marketing for awhile now (due to other business interests, investing, traveling, etc), it has been a wonderful 16-year run through which I amassed quite a large fortune.

      Many of the syndicated articles I've written years ago are still pulling in traffic from online/offline publications such as websites, blogs, ezines, magazines, newsletters, etc. So in answer to your question, I would say yes - a good writer can indeed still drive traffic through article marketing.

      But, your distribution method has actually never really been the most effective use of articles. As always, and perhaps more so now than ever before, it's essential to get your articles published in venues that are already targeting your reading audience.

      Consider using the directory of ezines (directoryofezines.com) for listing of niche-specific ezines and Writers' Market for offline magazines and newspapers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Leatherman
    Writingman,

    Think about re-purposing your articles into short videos (1-2 minutes).

    Over the last 3 years videos have become a major marketing tool.
    and one heck of a linking tool.

    Just a quick thought for you.

    Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Marked09
    Article marketing still works but just a different way to promote it. Since article submission and the old link building method is not very effective today.

    You might want to consider social media and guest posting on high traffic websites for white hat SEO. In today's SEO, quality of link is much better than quantity.
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  • Profile picture of the author zdebx
    Probably the most important lesson you should've learned from your experience, is the fact that you can't rely on Google for 100% of your traffic. They dropped your articles published in popular directories from top rankings and all your traffic sunk...You don't want that to happen again, do you?

    I hardly know anyone nowadays who submits articles to EzineArticles or anywhere else to get some long-tails ranked in Google, hoping to get traffic to their landing page via the resource box. Yes, it worked, but as you said, it was a while ago.

    Today everyone talks about building REAL websites/blogs, where you post genuine content, rather than some spun crap targeting 50 keywords in a 250 words article, if you know what I mean?

    Basically, you want to build a proper blog with valuable content that people would be willing to share it for you and then come back for more content. It's probably similar to those niches sites that you had, but in this case you won't be waiting for Google to rank you, but rather building up a large content website, which then you could promote on social networks, forums, other blogs to attract a real audience.

    It will definitely take more time and you'll have to write better quality articles, but rather than having 50 random blogs with rubbish spun articles on them based on some long-tail keywords, you'll have solid branded assets that won't go anywhere without the matter what Google does.
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  • Profile picture of the author kevin timothy
    I believe that you still can. Just search for your favorite topics. Most of the content will be textual. You'll see a considerable about of video content, but you can still work with that. If you feel up to it convert some of your articles into video.
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  • Profile picture of the author jbreeden
    I would take your writing to social media. Drive the traffic to your own websites. A good article can garner many shares through social media.

    If you don't have a social media presence already just create one.

    Start with Facebook and Tumblr. They are the easiest to get followers if you follow others who like similar content.

    Start creating your content Publish on Tumblr get them liking your content and share it on Facebook.

    From there you links to your own website will be shared over and over again.

    Basically same game as before just different media. No longer EzineArticles, move it to social platforms and have the audience share it instead.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    You can't rely on the writer for *everything*. My advice would be to re-purpose that content in as many was as possible. You could re-purpose/reinvent them for:

    - email newsletter content
    - youtube videos
    - podcasts
    - guest blogging contributions
    - ezinearticles (depending on your niche)
    - your own blog
    - your own "articles" page (for possible front page inclusion into search engines)
    - etc

    Good luck, and welcome back to the game... cause that's all it is.
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  • Profile picture of the author kiempinon
    If your content will be updated and gives the the knowledge then it will definitely helpful . yes Article marketing and their promotion give more business and generate more traffic.




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  • Profile picture of the author zuberr
    I miss the old days where writing and submitting tons of articles was all it need to make money online. My affiliate sales have also drastically gone down since then. For my niche website, I'm focusing on traffic from social media sites, but the conversion is not that great.

    Not sure about how EzineArticles are doing these days, but I'm really tempted to give them another try, since I was getting most of my traffic from the articles I submitted there.

    Luckily you have an in-demand skill, so if you need some extra money, you can always write for others.

    Converting articles to videos sounds like a great idea too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Writingman1421
    Excellent info all around. Thanks all and keep it coming.

    I considered writing for others for extra money, but that falls right in line with "time invested = locked in amount of money". Going for the "building block" business. Every article/content I produce increases my overall business value (and continues to do so).
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  • Profile picture of the author Writingman1421
    And yes, not very eager to learn the secrets of google ranking again and lose it all AGAIN due to a mistake or change -- not very fun. One of those heartbreaks is enough, haha.

    Looking into paid traffic for sites I already one and then may try a natural websites with content produced slowly over time -- maybe 2 articles per day or something along those lines. Love doing those home remedy websites... so easy to give tips/treatments/remedies -- articles practically write themselves (once you know the niche), haha.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
    Sean,

    As Myob pointed out, your view of article marketing isn't great. I would suggest you follow Myob's older posts, as well as Alexa Smith's older posts (she's now banned from here). In addition, John McCaibe's input is always great, too.

    As a reading resource, I recommend Turn Words Into Traffic. You can find it on Amazon, I think. It used to be a CB product.
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    • Profile picture of the author escribe
      Got to agree with webmonopoly and Ken. Offer great content and try to establish relationships (ie., partnerships) in your given niche. Couple that with video... that's a great start. You'll build some nice momentum. I have had some nice success with video marketing. However, the key was good solid content that your readers will enjoy and feel compelled to learn more about what it is you're offering.

      Try that to start and let us know how it goes.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by Writingman1421 View Post


    My biggest method for traffic was article marketing. I'd get clickbacks from my resource box for a good article that hit top search for a chosen keyword (articlebase or ezine or some such other) and then I'd get links from said articles that would help boost my ranking further. I then would spin a new article and build links to that. I would flesh out my sites with new content and new information. Overuse of buildmyrank and other types of private link networks etc direct to my site eventually became my undoing. That and the whole "over use of specific anchor text" -- I won't get into it, haha.
    Hello. I appreciate your persistence and congradualtions for the dog treats sites. Thats still impressive.

    That being said, where is Alexa Smith when you need her LOL

    She would be turning in her Warrior Forum Grave about right now

    What you describe is more like Article Directory Marketing. Similar to Travis Sago's Bum marketing which became highly ineffective 3 or 4 year ago.

    It won't work today either. I would not waste your time.

    Follow what MYOB describes which is Article Marketing via Syndication

    Over time if done right it can be highly effective.

    Based on innuendos from MYOB over the years here at WF , I specualte he has earned well over 9 digits during those years doing this.

    Which obviously is pretty damn impressive.

    I don't doubt that considering the leverage you can capitalize off of with this Model and the fact that his Content has been syndicated with many high profile partners


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  • Profile picture of the author kk075
    Originally Posted by discrat View Post

    That being said, where is Alexa Smith when you need her LOL
    Luckily, HE is not here. Just remember that people get banned for a reason AND very few know the full truth behind that charade.


    Originally Posted by Writingman1421 View Post

    Is submitting articles to directories effective at all any more?

    Does one need to build their own private network with expired domain names with fresh content added daily?

    Is contacting website owners and offering articles for links still a go-to method for quality links? (always preferred automation, part of my downfall I would say)

    Is there a place that accepts articles (is ranked high by google) and actually drives traffic to your website like the old days -- or is that kind of article marketing dead?
    I'll answer as directly as I can.

    1) Directory sites (by your definition) are completely dead, as is any site that would allow you to link back to yourself for promotional purposes. With that said, if you're a good writer then get on some of the authority sites and earn yourself some profile links. While not as powerful as what you did 3 years ago, this brings traffic and rank.

    2) People still build private networks for links but the same rules apply- if the link looks spammy, then Google definitely will not count it.

    3) You can certainly build links through contacting site owners, but it's just as much of a pain in the "you know what" as it was 3 years ago. I still do this for .edu and .gov links though plus local businesses that I want to partner with.

    4) Again, hit the authority sites. For example, iCNN is a PR9 with awesome authority and anyone can write there if they're competent. Digital Journal is another good one. Just find sites within your niche that allows guest posts AND has ridiculously high submission standards...those are the types that still count.

    You will not be talking about your business and cross linking your entire site this way though....that part has certainly changed. Guest posting in today's Google world is solely about providing great information and building a loyal following. So it's still extremely valuable, only for completely different reasons than it was 3 years ago.

    I hope that helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author Writingman1421
      Thanks for all the info everyone. More great stuff again. Keep it coming.

      1. I figured as much, as they were on the way out when I went bust. As for authority sites, any sort of example you could give me? Is this just sites that rank well in the search engines and I need to contact them manually and ask to post an article. My idea of authority sites was articles and web 2.0s where I didn't need permission or wait for days on end for contact... just a good article and a valid account (damn you article spinners for ruining it for everyone!)

      2. Thanks, will need to look into it. I remember trying it before but with all the pitfalls and the massive workload needed, seems like a daunting task.

      3. Yeah, I figured that would still work... but man, its such a pain.

      4. I guess you already gave me an example -- I'd never dream of posting on a big website like and actually consider getting a link from them. Seems too good to be true. Suppose I need to completed wipe away what I do know about link building and start from scratch.

      Thanks!

      Originally Posted by kk075 View Post

      Luckily, HE is not here. Just remember that people get banned for a reason AND very few know the full truth behind that charade.




      I'll answer as directly as I can.

      1) Directory sites (by your definition) are completely dead, as is any site that would allow you to link back to yourself for promotional purposes. With that said, if you're a good writer then get on some of the authority sites and earn yourself some profile links. While not as powerful as what you did 3 years ago, this brings traffic and rank.

      2) People still build private networks for links but the same rules apply- if the link looks spammy, then Google definitely will not count it.

      3) You can certainly build links through contacting site owners, but it's just as much of a pain in the "you know what" as it was 3 years ago. I still do this for .edu and .gov links though plus local businesses that I want to partner with.

      4) Again, hit the authority sites. For example, iCNN is a PR9 with awesome authority and anyone can write there if they're competent. Digital Journal is another good one. Just find sites within your niche that allows guest posts AND has ridiculously high submission standards...those are the types that still count.

      You will not be talking about your business and cross linking your entire site this way though....that part has certainly changed. Guest posting in today's Google world is solely about providing great information and building a loyal following. So it's still extremely valuable, only for completely different reasons than it was 3 years ago.

      I hope that helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author capefox
    Have you considered writing your own e-books and selling them, maybe as a sideline?
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Aside from what's already been said, you still have a fatal flaw in your plan.

      You are still fixating on building backlinks just to impress Papa Google.

      In today's version of article marketing, you should be fixating on Service, not links. And while it sounds counterintuitive, the more you give, the more you tend to get -- if you give in the right spirit.

      You see, you have two audiences to impress.

      First, you have to impress the publisher. They have to believe that publishing your article or guest post will benefit them by benefiting their audience. Publishers have been bombarded with the automated, cookie cutter crap for so long that it's much tougher to impress the ones worth impressing. And the rest aren't worth bothering with.

      Second, you have to impress the publisher's audience. They have to go from "who is this guy" to "where can I get more" before you can really start integrating them into your own audience. That means shifting focus from getting a one-time click to getting a share of mind.

      Your sole objective with today's article marketing is gaining attention and permission for further interaction. Ideally, that means getting them on your email list. Failing that, you want people to like your content, and share your content. Once people enter your arena, you can proceed with things like promotions and relationship building.
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      • Profile picture of the author Writingman1421
        Thanks, excellent post.

        Yeah, the idea of trying to crawl back to papa google on my hands and knees only for him to cleat me in the face isn't appealing. I'm trying to break that mental lock I have -- as the methods I had mastered are now broken and discarded.

        Everything I'm reading now is about list building (even back then it was about list building, but I was doing so good at the time the list didn't matter back then).

        It seems that list building the best way to go (so long as you have a solid autoresponder series). Even if they aren't buying yet, the list can convert them into a buyer after trust is built. Seems like a no brainer compared to one visit then gone forever.

        So yeah, email marketing seems to be the path for me. I have the writing ability, just need to learn the email ability; what to say, when to say it, and how much information to give to keep them coming back for more.

        Thanks all and keep it coming. Checking back every day.


        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        Aside from what's already been said, you still have a fatal flaw in your plan.

        You are still fixating on building backlinks just to impress Papa Google.

        In today's version of article marketing, you should be fixating on Service, not links. And while it sounds counterintuitive, the more you give, the more you tend to get -- if you give in the right spirit.

        You see, you have two audiences to impress.

        First, you have to impress the publisher. They have to believe that publishing your article or guest post will benefit them by benefiting their audience. Publishers have been bombarded with the automated, cookie cutter crap for so long that it's much tougher to impress the ones worth impressing. And the rest aren't worth bothering with.

        Second, you have to impress the publisher's audience. They have to go from "who is this guy" to "where can I get more" before you can really start integrating them into your own audience. That means shifting focus from getting a one-time click to getting a share of mind.

        Your sole objective with today's article marketing is gaining attention and permission for further interaction. Ideally, that means getting them on your email list. Failing that, you want people to like your content, and share your content. Once people enter your arena, you can proceed with things like promotions and relationship building.
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        • Profile picture of the author myob
          Publishers really are hungry for quality content suitable for their readers/subscribers, including niche-relevant ezines, blogs, websites, and offline outlets such as magazines, newspapers, special interest newsletters, etc. Article marketing leveraged through syndication has virtually unlimited scalability and can drive massive, highly targeted traffic.

          Perhaps the most difficult concept for writers to understand (sometimes including my own employees) is the real conversion power of words, and the difference between just using the right words for SEO and best words for effective conversion.

          There is a nuance in the structure and style of compelling writing that contains key words which rank high in the hearts and minds of targeted readers which nearly always is comparatively sterile to key words used for SEO purposes. This concept of marketing (connecting, branding and establishing credibility through article writing) consistently beats the competition all-to-hell.

          As I mentioned earlier, these principles of marketing using syndicated content have been working quite effectively since the invention of the printing press, and now a return to this "old school" of writing has been recently thrust upon online marketers by Google through its ongoing alogrithm changes.

          In my own experience, I have found that provocative articles written to strum the heartstrings of targeted readers, with a hint of commanding arrogance within controversial topics, can produce dramatic conversion rates in even the most hotly competitive niches. This business model of marketing through article syndication is extremely powerful.

          In its highest form, article syndication is directly marketing to other people's lists with an implied endorsement by editors to their respective reading audiences. In my not so humble opinion, article syndication is the "crème de la crème" marketing model for traffic generation and conversions. Given your past experience, this post may also be helpful: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post9643506
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          • Profile picture of the author savidge4
            If you goto the thread that was provided by myob and read beyond their post you will see there is a conflict in concepts of what Content Marketing is and how it should be developed. I am not here to re-hash that discussion but simply add another point of view into the picture. you might want to look at: https://moz.com/blog/the-greatest-mi...teboard-Friday. I saw this posted in another thread and felt it appropriate to share here as well.

            Content marketing as an overall strategy is complex to say the least. I think you understand that. To say that one portion of the complete picture is better than another is kinda silly. balancing across the many forms of content marketing is ideal. There are people that will say Video is awesome. there are others that will say social is awesome. There are those ( few by number but I will bet you fit in this camp ) that say SEO is awesome.

            They all ARE awesome.. they are even better if practiced in a unified fashion. Multiple platforms of content delivery with one purpose, and that's driving traffic to your site. Easy concept, not so easy at times to build and develop.
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  • Profile picture of the author unicom
    More than Article marketiing Video marketing in top video hosting sites like youtube, vimeo works better I guess
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  • Profile picture of the author Time2Shine
    Can A Good Writer Still Drive Traffic?

    Absolutely! Google loves good content, and the better the content the longer people will stay on your site.

    Unicom - From my personal experience, Google ranks Daily Motion above Vimeo. You Tube still takes the cake though!
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Trujillo
    Article marketing isn't like the old days where you could just slap up any crap up and rank it. These days it's all about being unique and original and writing articles not only the search engines love but people. You can still produce content and get lots of traffic remember article directories are to get your content shared. Alternatively there are better ways to write articles these days that can still help you in getting traffic this can be Guest Blogging or Video Blogging. Remember at the end of the day it's all about produce quality content people are searching for.
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