Article Marketing - The Right Way For Success

[Mark McClure]

I agree with Mike Morgan - articles are not only used to drive traffic.

Articles can be used to build credibility as an expert - and in my experience these take longer than 8 minutes to write.

For example, 750 word authority articles take me about 45 minutes to check my research and write the first, rough draft. I then come back to the article some time later and edit for style and layout.

And finally I proofread for grammar, spelling and punctuation - perhaps the hardest task of all. Needless to say, these types of authority articles are not cheap and not for mass distribution to article directories. Total time: about 90 minutes.

Of course, I realize there's a big market for SEO-aware articles that catch a reader's eye and lead to the resource-box click. These can indeed be written quickly - if you know the subject material well.

Alas, the 'Net is filled with error-strewn garbage that has clearly been written with an eye on the payment clock and to h%ll with the reader.

(Early on I did write some "10 minute articles" and now regret doing so. Crap is crap, even when dressed in "SEO-optimized" clothing. Nowadays, 500 word "SEO-aware" articles for mass-distribution take me around 1 hour from start to final, production version. I don't compete with the article mills anymore - you usually get what you pay for IMHO.)

Finally, a comment on reading age.

I occasionally do substitute middle school teaching.
Yesterday's 8th grade science class were able to skim and scan this 600 words Reuters article in about 10 minutes and extract the key facts about the satellite collision.

U.S. and Russia track satellite crash debris | Reuters

"US and Russia Track Satellite Crash Debris"

I know this is a news article - and somewhat different from the typical IM article looking for the click. However, note how short the paragraphs are. The reader is not bombarded with multiple facts in one blurb.

The only things missing are subheads, bolding and italics - which can often make it easier to skim an article and lead the eyes to the candy box at bottom :-)

[60MinuteAffiliate]

I agree with the fact that your article doesn't have to be that long.

build a rapport with the reader, give them enough information to keep reading, but make sure your resource box lets them know that the rest of the information they need is at the url there.

Colleen

[Mike Morgan.]

Originally Posted by 60MinuteAffiliate

I agree with the fact that your article doesn't have to be that long.

build a rapport with the reader, give them enough information to keep reading, but make sure your resource box lets them know that the rest of the information they need is at the url there.

Colleen

I agree.

Mike

[MikeWords]

Are you writing articles to create backlinks to your site and rise in the SERPS?

If so the OP's method is preferred. Your article will be syndicated widely, giving you what you want - backlinks.

Are you writing articles to strictly to get readers to click your resource box?

If that's the case this is bad advice for 2 reasons. First, the formula creates an article that is too long and will intimidate lots of readers at first glance, sending them reaching for the back button.

Secondly the formula is concentrating on solutions too heavily. If you really give your reader multiple solutions to their problem, why should they click on your site? Their search is over, and that's the last thing you want.

[abelacts]

This might be a good tip writing articles. But it's not the only format. There are many article templates you can readily use for writing articles.

As for me, to choose a topic, browse the most popular article directory for the top most viewed topics and write something about it. How long? Just follow what others have come with.

[Bryan Zimmerman]

If your writing to get some attention with an article then maybe 600+ words is reasonable. If I'm just using the article to try and get traffic then it's not going over 300 words if I can help it.

I want those links in the resource box to be visible from where ever the person reading it is. If it's to long, they may never read down far enough to see them.

I've read some very good articles that were 700 words long and I clicked out before I ever got to the bottom of it. Even though they were good articles I just didn't feel like reading anymore.

[Allen Graves]

Most people that will not read 700 words of a good article are not going to buy anyway, right?

When all is said and done, it's not about click-throughs, it's about sales conversions and most everyone who has posted in this thread lately seems to have forgotten that.

If you are truly writing for your audience - the buying public - then anything less than a 400-500 word article will actually be pretty darn difficult to write.

Allen Graves

[gdf19800]

I out source all my articles to a trusted writer. TIP!!! You get what you pay for. Some short and some long articles is what i get. Depending on where your sending them to. Also get them to create a killer text lead in for your resource box.

Greg

[Mike Morgan.]

Originally Posted by MikeWords

Are you writing articles to create backlinks to your site and rise in the SERPS?

If so the OP's method is preferred. Your article will be syndicated widely, giving you what you want - backlinks.

Are you writing articles to strictly to get readers to click your resource box?

If that's the case this is bad advice for 2 reasons. First, the formula creates an article that is too long and will intimidate lots of readers at first glance, sending them reaching for the back button.

Secondly the formula is concentrating on solutions too heavily. If you really give your reader multiple solutions to their problem, why should they click on your site? Their search is over, and that's the last thing you want.

As you mentioned this advise is most suitable for the first option mentioned in your post .

Mike

[crazylf2]

Nice , thanks

I am a newbie to article marketing

[MarioSotojr]

I have written few articles so far. Each time Im getting better at it. Thank your this format I'm going to implement it with writing style.

[Mike Morgan.]

Originally Posted by MarioSotojr

I have written few articles so far. Each time Im getting better at it. Thank your this format I'm going to implement it with writing style.

Make sure to customize the format based on your aim - seo or direct traffic .

Mike

[precious007]

Just a few more tips on article marketing:

In short keyword placement is one of the most important parts of your efforts. Stuffing articles with keyword is another "don't" in article marketing.

Titles should be keyword rich as well, attractive but not "too attractive".

[Mike Morgan.]

Originally Posted by precious007

In short keyword placement is one of the most important parts of your efforts.

This is true specially for article written for SEO proposes and BUm marketing .

Mike

[Doctor Article]

I must admit, as a content writer myself, I tend to agree with Steve. I often get requests to write articles containing over 1200 words but then again, they are mostly for educational websites, etc. Approximately 99% of the articles I write are for internet marketers and the articles are always between 400 to 500 words.

[Eirik Ringstad]

Wow, Great post.

Anyone who follow the outlined recipe you shared WILL have massive success with article marketing. I know of several successful people who have driven an insane amount of traffic to their website due to a few quality articles with the elements you just shared with us.

Keep on posting and sharing. It is totally awesome.

Eirik.

[beccarter]

Hi,
Thanks for such useful information, not only the original post but it's great to see everybodies opinions on the subject. I am a newbie at IM and article marketing is just one of the many things I want and need to learn about.

Thanks again.
Becky

[Malachi Kelly]

I've found a great site for creating articles for as little as $6 an article, I use this service on a regular basis to get my articles written professionally.

[Mike Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Malachi Kelly

I've found a great site for creating articles for as little as $6 an article, I use this service on a regular basis to get my articles written professionally.

If you share the site you outsource for article creation it could help the warrior forum members .

Mike

[chemmyvick]

Thanks guys. I quite enjoy this thread.

[Marty S]

Of the 120 or so articles I have posted to EZA, maybe only a handful are near the 700 words the OP recommended. My articles are generally between 400 and 500 words. If they get longer than that then I always say to myself - "Self, WTF don't be stupid - you should make this TWO articles."

I do not write fluff (hate that), but I lead them to one of my websites with just enough quality in each article. I also enjoy a 35% CTR after all this time.

[successminded08]

I always stick to keeping articles straight to the point, simple, and short. The point is to leave them begging for more like a great story teller.

[Nilesh]

Mike has mentioned some good points about article marketing.He also hits the bullet in the head by clarifying what is needed and how to get it.But I still can not figure out how someone can do all of this in a short period of time ?

[Joe118]

The one thing that the OP forgot to mention, which is critical to success (as in 'if you don't have this ingredient then no success, ever') is....

A NICHE OR SUBJECT THAT ATTRACTS TRAFFIC

You can write a fantastic set of articles about polka dotted african giraffes, and noone will buy your product.

You can write a superb series of articles about acne solutions, and people will buy in droves.

What's the difference? The first subject has a small to non-existent target audience, while the second subject has a huge audience.

Choose your niche well.