16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Article Marketing - The Easiest And Hardest Way To Get Started In IM? Your Thoughts?

by Chri5123
12 replies
Hey guys,

Was just thinking back to when I got started online and having real success.

I was doing "Bum marketing" or article marketing and I think the main reasons that people give up before seeing real earnings are:

1. They expect instant results.

2. They are no good at writing and softselling.

3. Similar to above they don't make full use of the content they HAVE written.

4. They are promoting the wrong products.

At least this is what I have seen.

I think the main reason though is the waiting and when you are starting out promoting a few products and you only have a few articles out there you will get a few sales and then see nothing for a few days.

IF you are starting out and reading this my advice:

1. Don't give up! IT WORKS! (If done correctly)

2. Focus on finding out what your market REALLY want i.e dog training as oppose to dog house training. Narrow down and find an opening.

3. MOST IMPORTANT - Build and focus on your OWN sites - what would you do if Ezine articles got slapped and your articles lost quite a few of their listings? Oh wait...

Anyway let me know your thoughts and if you do a lot of article marketing let me know what was the BIGGEST problem for you when you got started?

Chris
#article #easiest #hardest #marketing #started #thoughts
  • Profile picture of the author Joe Motion
    After Google's algorithm change last week it's no longer as beneficial writing articles all day. Google want quality content on the SERP's and outsourced articles don't quite cut it!
    Signature
    Living in SE Asia.. BKK.. PM me for a beer!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3482261].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    My biggest problem with article marketing was getting a good clickthru rate on my resource box and consistently writing articles. I used to get 6% conversion and now I can get anywhere from 40-60%. I put myself in the visitors shoes and gave them what they wanted.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3482264].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Chri5123 View Post

    At least this is what I have seen.
    I agree. These are certainly among the things I see, too.

    Originally Posted by Chri5123 View Post

    if you do a lot of article marketing let me know what was the BIGGEST problem for you when you got started?
    The biggest was that I took lots of advice from people whose understanding of the basics of article marketing was (to put it very politely) somewhat deficient - mistakenly assuming that all their collective experience would indicate they would know what they were talking about.

    But I also did SIX other big things wrong, any one of which would possibly have been enough to prevent me from earning a proper living and certainly enough to prevent me from building a real business:-

    (i) I wasted a lot of time submitting unique content to article directories without first having it published and indexed on my own sites;

    (ii) I thought "article marketing" meant using article directories to get traffic and backlinks;

    (iii) I didn't understand the difference between "duplicate content" and "syndicated content";

    (iv) I was promoting high gravity Clickbank products and products with a vendor's opt-in on their sales pages;

    (v) I used to think that my click-through rate was a useful/meaningful parameter from which to gauge my success, and that if my CTR went up, my income would probably eventually go up too;

    (vi) I even started off (very briefly) without building my own lists.

    Unsurprisingly, I earned nothing much until I changed all those things. It's so much easier to see with hindsight, isn't it?!

    And this was the most "cringing with embarrassment" post I've ever made here ...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3482276].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      And this was the most "cringing with embarrassment" post I've ever made here ...
      You certainly looked embarrassed!



      I've got too much time on my hands today...
      Signature
      'If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.' Vincent Van Gogh.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3483393].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ben Armstrong
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      I agree. These are certainly among the things I see, too.



      The biggest was that I took lots of advice from people whose understanding of the basics of article marketing was (to put it very politely) somewhat deficient - mistakenly assuming that all their collective experience would indicate they would know what they were talking about.

      But I also did SIX other big things wrong, any one of which would possibly have been enough to prevent me from earning a proper living and certainly enough to prevent me from building a real business:-

      (i) I wasted a lot of time submitting unique content to article directories without first having it published and indexed on my own sites;

      (ii) I thought "article marketing" meant using article directories to get traffic and backlinks;

      (iii) I didn't understand the difference between "duplicate content" and "syndicated content";

      (iv) I was promoting high gravity Clickbank products and products with a vendor's opt-in on their sales pages;

      (v) I used to think that my click-through rate was a useful/meaningful parameter from which to gauge my success, and that if my CTR went up, my income would probably eventually go up too;

      (vi) I even started off (very briefly) without building my own lists.

      Unsurprisingly, I earned nothing much until I changed all those things. It's so much easier to see with hindsight, isn't it?!

      And this was the most "cringing with embarrassment" post I've ever made here ...
      Can you please elaborate on number 5 Alexa?
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3483453].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by MalceskiFan View Post

        Can you please elaborate on number 5 Alexa?
        Please excuse my being lazy at typing/pasting, but I think my handful of posts in this thread elaborates on number 5? (If not, do say so and I'll try again). It's only a one-page thread, and there are also a couple of posts in there by John McCabe, as I remember, and he's always worth reading, anyway.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3483471].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Chri5123
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      I agree. These are certainly among the things I see, too.



      The biggest was that I took lots of advice from people whose understanding of the basics of article marketing was (to put it very politely) somewhat deficient - mistakenly assuming that all their collective experience would indicate they would know what they were talking about.

      But I also did SIX other big things wrong, any one of which would possibly have been enough to prevent me from earning a proper living and certainly enough to prevent me from building a real business:-

      (i) I wasted a lot of time submitting unique content to article directories without first having it published and indexed on my own sites;

      (ii) I thought "article marketing" meant using article directories to get traffic and backlinks;

      (iii) I didn't understand the difference between "duplicate content" and "syndicated content";

      (iv) I was promoting high gravity Clickbank products and products with a vendor's opt-in on their sales pages;

      (v) I used to think that my click-through rate was a useful/meaningful parameter from which to gauge my success, and that if my CTR went up, my income would probably eventually go up too;

      (vi) I even started off (very briefly) without building my own lists.

      Unsurprisingly, I earned nothing much until I changed all those things. It's so much easier to see with hindsight, isn't it?!

      And this was the most "cringing with embarrassment" post I've ever made here ...
      Cheers for the replies guys,

      Awesome post from Alexa:

      This bit made me laugh:

      "The biggest was that I took lots of advice from people whose understanding of the basics of article marketing was (to put it very politely) somewhat deficient - mistakenly assuming that all their collective experience would indicate they would know what they were talking about. "

      Since you have revealed a lot and feel embarassed I have some confessions also: :p

      (i) I wasted a lot of time submitting unique content to article directories without first having it published and indexed on my own sites;

      I was doing this until a few weeks ago!

      I have been working online for 5-6 years and I still didn't do this!

      (iii) I didn't understand the difference between "duplicate content" and "syndicated content";

      I think I "get" it now but still not entirely sure!

      (vi) I even started off (very briefly) without building my own lists.

      I must admit I STILL do this ^ and then kick myself when sales start flying in and think "Wish I had a list".

      However all that said - the MAIN thing I think you need with article marketing is to keep going - I am glad I make mistakes and learn from them and must confess on the topics you have bought up above I still am a bit unsure and that is after 5-6 years!

      Sure I should learn the ins and outs.

      Sure I should brush up on the updates and changes.

      What I find works for ME is to focus on what I need to know.

      I don't confess to being an article marketing master but I am making enough to think I am doing something right

      If I could give newbies one bit of advice it would be this:

      "Provide quality content with REAL information and the MORE you give the more you get back."

      The best results I have had from article marketing, or high ranking articles on Google have been when I have not been trying to sell anything and just provided a solution and then a product that would "fit" well with it.

      Cheers guys,

      Chris
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3486796].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greggmig
    Thanks Alexa... I'm just starting out and your list is very helpful.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3482320].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 4Frankie
    Great comments Jamesrich1 and Alexa - well they were for me.
    I am doing Article Marketing and a lot of the things you have put have and are happening to me.
    The best advice I have received is just to KEEP GOING because yes I have felt like "throwing in the towel" quite often.
    Watching the comments with Interest - thanks to you both
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3483456].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ejb2059
    Thanks for the inspirational words Chris ..I've gotta tell ya, writing and submitting articles has been one of my biggest hirdles ..I can write no problem but, getting EZA to approve them is a KILLER! They take forever to review them then seem to nitpick them to death!

    It's a learning curve I know but after taking time to write good copy, submit it, and wait days for review & then getting shot down can really be discouraging ..

    I remain positive and optimistic and realize all this headache only stands to make me better

    Rev
    Signature

    Reverend Ed
    Rev's Super Solo Ads
    Big Edz IM Safelist
    Big Edz Blue Sapphire Safe List

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3483493].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author caksut
    Originally Posted by Chri5123 View Post

    Hey guys,

    Was just thinking back to when I got started online and having real success.

    I was doing "Bum marketing" or article marketing and I think the main reasons that people give up before seeing real earnings are:

    1. They expect instant results.

    2. They are no good at writing and softselling.

    3. Similar to above they don't make full use of the content they HAVE written.

    4. They are promoting the wrong products.

    At least this is what I have seen.

    I think the main reason though is the waiting and when you are starting out promoting a few products and you only have a few articles out there you will get a few sales and then see nothing for a few days.

    IF you are starting out and reading this my advice:

    1. Don't give up! IT WORKS! (If done correctly)

    2. Focus on finding out what your market REALLY want i.e dog training as oppose to dog house training. Narrow down and find an opening.

    3. MOST IMPORTANT - Build and focus on your OWN sites - what would you do if Ezine articles got slapped and your articles lost quite a few of their listings? Oh wait...

    Anyway let me know your thoughts and if you do a lot of article marketing let me know what was the BIGGEST problem for you when you got started?

    Chris
    Article marketing is like building relationship with your friend. It's long term relationship.You should be persistent, loyal! You should sacrifice your time or even money( others claim no need investment).one thing you should bear in mind don't jump to other method before it brings significant result!
    Signature
    Domain Name Ideas For Online Business
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3483706].message }}

Trending Topics