24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Do You Still Use PLR Articles In Your Online Business?

by thadbong
20 replies
Hi Warriors,

Considering all the changes that we've seen this year from Google (who would have thought a cute little bamboo munching bear from China would cause so much trouble?), do you still use PLR articles as a part of your online marketing strategy?

If you do, do you prefer using an article spinner or doing a manual rewrite (either on your own or by hiring a ghostwriter)?
#articles #business #online #plr
  • Profile picture of the author Janet Walker
    I only use great helpful unique content - no spinning, by the time you spent truly spinning an article say 4 layers deep nested you could have just written several to begin with that are truly unique.
    What may work now with average content has its days numbered, its only a matter of time before the site its on gets devalued.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4776793].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author NicoleBeckett
    It all depends on what kind of PLR you're talking about. There is plenty of PLR out there that was sold at incredibly cheap rates (you know the kind, 1,000 articles for 10 cents ) or simply given away. In most cases, this PLR isn't any good. It's thin on research and, therefore, tough to do anything with.

    If you're talking about quality PLR that's actually got some "meat on its bones", so to speak, then Google Panda really shouldn't have an effect on it. Sure, you'll need to make some edits to make it unique (like you've always had to do - and manually for best results), but if you've got plenty of solid research to work with, that isn't a problem.

    Plus, good PLR can be used for so much more than just what the Google spiders see - like a newsletter, the basis for a podcast or video, or even just sheer inspiration.
    Signature
    Sick of blending in with the crowd? Ready to stand ahead of the pack? The right content writing services can get you there...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4776879].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thadbong
    Fair enough. I've never really grasped the logic behind spinning articles myself, people seem to forget that it's real people reading the content when it's all said and done. You could have the top ranked page but if it's total nonsense then you're just wasting your time.

    Janet, I take it you write your own content? Or do you outsource it?
    Signature
    Commodity Code Review - Latest Automated Gold Trading Software Launch Coming Soon!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4776890].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Janet Walker
      Originally Posted by thadbong View Post

      Fair enough. I've never really grasped the logic behind spinning articles myself, people seem to forget that it's real people reading the content when it's all said and done. You could have the top ranked page but if it's total nonsense then you're just wasting your time.

      Janet, I take it you write your own content? Or do you outsource it?

      Both - I write the content for my websites but I outsource the content for my buffer sites.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4776950].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
    Originally Posted by thadbong View Post

    ...who would have thought a cute little bamboo munching bear from China would cause so much trouble?...
    Actually the February Google "Panda" update was named after Navineet Panda, a Google senior software engineer. It has absolutely nothing to do with the cute, cuddly Chinese bear.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4776895].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thadbong
    Spot on Nicole! The 1000 "high quality" articles for 10 cents always makes me laugh.

    I always thought that it goes without saying that PLR needs to have the "meat on its bones" as you said. After all the whole idea behind "private label rights" is that you get to put your name on the content, and make the necessary edits to personalize it and put your own voice into it. Why would anyone want to put their name on something that's just garbage?

    I'll put my hand up as one of those "sheer inspiration" people you mentioned. I find it a lot less daunting (even though I'm a prolific writer) to start out with an empty page. With PLR content I get to get the motor running upstairs and latch on to an idea to go forward with. It's also a good prompter for me when I get stuck.
    Signature
    Commodity Code Review - Latest Automated Gold Trading Software Launch Coming Soon!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4776944].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I buy quality PLR and then rewrite it. I also use PLR as bonuses (I don't PLR that doesn't allow that).
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777022].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Kage
    I use PLR, rewritten PLR. I rewrite my own PLR files.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777029].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kaizerinfo
    Of course use it,this way
    &
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777134].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dex88
    Definitely nothing wrong with using PLR... the question is how to use it right!
    Signature
    Unique and great quality articles just for $0.75 per 100 words!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777178].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author thadbong
      Originally Posted by Dex88 View Post

      Definitely nothing wrong with using PLR... the question is how to use it right!
      PLR helped me immensely when I was getting started. My first product was a rewritten PLR ebook, and I sold it for $27 a pop with no refunds to date. That was two years ago. That's one of the "right" ways to use PLR - to make it easier on you to get yourself going on a project instead of procrastinating because you're starting out with a blank slate and feeling overwhelmed by it all. It really helps to take the pressure off.

      I personally always rewrite my PLR, and 99% of the time I do it in such a way that the original author wouldn't recognize it if they saw the finished product! To me it's a huge time saver, because to write the same article from scratch would take me 5x longer at least. If you're really pressed for time, you don't have to do a full rewrite, just add some personal examples and phrase it how you would say it instead.
      Signature
      Commodity Code Review - Latest Automated Gold Trading Software Launch Coming Soon!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777275].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author philm67
        Just stick to three simple principles, and PLR is more powerful than ever. I say that because neurotic fear of the Panda has reduced some of your competition. As always these challenges only serve to raise the bar and help the serious players. Here are the principles:

        1. Use it as your starting point and make it your own - as you've already expressed. Sounds like you've been one of the smart users, so you have nothing to worry about.

        2. Look for PLR that is limited in how many copies are sold. Not to say that some of the unlimited stuff CAN'T be used, but it does become very hackneyed after a while.

        3. Check out the licensing. If the seller is allowing people to resell AS PLR, whatever limitation they've put on sales is worthless. It's viral, so it'll soon be everywhere.
        Signature
        First Choice PLR
        Our Mission is to be YOUR First Choice for Quality Private Label Rights Content
        www.firstchoiceplr.com
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777467].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JennyBizz
    I typically use PLR for my autoresponders. It makes great email content if the PLR is of good quality. You can also bundle up several good articles and create a short ebook out of them with a little time spent editing.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777486].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author semmyw
      Originally Posted by thegreenninja View Post

      I typically use PLR for my autoresponders. It makes great email content if the PLR is of good quality. You can also bundle up several good articles and create a short ebook out of them with a little time spent editing.

      I'm using the same strategy like you did. I'm using plr for my autoresponder. Also I'm using PLR for my dummy blogs
      Signature
      Minisite Design
      Cheap Minisite Design Service | |
      semmy |
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777598].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kecia
    Yes, I still use PLR in my business...but only high quality PLR that has been well-researched. I make sure to rewrite the content myself to give it may own personality. It is definitely a time saver.
    Signature
    KeciaHambrick.com - Blogger. Content Creator. Social Media Enthusiast.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778028].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RobBritt
    Nothing wrong with using PLR, but like a few people have pointed out there are all levels of PLR. Do you want to use the stuff that's been around and recycled a thousand times? probably not. People come to your site and there is the same article that they read before, or worse yet (in my opinion) is the spun, respun and overspun stuff that barely even makes sense anymore. Some of that might be the basis of material to look at and totally rewrite, but then what's the point of buying it in the first place? might as well just write it yourself to start with, or buy unique new content that's not sold to the masses.

    I'll admit I have some bias in this since I sell a very limited amount of new PLR and also provide unique one-off articles for people, but even prior to me doing that writing I still felt the same way..
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778145].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thadbong
    I think we're all doing it along the same lines, namely:

    1. Getting high quality PLR to begin with
    2. Using them as a starting point to save time
    3. Rewriting them to add our own unique voice and opinion

    How do you identify quality PLR though? After all, no one is going to tell you "Hey, I sell crappy PLR" now are they? What are some key indicators of top quality PLR?
    Signature
    Commodity Code Review - Latest Automated Gold Trading Software Launch Coming Soon!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778506].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Colin Y
      Originally Posted by thadbong View Post

      I think we're all doing it along the same lines, namely:

      1. Getting high quality PLR to begin with
      2. Using them as a starting point to save time
      3. Rewriting them to add our own unique voice and opinion
      Yep, this sums it up well.

      Originally Posted by thadbong View Post

      How do you identify quality PLR though? After all, no one is going to tell you "Hey, I sell crappy PLR" now are they? What are some key indicators of top quality PLR?
      Here is a couple ways I weed out crapy PLR;
      1 - Get a sample pack - Many PLR providers have free packs available
      2 - Read their reviews - I look from review from people I trust
      3 - Just give them a try if its content you need - We waste $5-$7 bucks on worst things
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778614].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author thadbong
        Originally Posted by ChrisDeals View Post

        Here is a couple ways I weed out crapy PLR;
        1 - Get a sample pack - Many PLR providers have free packs available
        2 - Read their reviews - I look from review from people I trust
        3 - Just give them a try if its content you need - We waste $5-$7 bucks on worst things
        Haha!! I love #3, good stuff.
        Signature
        Commodity Code Review - Latest Automated Gold Trading Software Launch Coming Soon!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778658].message }}

Trending Topics