If SEO won't help and EzineArticles won't accept me...

Is unlikely? Come back when you have tried. Besides... eza is not the only article site you know.

Maybe consider another niche?

Have you searched for communities that talk about your niche? Forums?

Just an observation, but if your niche is that small and/or obscure that there's few-to-zero related search volume at the search-engines, it may perhaps be a sign that there's little overall interest (and by extension, little-to-no commercial viability) in it?

In any case, what makes you think EZA won't accept your articles? Have you tried yet? So long as they're of a decent standard, you should have absolutely no problems - even if they've been published elsewhere previously.

Anyway ... if all else fails, perhaps you could be buying banner ad impressions or links (or guest-posting) on blogs serving the closest related niche topic you can find, in the hope of attracting some interest?

Beyond that, I'm pretty stumped.

So write articles that EZA will accept. Think out of the box.

Some of my articles have already been rejected... many more probably will. My impression was that other article submissions sites do not have nearly the traffic, and pretty much the same rules.

As for why I picked the niche, it is the only thing in which I am an expert. I don't know anything else and when I started this IM two months ago, the guy that was tutoring me stressed that to make any real money I have to have my own products and be an expert in what I'm talking about. So now I've written over 180 articles, plus a lot more half-articles that need to be finished, bought hosting service and domain names, built squeeze pages, set-up Aweber... I feel like I've done so much work and invested enough money that I just don't want to give-up on it now.

The reason they were rejected is because my niche is kenjutsu instruction. I was told that it promotes the teaching of violence, and my explanation to the contrary was rejected.

I actually got the idea for forums and started yesterday, joining a bunch of them. But I don't want to start spamming the boards so it's slow going.

I can monetize the niche because while there are not that many people, those who are buyers are willing to pay a lot of money for it. It's all very high quality, high-price items, although I tried giving away the free gift on the squeezepage like I was taught, not a single sign-up. Does "Free" mean "worthless" these days? Would I have better success if I charged something for it? I never wanted to give it away for free to begin with...

Well the commercial viability is there, I believe, but it won't be much. Clearly I need another niche, but like I said, I just don't know about anything else. This is the only thing I am an expert in.

Haven't thought about buying guest blog postings, I'll look into that. Does banner advertising really work? I don't think I ever click on banner ads?

Yep, I've started re-writing my articles as best I can. But it waters down the content and is very time-consuming... I'm just frustrated because I feel like I'm doing double the work.

Your articles weren't rejected because of your niche.

A quick search on ezine articles for kenjutsu gives 115 articles!

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Practi...tsu&id=1696070
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Beg...ide&id=4909735

are just two. There are similar results on many other article directories.

Under the category of Recreation and sports they have plenty of categories that could be "promoting violence" such as Martial arts, hunting, boxing, wrestling and fencing!

Who exactly told you that "it promotes the teaching of violence" was the problem?

What reasons were given for your articles being rejected?

If that really is the reason - perhaps it is something to do with the product you are promoting or the page you are linking to in your resource box.

You definitely need to look into submitting your articles to other directories. Try about 5 of them to see if you get the same results. Don't assume that they will reject you or that they are not as good as EA. Assumption is the lowest form of knowledge. Learn from experience. I've had an article rejected by EA and accepted by another directory without changing a thing. You won't know if you don't try out other directories.

As far as "spamming new forums".... if you create a sig file and give value to your post, you won't be spamming the boards. Set yourself a goal like 3 post a day for each forum you join and you will start getting traffic toward your niche with no threat of getting banned.

Allow me to clarify: I wasn't saying EZA rejected my articles because my niche was too specific... I meant to say that because it is so specific, I don't feel SEO will help much. Nobody else is giving kenjutsu instruction over the web at this time, its actually frowned upon. So with the great tips already given elsewhere on this site, I'm sure I get easily get my site to #1 in this niche.

The articles were rejected because they explicitly described how to perform certain acts of violence in detail. I was just told by EZA told that I can re-write them without those details and it will be fine... and they have accepted some of my other articles. So, double-the-work but the issue is resolved.

Thanks so much for the quick and great help everyone!


btw, I didn't mean to say that other article submission sites are not good. I just purchased a set of lessons on article marketing, and I have been going by what it says up 'till now... I think I know just enough to be dangerous.

Again, I can't thank everyone enough for the great advice. I really appreciate it all!

I suggest you visit this Google search link and see what other sites are doing.

Google Search

I think your niche is PERFECT for community marketing like forums.

Why are you focusing on Kenjutsu when you could be focusing on martial arts, self defence and the millions of subniches. Kenjutsu is just a variation of that niche.

I'm surprised none of the above posters told you that.

@Rus Sells:
I think you are right, it may take some time but if I do it carefully it will work.

@theemperor
I wouldn't be sure how to find someone who has a list? but yep, I do some offline marketing. I'm actually strong in that area. Looks like the issue with EZA was probably resolved so I'll keep trying there as well. I've been advised to stay away from Youtube and other video sites for the moment.

@JackPowers:
It was beat into me that I'm supposed to be an "expert" in whatever I'm selling. I know some aikijutsu, but I'm not really an expert in any other martial art. And kenjutsu doesn't really fall in with self-defense.



Actually, I'm not sure how far I will take this. One sale will make my money back, but I am a little frustrated that I spent so much money and put so much effort into it so far. Some delusions have been dispelled for me, probably a good thing.


I really appreciate everyone's help here. Wish I found you all a long time ago!

get on youtube!

If SEO doesn't work and EZA does not want you then start off with youtube. Lots of marketers are getting advantage of video marketing's power. i just uploaded a video and it was indexed instantly!

Andrea

Do you know that Facebook just beat Google's traffic (and left EZA far behind) ?
I would suggest you to try Facebook marketing by building group of people who are interested with your services/products.

Thank you all so much for the clarifications and advice! I believe I have a good plan going now, with the help that you have all given me.

Very truly greatful!

You do not have to be an expert in anything to do internet marketing. There is no 'one right way' to do this. There are different techniques that different people prefer; and some do require a certain expertise, while others just casual research.

I wanted to start with music recording gear because I know something about it, but it is too competitive for a newbie so I quickly moved on to things I know much less about. But with affiliate marketing that is not that important.