Any tips on getting clicks on resource boxes?

9 replies
Hi,

I've been busy doing the recent EzineArticles challenge. What I'm noticing is that the URL clicks are low - well, lower than I expect them to be, ranging from 0 and 4% to 40% - a good number around 15%. My overall CTR is only 7.3% on 250 articles, which takes into account the 100 or so articles I submitted before I knew about resource box writing.

1) Does anyone have tips on how to get more clicks on those resource boxes?

Also, I know my articles are read-worthy, yet they aren't getting many views. I should be doing more to promote them, and I've heard people talk about how they promote their EA articles.

2) Would you be willing to share your tips on what you do to increase your EA views?

Now, before you begin offering all your valuable advice, here's what I already know. You know. The obvious stuff.

a) Resource box should use the same keyword link as the article's keyword focus.
b) The article needs a good headline that peaks curiosity. I have to admit, I'm not always at my best here, although I do hit some winners now and then.
c) The article must cover a subject people care about.
d) Best if the article answers a problem. I don't always hit this one either because many are just informational - like, "what is osteoporosis" but a lot do provide helpful tips.

One thing that concerns me is that there's only so much you can say about a popular subject. After years of writing about anxiety, I find that I repeat what's already been said. I think, perhaps people have already read about these angles and don't need another article.

But then I think, yes, but new people are searching all the time who are not yet familiar with the topic. So that pretty much cancels out that concern to some degree.

What is your take?

Thank you.

Sylvia

P.S. Ok, I just got a few ideas from this thread:
http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...er-places.html. Do you have any others?
#boxes #clicks #resource #tips
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Lee
    Originally Posted by sylviad View Post

    1) Does anyone have tips on how to get more clicks on those resource boxes?

    1) Divide the article into 2 parts.

    2) Submit Part 1 to article directories.

    3) In the resource box, tell them to go to your site if they want to read or access Part 2.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
    Hi Sylvia,

    There are lots of things you can do. I usually get between 10-40% CTR on my articles (although I don't submit to Article Directories anymore, it's a false economy.)

    Of course, it depends on your article content, as some subjects and types of articles naturally attract higher CTR than others.

    First off, I'd:

    1. Write articles that don't necessarily solve the problem, but help people from making it worse

    2. Write articles that put a spin on a familair topic. For example, instead of writing about how there are 26 different types of anxiety, write an article that's off the wall, like "Why Anxiety Is Like a Beatles Record Collection..." (it's a great way to get more curiosity clicks!)

    3. Write your articles with the unfavourable solutions, then point to your better solution before the close of the article. Then in your resource box, offer that solution for real

    4. In your resource/bio box, be impartial, continue the conversation, but never try and jump into bed with the reader. You're still at the bar. You can't just invite them home for some nookie. You've got to see if they want to go to another bar or see a movie first

    5. Use curiosity. Tell them "most people suffer with anxiety for 15 years longer than they have to, because they don't do this instead... [link]"

    6. Use reverse psychology... "Don't click here if you're not ready to change your life..." or something more imaginative than that.

    There's tons more, but I hope those at least spark your creativity back up!

    P.S - I know how it is. We get that burn out. It's part of the game. But if you're finding that you're writing the same stuff over and over, maybe you should consider publishing your articles in more “sticky” places, where the churn rate isn't so high.

    Guest blogging perhaps?
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    The actual words you use in the call to action link in your resource box are very important as well. Yes, you want to try and include your keyword in that link if you can however the rest of the link needs to give some very strong call to action or you will not get clicks.

    Also, you want to try and make the resource box appear as part of the article. Don't make the distinction between the two very clear - one should flow seamlessly into the next so they feel as though they are still reading the article.
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    • Profile picture of the author sylviad
      Originally Posted by Michael Lee View Post

      1) Divide the article into 2 parts.

      2) Submit Part 1 to article directories.

      3) In the resource box, tell them to go to your site if they want to read or access Part 2.
      Excellent idea, Michael. I kind of know this one, but don't use it much. I'll focus on that approach more in future.

      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      The actual words you use in the call to action link in your resource box are very important as well. Yes, you want to try and include your keyword in that link if you can however the rest of the link needs to give some very strong call to action or you will not get clicks.

      Also, you want to try and make the resource box appear as part of the article. Don't make the distinction between the two very clear - one should flow seamlessly into the next so they feel as though they are still reading the article.
      Will...

      I know it's best to include a call to action in there, so I do one anchor text keyword and sometimes use 'click here' or something. See my answer below re resource box.

      Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

      Hi Sylvia,

      There are lots of things you can do. I usually get between 10-40% CTR on my articles (although I don't submit to Article Directories anymore, it's a false economy.)

      Of course, it depends on your article content, as some subjects and types of articles naturally attract higher CTR than others.

      First off, I'd:

      1. Write articles that don't necessarily solve the problem, but help people from making it worse

      2. Write articles that put a spin on a familair topic. For example, instead of writing about how there are 26 different types of anxiety, write an article that's off the wall, like "Why Anxiety Is Like a Beatles Record Collection..." (it's a great way to get more curiosity clicks!)

      3. Write your articles with the unfavourable solutions, then point to your better solution before the close of the article. Then in your resource box, offer that solution for real

      4. In your resource/bio box, be impartial, continue the conversation, but never try and jump into bed with the reader. You're still at the bar. You can't just invite them home for some nookie. You've got to see if they want to go to another bar or see a movie first

      5. Use curiosity. Tell them "most people suffer with anxiety for 15 years longer than they have to, because they don't do this instead... [link]"

      6. Use reverse psychology... "Don't click here if you're not ready to change your life..." or something more imaginative than that.

      There's tons more, but I hope those at least spark your creativity back up!

      P.S - I know how it is. We get that burn out. It's part of the game. But if you're finding that you're writing the same stuff over and over, maybe you should consider publishing your articles in more “sticky” places, where the churn rate isn't so high.

      Guest blogging perhaps?
      YOU are a genius, Nick. This is exactly what I was looking for. I love your ideas. And you are right, they sure do get my imagination clicking. It's true. Some of us get into a the habit of taking a certain approach to a subject and never expand to a new one. Maybe I should get back into reading fiction. It really sparks my creative thinking.

      Got #4 already - I carry on the article in the resource box, an idea I read somewhere recently. It's a great idea because if the resource box is close to the article, people naturally keep on reading. Whereas, a typical resource box stops them cold, I think. It screams right off that it's not part of the article.

      Regarding #2, this is something I've been trying lately - coming up with something a little 'unusual' than the bland factual titles I tend to write. (must be the British in me - bland food and all that. )

      I'll definitely try the rest. They're all good ideas.

      Thank you.

      You say you don't submit to article directories anymore. Last summer, I was submitting my articles through a submission service. At first, I was skeptical of how beneficial it would be. After about 3 months, I was only seeing minimal results, so I cancelled my membership.

      As fate would have it, shortly after, my sales began a steady climb. So I'm curious to know why you no longer submit to directories. With continual submissions over a period of time, do you not see the benefits? Interesting that you didn't and I did. :confused:

      Does anyone have more?

      Sylvia
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      • Profile picture of the author TeamGlobal
        Originally Posted by sylviad View Post

        [B]Does anyone have more?

        Sylvia
        Hi Sylvia,

        I am far from being an expert article marketer by any stretch of the imagination, but I do pay attention to results. The vast majority of my articles that received a CTR of 30% or more all offered something for free to the reader. Usually it was a free guide of some type or free trial access to a membership of some sort.

        "If relieving your anxiety is important to you then why not do it today. For a limited time only, grab your free copy of my comprehensive guide, "Anxiety No More" at http://www.yourdomain.com"

        That gives you the general idea of a simple format that I've used. I'm sure that seasoned article marketers can chime in and refine that even further.

        All The Very Best,


        Tony
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        • Profile picture of the author David Uebergang
          Hi Sylvia,

          I can't offer you much advice from experience asides from the general stuff (I've only just submitted my 10th article to directories) but here's a great thread I found useful by TimG;

          http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...ges-again.html

          Tim provides loads of tips for article writing and it breaks it down into parts to help you digest it bits at a time. Hopefully you can get some tips from there to spark your writing again.

          All the best,

          David
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  • Profile picture of the author amylimcd
    Great list from Nick!

    One other thing I do that raises my click through rate is I offer something free on my site (usually a report with tips/secrets of something highly relevant to the topic). . . and in the Resource Box, I include a statement. . . click here to get my free report: 10 Secrets to. . . .

    Amy
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author Terri LC
    Hi Silvia;

    obviously a strong call-to-action is effective and I find the best word to use is the word "NEXT" before telling them what they are about to discover from clicking through.

    Also, make the ENTIRE SENTENCE click-able as it attracts a reader's attention to see the blue light up with their cursor, the longer the better, but regardless, I'm stickin' with NEXT!

    Cheers,
    Terri
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  • Profile picture of the author Coyotex
    Awesome thread!

    If you research some of the most successful article marketers, you'll see that most of their resource boxes flow from the actual article. I believe that's the key.

    BUT,the article must be interestings as well. Let's face it, if the article isn't compelling, the reader will never get to the recourse box anyway, right?

    Oh, just to clarify, just because someone has a bunch of articles does NOT mean they are a good article marketer. Views and end results make for a good article marketer.
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