3 Things You Must Do When Submitting To Article Directories

Now is the time to dig up all those creative writing skills for writers and non-writers alike.

Information based marketing is one of the oldest and effective methods of driving targeted viewers to sites and converting them into clients, it runs hand in hand with modern communication technology. This is why article writing, publications and submissions are so popular.

There are various tools available to make the process of distributing your article much easier. However, even if they are invaluable for content exposure, this is only half the story.

Here you will find a few of the common mistakes made by some individuals before they ever submit their content to various article directories.

1. Confusing the reason to promote with the reason to write the articles.

There are 3 key benefits in article writing promotion, they are branding, promoting and lead generation. These are all part of your optimization efforts.

However, there is just one reason why you write articles, which is to pass on information to your readers. When an article does not focus on this important and primary purpose, it will fail in achieving the 3 promotional benefits above, since no one will find them interesting enough to read.

First you will need to determine how to get readers for your article and them convince them to click your resource box link. To do this you must produce better content.

2. Failing to optimize the promotional opportunities of article marketing.

Sure, you may understand that your articles can aid you in generating more links back to your website. However, do you know that you can entice more visitors as well as better search engine results from that very same article?

You must mention specific keywords in deliberate places. However, you must not overdo them. There are some who use anchor texts, which is also effective, however, it is essential to understand that most of the directories online cannot support them.

It is not all about linking back to your website, since part of succeeding in article marketing is being picked up by publishers who have large audiences and gaining the ability leverage other brands, because your work is so good. There are greater benefits in better search engine results.

However, this is not so profitable, since there are other aspects that can turn your article marketing efforts into a better opportunity, thereby boosting your profits. Rather than just increasing your online traffic.

Begin with a plan to ensure your articles serve the function you have intended them to do.

3. Publishing irrelevant content is not helpful.

Perhaps you have considered that the process of writing articles are only for linking back to your website, while any visitor it generates is just fine and dandy.

You know what? Not all article directories and banks will automatically accept your content. More than likely, they have specific guidelines for the article they accept.

When you write articles that directories will share with other individuals, you can double the number of websites you can submit to. Did you know that all it takes is one publisher with a multitude of readers to increase your potential reader over night?

If you want your article marketing to work effectively, write the type of articles that publishers do want. You must obey the standard guidelines, do your research on a good subject, or hire a writer to produce your content and use spell check.

Of course, it is a personal choice, you can either get little exposure from your link backs on a basic level or you can enjoy massive exposure by taking the time to create quality content.

It is up to you. Did you know that an article submitted in directories is not intended to have the same level of exposure as highly targeted content, geared towards a much narrow group of individuals?

When you learn the difference between the two, it will assist you understanding the kinds of articles you should be writing and submitting.

32 Comments

  • Paul Livingston

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Thanks Reed, great stuff.

    Do you post articles? Where? What kind? Links?

    Paul Livingstons last blog post..The Internet Marketing Success Formula…can it work?

  • Anatoly Silkin

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Excuse, dear Sponsor!!! My call SOS!!!! You do not hear!!!?????
    Your Automatic device gives the standard fruitless answer!!!!????
    Whether C???? and further to spend your precious time!!!????????
    Sincerely Anatoly Silkin.

  • Jeff

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Reed,

    Some very good points about article writing. Can you write a post expanding on your last point about the difference between content submitted to directories and highly targeted content (presumeably as would be posted on a blog or web site). I think this is a key thing for your readers to understand.

    Thanks!

    Jeff

  • Jeff

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Anatoly Silkin – Say What?!?

  • PV Reymond

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Hi Reed,

    You clarified important things here.

    Article marketing is a great way to get traffic and customers, but you have to know how to do it.

    I think that optimizing your articles for search engine is good, but if you work only on this direction you could fail.

    You have to write your article with your prospects in mind, give them tips and solutions. This way they will see that you are helping them and they will visit your site.

    If you combine these two things you can achieve great results.

    Thanks,
    ^PV Reymond

    http://www.startup-internetbusiness.com

    PV Reymonds last blog post..Internet Marketing For Newbies… The First Step

  • Anna Kindler

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Hey Reed,This is your first Thanksgiving with your new son. How great is that? The article today is informative as usual. Do you have an ebook on article writing that you could sell me? This granne newbie, really feels that you are one of the “good guys” of marketing and I feel I can trust your information. Thanks.Anna

  • Neil Robins

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Reed, Good stuff again.

    I’m writing from an article directory owner/webmaster perspective.

    There are some article writers (more likely they are article re-producers)who do not read or, if they do, adhere to the guidelines.

    You have some submitters submitting 6 copies of the same article with different subject lines; others create purely a very long advertisement and forget your point No.1 above; and of course
    failure to consider your point No.2 is very common.(And we will not mention the bad grammar and spelling that’s prevalent.)

    Article marketing can be used very successfully as many of our submitters will testify.They know they have to use the critea you detailed in your post.

  • Asher

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Hi Reed,

    I’m an avid article marketer and I can identify with your first point about confusing the reason to promote with the reason to write.

    It’s a good thing I got that out of the way early. Article marketing is a great way of getting exposure.

    It has to be done just right for maximum success 😉

    Asher

    Ashers last blog post..Success University Review: Think and Win Big Series Continued

  • Dorothea Carney

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Hey Reed,
    Great post! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    I just started submitting articles to a great directory. They give away lots of freebies and tons of info too.

    It’s at: http://affsphere.anyonecandoit.com

    Thanks …Dorothea Carney

    Dorothea Carneys last blog post..If you’d like to create your own product, read on…

  • Jussi Koiranen

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Another good post about article writing. There are numerous people promoting the importance of articles but so far only Anik Singal has now you have published some good advice about the subject.

  • Jussi Koiranen

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    @ Anatoly Silkin – What???

  • dawntrenee

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    I am learning more and more everyday how important and useful article marketing can be to you and your website. Thanks for the great article.

    dawntrenees last blog post..Use Twitter – Get Clients

  • TL The Liberator

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Reed,

    Once again you’ve hit the nail on the head. There are many ways to profit from article/content marketing but most people get it wrong.

    TL

  • Tim Ackley

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    hi, Reed
    great content as usual…..

    I would add that a clever lens on Squidoo can get you to page one of google in a hurry as well,
    and they are fun!

  • Terence

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Everyone knows that bum (article) marketing is a great way to generate traffic and sales for free.If you want to really do well with your article marketing here’s something that will help you get results.

    http://digitalzips.com/30DayBum/

  • Michael

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Reed,

    Great content that I needed to read as I am writing and submitting articles.

    Thanks,
    M_ichael

  • David

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Thanks for some very useful hints – what do you think of article submitters? I have used BAMM and am very happy with it – saves a lot of time. Also I agree with Tim – Squidoo is a great place to publish articles.

    Davids last blog post..You Have Been LIED To About SEO …..

  • Femi

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Hey what’s shaking Reed,

    Man I love this post. Every single word is filled with the truth. Especially your second point. I agree that your articles should not just be geared towards gettting traffic, backlinks or merely getting clicks to your website, but make it enjoyable to read and worthy enough to get picked up by publishers.

    Just this little info alone can pay huge dividends to article writers.

    Be blessed and congrats on the new baby-Reed! 🙂

    Happy Thanksgiving.

    – Femi
    http://femiakinkuowo.com

  • Pat Gunning

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Article Marketing is still the #1 marketing technique available that is FREE for everyone. It can build a business fast with targeted traffic, just what you want for a better sales opportunity.

    Our ebook SEOVideoGold take it to another level by showing you how to combine video and article marketing to really propel a business.

    This is a great post that will give you a far better understanding of this terrific marketing technique.

  • Carma Spence-Pothitt

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    This is good stuff, Reed. I love that you included the importance of planning out your article marketing strategy — this is so often overlooked.

  • Timothy Millar

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Hey Reed, Article Marketing is great but you have to know the rules! Ezine articles is tough to get going but is worth the effort. I have been trying Hub pages for a couple weeks and really enjoy it. Squidoo is next, I have been hearing about it too long not to try. Have a wonderful Day, Timothy Millar

    Timothy Millars last blog post..Scams on the Internet

  • Timothy Millar

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Hey Reed, I heard of two good Article sites
    just yesterday and I am in the middle of trying
    the one called Scribd.com who are ranked in the top ten in traffic on the Web and then there is
    Zimbio.com which I am trying next. Have you tried these yet? Have a Wonderful Day, Tim

    Timothy Millars last blog post..Scams on the Internet

  • tmobil8

    Reply Reply November 25, 2008

    Greetings Reed my friend, Thomas Richmond here, next time your online lets talk, i wish you and your new family a very Happy Thanksgiving. God_bless you 🙂

  • bet

    Reply Reply November 26, 2008

    Thanks, again for a great article and thanks to the people above who added useful hints. I will try them. What are the subscriber’s rules? Does each place, such as ezine tell you what they want? What are the differences between content submitted to directories and highly targeted content? (as asked above).Enjoy your baby! They grow up so quickly. bet

  • admin

    Reply Reply November 26, 2008

    @Paul ezine articles has some http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Reed_Floren

    @Anatoly what?

    @Jeff good idea we will see what we can do

    @PV thanks agreed

    @Anna it’ll be great! I know of one coming out soon look for an email from me on it 🙂

    @Neil thank you, nice to have your insight.

    @Asher agreed

    @Dorothea thank you 🙂

    @Jussi thank you

    @dawntrenee You’re welcome

    @TL thanks

    @Tim yep I’ve heard of a lot of people having success with Squidoo

    @Terence yep it’s a great way

    @Michael keep us posted

    @David Programs for submitting articles? I’ve pretty much stayed with just submitting to major article directories

    @Femi thank you 🙂

    @Pat article marketing is great but JV’s are #1 for me

    @Carma thanks

    @Timothy I haven’t tried those

    @Thomas thanks 🙂

    @bet you’d want to know the rules for each place you go after before writing articles.

  • Geoff Dodd

    Reply Reply November 27, 2008

    Reed,

    Good stimulating article. The goal of article submission is so important and the Quality with a capital ‘Q’ is crucial. Everyone will avoid and run away from poor quality and poor English in articles. Search engine back links is one consideration but can backfire – people’s readability MUST come first! Quality WILL get linked to Naturally.

    Geoff

    Geoff Dodds last blog post..Psychology of meditation experiences in pure words

  • admin

    Reply Reply November 30, 2008

    @Geoff agreed you need to have quality.

  • bet

    Reply Reply December 3, 2008

    Wonderful information. I hope everyone went to Asher’s page for some more good stuff. I don’t know what my resource box link is, yet.

  • admin

    Reply Reply December 6, 2008

    @bet thanks

  • delords

    Reply Reply January 31, 2009

    Great Tip reed
    keep the good work.

  • This post seems to end up remarkable. may completely utilize this post for my work and will very useful to individuals me personally. Thank you.

  • Camilla

    Reply Reply November 24, 2010

    Another good post about the facts on writing an article. There are numerous people promoting the importance of articles but you are doing it absolutely great! :-))

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