Archive for article writing

16 Apr 2009
article writing • internet marketing • seo • small business

It’s Nice Being Discovered On The Internet


So, yesterday I got an email from a fellow SEO webmaster who sent me an article about Name Tags.  I was wondering why would he send me this article?  So, I emailed him back and asked him.

His response was that he remembered that I had a client who sold name tags and he thought I might be interested in what this website owner was doing for his own site.

Funny thing is, it was an article written by my copywriter FOR my client!  I thought that was kinda funny.  It’s so nice being discovered!

Just in case you want to read the article on Metal name tags, check it out!


eckweb | One comment | Tags: ,
11 Mar 2009
article writing • internet marketing • seo • small business

Blog Experiment


So, if you haven’t noticed, in the last few weeks I implemented an experiment on my blog.

I used the services at FreeTrafficSystem.com to have articles written and placed on my blog.  They actually offer 2 services.

1) They will put articles on your blog if you wish.
2) They will publish the articles you submit to them on other blogs.

I only participated in the first one – I wanted to see what it looked like when the articles were published on a blog.  I have to say, it was very good.  I had at least one article per day published there and it gave me a bit of a break from writing so much on the blog.

BUT – I got a few emails from my readers wanting to know what was going on?  The information on the blog wasn’t from me (and it appeared very obvious) so my readers were wanting to know where I went!  It was nice to know that enough people read this blog to even notice me missing and it’s always nice to be missed!

So, what’s the lesson here?

The lesson is that blogs truly are personal connections with your audience.  The purpose of the blog is to get to know the author.  What are they thinking?  How are they thinking?  What’s influencing them?  What news are they hearing, reading, seeing?  What’s their interpretation of the news?  What are their thoughts, predictions on the business at hand?

I read certain blogs because I’ve learned to trust the authors of those blogs.  So, yes, it’s nice to have content written for you on your blog, but it seems that nothing really replaces YOU!

So, get blogging!


eckweb | No comments | Tags: ,
08 Mar 2009
article writing

THE REASON FOR LIVE CHAT SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATION


THE REASON FOR website chat

Most websites selling online do not offer enterprise live chat. Why is that? Are these businesses missing out on something or is there no place for live chat for sales on websites?

Well the main reason this question is generally not even thought about is exactly the reason why most sites should have Live Chat. You see it is taken for granted right into our mentality and our attitude that with the development of the internet everything can and should be automated. You hear it all the time especially from the so called internet marketing experts. Build a site, optimise it, use google adwords, get a shopping cart and hey presto you are getting traffic to the site. Now what is the assumption behind this way of doing business?

Well the hidden assumption here is that people are just going to turn up, have a look round and order. BUT statistics demonstrate that most people click away before buying or even leaving contact details. Now either this fact is known and accepted as “that’s the nature of the internet for you” OR as in most cases, whilst this statistic may be known, the significance of it remains certainly unknown . And in the majority of cases not even known at all.

The emphasis has been on getting traffic to the site and then relying on what? Sales copy. That is words and images. But if most people are clicking away is that enough? Of course some people do order this way and of course some people do manage to find your phone number which is typically buried away deep down on a “contact us” page and indeed some people will fill in your opt in form BUT most people will avoid contacting you and will move away from your site despite having the ability to phone you and e-mail you.

This is like having a bucket which you keep filling with water whilst not plugging the holes at the other end.

The people keep falling out through the holes.

So why do people leave? Where do they go? That is the big mystery. And it is the biggest mystery of all for any site owner. Or rather it should be the biggest mystery for any site owner but typically isn’t because they are too busy worrying about traffic, and not converting EXISTING traffic.

Live Chat has the potential to engage this whole segment of people who are not buying for whatever reason.

Now this does not mean of course that the 98% of people who will click away are all suddenly going to use Live Chat and buy something from you, BUT it will provide an additional medium to engage your site visitors in Real Time that you don’t currently have.

Within the segment of the people who you would ordinarily lose from your website are going to be people who will have questions about your product or services that your site will not necessarily answer. Moreover within this segment are also going to be people who even if they are comfortable with all of your content will still want to have some kind of “reassurance” about who and what they are dealing with. And here we come to the crux of the matter.

Live Chat provides the opportunity for a human connection, a chance to find out if that great looking website is a one man band without the ability to service its clients. It provides an opportunity to move from that feeling of “yes I think I might order from them BUT I’m not sure and I don’t know why “, to one of interactive clarity.

It enables an unconscious feeling of uncertainty to be made conscious and for the site visitor to be moved to take action. This is the reason most people click away. People buy or don’t buy largely because of a feel good factor or lack of one. For example I prefer shopping in Waitrose over Asda. Why? Asda has more or less the same food and is cheaper and even nearer. BUT the mood of the place, the vibe at Asda is so downbeat. The layout and décor is depressing. Waitrose tends to be more welcoming somehow. The isles seem to have more space. Etc etc. What impression does your online store create?

At least Asda has the potential to find out what affect its layout has upon its visitors because it has what?

Yes human staff to interact with you in real time? (The fact that they do not make best use of their staff to interact with you is not the point) They have the ability to find out customer perceptions whilst an online store without Live Chat does not. Its like walking around Asda and not finding anyone to ask “Where is the pasta kept please”? Live Chat enables the light switch to go on in your online store and to be able to gather customer perceptions which amongst other things may lead to buyers.

Let’s talk about customer perceptions.

Just think I might be shopping in Asda if someone had asked “sorry to interrupt are you finding everything you need right now?” – thus giving me the chance to open up, and as the question has no sales pressure element built into it I might just have. I could have given them feedback about the layout of the store, the fact that I’m actually physically cold in here and cant wait to get out etc etc. Live Chat enables the possibility for someone to give you that kind of feedback about your site even if they don’t buy. And even if they don’t buy first time, you have got good feedback about your site, which means you can improve your website content!!

Read more about free live chat and online chat webpages.

Shortcut to important knowledge about get wow gold – study hyperlinked page.


eckweb | No comments
26 Jan 2009
article writing • home business • internet marketing • small business

Twitter For Traffic


Okay, so you MUST have heard about Twitter by now. But, just in case you haven’t, Twitter is a micro-blogging tool that seems to have taken over the Internet. It’s one of, if not THE fastest growing social media type of program currently available.

Basically, the idea is you sign up for an account, you begin "micro blogging" which means that your "post" can’t be any longer than 140 characters. So basically, you’re just shouting out a note. You add to your account certain people that you want to follow on Twitter. And in turn, people follow you. Why should you follow anyone? Maybe the CEO of your competition is on Twitter. Don’t you want to know what he’s saying? Why should anyone want to follow you? Well, if you have important news, insights, advice, information on your "expertise" within your industry, they’ll follow you. Believe me.

One note to remember. If there are 100 people following you on Twitter, those 100 people have people following THEM. Those additional people can look to see who the people they are following, are following (follow me?) and that’s how your brand and exposure can continue to grow – at least within Twitter.

Maybe you have heard of Twitter and you know what it is and you actually have an account there, maybe you’re wondering, "What do I do with this thing?" – well, there are many companies out there who are trying to figure out the very same thing. You’re not alone. So, let me share with you some ideas and what others are doing to utilize this very interesting little tool.

First you must realize that in order for Twitter to work (and really, in order for ANY social media tool to work) you must participate. You can’t just sign up for an account on Twitter or Facebook or LinkedIn and expect that just because you have a profile out there that people are going to just jump and contact you. Well, maybe if your photo was of you in the nude and you looked absolutely amazing nude – maybe then you would get alot of contacts just for posting a profile. Otherwise, you’re going to have to use that program and the way you use it is to converse with other members, provide information, share insights, etc. Think of your social media program as your "watercooler". Everyone takes a few minutes each day to take a break – go to the watercooler or the coffee pot and just hang out for 5-10 minutes. Chat with others, get some news, gossip, etc. Your social media account is the very same thing. Only you don’t have to get up and walk anywhere!

Okay, so with that being said, let’s see what others are doing with this Twitter thing…


Quick Notices of Upcoming Sales, Events, Etc.

Companies like woot, southwestair, jetblue, best buy, american apparel, rubbermaid, whole foods, zappos, starbucks, dunkin donuts, dell, kodak, hoovers and so many more are using Twitter to increase / improve brand recognition AND to advise their "followers" of specials, sales, events, etc.

These companies have anywhere from 2000 to 75,000 followers. Imagine planning a sale for Valentines Day – you can use a program like TweetLater to create posts which then run at the designated time you instruct. You create 5 posts about the item(s) you are selling for Valentines Day and you post them onto your TweetLater account so for 5 days straight, all your Tweet followers will receive notice about what you’re putting on sale for this upcoming holiday. Imagine if you had 75,000 followers (like Woot).


Keep Up Communications With Your Customers

The RedCross uses Twitter to "provide information to the public during disasters". But they also receive alot of "thank yous" from individuals that they’ve helped. It allows them to keep in touch with those individuals, whom they may otherwise have never heard from.

Dunkin Donuts is getting a great response from their Twitter account. As they say, “We have been pleasantly pleased with the response volume we’ve received — there’s clearly enthusiasm for the brand on Twitter. It’s been exciting to see the conversation with our customers take off.”

WholeFoods has gained some insight into their own operations from their clients. Imagine, no need for sample polls and focus groups. What they’ve learned through Twitter is, …“…A lot about the importance of localized information. Whole Foods is a very decentralized…Because of this we will be working to get more local information out to people via accounts tailored to individual stores or cities, such as @WholeFoodsLA.”

HRBlock reports…"“Most rewarding: interacting with consumers 1:1. Love that connection – it’s great to help. Challenge: respond quickly in a 24/7 environment.”


Customer Service

Imagine if every time someone mentioned your company name, you would get a notification not only that a mention was made but what the mention was. I know, we can’t monitor EVERYTHING that’s said, but if your company name is mentioned in Twitter, you will see what was said and who said it. If the mention is unfavorable or they spoke of a problem, you can contact that Tweeter and try to resolve the issue. What great customer service! The dis-satisfied customer didn’t even have to get in touch with you!

Some Interesting Other Uses

Kevin.Lexblog.com wrote in September 2008 – Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, a pretty good plaintiffs’ firm here in Seattle, apparently has its PR person, Laura Young of Firmani + Associates Inc., out twittering to find putative class members for a possible class action law suit versus Verizon Wireless.

And from David Armano himself: – If you are interested about marketing, conversations and the ways which we communicate with each other (and how this is changing and evolving), you should at least investigate what the hoopla is all about. My recent experiences with Twitter tell me that the service is morphing due to how users want to use it. What was once initially designed to answer the question “what are you doing?”, has turned into a free-form communications service where people are having burts of shorthand conversations, sharing links and information in rapid-fire fashion…Personally, I think Twitter is a pretty powerful tool for anything involving promotions, events and communities.

Botanicalls – do you forget to water your plants? Set up the Botanicalls kit in your plant and it will Tweet you when it’s thirsty.

Commuter Feed – do your own traffic reporting for others in your area. No sense in EVERYONE getting stuck in that traffic jam!

There are some folks who just love to listen to emergency broadcasts with radio scanners and ham radios. For those folks, they can check out the LAFD twitter. The Los Angeles Fire Department tweets real time alerts in its jurisdiction.

So, have I convinced you yet? If you’re not on Twitter – I have no idea what you’re waiting for. And if you are on Twitter, are there any interesting ideas that you have on how to use this great program? Let me know.


eckweb | 2 comments | Tags: , ,
20 Jan 2009
article writing • internet marketing • small business

The Benefits of Social Media on Website Traffic


I know, I know, everyone is talking about social media, twitter this and facebook that! What’s it all about? Why is everyone so interested in the minutiae of our lives? Well, I don’t know the answer to that but I DO know that participating in social media is very much like participating in business and social networking groups. At first, you meet a lot of people, you shake hands, you engage in small talk and you get to know a little about each other. But after several meetings you become more engaged and more familiar and more trusting of each other. After several months, hopefully, you’ve gained that person’s trust enough to earn business referrals from them. Or maybe even business from themselves.

These online social media programs are the same thing – at least for businesses they are. The problem is that sometimes the business folks are mixed in with the social folks. So, the "conversation" that you see on the screen ranges from "Deciding on tuna or chicken sandwich for lunch." to "Found some great ideas on small business marketing – click here." So, yes, at this point we do have to weed out what we need from what we don’t need (or care about). But the reality is that the benefits are there.

Nothing tells the truth better than numbers, so here are some stats from 4 websites that we’re marketing. All four websites are participating in social media programs. All four have blogs that they keep up and all four contribute regularly (at least 2 articles per month) to their blog and social media campaigns.

Website 1 – contributes an average of 20 articles per month

28.33 % came from direct traffic
28.79% came from referring sites
42.88% came from search engines

The referring sites are…
stumbleupon.com
promotionworld.com
ladieswholaunch.com
twitter.com

 

Website 2 – contributes an average of 5 articles per month

10.54% from direct traffic
31.05% from referring sites
58.40% from search engines

The referring sites are…
knolstuff.com
blog
linkedin.com

Website 3 – contributes an average of 2 articles per month

7.51% from direct traffic
4.93% from referring sites
87.56% from search engines

The referring sites are…
knolstuff.com
blog
ezinearticles.com
goodsearch.com
geckoe.com

 

Website 4 – contributes an average of 2 articles per month

28.74% from direct traffic
2.01% from referring sites
69.25% from search engines

The referring sites are…
blog
knolstuff.com
goodsearch.com

What’s interesting to note is the direct traffic stats. 2 f the 4 websites above DO NOT participate in any other marketing besides Internet marketing, not even pay per click campaigns. So, the "direct traffic" visitors are probably coming from referrals from clients and/or referrals from visitors to the social media campaigns. It’s hard to tell but it’s interesting to note that factor.

So, you see, there’s no doubt that there is traffic being brought in to websites via social media. So, is it worth it for you to take 30 minutes each day to write a short article about what you already know? And then submit that article to multiple sites? If you really don’t have the time, consider using a social media marketing program like we have at Eckweb Designs. It does the work for you.


eckweb | One comment | Tags: , , , ,
13 Jan 2009
article writing • internet marketing • seo • small business

SEO and Long Tail Marketing


If you’re a small business and you’re trying to market your website, you may find it difficult to compete with the larger companies. You know, the companies that have triple the number of employees that you have, the companies that have 10 more websites than you have, the companies with deeper pockets than you have.

So, how can you, as a small business, compete on the Internet? Easy – Long Tail Marketing!

Long Tail Marketing is the concept of targeting keyword phrases that are less competitive. True, these keyword phrases are also less popular. But the chances of your website getting on the first page of the search engines with the long tail keyword phrase is much greater. And let’s face it, if you’re not on the first page, you’re not going to get visitors from that keyword phrase.

I’ve been struggling for months to get a client of ours on the first page of Google for the phrase name tags. I can get him there at least once a day but I can’t seem to keep him there! It’s frustrating to say the least! So, I know the potential for the visitors to his site for that keyword phrase is high but at the same time, while I’m working on that highly competitive phrase I still need to get visitors to his website. And long tail marketing is an excellent SEO strategy.

Let me give you some stats based on the last 30 days…

Website #1 Competitive keyword phrase has an allintitle of 49,500
Number of visitors from this keyword phrase = 360
Position on Google – currently page 5
Position on Yahoo – currently page 1

The Long Tail keyword phrases have an allintitle of less than 1200 each
Number of visitors from the long tail keyword phrases = 2100
Position on Google – currently page 1
Position on Yahoo – currently page 1
   
Website #2 Competitive keyword phrase has an allintitle of 128,900
Number of visitors from this keyword phrase = 210
Position on Google – currently page 12
Position on Yahoo – currently page 8

The Long Tail keyword phrases have an allintitle of less than 1200 each
Number of visitors from the long tail keyword phrases = 4250
Position on Google – currently page 1
Position on Yahoo – currently page 2
   
Website #3 Competitive keyword phrase has an allintitle of 83,700
Number of visitors from this keyword phrase = 625
Position on Google – currently page 21
Position on Yahoo – currently page 18

The Long Tail keyword phrases have an allintitle of less than 1200 each
Number of visitors from the long tail keyword phrases = 3810
Position on Google – currently page 1
Position on Yahoo – currently page 1

The numbers don’t lie. All these websites are getting MORE visitors from their long tail keyword phrases. It makes sense, their positions in the search engines for these long tail phrases are higher so the chances of getting visitors are higher.

You may be asking yourself, so why doesn’t every small business website follow the long tail marketing method? Well, there’s a catch. In order to get the larger number of visitors to your website, you need more pages. If a highly competitive keyword phrase on page 1 of Google can bring in 1000 visitors to your website, and a less competitive keyword phrase on page 1 of Google can bring in 50 visitors, then you need 20 pages, each one marketing one of these "less competitive (aka long tail) keyword phrases" in order to bring in the same number as the highly competitive keyword phrase.

And let’s face it, not many small business owners have the time to write so many pages. And not many small business owners have the money to pay copywriters for the service. But, as an SEO webmaster working specifically with small business owners I’m here to tell you that long tail marketing is your best, most effective strategy for website marketing. As your SEO firm to provide you with long tail keyword phrases, each month they should give you a few. And write – add new pages to your website. Write articles and post them on your blog, on Facebook. Let everyone on your Twitter account know about that article. It WILL bring in business and the side benefit is that the conversion rates are usually higher on the long tail keyword phrases. So, not only do they bring in visitors, but targeted visitors who are ready to buy.


eckweb | 2 comments | Tags: , , , ,
29 Sep 2008
article writing • internet marketing • seo • small business

Writing For Websites


As an SEO webmaster, I am continuously “scolded” by copywriters. I don’t mean Internet copywriters, I mean copywriters, those who write for print. “Writing for websites”, I tell them, “is not the same as writing for print.”

What’s their usual response?

I’m not writing for SEO, I’m writing for the readers! I’m not manipulating my words just to meet some SEO rules.

That’s the usual response I get, something like that. And I have to tell you, I just smile and think back on all the copywriters who have told me that over so many years. How tried writing for their clients’ websites only to come back several months later saying that they are having trouble getting the websites on the search engines.

I know it’s not easy to change, but I have to tell you (copywriters I mean) you’re not giving up your artistry, if anything, you’re being challenged to be even more artistic with your writing. Writing for websites is not just about writing for SEO, it IS about writing for the reader AND the search engines. It takes a very crafty, smart writer to be able to combine the two.

Writing for websites can be rewarding in so many ways. Not only are you (the copywriter) writing something that potentially millions of people will see, you are also providing your client with a means of gaining revenue. The ROI (Return On Investment) on the writing you do for a website will be much greater than the ROI for a brochure, or a sales ad. Why? Because that ONE article that you wrote can be translated into many different languages, placed in many different directories, press releases, websites, blogs, ezines and more. The viral effect of the Internet is amazing. And it’s long lasting. I continue to receive new visitors to my websites because of the articles that I’ve written as much as 2 years ago!!

So, just take a deep breath and think about it. Writing for websites can be a wonderful skill. Here’s how I do it.

1) I’ve got the keyword phrase that I’m going to use. This is usually provided by the SEO firm.
2) Let’s say the keyword phrase is “custom name tags“.
3) The copywriter is going to write an article about “custom name tags”.
4) The title includes the phrase, the phrase is placed in the body 2-3 times, the phrase should be at the bottom of the title, and you want to try and bold the phrase at least once.

That’ it. Your writing style remains fairly intact. Your creativity is challenged by the mere fact that you are writing ABOUT a certain keyword phrase. Your techniques and skills are also challenged as you integrate your artistic side with your technical side!

It’s a Win Win situation! For you and the client. Believe me, the first time you get a phone call from a client saying that he just made “x” number of dollars or “x” number of sales because of what you wrote, you’ll be hooked. It’s an amazing feeling when you’ve helped a business owner achieve a goal – all because of what you wrote!

Writing for websites is NOT giving up of yourself and your personal style. Integrate these new skills and both you and your clients will be better off!


eckweb | No comments | Tags: , , , , , ,
23 Jul 2008
article writing • internet marketing • seo • small business

Article Marketing – Can You Do It?


Article marketing is by far the best, easiest, cheapest, most effective type of Internet marketing. The website owner has total control and can write as many articles as they wish. So, what’s the glitch? Many website owners don’t think they can do it.

I just got off the phone with a client who is just terrified of having to write! She’s so concerned with getting “just the right” text, making sure the grammar is perfect, etc. It’s so overwhelming that she doesn’t do any writing at all!

What’s my comment? “Can you talk?” – If you can talk, then you can write.

I’m no master writer, (as you can tell). But I know my business, I know SEO and Internet marketing and talking about that is not a problem. So, if I can talk about it, I can absolutely write about it. I just imagine myself at a networking group, in front of someone, talking about whatever the topic of the article is. That’s it. No magic, no panel of reviewers, nothing. Just me and the keyboard and my imagination.

How do I know what to write about? That’s easy too. I go to Google News and type in a word or phrase. For me that would be something like, “Internet marketing”, or “seo”, or “search engine optimization”. I then sort the articles by date and I get a list of updated news on the topic. I also keep a list of blogs that I read daily which help to keep up with the news in my industry as well.

Writing articles doesn’t have to be daunting or overwhelming. Keep it simple and focused on your topic. You can do it.

So, what do you think? Is article marketing for you? It should be.


eckweb | No comments | Tags: ,
23 Feb 2008
article writing • internet marketing • seo • Uncategorized

Name Tags – How Creative


One of the most difficult aspects of Internet marketing is the constant flow of new articles that really should be written on a regular basis. It’s not so easy to come up with the kind of creative writing that is needed in Internet marketing. But if you find the right person to help you, it can make all the difference in the world. Well, at least in your pocket book!
So, a few weeks ago a new client signed up with me for Internet marketing services. This new client sells name tags and name badges. Not very exciting, true but still a popular product.Anyway, he wanted to have some articles created for the purpose of marketing on the Internet. A friend of mine had been working with a new copywriter, Taylor DiMeglio from TheWordTaylor.com. My friend loved her work so I thought I would give her a try.
I gave Taylor the phone number for my name tag client and she took care of the rest. And boy did she ever!Below is her work.Nano Name Tag Saves Law-Mart (Again)
Our hero, Nano Name Tag, that underdog of underdogs, was spotted once again going into Law-Mart. What his mission was, we couldn’t be sure, but you can bet Niddlybot News was determined to find out.
First spotted in the candy aisle, Nano Name Tag for once looked idle, maybe even depressed. He was staring at a Snickers® bar twice his size. Poor Nano. He can’t eat without a mouth. After all, he is just a name tag.
But, not just any name tag. Nano reminded us of that moments later when he straightened up in high alert. A situation was brewing, and he was on the case.
A red-haired lady looked around anxiously, two sets of bedsheets in her hand. Obviously, she needed help, twisting her head about as she was, looking for a Law-Mart employee. And, there was Ed, right in front of her-—without his employee name tag.
An indignant Nano Name Tag launched himself into the air, sweeping upward in a full arc, his pin landing squarely on the top of a passing shopping cart. For a moment, he looked proud. They were headed right for Ed and the red-haired lady. Nano struggled to pull his pin out of the cart in preparation for his jump.
It wouldn’t be easy. Nano Name Tag would have to jump backwards across a space of three feet to land on the right spot of Ed’s shirt. Now we were anxious, wondering if he’d make it.
Ready, set…there he went! Propelling himself off the cart with furious, gasping effort, Nano flew through the air. Oh, no! Ed was starting to move away, at just that critical second. Would Nano impale the shower curtains?!
But, no, he made it, and just in time, too. The red haired lady looked perturbed. Was there no one in this store to help her? And, then she spotted Nano Name Tag on Ed’s shirt. “Hi, My name is Ed” it proclaimed.
Was that there this whole time? she seemed to wonder. Never mind. She was relieved, and Nano Name Tag stayed still, acting the perfectly ordinary employee name tag. That Nano.
For his part, Ed jerked at the sharp but momentary poke of Nano Name Tag’s pin. But clearly, it reminded him—-customers were more important than the shower curtain rings he held in his hand. He put them down.
“May I help you?” he asked.
It all went smoothly from there. Amid the smiles and conversation, Nano Name Tag held quiet. He didn’t want to intrude. When the red haired lady walked away with the right bedsheets, Ed looked down at Nano.
“Where did you come from, Nano?! I can’t believe I forgot my employee name tag again. Thank goodness you spotted me before Mr. Dinkins did.”
“It’s no trouble,” a blushing Nano Name Tag spelled out.
“Thank you, Nano Name Tag. Thank you!”
A little reluctantly, Ed pulled Nano Name Tag off his shirt, set him on the floor, and replaced him with his own employee name tag. (He’d had it in his back pocket this whole time.)
Nano jostled himself forward as best he could without any arms or legs. A few feet away, he howled suddenly, rubbing his backside against a stack of towels.
Ed ran over, “What is it Nano? Are you okay?!”
“It’s nothing,” said Nano. “Just poked myself with my pin is all. All in a day’s—”
But, Ed had already moved on. He’d spotted another customer needing help a few aisles over.
“All in a day’s work,” said Nano.
Nano Name Tag, you’ve done it again.
If you’re searching for quality, custom name tags that perform Super Hero work, visit Name-Tags.net

eckweb | No comments | Tags: , ,
09 Feb 2008
article writing • internet marketing • small business

How To Use Articles For Marketing


I’m sure you’ve seen the advertisements, “Learn How To Use Articles For Marketing“. Promising you tons of traffic just for writing something down.

They make it seem so easy. Write an article, publish it on the Internet via a website, a blog, press release and BOOM, you’ve got traffic and sales and money!!!

Yeah right! If you believe this, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell ya.

Articles DO bring in traffic. Absolutely! But, it’s not as easy as 1-2-3. There’s just a little bit more to it. Difficult, not really. If you really want to learn how to use articles for marketing, here are the steps:

1) Decide on a keyword phrase. Yep, one keyword phrase. But know, that just any keyword phrase won’t do. You want a keyword phrase that is popular yet has little Internet competition. If you know how to choose the best keyword phrase for Internet marketing, great. If not, consult with an SEO marketer.

2) Write your article based on this keyword phrase. Use the keyword phrase in the title of your article, in the body of text of your article, in the beginning, in the middle and in the end of the body of text. Bold and/or italicize your keyword phrase here and there. If possible use your keyword phrase as an anchor text link.

3) Speaking of anchor text links. Try to incorporate anchor text links in your article, pointing back to your website. Believe it or not, this is the number on most important technique in the art of how to use your articles for marketing. It’s the anchor text linking that Google is looking for.

4) You want your article to have some unique content. That means you don’t want to grab someone else’s text and use it as your own. The search engines frown on duplicate content. They really do.

5) Once your article is completed, submit it to as many article submission sites as possible. You can even re-write the article as a press release and submit it to as many online press release sites as possible. When it comes to using articles for marketing, you need exposure. Submitting your article gives you that exposure.

6) Here comes the hard part. WAIT! Yep, wait. Your article can be on the Internet within 5 days. But, it will take longer for it to get indexed and be useful and point back to your website. It can take 30 days, it can take 365 days.

7) So, what’s the point? If article writing doesn’t bring in traffic quickly why bother? I’ll tell you why. An article you write today can get indexed in 30 days through one website. A few days or months later, other websites will index it. So on and so on and so on. I still see articles that I wrote more than 2 years ago just getting picked up and indexed by directories and search engines.

That means more links to my website.
That means higher placement possibilities in Google.
That means more traffic.
That means more customers.

All from something I wrote once.

8) Want to track your article’s indexing? Go to Google’s Alert service. It’s a free service that alerts you by email whenever certain text or a website is indexed by any online publication. (This includes search engines, directories, websites, etc.) This is how I know that my articles are still getting published.

So, that’s it. No secrets, no miracles, no magic potions. I’ve laid out the steps for you on how to use articles for marketing. Go ahead, get started. You’ll reap the rewards, I’m positive!


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