Writing Articles: The Fast, and Free, Way To Viral Marketing

Keywords: article, website, search engine, content marketing, generate traffic, increase earnings, viral marketing, www.mediaspin.com

Promoting your website with search engines to generate traffic and increase earnings can be done at no cost. That’s right: free. Zero. Zip. Nothing.

Search Engine Content Marketing will Generate Traffic and Increase Profits

Is this for real? Yes, the only investment is time and effort, but the payoff can be enormous—boosting site hits and sales, with a return on your investment of 200% to infinity.

How? By writing articles, one of the easiest ways to draw attention to a website, generate traffic, and increase earnings.

Getting into a customer’s wallet is everyone’s goal. The more visitors, the more wallets—some of them first-timers who may be back again and again, ready, willing, and able – to buy, that is. But you have to get into their head before you can get into their wallet.

How Does Search Engine Content Marketing Work

Search engine content marketing involves writing articles related to the content of your website, then sending them to “free content” submission sites (public domain).

Make sure the content marketing your website contains a link back to your website (resource box). Someone who reads the article then may choose to click on the link. Voila! An unexpected visitor arrives.

The free content sites, in turn, make these articles available to other webmasters who may also place your public domain content on their site. If they do, voila! There’s another link back to your website, because anyone who reads the article can click through to the products and/or services you offer.

Content Marketing Leads to Viral Marketing

As your list of published articles grows and more appear on other websites, the number of links increases. Major search engines place more significance on those incoming links to determine the “importance” of a site– i.e., where to rank it. The more incoming links, the higher the search engine will place your website in the search results.

If your website is promoting a product or service, all the links generated by those articles will mean more potential customers—and more customer wallets. Even if the visitor only browses, who knows what they will need in the future.

Some customers may have a specific need in mind, but cannot decide among various choices online. If they stumble upon an article and dig it, they may click through to your website, become enticed by a promotion, and pass it on to their contact list. Boom! Reaching those new customers did not cost a penny.

Another Benefit to Article Marketing

Search engines not only index the websites but perform the same function for published articles. The search engines also index any content marketing a particular topic.

Once someone searches for that topic, the list of results will not only include your website but many of the articles written to promote your website. That’s a powerful force—published articles and search engines. Think about how little effort that takes.

The fact is, more people are taking their buying needs online. Articles can cover topics those shoppers want to know about, written in a light and professional manner, and include a not-so-obvious sales pitch. If the customer’s wallet is opened, that’s pure profit, because nothing was spent on marketing.

See? Something for nothing. Writing articles, affordable website marketing made easy.

* Originally published on Suite 101 December 15, 2010

Writing Articles: Effective Submission to Article Directories

Keywords: article directories, article marketing, content, keywords, search engine, website

Writing good articles with solid content is no longer enough to effectively drive visitors to a website. In fact, it’s only half the battle.

Making effective use of article directories is the other 50% of successful article marketing. By following a few simple guidelines, you can effectively capitalize on one of the most inexpensive, versus costly, Internet ad methods. However, there are many common mistakes website owner/operators make when submitting articles to directories.

Better Search Engine Content = Click-Through

The first common mistake is confusing the reason to promote an article with the reason to write it in the first place. There are three key benefits to writing an article: branding, lead generation, and promotion. But there is just one main reason to write an article: to inform the audience. The only way to coax a reader to finish an article and click on the resource box is by writing better content.

Strategic Placement of Article Marketing Keywords

The second biggest mistake is a failure to maximize the promotional opportunities inherent in article marketing. It is well-known that quality articles can help generate additional links back to an owner/operator’s website. But placing keywords in strategic locations will result in higher rankings in search engine results and more visitors.

Successful article marketing also involves being picked up by publishers with large audiences and leveraging other brands because of the quality of the content. If the article serves the intended function, it will increase site visitors and potentially put more money in the website owner/operator’s bank account.

Make Sure Article Marketing Content Helps Readers

Not all article banks or directories will accept a submission automatically. Many article directories have guidelines and specifications that must be followed before an article is accepted. The number of sites available for submission can be doubled if the author is writing articles the directories want to share with other people. One publisher with 100,000 readers can immediately increase a potential audience.

Linking Articles Can Be a Big Boost

If a website owner/operator chooses to submit articles to ezines and/or newsletters, providing a link to their other articles, on similar topics, is just as important. If readers like the article, they most likely will click on the link directing them to the next article in the series.

The most effective way to make article marketing work is to write articles that publishers want. Obey the tips to make sure your articles get read, spell check, research a good topic, and produce good content in order to maximize exposure through article directories.

It is simply a matter of choice. A little exposure can be gained by increasing links back to a site on a basic level. Massive exposure can be earned through investing the time to ensure quality content – affordable website marketing made easy.

* Originally published on Suite 101 October 12, 2010

Writing Articles: A Resource Box That Clicks with Readers

Keywords: resource box, keywords, article, content, visitor, traffic, website

The resource box at the end of a web article may be as important these days in getting a site noticed as the content quality of the article itself.

Article Resource Boxes Attract Website Visitor Traffic

An article resource box usually contains the author’s name, a brief biography, a description of the sponsoring site, and a link. If a visitor likes what they read, chances are good they will want to find out where the article originated to read more on the topic of interest.

An Eye-Catching Resource Box

Like the article itself, a resource box should be eye-catching to gain a visitor’s attention and interest. The resource box may only take up a small space, but placing the right keywords and content in the resource box may motivate the visitor to click through to your website and buy your product or service.

The benefits are many from your article resource box – how to maximize its use is the secret. The resource box is a key component to driving traffic to your site. Other sites allow articles to be placed on their sites to fill page space. The affiliation with other sites can be mutually beneficial. The sponsoring site can generate traffic, potential customers, when readers click on a link in your resource box.

Keywords Are King

Keywords are the key content for a resource box. Learning about the proper keywords that readers are primarily seeking helps drive visitors. The Internet provides all sorts of tools to identify and determine what keywords and keyword phrases to use.

Make sure, however, that any keywords used are relevant to the site being linked. Do not mislead potential visitors or risk losing credibility. Honesty and integrity entice more readers to visit a site and browse what’s offered. A relevant resource box is but one chance to leave a lasting impression.

Why Resource Box Keywords and Content Attract Website Visitors

The resource box may be the most important paragraph an author writes. Within that small space is the opportunity to maximize creativity and catch a reader’s attention before they move on to another article. The right content could catch their imagination and make a reader take a second look. It is the last chance the writer has to drive traffic to their website.

A boring resource box will never get the job done. But a little imagination may make all the difference in the reader’s decision to click or not to click. Now that you have a way for your readers to click through your articles to your website, it’s time for some tips to make sure your articles are read.

* Originally published on Suite 101 January 24, 2011

Writing Articles: An Easier Way for Haters

Key words: articles, website, content, original, time, writing, public domain

Writing articles is key to driving sales for anyone who owns, runs, or maintains an Internet-based business, but most people hate writing website content.

Writing Original Website Content in Less Time

Most people who have a website realize this; even frequent Internet users know it. Articles feed a web-surfer’s hunger for information and knowledge, help a website owner place higher in the rankings for search results, and increase the confidence and trust levels of customers.

However, many website owners lack ideas to inspire creative article writing, would rather spend their valuable time on something else, or simply don’t have the time to write articles when there are so many other duties to fulfill. Only big companies have the financial resources to hire out the job. Finally, plagiarism, copying other articles, is frowned upon and could easily get you into big-time trouble, such as a hefty fine and jail time. So what are the other options?

Public Domain Articles Are Free and Unrestricted

If a website owner hates writing articles and cannot afford to hire people to write them, there is a huge repository of free content available. The first place to look is in the public domain. There are no concerns with copyright infringement and the possible penalties and fines associated with plagiarism.

Public domain articles are freely given for public use for anyone to publish anywhere. Such content can be placed on an owner’s website, put in a newsletter, or emailed. The key is in choosing public domain content that sounds original and is related to the niche topic of the website.

The downside to public domain articles is this: since they are free for everyone’s unrestricted use, many of a site’s direct competitors may have access to them as well. Since every site needs to be original despite sharing the same niche, public domain content could present a dilemma. Website owners may have to edit the content a bit, swapping relevant keywords and keyword phrases, to make it rank higher on the search engines.

Article Submissions from Other Sites

Another way to obtain content at no cost is to allow other sites with the same subject or topic as yours to submit articles. This would serve to augment existing content. Otherwise, all the articles submitted would be “outbound:” leading to other sites, since the articles would have resource boxes with them that could link or direct the readers to their site. That’s why it is important to have at least some original content—in order to link to other websites as well.

Low-Cost Original Articles by Freelance Writers

There are no substitutes for original articles on a website and the ability to link those articles to increase traffic to one’s site. However, there are many part-time and freelance writers willing to submit articles for minimal fees. Therefore, it is possible to gain quality articles at a reasonable cost with all the keywords and keyword phrases you need.

The investment in writing original articles, as with the other “Must Haves” to drive website traffic, is either time, money, or both. But the payoff can be huge in driving traffic to one’s site or in the credibility needed to gain a financial foothold.

* Originally published on Suite 101 January 23, 2011

Writing Articles: Affordable Website Marketing Made Easy

Keywords: article, articles, content, marketing, website, websites, writing

Remember the three R’s? Reading, writing, ‘rithmetic. Sound familiar? They’re also the keys to successfully marketing a website by writing articles.

In order to get people to read Internet content, writing original articles is important. Then do the arithmetic of website hits and the cash that goes with it. Web surfers want information—lots of it. So writing articles is one of the most effective ways to market a website. It’s simple, cost-effective, and drives users to that website.

Why Writing Articles makes Website Marketing Sense

Millions of searches are done every day. Search engines use keywords to sort articles and other website content. So articles plus keywords equals an enhanced chance of a website getting noticed. Since an article costs nothing but a little time and creativity, and the cost of an Internet Service Provider already exists, why not get more bang for the buck with more original content on that website?

Writing articles only drives more traffic, especially when those articles are submitted to an article directory or, better yet, several article directories. Since those directories will ensure that other websites use the article, and copyright terms dictate the use of that website’s URL to bring in even more users, be sure to include a resource box and byline to warm up their first contact.

How Writing Good Articles Markets a Website to Prospects

Finally, articles are the key to enhancing a website owner’s credibility. Showing knowledge and a solid grasp of the products offered on a website converts unique visitors to website sales. At a recent LinkedIn job-seekers webinar, an expert told them to “add to their online professional reputation.” The instructor emphasized the importance of positive, periodic updates and a personalized approach to keep their names in the minds of contacts who could connect them to career possibilities.

If that holds true for individuals, why not for a web-based business, too? Such an approach keeps a website’s name on the front-burner in much the same way. Online marketing is simply digital networking—and perception is reality. If a website owner is perceived as credible and reputable, then the customers will follow.

Begin Writing Articles to Market a Website

Okay, so how does one begin – and what about writer’s block? Start by jotting down some ideas. As an outline or expansion of those ideas begins to grow, momentum builds and creativity flows. All of a sudden, an article is born. Nurture it, feed it, and your business will grow from the most inexpensive, vs. costly, Internet ad methods.

* Originally published on Suite 101 August 02, 2010

Advertising: Low-Cost Ads and Internet Scams

Keywords: advertise, background check, business, ROI, scams, scammers

Low-cost Internet business advertising is often a scam, but background checks can ensure a better ROI (Return on Investment) against scammers.

Scams are everywhere. Internet ads that tout get-rich-quick schemes, flat stomachs, and work-at-home opportunities are commonplace. You read about scams all the time in the newspaper, hear about them on the news, and find out about them on the Internet. In fact, it seems like everywhere you turn, scams are running amok.

So, too, are scammers who target the Internet advertisers themselves. Business owners certainly understand the importance of advertising to draw and drive sales. They are cost-conscious consumers themselves, who want ROI. Small business owners and NFP (Not For Profit) organizations especially don’t have a big budget for ads.

However, believe it or not, there are people and companies who try to steal even those limited dollars from advertisers and business owners by offering cheap advertising packages that do not deliver the agreed-upon services.

Background Checks are Key to Avoiding Advertising Scams

The scam arrives when the advertiser pays for the services, but only some or none of those services are even performed. Just as a good consumer checks with the Better Business Bureau or other sources to check out a business, an advertiser should do a background check on the person or company that wants to handle an Internet advertising campaign, including:

  • Past successes through positive customer comments/feedback by objective sources other than the agency’s own website.
  • A solid reputation confirmed through references that are provided and who also are reputable—preferably not user-contributed sources such as blogs or wikis.

Anatomy of an Advertising Scam

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns offer solid ROI because an agreed-upon amount is paid by an advertiser to a search engine each time a visitor clicks on the banner ad provided. However, Cyber Punks have developed a computer program to automatically click on the banner, which increased the amount the advertiser had to pay—and a scam was born.
That led to the development of pay-per-action advertising campaigns, which are harder to hack. With this method, the advertiser only pays the search engine a monetary sum each time a sale is realized with a customer.

Affordable Internet Ad Agencies offer benefits that newspapers, TV, and radio cannot. For example, it is interactive and more measurable. TV and radio are unidirectional means of advertising, while the Internet offers a chance for the advertiser and potential customers to interact directly. The same caveat that applies to consumers holds true for advertisers, too: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

* Originally published on Suite 101 October 08, 2010

Advertising: Inexpensive vs. Costly Internet Ad Methods

Keywords: ads, articles, internet advertising, podcast, ROI, search engine, website owner

Internet advertising is growing by leaps and bounds in popularity due to ROI (Return On Investment) tracking.

Several methods of contracted Internet advertising have come along, running from cheap to expensive. A website owner/operator will have to decide which method will work best, based on their expectations, as well as the size of the budget that’s been set aside for advertising.

Pop-up Internet Advertising

Pop-ups are the most expensive form of Internet advertising—and quite frankly, visitors find them so annoying they’re likely to close windows without even bothering to find out what’s being advertised. Fly ads are a derivative form of pop-ups which visitors also find irksome.

Podcasts as Internet Advertising

A podcast is a pre-recorded audio program that’s posted to a website and is made available for download so people can listen to them on personal computers or mobile devices. In sum, a podcast is to the Internet as broadcast is to TV.

Podcasts are not growing as quickly as other Internet advertising methods but can be a powerful tool to reach and engage niche audiences. However, podcasts do offer the potential for good ROI, so they are at least worth a look.

Paying Search Engines as Internet Advertising

This is tantamount to paying cash to rig the outcome of a visitor’s search, but it ensures effectiveness. When someone types in a keyword related to a website owner/operator’s content, their URL is automatically included in the first page of the top results. Fixed payment for the search engine allows just that. It is expensive, but payment to the big boys at the Google and Yahoo! search engines can ensure site success.

This Internet advertising method is associated with a related method: the PPC (Pay-Per-Click) system, in which advertisers typically bid on keyword phrases, through such services as Google AdWords, relevant to their target market. Advertisers pay the search engine only when their ad is clicked, in a similar fashion to the way PPC ads are used on websites. It is still expensive but cheaper than paying a search engine directly.

Blogging as Internet Advertising

Blogging is as cheap as it comes because it costs nothing to blog about a website. It is one of the most popular methods at the moment—and will at least spur some outcome. All a website owner/operator has to do is sign up for a blogging account and begin posting.

Paying Smaller Search Engines as an Alternative

This Internet advertising method is both affordable and dependable. By submitting a site to smaller search engines, there is a greater chance to receive increased ROI. Search engine giants such as Yahoo! and Google can overlook a site easily, lowering initial risk while providing small receivables.

Text Links as Internet Advertising

The only cost for this form of Internet advertising is a little bartering. Website owner/operators can band together and exchange favors by putting up text links to each other’s websites.

Articles

Search engines use keywords to sort articles and other website content, so articles plus keywords equals an enhanced chance of your website being noticed. Whether you outsource the writing or invest a little of your own time, writing articles drives more traffic, especially if you submit those articles to an article directory.

Affiliate Marketing

Perhaps the fastest and easiest way to get started, affiliate marketing is a form of Internet advertising in which advertisers pay affiliates only for results. If the concept works properly, the advertiser pays commissions only to website owner/operators who are able to successfully sell products or services. Now that’s affordable website marketing made easy.

* Originally published on Suite 101 October 12, 2010

Advertising: Affordable Internet Ad Agencies

Keywords: affordable, agencies, internet advertising, SEO, small business, website owner

Several methods of Internet Advertising have come along, but Internet advertising agencies still offer many affordable small business website owner services.

Website owner/operators, like most small business owners, have enough details to handle and/or value their free time too much to deal with the hassle of advertising their product or service themselves.

Low-cost Internet advertising agencies can be a good way to let someone else handle the detail work in making a product or service known and help a website earn money. There is a wide range of affordable Internet advertising agencies now popping up to meet small business needs. Some of the Internet advertising agencies can be considered “niche” businesses, in that they handle only a specific aspect of online advertising.

Web Design Agencies

The agencies focus solely on building web pages for a website owner/operator. Many offer affordable services designed especially for drumming up business for a website.

Logo Services Agencies

These firms specialize in the production of website logos. Hundreds of pre-designed logos are available for purchase, can be customized to complement a website owner/operator’s design, and can be a cost-effective way to develop a company logo.

Copywriting Agencies

These agencies serve as adjuncts to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts. Copywriting agencies can provide quality content specifically targeting the attention of the market a website owner/operator intends to reach, especially through the use of keywords and keyword phrases. Freelancers, who offer similar services, can be even more cost-effective and are often found through their own websites.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Agencies

These agencies are data-driven: constantly analyzing and modifying websites to achieve the highest possible ranking in search engine results. These companies can improve a website design and/or content to attract more traffic.
Some SEO-related agencies also offer link-building to better benefit a web-based business. Many such “e-marketing” agencies actually offer a combination of all of these services and go by the name of Internet Marketing Consultants.

Domain Registration Agencies

A web-based business’s name on the Internet is the focus of these agencies, which range from small local firms to nationwide businesses. The largest and most reputable, of course, are the most expensive. Some offer a full range of web-based services—from registering a domain name to hosting a website.

As competition increases in this arena, some Internet advertising agencies are expanding their array of services and offering package deals. They operate in a similar fashion to a provider that offers discounts for “bundled” services, such as Internet, cable, and phone together, or auto, life, and homeowners insurance as a reduced-rate package.

Be mindful, though, buying ad services is like buying any other product, especially big-ticket items; you should always do your due diligence to sort through the inexpensive vs. costly Internet Ad Methods and know the difference between low-cost ads and Internet scams.

* Originally published on Suite 101 October 08, 2010

Advertising: Affiliate Marketing is Cost-Effective for Business

Keywords: advertise, affiliate marketing, internet, productivity, referral marketing, traffic, website owner

The concept behind affiliate marketing may be simple, but the advertising technique has its ups and downs.

Affiliate marketing, also known as referral marketing, is a form of Internet advertising in which advertisers (online merchants that sell products or services) pay affiliates (independent parties that promote the advertiser on their website through a link) only for results, such as a visitor who makes a purchase or fills out a form. If the concept works properly, the advertiser pays commissions to website owner/operators who are able to successfully sell products or services—a sort of “pay for performance” model.

There are a number of reasons why web marketers widely use affiliate marketing as a form of Internet advertising.

Affiliate marketing is low-cost

Many owner/operators are fearful of starting a home-based business because of the high startup capital required. Affiliate marketing doesn’t involve much investment to start bringing in money.

Affiliate marketing involves no inventory

Managing product can be stressful and time-consuming. With affiliate marketing, there is no inventory to be maintained; the merchant takes care of all that.

Referral marketing offers unlimited income

A regular job means showing up to get paid. Income is tied to attendance and performance. Through referral marketing, associates lead traffic to a website owner/operator’s site without having to lift a finger after ad copy and links are provided. Not every web marketer earns unlimited income, but everything’s already there for the advertiser or Internet marketer to be a success.

Referral marketing means going global

There’s a global marketplace to be had with referral marketing. Choose the right nice product, prepare and make available all the necessary tools, and affiliates can send traffic from just about anywhere in the world to a website owner/operator’s URL (Universal Resource Location).

Referral marketing is low-risk

One of the biggest reasons why Internet marketers get excited about referral marketing is a low-risk/high-reward factor. Many website owner/operators only have small budgets set aside for advertising. As a result, referral marketing is an attractive option that offers the most traffic for a limited buck.

Referral marketing has no set hours

There is no closing time for a website owner/operator who uses referral marketing. In other words, a business is operating every second of every day while targeting that global marketplace traffic.

One final warning, though: affiliate marketing would be a waste of time without the right niche product and all the other proper tools of preparation. For example, without the proper search engine optimization, affiliate marketing does little good. Since few customers will notice, the result will be poor traffic and productivity. For best results, be sure to carefully weigh the inexpensive vs. costly Internet ad methods.

* Originally published on Suite 101 October 08, 2010

Advertising: Internet Ads Inexpensively Offer Maximum Exposure

Keywords: advertising campaign, internet advertising, multi-media campaign, online advertisers, online advertising, traditional media

Businesses succeed through advertising. An old adage may apply here, but does one have to spend money to make money with Internet advertising?

Online Advertising or Traditional Media

Presenting a product or service to consumers successfully also means reaching a target market and capturing it. The advertising medium used will go a long way in determining the success or failure of that effort. Internet advertising offers built-in advantages over traditional media, such as TV, radio, or print.

Internet Advertising Offers Low-Cost Solutions

TV advertising campaigns are usually based on the number of ads run over a given time period. Online advertising, including multi-media campaigns, is normally based on the time frame itself — a week, a month, or a year. Since some online advertisers offer services for less than $50 per month, and social networking is free, online advertisers can prove far cheaper for small business owners.

Online Advertising Offers Target Marketing

Should your advertising campaign be aimed at corporate clients or the Y generation? The traditional TV 24-54 age bracket or baby boomers? Online advertising can zero in on a target audience as little or as large as a business needs, because such a multi-media campaign can be hooked into search engines, social networking, or linked to related websites.

Internet Advertising Can be Hassle-Free

All that’s required is a personal computer, as well as some knowledge and innovation in developing a website and a related Internet advertising campaign. A business owner can launch the website, search for an online advertiser, and check the status or ROI of an Internet ad day or night — all from the convenience of home or the office.

Online Advertising is Easy to Update

Whereas traditional media may need to be updated periodically with fresh copy, video, or information, online advertising can run for quite some time without any need to be changed. If that need arises, an update may be very minimal and can easily be done from home.

Internet Advertising Disadvantages

Online advertising can be limited in scope and may only capture a limited audience, even though it may be targeted that way on purpose. A multi-media campaign may be desired if a wider reach is needed. The average consumer still relies heavily on traditional media as a means of gathering information, although that trend is rapidly changing.

There also may be additional advertising, inexpensive vs. costly, Internet ad methods involved if a business owner chooses to enlist the assistance of a professional to design the website or ad agency to run the advertising campaign. However, writing articles, affordable website marketing made easy, is always an affordable place to start.

As TV, radio, and print audience declines and the number of newspaper subscribers continue to plummet, business owners will increasingly seek out Internet advertising to reach consumers. However, savvy business owners already know the trends and maintain a careful balance between Internet and traditional media advertising – with the bulk of their ad budgets online.

* Originally published on Suite 101 October 25, 2010