Article marketing is a great way to do several things for your online business. It helps you: build your online profile, provide information to potential customers, direct interested customers to your website, get more backlinks to your website, landing page, or blog.
There are dozens of article directories online. How many article directories should you use? Should you pick a favourite or use many?
How Many Article Directories Should You Use?
Some internet marketers pick just one site and focus on it. They may have chosen this site due to their preference for the site’s interface, due to results they’ve seen, or advice they’ve received. But many internet marketers would suggest using more than one site for several reasons.
The most popular reason is that mixing up your article marketing strategy could benefit you substantially. And, up and coming sites could surpass popularity of todays’ most popular site on one or more search engines so it’s a wise idea to spread your articles around.
Some marketers write unique articles for each article directory. Some submit the same articles to more than one site. Some will spin their articles by rewriting a portion or writing fresh titles so that they can get more mileage out of one article.
The choice is yours and you’ll want to test out some options to see what works best for you. The key to successful article marketing is to dabble and find out what works.
Article Directory And Marketing Tips
• Some sites provide detailed reporting on traffic, keyword rankings, and click through rates. Use this information to help you determine which articles are bringing you results, and which topics might be a good idea to focus on.
• Analyse the article directory to see which sub-topics in your niche are getting a lot of action. This can help you decide where to spend some effort. Hint: if a popular subject doesn’t have a lot of articles in it, you could capitalize on that subject and get your articles to the front page.
• Use the maximum number of allowed links. Sure, EzineArticles only allows 2 but if you’re also putting that article (or a version of it) on Articlesbase, they allow up to 3 body links and 3 resource box links.
• Fill out your author’s profile on sites that you use. A lot of people will click through to it and search engines often index these pages under a person’s name so when your clients and potential clients “Google” you, they could land on an article directory profile.
• Bookmark your articles. Link to them on Twitter (some article directories will auto-update for you when you link your account to your Facebook or Twitter profile), Digg them, and link to them in your blog.
• Add article widgets to your blogs, add RSS feeds to your Web 2.0 pages, such as HubPages. Doing the things will get your articles more traffic and could help you dominate search engine results pages for popular words and phrases in your niche.
• Check your website stats to see where your links are coming from. This way, you’ll also see which articles have been syndicated.
• Link using anchor text for important keyword phrases but if you can, list your website URL as well. That way, if someone syndicates your article but doesn’t upload html correctly, there’s still an opportunity for their readers to find their way to your website.
If you look at internet marketers who are successful, you’ll often find that they have profiles on many top ranked article directories. Check out their profiles, their article writing style, and how they construct their byline / resource box. Chances are, you’ll gain some valuable insight into why they’re successful and then be able to replicate some of their success in your own internet marketing business.
See you at the top of Google!
Sean Rasmussen
SEO Australia Pacific
AussieSEO.com © 2007 - 2010
How many article directories should you use? is a question I have asked myself before. The idea of spreading the article around a bit is a good one. The article directory and marketing tips are very helpful.
Its handy to know that Articlesbase lets you have up to 3 body links and 3 resource box links. Looking at what others are doing that is successful and replicating it a bit is great advice!
thanks again
.-= David Pearse´s last blog ..Targeted Internet Marketing-Market Samurai =-.
I am only starting to come to the realisation of how important article directories are for submitting to because of traffic and backlinks. Hopefully their terms and conditions won’t be too conflicting with each other!
It shall be interesting to see how my PR and traffic increases as I launch into this strategy.
Thankyou for the information!
.-= Jayne Pleysier´s last blog ..How A Marketing Service Can Help Your Business Grow =-.
They all have their differences as far as content guidelines and t&c goes Jayne. As long as you pay attention to these you should have no trouble getting your articles approved
How many article directories should you use? do you choose just the most popular and better known ones or use all you can find.
There is a lot to think when promoting your site
Whichever way you go, my advice would be to start out with some (or even just one) of the more popular ones and see how they benefit you over time.
Your blog has shown me that there’s a huge amount of things to consider in relation to Article Marketing – How Many Article Directories Should You Use?
I like the idea of rewriting just a part of your article or writing new titles as a strategy, especially when you are just getting started on this.
Until you really know what your doing I guess it’s research, research, research.
.-= Brenda Mcnutt´s last blog ..Home Is Where The Heart Is =-.
EzineArticles has about 98% of the article traffic – so hands down it is the one to make first choice.
There are diffeent opinions as to whether you should submit the same article to multiple directories. I have done it a wee bit, but stopped as no one can say whether Google will penalise you for duplicate content.
Certainly EzineArticles can detect duplicate material in a flash.
Minimally, I think it’s best to use different titles and re-order the content in a re-write. Better still to write a new article for each directory to be safe.
A great question – How many article directories should you use.
For me the limit sets in by how many articles I am able to write / re-write to be able to post them without being punished for duplicate content …
But article marketing as such is definitely an important strategy to promote your site or product.
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Self Improvement Books – What Are Your Favourites =-.
For what it’s worth, and I may have said this before, Sean Mize now only uses EzineArticles. He is the top article writer (over 22,000 published). He also recommends that you need to do 3-5 a day for good penetration or traffic generation.
Peter, Writing 3 – 5 articles a day! I don’t think I’d have a life! Obviously if you got to this stage, you’d be outsourcing by now, wouldn’t you. Thanks for this info. I’ll check out the guy as he looks like someone worth finding a little bit more about.
Cath
Yes Cathy, it does get to a point where outsourcing is needed. Sean Mize outsources most of his now. I have quite a bit of stuff from his course which I would be happy to share if you are serious about article marketing. His course isn’t cheap. I have all the basics. plus recordings etc.
Just let me know – and anyone else for that matter – I would also be glad to set up some sort of group learning if folks are interested
It would be a fairly safe bet to say that anyone publishing 3-5 articles per day on article directories would be utilising a fair amount of outsourcing. Unless it is their sole marketing focus of course.
Unfortunately I still have an off line business, so writing a post plus 3-5 articles every day plus social media plus commenting plus plus plus doesn’t fit into my 24hrs at the moment
I wander so – if he is writing 3-5 articles a day, is he doing anything else? Or why is he not just writing a blog post each day, that will help your ranking as well and diversify the writing a bit. Hm, I will have to look up this guy and check him out a bit
.-= Renee´s last blog ..What Is Self Esteem What Is Self Confidence =-.
Do I feel someone looking over my shoulder? LOL My article writing has slumped since the compt started – but, I am returning to it soon – well actually, I just submitted one on Sean today – but the first for weeks!
Using Dragon Speaking Naturally speeds things up – especially when you write only with point notes and address them naturally as in a conversation. It is alo good when just writing from memory of previously gained learning.
I also adapt the articles for blogging or website content – but am way behind! I have however put a lot of articles into e-book format.
That’s alos a way to start – write an e-book and then use the pages as articles
Article Marketing has always interested myself and my husband and that very question….. How many article directories should you use?…..has always been a source of different views.
Some people have said, submit to Ezine first as they don’t allow duplicate content, then submit to others that do afterwards.
I probably prefer Peter’s idea of writing different titles, re-ordering content etc.
Better still, get to the stage of outsourcing and then submittimg those.
I’m not at that stage yet, but I can’t multitask forever, and at some stage I have to work smarter, not harder!
Cath
Outsourcing is the way to go – but it pays to really test the writers etc – can help you with that too. There are good writers out there who know about SEO and how to place KWs etc.
Freelancer is one place – but, if like many, you only offer a $1 a page, then don’t expect good quality or originality. Freelancer btw I think is Australian.
It does need a budget.
I meant to also say Cathy – an alternative (speed and time wise) is to use Dragon Naturally Speaking which I will be doing when I resume writing articles after this comp
Whatever approach you take, something to consider is that you will not go wrong if every article you submit is unique
Absolutely agree. It actually progresses you further along as the time spent re-writing to alter content is better spent with a new article – it doesn’t have to be markedly different – even a further perspective on a topic still is unique.
Hi Cathy,
I also agree – better to re-write the articles a fair bit instead of doing duplicate content. The Article site might allow it but I am sure google still will dislike it and not give that article as much weight as it would have if it were more unique.
So if you go through the work of submitting it – add a little more work, make it unique and get much more out of it!
.-= Renee´s last blog ..What Is Self Esteem What Is Self Confidence =-.
Hi Sean
To me, writing for article directories is like diving into the ocean from having only been swimming in a training pool! However in saying that I really am excited at the challenge.
I would like to just start with one directory and see how I go with that, what do you think?
Easy choice. EzineArticles has about 98% of the traffic and Google loves it because of its stringent rules on quality and avoiding duplicate content.
It also has good stats so you can track performance of your articles and it can link to your social media apps.
Hi Elly,
one directory is way better than none. I have only started to dare submitting articles (and haven’t submitted heaps yet), so at the moment I am only using one directory. And I have been really taken by surprise that this already created quite a number of referrals to my blog.
So even one article on one directory is already a big help. I can only recommend you to start doing it – it will help your blog a lot!
.-= Renee´s last blog ..What Is Self Esteem What Is Self Confidence =-.
Just getting started in Article Marketing and very happy to get this information. . Thanks for all the advice.and info.
Let me know if I can give you any help – be glad to
Article Marketing – How Many Article Directories Should You Use? Very good advice and tips to consider here . I am a newbie learning about Article Marketing. Great information to start with!
Thanks Sean,
Cheers,
Ada
.-= Ada Leucuta´s last blog ..Starting strength and vertical jump training =-.
Start with one Ada until you are really up to speed. I recommend EzineArticles as they are the biggest. You can submit unique articles to 3 or 4 others for backlink purposes..
I reckon Peter likes Ezine Articles folks what say you?
Article marketing is a new area for me but it certainly is interesting looking at the many different options available to help learn what it is all about. Many people have different views but by far what keeps coming up is avoid duplicate content. How far you do or don’t have to go to avoid this is remaining a mystery to me.
Avoiding duplicate content is simple Helen. You just need to make sure you only submit each unique article on 1 site, if you are wanting to place them on more than 1 site, make sure you change them substantially and you will have no issues
Moi? Biased? I have no idea what would give you that impression Helen! LOL
As for duplicate content – go by what Sean says in reply to you. If you do a re-write – make it for others article directories and submit the original to EzineArticles – they have software that picks up re-gurgitated stuff.
I have a very interesting little tool that tells me which directories are the “most famous” for different keywords, so I can (hopefully) pick the best depending on my niche.
Duplicate content definitely seems to be a big issue, and I am still not sure what a substantial change involves. What I have seen is that you can submit the article which describes exactly the same thing, just uses different words (ok, sounds silly, but that’s it for me).
So I guess you don’t have to come up with a totally new idea, just sit down and write it again from memory. That should make it different enough to your first version.
.-= Renee´s last blog ..What Is Self Esteem What Is Self Confidence =-.
Writing a new article on the same topic from memory is a great way to change it up and create unique content Renee… as long as you don’t have a photographic memory that is! LOL
after reading this i think article marketing makes much more sense when viewed as a strategy for traffic to your blog/site/product. I’m liking the idea but I feel compelled to get my blog full of worthwhile content before even starting this marketing of it. No product, no ads!:) tx though you make excellent sense of why we want to use a variety of options in article marketing.
Article marketing is a bit like being the mail man. I need to put my mail in everyones post box, not just google or eZine because thats all I knew. Thanks for the tip on Articlesbase, Im checking it out as we speak.
In some ways, Articlebase is easier than Ezine, though it doen’t have the same impact.
A couple of others you might find interesting are:
goarticles.com
articledashboard.com
articlecity.com
articlealley.com
ps. I have a list of 157 if you want a copy!
Hi Sean,
I haven’t been using article directories to anywhere near their potential so far. It’s another thing on my to do list for next week. I think I’m going to try quite a few and see where I get the best response.
I’m going to treat it a little like my social media sites. I’m going to submit the article where I get the best traffic from.
Writing articles and submitting them to a few different article directories is a definate seo strategy. I quite often see articles for ezine articles at number 1 for particular keywords so this definately can work in your favour.
.-= Jackie Stenhouse´s last blog ..Anxiety Separation in Children =-.
I had a good example of that yesterday – I wrote about an article about my blog on Sean and that put a reference to my blog on page 1 – #3 – though that has probably moved now.