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Home » Marketing Articles » Six Ways To Master The Art Of Article Marketing

Six Ways to Master the Art of Article Marketing

In recent years with the proliferation of article distribution services like SubmitYourArticle.com, Content Desk and WeSubmitArticles.com, it seems that everyone is jumping on the article submission bandwagon. Along with these self-marketers comes a group of industry experts who are eager to share their knowledge with the world.

As a writer, editor and reviewer of such articles, I have seen incredibly well-written pieces that are engaging and informative. I have also seen a rash of poorly written articles that fail to clearly make their point.

If article marketing is a part of your marketing plan, follow these suggestions to ensure that you not only put your best foot forward but also that your readers enjoy your material and seek you out as a resident expert in your topic of choice.

1. Use attention-getting headlines. A clever headline will ignite your reader's interest. For example, instead of labeling your article "Preparing Your Home for Sale," title it "Top 10 Tips for Improving Your Home's Curb Appeal." While the first headline is descriptive, the second one is much more engaging and more likely to captivate readers.

2. Know your topic and present it clearly. Whether you are truly an industry expert in your selected topic or a ghost writer working from research notes, make sure that you understand the topic well enough to explain it to someone else. In addition, break the material down into manageable "bite size" chunks of information. Use bulleted and numbered lists to present information in simple, easy- to-follow steps.

3. Submit articles in a timely fashion. I have repeatedly seen authors submit articles that are well past their prime. For example, avoid submitting Valentine's Day gift suggestions after February and Halloween costume ideas in July. Readers will ignore such advice if its timing is poor, so save it until the information is appropriate again.

4. Ensure that your articles are free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. Granted, you may not have been born with a red pen and a dictionary in your hands, but submitting quality material is critical. Why? Errors detract from the readability of an otherwise useful article and, at the same time, hamper your credibility. Use spell check, invest in a grammar guide or hire a professional proofreader or copywriter.

5. Conclude your article with a call to action. Consider what you would like your reader to do after reading your article - Try a new exercise technique? Rethink a business relationship? Test a new recipe? Research online opportunities on the Web? Encourage your reader to take that next step. And, please DO NOT end your article with, "so there you have it..." You are essentially saying to your readers, "There you go, dummy."

6. Maximize the resource box. Article submission directories offer you either a plain text or HTML resource box, or sometimes both. Make the most of this space by including your name and/or your company's name, a one or two-line bio, and contact information such as a website or e-mail address. To encourage readers to access your Web site, offer an incentive such as a free report or a complimentary subscription to your e-zine or electronic newsletter.

Copyright (c) 2007 Dana Blozis

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Get A Credit Card Merchant Account

A card merchant account can put your business on the road to financial success. If your company is not yet accepting credit card payments, you are missing out on the powerful potential of this income stream. Many business owners who started taking credit card payments claim that their income has doubled while overhead costs have diminished. When you become eligible to receive credit card payments, you are likely to experience an increase in sales volume and chase fewer dud checks. To facilitate credit card payment, however, you will need to apply for a merchant account.

Start by finding a lender you can trust. This may be a bank you already work with, one that perhaps got your business started or helped it to grow to where it is today. If so, there is a good chance that the lender will continue working with you in this key operative. But if you do not have such a lender or if the one you do have does not seem eager or suitable for underwriting your merchant account, you will have to find another reputable bank, credit union, or other financial institution to facilitate this account.

Your card merchant account can make or break your company, so it is wise to spend time finding the best possible lender for this purpose. Don't just grab the first deal to come along. Take time to shop the many available offers and compare terms before making a decision. All too often a new or small business owner will be dazzled by the array of benefits that suddenly become available through a merchant services card. Then, after implementing this account, expenses mount while income remains stable or falls and the company can experience a shortfall. Approximately 80% of small companies close their doors within two years. Don't become a casualty of this predictor. If you are approved for a merchant account, use it according to your business plan or company budget. Avoid investing large amounts into questionable activities. Start small by purchasing or leasing a basic credit card processor for your physical location. Or get a wireless unit for deliveries or remote destinations. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to get started. Go it one step at a time until you see how your customers respond and what your potential growth is shaping up to be. At that point you can always add more services, like an e-check processor or a pager, if you find they are truly needed for continued growth.

After getting approval for your card merchant account, you usually can start accepting credit payments immediately. Make sure you understand the terms of your account, which often boils down to a per-transaction rate of perhaps 20 to 25 cents. Or you may be able to opt for a low-interest monthly fee that may or may not impose certain minimums. In other words, you will be charged a baseline amount for up to perhaps 1,000 credit transactions. If your company does not get that many, you still have to pay the baseline fee, but you will not have to pay more, even if you get 2,000 or 3,000 credit card transactions, although this can vary from one lender to another. Check with local or online lenders for more details on applying for a card merchant account.