Wednesday, October 11, 2006
How Writers Use Article Directories To Make Money
Copyright 2006 Donovan Baldwin
First of all, if you haven't been marketing on the Internet recently, you might not even know what an article directory is! A simple definition is that an article directory is a site which specializes in hosting articles. The articles are written by folks like you and me, and posted there. Most commonly the writer will have a byline included, usually at the bottom, and in this byline will be the contact information of the writer. In most instances, a link to a website will be included.
Now, just because you might be reading this AT an article directory doesn't mean that this is the only place the article winds up. The author may have posted it on a blog or turned it into a webpage or sent it out to a mailing list as well.
However, let’s talk about the articles on the article directories and the writer's purpose for posting the article or articles. What are the possible benefits of posting these articles?
Obviously, if the writer's goal is simply to gain recognition as a writer or to satisfy a desire "to be published", an article directory fills the bill. While most directories are adamant that the material be the writer's own work, they are seldom very demanding editors otherwise. Therefore, even a very amateur writer can get a piece of work "published". Since many of these sites ARE high traffic areas, visited by people seeking information and/or articles they might be able to use, there IS an opportunity for a writer to be "recognized".
However, one of the most common goals driving many writers to post articles at article directories these days is simply the desire to make money.
Remember that link at the bottom of the article or wherever the byline may be? It is becoming more common for people to write articles about subjects related to their business, or a business of which they are an affiliate, and then place a link to that website of that business in their byline, or, as it is sometimes called, "resource box".
Here's how these articles help the writer make money.
1. People who read the articles may follow the link to the writer's website and make a purchase.
2. By writing well, and often, on a subject, a writer may gain stature as an "expert" on the subject. This can serve to enhance his or her professional image and allow the writer to suggest products or services with an air of authority. People will be more likely to react favorably to the advice of an expert than an anonymous website which asks them to buy something.
3. Most article sites allow the article to be copied on other websites or in emails as long as the writer's byline and link or links are left intact. Thus, an article posted on one site has the chance of being posted on several sites, not only increasing the amount of human traffic which may see and follow the link, but also...
4. Having the writer's link on multiple sites can enhance the ranking of the writer's website in some search engines. Increased ranking means more visibility, which means more visits to the website, which means more interested humans who may purchase the writer's product or service, or join their business opportunity.
A writer can also enhance the effect of their article and link by posting their article at multiple sites and by creating multiple articles on the same or related subjects. A good site to start with is EzineArticles.com.
As you can guess, submitting articles manually to each site CAN become a bit tiring, and is quite time consuming. There are several services, such as SubmitYourArticle.com, which, for a fee, will submit a certain number of articles a month to several different article directories. Since many article directories get the articles which are published on THEIR sites by going to some of these sites, it is possible for a good article, with its author's link attached, to experience exponential distribution around the internet.
About The Author:
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Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer and network marketing professional. A graduate of the University Of West Florida (1973) with a BA in accounting, he is a member of Mensa and has held several managerial positions. After retiring from the U. S. Army in 1995, he became interested in internet marketing and developed various online businesses. He has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes articles on his own websites and for use by other webmasters.
Learn another way to make money online at http://donsdomains.ws/.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this
article within your website or newsletter as long
as you leave the article fully intact and include
the "About The Author" resource box. Thanks! :-)
---
First of all, if you haven't been marketing on the Internet recently, you might not even know what an article directory is! A simple definition is that an article directory is a site which specializes in hosting articles. The articles are written by folks like you and me, and posted there. Most commonly the writer will have a byline included, usually at the bottom, and in this byline will be the contact information of the writer. In most instances, a link to a website will be included.
Now, just because you might be reading this AT an article directory doesn't mean that this is the only place the article winds up. The author may have posted it on a blog or turned it into a webpage or sent it out to a mailing list as well.
However, let’s talk about the articles on the article directories and the writer's purpose for posting the article or articles. What are the possible benefits of posting these articles?
Obviously, if the writer's goal is simply to gain recognition as a writer or to satisfy a desire "to be published", an article directory fills the bill. While most directories are adamant that the material be the writer's own work, they are seldom very demanding editors otherwise. Therefore, even a very amateur writer can get a piece of work "published". Since many of these sites ARE high traffic areas, visited by people seeking information and/or articles they might be able to use, there IS an opportunity for a writer to be "recognized".
However, one of the most common goals driving many writers to post articles at article directories these days is simply the desire to make money.
Remember that link at the bottom of the article or wherever the byline may be? It is becoming more common for people to write articles about subjects related to their business, or a business of which they are an affiliate, and then place a link to that website of that business in their byline, or, as it is sometimes called, "resource box".
Here's how these articles help the writer make money.
1. People who read the articles may follow the link to the writer's website and make a purchase.
2. By writing well, and often, on a subject, a writer may gain stature as an "expert" on the subject. This can serve to enhance his or her professional image and allow the writer to suggest products or services with an air of authority. People will be more likely to react favorably to the advice of an expert than an anonymous website which asks them to buy something.
3. Most article sites allow the article to be copied on other websites or in emails as long as the writer's byline and link or links are left intact. Thus, an article posted on one site has the chance of being posted on several sites, not only increasing the amount of human traffic which may see and follow the link, but also...
4. Having the writer's link on multiple sites can enhance the ranking of the writer's website in some search engines. Increased ranking means more visibility, which means more visits to the website, which means more interested humans who may purchase the writer's product or service, or join their business opportunity.
A writer can also enhance the effect of their article and link by posting their article at multiple sites and by creating multiple articles on the same or related subjects. A good site to start with is EzineArticles.com.
As you can guess, submitting articles manually to each site CAN become a bit tiring, and is quite time consuming. There are several services, such as SubmitYourArticle.com, which, for a fee, will submit a certain number of articles a month to several different article directories. Since many article directories get the articles which are published on THEIR sites by going to some of these sites, it is possible for a good article, with its author's link attached, to experience exponential distribution around the internet.
About The Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer and network marketing professional. A graduate of the University Of West Florida (1973) with a BA in accounting, he is a member of Mensa and has held several managerial positions. After retiring from the U. S. Army in 1995, he became interested in internet marketing and developed various online businesses. He has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes articles on his own websites and for use by other webmasters.
Learn another way to make money online at http://donsdomains.ws/.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this
article within your website or newsletter as long
as you leave the article fully intact and include
the "About The Author" resource box. Thanks! :-)
---
# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 4:28 PM 
