Writing quality articles is time consuming for the very best writers. First, finding the time to write is probably the first real challenge. Then securing a topic or something to write about is the next obstacle. Finally, wondering if all this effort as a small business owner is going to secure the desired marketing end result of increased web traffic to your web site is always present. After writing articles for the last four and a half months, I have developed some strategies to improve article quality and to increase traffic to my website.
Strategy #1 ? Set aside time every week to write and establish a goal for the number of articles that you will write during the week. I schedule time with myself to write. This is usually a several hours during the weekend and possibly a couple of hours each week depending upon my schedule. Currently, my weekly goal is 2 articles. With other writing commitments including my website, this sometimes is quite a stretch for me.
Strategy #2 ? Create an easy format that you can easily copy and paste your efforts into those sites where you regularly contribute. For me, I used Microsoft Word. Also, I included within my M.S. Word document beyond the actual article are the following: (1) A title that meets the site's policies such as www.ezinearticls.com of 100 characters (2) Word Count (3) Copyright Statement (4) Bio or Signature statement that meets the character guidelines (1101 for Ezine Articles) (5) key words (100 characters for Ezine Articles) (6) A table for key words to be used within the article and as search words.
The table is probably the most beneficial element within this format. As I write the article, I plug in phrases that I believe have high key word value. The table can be easily copied and pasted into a new article with similar key words. These key words then can be prioritized from highest to lowest and used as the keywords within the article submission site. By using the highlight tool, I can quickly determine what words are used within the article's content.
Strategy #3 ? Write from your own personal experience and avoid the royal "We." People look to the Internet to find answers to their questions from people who have actual experiences. Share your failures and successes while you are demonstrating your expertise. Use the personal touch to begin to build a relationship and not to "sell" your product or service. Be real and respectful to each and every reader. Also include some humor if possible. Again, remember you want them to want more and click through to your website.
Strategy #4 ? When selecting the topic, determine the focus through researching the key word popularity. A site such as http://inventory.overture.com helps. Short articles also contribute to greater focus. If you have an exceptionally long article, break it into 2 or more shorter articles. I try to keep my articles between 400 and 800 words depending upon the topic or subject.
Strategy #5 ? After writing your article, review the content and begin to actively search for words or phrases that will increase the "hits" to your articles. Many times I believe I have an incredibly great title. By using a key word search, I can truly learn if the title is extraordinary or just plain ordinary. For example, in a recent article I had planned to use the phrase "bulls eye" in the title. As I am a very visual individual, this word conjured up an arrow hitting a target. Inventory overture revealed 3,190 searches for "bulls eye" while the word "target" had 1,814,599. My next action was to quickly change the title to maximize this key word.
In MS Word, under the Edit Button, you can scroll down to Find and enter each key word to determine if that word or phrase is included within your article. With Search Engine Optimization (SEO), using the right amount of key words is also important. An overload of key words is just as harmful as not enough key words. My strategy is to identify 20 top key words for every article and incorporate them at least one time and not more than three times into the article.
Strategy #5 Plus ? Upon completion of your article, find a colleague or friend and ask them for their opinion. I currently review many of efforts with two close friends. Suggestions are freely given and changes are made. The end result is always a much high quality of article.
Hopefully, these 5 plus one strategies will not only improve your Internet marketing through increased traffic to your web site, but will also improve the quality of your articles and potentially start to build those relationships with future customers or clients.
Copyright 2005(c) Leanne Hoagland-Smith, www.processspecialist.com
This article may be freely published. Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accepted).
Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. CEO of ADVANCED SYSTEMS located outside of Chicago, IL, is the Learning & Process Specialist. With over 25 years of business & education experience, she helps her clients to double their performance. By uniting systems, strategies and people to create loyal internal customers, Leanne delivers ROI solutions in 4 key areas: financials, leadership, relationships and growth & innovation within a variety of industries including education, healthcare, manufacturing and professional services. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capacities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for 2005 release, Leanne speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. Please contact Leanne at 219.759.5601 or visit http://www.processspecialist.com if you are seeking to connect your passion to your purpose to double your performance for unheard of results.
tidy up service Glenview ..If you have submitted your articles to EzineArticles.com you have... Read More
Writing articles is one of the most powerful, if not... Read More
Marketing on a budget is tough. This is a universal... Read More
No one can logically argue against the fact that content... Read More
Many writers do not understand that the online writing business... Read More
In order to sell your article must do three things:1.... Read More
You may be wondering what persuasive writing has to do... Read More
Writing can be fraught at the best of times but... Read More
Recently I interviewed Kevin Bidwell of All-In-One-Business.com on some of... Read More
When you have to share what you've created, where do... Read More
Online publishers, ezine subscribers, and Web visitors want short, useful... Read More
Well maybe it's not that "little known" but some people... Read More
Most business owners are overwhelmed with the day to day... Read More
It doesn't really matter who you are; you definitely know... Read More
Writing for web content is one of the easiest ways... Read More
Some six weeks ago, I began writing and submitting articles... Read More
Article Marketing Connects you Directly to Readers Even brilliantly-written articles... Read More
Start by Being QuotableIt's tough to stand out online. With... Read More
Looking to build your freelance writing career but don't know... Read More
When you create your articles in TextPad format, something like... Read More
Evaluation of a Home-Run ArticleI've been writing articles and posting... Read More
Here's a depressing fact if you sell anything on the... Read More
The first twenty-five words of your article are the most... Read More
Article Marketing Builds Momentum and TrafficWhen I started submitting articles... Read More
Writing for the internet requires that you create a large... Read More
full-service cleaning Mundelein ..When you frequently post articles on ezines, you might be... Read More
Need traffic? Write an article.Need sales? Write an article.Need Your... Read More
Okay, I admit it: I'm a keen people-watcher. (Most writers... Read More
Two important factors that play a part in the rankings... Read More
Are you ready to become an internet marketing expert? Are... Read More
How would you like to have your name and web... Read More
The goal of free publicity is to get your name... Read More
People love to hear stories. They'll identify with what you... Read More
Do you know one of the most powerful marketing techniques... Read More
Article distribution is currently booming on the internet. Authors do... Read More
Abandon your frustrations and get a fresh start by trying... Read More
Finding something to write about can be frustrating for all... Read More
If you've spent any time online trying to promote your... Read More
Most Internet marketers worth their salt know how effective articles... Read More
Gasp! I can hear it from the purists now: Matt... Read More
Not writing articles yet? You really should try it, if... Read More
Did you realize that writing and publishing articles online represents... Read More
This may come as a surprise... to you, but writing... Read More
Online PR in the form of website and ezine article... Read More
To be successful at any affiliate marketing program, you not... Read More
If you are starving for traffic, can't seem to consistently... Read More
One of the most common blunders by those using article... Read More
Do you know the difference between simultaneous article submissions and... Read More
If you are using articles to promote your business then... Read More
In this article I will show you how to use... Read More
Article Writing |