Article Marketing - 7 Common Mistakes To Avoid
The problem was finally solved, and it was embarrassingly simple.
I wasn't aware of all the rules that you need to follow to get your article accepted, and this was a critical mistake I was making! But once I started following the rules, my articles were accepted immediately! So learn from my mistakes.
Be aware of the fact that each article directory may have a different set of guidelines and you should check each one carefully.
But if you follow the tips below, you will have a much better chance of having your articles accepted quickly and avoid some of the aggravation that I experienced when I first started out.
You will soon be on the road to establishing yourself as an expert in your niche! Common Mistake #1 Do not write your articles in Microsoft Word or any rich text editor.
This is because when you copy and paste your article, some of the characters will not translate correctly and you'll have some strange look squiggles.
Use a text program such as notepad to avoid these mistakes.
Common Mistake #2 Many affiliate programs now come with ready- made articles.
Don't use them.
In an effort for many affiliate owners to provide you with tools to market their affiliate program, don't use these as-Is.
First of all, other people will be using the same article and this of course is a major no-no.
Your article content must be unique.
Common Mistake #3 Use caution with Private Label Rights articles.
You can find good PLR articles, especially when only a limited amount of each article is sold, but you will have to rewrite them to make them your own.
Brand them with your voice, by adding personal stories or opinions and you will be proud to call it your own.
Remember, your name is on every article you submit.
Don't let one poorly written article ruin your reputation.
Common Mistake #4 Your title is the most important part of your article.
This is an important element, so spend some time writing a good title.
Not only should your title capture your reader's interest, so they'll read your article, but it should contain your main keyword, preferably in the first three words of the title.
So if your main keyword is "forum marketing," your title should read something like, Forum Marketing- The Top 10 Tips rather than Top 10 Tips to Forum Marketing.
Common Mistake #5 Spell check carefully.
There is nothing worse than finding typos in an article.
To me, it makes the author come across as unprofessional.
So have someone else proofread your work, just to be sure.
Common Mistake #6 The ideal length for an article should be 400 to 750 words.
The minimum accepted is usually around 250 words and the maximum 5000 words.
Try to stay within these guidelines and remember that most surfers have a short attention span.
Now here is the most important tip of all.
Common Mistake #7 Not creating a compelling resource box You have spent time creating a great article filled with original content, not a sales pitch.
The Resource Box at the end of your article is your golden opportunity to get people to click on your website or the affiliate site you are promoting.
But your Resource Box has to be set up correctly or your article will be rejected.
Now if you're directing readers to your own website, it's easy.
But what if you don't have a website?Where do you send people if you are promoting affiliate products and you cannot use your affiliate link? When I first started writing articles, I did not have my own website.
I attempted to send traffic directly to my affiliate product website and found that this was not allowed.
I finally discovered the answer.
Register your own domain name and set up a re-direct.
Now, when someone clicks on the link in your resource box, they will be redirected to the affiliate website.
As long as you own your own domain, all should go smoothly.
Article Marketing is one of the best ways to drive traffic and build your list.
Once you understand the basics, it should be smooth sailing! So get your creative juices flowing and start driving traffic to your site.
You'll be surprised at how quickly your search engine ranking increases and the profits start flowing!
I wasn't aware of all the rules that you need to follow to get your article accepted, and this was a critical mistake I was making! But once I started following the rules, my articles were accepted immediately! So learn from my mistakes.
Be aware of the fact that each article directory may have a different set of guidelines and you should check each one carefully.
But if you follow the tips below, you will have a much better chance of having your articles accepted quickly and avoid some of the aggravation that I experienced when I first started out.
You will soon be on the road to establishing yourself as an expert in your niche! Common Mistake #1 Do not write your articles in Microsoft Word or any rich text editor.
This is because when you copy and paste your article, some of the characters will not translate correctly and you'll have some strange look squiggles.
Use a text program such as notepad to avoid these mistakes.
Common Mistake #2 Many affiliate programs now come with ready- made articles.
Don't use them.
In an effort for many affiliate owners to provide you with tools to market their affiliate program, don't use these as-Is.
First of all, other people will be using the same article and this of course is a major no-no.
Your article content must be unique.
Common Mistake #3 Use caution with Private Label Rights articles.
You can find good PLR articles, especially when only a limited amount of each article is sold, but you will have to rewrite them to make them your own.
Brand them with your voice, by adding personal stories or opinions and you will be proud to call it your own.
Remember, your name is on every article you submit.
Don't let one poorly written article ruin your reputation.
Common Mistake #4 Your title is the most important part of your article.
This is an important element, so spend some time writing a good title.
Not only should your title capture your reader's interest, so they'll read your article, but it should contain your main keyword, preferably in the first three words of the title.
So if your main keyword is "forum marketing," your title should read something like, Forum Marketing- The Top 10 Tips rather than Top 10 Tips to Forum Marketing.
Common Mistake #5 Spell check carefully.
There is nothing worse than finding typos in an article.
To me, it makes the author come across as unprofessional.
So have someone else proofread your work, just to be sure.
Common Mistake #6 The ideal length for an article should be 400 to 750 words.
The minimum accepted is usually around 250 words and the maximum 5000 words.
Try to stay within these guidelines and remember that most surfers have a short attention span.
Now here is the most important tip of all.
Common Mistake #7 Not creating a compelling resource box You have spent time creating a great article filled with original content, not a sales pitch.
The Resource Box at the end of your article is your golden opportunity to get people to click on your website or the affiliate site you are promoting.
But your Resource Box has to be set up correctly or your article will be rejected.
Now if you're directing readers to your own website, it's easy.
But what if you don't have a website?Where do you send people if you are promoting affiliate products and you cannot use your affiliate link? When I first started writing articles, I did not have my own website.
I attempted to send traffic directly to my affiliate product website and found that this was not allowed.
I finally discovered the answer.
Register your own domain name and set up a re-direct.
Now, when someone clicks on the link in your resource box, they will be redirected to the affiliate website.
As long as you own your own domain, all should go smoothly.
Article Marketing is one of the best ways to drive traffic and build your list.
Once you understand the basics, it should be smooth sailing! So get your creative juices flowing and start driving traffic to your site.
You'll be surprised at how quickly your search engine ranking increases and the profits start flowing!
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