If you write articles to market your web site, then you know how much time you need invest to make it worthwhile. Most site owners use article directories to distribute their articles however this limits the amount of traffic you can receive. If this resource dries up and is no longer effective it will cut into your profits. Therefore don't place all your eggs in one basket by just using one resource.
1. Your own web site or blog
I always add articles to my web site first then wait for the search engines to spider the web page. This ensures the web page containing the article will be ranked first in the search engines so I can capture the most visitors. If you submit your article elsewhere first that site will rank ahead of your own. This means you will miss out on garnering the most traffic.
2. Complimentary web sites
Contact web site owners that have similar content to your own. Offer them your content making sure they include the live links in your resource box so you receive the benefit of an incoming link. You can find some of these sites at ezine directories where site owners have indicated they want to receive articles from others.
3. Ezine directories
If you already send out a regular ezine or newsletter that includes your newly written content, then be sure to also submit it to ezine or newsletter directories.
Here's a list of the top twenty ezine directories:
http://ezines.nettop20.com/
4. Printed version
Visitors to your web site don't often have time to read all your articles but may print them out for reading later. You can offer a printed version by converting it to a PDF file. A PDF file is the most browser friendly file because it will print correctly for any type of computer.
5. Social bookmarketing sites
These sites allow users to search, share, organize, and store bookmarks of different web pages. Below is a list of social book marketing sites you can submit to:
Social book marketing sites that don't use the nofollow tag (a tag which allows them to get spidered)
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-bookmarking-sites-which-dont-use-nofollow-bookmarks-and-search-engines/5985/
6. Reports and E-books
Take 10 articles you have written on a specific topic to create a short report. If you have many articles, compile them into an ebook. The report or ebook can be distributed to ebook directories or offered as a free download for subscribing to your ezine. You can also offer them to web site owners in exchange for a link to their web site. If you wish make money from the content within your ebook or report, include links back to your site, affiliate programs or other products.
7. Video and Audio
Not all people like to read content online. Modifying your content by creating a video or audio will help reach a wider audience. For example almost everyone is familiar with YouTube videos. Place the content of your article into a video file then upload it to youtube using your best keywords. When users do a search for those keywords your video may appear. You have now created another traffic resource.
8. RSS Feeds and Directories
RSS stands for "really simple syndication". People use RSS readers or news aggregators to obtain a summary of the articles on your web site or blog. This enables them to quickly discern what ones they wish to read.
Most blogs (ie Word Press) have RSS feeds built in and automatically ping the main RSS directories. If you don't have an RSS feed for your web site create one manually (http://www.isitebuild.com/rss/rss-feed.htm). Submitting your RSS feeds to the main RSS directories is another way to increase the amount of visitors to your site because you created another method to distribute your content.
Top 55 RSS Submission Sites
http://www.masternewmedia.org/rss/top55/
9. Press Release
Increase your visibility and search engine rankings by sending out a press release about your web site. Make sure it is newsworthy otherwise irt will not be accepted.
Here are 2 free services
PRWeb.com
free-press-release.com
10. Guest Writer
If you have already built a good reputation in your niche you may get asked to write an article for an authority web site, blog or local newspaper column. This will help build lots of valuable links and increase visitors and sales from your web site. You can also search for web sites and blogs related to your area of expertise
and offer to contribute articles as a guest writer.
Conclusion
Don't just focus on article syndication sites as the sole source of content marketing. You worked hard to produce well written, unique content. If you use these top ten strategies to extend the mileage of your articles, you will receive a great boost in web traffic.
Herman Drost is the Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW)
owner and author of Web Design, SEO, Hosting
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