How to Use Article Marketing to Build a List

Once all your list-building elements are in place, you must decide how to drive targeted traffic to your opt-in pages. There are several recognized traffic generation methods online, and your choice should be based on your skill set and preferences. However if you’re like most Internet marketers, time and money are uppermost in your mind.

Article marketing has proven itself over the years as a simple, cost effective and accessible way for people to attract prospects and subscribers to their list. As the name suggests, your mission is to write useful, content-rich articles that entice readers to opt-in to your newsletter and follow you on a regular basis.

What do I write about?

Ideally, pertinent issues that establish your trustworthiness with readers within your tightly defined niche. Otherwise, you risk attracting subscribers who have no interest in your business and will never seriously consider your offers.

Consider publishing several short series of 3-5 articles to quickly build up your online presence and ‘expert’ status. People are constantly browsing online in search of advice, tips, best practices, etc. Now it’s your task to fulfill these prospects’ needs to get their contact information.

Where do I post my articles?

There are several well-established article directories that accept original content, in addition to smaller, niche-specific sites. In addition, there are electronic magazines (“e-zines”) that are sent out to its subscribers on a periodic basis. The best e-zines will put your excellent content in front of hundreds if not thousands of people.

Of course, you have the option of placing articles on our own website. Just don’t forget to give readers a chance to opt-in to your list!

How effective is article marketing anyway?

Some argue that article marketing is passé, only attracting “freebie” seekers and information collectors – not serious marketers or buyers. However, the resilience of this traffic generator over the years proves that it can serve as a reliable source of leads when used properly.

Where else can you build up one-way links and back links that boost search engine rankings for relevant terms? Make sure your article summary (“teaser”) is relevant to what you are writing about, and sell yourself in the resource box. By following some basic rules, expect an average 3-5% (or better) click through rate (CTR) with each article.

What if I’m a lousy writer?

To paraphrase President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, we have nothing to fear but our fear of writing. Consider various strategies and techniques to get you going:

• Adhere to a disciplined writing schedule. Start with one article per day, and increase your output as your writing “fitness” level improves. Select a specific time of day and favorite location in your home to write, and keep your mind open to ideas at all times.
  
• Try some simple keyword research and optimization techniques to make it simpler for people to find your work.  You don’t need to resort to tricks or “black hat” tactics.  As an expert, the words should flow naturally; readers will appreciate well-written work above all.
  
• Do your own online research within your niche.  Find out what other authors in your field are writing about and take note of their style.  Nobody has a monopoly on good ideas!
  
• Purchase or access Private Label Rights (PLR) and public domain articles, and rewrite them to ensure that they satisfy article directory and e-zine plagiarism rules.
  
• Outsource.  Seek out reliable freelancers who can provide reliable content by following your specifications.  Your time will be freed up to concentrate on other traffic generation methods, and marketing skills.

Once you start building your list, you're going to want to start making money with it right?  Check out our affiliate marketing articles to find out why it's one of my favorite ways to generate income online.