Now that you’ve begun writing articles and submitting them to the article directories, it’s time for you to start promoting them. Even though it’s a good thing that you’ve got your marketing articles scattered around the web for others to read, to get the most of out of your marketing efforts, you must also promote. There are five simple steps you can take to ensure you get more exposure for your articles:

1. Tweet!  - It’s easier than ever to let people know when you’ve posted a new article, simply by tweeting the link to your followers on Twitter. If the post really rocks, then there’s a good chance it will get retweeted by your followers. Keep your tweet short and sweet, the topic and the link will work just fine. Also, keep the characters below 120 so people have room to retweet your message without it getting cut off.

2. Post Articles To Your Blog – When posting to your blog, post a snippet of the article you wish to promote and not the full article. For example, “If you liked this blog post on driving more traffic to your site, be sure to check out: “How to Increase Blog Traffic in 3 Easy Steps!”, and then link to the page.

3. Article Reprint Page – Create a separate page on your blog or website, and include articles there with permission to reprint. Then, link to the reprint page from the main page with a sentence saying: “Want more information on increasing traffic to your site, or would you like to reprint my articles on your site? Click here for more information.” Then include links to all your articles, as well as information of how people who are interested in using your material can contact you for more information.

4. Article Linking – Tell your readers about additional information you have available as often as possible. This is another good reason to have multiple marketing articles out on the web – you can mention one in your newsletter, another on your Facebook page, another in your signature line with your emails, another in forums, and so on. When you create targeted, relevant content, people will take notice and seek you out!

5. Republish Content – Once you’ve published 10 or more articles on a similar topic, edit them to flow from one to the next, then combine them into an e-book or a special report. Again, add additional information so it transitions well, or “bridge the gap” so to speak, and use and site your resources well.  Once you’ve finished, you’ve got an instant info product you can either give away or sell!

Writing articles and submitting them to the directories is just the beginning of increasing your online exposure. Think from your potential readers point of view, and about how they would like the information you’ve written, and of how you can get it to them. Done correctly, and you’re well on your way to creating a steady stream of traffic to your web site…FREE!

Hope you’ve enjoyed this post, until next time…

Blessings to you and yours!

James

*Warning: This post may contain words or phrases offensive to some.*

I received this UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email, aka Spam) message at my inbox this morning; one of several that periodically manage to get past my security software, it doesn’t happen very often but occasionally one will slip thru. What I’d like for you to take from this post today is how NOT to do business online, as well as a few pointers of how to do business online.

Let’s roll…

I’m sure by now you’ve received your share of crap like the following email below: (copied & pasted email as sent to me, edited to protect the goofballs that sent it!)

—————————————————————————-

“From: payments@easy…….biz.com - Subject: eCheck payment in progress”

“Notification of payment received floods in my inbox after using this Plug-n-Play Software that pulls instant profits! (Oh now I see, you mean the subject line was about you and not me. How clever – loud vomiting sound)

Hi (First clue, they don’t know my name!)

Do you need Instant Cash this week? (Uh, duh!)

URGENTLY Download this software that makes me $4793.65 in 24 Hours! (What they’re not telling you is, it took them years before they started making this - if they truly do at all!)

It’s Easy To Make Money Everyday From Home With This Software…Even If You’re Starting From Scratch With Zero Knowledge, Experience Or Budget! I’ll Show You Exactly How. (Is it me, or do you smell snake-oil too?)

Click Here for Instant Access!

These are just a few of the benefits: (Trust me, these are not benefits!)

NO Advertising required (BS!)

NO Affiliate Marketing (More BS!)

NO Selling required (Even more BS!)

NO Additional Costs involved (And lastly, more BS!)

So, How Does This Work? (Not like they’re telling you, I promise!)

It’s simple and takes just 15 minutes to complete. (And a lifetime to try and make money with!)

This program is hands free (only if you don’t have any) once you have it setup you never need to touch it again (see first parenthesis). Just wait for the checks to come every month and enjoy! (OMG, I can’t wait. Sign me up now!)

Click Here for Instant Access!

To your success, (LOL)

(Name removed to save them the embarrassment)

http://Instant………co.cc (another clue)

If, at any time, you wish to be deleted from our system, you may unsubscribe here.” (Link didn’t work)

- end of email, thank God! -

——————————————————————————–

So, what’s wrong with this, you may ask?

Well for starters, I can assure you beyond any reasonable doubt, I did not subscribe to this person’s list. In fact, once I traced the email back to its original source, note the ‘co.cc’ ending at the end of the URL, I saw who it was from… A spammer! But even more importantly, the subject line and the email address from which it is sent is misleading at best, not to mention false advertising.

Listen, if someone has to resort to using “payments” as a prefix to their email address, and then try to hook someone into opening their email by “informing” them that they have an eCheck payment in progress, then they are either inexperienced, stupid, desperate or all three! Anyone with any sense at all knows exactly what this type of email and, uh, “business” is about…

Get-Rich-Quick!

In other words, people who are too lazy to get off their butts and make it happen and build a legitimate online business that serves other people’s interests and solves a problem. Forgive me, please. I’m doing my best not to offend anyone, and if you’ve bought into this type of business model or system, then please, do you, me and everyone else online a favor and get out of it ASAP.

Listen, please. There is no such thing as getting rich quick, with little or no effort, and especially without having to invest in your business. Ain’t gonna happen, not now, not later, not ever! Now, do you want to know how to do business the right way online?

Okay, I thought you would

It’s as simple as this…

These three things are what you need to succeed with an online business:

1. You need a legitimate product and/or service to sell

2. You need a hungry crowd of people who want to know more about what you’ve got to sell, and

3. You need a place for these two to meet… A website and/or blog!

In other words: Product+Website+Traffic = Sales

And sales, done correctly, lead to even more sales, more profits and a better lifestyle. However, what you do not want to do is Spam people who did not ask about your business, and who will only get pissed-off by this and then tell all their friends. The end result, we all end up looking bad.

Doing business right also means…

When building your list, be sure to attract only those people with whom you have an interest in. Be specific in who you target as a market to service. Swap the shotgun approach with a sniper-rifle approach. Don’t get me wrong, you first want to pick a BIG market of people proven to spend money, such as: Golfers. Then you want to whittle it down to Golfers within a specific age range, lefties vs. righties, etc; etc.

Next, collect name and emails with minimal or no opt-in incentive. Listen, I know this sounds contradictory to what most everyone else online teaches. However, when you send out your first email, your first follow-up email after opt in, send them an unadvertised bonus along with that email.

Why is this important? Because it was unexpected, and it’s like a present delivered to their doorstep! When your brand new reader opens their very first email from you – not fully knowing whether to trust you or not - bam! (nod to Emeril) you just exceeded their expectations and helped to build trust and credibility with an unexpected free bonus. This is not rocket science, this is just good ‘ol fashioned business where you let your actions and your content speak for itself.

Lastly, always ensure that your products & services match your readers needs, and solves a problem they are facing. Let me ask you a question: “What business are you in?” Seriously, what business do you believe you’re in?

Affiliate Marketing?

Nope!

Internet Marketing?

Uh, uh…

Making money online?

No again!

So, what business are you in? You are in the problem solving business. That’s it!

Think about this. If what you are doing with your online business does not solve another person’s problem, and offer up a solution to that problem, then what are you doing? Nothing, that’s what! Sure you may feel good about what you’re doing with your blog, and we all enjoy the many friends and relationships we build online; and that’s okay if that’s the reason you’re online. But if you want to make money online, then you are in the business of solving other people’s problems.

The correct way to do business online, is: work only with those individuals with whom you wish to work with, and build trusting relationships by offering information, products and services that solve your readers problems. And, by sending only those emails and related materials to those who have asked for it, and have given you permission to do so. Anything less than this, and your doing you and your readers a disservice.

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post, until next time…

Blessings to you and yours!

James

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Now that you’ve got your blog up and running, it’s time to start making some money on the internet. All you’re missing now is traffic. No traffic = no money! And like most all of us using blogs to make money online, you’d probably like as much of your web site traffic to be free and not the paid stuff. 

Almost anyone can cough-up a couple hundred dollars in PPC advertising to get more traffic to their blogs. Seriously, if you throw a brick into the pond more than likely it’s gonna get wet, right? The problem is, most people either can’t afford to or simply will not invest in pay-per-click advertising. Why pay if you don’t have too, right?

So the question remains: “How can I get more traffic to my blog for free?” Perhaps the most successful way to increase traffic to your site is with article marketing. Simply write an article something like this one here, submit it to several of the preferred article directories, people read it and visit your blog. Presto, Chango… You’ve got free traffic!

There are a few article marketing pointers you need to learn first, but you don’t need a Degree in English to write quality articles that will increase traffic to your blog. Take this article for instance. Do you see anything “extraordinary” about my writing style? Not at all, I’m just an ordinary guy with an extra-ordinary attitude! And if I can do this, so can you.

What you need more than anything else to be successful at article marketing, is a belief in yourself, and an ability to convey a simple message in as simple a manner as is possible. A couple other things you need to know is:

• Focus on your reader
• Choose topics you’re familiar with
• State your point in the first sentence
• Stay on topic (focus) and
• Leave your readers hungry for more!

There’s no “big secret” when it comes to making article marketing work for you, but there is a learning curve involved. However, since article marketing costs you absolutely nothing, any blog traffic you do get is better than none at all! Well, I lied, there is one secret…

You have to stick with it!

Listen, if you write and submit just ten articles you will see a bump in traffic to your blog. However, the longer your articles “stay out there”, the better you get and the more you submit, the more traffic you’ll begin to see. Now, do you have to slave away at your computer keyboard eight hours a day? No, you do not!

On average I spend about 5-7 hours a week writing articles to submit to directories. I’m not a super article marketing freak dorked out on caffeine either! I simply plan (think) ahead what I’m going to write about, I then sit down to write with a timer set to go off in 45 minutes, and I rock & roll until the timer goes off! After an hours time is up, I usually have at least 2-3 articles that I can “pull” from my speed writing content.

One important note to make here is, I do not try to edit or make corrections until that timer goes off. Then for the remaining 15 minutes in the hour, I edit, make corrections and review for punctuation, etc.  I most often do all my article writing in one day, but you can stretch it to two, or three when you’re first getting started. Then after you start getting better, do your best to cut it down to no more than 2 days, and preferably only one day.

Here’s another pointer, this is MY routine, it does not have to be your routine! The most important thing to remember about article marketing, and writing articles in general, is that you have to do what works for you; and that the end result is what you wanted to happen to start with. Listen, if you can only write two or three articles a week to start, that’s ok, you’ll still get some much needed free traffic. Just keep plugging away, find your writer’s groove, and stick with it!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post, until next time…

Blessings to you and yours!

James

PS: If you’re struggling to come up with good quality content for your blog, check this out…

Obviously, if you spent any time at all trying to increase traffic to your site, you know how important keyword optimization is; especially if you’re after targeted traffic. However, keyword optimization isn’t limited to just the content you may place at your site – it also must reach your targeted traffic from other sources as well. And if you buy website traffic, it is imperative that you integrate your keyword strategy into your link building strategies to increase targeted traffic also.

If you buy website traffic services to increase web site traffic, and the traffic service company doesn’t request your keywords for directory submissions or allow you to choose the appropriate category, the effectiveness of your traffic building campaign will be drastically reduced. Keyword optimization must be used throughout every aspect of your website’s targeted traffic marketing strategy. Targeted traffic will not be reached without effectively using selective keywords to increase web site traffic. If you are striving to increase web site traffic, it is imperative that you buy website traffic services that offer you the opportunity to select your choice of keywords for your directory submissions and other traffic building services.

The most basic element of the searching process is the keyword. The users that make up your targeted website traffic are using words in search engines and links, and even from word-of-mouth referrals, to find the information they want. Search engines have created extensive patented algorithms over the years to ensure that their search engines are bringing the most relevant results to the user’s keyword request. The search engine’s mathematical formulas are programmed and placed into high-speed technology that can scan and index even extensive websites in less than a second. Patents change with technology and competition – but the keyword still remains. A keyword strategy is always needed to increase web site traffic.

If your keywords are not clearly pronounced throughout the content of your website, the search engines will not recognize the fact that your website meets the needs of the user’s request – and your targeted traffic will click to the competitor. To increase your web site traffic you must develop a keyword strategy that branches out with your website. Your link building strategies, directory submissions, social website profiles, media contributions, images, articles, blogs and even lists should contain your relevant keywords. The search engines will collect information from your website, and every website that links in to you and every website that you link out to, to determine if the collective result of the information meets the users request – which is in the form of a keyword.

Search engines will, however, quickly ban websites that are found to be guilty of “keyword spamming” – using the same multiple keywords multiple times without any constructive content, and obviously placed to manipulate the search engine results. Keywords are a fundamental element of search engine results, but they are not the only element in determining search engine results and reaching your targeted traffic market.

When you buy website traffic services for directory submission and link building campaigns, it is important to determine if they allow you to choose your own keywords. A keyword strategy may have similar, but different, keywords used in different marketing campaigns. Choosing your keywords carefully for your directory submission, including a careful construction of your directory submission heading, will increase web site traffic through search engine results.

Targeted traffic can be directed to your website with a carefully planned out keyword strategy. To get the fullest return on your investment to increase web site traffic, buy traffic services that allow you to carefully craft directory headlines and keywords for directory submissions. A keyword strategy integrated with your traffic building campaign to build web site traffic will increase your web site traffic from directories and search engines. Increased web site traffic means increased income. An effective keyword strategy is the key to keep your income increasing.

Until next time,

Blessings to you and yours!

James

I’m often asked by people how they can get more traffic to their website, get themselves noticed over their online competitors, and create more leads for their business. Obviously, there are many factors that come into play here. However, one of the easiest methods to do all of the above is with your content.

The majority of website owners are already aware of this fact, and use content for the purpose of getting more traffic readily. However, almost every day I receive new questions from people who are in need of traffic, yet they still don’t utilize their content as part of their overall traffic strategy.

Listen, we’ve all heard that content is king and know its importance to any online business. However, when’s the last time you actually took time and thought it out as a traffic strategy? What is it that makes your content the most important thing in order to move forward with and grow your business? The benefits of using content go well beyond just having a huge website crammed full with information.

Let’s look at content from your potential customers perspective for a moment…

Whenever someone is looking for information on a particular subject or topic, they go to their favorite search engine and enter a word or phrase they believe best describes the information they’re seeking. For example, let’s say I wanted to know more about using content to get more traffic to my site. More than likely, if I can give an “uneducated” scenario here, I would enter something in at Google (my search engine of choice) such as:

“How to get more traffic with content” (About 105,000,000 results) or,

“How to increase traffic with content” (About 24,700,000 results) or,

“How to get more traffic using content” (About 106,000,000 results).

Obviously, as you can see from the results at Google in parenthesis, there are many people online searching for info on the topic of getting more traffic to your site using content. Now here’s the lesson:

The more targeted (optimized) you make your content  to your reader’s needs or interests, the greater the chance people will find you for the keywords and phrases they enter.

And once they find your content and begin reading it, hopefully they’ll decide to take you up on any product recommendations and sign up for your mailing list. This is the gist of your marketing efforts:

a) increase web site traffic

b) grow your mailing list, and

c) make money with your list by continuing to offer, that’s right, more great quality content, products and services!

However, it all starts with creating great quality content that is optimized towards your target audience or niche market. Now can you see how important good quality content is to your businesses success? When it comes to content, you can’t afford to scrimp or “go cheap” here in your business. It will cost you more in the end, literally!

Offering quality content is just one method you can use to get more traffic. Just like any business, online or offline, word of mouth advertising plays a huge part in your website’s traffic. As visitors come to your site to read your content, if they like it, they will pass it along to others. By giving your readers something to talk about, your content, you can position yourself ahead of your competitors online.

However, a word of caution here regarding word of mouth…it works both ways! Other than just telling others about your great information, they can do the opposite by telling others to avoid your site if you don’t deliver good content. Your contents quality (relevancy, timeliness, factual, etc.) is just as important as the content itself, so do everything in your power to ensure you’re giving your readers what they’re looking for.

Keep this in mind when writing your content, “Why should they listen to me?”

And if you don’t know what you’re talking about, seriously, no insult intended, then outsource it to someone who knows more about that subject. Business on the Internet changes at a lightening pace, and it is impossible for you, me, or anyone else to keep up with ALL the changes online. This is why you must use outsourcing, so that those who are better in areas than we are can do those things for us so that we can focus on doing what we’re good at.

Content is critical when it comes to getting more traffic and growing your business, but use it wisely. Take time to think through your content traffic strategy, and how you’re going to present your content to your readers. But not only this, but that your content is up to date, relevant and solves your readers need.

If you’re looking for good quality content you can trust to place at your site to get more traffic, check this out

Until next time…

Blessings to you and yours,

James

One of the most significant keys to online success is getting more website traffic.  The more visitors you can get to your site, the more chances you have to increase sales and make more profits.  Presumably by now, you have a niche market along with the associated keywords and are regularly conducting keyword research to stay on top of what people are searching for online.  Based on these assumptions, here are a few simple tips to get website traffic fast!

Tip #1:  Make Sure You’re Tagging Your Keywords.

Do you spend a lot of time optimizing your content and then forget to tag them on your website?  Tags are the “markers” search engines look for, and if there are no tags, they’ll pass right by your website.  Here’s a quick look at tags.

There are a number of tag types including…

• Title tags- Title tags are quite possibly the most important place to situate your keywords.  Here’s what they look like – <title>Primary keyword phrase here. </title> – Your title tag is where you place your primary keyword or keyword phrase.  For best results, the sentence will describe your business in 90 characters or less.
• Header Tags- Header tags are next in order of importance to search engines.  They’re ranked in order of importance and look like this – <h1>Primary and/or Secondary keywords here</h1> (The “1” designates this header as the most important header on the page.)
• Meta Tags- Meta tags provide the small descriptive text found underneath the title tag on the search engine results page.  Like title tags these should be kept brief, informative and up to date.
• Alt Tags-  Alt tags are used to provide a text description of a graphic.  Each graphic on your site should have a description and an alt tag.

Tip #2: Update Content To Your Site Consistently

Content is essential for traffic and a top search engine ranking.  Content is what search engine spiders look for and index – without it there’s nothing to index or rank.  Give visitors and search engines a reason to visit and index your site. Make a commitment to provide daily, optimized and relevant content and your traffic will soar.

Tip #3: Procure Valuable and Relevant Incoming Links

The more websites which link to yours, the more valuable search engines perceive you to be, though not all links are created equal.  Search engines give more leverage to links from sites which are popular and credible and from sites which are relevant to your website topic.

There are different types of links.

- A direct link looks like a basic website address, for example, www.yourwebsite.com

- A text link occurs when the webpage address is embedded in the text.  Readers simply click on the link and are redirected to a new website page.

- If the link is to an internal web page, for example an article published on a website, rather than the home page, it is called a “deep link.”

You can encourage linking to your website by:

• Adding content to your site.
• Submitting to article directories.
• Publishing press releases.
• Blogging and participating in social networking forums, chat rooms and social networking sites.

Tip #4: Socialize!

Now more than ever before, internet marketing is about building a community and building relationships.  Whether you offer a forum on your website or you participate in social networking sites, social networking is a valuable traffic generating tactic.  Sites like Facebook, Twitter and a slew of other sites, can be powerful tools for generating links and traffic to your site – create a profile and then post comments, links to your site and ideas which generate conversation.

Get involved – many chat rooms and forums are industry specific, find those which cater to your industry, and begin participating.  Speak to and connect with a highly targeted audience.

Tip #5: Advertise for More Exposure and Traffic

Advertising, when handled strategically, can be used to promote your content and products or services.  PPC advertising is often the tool of choice because you control the advertising budget on a daily basis and have the tools to test and track your advertising efforts.  Once you’ve honed your PPC ads the return on investment can be phenomenal in terms of traffic and purchases.

For maximum results, create a traffic and SEO strategy.  Outline your plan and your goals and then take the necessary action.  Take advantage of these five traffic & search engine tips to boost your business!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, be sure to check back often for more updates. As always, we appreciate your feedback, comments and questions.

Until next time,

Godspeed

James
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