Article Marketing and Your Content Strategy

Article marketing is, essentially, the writing of articles to help promote your business on the web. Articles are just one form of content marketing; however, they are one of the most effective. Well-written, content-rich industry articles show potential customers that you are knowledgeable about your topic. They help convince others that you are a trusted source for what they want.

Article Marketing- Letting Them Know What You Know

Imagine that you need something- say, a wedding planner, for example. You know nothing about this profession, and don't know who does a good job. You have no recommendations from friends or family, either. You need information and you're on your own. Where do you turn? Well, most people will type in "wedding planner" for their area and see what comes up.

You see a lot of sites and a lot of pretty pictures and claims. But, which one catches your eye? I'd be willing to bet that the wedding planner who gets your business is the one who offers you information you can use- about weddings, the planning process and how the whole thing will come together seamlessly thanks to her expertise.

In other words, the content you read on her site convinces you that this person knows what she is doing, and would be the perfect choice. Article marketing is responsible for bringing you to that conclusion. Every day, without realizing it, online consumers are making purchasing decisions based on how well-written and informative a site's content is. Thus, writing articles that showcase your knowledge becomes a key way to reach your target market.

Article Marketing and the Power of Distribution

Of course, your articles need to be distributed in order to reach the largest possible audience. This is the second step to effective article marketing. Once you have provided useful content to your readers, you need to get "deep and wide" distribution for them on the web. Essentially, you need to hawk your content to whoever will take it. Ezines, or article directories are a great place to start. Here, you can provide people with access to your article and links to your site so that people can find you directly.

Other ways to get your articles seen on the Internet include blogs and newsletters. Start a blog on your site, or give it a domain of its own. Link to it in the articles you submit to directories. Enlist the help of other people by commenting on their posts. This will get your name out there. And, don't forget social media. It's a highly effective way to get free word-of-mouth advertising and links to your site.

Remember, too, to keep updating your content on a regular basis. Soon, people will start looking forward to reading your posts, and will come to see you as an authority in your field. Article marketing is a cost-effective tool that leverages the power of your expertise to pay big dividends for your business.

By Steve Lazuka

PressSearch.org