Alternatives to Article Directories - Article Marketing

Alternatives to Article Directories

Article directories are a great tool to drive traffic to your business, increase your search engine ranking, and improve your exposure and credibility, however they aren't your only option. Articles published in e-zines, blogs, and print publications are also a great addition to your marketing and promotion strategy.  Let's take a closer look at them.

The advantages of blogging

Blogs, like newsletters, can enhance a companies credibility if done correctly. As a blogger you're out there in the blogoshpere providing information about your industry and answering questions. You are the expert.

Blogs can also be a useful customer service tool — they provide a medium to respond to your customers in an open dialogue and to solve problems before they become problems. If a blog, whether yours or someone else's, posts a review of your product and there is a problem that needs to be fixed, you can post the fix on the comment section of the blog.

Blogs increase your exposure in a variety of ways. A simple trade — advertise on my blog and I'll advertise on yours — is an easy method to increase exposure. Additionally, by monitoring and posting on other blogs related to your industry you can increase brand awareness.

Blogs can also be a tool to direct traffic to your website or storefront. By listing links to your site, your readers can click through and possibly become customers.

Blogs do require constant updating and monitoring, so if you're unable to commit to writing short posts 2-3 times a week, and if you're not open to dialogue with your potential customers, then blogging might not be for you.  Consider instead becoming a guest blogger on a relevant site.

The advantages of Ezines and Newsletters

Ezines and newsletters provide you a very cost effective way to communicate with your target market on a regular basis.  They're viral and sticky, which means they spread and they continue to offer benefit long after they've been issued.

They allow you to answer customer questions, promote new products and services, and address customer concerns as they might arise.  They give you and your company credibility because you're the source of qualitative information.  Maybe most importantly, in a world of fleeting customer loyalty, they enable you to stay fresh in the minds of your customers.

Like article directory content, ezines and newsletters also make it easy to establish yourself as an expert in your field.  When current and prospective clients receive your e-newsletter filled with helpful information that is relevant to their needs, desires, and interests, they will begin to regard you as a source of information.

Not only that but when they have questions or needs, you may very well be the first person that they call on for help simply because you obviously know your stuff and because your regular contact puts you foremost in their minds.

Newsletters and ezines are also an amazing marketing tool.  They put your company and your products or services in front of customers in a non-threatening and non-obtrusive way.  They offer you a consistent and regular method of providing new information to your customers and prospects.

The advantages of print publications

Having your article published in a print newsletter, magazine, or newspaper helps you reach new markets and also increases your exposure.  Additionally, since it is often times more difficult to have an article printed, there is an increased perception of credibility.  You attain a higher level of expert status when you can reference an article you've published off line.

Your article marketing campaign doesn't have to be limited to online publication. While online publication certainly makes your content easily accessible, when you broaden your portfolio, you also broaden your reach and exposure, which is what it's all about.

Tags: Article Directories
Published under Article Directories

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