Why Article Marketing FAILS To Deliver
This is a guest post by Anand Srinivasan who is the founder of KnewThis.com
We have all been there and done that. Article marketing is supposed to be one of the most genuine ways to get a lot of back link and traffic to our niche blogs. It is said that all you need to do is write one genuine article on an ezine directory and watch it getting copied all over the internet, thus getting you lots of back links. The ezine directory itself gets ranked in search engines thus earning you relevant traffic.
But how many of us have seen success with article directory? Yes, there indeed has been lots of people who have made considerable number of affiliate sales through article directories, but what I am talking about here, is the return on investment.
Time is Money and from this perspective, article directories take a lot of time and effort.
Word Length:
Most article directories require you to write at least 300 word articles. How many such articles can you write in a day?
Time Spent:
Most of us are better off writing 5-10 sentence paragraphs, but writing a good article is an altogether different ball game. Even assuming one good article takes 20 minutes, it means you can hardly write two articles in an hour. Then comes the more arduous task of submitting it to the different article directories. Of course, there is software to do it, but then most of them are paid and most people do article marketing because it is free. Otherwise, don’t you think they can simply buy links?
Site Name:
Most article directories easily give away that the article poster is simply trying to build links. A search engine visitor visting ‘GoArticles’ can easily realize that the website is a place where people submit articles which means that what he is getting is not genuine advice, but simply a promotion to the author’s website.
Conclusion
As a result of all these cons, while there are conversions from article directories, they are not how much one would like. The only people who seem to keep article marketing alive are those who sell ebooks that teach you how to do article marketing.
Have you tried article marketing? What has been your experience? Please do tell us in the comments.
Article written by anand
Anand Srinivasan is the founder of KnewThis.com, which the World’s First Ask&Answer portal for affiliate webmasters to get valuable backlinks and traffic. Learn more about KnewThis by clicking here.
anand has written 1 superb article(s) on this blog
Related Posts
Don't be shy ;) Share your thoughts on this article by commenting below. Remember that this is a do-follow blog with many more exciting features!
71 Comments Add yours
Twitter: @offers4free
December 6, 2009
4:49 pm
article writing can give u returns on investments sounds cool…word limit is 300 i can write this kind of post hardly 1 per week it is a difficult job…y only ebook selling people keep it alive…i have not yet tried article marketing…btw anand a good guest post by you
Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..Prizes Worth Over $1200 @FamousBloggers
Twitter: @techcrunchies
December 6, 2009
11:30 pm
Thanks Lucifer. That’s the point. With so much to write, though it does get traffic to you, if you think the kind of work that can otherwise get done in the time you write and submit articles to different article directories, the returns are really not equal to the time spent.
Twitter: @offers4free
December 7, 2009
12:25 pm
ya true it takes time and we can spend that time on your blog instead of writing article for others
Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..Prizes Worth Over $1200 @FamousBloggers
Twitter: @techcrunchies
December 8, 2009
12:12 am
Exactly
Twitter: @akira07
December 8, 2009
4:21 am
Well, and also article marketing is min 300 word. If we’re make it for our blog, it can be divided into 2 article (150 word each).
So, better try another marketing way, you mean?
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:34 pm
Akira do you know how short is 150 words? It is just like a long comment with 3 to 5 paragraphs. Sometimes when I write in my blog I can see the word count in my Wordpress and after my introduction I can see the word counts goes 100 already. So a couple more sentences and you’ll get to 150 words already and thats only for introduction. I will still add the body and the end part. In fact this very comment of mine right now is about 100 words already. Try to count and tell me how many exactly in your reply.
ZXT´s last blog ..Sunday’s Babe of the Week
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
9:59 am
Exactly. Maybe guest blogging monthly is okay though to get some traffic from other blogs.
ZXT´s last blog ..Go get them Tiger!
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:26 pm
I think article marketing isn’t for everyone. But if you are a good writer or really likes to write then by all means try it and for sure you’ll get something good in return.
ZXT´s last blog ..Share your Paypal WishList and Earn $100
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:49 am
My article marketing experience is using local languange. But if it’s for english languange, i’m not prepared enough. Still many mistake on grammar.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 10, 2009
8:38 pm
Whats your local language? Do you have a blog in your own language?
Twitter: @akira07
December 13, 2009
11:12 am
I’m indonesian, so i’m use indonesia as local languange. Yes i have one blog for local purpose, it’s startingfrom20.blogspot.com
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 6, 2009
9:03 pm
Wow, this sounds great. I’ve never heard of a word limit at 300 words. I personally submit articles a lot to promote my website. I prefer goarticles and ezineartciles. Goarticles is my favorite, because it is lenient.
Twitter: @smartbloggerz
December 6, 2009
9:06 pm
Didn’t get it…Why did the “WOW” thing came here?
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
10:01 am
Maybe he’s so excited about the tips he just read
ZXT´s last blog ..Share your Paypal WishList and Earn $100
Twitter: @techcrunchies
December 6, 2009
11:32 pm
Agreed..GoArticles is much lenient as compared to Article Directories. Nevertheless, with leniency comes the problem of lesser quality articles..Even if it is not your doing, if others are going to exploit the leniency, the website quality suffers and your articles fail to get you the returns that you want.
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
10:03 am
Right more lenient is actually has its pros and cons. Pros to writers because they can submit articles with less words. Cons because the article site will be less authoritative.
ZXT´s last blog ..Sunday’s Babe of the Week
Twitter: @offers4free
December 6, 2009
11:34 pm
By that word limit of 300 i meant that it is the min required number of words we need to write…
Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..Prizes Worth Over $1200 @FamousBloggers
Twitter: @akira07
December 8, 2009
4:18 am
But still confuse, is there any research which proving that 300 word article marketing is effective than a less one?
In another source, mostly blogger said that don’t make too long article. And now, i think 300 is too long.
Well, but if it’s for true. I’m sure 20 minute is not enough
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @Dennis Edell
December 8, 2009
8:55 pm
It’s not as long as you think. Take a look at my home page; the articles that break do so at 150 words… way too short for an article directory.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Blogging Halted Here – Don’t Despair, This Is A Good Thing!
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:36 pm
I completely agree. Like what I’ve said in my previous comment, 300 words is actually a short article. I think in my blog, except for the video post, all are above 300 words.
ZXT´s last blog ..Share your Paypal WishList and Earn $100
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:28 pm
I think the 300 word limit is a industry standard. Less than 300 words is too short. More than 1000 I think is too long already.
ZXT´s last blog ..Go get them Tiger!
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:56 am
Ok i’m check this article introduction and find it’s already 137 word. I’m sorry, yes it’s too short.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @Dennis Edell
December 7, 2009
4:42 am
Who said ONE article??
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Blogging Halted Here – Don’t Despair, This Is A Good Thing!
Twitter: @kelvinservigon
December 7, 2009
6:00 am
I haven’t tried article marketing, and as I read your post, I think I will never try article marketing.
Kelvin Servigon´s last blog ..My First Take on Slow Shutter Speed Photography
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:29 pm
Like you Kelvin I don’t think I will try too because I’m a bad writer.
I’d like to hear your reason why you don’t want article marketing.
ZXT´s last blog ..My three month old blog
Twitter: @jannihebbar
December 7, 2009
10:27 am
it is so nice to hear from Indians, about material related to blogging and e marketing etc.. I was searching for these people since many days, it gives me a sense of comfort to read them. An involuntary trust element sinks into mind while reading your blog.
thank you
Dr Janardhan
madurai
Dr Janardhan´s last blog ..Amrutadi Guggulu – anti obesity herbal medicine of Ayurveda.
Twitter: @moonheart
December 7, 2009
10:34 am
I do not get much time for write article. But I know that article marketing is great way for get traffic and backlink.
chandan@work at home´s last blog ..Great list of work at home scams sites
Twitter: @offers4free
December 7, 2009
12:26 pm
Ya it is a good way to get traffic and backlink but not worth the time we spend to write that article…
Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..Prizes Worth Over $1200 @FamousBloggers
Twitter: @akira07
December 8, 2009
4:16 am
That’s the case when you’re not experience enough. When the one already make 3-4 article marketing and always do evaluation and correction, i’m sure their will rapidly make the next article marketing.
It’s remind me on quotes “Experience is the best teacher”
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 7, 2009
12:32 pm
Article marketing is truly a powerful way to get one way backlinks to your site but you will need a lot of time or a lot of money to invest to someone who writes articles as their way of living.
Whoever I think that article marketing is better than other ways to build a good backlink because they are free. most article directories provides a good back link since the the page where you link too has something to do with your site.
Paul @ entertainment tonight´s last blog ..Another Miley Cyrus nip slip scandal
Twitter: @techcrunchies
December 8, 2009
12:14 am
You derive the maximum benefit out of article directories if you are going to write one unique article to each of the dfferent article directories, which rarely happens. Also, with so many duplicate articles around on article directories, the value of their link is already diluted, and with the time spent the returns on investment is not all too great.
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:46 am
So if we planning to submitting to 10 directories, there should be 10 alternative article for same topic? It’s hard. But if not, yes, that i fear the value is become down because suspected as duplicate content.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @deepikasuren
December 13, 2009
12:38 pm
i have not started article marketing yet. Seeing all your option i have a thought to enter in that..
Deepika´s last blog ..I Drive You To The Next Generation: Regards, XML
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
10:28 am
It’s like this. If its easy to for you to make an article then go for it. Otherwise save it for your own blog.
ZXT´s last blog ..What’s Hot on YouTube
Twitter: @dumbblogger
December 7, 2009
12:49 pm
Nice post anand this is just wonderful for beginners, but i still think there is a lot more needed for successful article marketing
Vishal Sanjay´s last blog ..PR 0 to PR 4 in just 2 months
Twitter: @techcrunchies
December 8, 2009
12:16 am
Thanks Vishal
December 7, 2009
5:53 pm
Article marketing transfer huge authority to your blog and sudden trust. Still wrting one good articles take time. Believe me this will help you in future. But don’t rely on article marketing fully. I saw one guy made 5 page website and did 50 ezines whats the use..he earn less then $1 per month.
December 7, 2009
5:54 pm
Sry $1 per day.
RahulBuzz´s last blog ..Why Pro-blogger Talks About Long Tail Keywords
Twitter: @techcrunchies
December 8, 2009
12:17 am
LOL that’s crazy. But it also depends how long it has been. If it is only one month since the person started, $30 per month is not too bad!
Twitter: @akira07
December 8, 2009
4:14 am
Of course, because article marketing is not just usual article which offering/persuate people to do something. It’s many factor. Maybe that guy not learning about copywriting or LSI? However, $1 is very very bad.
Advice him to come and read article about it on smartbloggerz.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @akira07
December 8, 2009
4:12 am
I ever write article marketing, but post it on forum thread. In that time, i sell DVD. It’s not sell well, i’m only sell about 10-15 package per month. But, i think the investment is already returned.
Well, need to exercise more.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
10:30 am
15 package a month is like 1 sale every other day. I’d say thats not bad at all Akira.
ZXT´s last blog ..Go get them Tiger!
Twitter: @akira07
December 13, 2009
11:09 am
But do you know my profit for 1 package is only $8
A thousand dollar income per month is still become my dream.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 8, 2009
10:50 am
I still prefer to submit to Hubpages. At least I get to earn from Adsense, and get backlinks to my blogs
scheng1´s last blog ..Reflection: stock market investment and mood swings
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:38 pm
Really? You earn from adsense thru hubpages? How much are we talking about here? If its $10 a month then thatts not too bad I guess.
ZXT´s last blog ..Go get them Tiger!
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:43 am
$10/month from sharing revenue site is not bad. So, writing article marketing and post it on hubpages have 2 benefit, then.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @deepikasuren
December 13, 2009
12:27 pm
@akira07 you are sharing very useful and informative information about benifiting through online marketing.. you sounds to be more technical. is it?
Deepika´s last blog ..I Drive You To The Next Generation: Regards, XML
Twitter: @123today
December 8, 2009
5:29 pm
I have been using ezinearticles for article marketing and have been getting backlinks and traffic.
Twitter: @akira07
December 9, 2009
4:20 am
It’s seem you’re depend only on ezine? How if it’s closed? I’m advice you to learn or use another technique beside using ezine only.
But your tips about ezinearticles is welcome here
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:37 pm
What is the percentage of traffic you get from Ezine? Is it in your top 3 referrals?
ZXT´s last blog ..What’s Hot on YouTube
December 8, 2009
6:05 pm
Writing articles for the sake of marketing will have a tendency to sound impersonal. If you got the time, this is supposed to work. But there are better ways available.
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
10:39 am
I’m with you SB. Again if you have a lot of time to write articles then why not so you can drive your readers to your website.
ZXT´s last blog ..My Bohol Trip part 1
Twitter: @123today
December 8, 2009
9:26 pm
That is why there are freelance writers on the internet that are ready to write articles for cash.
Twitter: @akira07
December 9, 2009
4:23 am
But for me as a personal, i’m not easy to believe on them since the one who know our blog/product is ourself.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
4:14 am
For me , i haven’t tried this marketing type before but i hear it has good revenue in getting back links and having attention in Search Engines too , I still gather more information about and hope it really helps us achieving at least what we hope for our sites .
Twitter: @akira07
December 9, 2009
4:22 am
About time spent, it’s not for writing time only. It’s because sometime we want to use picture/graph on our article. Looking for pic is also take our time, right?
Using picture, your article marketing become more interesting
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
8:46 pm
yes Lady it takes time also but not always people care for pictures , they give care to what is written inside article, am one of persons that don’t give attention to photos or graphs like giving care to the article point and way is written …
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:40 am
Well, yes that the text-content itself is more important. But just look this article as example, a pic of girl bring a bad-score paper is adding more color, right?
So, try to add pic, only if you have free time. Hmm…but i think looking for pic is need only 10 minutes.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
11:13 am
Who is Lady? Akira is a guy. I think.
ZXT´s last blog ..My Bohol Trip part 1
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 9, 2009
6:24 pm
I think this is my weakest link. Article making. I think I need to write better and clearer.
These are good tips Anand. Thanks for sharing.
ZXT´s last blog ..Sunday’s Babe of the Week
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:42 am
Would you like to give me url where i can see the example of your article marketing? So, i and reader here can giving advice, even i’m not master also. What do you mean by clearer,anyway?
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 10, 2009
8:44 pm
What url? Like what I’ve said. Article marketing is my weakest link, meaning I am not into article marketing. Clearer means concise and precise…to the point. Readers will unedrstand right away without having to read it the second time around.
Are we clear?
ZXT´s last blog ..What’s Hot on YouTube
Twitter: @akira07
December 13, 2009
11:08 am
Because you’re know that you’re weakest on article marketing, that’s mean you already make some of it, right? I just would like to know.
Yes it’s clear, thanks..:D
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @hotblogtips
December 21, 2009
7:55 pm
Personally, I think you should NOT submit to article directories, especially not for links. Your time would be better spent writing articles for your own site and if your content is good, people will link to you naturally.
Web and article directories seem to be really popular (along with forum signatures) for the wrong reasons and therefore the purpose of them has been tainted. I am also wondering if press releases are starting to become tainted as well.
Keith@Business3.0´s last blog ..Do-Follow Comments and Comment Luv
February 4, 2010
8:29 pm
I made an attempt at article marketine with little success. I spent several hours writing an article to the proper specifications, with proper SEO, only to achieve little new visitors. Sure, I initially got an influx of visitors but that fizzled away after a few months. I could have spent that time writing new posts on my blog
Twitter: @colleenlane
March 1, 2010
10:28 pm
Actually, article marketing has worked well for us. Mainly as a source of inbound links. Also, when we go through the effort of localizing the title, we actually get some traffic to our real estate website.
Colleen@Kennewick Homes´s last blog ..Kennewick Real Estate
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:48 am
That’s the challenge for a article marketing creator. It’s about how to attract people with just simple and short but clear article
.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @akira07
December 10, 2009
3:54 am
Anyway for article directory, do you know “Cake” strategy? It’s better to not posting whole article. This is the example :
10 Tips to seduce a girl
……………introduction…………..
1. …………………….
2 ……………………..
3………………………
4.
5.
STOP HERE…!!!
Don’t post all of your 300 word article on here. Make them wonder about the rest and then their will click your link.
Why cake? Because full cake is always interesting than a piece of cake.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 10, 2009
8:37 pm
Okay give me some links on good but 150 word articles.
ZXT´s last blog ..My three month old blog
Twitter: @zxxxt
December 13, 2009
10:10 am
No I never heard of Cake strategy but it seems like a very god one. Thanks for sharing.
ZXT´s last blog ..What’s Hot on YouTube
Twitter: @akira07
December 13, 2009
11:11 am
Well the startegy already used by a lot of article marketer, i’m also get the idea from one blog. Yes, it’s nice. Thanks for the appreciation. Just try it
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review