The most common form of article marketing

The most common form of article marketing involves posting your articles on websites such as Ezine. There are dozens of Ezine clones throughout the net, all of which survive by the written word of article marketers and webmasters. It’s a simple premise, authors write an article about 450 – 2000 words long, then place links in their resource box at the bottom of the page that point back to their website. If the article is written well and makes sense to the reader, the reader may click the link and visit your website. Search engines see these as links back to your site and count it as another vote for your website. Other webmasters also have the option to use your article on their website as well, giving you additional links back to your website.

Guest Blogging

Guest blogging works exactly as it sounds, you ask another webmaster for permission to write articles for their website. You write content for them, they let you put a link back to your website in return. Everybody wins, as the webmaster gains new content and you get what you wanted, a link back to your site and more exposure to the marketplace. With each additional website you guest blog on, you reach a wider audience. Being that the average person needs to see your name or brand seven times before they remember you or are willing to buy from you, this can give you the exposure you need.

Article Trading

Similar in style to guest blogging, you simply exchange articles with another webmaster. They give you an article to post on your website, and you give them one in return. This method works on two levels, you gain additional content for your audience, and you gain the link back to your website from their website.

This seems harder than simple link trading why should I do this?

What do you think is more powerful, a well written article or a link buried amongst other links on someone’s website? You’ll be lucky to get a few clicks a month from the link, whereas with the article people are becoming aware of who you are, what you think, and what you’re passionate about. You are providing the audience with something. People on the internet are looking for information, and if you provide them with that information they’ll be happy. You’re looking to grow trust with your audience, and to gain trust you need to provide them with something of value. If you’re a great poker player, share some strategies about poker. If you’re a great math and computer guy, put together a poker calculator for the audience.

Avoiding Duplicate Content

There is a simple method to avoiding duplicate content and it’s known as “spinning.” Article spinning is the act of rephrasing an article to make it unique. The same meat on the topic is still there but it’s worded differently. Is spinning bad? That all depends on why you’re doing it. If you’re spinning someone else’s content then yes spinning is bad. But if you’re rewording your own content to ensure that people will find you in several locations I see absolutely no harm in that. If you truly believe in your service, then spinning can be a good thing. If you aren’t providing anything of value, stop doing what you’re doing right now and come up with a way to provide value.

- Jason Narog is an avid poker player and the creator of the royal flush of spades poker card guard