July 12th "Autoresponders in Your World" Series, Part 10.

How Autoresponders Can Explode Your Article Marketing Results.

Think autoresponders and article marketing don’t go together? Think again. You may be the best writer in the world, but if you’re not converting readers into subscribers and eventually customers, your efforts are in vain. In order to become a great article marketer – not just a great wordsmith – incorporate autoresponders into your strategy.

Consider all four components of a successful article marketing campaign:

1. Original, high-quality, informative, niche-specific articles.
2. Resource Box.
3. Landing page reached by clicking resource box link.
4. Autoresponder code that captures contact information.

Each component, like teammates in a 4X100 track and field relay race, must work together to achieve results – in this case, more sign-ups for your business. The resource box, for example, is an essential link between your article and the autoresponder. These two or three lines after your article must entice readers to extend their relationship with you. It’s “call to action” should capitalize on the heightened sense of awareness generated by your words. To extend the track and field analogy, the resource box should “drive” your viewers to a landing page which in turn “hands off” the baton to the autoresponder anchor in order to win the list-building and sales generating race.

What are the best ways to use autoresponders? In the past, people were advised to set up each of their articles with a unique autoresponder address. This would permit easy tracking of important performance metrics to determine the effectiveness of a campaign, niche, etc. In addition, you would also maintain an article master list that included every address along with a brief description of the content.

However, promoting individual articles in this manner was extremely time-consuming, so marketers have opted for autoresponder campaigns, where the master list’s autoresponder address identifies a group of related articles. By opting into a newsletter, subscribers can receive a unified sequence of prewritten e-mails on a specific subject. To stay current, authors may contribute occasional broadcasts and/or edit their sequence accordingly.

Increasingly, leading autoresponder companies and article directories allow marketers to capitalize on synergies with well-known social media outlets. Consider some of the options already in place on the Internet that can extend your articles’ reach:

- Autoresponder services that give marketers the option of broadcasting messages to their Twitter followers.
- Article directories that connect you with Facebook and MySpace as expert and verified sources of information.
- RSS and other syndication feeds that originate from article directories and the blogosphere.
- Effective and creative use of widgets, including simple HTML autoresponder code for your websites.

Just remember to subtly direct new readers to your autoresponder!

Original, high-quality, informative, niche-specific articles attract readers – no doubt about it. Whether you submit them to directories, e-zine publishers, or your own blogs, they will improve your search engine rankings and establishing your credibility. However, without autoresponders, how can you initiate relationships that lead to subscribers, customers, and (ideally!) life-long buyers?

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Rahul Majumdar is an Information Marketer specializing in article marketing, list-building, and digital product creation. Sign up for more of his insights here.

August 20, 2008 "Seminars with the Experts" Call.

Jeff Herring - Article Marketing Master.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, article marketing specialist Jeff Herring has used the power of words to build an information empire. His resume includes a nationally syndicated column, various telecourses and coaching programs, and of course his own traffic generating articles. Jeff specializes in live, café-style video recordings and is a strong proponent of audio-visual promotion of writing services.

The Accidental Internet Marketer?

In his previous life, Herring built up a thriving family therapy practice over two decades. So how does a successful marriage therapist/relationship coach migrate to the forefront of Internet Marketing? In Jeff's case, the seed was planted in 1994 with a first look online while writing his newspaper column. In 2005, he decided to bundle collections of his columns and sell them in e-book form. Initial success whetted his e-commerce appetite, and Herring proceeded to systematize a ready-made subscriber list to offer motivational quotes. A few months later, after setting up his first websites, Jeff became a full-time Internet Marketer and has never looked back.

Jealously Guarding Your Own Voice.

Consider Herring's clever play on words that reveal his philosophy:

"Write with your mouth, not with your hands."

Jeff says NO to private label rights (PLR) articles, because of mass duplication and their general lack of quality and relevance. By succumbing to recycled articles, you lose your voice and are not credible with prospects and customers anymore.

Does the same apply to outsourcing; i.e., ghostwriting (a.k.a. writing in another person's voice)? Herring agrees that outsourcing is acceptable when you are not an expert in the chosen topic, but points out the inherent risk of abandoning original, personal work.

Jeff Herring agrees that we can use article marketing to drive readers to affiliate websites. However, at some point you need to look beyond other people's products and claim full ownership of your words. After all, you're doing all this work writing articles - why not promote yourself first?

Common Mistakes, Pitfalls of New Article Marketers.

Becoming a proficient article marketer like Jeff Herring takes practice, as well as avoiding some traps:

• Procrastination.
• Belief that you don't have anything worth saying; lack of writing confidence and self-esteem.
• Trying to say too much at once.
• Listening to the wrong people.
• Going on a buying frenzy for article generators, submission software, external aids, etc.
• Word count hang-up, especially at the low-end (250 words).

To generate writing topics, Jeff Herring recommends that you create "Tips" articles, in which you enumerate 7 ways to solve a specific problem. Then, take each tip and create a more specific article. As a result, one topic allows you to create a total of 8 articles.

A perceived weakness often cited by beginners - that their article category is too crowded - in fact indicates its great potential. Competitors, potential customers, social networkers, and joint venture seekers are all on the lookout for quality writers, even the next superstar.

Spreading your Articles to the World.

Jeff Herring believes that article marketing is the best "free" way to generate traffic. However, simply being a great writer is not enough. Your goal is to plant "Evergreen" articles, articles that will drive traffic to your sites over and over again on autopilot. So, you must have a solid, systematic article submission strategy. Jeff offers an article submission hierarchy to follow:

1. ezineArticles.com
2. Other top article directories (e.g. GoArticles.com, ArticleHub.com, ArticleDashBoard.com, etc.)
3. Niche article directories (e.g. Teleseminarsecrets.com article directory)
4. Your own article directory or blog.
   

Jeff Herring's 3 Power P's.

Every article marketer is looking for the winning elements that will lead to a life-changing breakthrough. In short, we need:

1. Prospects: Targeted traffic generation via articles to get eyeballs in front of your website. Now it's up to you to encourage action!

2. Publicity: High page rankings (PR), ideally the first page of Google for your keywords and key phrases.

3. Profits: Money is great and justifies your hard work. However there are other indirect (i.e. back links) and direct (e.g. article repurposing) benefits of posting a steady stream of quality articles.

How to Make More Money from an Article than a Book.

On the surface, it may seem far fetched that individual articles can be a catalyst for recurring income. Yet, consider some of the possibilities:

• Converting a 7 Tips article into a 7-part autoresponder or e-course.
• Creating video and/or audio articles from the written word.
• Teleseminar series based on article tips.

In addition, consider the possibilities from combining article marketing and joint ventures. Many top entrepreneurs swap lists and cross promote. To make such alliances work for you, look for people in your niche - not necessarily heavy hitters - that are doing similar things and share your marketing outlook.

To work once and get paid over an over again, you must optimize each part of an article, i.e.:

- Title: Start with keywords that highlight the benefits of your article to the reader.
- Body: manageable chunks of information that engage readers and leave them wanting more.
- Resource Box: Take advantage of your audience's heightened sense of awareness to promote yourself. Should flow easily from your conclusion and not feel apart from the article body.

Conclusion.

Writing is a basic communication skill that is cultivated from the essence of your personality. The beauty of article marketing lies in its simplicity, no matter what technological advances are in store for the world. Jeff Herring embraces Internet technology, but hasn't forgotten the essence of being successful - making things simple. To that end, it does not hurt to have guts, i.e.:

Go Use This Stuff!

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Rahul Majumdar is co-author of The Best of List Profit Academy with Brian Edmondson. To claim privileged insider information about it's impending launch, click here.

July 29, 2008 "Seminars with the Experts" Call

Sean Mize - Article Marketing for the Long Haul.

In January 2006, it all started with a simple four-point strategy and the discipline to stick with it until it worked:

- Write an e-book that people want.
- Put up a website that offers the e-book for sale.
- Drive traffic to the website.
- Rinse and repeat above cycle.

Sean Mize used the above formula to establish his Internet Marketing presence. Nothing special, right? However, his traffic generation method of choice raised eyebrows. Instead of using pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimization (SEO), or video marketing, Mize turned to article marketing.

By writing five articles daily and submitting them to the best article directories on a consistent basis, Sean Mize's traffic steadily grew along with his expert status and marketing credibility. After incorporating list-building into his marketing equation, Sean's income results took off. His regular release of e-books in the competitive and crowded Internet Marketing niche, coupled with a blunt approach to relationship marketing has proven popular with his subscribers.

Why Article Marketing Works.

Mize feels that article marketing is misunderstood by most people, and its effectiveness severely underestimated. In response to those who consider it out of place in today's fast-paced digital environment he offers the core premise of successful article marketing:

Article marketing is first and foremost a traffic generator. Period.

Commit yourself to optimizing all aspects of your writing (i.e. Niche selection, Keywords, Title, Body, Resource Box) so that readers take you seriously and want to come back for more.

Doing It Yourself, for Yourself.

Some consider Sean Mize's use of article marketing stealth, cold, and ruthless. However, nobody can deny his results. In two years, Mize claims that 80% of his five-figure list has been build through article marketing. Needless to say, he continues to write for traffic. Yes, it can be time-intensive and expensive (e.g. ghostwriting), but there is no such thing as genuinely "free" traffic.

Mize is skeptical about article generating and submission software tools. You cannot automate article marketing, but if you commit to a well-planned and disciplined approach, the results can be phenomenal. Consider article rewrites for uniqueness and multiple submissions; instead of outsourcing Mize suggests taking the time to do it yourself, then test and track the results to make tactical adjustments.

"Affiliate Marketing is a Crutch."

Sure, people can make money - even a steady income - by promoting other people's products. However, Sean Mize's philosophy focuses on building Me Inc.; after all, if you are prepared to devote time and energy (and money) for others, why not capitalize on those resources yourself?

Making your own products establishes credibility like no other activity. An original contribution within your chosen niche can build your reputation and income concurrently. Digital product creation in particular is well-suited for new entrepreneurs (short startup time, low overhead, no physical inventory issues etc.). Yet before embarking on serious projects, ask your list subscribers what they are struggling with in their businesses, and what you can do to help them move forward.

Sean agrees with using ethical bribes, i.e., free reports and e-books, to obtain a prospect's contact information. However, he reminds us to use "Thank You" pages that offer subscribers a quality product immediately after they opt in to your newsletter. Embrace the concept of product funnels to enable you and your subscribers to build mutually beneficial relationships.

Two Internet Marketing Curses to Avoid.

Mize defines Internet Marketing experience by the amount of revenue a person has generated through legitimate and quantifiable online activity. In fact, if you do not presently make a consistent $10k per month, Sean considers you a beginner!

So how do people graduate to the next level? Sean suggests that you minimize:

1. Information Overload. It is a disease that will sap your productivity and innovation. Seriously, you cannot read every book, join every coaching program, or follow all the experts out there. Therefore, limit your instant messaging and e-mail activity to one daily session. Be severe about the number of lists you subscribe to. Ask yourself: Is this relationship valuable to me? If not, unsubscribe...FAST!

2. Social Networking. Still too early to judge Web 2.0's effectiveness as an income generator. However, Mize is a healthy skeptic of its usefulness. Without conclusive proof that solopreneurs can use Web 2.0 properly, and its reputation as a tremendous time waster, better stick to reliable traffic methods that work for your long-term growth.

From Article Marketing to an All-round Skill Set.

Once you have mastered traffic generation, Sean Mize suggests that you take a serious look at the other Internet Marketing pillar.

Copywriting is essential for long-term, online income. Reports of its imminent death are exaggerated. As a core Internet Marketing skill, we all need it. Yet, hardly anyone truly gets it. So, even if you plan to outsource, learn how to distinguish good copy from bad. Ideally, develop your own skills by purchasing templates and observing what successful marketers' do. Test your early results, then decide if outsourcing is right for you.

Sean has largely foregone traditional joint ventures (JV) in favor of ad swaps with marketers with whom he shares a common outlook. Apart from being a "free" way to gain new leads, Mize prefers this networking method over live seminars and conferences. The high attendance cost and preparation time associated with events should motivate folks to proceed cautiously when invitations come. He does, however, approve of hands-on workshops that motivate participants to act.

Conclusion.

Sean Mize has integrated article marketing, list building, and product creation like no other in Internet Marketing today. Nothing comes easy, but if you are averse to the latest fads and willing to try a legitimate method of traffic generation, follow Mize's blueprint for success:

1. Drive traffic to your squeeze page with article marketing.
2. Build your list and create relationships.
3. Create products that satisfy a hungry audience.

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Rahul Majumdar is co-author of The Best of List Profit Academy with Brian Edmondson. To claim privileged insider information about it's impending launch, click here.