Get More Clients Online

Source for syndicating articles

Q:  Can you recommend a source for syndicating my articles. I am a run a web design business.

Nicole

A:  Hi Nicole--

I'm happy to!  The service I use to syndicate my articles is www.GetMoreClientsArticles.com, which costs $37/month as of this writing.  This service will get articles out to thousands of article banks and publishers.  I've been using them since 2005 and can say without any reservations that this service is single-handedly responsible for my success.  My articles have appeared in print, in highly trafficked blogs and website, and in ezines with large numbers of subscribers. 

They limit you to 8 articles per month, but I've found that this is all I have needed to get traffic back to my site, and quite frankly, I'd have difficulty writing a larger number of high quality articles.

If you want to offer this to your clients, they'll need to purchase their own account.  You won't be able to run their articles through your account, as each account is limited to one author.

Here's another post I've made about how to successfully write articles that you might find useful:

How to Write Articles That Will Increase Traffic to Your Website

And, if you want to fully understand how I use article marketing to my advantage, check out my teleclass recording, Article Marketing 101: How to Drive Droves of Clients to Your Website Audio Download and Transcript.

Got an Internet Marketing question?  Ask it here: AskDonnaGunter.com. 

Best free strategy to promote a website

Q:  What is the best and free strategy to promote a private website?
Michael

A:  Hi Michael--

Hands down, I think the best free strategy to promote a website is by writing articles and submitting them to article directories.  Well-written, high quality articles will accomplish the following for you:

• establish your expertise in your field/industry
• increase your visibility online
• help you grow your list (with a well-crafted resource box)
• establish strong incoming one-way links from high traffic article banks (EzineArticles.com, IdeaMarketers.com, etc.)
• enhance your searchability in the search engines with keyword rich article titles
• repurpose your expertise found in your articles into numerous formats both for free and for a fee for your visitors:  podcasts, blog posts, video, press releases, teleclasses, ebooks, special reports, etc.
• increase traffic to your site
• get your content published on other ezines, websites, blogs, etc.

The key is to write useful articles for your target market that provide the answers to any number of questions that they have.  More info can be found in the Article Marketing section of my blog.

While you can submit articles to article directories manually at no charge, I use a service for $37/month that's the best $37 I spend each month in marketing dollars.  It's to an article submission service, GetMoreClientsArticles.com.  It'll take you about an hour to set up your account, but once you're set up, it only takes about 10 minutes to submit an article.

Tip:  At the point you write your article, also create a short description of the article (2-3 sentences) as well as a list of keywords someone might use to find an article on this topic.  This will save you even more time in the article submission process.

For a thorough guide to the process of article marketing, check out my audio and study guide, Article Marketing 101: How to Drive Droves of Clients to Your Website Audio Download and Transcript.

Got an Internet Marketing question?  Ask it here: AskDonnaGunter.com.

Converting website content to PDF files

Q:  I've been advised to put my website articles in pdf format.  I'm concerned that the search engines won't see the content which is keyword-rich. 
Kris

A:  Hi Kris--

While there's nothing wrong with putting your articles in PDF format, as search engines now have the capability to index PDF files as well as web pages for keywords, I would encourage you to stick with just placing them on your site as content.  My reasoning has to do with simplicity and reducing the number of clicks to view your contant rather than anything related to SEO.

On your site, you should make it as simple as possible for a visitor to view your content.  Forcing them to open/download a PDF file adds another layer of complexity to the process.  And, many people are wary of downloading and opening files from sites owned by people they do not know due to the possibility of the file being infected with spyware or malware.

So, permit your visitors to see your content when they land on your site.  Save the PDFs to use as a free giveaway to entice them to join your list when they have decided that they'd like to get more info from you.

Got an Internet Marketing question?  Ask it here: AskDonnaGunter.com.

Duplicate content penalty in article submission

Q:  I read your article "My Top 7 Essential Twitter Tools" and thought it was very helpful.  I did a Google search on the title and saw that you submitted the article to quite a few directories.  From what I read this could harm your search rankings with duplicate content penalties. I am in the process of submitting some of my articles and I wanted to get your thoughts on this.

Chris Miller

Hi Chris--

A:  I am asked this question all of the time, and frankly, I think it's much ado about nothing.  I've been submitting my articles now through a submission service for 3 years and have never faced what's called a "duplicate content penalty."  I've seen various discussion on this topic online, some saying that it is an issue, while others say there's nothing to worry about.  Submitting articles to various article aggregators has been the main source of traffic to my sites and is the #1 way that people happen upon or are sent to my site.

The nay-sayers report that the article-writer's site is penalized for having the same article appear on her site as appears on other sites online.  Consequently, the author's site won't appear in the search engines when  a keyword search is done for the topic of a particular article.  That, indeed might be true.  However, as long as you have a great resource box with a compelling call to action, I ask, "Who cares?"

I'll be the first to admit that sites that EzineArticles.com have a much higher traffic ranking than my own site, and quite frankly, my site may never generate that volume of traffic.  Therefore, because of its pattern of traffic, Google and other search engines may deem that my article which appears on that site to be more relevant than the same copy of my article appearing on my own site and consequently list my article found there before showing it on my own site, if my own site even shows at all in the search results.

As long as my resource box appears intact, most readers will be tempted to check out my site to take advantage of the giveaway offered in my resource box when they visit my site.  Will I lose a few visitors?  Probably.  However, another payoff to my site is that by submitting this article, I've created a valuable one-way inbound link back to my site from a high traffic, highly-regarded website, and you (literally) can't buy that benefit.

So, whatever (if any) penalties may exist, IMHO, the end justifies the means..:) YMMV.

Got an Internet Marketing question?  Ask it here: AskDonnaGunter.com.

How to submit articles

Q:  This may sound like a very naive question but who pays for the articles if anyone? I'm a writer with a client who wants some articles written to increase his credibility and I'm trying to figure out if a submission service may be the way to go. How much does this service cost?  Any help you can provide would be much appreciated.

Anne-Rachelle McHugh

A:  Hi Anne-Rachelle--

The truth is that for online submission, very few sites will pay for articles.  I think that's due to the fact that there are too many high quality articles available at no charge on article directories.  If the goal of your client is to expand his reach and increase his credibility, I would do 2 things with his articles:

1.  Submit them on the major, high-traffic article directories.  I use GetMoreClientsArticles.com to submit my articles, and have my clients purchase a separate account through which they submit their articles.  It's the best $37 I spend each month that drives droves of visitors to my website.

2.  Research industry-specific trade magazines and newsletters and determine their article submission criteria.  Many of them may permit him to submit articles previously published online.  Or, they may permit a rewrite of a previously written article instead.

The first strategy will increase his search engine ranking and create strong inbound links to his site as well as enhance his credibility online. The second will serve to build his expertise and credibility in front of his target market.

Got an Internet Marketing question?  Ask it here: AskDonnaGunter.com.

Online Marketing to Prospects: 6 Secrets to Ensure Your Prospect Well Never Runs Dry

by Donna Gunter, The Online Biz Resource Queen (TM)

Many service business owners, once they become busy working with current clients, no longer make the time to market their businesses.  It's only when business has dropped off (and the well is starting to run dry) that they frantically begin marketing their businesses again, anxious to fill in the gaps.  When they speak to prospective clients, the prospects can hear the desperation in their voice are thus unlikely to hire them.  Frustrated by rejection, the business owner is off again, desperately seeking more clients.  Does this describe your marketing pattern?  If so, you're not alone.

More than 50% of service business owners experience this feast or famine scenario.  What if you could create an environment so that the well never ran dry and would permit you to continuously market and promote your business?  There is another way to keep yourself supplied with an eagerly waiting list of prospects with whom you can work when you have the time and space in your business. Often referred to as ?drip marketing,? this strategy is defined by a deliberate, planned and sequenced system of deploying marketing messages over a period of time. In many cases, drip marketing is conducted through direct mail, but the Internet entrepreneur can create her own drip marketing campaign as well.

Here are 6 secrets you can use to create your online drip marketing campaign and keep prospects in your pipeline:

1.  Client attraction device.  The best way to get prospects into your marketing funnel is to give away something that would compel them to part with their name and email address and join your list.  Often called an "ethical bribe", your client attraction device must answer a pressing problem experienced by your target market.  You can format this information into an ebook, special report, ecourse, audio recording, video, or some combination of all of these.

2.  Newsletter:  Whether you choose to publish a hard copy newsletter that's directly mailed to your prospects or an email newsletter that is emailed on a regular schedule to your list, your newsletter is the best "stay in touch" device that you have.  Regular publication of an email newsletter (weekly is most effective) will enable your prospects to get to know, like and trust you and have you be top of mind when they are ready to solve the pressing problems that fall within your line of expertise.

3.  Blog.  Business blogging has become more popular than ever.  Blogs use RSS feed technology to immediate get new posts and updates out to your blog subscribers through a feed reader, Unlike ezines or traditional websites, search engines index blog posts almost immediately, which help you generate traffic to your website.  You need to post 2-3 times per week to keep your readers interested and coming back.

4.  Article marketing.  One of the best ways to generate traffic to your site or to your blog is to regular write and publish high quality articles that demonstrate your expertise.  In addition to placing these articles on your website and blog, you'll want to get them distributed throughout the Internet on high traffic article directories.  Ezine publishers, reporters, print media editors, and bloggers all frequent article directories in search of quality content to present to their readers. You can manually submit your articles, or use the service I use, GetMoreClientsArticles.com.

5.  Social networking.  If you don't yet have accounts on the two most popular social networking platforms, Facebook and Twitter, today is the day to hop on board.  Business owners are getting prospects on their lists and making sales every day to people they met exclusively through social networking.  Best of all, these strategies are fr*ee of charge!

6.  Public speaking/teleclasses.  What better way to wow prospects than for them to hear you speak at an organizational meeting or on a teleclass?  Speaking locally to groups comprised of your target market or holding teleclasses are very effective ways to build your list and increase the number of prospective clients.  Design a signature speech or teleseminar that demonstrates your knowledge and expertise without giving away the store (focus on the what and the why but not the how) that compels your listeners to visit your website or request your client attraction device and get on your list.

Don't become overwhelmed and try all of these strategies at once.  Pick one that you find appealing and work at it for 3 months.  If you discover that you don't enjoy it or that it's not working for you, try another one.  Continue to slowly add more drip marketing strategies until the process is firmly ingrained in your day-to-day business practices. Ultimately, you'll create a list of prospects who are ready, waiting, and eager to hire you.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FR*EE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at OnlineBizU.com. Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at  AskDonnaGunter.com.

Recession Proof Marketing: 7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Internet Marketing That Won't Break the Bank

by Donna Gunter, The Online Biz Resource Queen (TM)

I'm not sure whether or not to pay attention to all the negative news reports about the state of the economy.  For the most part, I've discovered that virtual businesses don't quite suffer the same economic highs and lows in the same way as the rest of the country (or the world).  However, in the life span of every business, there is a "recession", or a point in which there's a downturn or a decline of income.  Typically, this recession period is short and cyclical, which puts the service business owner on an income roller coaster at times, especially if the business owner hasn't developed multiple streams of income.

In a downturn, what's the first thing to go?  The marketing budget.  Suddenly any and all marketing activity is canceled or suspended because of a fear of spending money when less money is coming in.  If you don't continue to marketing your business, even in times of recession, how will people continue to find out about you?

A recession, or a slow period, is the perfect time to ramp up your marketing efforts.  Why?  Because you'll stand out in a sea of businesses who've given in to their recession fears and reigned in all marketing efforts.  Consequently, your marketing efforts will be that much more effective.

Here are 7 inexpensive strategies you can use to jumpstart your Internet marketing even when business is slow and you've got more time than money:

1.  Comment on blogs.  Use Google Blog Search or Technorati to locate higher traffic blogs that your target market might read.  Use a blog feed reader, like Bloglines, to receive regular updates on these blogs.  Make it a part of your daily habit to read the updates each day and post thoughtful, relevant comments on those posts (not just "Hey, great post") where you have something to add.  Adding your email signature file and your call to action is a no-no when commenting on blogs, so instead, use the name field of the blog comment form to your advantage.  Instead of just entering your name, enter a quick nickname for yourself as well, such as Jane Smith Sales Diva or Holly Johns Marketing Maven.  Compel those readers who have learned from your posts to check out your website.

2.  Submit articles.  If you're not busy working with clients, get busy creating content.  Writing and submitting articles to major article directories will drive traffic to your site, establish you as an expert in your target market's eyes, and give you content to repurpose into information products. Tips-based articles, like this one, are the easiest to create, the easiest to repurpose, and are the easiest for the Internet surfer to digest.  Check out the list of the best articles directories to which to submit your articles at OnlineBizU.com, or check out the article submission service I use, GetMoreClientsArticles.com.

3.  Host teleseminars.  With the vast availability of free bridgeline services, it's quite easy to hold a teleseminar.  You can use one of your tips articles as your starting point, put together a description, list the teleseminar in various places online, and record your class.  You've engaged your audience by delivering valuable content to them (part of the like, know and trust process), have added subscribers to your list, and have a complete info product that you can sell or make available to your website visitors.

4. Embrace social networking.  No longer do you have to get dressed in your business suit, jockey for a parking spot, and pay a fee to attend networking events.  Online social networking, like on Facebook and Twitter, can now be done from the comfort of your home office, with comparable results to attending a face-to-face networking event. Determine where your target market hangs out in the social networking arena, and create accounts with those services.  Complete your profile and start making friends and connections.  Ask, questions, provide answers, be helpful, and build your business.

5.  Speak before groups.  Have you created your signature speech or teleseminar that you can present whenever you're asked to speak to a group?  If not, there's no time like the present to create one.  Research groups that contain your target market both in your geographic area and online.  Contact the meeting hosts and offer to speak to that group and provide the host with your signature speech descriptions. Make it as simple as possible for them to invite you to be the speaker.  Once you've landed the gig, strategize your best call to action for the group -- do you want participants to sign up for your email list, purchase a product, or  book a consultation?

6.  Seek out strategic alliances.  Brainstorm a list of business colleagues with whom you'd like to create some type of alliance.  Make a phone call or send an email to set up a get acquainted (or reacquainted) meeting and explore the options of what each of you can offer to the other's business.  Perhaps you can offer to interview your colleague and invite your list, or maybe you'll think of a project you can work on together.  In slow times, who you know becomes more important than what you know, so make the most of your down time and create some strategic alliances.

7.  Start a podcast or create a video.  With the download of free recording software, like Audacity, or purchasing an inexpensive video camera like the Sony Flip, you can create an audio podcast or a video quickly an inexpensively from your home office, and list it in various podcast directories, like iTunes, or in video hosting sites like YouTube.  If you're not sure what to talk about in your video or podcast, take a look at your articles and read one of those for your audience.  Don't forgot to include your call to action for your listeners/viewers.

A recession doesn't have to mean gloom and doom for the savvy business owner.  Take advantage of this slower time and ramp up your Internet marketing efforts by using strategies that won't break the bank.  You'll become better known, have content ready for information products, and become the "top of mind" expert in your industry.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FR*EE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at OnlineBizU.com. Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at  AskDonnaGunter.com.

How to Reach the Greatest Number of People

Q:  How do I get to the most people possible?

Sandra Brintnall , www.FastForwardTransitions.com

A:  Hi Sandra!

The answer is not to get to the most people possible.  Not everyone needs or wants what you offer despite what you might think. :)  When you target everyone, it's too hard to focus on anyone and you attract no one.

The key is to attract the most people possible in your target market.

The most effective way to reach your target market is to write articles that answer questions/concerns held by your target market and distribute them online via a submission service, GetMoreClientsArticles.com.

For the full details on how I implement this article marketing strategy regularly, check out my product, Article Marketing 101: How to Drive Droves of Clients to Your Website Audio Download and Transcript.

The quickest way to attract your target market is through Google PayPerClick ads.  The best resource I know of to teach you how to create a Google PPC campaign is Perry Marshall, who has written an ebook, The Definitive Guide to Google Adwords.

Got an Internet Marketing question?  Ask it here: AskDonnaGunter.com

Getting My Business Recognized

Q:  What are some key steps to get your business recognized through Internet marketing?

Nakiba Jones
Virtualo.info

A:  Hi Nakiba--

Without a doubt, I'd have to recommend article marketing.  This strategy has single-handedly been responsible for the bulk of traffic I get to my site, for the info products that I have created from the bank of articles I have written, for the coaching programs I sell based on the articles I have written, and for the level of expertise I enjoy in the Internet marketing world.

To read a bit more about this strategy, you can refer to the articles on this blog here: http://www.getmoreclientsonlineblog.com/article_marketing/index.html

For the full details on how I implement this strategy regularly, check out my product, Article Marketing 101: How to Drive Droves of Clients to Your Website Audio Download and Transcript.

Got an Internet Marketing question?  Ask it here: AskDonnaGunter.com.

Thanks for asking!

Donna

Article Marketing: 7 Steps to Creating a Podcast from an Article

by Donna Gunter, The Online Biz Resource Queen (TM)

I love to write once and repurpose the articles I write into as many marketing opportunities as a I can that will reach the greatest number of people.  While podcasting has always intrigued me, I never wanted to take the time to create additional content for an audience who prefers to listen to their information rather than read it.  Then it occurred to me that I could create podcasts from my articles by simply reading them (with some feeling and inflection) and integrate that into my weekly article marketing plan.

Podcasting is the process of creating audio files (most commonly in MP3 format) available online so that users can automatically download the files to listen whenever they want. Many will listen to the file via their computer, but since the file is portable, the listener can also download the file to the mp3 player, much in the same way they would download  and listen to music.

Here's my 7 step process to creating podcasts from my articles:

1.  Write article.  Yes, you have to begin here, as without content, you have no podcast.

2.  Create introduction.  There are actually 3 parts to your introduction.  In the first part, give your podcast a name and create an introduction to who you are and what you do.  Here's an example:

"Hi and welcome to the (your name here) podcast.  I'm (your name and title and description).  What I do at (my company name) is....(your 10 second audio commercial."

In the second part of the introduction,  I create a short sponsor message.  Instead of finding paying sponsors, which is a very viable option, I create sponsors by buying domain names for affiliate products that I routinely recommend and then use that domain name and description of my product as my sponsor.  In this way I leverage the information I already have at hand (recommendations of trusted products and services for which I'm an affiliate) without the hassle of seeking out paying sponsorships.

So, the second part of my introduction might be constructed to say something like, "Our sponsor this week is XYZStorytelling.com. What if you had a FAIL-PROOF SHORTCUT to consistently capture attention, whether you're closing a sale, writing promotional copy, or captivating at a cocktail party? This new teleseminar will teach you how at XYZStorytelling.com."

The third part of the introduction gives the listener the title of your podcast, as in this example: "This week's (podcast name) podcast is called, (your podcast title here)."

3.  Create outtroduction.  This is the exiting information that you say at the end of every podcast.  For maximum effectiveness, incorporate your website's primary call to action here. My call to action is sending people to pick up their free copy of the ebook giveaway that I provide when they sign up for my email newsletter list.  Here's an example: "Thanks for joining me for another (your podcast name) podcast.  As your free gift, please pick up your copy of my ebook, (your free giveway here), at (your website URL).

4.  Prepare for recording.  In order to sound natural and relaxed yet animated and interesting, you'll probably want to rehearse the reading of your article a couple of times before actually recording it.  Initially I was copying and pasting my article into a Word document and enlarging the type so that I could easily read it.  Then, I discovered a fr*ee online teleprompter call CuePrompter.com.  Now I copy and paste my entire podcast, including the intro, article, and outtro into CuePrompter, set the speed to 3, rehearse with the teleprompter a couple of times until I'm comfortable, and then I'm ready to record.

5.  Record the podcast. You can record your podcast on any type of audio recording software, like Audacity, or through a teleconference bridgeline service that records phone calls.  I use an audio recording service that permits me to record and distribute my podcasts, GetMoreClientsAudio.com. Because your podcast will be fairly short (6 minutes or so), if you stammer or stumble during the recording process, it's simple to just begin again.

6.  Upload the podcast. Once you have your completed recording, you can upload the podcast into your podcast distribution service or your podcast website. The link to your service or to your podcast website should be readily available on your primary website, in your email newsletter, and on your blog.

7.  Post to podcast sites.  If you don't use a podcasting distribution service, you can manually submit your podcast to various directories online and enter the appropriate distribution information there.  That may include info like the podcast title, your name and company name,  category for podcast, podcast album art, and keywords to describe the podcast.  I've found a comprehensive listing of podcast directories at http://www.podcastingnews.com/topics/Podcast_Directory.html.

Instead of reinventing the wheel by creating new content for a new marketing medium, the podcast, simply repurpose the material you've already created.  This is a very effective strategy to get the word out about your products and services to an entirely new market!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FR*EE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at OnlineBizU.com. Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at AskDonnaGunter.com.