8 Things That Can Help Formulate Your Article Marketing Strategy

In this article, you’re going to be asked some very important questions.

In fact, each step of developing an effective article marketing strategy is a question to be answered. Put some time, energy and thought into this process.

Once you create an effective article marketing strategy you can use it time and time again.

Question #1 Who is Your audience?

In order to create an effective article marketing strategy you want to know who you’re writing to – who are your readers and what do they want or need to know?

For example, if you have a dog training niche your readers could be people who just bought new puppies.

They could be people who are dealing with older dogs and having problems. Your audience could also be people who are looking for information on how to train themselves or what type of trainer they should hire.

The more information you have about your audience and their problems, the better. It’ll help you create the type of content they respond to.

Look into both the demographics, factual data about your audience, along with the psychographics of your audience or their unique lifestyle traits.

For example, does your reader have children?

Do they work outside of the home?

Again, this information will help you create the best content possible. You might consider creating a reader profile – a short paragraph that describes who you think your target reader is.

Question #2 What Are Your Goals?

This is an essential step. If you do nothing else, be sure to create a goal for your article marketing strategy.

Skip this step and you’ll likely receive inconsistent results. Your goal will ideally support business growth. Consider:

Make Money

You can use article marketing to promote affiliate products or services.Promote your own products or services.Launch a new product or service

 Build Your Opt-In List

Article marketing is an exceptional tool to generate interest and drive traffic to a squeeze page or an opt-in form.

It’s actually one of the most powerful opt-in list building strategies. When you provide valuable information people will sign up for more.

Drive Traffic

Of course this is the most common goal for article marketing.

Articles distributed around the Internet can generate inbound links and when your content is syndicated it can broaden your awareness and exposure.

Instead of hundreds of people visiting your site you might experience thousands.  

Question #3 How Often Will You Publish?

Okay, you know why you’re publishing content and who you’re writing it for. Now consider how much time you have in your schedule and how often you publish.

Of course you can outsource the entire project from writing to submission. Or you can outsource part of it. Regardless, create a quantity to publish and a publishing schedule.

Question #4 What Will You Publish?

We’ve gone over the types of content you might want to publish. It’s now time to create a content plan. Get as detailed as you can with this. Consider:

The headline or topic of the articleThe format of the article – for example, “How to”When you’ll publish itWhere you’ll publish it.

Question #5 Where Will You Send Them? Your Call to Action

Where will you send your readers? What link will you include in the article or author’s bio box?

For example, if your goal is to motivate the reader to sign up for your newsletter and build your email list then you’d include a link to your newsletter sign up form in your article or author’s bio box.

If your goal is to sell a product then you’d include a link to the product’s sales page.

Question #6 What Will You Include in Your Byline or Bio Box or Resource Box?

Each article you write will have an “About the Author” section. With many article submission sites this is a separate text box and it’s where you can place any links.

Other sites or directories allow you to create an “About the Author” page or an expert author page.

This space is where you help establish credibility and often it’s where you’ll include your call to action. Decide what you want to write here.

You can use this information on all submission sites or directories. Make sure it supports your goal, brand and niche.

Question #7 What Keywords and Categories Will You Use? How Will You Optimize Your Content?

Finally, take some time to research the keywords you’re going to use in your content. This may be an active part of your content creation plan.

For example, you might research the top 50 keyword phrases that your audience uses and create an article for each phrase. Keywords help your readers find the content on the article directories.

Additionally, when you’re uploading the content to your chosen submission site or directory make sure you choose all appropriate and relevant categories.

Make it easy for your readers to

Question #8 How Will You Integrate Your Article Marketing Strategy into Your Overall Marketing Strategy?

What other marketing tactics do you use right now? For example, do you have a Facebook profile or a Twitter account?

Many article submission sites also embrace social networking. Your content’s page will have sharing options.

However, these options aren’t helpful unless you have social networking accounts and profiles. You can also share any new content you publish on your social networking site(s) of choice.

What about email marketing, your email signature, your blog or other marketing tactics?

You might include a link to your “Expert Author Page” on your article directory of choice.

You might create a monthly blog post that links to all of your newly published articles. There are many ways to integrate and optimize.

Brainstorm how you can make the most of your article marketing strategy.

Conclusion

There are many tools you can use to create your article marketing strategy and content plan.

You might first brainstorm it with a mind map and then transfer it to a spreadsheet.

Spreadsheets are actually great for tracking keyword research. They’re also useful for planning and scheduling your content.

Use whatever technologies or tools work best for you and create a plan you can refer to often.

We’ve covered everything you need to know to create an effective article marketing strategy. Next, we’ll discuss dos, don’ts and article marketing success tips.

Related posts:

6 Things To Consider For Effective Article Marketing8 Types Of Content To Create For Your Article Marketing CampaignsWhat Is Article Marketing & Why You Should Do Article Marketing?10 Things To Consider Before Syndicating Your Content In Article Directories & Other Publishing PlatformsArticle Directories 101 & Other Publishing Mediums To Consider

View the original article here