But did you know that publishers can do a similar thing within the article itself? They can turn any word within your article into an ad! They use programs like TextLinkAds to turn select target keywords into hyperlinks to the advertiser’s website. When a reader clicks on a link, the advertiser’s website opens within the same window. In other words, the page is ‘hijacked’ and your article disappears!
Gasp! As authors, we spend a lot of time planning and writing content designed to hold the reader’s attention. Surely we should condemn anything which hijacks our audience?
The answer to that question is most definitely, “NO!”
As a heavy Internet user, I’m personally not a fan of text link ads. However, as an author of free reprint articles, I think they’re great. Before I explain why, though, let’s cover off a few basics...
Text link ads – some FAQs
Like every other form of advertising, text link ads have their detractors. The most common questions asked are:
Q: How can I tell if it’s a text link ad?
A: Although text link ads look the same as text links, you can identify them very quickly simply by mousing (hovering) over them. When you hover over a text link ad for about a second, a popup displays the details of the advertiser and the ad content. Check out http://www.seochat.com/c/a/Search-Engine-News/Microsoft-Hopes-to-Crush-Google/1/ for some examples.
Q: Are they ethical?
A: Text link ads are more covert than regular pay-per-click ads like Google AdWords. They look like normal text links, but they don’t actually jump where you expect them to. For example, I clicked on a text link ad with anchor text “MSN” expecting it would take me to MSN’s search, but instead it took me to the website of some sort of SEO service provider. As we all know, it’s quite common for people to link to their site using unrelated anchor text. That’s all text link ads are doing. So, by nature, text link ads are no more misleading than any other kind of link.
Q: Are they bad for the Web?
A: When people can’t trust the links they’re clicking on, won’t they stop clicking? Won’t this have a detrimental effect on the perceived usability of the Web? I said above that text link ads aren’t really any more misleading by nature than normal text links. In reality, though, I suspect they may encourage the misleading use of anchor text, so in that respect, I think they’re detrimental to the perceived usability of the Web. But does this make them bad for the Web? I don’t think so. In fact, I think their overall effect will be good. By bringing more advertisers (i.e. businesses) to the Web, text link ads ultimately make the Web more useful. Users will quickly recognize text link ads for what they are and adapt.
Q: Are they effective for advertisers?
A: I can’t really answer that. I’ve never used them, so you’ll have to ask someone who has. Of course, you could ask one of the companies that offers text link ad technology, but you already know their answer...
Q: Will they become more popular?
A: Once again, I can’t answer that question with any authority. But I have my suspicions; I suspect they will become more popular, simply because there are a lot of web publishers out there who are willing to try programs that offer a revenue return. Ultimately, the popularity of text link ads hinges how successful they are for advertisers, not how well-liked they are among users.
Q: Can I stop it happening to my reprint article?
A: No. I believe that power lies solely with the publisher. Of course, you can forbid it in your reprint guidelines, but that will simply limit the number of times your article is reprinted (consequently limiting your referral traffic and link popularity).
Conclusion - Are any of these questions really important to article submission authors?
In my humble opinion, the answer, once again, is “No!” As authors of reprint articles, we love the Google AdSense arrangement because it creates a demand for quality content. The more high quality articles a publisher reprints, the higher their site rank, the greater their traffic, and the more they earn from the pay-per-click ads on their site. As a result, our article submissions get widely published and we build brand awareness, credibility, authority, referral traffic, and – of course – link popularity (i.e. increased rank).
Text link ads are no different. Like Google ads, they encourage the publisher to acquire more high quality content. It’s as simple as that.
“But my article is hijacked! What if the reader doesn’t return?” There’s no denying we’d prefer to keep our reader. But most readers know where the ‘Back’ button is, so if your article is good enough, they’ll be sure to click it. And if they don’t, well at least you’ve got the permanent link back to your site in the byline of your article. And after all, that’s one of the big benefits of article submission, isn’t it?
Anyway, enough talk. Let’s see how it all unfolds.
Happy hijacking!
About the Author: * Glenn Murray is a director of PublishHub and Divine Write. He is a renowned SEO copywriter and an article submission specialist. For more information, please visit http://www.publishhub.com or http://www.divinewrite.com. Glenn can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn.murray@publishhub.com.
Source: www.isnare.com Distributed by:www.webmasterinfoandcontent.com
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Hiring a great copywriter can be a challenge
There are a lot of good writers out there. There are even a lot of great writers out there. But a copywriter- a great copywriter, does more than just write. A great copywriter has the ability to write persuasively, research facts, and think in terms of the "total marketing piece"- because copy is only a part of the ad, brochure, website, or flyer.Many times, they see a business or idea in a new light. They draw out the key benefits of your product or service. Ultimately, a great copywriter communicates those benefits with excitement and has the ability to create that feeling in the consumers mind.
We've all read an ad that was so incredibly compelling that it literally made us pick up the phone or jump online, and order the product. Advertising is the science and art of convincing consumers to give up their hard earned money for a particular product or service.
Copywriters really only write for one purpose. To persuade.
They increase your sales and generate sales leads when their ad and direct mail copy persuade prospects that your product is better than the competition. A great copywriter is a GREAT persuader.
The best copywriters in the business are tireless researchers. Those who become the best have an insatiable interest about products, services, new ideas, consumers and advertising. Copywriters are curious people. They study human nature and try and find the best angle. They like to uncover new ways to represent a product. They get a rush when they ultimately find the unique selling proposition for your product or service. A great copywriter is a GREAT researcher.
Copywriters are creators. They think up compelling ideas and have the innate ability to turn them into powerful prose. Copywriters think visually. Many people don't see them in these terms, but they are artists too-artists of the written word. They also think in terms of words. When coming up with a headline, they're simultaneously thinking of an image that will complement the copy. Copywriters enjoy working with graphic designers, art directors and creative directors in creating great advertising and direct marketing. A great copywriter has a GREAT ability to think in terms of the total marketing piece.
Sometimes trying to find the right angle for a product or service can be frustrating. A great copywriter can come into a new situation, quickly assess the facts, and see what others cannot. A great copywriter brings a fresh perspective. They have the ability to see things in a new light. That's why a headline that never worked suddenly starts working like a miracle after being changed. Sometimes it's simple. Other times, it can be a little more complex. Either way, a GREAT copywriter has the ability to cast a product or service in the right light.
Copywriters focus on benefits. Great copywriters find the right set of benefits and focus on them like a laser. When a consumer reads the copy, they find they are agreeing with what the copy is saying. They may have never even realized they needed the product or service. But, the copywriter knew it. And they knew how to get inside the consumers head. Great copywriters know people inside and out- and they know what motivates them.
Working with a GREAT Copywriter
The first thing to keep in mind is that a great copywriter is easy to work with. They are experienced in dealing with professionals. It helps to know what can make the difference in working with a great copywriter.
First, get your agreement in writing. A written contract is always a good idea, and can prevent difficult situations or misunderstandings from happening in the first place. A solid contract outlines the work to be performed, fees, due dates, terms and conditions.
Next, always know how much it's going to cost. Try to get your copywriter to commit to a flat fee before the project begins. This way, both parties are protected. Hourly writers should be avoided. There's no incentive for them to get the job done in a timely manner.
Quality copy isn't cheap. Be prepared to pay for that quality. Great copy is worth its weight in gold, because it can make the difference between a product that sells five units, and that same product selling five thousand units. Great copywriters are worth every dollar they make.
It's also a good idea to have one person- and one person only, appointed to deal with your copywriter. It can be very confusing to have a whole team of people interacting with a copywriter. Conflicting ideas can arise and confusion is usually the only outcome. Designate one person to handle all communications.
Great copywriters like to know exactly what they will be writing. Many times, assignments are vague. It's important to spell out in clear, simple terms, what the writer needs to know to do his best work. Sometimes the target audience is vague. Other times the features and benefits of the product are unclear. In addition, a great copywriter needs to know the reason for the assignment. Is the client introducing a new product or service? Are they trying to qualify prospects? This is a critically significant piece of the project.
Make sure you give the copywriter all the background material they need to write the copy. Types of things they need are previous ads, testimonials, product brochures, market research, and information on the competitors. Having these materials makes the project so much easier.
One issue that almost goes without saying, but is also sometimes overlooked is payment. If you're a professional, one of the most frustrating elements of business can be issues around payment, and late payment. If you want to work with a great copywriter, it's important to make this a non-issue.
Finally, give feedback. Copywriters know all about constructive criticism. It's a big part of making the marketing piece the best possible. A great copywriter will always be receptive to it. But more than that, a great copywriter wants to know your feedback. Good or bad. It's the only way to make it better.
C2005 Jon Wuebben. Do you need Search Engine Optimized (SEO) Web site copy that moves customers to buy? Are you looking to create an effective newsletter/e-zine article or ad for your business? We provide world class copy that helps you to be found on the web. 10 years experience providing superior copy to businesses nationwide. Contact us for a complimentary Website Copy analysis. Subscribe to our Better Business Writing (BBW) Newsletter and receive 2 free reports. http://www.customcopywriting.com/ Distributed by:www.webmasterinfoandcontent.com
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How To Start Writing Articles
Copyright © 2005 Torgeir SunnarvikYou have probably heard that writing articles is one of the best ways of promoting your online business. But you might resist to start writing articles because you don't think your any good at it,or it's too hard to find anything to write about.Well,I hope I can give you some tips on how to make it easier to start your writing career.
Let me just point out that I don't look at myself as an expert on writing.And I'm not any good at the English language as I'm from Norway, and English is my second language. In spite of that,I always get my articles posted on a lot of sites.
My last article shows already 220 results in Google. And that is only after one week. I can't think of another way of getting that amount of one way links to my site so fast and easy.
So let's start with how to find the topic of you article.
First you should look at your website.
*What is the theme of your website.
*What product or service do you sell.
*Do you have a forum on your site.Use one of your forum postings.(I do this all the time,and sometimes I don't change anything before I send it to the different article sites)
*Do you have to answer the same question over and over again in emails from visitors to your website.
Write your answer in an article. <>This is only some ways of finding something to write about. The thing is that you should try to write about something that interest you and you think can benefit others to read. And don't think that you have to be an expert in the field that you are writing.You will always know something that others don't.
Finding time to Write.
You may think it takes a lot of time to write,and that you're not able to do this task on your tight schedule. But if you set aside half an hour every day to write, you'll soon have a couple of articles done every week.
The tools I use when writing.
Most text editors will have the features you need to write. I use Notetab Light which is a free text and HTML editor. You can download this editor athttp://www.notetab.com/ . Other than that it is nice to have some kind of spelling tool. Even though I recommend that you don't relay too much on the spelling tool alone.It doesn't fix grammar problems. So it can be wise to have someone to proofread your article. One place to do this is at: http://www.ideamarketers.com/ services/proof.cfm Or if you will have your article distributed and proofread at the same time,you can visit: http://thephantomwriters.com/x.pl/tpw/index. html
Places To Submit Your Article.
I will only list 5 websites where you can submit your article.
*http://submityourarticle.com/
You can visit my forum for a longer list of websites.
Visit http://everypleasures.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17
I hope this can help you to write at lest one article. Just try this once and I guarantee that you will see results.
Torgeir Sunnarvik is the owner and webmaster ofhttp://www.everypleasures.com/ His site offer free ebooks, ebooks with reprint rights and review of business ebooks. He is also the webmaster of: http://onlinestocktrading-blog.blogspot.com/ Distribution Source:www.webmasterinfoandcontent.com
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11 Quick (and Good) E-zine Content Ideas
by Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen"Publishing an e-zine is the ideal opportunity to showcase your business. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you build credibility as an expert, while spreading the word about your services and products.
While sometimes you'll have dozens of content ideas, other times you'll find yourself staring at a blank computer screen, grumbling that it's publishing time again. Well, have no fear! Here are 11 quick (and good) content ideas for when you're in a pinch.
1. Give real-life examples. Describe a problem you've solved for a client/customer, and use that as a springboard to offer more general advice. Show your readers how you've helped customers address challenges - "case studies" if you will. This positions you as the expert in your readers" minds more than your coming out and saying so.
2. Think of three areas in which you'd like your clients to think of you as a resource. Now develop content in those areas. For example, as a professional copywriter, I really enjoy working on Web sites. To help encourage my clients and prospects to hire me for these projects, I published several articles on how to write Web copy that sells.
3. Read industry publications for ideas. Are there any hot issues in your field right now? The more controversial, the better. Don't be afraid to offer your own opinion - your readers want to know it. After all, YOU are the expert! ; )
4. Jot down 8 questions your clients have asked you in the past. You know, the ones they ask you over and over. Answer each in a short article. If you publish weekly, that's two months' worth of content, right off the bat! And if you can't think of any questions, send all your current clients/customers a quick e- mail, asking them what topics they're most interested in learning more about.
5. Learn anything neat lately from an industry conference, workshop, seminar, or insightful article? No one says you have to reinvent the wheel of information! Pass on any gems of advice you've learned elsewhere - just give them full attribution. Or give your opinion of the event or article itself - your readers will appreciate your frankness.
6. Offer a list of your top 5 or 10 tips on a certain subject. It's much easier to bang out a list of tips than to put together a real article. Of course, the tips can evolve into an article if you wish! Be sure to list your best tip first, or at least close to the top. (If you "fire your biggest gun" last, you risk losing your audience before they get to the good stuff.)
7. Interview associates whose expertise would interest your readers (while not competing with yours). E-mail interviews are incredibly easy to do. Just send your interviewee 3 to 5 questions via e-mail, edit their answers, and have them approve the final version. Be sure to give them a short plug in your e- zine as a thank you. (A one-sentence description of their business, phone number, their Web site URL, and e-mail address should be fine.)
8. Recommend books and resources that you use, and offer full reviews on them. In one issue of my first e-zine, "AKB MarCom Tips," I featured reviews of my favorite four copywriting resource books. I then later posted them at my Web site.
9. Invite readers to write you with their own questions, and answer one in each issue. Right after their question, publish the person's name, business, e-mail, and Web site address. They'll enjoy the attention/publicity!
10. Invite readers to send in profiles. Ask them to tell you about themselves - their names, businesses, locations, and how they use the information gained in your e-zine. Feature one profile in each issue or one every few issues.
11. When all else fails, borrow an article! There are dozens of Web sites offering hundreds of articles that you can use in your e-zine. The articles are free and available for you to use immediately. The only catch is you're required to leave the entire article intact, including the author's promotional information.
Here are three places to check out for free content:
Business Article Announce List - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aabusiness
Marketing Seek - http://www.marketing-seek.com
World Wide Information Outlet - http://www.certificate.net/wwio/index.shtml
One last note: Keep in mind that if your e-zine's main objective is to get you more clients and customers, you should not feature other writers' articles more than once in a blue moon. Showcasing other professionals on a regular basis undermines the idea of establishing YOU as the expert in your readers' minds.
(c) 2002 Alexandria K. Brown
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award- winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.certificate.net/ezinequeen.html NOTE: You're welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to alexandria@ezinequeen.com.
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