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Have you ever spent hours on your article, been eager to get it submitted and off to the distribution network, and then at the last minute threw together a resource box that didn't have much thought behind it?
I think we've all been there, especially in the early days of our article marketing campaigns before we realized the power of that little box. Yes, that's the place where you get to include a link to your website, and some folks put little more than a link back to their site in that precious area underneath the post.
But the resource box has the potential to do much more than just build links to your site–your resource box is the one place where you can talk about your own business/website and entice the reader to click through to your site.
But how do you entice and lure in 450 characters or less? Great question! Don't worry, it's not difficult, but it does take some strategy. If you want to get the maximum benefit from your resource box, just follow these 3 tips:
1) Tell the reader exactly what to do and why. When creating a really strong resource box, tell the reader exactly what you want them to do and be as specific as possible.
Let's understand the reason behind the extreme attention to detail. Think like the reader–
Most readers are not giving 100% of their attention to reading your article. They're looking for specific information for a certain need, and at the same time their phone is ringing, they've just noticed the incoming mail chime on their email, they're trying to finish up a report for work, and perhaps their children or co-workers are gabbing in the background.
When we're writing our articles it may seem very clear to us what the next step is–'if you like this article then click through to my website for more valuable information!'–but we're giving our article 100% of our attention, and the reader is probably just trying to glean the basic information that he/she needs at the time with a million distractions going on.
This is why we need to specifically tell them what to do and why.
Let's look at an un-inspirational resource box:
"Steve Shaw develops systems and software to help you succeed in your online business. [link here]"
Eeek! Why should we go back to my website? What is there for you? The reader needs to know or else they have no reason to click through.
We need to make it more specific–tell the reader what to do next and why.
By editing it in a simple way we can significantly improve the number of click-throughs:
Steve Shaw develops systems and software to help you succeed in your online business. Want to learn more about how to publish articles for profit online? Claim Steve's popular free ecourse, available at: =>
[link here]
A reader would be much more likely to click the link in the second version of the resource box. Why?
Well, Joe Reader can find out more about a topic he's interested in by clicking through. Also, he should grab that e-course because it's 'popular', which plays on the herd instinct. It's free - yes, people are always on their guard and want to be assured that they can get more information with no obligation to buy anything. In addition to this, he's very helpfully guided them from the article on to the next step–go grab the free e-course.
Joe Reader has an assignment, a direction in which to go next, and that message comes through clearly to him even though he has a million other things on his mind and is surrounded by distractions. He knows what to do next, and he has a reason for the action.
You may have also noticed something interesting with the resource box above–I use this symbol => to help move the reader's eye to the link. It's an effective technique, and I think the reason why is because that arrow is action oriented. When you see an arrow, you naturally want to see where it's pointing. (That isn't a hard and fast rule–you can choose to do it or not do it.)
Also, you'll notice that the link is on a new line–aha! Perhaps you haven't seen that technique before. Did you know that it is often preferable to put your URL by itself on a new line, so that it stands out better to increase click-throughs, and to avoid any possible problems with individual publishers if the article is wrapped incorrectly when published? Well, now you do!
2) Customize your resource box to the article. So, you've garnered the attention of a reader, and she's been interested enough to read your article–why not capitalize on your reader's peaked interest by continuing what you started in the article on into the resource box? That makes sense doesn't it?
Suppose your article was about "7 Top Tips for Baking Homemade Bread" (or whatever). Your resource box can continue in the vein of your article and say:
Julia Brioche is an accomplished pastry chef. If you found these 7 bread baking tips helpful, claim your free e-book showing you how to bake 50 tasty bread recipes, available at =>
[link here]
What should the reader do after reading the article? Go to the author's website. Why should they go to the author's website? To claim their free e-book on the topic that they're interested in!
Of course you don't need to have a free e-book or an e-course to lure a reader to your site, but you must have something to offer readers to entice them to click.
Maybe you have a blog that has a post containing 50 more baking tips, maybe you have a newsletter–if you can't think of anything special at your website that would lure a reader from your article, then you must create something. You absolutely must have a reason for the reader to click through, or she simply won't.
3) Use a single link. It seems like some authors think–"Since I get to link back to my website in the resource box, I want to include as many links as possible!" Sometimes people include multiple links to increase the chances that a reader will click through, but actually the more links you include in your resource box, the less likely a reader will click!
Think about it–we have a very limited amount of space in our resource box, and we need to use our words wisely. If we concentrate on convincing the reader what action she should do next and why, she will be more likely to click through.
On the flip side though–if we just hurl links at her and don't give her enough reason to click, then she won't. Multiple links in a resource box leads to reader confusion and it dilutes the potential power of your resource box call to action.
So, stick to one precious link in your resource box, and focus all your efforts towards encouraging the reader to click this link. For maximum effectiveness, avoid hyped up or promotional language; just offer the reader further information that will be of interest to them.
Were these tricks helpful? I hope so!
Does anybody feel like they are a resource box ninja? If you have any other tips, please don't hesitate to share–we'd love to hear what's worked for you!
Post based on the article: Making Your Resource Box … Work!
Article Submission Service (SubmitYOURArticle.com)
Posted: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
article marketing, HowTo, writing
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April 23rd, 2008 at 2:53 am
You are absolutely right. By the time I get the article writen, uploaded and leveraged I’m pretty much tired of the thing and just want it completed. I’m going to focus on the resource box and incorporate your suggestions. I’ll watch my stats here and at hit box.
Thanks
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Hey Connie,
That’s great–it makes such a difference if we pay close attention to what our resource box says (and I totally know how you feel about being tired after writing an article
)
April 26th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Just published my first article, and never fully understood how write action text for the resource box. Thanks for your suggestions!
April 28th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Hi Richard,
You’re very welcome! I’m glad we could help
May 9th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
[…] She knows that her well crafted resource box (rather than her article) is the appropriate place to talk about herself, her business, and her website. […]
May 10th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I found this article most helful ..thank for taking the time to write it,,,it will change the way I do my boxes in furture
June 6th, 2008 at 12:25 am
[…] 3 Secret Tricks To Luring Readers Back To Your Website […]
June 7th, 2008 at 12:54 am
I’ve always wondered how people decide what to put in the resource box. This clarifies things. Thanks!
June 9th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Hi Niche Content–You’ve very welcome!
June 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I love the fine tuning information and the attention to detail you give as I have found it makes all the difference - keep up the great advice…. and thanks !
Sue Atkins
June 26th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
This is an excellent article..I will follow your advice for writing my resource box.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Hi Sue,
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by
June 26th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Hi Daljit,
Thank you–yes, if you follow the advice we have here you will create a KILLER resource box!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
[…] 3 Secret Tricks For Luring Readers Back To Your Website […]
July 1st, 2008 at 12:04 am
so in the resouce box i can tell people why i think my article was good, who i am and go to my website, say to sign my emial list for a 10%discount coupon to purchase in 30 days??
July 1st, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Hi Lee,
In your resource box I wouldn’t tell folks why you think your article was good–if your article really is good, there will be no extra convincing necessary
.
In your resource box you will tell about yourself and/or your business, and give the reader a reason to click through to your website. The reason you mentioned sounds like a good one!
July 13th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Can you give me an example of using anchor text in the author block on a separate line? Let’s say the anchor text you want to use is “article marketing.” Thank you.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hi Bob,
That’s a great question–I wouldn’t put anchor text on a separate line, as anchor text is used in HTML resource boxes and those words are embedded in your resource box as a natural part of the text.
See, look at this article and check out the resource box:
http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Sharon-Sarmiento-1563/submit-article-35453.php
You’ll see that the anchor text of “submit articles” is not on a separate line, but is in the middle of the resource box as those words naturally occur.
The text link at the end is on a separate line. It is often preferable to put your URL by itself on a new line, so that it stands out better to increase click-throughs, and to avoid any possible problems with individual publishers if the article is wrapped incorrectly when published.
I hope that helps–great question!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
[…] 3 Secret Tricks To Luring Readers Back To Your Website […]
August 20th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Great Stuff I have yet to write my first article so this is valuable information thanks for educating me on the importance of the resourse box and the fact that one must give it more thought.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Your tips and suggestions related to article marketing are appreciated.
My success comes from following success.!
August 20th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
[…] Remember, you are not trying to sell anything or convince folks to visit your website in your article. The way you lure traffic back to your website is by creating a helpful article and writing a great resource box that inspires folks to click! […]
August 30th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi Steve,
I wanted to let you know that your information is invaluable.
I have recently started an online writing business. I am a writer, not a marketer, however i do understand the neccesity of learning how to effectively market the articles i write for my clients as well as myself.
You have helped me to understand how I can provide a better service to my clients.
Thnak you so very much!!!
September 18th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Your information has been very helpful and informative. I do apprecite your insight and the insight of others.
Thank you so much,
Leia
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thank for pointing me the fault i have always made.
I always put 2-3 link back in my resources box. That’s not a good idea in fact.
October 6th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Thanx for the wonderful tips regarding the resource box,i have implemented this and the results are amazing.
October 31st, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I am glad I found this page as it has brought my attention to the real power of the resource box in that it is not to be used as a direct sales pitch. Looking forward to a massive improvement in sales.
Appreciate it,
Trevor Willoughby
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
[…] 3 Secret Tricks For Luring Readers Back To Your Website […]
November 9th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
You are absolutely correct.
I also have a tendency to write the resource box as a last minute addition.
I have now written the resource box for my next series of Articles to promote a particular site and I have to say, using some of your ideas, it is the best one I have done so far.
In fact, I need to start writing Articles now as I am excited by the potential of my resource box.
What did I learn then?
Apart from the rewording of the resource box and the reward offering something to the reader, possibly the best tip is to write the resource box FIRST.
Regards
Ken Trueman