Does Your Article Feel Like A Big Comfy Chair?

  Used Book Cat 
  Originally uploaded by trp0

Have you ever gone into a shop that was so welcoming and comfortable that you just wanted to spend all day there?

It had relaxed, friendly, knowledgeable sales people you could actually relate to who were focussed on helping customers rather than making sales.

There were big comfy chairs that just beckoned you to take a load off and relax for a while.

Perhaps there was even some complimentary coffee or tea and an offering of snacks to enjoy while you walked around the store. When you went into that store, you kind of felt like you’d found a home away from home, a place where you could be yourself and shop in total comfort.

Many times stores like this that offer specialized attention are Mom & Pop stores, those independently run gems where the folks who are working there take pride in what they do because the business is a representation of them and their family.  

I’ve been in numerous stores like this, and do you know what? Not only did I buy whatever I needed, but I also couldn’t wait to come back again!

To top it off I also ended up telling everyone I knew about the cool store with the wonderful ambiance and helpful staff. Stores like that stick in my mind, and I’m sure it’s the same for you.

What does this have to do with article marketing, you may be wondering?

Believe it or not, this has everything to do with marketing your website with articles!

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The 3 *BIG* Reasons Why Small Business Owners Use Article Marketing

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Originally uploaded by HiSpAnIcO [reloaded]

Sometimes folks will write in and ask–"I've heard about article marketing but I'm not sure what it does. How can article marketing benefit my small business?"

That's an excellent question, and the answer probably has more depth than most people are expecting.

You see, even if your small business is in the "real world" and not entirely online, you need to accomplish a few objectives internet-wise in order to take advantage of all the marketing opportunities that the web offers. 

Small business owners use article marketing for 3 main reasons:

1) To build inbound links to your website.

With each article that you submit, you will include a resource box, which is the one spot where you get to talk about yourself, your business, and give a link back to your website. That link that appears in your resource box is extremely valuable!

The inbound links will improve your search engine ranking, which will then, in turn bring you even more traffic.

Aside from the SEO benefits, the links also create increased opportunities for direct click-throughs. This means that every time someone sees your article on a website, it is another chance that they will click the link in your resource box and be lead back to your website–which is what you want!

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How Do You Establish Trust Online?

  Trust 
  Originally uploaded by sujathafan

Online marketing has many perks–we can communicate with people on a global scale, reach many targeted customers very easily for a minimal price, and we also have the added bonus of being able to show our readers that we're experts in our niches (which builds customer confidence).

But one of the challenges of marketing our businesses online is figuring out how to reach through the cold, mechanical computer screen and make a real human connection, one that conveys who we are as people, not just as random, anonymous website owners.

People want to do business with people they trust. When a potential customer does a Google search for your keywords or your business or product name, they get a feel for who you are from reading your articles or looking at your website or blog or your Facebook profile.

Through getting a feel for who you are– your professionalism, your friendliness, your knowledge, your personality–they form an impression of your business. 

What can you do to establish trust online with people you may never see or meet in real life?

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