Maybe you think article marketing is limited to submitting articles to online article directories. Or perhaps you think article marketing is just for internet marketers.

Well, guess what? You’re wrong on both counts. Article marketing includes online and offline methods of writing for promotional purposes.

To get your creative juices flowing, I’ve come up with 5 ways to promote your product or service for free – simply from writing articles.

1. Submit articles to article directories. This is a tried and true way to get free publicity (traffic) to your website. I recommend this method for new online business owners with no money to spend on paid methods.

Article marketing is easy to start, fun (if you enjoy writing), and simple.

It might not be as quick as some other methods, like paid advertising, but you can’t beat the cost. The only negative is that you have to write a steady stream of articles on your subject. I know from experience that this can lead to burnout.

Avoid burnout by taking a few days away from your subject or hiring someone to write a few articles for you. Do you enjoy a challenge? See how many different ways you can present the same article.

For example, can you turn your article about computer care into a tutorial? Then turn around and rewrite the same article in a question and answer format? Try and see how it goes.

2. Become a guest blogger. Plenty of blogs (including this one) welcome submissions. If you find a blog in your field that accepts guest posts, consider submitting a piece. As long as the blog links back to your site, it can be a good way to get free publicity.

3. Write for your local newspaper. Some newspapers allow readers to submit opinion pieces. Depending on what you’re promoting, this is an excellent way to get noticed. Like online article directories, newspapers usually provide a bio box at the end of the opinion piece.

4. Write an article for a trade magazine or journal. There’s a trade magazine or journal for just about any subject.  I know this works because I wrote an article for Writer’s Digest that resulted in more traffic and writing assignments.

Getting an article published in a trade journal or magazine is often easier than writing for a big-time glossy magazine. New writers are often encouraged to submit because the competition isn’t as fierce.

Get yourself a copy of Writer’s Market and search the trade magazine section. You just might find a goldmine.

5. Write a press release. I’ve had moderate success with press releases, but some people get great results. The key to writing a successful press release is making sure it’s not too promotional. In other words, you have to let the reader know what’s in it for them. Let people know what’s special about your news and why they should care.

A press release that’s nothing more than a pat on the back probably won’t get a good response.

That’s it. That’s my list. What’s on your list? Leave a comment and let everyone know. You might provide the perfect answer for someone.

Please share this post because someone might find it useful.

I came across an interesting article recommending 10 article marketing techniques. I’ve tried most of the suggestions, and know from experience they work.

There’s no mention of keywords and their importance in article marketing research, but the tips provided are good ones.

Read this article and share your views on the suggestions. Do you think they’re worth trying? Is there anything you would add?

10 Most Powerful Article Marketing Tips
By Titus Hoskins

Great Houdini — this really works!

Never would have believed how writing some simple little articles would put my website marketing into overdrive until I tried it. These techniques worked for me, can’t imagine what they will do for someone who can actually write!

If you haven’t tried it, give it a go and see exactly what article writing can do for your marketing efforts; you may be pleasantly surprised.

Here are 10 powerful article marketing tips you should apply to all the articles you write. These ideas will help you discover the real power behind article marketing.

1. Information, Information, Information. Don’t ever forget, the major reason anyone is reading your article is for the information. Make sure your articles have at least some! The more timely, the better.

2. Keep It Short And Simple. Writing for the web and ezines is different than writing for off-line publications. Keep your writing brief and write in short paragraphs. Be concise. Be precise. Talk directly to your reader and trim any unnecessary fat. Be lean and meaningful.

3. Put Your Reader’s Major Benefit In The Title. Always put your readers first, give them the main reason they should read your article in big bold letters at the top of the page, i.e. in the title.

4. Take Full Advantage Of Article Directories. Kick-start your articles by submitting them to popular online article directories. These already have a large clientele looking for your articles.

Here’s my killer five:

• www.ezinearticles.com
• www.goarticles.com
• www.web-source.net
• www.articlealley.com
• www.buzzle.com

5. Use Autoresponders For Your Articles. Set up all your articles on autoresponders. Have a Master Autoresponder — listing all your articles. Automate your genius.

6. Post Articles On Your Site. Place all your articles on your site. This builds trust and creditability. Not to mention all that ‘keyword drawn’ traffic from the search engines.

7. Use RSS Feeds To Syndicate Your Articles. Place your articles in RSS Feeds and syndicate them to all interested parties. RSS is Hot! Google Blog Search. Microsoft’s RSS Powered Longhorn. XML Sitemaps…

8. Use Affiliates If You Have Them. Let your affiliates brand your articles with their affiliate IDs and promote your articles for you. Win-win situation. Harness and harvest your affiliates’ energy.

9. Cross Reference Your Articles. Get more bang for your links. Place links to your other articles in the article you’re writing. If you’re offering helpful advice, most ezine editors and webmasters will let you do this. Self-promote. Self-pollinate.

10. Place Your Articles In An eBook. Place your most popular articles in an ebook that can be branded and passed around. A great viral technique that works. Your greatest hits for all the world to enjoy, again and again.

Happy writing — go get ‘em!

About the Author: Well respected marketer Jason Potash has released some handy software that will syndicate your articles. Check it out here: Article Announcer