I get a lot of traffic from the articles I submit to article banks, but i'm still undecided as to the best way to do it. Specifically, what should I do with the resource box. My theory is there has to be a balance between the need to get the click-through and the desire to have other websites pick up the article. I don't want other's articles on my site if they have more than one outgoing link, for example, and I asume others feel the same, so I now put just one link. What about the "sales pitch" itself, though. Does a strong pitch, while effective at getting the click, make webmasters not want the article (they don't want visitors to leave TOO easily). Thoughts, opinions and advice appreciated. Steve http://www.TheMoneyMakerSite .com
Your resource box is more than just an ‘about the author paragraph,’ it’s a key part of convincing your readers to check out your website. There are four main elements to a great resource box: Name, Website link, Pitch and Call to Action. Apparently, some people forget to include their name in the resource box – don’t be one of them! Remember that article marketing is one of the ways to build your reputation, so you want people to remember your name. Now, different article directory sites have different rules about how many links you can include in your box, so if you can only include one link, make sure it’s the link to your site. Your resource box is not the place for a hard sell, instead, you want to capitalize on the good information you’ve shared and the interest you’ve created in the article and include just two or three sentences about your expertise, what makes your advice, tips or information different and why they should listen to you. Your pitch leads right into the final element of your resource box, the call to action. The type of call to action depends on your topic and website, but the idea is the same, this is when you instruct your readers to click the link and check out your site. You should link to the most relevant page on your site, so your readers can land right where you want them, whether it’s to sign up for your newsletter, purchase a product or read more advice.
It always depends on the goal. If your goal is a backlink or other website picking your article up- your call to action needs to be toned down. If you are more concerned with click thoughs and visits to yuor site via the link in the article, you need a direct/engaging call to action. It is difficult to be in the middle when it comes to resource boxes...
The first paragraph should be about what you are hoping to accomplish in the article its self. A lot of this has to do with what kind of article you are writing. Are you trying to be sales pitchy (not recommended) or are you trying to be informative? A good opening sentence has to grab the reader and make them want to read on. For example an article on how to write an article would start out with: "Article writing can be one of the most frustrating aspects for an online entrepreneur." Now that you've made your opening point, the whole rest of the article should give supportive information about that statement. If at all possible, throw your reader a curve every so often, a joke or something interesting, that will DRIVE THEIR EYES DOWN TO THE LINK. At least that's my technique.
I think more of an understated approach would be better. Encourage the reader to click through to your main site for further benefit to them and then you can give them the pitch once they're there.