Article directories used to be a great way of getting links back to your site. You submit an article that includes a paragraph or two for links and author info. Not only do you get a back link from that site but from any other site that has copied it and put it on their own. However, recent Google algorithm changes has meant that only a very few sites are being considered worthy, such as EzineArticles.com.
While I have tried these kinds of sites with limited success, it’s time to try something a little different and can survive Google’s little changes. If you have already tried article directories then this this shouldn’t be to hard for you.
Leave the directories behind, time to Guest Post
Writing a guest post for a blog has 3 great benefits
- You get a link back from the blog
- The readership of that blog will visit your site
- Prove you are knowledgeable about your subject
To make it work you need to write for a blog that is on the same subject as your site. The exact topic depends on the owner of the blog.
Quick guide on guest posting
So lets go for an example. You have a site that sells bicycles, things are going well but as ever, they could be better.
Search the Internet for a blog that’s about cycling. See if you can find one that is popular and has a good page rank. Contact the author and see if they are interested in a guest post. If they are then discuss the exact topic, they might have a suggestion or accept yours.
Make sure you are aware of the word length, the site owners will know what sort of length their readers like. Too long and you risk boredom or readers giving up before the end. Too short and you may not get the attention you want.
Once you have written your master piece (ensure it is well researched, accurate and to the point) you can email it across in the accepted format.
The point of guest posting
The point of the guest post is multiple…
- to provide another point of view
- provide information that the site authors don’t have
- discuss fine detail that they are not aware of
and so on.
On the cycling blog, they discuss training, diet and general choice of bike. Your guest post could contain information on how to choose the best tires or best practice on maintenance. You will be seen as some one who knows what they are on about. They will visit your site and hopefully spend some money.
Directories or guest posts?
Like anything, what works best for you. Article directories are still good for SEO work. However, as I already explained, Google have and will again make further changes and it won’t be as effective. Guest posts are a great way for gaining extra traffic and improving your own reputation. They may well also prove to be a long term source of traffic and survive better when search engines change how they rank sites and pages.
