Tips for Submitting Your Content to Article Directories

There are a large number of article directories that will accept your articles for publication. Basically, the article directory displays your article for other online publishers so that they can also republish your article in their publication, potentially giving you even more exposure for your article. Most article directories are multi-topic repositories, but you will find some that are more topic-focused.

Caution: Not all article directories are created equal. Although, you can find huge lists of available article directories, most probably won't be worth the exposure. However, some people like to submit to the various directories, so they can get more links coming into their site (which can have some search engine benefit).

Here is the Article Submission Process

Step 1: Get Your Article Ready

Be Informative: Articles should be informative and simply not self-serving. If your article sounds, too much like an advertisement it will be rejected.

Length: Some directories have length requirements, so check beforehand. Generally speaking, if your article is 350 words or more, you should be good to go.

Create your byline: Most article directories allow you to promote and link to your websites in your byline only. A byline, sometimes called a resource box, gives information about the author and a link back to your website.

Byline Tips:

Use your byline carefully and avoid the mistakes that other publishers makes. Avoid telling your life story and trying to tell the reader everything you have to offer. Just because your allowed 7-8 lines for a byline…doesn’t mean you have to use them all.
You want concise information that makes your reader want to click your links.
Don’t tell people about your dog and your kids, if it not directly related to your business. I’m guessing it’s not. Even if you are a work at home parent, your kids are pretty much irrelevant to your business as far as your prospects are concerned. Don't get me wrong...we think it's cool that you're a work at home parent, but most of your readers won't care.

You also want your byline to get your visitor to do something when they get to your site.

Many people are happy just having a visitor click the link and surf around. Well, what happens when that visitor leaves? In most cases, nothing. They’ll never be back. Instead, try to offer a free report or get them to sign up for your mailing list with a compelling reason to subscribe.

Step 2: Remove Formatting

Avoid copying and pasting from Microsoft Word or other word processing software. Word processing programs contain hidden formatting that may cause your content to look jumbled on the article directory and your article may be rejected.

Paste the article into a program like Notepad first. If you paste it in and then copy the content out of a plain text editor, your formatting will be removed. You can then post a fresh copy into the article directory.

Step 3: Submit Your Article

The submission process varies by article directory to article directory, so read the instructions and the rules first. They will give you specific information on:

Article length

Linking rules

Byline policies

Forbidden topics

...and any other required specifications.

A List of Article Directories

Again, there are many article directories out there and the exposure they will provide you will vary. At time of publishing this tutorial EzineArticles.com is likely the largest and most popular directory. Many online publishers do well by focusing their energies in submitting their content to this directory and then directly to more targeted publishers, as discussed in our content distribution tutorial.

Regardless, here is a list of directories you might try:

Remember: Article directories are just article repositories. There is no guarantee that your targeted audience will see the articles. To increase your exposure, be sure to also content targeted website, newsletter, magazine and newspaper publishers with the opportunity to publish your content.

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