by Jennifer Gibbs

Created on: March 20, 2008

Online Article Distribution: A Promotional MUST for E-Commerce

According to the sage advice of Billy Crystal in the classic, Throw Mamma From the Train, "A writer writes - always!"

But what if you're not a writer?

Does the rule still apply?

You bet your bottom dollar it does!

Let's face it: no matter what industry you're in, what product you sell or what service you happen to offer, we're ALL in the information business.

In order to get customers to click through and make a purchase, you've got to answer their questions. You've got to identify their needs. You've got to make them realize the "itch" they've already got that you and only you are qualified to "scratch."

Just think of the myriad of projects related to your online business that demand content...

*Website content
*Product descriptions
*Landing pages
*Email messages
*Promotional offers
*FAQs
*Press releases and other PR

Most entrepreneurs striking out in an online venture plan the time and resources to take care of these essential marketing items, but there's another powerful tool that FAR TOO MANY online businesses fail to take advantage of:

FREE ARTICLE DISTRIBUTION!

You're probably wondering: "What do you mean, free? I'm trying to run a business here, not a charity case!"

Believe me, I understand where you're coming from! My business IS writing, and it still took me a little while to understand just how important free article distribution is to my professional bottom line. Today, more than 50% of my website traffic arrives thanks to one of about 40 free articles I've posted on line.

I charge $0.12 per word or $40.00, but free article distribution is SO priceless, I do it anyway.

Why is article writing so important?

For a number of reasons...

1. You're an expert in your field, right? Now it's time to make sure that the world recognizes you as such. Free article distribution sets the stage for a principle known as "viral marketing." Writing these short articles (usually between 350-800 words), you focus your message on establishing your "platform."

If you're in the business of time management software, you should work on developing articles that help readers identify their own struggles with time management. Offer facts on how much time the typical professional wastes doing projects that can be totally automated... Create a Recommended Reading List where you talk about the best 5 titles on time management. The opportunities are endless!

2. You'll be promoting your business directly via your "resource box." Sites that offer

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