Quick and Easy Ways to Get Articles For Your Site
ByIf you are new to Internet marketing, one of the best approaches you can take is to set up a blog. A blog is quick to set up, costs next to nothing, and is easy to maintain. So for most new online marketers, this is the type of website they set up first.
But immediately after that, the instructions tell you to “Publish an article every day for the first month.” And while this is a good idea to get the notice of the search engines and to start to build some readership, most people panic at the idea of writing 30 articles.
Here are four approaches you can use.
Idea #1: Use other peoples’ articles. Go to an ezine directory site and choose up to the maximum number of articles or 30 articles, whichever is less.
For example, my favorite article directory is ezinearticles.com They have a limit of 25 articles published on a single site. (Check the publishers’ guidelines for the latest information.) But they also have an easy-to-use Publisher’s interface that makes it easy to grab articles with minimal formatting required.
There are hundreds of article directory sites. Just search for “your keyword articles” in Google (no quotes).
For each article, write a short introductory paragraph and publish it on your site. Be sure to link to the author’s site from the resource box at the end of the article. That’s their “payment” for providing you with complimentary content.
Schedule the articles to go out once a day and you have 25-30 days of content – quickly and easily.
Idea #2: Use PLR (Private Label Rights) content. These are articles and ebooks that you have the right to claim as your own. In all instances you want to rewrite these into your style. But they give you a lot of content to start.
To find PLR content, look for “yourkeywords + PLR” in Google. They are generally offered in “packs” of articles, so you will get 10-50 articles at once. That’s more than enough to get you started!
Idea #3: Use Wikipedia. Wikipedia provides content that is free to use, so you can create your own articles from it.
Look up your topic in wikipedia then start chopping the content into short articles. Remember, an online article is typically 400-700 words. So you can grab pieces of this content, rewrite as needed, and post it.
When you’re using Wikipedia, remember to get related articles. For example, if there are famous people associated with your content, then include short biographies and articles about them.
Idea #4: Use News Items. Set up a subscription to your topic in Google News. You specify the keyword phrase on the topic on which you want to stay current. You’ll receive a daily email with all of the headlines on that topic. You can click on any of them to read the full story.
You can then write a short article on any given news item – or in some cases, post the news release in its entirety.
Remember that using a combination of these approaches provides a good content mix for your site. So start with one method, perfect that, then go to the next one. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to do all four from the start. Master one, then move on.
And remember, enjoy the process. You’ll be learning more as you go – and you’ll be providing a valuable service to your readers.
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Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who works with consultants and other experts who are ready to leverage their expertise into Online Success. She shares fresh tips and tactics at http://OnlineSuccessCoaching.com

12 Comments
April 20th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Jeanette,
I LOVE the audio!
The music and the mixing of it sounds like you are on the radio!
My favorite tip is the Google news tip.
Cheers,
Christina Hills
“The Shopping Cart Queen”
April 20th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Jeanette,
The four approaches to article writing sparked a few ideas for follow-up. I’m checking out the Google News service today.
And thanks for offering the podcast– what a time saver.
I hope you continue audio for all your posts. It’s always good to hear the voice of experience!
Vida Evelyn
http://www.recipesmania.com
April 20th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Jeanette,
I prefer written content. I can review it easier and remember it longer than audio. Also audio loads slowly for me and I get impatient. However, I think that 3-5 minute audio is the right length to supplement a blog article.
Garry
http://www.TheBooksAdvisor.com
April 21st, 2007 at 12:01 am
Great comments, y’all! Thanks for your insights. I just love the different ways we all prefer to get our information – I agree it’s one of the benefits of providing the content in print and in audio. That way you have a choice.
And I’m so glad it triggered some ideas for you. I love sharing my ideas – and look forward to learning from you, too.
Jeanette
April 21st, 2007 at 12:14 am
I love both but prefer the written so i can read offline when I ned to multitask. However when in the office, I can listen in the background while also multitasking. So I am 50 50
. Love them both Oh and love the content, good stuff, great ideas to try.
April 21st, 2007 at 1:40 am
Greg, you’ve got to focus! “They” tell us we can actually get a lot more done if we focus on one task – but I’m with you. I tend to mutitask a lot, too – although while I can listen to mindless TV for “noise” late at night, have a hard time listening to meaty content while I do anything else. Looks like I’ll need to practice my multitasking!
Thanks for your comments!
Jeanette
April 21st, 2007 at 6:43 am
Hi Jeanette,
Great enhancement to your blog! Adding audio really complements your articles and entices subscribers to listen-in. I know I’ll be listening more often. It helps me focus on your content!
Good Job!!!
Ken Burnett “The Safety King”
http://www.theSafetyKing.com
April 21st, 2007 at 7:03 am
Jeanette, congrats on adding the audio! I’ve been getting the news links to stay up-to-date and have intended to write about them. You’ve encouraged me to carry out those intentions. Thanks!
Jan
http://www.QuiltingResourceCenter.com
April 21st, 2007 at 8:16 am
NIce job Jeanette;
Audio on your blog – and website is great.
As we get more and more overwhlemed with E-mail, audio is great way to listen, learn and prosper – and bypass the whole E-mail mess.
Plus if you make your instructional audio available as subscription Podcast for an audio player, I can learn while driving, working out or whatever.
Thanks, Tim Warren
PS Do you have a “Blog Master” recommendation? My Podcast Travel Business Success on iTunes needs a dedicatd home in a blog too.
April 21st, 2007 at 8:17 pm
I relish all the hard work and investment you make in all your work. I love audio. Whereas, the music is great in the very beginning it is a bit overpowering over your voice. I would like to see it stop after about 4 sec. and resume when you finish. Of course I am not an audio expert, but just sharing my personal desire.
Great work and thanks for sharing your great expertise.
Rosie
April 21st, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Love the audio Jeanette,
I think it’s a great idea and it would be nice to have an audio to listen to with every post. Love the music, but I do agree with Rosie and would like to hear it only in the beginning and at the end.
I would love to know just how you put your podcast into your blog as I have a podcast on iTunes and would like to put it on my blog as well.
Some people are visual and some are auditory learners, so it’s nice to have both on your blog.
Great job Jeanette!
April 23rd, 2007 at 3:34 pm
I did enjoy the audio, and just as it is. I think it is great to include it regularly, and possibly have an option to read the text, unless that just makes extra work.
Sometimes I will read text and sometimes audio. What prompted me this time is that I thought you would like a comment..
The information was very helpful and I appreciate it.
I listen online
I would like some more info on directories.
Thanks!
Mitta