#1 Create content that offers value. Article marketing works best when you’re publishing top quality content. The more value and benefit your article offers, the more attention it will get. On article marketing sites this means you’ll get more readers.

It also means you’ll have more website owners publishing your content. The more people who publish your content, the broader your exposure. From there it’s a simple process. As each person reads your article, they’ll click through to visit your website. More readers then means more website visitors.

#2 Write a headline that captures attention. Your article may be the best article ever written. However, if the headline doesn’t grab a reader’s attention, it’s probably not going to be read. No one will know how wonderful your content is. Your headline plays a very important role. To grab attention there are a number of headline styles that work. They include:

* Numbers – 10 tips to look younger today
* Benefit – Discover how to look younger today
* News – Newly discovered secret promises fountain of youth
* Question – Do you want to look younger without spending a fortune?

Take a look at headlines that attract your attention. With a little practice you can quickly discover how to write attention- grabbing headlines. Also, be sure to pay attention to the data. Look at your article data to find out what articles are published most often, what articles generate the most click throughs and what articles are read the most often. That will help you learn what your audience responds to.

#3 Make sure to include a call to action. Each article directory has its own guidelines about what’s acceptable. Some allow you to include embedded links in your content. Some allow photos and graphics. All of them allow an author’s box. This little box is where you include not only a brief sentence about who you are, but also a call to action and a link to your web page. If you’re driving traffic to your website, then you may link to your landing page.

A call to action is an important element many article marketers overlook. However, it’s essential if you want to drive traffic to your website. People need to be told what to do next. If you don’t ask them to visit your website, chances are they won’t.

Article marketing is still a very effective marketing tactic. Choose one or two quality article directories, create a content plan and start using this free marketing tactic today. You’re going to love the results.

Your First Step

Your first step may be surprising. It’s not to start asking for referrals or to do a Google search for freelance help. Your first step is to sit down at your desk and plan.

You want to begin with a definition or a list of the tasks you need help with. These tasks will also likely include systems or a step by step of how you want the task to be accomplished. For example, if you’re outsourcing your customer service, you want to outline your customer service system so whoever you hire can step right in and do the job correctly.

You also want to plan how you’re going to outsource the task. For example, are you going to start small and outsource only a portion of the responsibility? Do you want to be able to add tasks and responsibilities as you develop a working relationship with your help? Do you want to be able to add more tasks as you can afford them? What’s your long-term outsourcing plan? That takes us to your second step.

Creating an Outsourcing Budget

How much can you afford to pay? This is going to involve two key questions:

* What is the task worth to you? (This is in terms of both time and money.)
* What is your hourly value? (How much do you make per hour?)

Your hourly value can be calculated by dividing your profits by the number of hours you work each week, month or year. For example, if you make $50,000 in profits annually and you work 2080 hours annually, then your hourly value is $24/hour. This information can help you decide if it makes financial sense to outsource a task. If it costs more than $24/hour then it might not be a wise financial step.

Where to Find Outsourcing Help

Once you have determined exactly what you’re looking for and how much you can afford to pay, then it’s time to start looking for outsourcing help. You can find good contractors in a number of places.

1. Ask associates for referrals
2. Network online
3. Search engines
4. Freelance websites like Elance
5. Search engines

Evaluating Your Candidates

Once you have a few candidates in mind, review their work samples and references and consider giving them a test project. You want to evaluate their communication skills, professionalism and ability to do the job you requested.

Maintaining the Relationship

Once you’ve had the opportunity to work with a few contractors and you’ve found the people you work best with, there are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure they stick around. The first thing is to work together to determine a method for communication that works for both of you. Some people communicate well with email. Others prefer phone calls or instant messaging. Make sure this communication system is established and works for both of you. Additionally, flexibility, constructive feedback and consistent work all help keep a contractor happily working for you.

What Is Viral Marketing?

Viral marketing is content that’s captured the attention of the mainstream consumer. It’s content that people bookmark, forward, post on social networking sites and link to. Viral content has the ability to spread from one corner of the globe to the other. It spreads like a virus and can change a business overnight.

Nine Top Viral Marketing Tactics

First, let’s be clear. Viral marketing is content marketing. However, when you’re creating your content, your goal broadens. You want to offer value to your prospects and customers. However, you also want to go beyond offering basic value. You want the content to be so compelling that it goes viral. There are several types of content that can help you reach your viral marketing goals.

#1 Lists – People love lists. In fact there are many popular books that are nothing more than a long list. For example 101 Uses for a Dead Cat. This book was a big seller and was nothing more than a long, and perhaps humorous, list. Lists are easily downloaded and shared, and they’re often linked to. They make great viral content. Think about your audience and the value they’re seeking. What lists can you provide that might go viral?

#2 Quizzes – Ever notice that just about every magazine has some sort of quiz inside? That’s because people like their content to be interactive. Quizzes offer the opportunity to learn something about yourself or reinforce something you know about yourself. They also allow you to interact. Quizzes, like lists, can be funny, interesting and informative for the user or interesting and informative for you. You can use a quiz to learn more about your prospects and customers.

#3 Tools - Tools are things people can use. One great example of a tool might be an iPod application or a downloadable worksheet. A tool is also something that makes your prospect’s life easier. It offers value.

#4 Video - Video may be the most popular type of viral content. Most often the videos that go viral are funny, but they can also be informative or heart wrenching. Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture is an example of a viral video that is heart breaking and inspirational at the same time. Explore your audience’s needs and preferences and then brainstorm ideas for a video.

#5 Images – Photos and cartoons are common viral images. They can capture an idea, make people laugh, or inspire them to take action.

#6 “How to” content - When it comes to standard content forms, it doesn’t get better than the “How To”. Your “How To” content can be video, audio, or print – whatever your audience responds to.

#7 Funny story (or meaningful/touching story) – Humor tends to be the most popular type of viral content found online. However, a touching story, life lesson, or an inspirational story also spreads quickly. If you have a story to share, craft it well, make it public and then share.

#8 Controversy - Loud opinions about situations always stir up a controversy. Many people will want to weigh in and share their opinion too. Reports are a great way to create viral marketing content that’s controversial. Blog posts work quite well too because they provide people with a format to respond. One way to capitalize on controversy is to create a free report, promote it and discuss it on your blog. This way you’re reaching your audience quickly and the viral report will spread quickly.

#9 Sweepstakes, contests and giveaways – Finally, the last type of content that can easily go viral is a contest or sweepstakes. This is because everyone likes to get something for free and everyone likes to win. The bigger the prize, the more quickly word will spread. For example, if you’re giving away an iPad on your blog, you’ll likely gain a ton of traffic. People will be linking to your blog and there will be quite a commotion. Give away a free report and you’re not going to have as much activity. The key to capitalizing on this type of viral content is to build your opt-in list at the same time.

Creating viral content is the first step to a successful campaign. You’ll also want to integrate it into your overall marketing strategy. Use every tool available to get the word out quickly.

Affiliate product reviews. These are not so uncommon nowadays. When you have a product that you want to introduce to the market, it has no become the norm to get an affiliate to handle the review of a product because affiliates have a database of readers and has greater accessibility to the world at large. Consumers are more likely to trust affiliate reviews because they are more accessible and with the variety of other consumers, places a certain trust on its content.

Affiliate marketing is the gateway for most vendors to get their products across to the consumers. They handle all sorts of things and has access to most search engine sites that when consumers Google a product, they search results usually have the product featured in an affiliate website. Later on, the affiliate will redirect the consumer to the official product page so the consumer can purchase it. It is an effective marketing means to get people to you because affiliate marketing gets the job done for you by herding the people into your store.

There are many ways in which affiliates are rewarded or compensated by the seller when site traffic generated by the affiliate review reaches a certain level and interest generated from the consumers tend to be rewarding for all parties involved. Some offer rebates, get commissions, bonuses, and get other incentives for getting the product out there.

Becoming involved in affiliate marketing is tough work, but very rewarding if you play your cards right. There is much to be learned when you sign up and start learning about new products and services and you get to be the go-to guy when people need answers. Also, there are generous compensation measures doled out by the sellers who want their product to get a wider audience than they can accomplish. It also establishes a level of credibility for sellers and consumers who want to get the best they can from the money they spend online.

Doing product reviews can be a great way to earn some money, especially if you are keen on affiliate marketing. It is a very good way to build trust and consistency amongst your buyers and consumers despite all the work that you may have to put into it.

The year 2009 is no exception to the fickle, changing nature of online business. And as with any year, there are always trends being forecast. This is to answer the needs of the changing times and markets, economic events, new innovations, and new methods and each year is a chance to be able to tap into all of that. Especially now with the recession in place, digital marketing solutions are steadfast in gaining popularity as they offer relief from budget constraints. There are quite a number of new ways wherein Internet marketers can maximize their revenues and they have taken shape this 2009.

These days, increasing your market and maximizing your revenue doesn’t simply mean gaining new users – more doesn’t always mean more. Nowadays, there’s a need to look into new channels and new niches, and possibly even concentrating in just those small areas to make the most profit. And it doesn’t have to mean changing your entire strategy completely. Sometimes, a little tweaking or a small addition can work wonders for your Internet business.

Here are a couple of trends that have proven to be effective and some that show much promise for the year 2009:

1. Recession marketing and consumer thrift – these will undoubtedly continue to shape market movements all throughout the year. Savings and discounts will be at the forefront of consumers’ needs as spending power is lessened. Auction sites and online stores are most likely to see their number rocket.

2. Creativity is key – Internet marketing relies heavily on creatives and the more disruptive and eye-catching your advertising is, the more it is likely to be noticed and responded to. While aesthetics seem to be the at the bottom of the priority list, good creative is what evokes a consumer response, therefore gaining you returns.

3. Giving customers a voice – nowadays, more and more consumers are seeking for a way to get their voice heard by the company, and if they do not find this, they arelikely to go somewhere else. Incorporating forums, blogs where users can comment, and feedback forms will go a long way.

4. Mobile marketing – more and more people are now sporting digital mobile devices that allow them access to the Internet. This is a good thing for establishments such as restaurants, movie theatres, and any business targeting the younger (generation Y) market.
5. Social marketing – as social networking site continue to flourish and gain a massive following, advertising and linking in with these sites is a golden gateway. This will present a great opportunity, especially for smaller business, to get noticed and to build connections with the market.

6. Focus on customer relationships – as there are now fewer new customers (and the occasional lost customers) due to the recession, businesses now need to strengthen their ties with their customers. Continuous excitement for existing customers and establishing long0term relationships is key.

There are a lot of other trends that can be maximized and tapped into, especially with the remaining months of 2009. What is important is that you learn what techniques can be best applied to your business and continue to grow on those strategies that you have adopted.

What is list building? It is generally expanding your customer contact database in a strategic way, so that all of your customers, members, subscribers, and contacts form part of your target market.

What are the benefits of effective list building?

Targeted content

Building a list that is based on your target demographic makes it easier for you to create specific, customized content that will meet the needs of this market. Imagine if you had no idea what sorts of people are on your list – how then can you make your content more driven and effective?

Less chance of being blacklisted or called “SPAM”

People who get uninvited e-mails from unknown companies usually mark the content as spam. Buying lists can get you flagged, just like that. It’s because people don’t know you and you didn’t really ask their permission to enter their inbox.

Higher rate of subscriptions and better page views

Getting your content to the right audience will increase the chances that your content will be read and appreciated by the right people. And if the right people read and appreciate everything you write, then they will want to hear from you again. It’s as simple as that.

How then can you build your list the right way?

Offer them benefits

Apart from the content that you will be sending to their inbox, learn to offer add-ons and incentives that will lure them to your website and to sign up for membership. Offer them a free trial of the product you are selling, or maybe a voucher for your affiliate websites. People normally respond when they know that they will get something in return.

Write good content to keep them on your list

Just because the recipient of the content is part of your target group doesn’t mean that he or she will keep reading your emails permanently. Another part of building your list is to ensure that the information you send out is always written in a style consistent to the preferences of your target audiences. If the writing doesn’t appeal to them, then why should they keep reading? Therefore, set writing standards for this audience and always meet them every time you write an article.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t stop with just gathering the initial list. To keep your list growing, you have to constantly make your own efforts to allow it to build up and expand. This can be done by following the tips above. List building is a continuous process, and one that must be done carefully and creatively.

Internet marketing isn’t as complicated as one might think it is. It sure is time consuming, but when has marketing ever been not? Also, now that we are a changing society with all sorts of doors that can be opened, the world has become our oyster. We are no longer limited by geography, time, and our culture because everything is being shared by everybody through the internet. Amazing isn’t it?

Thinking outside the box has become the norm especially now that access to the internet is available to most of us. We have to different, better, flashier, and more enterprising when it comes to making ourselves known in the World Wide Web. Here are some ideas to get people to take a look and make you known.

Start a blog. It’s so easy to get one and most blogging communities do not need payment for you to join. Blogging is one of the easiest ways to get people to come and see what you have to offer. Talk about your product, post a bit about your life, take pictures! These things help your readers understand how accessible you are and give life to the product or service you are trying to introduce. It also humanizes the person behind the product despite the technological means to bring it forward.

Make a website. Good products have a good website behind them. Every time you Google something, you will want to have your product on the first page of the search results. Because of shortening attention span, you will want your potential consumers set the bar high with what they are looking for with your product. The first click of mouse is more likely to guarantee that the person will retain the information you’ve presented.

Create small advertisements in social networking sites. Social networking sites are such the rage nowadays it is only logical that you should take advantage of it as well.

Get the attention of major internet personalities. There are major internet personalities in whatever field you are in. They have their own websites and more importantly, their own blogs. Drop them a line and impress on them your product so it gets a wider audience.

These are just some ideas to get you started or give you a fresh injection of new things to try. The internet is full of possibilities. Why not explore each and every single one of them?

One of the great things about the internet is the myriad of possibilities you can take advantage of. Sometimes, it’s a blank canvass of the things you can explore and sometimes there’s already the diversity that can help you get the kind of attention you need.

One thing you definitely need is a proactive mindset. A proactive mindset will help you plot out your course of action, and a course of action is definitely important in any kind of conquest. In this case, you’re trying to conquer people’s attention and get that attention focused on you so that they remember you. Another thing that you will to have, in conjunction with this, is persistence. You will have to persist in all the things you do online. You don’t get to see your consumers or clients face to face so you won’t be able to physically reassure them of your willingness to help them out, so you have to be on top of your game.

Get an education. The internet is an evolving thing. You might have started with a bit of help with someone who is more internet savvy than you, but you will want to have to learn all the stuff your go-to guy is doing. Learn the ins and outs of social networking sites, search engine optimization, and other things that will be crucial to your success. There is always a new program or software that will make things easier for you. Just like illustrators who are constantly on the lookout for better design software, you will also need to do your homework on the best programs for your business.

Gimmicks are the way to go. Little gimmicks are something that will keep people’s attention on you. Is it a new addition on your website? A discount? A newsletter? Think of things that will connect you to people and solidify that connection with updates.

Updates are lifelines. Having a blog or a website that isn’t updated is a dying enterprise. People want to know what is going on in your business, sometimes your life. Tidbits about new projects generate an excitement amongst your readers and give them an understanding that you are always working to make yourself better.

The idea is that once the marketer has created his content and put it up for public consumption, the content will take care of itself. It would spread and reach other networks beyond the original audience.

This idea is based on the fact that in the internet, anybody can access everything. Something that is placed in the web is sure to easily diffuse and penetrate computers worldwide.  The name ‘viral marketing’ itself connotes that this form of marketing will quickly and easily spread content and matter like how a virus spreads a disease. Viruses spread easily from one person to the other, and content that is uploaded in the internet will do so too. This will allow the marketer to just sit back, relax and watch while many people manage to access the original content and spread it around. Site hits, product support or purchase and profit will come reeling in like magic. This is the idea of viral marketing.

These results are almost too good to be true. If we analyze the situation, not many viral marketers get to relax and sit back while the profits come rushing in. Like any other marketer in the internet, they are having a hard time spreading their material to readers.

Viral marketers often spend a lot of time and money to come up with the material that they hope will become viral. There is no assurance that the content that they will allow the users to access will indeed become very catchy and spreadable. Most viral marketers upload content and pray that the content will indeed become viral. This level of uncertainty is not practical at all. Businessmen and entrepreneurs must know where to place their money. There must be no place for wasteful usage of money and effort.

But viral marketing is not all that hopeless. It becomes purpose-defeating if one does not know how to use it. The way viral marketing is portrayed is inaccurate. One does not simply upload content and then sit back and relax, one needs to strategically place markers that assure of the fact that the content uploaded will indeed become viral and catchy. Adding buttons and links that link back to your website is a big help, so is syndicating your article to other article bases. Allowing your content to be easily reposted in blogs, social networking pages and other sites through the addition of easy access reblog or repost buttons from different internet site tools like Digg is a method that would take out the inconveniences of reposting.

Always remember to upload content of high quality. This is the most basic thing you have to consider to make your readers more interested in reposting content. Best of luck!