I’ve written about TextBroker.com before, and now I want to give you an example of why it’s very important to have unique content on your websites.
I pay around $4.70 for most unique articles I have custom written for some of my websites. The articles are around 200 words in length, and I proofread each of the articles, add some personal insights or ideas, and write additional commentary based on my experience. I also generally add a related photo from Flickr, a stock photo website, or from one of my photo albums. These articles drive great (targeted) traffic that would be expensive for me to purchase.
Here’s an example.
A few weeks ago, I realized that many people would be searching Google and Bing to see if they need to give a tip or a Christmas gift for their dog walker. I had two articles written by TextBroker, and I also used my own experience to add more information.
One article was written about tips for Christmas gifts for a dog walker and the other article was about Christmas tips for dog walkers, and I posted them on DogWalker.com. I also did some minor SEO work with the help of the All in One SEO plugin.
These articles have received over 500 visits from search engines, and the cost was under $10 and about 30 minutes of my time. Had I paid for this traffic with Adwords (which I also use), the cost would have been much more. Additionally, once a particular campaign ends, the traffic stops. With custom content, traffic will continue to come as people search in the future.
Whether you write your own content, hire a third party, or do a combination, it’s important to have unique articles on your websites, which will help drive traffic to your sites.
Outstanding advice and execution.
Does Flikr charge for the use of their photos?
Just curious.
Mark
@ Mark
No, but you need to use photos that were approved by the owners for public usage.
Elliot, I’m going to be using them for visitwhiteplains.com
geoffrey
I just submitted my first project to textbroker based on your past couple of articles. I actually put in for a “4” level, and the charge was $10.00 . I did ask for 400 words or so, thus the added expense. Hopefully not an overkill, just a lot of information needed for the article.
On a side note, do you think readers “value” 150-200 word articles? Just an honest question, no insult meant. I am interested in your thoughts on this and may be swayed to try the 150-200 word articles.
Sincerely,
Jason
@ Jason
It really depends on the topic. There have been times I’ve asked for 300-350 and it seemed to ramble. I generally pick 200-250 because I generally add some information/insight, which makes the articles longer.
Thanks Elliot, Ya, after I hit submit, I wondered the same thing. We will see, and it will be a learning experience….
Thanks!
Jason
Can you expalin how to use flikr photos? I was trying to find images for my sites, but I wasn’t having to much luck finding good images.
Yes, how do you find images to use, without breaking any copyright laws, please?
Thanks again!
Jason
Advance Search: http://www.flickr.com/search/advanced/?
Check off the box that asks “Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content “
I build many of my sites with 300 word articles and have no problem in google or search engines. But if the topic is more competitive more content can never hurt.
I also always add a little to articles I order normally around 50 words.
I have tried to use Flickr in the past for photos, but when I select “Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content ” and then “Find content to use commercially,” I usually get 0 results. I can find lots of great stuff in the Creative Commons, but the none that is available for commercial use. As most of my sites have some commercial components, I really haven’t found it that useful. Do you know of any workarounds?
@ Josh
Search more broadly… for example, if I was looking for a Burbank golf course and couldn’t find something that specific, I might search for a generic golf course that could be Burbank.
Great example of outsourcing in action!
Happy Hanukkah!
Thanks, Elliot. I’ll give that a try.
If you have never used it, photoxpress.com lets you DL 10 photos per day from their free section, which actually has some pretty good stuff.
Has DogWalker.com been featured on BankRate.com and Fox Business News ?
@ Minie
Yes….
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/5-great-pet-jobs-for-animal-lovers-3.aspx
Elliot,
Can you share the type of instructions you provide textbroker to get acceptable articles?
specifically, do you specify keywords, phrases
and do you chose keywords mostly on frequency of search, or cpc value?
tx, keep up the good work
wishes for a productive, joyous new year
tom
Great advice Elliot. Article marketing is the way to go.
On some webmaster fora you can get quality articles inclusive of submission to various article directories like e-zine too for similar fees you mentioned.
cheers
Jeroen,
Can you privide some url’s where one may find such articles, that you refer to last ..what fora i may look at, tx
tom
nice post Elliot . I’m curious how that traffic converted for you vs. traffic you’ve paid for on Adwords. Were you able to track?
@Tom,
If Elliot doesn’t mind, here is an example:
http://www.netbuilders.org/services/article-writing-submission-service-186.html
I am not benefiting in any way by placing this link but I have used this person’s service myself and was very pleased about the quality of the articles.
Cheers
Elliot, What do you think of ezinearticles? I just stumbled across it, it looks like free articles to use, you only have to keep the signature file, and all original content intact. Any pros/cons to this?
Jason
@ Jason
No idea, haven’t used it before.
@Jason (and Elliot if it is OK with you..)
If you use the exact articles of ezinearticles and the like, you will most likely run into duplicate content issues and as a result, Google may not rank your page well. Search engines like unique content.
You may be able to spin such an article but
1) it is against TOS
2) the original author will not appreciate it
3) it’s probably not worth the effort compared to writing something unique.
Just some ideas.
Cheers
@ Adam
Not sure since I don’t have a way to track if people were able to connect with a dog walker.