How to Outsource Your Article Marketing

Great tips Reed. I have completely outsourced all article writing for myself and my clients. It was liberating!

I have found that you can actually get some pretty good articles for much less than $5-10 for a 250 word article. In fact, I have seen some pretty good articles come out of people from Rentacoder.com that were 500 words and only cost $3 an article.
Some other great website I know a lot of people use are guru.com and elance.com.
The only caution with these is that you check people’s stats and comments from people who have dealt with them before, so you know the quality of their work. Never accept an offer from someone who is brand new.
Shawn Horwood
http://top5-workathome.com/blog/

Hey Brett,
I know you were probably asking Reed, but I will share with you what I know about outsourcing.
I mentioned in my previous comment some good places to outsource for any topic, and I would recommend most highly Rentacoder.com
The keywords you want them to use the keywords you are trying to rank for. You want keywords that will lead to conversions, so keywords that your customers would be targeting if they were looking for what you have to offer. You want to use your main keywords about once in every paragraph and you want to use related keywords throughout the article (your secondary and tertiary keywords).
As for article length, it depends on where you plan on submitting the articles. Different article directories have different rules about the lengths of the articles, so I always get a 500 word version of the article, a 1,000 word version of the article, and a 1,500 word version of the article so I can submit them to a couple hundred directories. If you are only looking to submit them to a few directories then just check their rules to see how long the articles have to be. If you are just posting them on your website or blog, then it is as long as you would like really. I would generally aim for 500 words, as most people do not like to read really long articles.
I hope that helped Brett!
Shawn Horwood
http://top5-workathome.com/blog/

I disagree Ari. If you are a newbie then that is when it is most beneficial to pay others to write articles for you. If you are a newbie, then you will not have as much experience or knowledge as someone who has been involved in your niche for years. Also, you may not be a very good writer yet. If you outsource you can find people that have been in the niche for years and therefore have far more experience and knowledge than you, and they are probably better writers, especially if you are paying $5-10 because you can get a professional writer to write for you.
When you are more experienced, then it is better to write your own articles and outsource at the same time in order to double your results. That is my opinion.
Shawn Horwood
http://top5-workathome.com/blog/

Shawn Horwoods last blog post..Ewen Chia’s Autopilot Profits System

Hey Reed Great information on outsourcing articles, I believe everyone should be doing this.

I like the idea of searching in the search engines for niche specific article sites.

I wanted to share about a new article outsourcing site that is offering really great prices along with quality articles (you can reject if you’re not happy)

basically for a 100 word article it cost $2
a 200 word article cost $4
and a 350 word article cost $6

http://jbode.info/articlez.html

you also need to supply keywords and sites for them to research, which is better because you will get the content you want.

Hope this helps with your article outsourcing

Reed, are you actually writing these posts or are you farming these out also?

When you write these you never give any juicy details on how to actually get the job done. I am sure it would help the beginner tons to give em a break and just introduce em to some rock star writers!

Why not give out your top 5 people who write articles for you for 5 bucks an article.

Many people have tried job boards only to get screwed over by crapy articles that barely resemble the English language.

It’s not easy to find good overseas writers. I have finaly put together a great team of writers, but along the way have been introdced to many crappy writers. I have had to weed thru literally hundruds of bad writers…

Craig Mullinss last blog post..Lead Based Paint Disclosure – Make Sure You Do It!

Reed, I think you should FIRE your ghost article writer.. He’s spookin’ me out with his/her roundabout waffling style! A lot of ideas get repeated 🙂 There – got it out. Outsourcing your article marketing carries a RISK – that you’re not experienced as Authentic. After a while the ‘style’ or personality shows through and this ‘Ghost’ is a professional waffler, not an Entrepreneur like YOU. Good sources were actually supplied by Shawn: Rentacoder.com, Guru.com and Elance.com followed up with word numbers and specifics. I know – you gotta outsource – as TIME and speed of implementation are critical factors for the buzzing entrepreneur online!
Go forth and outsource to win.

Geoff Dodd
Australia

Hey Reed, Good infomation as always. Didn’t know about outsourcing, but I figure if I stick with you I will over time become an affiliate marketer. Thanks Anna

Hey R.C.
Reed cannot just tell you what keywords, because that’s not how it works. You have to try to rank in the search engines for specific keywords. You choose which keywords would be most beneficial for you to rank with, and then you go and have articles written that are optimized for those keywords. You cannot rank number one unless you know what keyword(s) you are trying to rank for. That is why Reed cannot give you that information.
Shawn Horwood
http://top5-workathome.com/blog/

Shawn Horwoods last blog post..Ewen Chia’s Autopilot Profits System

Hi Reed, Brett, Matthew & Craig,

I just thought of introducing my self here to help you all professionally, as Reed just mentioned about professional article writers. You got a professional web copywriter right here, Reed.

I am a Premium Quality Web Copywriter who loves to assist Internet Marketers in their endeavour to create and run a highly sucessful business online.

I can a lot for my clients.

I passionately write copy for the web. I would be happy to help you out in your requirements.

I can write:

Web Content.
Article Writing.
Report Writing.
Blog Writing.
Journal Writing.
Ad Copy Writing.
eBook Writing.
SEO CopyWriting.
Sales Letters.
Press Releases.
Ezines.
Editing & Formatting.
Proof Reading.

Or Just Anything That An Internet Entrepreneur / Internet Marketeer / Internet Business Asks For.

Quality is Guaranteed. 100%. Original, Unique & Smart Content that your readers will eat it like Ice Cream.

I would like to mention that quality writers charge quality rates for quality output. You pay for quality content as it brings greater amount of traffic and connects better with readers thus providing you goodwill from the visitor who will then transform him/her self as your new client/customer. Now, you want repeat business so you got to find someone who has a habit of giving their best while they do their job with expertise.

I Will Be Writing A Lot Of Quality Information Very Soon On Internet Marketing & Web CopyWriting Here: http://webcopywritersblog.com *Use Firefox / Chrome for best viewing. Enjoy!

if you have any questions or queries, please email me at info(at)webcopywritersblog.com

I’d be happy to help. Thanks a ton Reed!

Ron S.
http://twitter.com/webcopywriters
Skype: WebCopyWriter
🙂

Hey Reed,

I see about twenty new blog topics coming out of this post. lol

I will direct my comments here to the other side of the street; that of a content provider. I’ll address issues for both the DYI article marketer and those looking to outsource the work.

Writing good articles is neither an impossible nor even a difficult task. It simply takes time to learn and become skilled at performing it well. You’ll be surprised how easy it becomes and how much quicker you accomplish it with time.

The Do-It-Yourself Group:

I would recommend that all newbies to the world of internet marketing write their own articles at the onset of their business. I say this for two reasons:

* You learn early on what makes a good article; whether you write it or hire it done for you. You will do more harm for your business than good if your distribute sub-standard content across the Internet. It also defrays start-up expenses at a critical time in most cases.

* You learn everything there is to know about your niche through the research you must do. You grow into a legimate expert in your field and not just a parrot of what the product producer says.

Before you write the first word, go to the major players in the field and see HOW you must write to be accepted on their sites. As pointed out elsewhere in this thread, every directory or submissions service has their own set of rules for accepting content for publication.

I do an end-run around all of that and use a submissions service that submits articles to over 5,000 publishers with one click of the mouse. Articles are not distributed until they meet the criteria required by all publishers for acceptance. It makes life easier and it’s free to boot.

Here are some key factors to make permanent habits in your article writing program:

* People read about 20% slower online than in print. If you make it hard for them, expect to lose them early on. Write in bursts of 8-14 words per sentence in paragraphs of 3-5 sentences maximum. Use sub-titles often.

* Internet surfers are scanners first, readers second. They arrive at your article page while following the “information scent” they sniffed out through their search criteria. They scan the page in an “F” pattern looking for hints of the scent that brought them there. If they don’t find it on the scan – zoom – they’re gone. You have about 5-15 seconds to catch their interest.

* Use your main keywords in your titles and sub-headings when possible. Use keywords at or near the beginning of the first sentence in paragraphs. This makes it easier to “sniff” them out in a quick scan for the “information scent.”

* The rules for numbers are different online than offline. It’s “ok” to use numerals instead of spelling our numbers less than 10. It enhances the scanability of the piece by offering a quick glimpse at the statisical content in the piece.

* Bulleted/numbered lists are your friend. Use them often. It is not recommended, however to mix them up – use either/or per piece you write.

* Avoid the passive voice. It drags your content out and slows the readers progress; often causing them to leave. You will usually find the passive voice around verbs that end in “ing.”

^ For Pete’s sake, use a word processor to write on that has a good spell/grammar checker on it. I run an article directory as well and will tell you firsthand: spelling and grammar count. Publishers are building a reputation with their sites and simply won’t publish the “also rans.”

The Outsourcing Crew:

Not too much to say here other than you get what you pay for in most cases. A motorcross friend of mine told me years ago I have found useful in any number of situations:

“If you have a $10.00 head, buy a $10.00 helmet.”

If you want professionally written content that captures your target audience and sells the click on your link in the author’s box expect to pay more than $5-10.00.

I hire and fire writers all day long. My rule of thumb is this: if it takes me longer than 5 minutes to edit a piece, I kick it back to the writer or fix it myself and don’t that writer again.

If you are using a provider that sends you work you must edit heavily, replace them. Your time is too valuable to do work you already paid to have done.

Regards,

Mike Lawson
http://www.bluegrasssolutions.org

Thanks for the ideas. I personally find it hard to trust someone else to write what I want written. Though I know I need to get over it. Not that I think I’m a great writer because I don’t. It is the spirit of what I want written that doesn’t always match mine.
As you can see I like sharing ideas of my own on my blog at Ideas for outdoor Living. Thanks again you write great articles.

Daves last blog post..How to Attract Birds to Your Yard

Thanks Mike for your excellent comments.I do not agree on a few things though.a) A newbie can hardly afford US$5 per article some times.Then their only option may be to get a 3rd world content writer who would do atleast an article with researched content and Key worlds and phrases.A couple of hours for editing , proof reading etc. for a newbie who is about to write the articles himself may not matter much!

b)All surfers are not speed readers.They a take longer time.When surfers want hard to find information seriously they are willng spend a longer time.I agree that this may not apply to Top rung marketers.

c)If you spend more for articles it does not stop there.You will need expensive websites,Hosting services, autoresponders and what not.Certainly not for newbies.
d)another good site for Free lancers is getafreelancer.com.Their services are free.Lowest rate may be $0.5 each 350 to 450 word article.Its true you get what you pay for.But what you pay for in USA for a particular service is not the same as what you pay in India or any other south asian country(eg.software developement etc.).Its not different for article writing either.
e)Generally you do not pay service providers in advance.So you always have the option to reject substandard stuff!But the other side of the coin is that there are many who are willing to cheat the beggers by avoiding the payment once they get the work done.(The excuse of “Poor quality” does not hold true in all cases because i personally know a young lady who gets regular work at US$15.00 each article from some USA buyers but had the unpleasent experiance of some others defaulting simultaneously.Admittedly one has to be careful when outsourcing services.But the same rule applies to even when buying an e-book or a software on line!

Great Article and comments,at first in sense of making people thinking and discussing in a way we get useful informations and complete our knowledge.
There is a difference in thinking,which is good as well.
I intended to start article writing but cost of work is really low-/ keep in your mind some write in a high style,looks like literature work,being i am one of them,i can’t accept such writing.I arrange my own Blog,writing on my favorite masterpieces weaved by self improvement ,i experienced myself.
In regards to keywords i think i am wrong about applying them,after reading that keyword must be involved in content ,which I’m not doing always,using one, is not .Maybe,one of the next posts be dedicated to keyword researching.

Slavica Todorovics last blog post..Christmas-In the Glory of the Love

Hi Reed,
Another excellent article.
I would like some recommendation on outsourcing and where is the best way to secure one.
Thanks again

Emmanuel Mbas last blog post..This Will Take Affiliate Marketing To The Next Level!

I, too, have tried outsourcing recently. I was referred to a site called Cyberhub by another relatively successful internet marketer who had used this company and had very good experiences with them.

They charged me $3 per article and I definitely got what I paid for as they were really crappy. Some were unreadable in that they made no sense at all. Most were not relevant to the keywords I gave them.

Eventually I had to basically re-write them all (thank God I only bought 20 to try the service) as I got so frustrated trying to edit them.

Just wanted to post this so your readers could know what it’s like when you do not get good articles for your outsourcing efforts.

I enjoyed reading this post and especially the comments where I have learned of some other sources for articles I did not know about previously.

Thanks,
Chris
http://www.AffiliateIncomeRoadmap.com

Good topic and very good discussions from the members. The two main keys that I could see were: cheap out sourcing and loading up with key words. I have not really got into this aspect yet. It will go down on my to do list.

Hey Luca,
I am glad I could help. I love helping others, and I am glad to hear when my comments are appreciated. If you have any questions I am happy to answer them.
Shawn Horwood
http://top5-workathome.com/blog/

Shawn Horwoods last blog post..Business Ethics

Yeah, it is true. If you take proper guidance while you are developing your website, your SEO expert can get traffic to your site very easily. Consider the good keywords which are important in your business and highlight the main keyword, if you can include your keyword in the title. That gives better results, thank you.

I’ve already forgotten most of the original post, though I again enjoyed the conversation it has spun! I like it when you feature authors on this site and I like reading your posts and watch them get commented on. I personally wouldn’t outsource my own writing though I might use featured writers aswell to get someone elses opinion or just extra content 😉

@ props for Mike Lawson it was very informative and useful comment, I thank you for taking your time to write so long of a comment

For a long time I was reluctant to outsource my article writing, then I gave in and decided to give it a try.

Although I paid more than the rates you mentioned I tried three authors. Two I wasn’t happy with, so did extensive editing myself (which seemed easier than going backwards and forwards), but I did find one lady I was very pleased to work with and have used her on further projects.

So my advice would be to try two or three people with small projects first.