Home business and

Article Marketing go hand in hand. The two are made for each other. One is a vehicle and the other helps drive the engine.

Article marketing I have been doing for nearly 10 years. It has been an amazing way to meet people as well as get a message out.

And of course, to train as well as educate the folks on some pretty cool things. Ahem.

Now I am going to get up on my soap box.

Recently I have been observing some articles that are…well…let’s just say are less than quality content. Ezine articles got smart. Chris Knight over at ezinearticles.com decided to go to 500 words per articles because a lot of articles were disguised advertisements for a lot of affiliate marketing, MLM, as well as internet marketing scams.

It is all over the place. Low quality articles that are deceptive at best.

I just shake my head when it comes to social media articles and what I call  the teaching and practice of “Deception Marketing.”

It is a total lack of ethics and integrity.

I am amazed by a lot of the social networking articles on the article marketing resources. Many neophytes in network marketing and social media try to come across as network marketing “experts” and social media “experts.” And when a little research is done-you find that many of the authors have not even been in the business 5 years- or even 3. They simply are doing what they have been taught to do and doing it over and over.

And they pitch and sell-pitch and sell- and pitch and sell.

Nothing wrong with that I guess.

Or is that really what articles are supposed to do?

And another thing I have found is that many of their articles contain little or no training or any useful  information that will help people in their issues with life.

Now I have a REAL issue with that.

If you are honestly going to write an article as an “expert” – then give them expert advice, training, or something of VALUE.

COME ON folks!

Tough to do-if you have not done it. I have done it a lot-and done it in a big way. The training articles of Deception Marketing also contain mostly the same old warmed over stuff- the same ideas, tactics, and the same verbiage that has been out in the article directories for years. I call it “Recycled Mold.”  The info is so old, it contains marketing mold.

What happened to the USP? Or even being unique and SETTING YOURSELF APART?

Or even branding yourself as something different?

Well, maybe I am wrong- but I believe there are 5 Elements that a Network Marketing Social Media article should contain on any article resource directory in Article Marketing:

1) Unique training and information-NOT just useless selling.

Many people are looking for SOLUTIONS-not to be sold something. I have a lot of emails that people are asking why that all the trainings in these directories are a bait ands switch? They promise training but end up getting pitched on the newest deal or “opportunity.”

Been there as well as I have taken the time to look up other topics in article directories and found that good old Deception Marketing. And again- having a resource box with an offer is GREAT and that is how you do it. But let’s just not pitch in the article itself. It gives all of the authors in MLM /Social Media a black eye and bad rap.

GIVE some training / information as that is expected in an article is it not? That is what “experts” do- if there is really such a thing. GIVE something UNIQUE that will HELP people- and solve a problem for them. You will be taking your articles up to a whole new level. Get rid of the same ol same ol and THINK like an expert- write like an expert- and get creative like an expert would. That is the minimum we all should do.

2) A SOLUTION that has PROVEN to WORK.

THAT is imperative. If you are going to get in the article network marketing and social media marketing zone- make your article SOLUTION focused– not selling focused. That is what a Social Media and MLM “expert” does.

People are seeking answers to problems. They are looking for how to’s-not “here -buy this.” Create a solution for people- a REAL solution-not something that is disguised as one to sell something. Build your credibility, not your gullibility.

3) A Presentation- not a Pitch.

Articles are an information source- and a training haven. Professional authors understand that you want to create a BOND and RELATIONSHIP with the person reading your article. They will stay with you and read your blog and other articles. THAT is money in the bank. They will become raving fans of yours- instead of resentful foes that feel cheated by your article.

If you PITCH someone in your article- you have developed a short term relationship. If you PRESENT a solution or an answer- you are well on your way to developing a long term relationship-the secret to successful article marketing.

4) Your Article must contain IMPACT.

Impact is the key to a great article. Your article must create a “Wow” impact- and show them you are a TRUE expert-not someone pretending to be. The social media “gurus” teach personal branding. We have for years as well. But it takes 3 things to be branded as an Expert:

TIME.

EXPERIENCE.

CREATIVE KNOWLEDGE.

Impact is a fruit of “been there-done that” and the social proof that you are truly an expert. Impact is a fruit of having the KNOWLEDGE that experts that can Impact people in a powerful way. And Impact is taking a “TINY” focus- “Their Interests Not Yours.” Their interest in your article for the most part, is learning and solving. Make sure that your article has that within it- and you will have the impact to move people to want to know more about you.

5) Your Article MUST Contain ENOUGH Content AND – Content that is Valuable and Worth Reading.

I see a lot of “articles” of 75-100-words that only there for one reason it seems–to point to the resource box. THAT is what I call an “Article Pitch” or “Pretend Article.” It is PURE Deception Marketing. They use an article to “pitch” their offer and dilute all of the other articles in the directory.

There used to be a commercial asking “Where’s the BEEF?” Well- Where’s the Content? And many of the article directories today have gone to a minimum of 600 words to insure there IS content that is worth reading.

Now yes, there are really good articles in these directories from some really great writers. It is not all “fake it and write it.” There are great newer authors as well as older ones–that are VALUE focused– not Volume focused.

One is focused on giving Value to the reader- and the other to sell Volume for themselves. One is short term and the other is long term.

Guess which one is the most successful at building business? Yep- the Value focused article that delivers.

I have been blessed to write the last 8 years over 1000 on line published articles on over 300 directories-so I know a little bit about this. Let’s quit pretending to be authors and start giving TRUE Value first- THEN build a connection with the reader about what you have to offer.

It is CONNECT –> DIRECT–> BUILD.

Connect with the reader with TRUE Solution Based Value. Direct them to your offer through your resource box. Build a relationship with them then, through a blog,conference calls, or newsletter.

Folks, as we say from my home state of Texas: This ain’t rocket science. It is simply understanding the process.

You will have so much more success in your Social Network Marketing efforts if you are HONEST and INTEGRITABLE about your writing and delivering content via article marketing. If you oppose Deception Marketing like I do, great. if you practice it then do not be surprised if you stay frustrated with your MLM Network Marketing Home Business.

Looking for a resource that teaches you ths secrets of ENDLESS Prospects?

blessings…doug firebaugh

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