Often simple search engine optimization techniques get over looked because they are, well, too simple. Using article directories and content sharing sites just might fall into this category. Writing articles is not brain surgery. And posting information on content sharing sites can even be fun. Both of these are made much easier since they will relate to your field of expertise – your comfort zone in the high tech world of internet sharing. Let’s look at how you can use this search engine marketing tool to your benefit.

In layman’s terms article directories are much like telephone directories. Just as the phone directories list and show the numbers of all the phones in a particular area, so article directories list and show the article submissions of all the contributors in a particular area. Directories and content sharing sites are very similar in that they allow you to share your ideas, comments, suggestions, thoughts, etc. Complete articles can be shared on sites like ezinearticles.com or articledashboard.com. Even short content pieces can be shared in places like wikipedia.com. Each of these sites has literally hundreds of categories in which to share your knowledge. There is bound to be a category related to your interests. Take a look at them – you’ll see! 

When you have found one or more sites with categories related to your skill set or knowledge area take a look at the other articles posted in your category. Are they telling the complete truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Or, even more to the point, are they missing something that you can provide in a coherent and effective manner. Well, go for it! Write an article that will make the reader sit up and take notice. Show that you have the skill level that makes you an expert in your field. Craft the article with just the right amount of keywords and phrases. Close with a little biographical blurb. Add a back link to your website in the blurb. And, guess what. Presto! You have just caught the search engines eye as it crawls all over the web seeking to fill a particular search related to your field or knowledge area. You will increase web traffic to your site. The search engine will see your name mentioned more, your keywords used in concert with your website, and a back link to your site all in one place that is not your website. As you post more articles the engine will take notice and begin to place you higher in its rankings. 

Now, don’t use this excuse as a copout. Number 1, you are probably much better that you are willing to admit, especially in your comfort zone of knowledge. And, number 2, if you absolutely cannot write there are literally thousands of writers out there who will write exactly what you want and even post it for you if you want them to. Check out sites like GetAfreelancer.com and ELance.com. The kicker is they will do this for a very, very reasonable, even unbelievable, low rate. Also, it is done in your name. They are ghostwriters. You own the article. You own the words. You own the copyright. It’s yours. They “work for hire” and you become the outright owner of the article. So, as you can see, the “I’m not a writer” excuse doesn’t play in this search engine optimization technique. But the rewards of using this tool will have you singing.

To test this SEO technique out you should measure web traffic you now receive. Then implement the ideas espoused herein and compare the increased web traffic you realize to your original numbers. Search engine optimization is central to getting more bang out of your website buck. Try posting on article directories and content sharing websites. The payback will be worth the time invested!

image credits to Phil Hilfiker