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It's Summer 2010 Guest Article Wednesday, and this one is important for all us writers - at least those of us who want to sell our books, e-books, and services.

Why You May Need a Squeeze Page to Make the Most of Your Article Marketing Campaigns
By Suzanne Lieurance

Article marketing is a great way to generate traffic to your website or blog. And, if that's ALL you're after, then all you need to do is write quality articles that will appeal to a specific (niche) market. Then, in the resource box at the end of each article, include some compelling reason for readers to click on a link that will take them directly to your website.

However, if you're like most people who are using article marketing as a way to generate new customers or clients - and not JUST more traffic - you might be better off leading readers back to a squeeze page instead of your website or blog.

I know what you're wondering - Why is that?

Well, the reason is this. Generally, people don't buy from a website or blog on the first visit. They must get to know, like, and trust the business person who owns that site before they feel comfortable and confident enough to purchase products and/or services from him online. This comfort and confidence doesn't usually happen instantly. It takes time.

The way most people get to know, like, and trust someone who is doing business on the internet is by signing up for this person's mailing list.

Okay, so now you're thinking - But I have an opt-in box on my website or blog. People can sign up for my mailing list right there.

But here's the problem with that. There are probably OTHER things visitors can get distracted by at your website or blog. You might have interesting and informative articles for them to read, an engaging video for them to watch, or even a short audio they can listen to. Before they know it, they've finished visiting your site without ever opting in to your list. And they may never return to the site, so you've lost them as a customer or client forever.

But with a squeeze page, your visitors won't get distracted because all a squeeze page is designed to do is get people to sign up for your list.

If article marketing is driving more traffic to your sites, yet you aren't getting more sign ups for your mailing list, consider a squeeze page and see if you don't get better results.

For an example of a squeeze page, go to http://www.fearlessfreelancewriting.com and don't forget to sign up for my mailing list so you'll start receiving my free newsletter, Build Your Business Write. AFTER you've done that, check out my website at http://www.workingwriterscoach.com to read more informative articles, watch interesting videos, and get other great resources to help build your business.
 
Suzanne Lieurance is the author of 22 (at last count) published books, a freelance writer, and the Working Writer's Coach.

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You can also check out these programs by Suzanne:

The Children's Writers' Coaching Club

Write More, Sell More, Make More Money Than EVER in 2010 Coaching Program

I highly recommend these programs, and I am a member of both. If you do take my advice and join one or both of Suzanne's programs, please mention my name--I am an affiliate of hers. But, I’d like you to know that I only recommend these programs because I belong to them, and I know their value if you're serious about writing.


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Check out these related articles:

7 Steps to Writing for Article Directories



Benefits of Creating

One question we get a lot is: how do I choose a winning book title? Another is: how do I write my back-cover copy/synopsis? And what are the most effective ways to market my book?

To help you answer these questions, we've invited Susan Kendrick to share her expert advice. There are some wonderful tips and how-tos in this interview that you can apply right away!

Susan Kendrick and Graham Van Dixhorn are partners at Write To Your Market, Inc. They specialize in creating bestselling book covers and business brands--book titles and subtitles, back-cover sales copy, testimonials, business names and taglines, and other pivotal branding and marketing tools. Their clients win major book awards and are featured in The New York Times, L.A. Times, and U.S.A. Today, and appear on national TV talk shows, including The Today Show. But maybe more importantly, Susan and Graham help these authors and experts package their message so that it makes a difference in the world. To learn more, visit www.WriteToYourMarket.com or www.BookCoverCoaching.com.

WOW: Welcome to The Muffin, Susan! Thank you for taking time to share your tips with our readers today. Let's start off by finding out what you do. What services do you provide for authors?

Susan: Thanks for having us! Graham and I create bestselling book titles and subtitles, back cover positioning and sales copy, business names and taglines, media kits, and speaker materials--the tools you need to create and grow a powerful brand for you, your message, and your business.

By doing this, we provide welcome relief for authors whose job it is to be expansive on their topic. Whether you are in the idea, planning, writing, or editing stage of your book, all your focus is on creating a story or message that will speak to people. The job of your book cover, on the other hand, is to take all that you are creating and condense it to the few words that will sell your book. It's writing, but a different kind.

What Graham and I do is interview you, listen to your ideas, and explore your manuscript to capture the highlights that will make you stand out from the crowd and appeal to the people you want to influence most--your readers. You're creating this book for them; you want to make sure they "get" what's in it for them. We also help you position your book to take the lead in your market, so that you are perceived as the expert not only to your readers, but to book reviewers, the media, joint venture partners, and other decision-makers.

WOW: That's a good point and one we often forget while we're writing. We need to think about positioning our book not only for our readers but for the media as well. Another super important issue that authors often ask about is how to choose a book title. What are some things authors should consider when deciding on a working title? And what makes for a winning title?

Susan: First, understand the purpose of a good working book title.

Just as there is expert status associated with being the author of a published book, there is similar status involved in getting out there wi