The top 5 online article platforms:
1) Article directories
2) Other blogs
3) Publishing sites
4) Social media sites
5) Bookmarking sites
Once you have an article completed, submit it to a reputable article directory. One great thing about these directories is that your article has the ability to be read by thousands. Usually directories allow people to reprint your article, providing they give you the credit and they help with inbound links.
Most directories have a bio box, which allows you to include your web address and a brief bio about your company or a call to action. A specific call to action with your website link is the most effective way to get the reader to visit your site. As with asking for inbound links, you need to use caution when choosing an online directory.
There are general directories, which allow you to categorize your article topic and add your article keywords. There are also niche directories. Some reputable directories are ezinearticles.com, GoArticles, Article Dashboard, and Buzzle.
Two other article marketing platforms, which go hand in hand, are someone else’s blog or a publishing site.
When approaching popular bloggers and online publications to feature your article on their site, it’s important to strategically craft your pitch. Tell the blogger or online publication editor why your article would be beneficial to readers and, therefore, improve the readership on his / her blog or publication. Provide several article options and illustrate the benefit readers will receive if the blogger or publication were to use your article on his / her site.
The fourth and fifth article marketing platforms go hand in hand, as well. Posting your article on social media sites and bookmarking sites are both excellent ways to increase SEO and online exposure.
Social media websites are an important online vehicle for increasing SEO. There are many social media websites where you can post your article and link it to your company profile. Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, MySpace, and discussion forums are just a few places worth checking out. Facebook for example, allows you to create a company page with your mission statement, basic information, photos, events, video, a place to put your logo, and an area where your blog is fed directly onto the page every time you add a new post. You can also post articles on discussion boards, in the link section, and in recent news sections.
