Digital Marketing

Article Marketing Tips: Boosting Your Cause and SEO 

Article marketing is a powerful tool for your social enterprise, non-profit, or cause. By following a few key principles, you can create a content strategy that not only informs your audience but also significantly improves your search engine optimization (SEO) and drives real engagement.

Here are some essential article marketing tips to help you get started:

1. Write Relevant, Authoritative Content

The foundation of a strong content marketing strategy is expertise. Before you write, make sure you are an authority on your topic. Do thorough research, know your subject inside and out, and present information that is genuinely useful to your audience. This not only builds trust with readers but also signals to search engines that your site is a valuable resource.

Crucially, every article should end with a link back to your website. This serves two vital purposes:

• User Engagement: It gives readers a clear path to learn more about your cause.

• SEO Backlinks: It creates a valuable backlink that tells search engines your site is important, boosting your search rankings.

2. Target the Right Audience

Don't just post your article anywhere. Before you upload, check if the website you are submitting to has a similar focus to your own. Placing your content on relevant platforms ensures you are reaching an audience that is already interested in your topic, which leads to higher-quality traffic and a better chance of engagement.

3. Be Timely and Newsworthy

To keep your content fresh and engaging, make it both timely and newsworthy. Stay up-to-date with current events related to your cause and use these as inspiration for your articles. Setting up alerts for specific topics can help you stay on top of the latest trends and develop content that resonates with the moment.

4. Create a Content Series

Don't stop at one article. Develop a series of posts on a single subject. This not only keeps your audience engaged but also establishes you as a thought leader. Each new article, or "sequel," can offer a fresh perspective, new information, or a continuation of a previous discussion, reinforcing your authority on the topic.

5. Enable Content Sharing and Going Viral

One of the best ways to get your message out is by allowing your articles to go viral. This means giving others permission to publish your article, as long as it remains unchanged and you are given proper credit. On your own site, make sure you have social share buttons enabled so readers can easily share your content with their networks.

6. Keep Articles Concise and Focused

While long-form content has its place, short and simple articles are often best for driving a specific action. Focus on a single point or a few key takeaways. This makes it easier for readers to quickly grasp your message and take the desired action, whether that's visiting your site, making a donation, or signing up for a campaign.

7. Start with Just Two Articles 

You don’t need a massive content library to start. Two well-written, keyword-optimized articles can get the ball rolling. Titles that promise a solution or offer clear tips (e.g., "How to Do Something" or "5 Tips for Something") are often the most effective at catching a reader’s interest and increasing click-through rates.

8. Cross-Reference and Repurpose Content

Once you have a few articles under your belt, you can cross-reference them in your resource box to promote your other causes or campaigns. For a deeper dive, compile multiple articles on the same topic into an e-book, which you can offer for free or a small fee to build an audience and generate support.

9. Leverage RSS Feeds

Don't forget to use RSS feeds. They not only help you stay updated with content from other sources but also provide a stream of fresh ideas for your articles based on current trends.

10. Write It Yourself or Hire a Pro

You have two main options for creating content:

• Do It Yourself: Write the articles yourself to ensure the message is authentic and from the heart.

• Hire a Writer: If you have a budget and don't feel confident in your writing skills, hire a professional writer. They can create high-quality, engaging content that elevates your brand.

Fresh content, whether written or in other formats, is the lifeblood of a successful digital presence. It increases traffic, improves search engine rankings, and establishes you as an authority, proving that article marketing is a crucial investment for any cause.