Best Article Submission Sites for Publicity

Barry A. Densa · 06:44 PM

Hi guys,

Nope, I don't have any to suggest... I'm hoping you have a few to recommend.

I just placed a couple of articles on my new blog - yeah, I'm late to the whole blogging thing, and I still don't have an ezine or 20-plus affiliate marketing mini-sites up, either.

But all in good time.

Nontheless I've placed a couple of blog/articles on my blog and I want to submit them to those sites you think would serve me well in getting my name out there - garnering me some worthwhile attention.

In fact, visit my blog at:

www.Writing With Personality.com/blog

and let me know what you think. One is titled "Web 2.0 - Bowing to a False Messiah" and the other is "Headlines that Suck".

Thanks,
--Barry

Dale King · **Re: Best Article Submission Sites for Publicity -** 02-05-2007, 06:56 PM

Barry:

Now you're speaking my language. I get a tremendous amount of traffic from the following article directories:

Goarticles.com

Ezine Article Submission - Submit Your Best Articles For Massive Exposure, Ezine Publishers Get 25 Free Article Reprints

IdeaMarketers - Promote your articles, find articles, article promotion

Do It Yourself and Current Events Commentary - Interactive articles at SearchWarp!

Also, posting on any of the top Internet Marketing forums will bring you a tremendous amount of traffic and exposure as well.

Dale King

jleister · **Re: Best Article Submission Sites for Publicity -** 02-05-2007, 07:49 PM

I got a mug last year from Ezinearticles.com
They run a tight ship over there.

Perks are important you know...

thegreatwarrior · 09:27 PM

Barry, I Agree With You. In Most Cases, Long, Long Headlines Are...

...Headlines That Suck!

For Us Copywriters,
Discipline And Creativity Go Hand-In-Hand

This is a post in response to Headlines That Suck, a January 15th 2007 blog entry by Barry A. Densa.

Yes, I have seen a number of Internet Marketing-related sales pages that have headlines that can almost stand alone as a full paragraph. Is it even possible to read these headlines aloud without stoping to take a deep breath? Obviously, whoever wrote these headlines didn't read their copy aloud, or their excitment blinded them to the fact that the people who'll be reading it aren't excited.

I'm not sure if the same trend is creeping into other industries, but I would not be surprised if it is.

Again, as you said in your blog entry, headlines that are really paragraphs have so many words that their essential message becomes diluted--drowned in a sea of words before the would-be curious reader even reads past the headline.

But I was wondering, Barry, what's your opinion on pre-heads and post-heads?

You can see that I've used those 2 devices here.

In your post, you said that the only singular purpose of a headline is to get the reader to read what's right underneath it.

True, but I would also add that there are a number of mechanics, or sub-purposes, that make up that singular purpose:

1. Get attention

2. Select the target audience while excluding all others (who wouldn't be good for the offer anyway)

3. "Show a little leg," as you said in your post.

This Is Where The Challenge Is, And This Is The Difference Between A...

Screaming, Me-Too "Copywriter" And A Creative, Principled Copywriter

I think the biggest difference between these 2 types of copywriter (only one of which is the true, hypeless type) can be seen in their headlines. The me-too type copy screams by using a lot of words, whereas the creative one can communicate exactly the same message (or at least create intrigue, which causes further readership) in much fewer words.

Of course, the reason why there's been a surge of me-too, can't-stop-to-take-a-breath headlines is that there's a lot of copycats out there who lack principled creativity. They see what eveyone else is doing (putting out diluted copy or mindlessly using overused headline templates) and uncreatively follow the pack.

Some of these guys are disciplined. They're disciplined in the sense that they stricly adhere to the copywriting rules and templates that they were taught. But discipline, in my opinion, should not be adhered to point that creativity suffers.

After all, the copywriting pioneers of ages past had to be creative enough to create the copywriting templates we abide by today. How do we know that they didn't create all of them?

How do we know that there aren't undiscovered headline templates that would appeal well to certain niche markets?

These are the questions a principled/disciplined, yet creative copywriter asks herself.

This type of copywriter is principled/disciplined in the sense that they understand the principles of human psychology, and abide by those unchanging principles.

Hence the discipline.

On the other side of the coin, this type of copywriter is also creative in the sense that, while abiding by the unchanging principles of human nature, the creative copywriter channels and molds those principles in ways that haven't been done before.

Hence the creativity.

I hope this stimulates meaningful thought.

Do you agree with me?

Is there something I overlooked?

Barry A. Densa · **Re: Best Article Submission Sites for Publicity -** 02-06-2007, 12:19 PM

Dale, thanks. I've registered with those sites and submitted... now I guess, it's hurry up and wait.

Jason... a mug? Sheesh!

GreatWarrior, I think “let’s throw in everything but the kitchen sink” style headlines were discussed at length in this forum a while ago, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to revisit. Especially when admonitions to stop go unheeded

Regarding pre-heads, or eyebrows as Clayton Makepeace calls them...

They have their place, when used strategically and to specific advantage, as opposed to... just using them. Makepeace typically uses them to attract attention to the credibility of the presumptive author of the sales letter.

Nonetheless, the reader's eye always falls on the headline first – simply because of the larger font. So there had better be a good reason to drag the reader up, instead of down, into the deck and body copy.

As for sub-heads, or deck copy... I think they're crucial. They're the irresistible and delectable appetizers for the rest of the ad or sales letter.

I use them to tell the reader what else they will find in the letter, or to further expand on the headline, if it's not overtly product or benefit-driven, i.e., when the headline is more emotion-oriented... and of very few words.

The purpose of the headline... For my money, well, actually for my client's money, a headline has only one purpose - to get you to read what's directly beneath it - nothing ever more.

And I don't believe I'd ever use a headline to purposely exclude anyone.

But, as a tactic to increase interest, by appearing to suggest that the sales letter shouldn't be read by, for example, anyone “who's not interested in triple-digit gains in less than seven... days, yada, yada” – then, you're really not trying to exclude - you're trying to attract, using reverse psychology.

As for using "fill-in the blank" sales letters or headlines, and other assorted "template" driven copywriting "tricks"... I believe they're mainly used by marketers who want a quick turnaround or fix - and who aren’t themselves copywriters by training or inclination - and can't afford to hire one, or refuse to see the need to do so.

On the other hand, there's nothing fundamentally wrong with adapting universal tactics or copywriting concepts that are proven and effective.

But, just because something has "worked" with one market demographic, doesn't mean that it will work with every other market, too.

Copy always needs to speak honestly and directly to the targeted market's sensibilities, needs, or pain. One size does not fit all, usually.

The overused headline that begins, "Who else wants...", may work in many markets, but when the airwaves are oversaturated with it's usage... as it currently is – it then begins to advertise itself as an "ad", just as overwrought headlines scream, “Lookout, here comes another one of those over-hyped ads.”

To sum up... creativity and discipline – yes! So long as you recognize, before all else, who your target market is... and understand how best to persuade them to buy, inquire or subscribe.

Thanks,
--Barry