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How To Find Excellent Content For Blogs, Websites, Ezines and Newsletters

The life of an internet marketer revolves around one thing: Content. You need articles for your blog, more great content for your newsletter or ezine, and even more quality articles if you plan to do article marketing or guest blogging to get free advertising for your website. So, before you throw in the towel completely, let me share a few ideas with you that may help you to actually have time away from your computer.

When looking for articles, you have several options. I personally recommend that you use several of these suggestions to add a variety of content to your websites.

I’ll start with a few of my favorites…

Grab some Free Reprint Articles at the Directories.

Article directories like EzineArticles.com, LadyPens.com and ArticleBase.com are packed with quality articles that you can reprint on your site. The only requirements are that you do not edit the article in any way and that you include the author’s resource box (or bio) at the end including the link or two that the author has included to his/her website.

It’s a win-win situation. The author gets free advertising. You, the publisher, get free content.

There are three negatives to using this type of article.

  • First is the issue of duplicate content. You’re sharing the same exact articles as everyone else that uses that directory. This is not a big deal at all if you’re using the article in your ezine, obviously, since duplicate content is only an issue with the search engines. It’s also not a huge issue for your blog or website, as long as you write an introduction to the article, and preferably a wrap-up statement or recommendation at the end.
  • Second is the very difficult issue of finding quality content. Gone are the days of grabbing any old free reprint article. You want Expert Content only – and many of the article directories have “bleck” articles.
  • Third is the issue of posting those darn links in the author resource box. You’re basically advertising for someone else for free. Ouch.

Good news! I can help you with the free advertising part in the next section of this article.

Use Extra-Special Free Reprint Articles.

Oftentimes ebook owners and other marketers with affiliate programs offer articles with a twist. You get to replace the link(s) in the author resource box with YOUR affiliate link for that program.

Here you’ll find many articles that meet that criteria:  http://freeaffiliatearticles.com/wp/

OR, if your favorite Experts regularly offer reprint articles, ask if this is an option for you.

That way, the expert still gets free advertising. And, you, the publisher, still get great content. But, you can also benefit by earning affiliate commissions as well.

This model definitely adds an increased level of appeal compared to traditional reprint articles. Wouldn’t you agree?

Write the Articles Yourself.

You can choose to write some of your web content yourself. I highly recommend that you do write much of your own content, at least on the sites where you’re trying to establish yourself as an authority.

However, there are options below that will enable you to post quality content to your website without having to write all of it yourself. (Some you can just edit and use.)  The difference in the options below is that YOU become the expert, rather than endorsing someone else as the expert.

Hire a Quality Ghostwriter or Copywriter.

A ghostwriter is a freelancer who writes for you (usually articles or reports), but you take the credit.

A copywriter specializes in writing copy that sells, and you usually take the credit.

There are many sites on the web where you can find writers. Start by asking around, or go to sites like elance.com (a job posting site) or Shelancers.com (a directory of freelancers) to look around. Having a ghostwriter on hand can keep your blog fresh and active.

Our Favorite Shortcut: Stock up on PLR articles.

PLR articles stands for Private Label Rights articles. PLR articles are usually written by a ghostwriter and sold to several website owners. This means that you (and a limited number of other bloggers) can edit the articles and publish them without being required to link back to anyone or give anyone credit for writing them. You become the expert when using PLR articles.

Customize the articles, tweak them for your market, insert examples or photos or case studies and publish them on your website — or just use them as they are. Either way, you gain a lot of flexibility when working with PLR. Not only that but they are very affordable.

So, How do you Find a Good PLR Service?

Simple. Find a PLR site that’s been around for awhile and offers professionally-written and edited content that’s sold in limited quantities. That will ensure that you’re not getting recycled PLR, but are getting your hands on top-quality content.

Our Recommendation for Top Quality PLR, Sold in Very Limited Quantities:

EasyPLR.com has been offering the best niche plr article packs on the web since 2006.

-        Great reputation. Thousands of happy, repeat customers over the years.

-        Great quality. The content is written by Professional Writers on staff and Edited by a Separate staff member.

-        Limited Availability. You’re not sharing your articles with thousands of other people.

-        Run by a Respected Internet Marketer. Nicole Dean owns EasyPLR.com and is oftentimes called the marketer with integrity, and runs her business by her gut and her ethics, not strictly by her pocketbook.

-        Excellent customer support. Need any help? They’re there for you.

I’m a customer at EasyPLR.com and I highly recommend their content. Check it out here.

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Bloggers React To New FTC Compensation Disclosure Rules

There’s been quite a bit written about the new Federal Trade Commission disclosure rules in the past week or so. It’s been very enlightening to read the many different views about the changes to the disclosure rules and how they will affect blogging, especially affiliate blogging but can also be very confusing to many of us.

The best thing to do is to read the official FTC document – FTC Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
and then get a copy on Mike Young’s report that provides general practical knowledge about what to do to stay out of trouble with the FTC. You can get a copy here: How to Comply with the New FTC Compensation Disclosure Guidelines

Even though Mike Young is a lawyer he makes it clear that it’s only a guideline and you should seek legal advice on the matter to make sure you’re adhering to the new regulations.

The FTC’s revised disclosure rules take effect December 1st so you have plenty of time to do some research and get your disclosure policy ready for your blogs and websites.

Personally I think that this is a good thing. The main purpose of the new ruling is to protect online consumers and if you’re running a legitimate business then you really have nothing to worry about.

I’ve added a Disclosure Page as I do have affiliate links throughout this blog and occasionally write reviews about products and services that I use or feel  would benefit my readers.

I used the free service at http://disclosurepolicy.org/ (not an affiliate Link) to create my basic disclosure page that should be sufficient to make the FTC happy. I’ll be doing more research and will change or update my disclosure page if necessary.

I’m not a lawyer and can’t advise you on what the best solution is for your business but do hope that you look into complying with the new rules.

I’m including links to some interesting blog posts that I’ve read on the subject that will help you in understanding the FTC’s revised disclosure rules a little better.

FTC Responds to Blogger Fears: “That $11,000 Fine Is Not True”

“That $11,000 fine is not true. Worst-case scenario, someone receives a warning, refuses to comply, followed by a serious product defect; we would institute a proceeding with a cease-and-desist order and mandate compliance with the law.

FTC New Compensation Disclosure Requirements: Free Internet …

Will it be the end of blogging and affiliate marketing as we know it? What about testimonials, endorsements, earnings claims, and compensation? What has changed? How will these changes affect online marketing? …

FTC Attacks Affiliate Bloggers

In fact Affiliate Marketing is a big part of the monetization model on my blog and in last 3 month or so, ever since I heard that FTC will go after internet endorsements I have added extra disclaimers to each post that included …

How to Word Disclosures & Agreements to Meet FTC Rules « Affiliate …

So a dedicated Disclosure Policy page visible from every page of the website should suffice. Affiliate program managers and advertisers/merchants, on the other hand, may use the following text I have put together, making it a sub-clause …

5 Smart Legal Steps for Your Blog | The Blog Herald

A disclosure policy is not only good practice, but it may also help avoid legal issues from the new FTC rulings. Since they are so new, it is unclear exactly how they will be enforced and it is vital to do everything one can to avoid …

Things are a changing

The Federal Trade Commission has listed new regulations and this will be changing the way affiliates and product owners alike do business. Now before we start I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV. Nothing here is to be considered …

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