One of the least appreciated benefits of articles is also one of the most obvious: articles send people, not just search engine spiders, to your site. So incoming links are not the only benefits you get from article marketing. These human elements are also at work when you submit articles to directories…

1 – Qualified traffic. Individuals who read and enjoy your articles will often send traffic your way, via reviews or creating links you didn’t need to ask for. Those are targeted visitors pre-disposed to consider your products and services.

2 – Reputation. Well researched, well written articles show off your expertise and inspire confidence in your visitors. That draws the kind of traffic that’s interested in what you have to say – and sell.

3 – Word of mouth. Automation helps, but the best source of the best kind of traffic is a recommendation from someone who likes your stuff. Articles help get the word out about what you offer, and a well done piece pre-disposes them to like it. Which leads us to another important human factor…

4 – Viral Marketing. You can recycle your articles into viral reports or ebooks for subscribers to your opt-in list. It’s easy to encourage others to pass along your report if it’s filled with quality content. In addition, many webmasters will be more likely to link to a download page that offers a quality free report on a relevant topic.

Of course, well-researched, well-written articles take time. You have to weigh the value of that effort against dozens of other pressing demands. To help mitigate that dilemma, if you have the funds, you can outsource some or all of the article writing chores.

But be careful. Writing well takes expertise and skill. It’s still your name and site that goes on the final article. Put your best foot forward. If you don’t, your articles may get you some links, but they won’t attract real visitors or help you convert them into buyers. In fact, poorly written articles can HURT conversions. After all, would YOU buy from someone whose articles don’t inspire confidence?