Guest Posting Vs. Article Marketing

When it comes to supporting your on-page and link-building efforts, there’s nothing more appropriate or better than a soundly developed content marketing strategy.  Some may argue that content marketing is link building since you’re going for links but in my opinion content marketing is about more than just getting some links.

It’s about thought leadership, and leading the crowd to a specific point.  Why just build links when you can build an army?

So the question here, in terms of content marketing, is which is better: article marketing or guest posting?

If you’re running a blog, especially a popular one that gets a fair amount of traffic, you know the kind of buzz that can be generated from a winning topic.  You also know the kind of buzz that can be generated from someone who speaks as if their mouth were actually a gaping a…  you get the point.  Whether the traffic comes from controversy or intelligent thought (or both combined) there’s a lot of benefits to be had in guest posting.

I have to immediately knock article marketing out of the running between these two.  In a title bout, it’s a 3 second knockout with Guest posts winning hands down.  Here’s why:

The response is immediate

Not only do your readers appreciate a breath of fresh air (or a breath of fresh ass, depending on the type of guest you invite in) they crave it.  If readers know they can expect something new on a regular basis from you, especially in the form of a guest post, they’re more likely to share the content and invite other people to read.  Likewise, if the guest-poster maker type individual has their own little following then they’re more than likely to land on your blog as well in order to read the newest piece from their “effervescent” deity.

That’s meant to say..they’re “bubbly”.  Get it?

The readership is bigger

I know I touched on that already, but the benefit of that bigger reader-base is that some of them are bound to stick around or pop in for another visit.  Perhaps just subscribe to the RSS to get more – if you’re lucky you might even get a few Opt-ins on your site if your CTA’s are bold enough.

Your Site Stays Fresh

When you drone on through endless posts (lets face it we all do it) you’re bound to get locked into a certain style of posting; the tone, the format, the topic.  In the end, unless you have some measure of writing genius or you’re  comedic god the likes of which would make Mel Brooks bow down, you need something fresh.  As mentioned previously, guest posting is one of the best ways to stave off the boredom that you will inevitably generate among your fans.

Except that guy who follows you religiously and wants to wear your skin like a rainbow jacket.  He probably won’t ever get tired of you.

You will build links

With the mass of traffic from guest bloggers, the link sharing that will take place among those you guest post with and the sharing going on among everyone you can rest assured that you’re going to gain some quality links on sites that carry a similar message.

Reciprocal linking doesn’t carry as much weight, but it’s still a good strong editorial link.  It may not command a lot of “link juice” but it can bring you a fair amount of consistent, relevant traffic.

Article marketing has some beef behind it, don’t get me wrong.  There’s plenty there that it should be utilized as part of your content marketing strategy.  If you can do both, you should.  There’s no reason not, too.  If you’re forced to choose between the two, then consider the benefits that go along with bringing the party to your blog.

To Your Success,
Joerg Weishaupt

P.s. Get more information on social media and marketing in my free primer "Building A Successful Marketing Strategy". Sign up for your free copy today.

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2. Building Links through Guest Blogging
3. Article Marketing – Powerful Content That Delivers
4. Video Marketing – Share To Go Viral
5. Clean Up Your Marketing Campaign – Start With The Blog