When I started submitting Ezine articles, I never realized
their true power. I was just happy to see the articles
being published.
 
I expected to get some traffic and hopefully some sales. I
would have laughed if you told me those early words would
still be floating around the web over five years later.
 
Well, smack me on the wrist and call me shorty, they are.
You would think that's a good thing and it is except...
That's the operative word, "except." The little critters
are still multiplying around the web like rabbits in heat,
but there is a little problem. Actually, the problem isn't
so little.
 
This darn problem haunts me. At least a couple of times a
week it drives me insane. Whenever I run across it I feel
like the dullest axe in the shed.
 
If I were double jointed, I'd kick myself in the "hello
there."
 
So what is this dumb mistake that:
 
-> Has me pulling my hair out by the roots
 
-> Has me kicking myself over and over
 
-> Haunts me like that house in Amityville
 
Outdated resource boxes with links leading to that dreaded
404 error.
 
I'm afraid to guess how much money and traffic I'm losing.
It's a nightmare. Those babies are doing their part, but
crazy John has made the ultimate dumb mistake.
 
How did this happen? How could I end up looking like the
"village idiot?"
 
The only answer I can give is, "I didn't realize."
 
I never realized how viral articles were. I had no idea
that little articles could circle the globe for years.
 
I didn't see the big picture. I wrote those resource boxes
with no regard for the future.
 
How can you avoid making the same mistake?
 
1. If you're going to promote an affiliate program, don't
link directly.
 
Sometimes programs just disappear. Other times, you may
find the program hasn't lived up to your expectations.
 
Set up a redirect page on your website. If the program
disappears, or you no longer wish to promote it, you can
reset the page to lead wherever you choose.
 
2. Don't lead directly to your opt in list.
 
You never know when a list may change their pricing or
services. For one reason or another you may change
listservs.
 
A better option is to set up a page on your site to capture
addresses. If you leave your present service, you can edit
the page to lead to your new list.
 
If I had set up my links according to option number one for
affiliate programs, or two for list building, I'd have kept
the leads flowing and the orders coming for years.
 
Creating killer articles can drive traffic and pull in
profits for years. So avoid the mistakes of this "dumb
monkey" and reap the full rewards of your efforts.
 
Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi