Article directories are springing up all over the Internet. Many of them offer great articles by talented authors. Most offer useful content and an opportunity for many authors to contribute. But how can you use article directories to get ahead? Here are twenty ways article directories can help you to succeed.



• With hundreds of thousands of unique visitors each month, the top directories allow you to share your insights, knowledge, wisdom and experience by publishing your articles on their sites.

• Use article directories to gain expert status and recognition in your field. You may find that few others in your field are availing themselves of this opportunity.

• Get noticed by taking advantage of the high visibility and search engine optimization that some directories receive.

• Publish articles and use your resource box to bring traffic to your website or to help sell your products or services.

• Write and draw awareness to important causes, to political positions or to opinions.

• Hone your writing skills by submitting original articles. Showcase your skills and talents before thousands of visitors.

• Include a link to the articles you have published in the signature line of your outgoing email.

• Articles from many directories get fed to hundreds of online publishers and ezine publishers. It is possible that your articles will reach millions of people. Also, your articles will remain online for years to come.

• Reprint your published articles on your company's website, in your own ezine, in your company's newsletter, or in a booklet for customers.

• Many article directories permit you to republish articles written by others in your ezine or newsletter.

• Develop an online presence or launch an online business by following the advice of hundreds of successful authors/online business owners who publish in article directories.

• Use the articles you publish to develop e-books, information products, mini-courses or online content.

• Gain insights from the thousands of published articles in directories to help make decisions.

• If you publish articles, contact other contributing authors and exchange endorsements, links, affiliate arrangements or ideas.

• Use the hundreds of thousands of articles published in the various directories as a learning resource, a source of research or other reference. Many authors who contribute articles are truly expert in their fields and offer additional in-depth material off site.

• Use articles published in directories to identify helpful products, books, services or people.

• Participate in the forums that some directory sites have and get answers to questions concerning topics of interest.

• Learn how others are succeeding at the things that you are trying or would like to try. Also, learn how others have overcome challenges that you are facing.

• Use the large variety of published articles to stimulate thinking for your own articles or for projects you are working on. I have reviewed dozens of articles covering several topics, conducted additional research, and then created new articles slanted with my own customers in mind.

• Read lots of articles and spark new ideas for your business or for your personal life.

If none of these great reasons convince you, here is an idea worth considering: Publish hundreds of great articles at a few sites. Then wait to see the great opportunities you create—if not for yourself, then for all of your readers.