How to Create a Compelling Resource Box

No other marketing strategy can come close to article marketing! Unlike other marketing strategies which can cost you thousands of dollars or only give you short-term results. 

Good quality keyword reach articles will work for you around the clock bringing in customers and revenue for years to come with little or no cost at all.

In order for your articles to have their desired effect you need to put them in front of as many of your prospects as you can. 

You can submit them to article directories and ezines, with a link back to your website. You never know where your article will show up. 

 It may show up in the top results on google, yahoo or msn. It may be picked up by a web site with heavy traffic or ezines publisher.

When searchers and/or readers read the article they have came a cross, they may want to go to your website or blog to read more or to buy your product. So how to lead them to their destination which is your business?

Even if you write a great article with a strong introduction, a lot of useful tips, keeps the readers wanting to read more you can’t get traffic to your website if you don’t end by creating an effective resource box. 

Of course the article would be in relation to the web site. i.e. If you have wrote an article about cars maintenance, the resource box should contain a link that leads to a site that sells cars related products.

The article's resource box is your only chance to convert the article reader into a lead for your business. This is why it is extremely important to make your resource box as effective as possible.

What Is a Resource Box?

A resource box is what you usually find at the end of an article, the 3 to 6 sentences that include your bio and a link back to your business web site. It will contain the name of the author, a brief description of the author, a brief description of the sponsoring site and a link. 

If a reader likes what they read, they would have the tendency to find out where the article came from to read more.

A resource box is a some sort of a free advertising. When somebody got interested of your article and want additional information, they will click that link directed to your site. It gives chances to visit your site.

How to Create a Compelling Resource Box

Even if the article will give the reader the interest to visit your site, it is also important that you supply your resource box with the same interest that you have given in your article. 

Remember that, there is a limitation in advertising your site in the resource box (as aforementioned, 3 to 6 sentences only). Make it as interesting as possible, to serve as a link between you and your potential clients.

Your resource box can make use of all the creativity it can get. You only get a small space for your resource box so you better make the most of it. 

Try to catch the attention of your reader with a content that can make them think twice before they click away. 

Unlike TV ads, you don't have visual support to drive your point in. But you do have the power of imagination of a reader. With the right content, you can make them think and intrigued.

I have seen many quality articles where the authors are missing out on many visitors simply because their resource boxes are not created effectively. Here are some pointers that will help you craft an effective one...

• Write in the third person - This is the correct way to write your resource box. When you begin, always bear in mind to write in third person. This makes it more presentable. It also allows your readers to distance themselves and not be frightened.

• Write a compelling opening sentence - This is where you sell yourself to your readers. Your opening sentence is your introduction, the first thing the reader notices. This sentence can entice your readers to click to visit your website or to click away.

• Offer to solve a problem - This should be easy since anyone reading your article is probably interested in solving a certain type of problem. In your resource box, you just make clear the solution and guarantee that they will find the solution when they visit your website.

• Use keywords in your resource box - It will give the reader an idea that what you have discussed in your article can also be found in your site. For instance, if your article is about cars maintenance and repair, you can include in your resource box that your website also contains articles on cars repair, cars modification, etc….

tip

Use keywords that should be related to your site. Do not deceive your potential site's visitors. Make your readers click your resource box by providing a content that makes a positive impression. You only get one chance to wow them and hundreds of chances to drive them away.

• Create an enthusiastic tone in your resource box - Use the words like “check my site and see the difference” or “gain that profit that you want to get through my program”.

• Provide an incentive - Offer them something free, for instance you can also state that a surprise on your website is waiting for them. This will help you to persuade these potential buyers to visit your site and check out your stuffs and freebies, if any.

• Call to action - Tell your reader how to get your free resource, bonus or free gift. Use phrases such as subscribe to the newsletter, register for e-course, get a free gift, etc... to get readers to do what you want them to do.

Also, remember to include…

• Your name and your company, business, website, etc.. name, to sell yourself, your business or what else you want.

• The URL of your website or your blog If you have a blog where to lead your reader to see your offer or to read more.

• You newsletters subscription email address. Maybe the reader will not buy your product or click the link going to your site, but it is still imperative that you left an alternate contact address. Maybe you can capture his e-mail address and have a deal with him later on.

What Not to Do!

• Do not use more than one link in your resource box - Having a one link is more effective. The space of your author bio is very limited to entice the reader to click through on more than one link. By providing more than one link you can confuse the reader so they will often not click at all and go somewhere else.

• Don’t sell on the resource box - Many people suppose that the resource box is their opportunity to sell. Don’t fall in this mistake. This is NOT the most effective way. Instead get the interested visitor to take further action.

Tips:

- To get idea on how to write an effective resource box and what words you can use to allure your readers to take action simply read some resource boxes of other authors and notice how they write their author bio and try to follow their style.

- Visit the current ads related to your market on Google Adwords, Yahoo Search Marketing and MSN Adcenter! See what ads make you want to click and note down good ideas and words you can use.

Below are my own resource boxes as an example to help you get the idea on how to write a resource box that works.

Gley Yahya is the owner of Work At Home Start Up Guide blog. If you want to learn more about creating a home business and growing your opt-in email list using simple and proven methods, follow him and let Gley show you exactly how you can build a money making home business and how you can create a responsive email list from scratch.

Never underestimate the power of the author bio. It may be small in size but it will provide a significant help in driving traffic to your website. A boring resource box will never get a job done. 

Be fun and creative but at the same time show that you have a great deal to offer, too much to ask for something that couldn't fit a paragraph? Yes and no, there are many tips and guides that can help you in doing this, the first step is realizing how important a resource box could be in making people click your link and be directed to your website.

Make you resource box work for you. even if it’s small, but as they say, it’s wonderful. It can grant you that big opportunity you are looking for.