It's free. Other than a few minutes of your time, submitting articles to article directories costs you nothing. Get free traffic to your website. Why pay for advertising when you can get all your visitors for free?

Article marketing works better than most types of internet advertising. People are looking for information, advice, and answers their questions. If you provide the information they're looking for in your articles, people will want to know more about you and your products or services. At the bottom of your article in the 'Author's Resource' box you can tell readers how to contact you. You can also include up to three active links back to your website. If you don't have a website you can include a phone number or email address.

Article marketing works like a wild fire out of control. Once you start writing high quality articles, they'll be reprinted over and over again all over the internet. Even years from now someone could see your article that you wrote today and put it on their website. Imagine having your name, links to your website, and contact information plastered all over the internet on hundreds if not thousands of websites. Although this is not guaranteed, it is very possible when people like what you have to say.

Attract targeted traffic and buyers who are interested in what you sell. Are you getting visitors but no buyers for your products or services? This could be because your visitors are tire kickers, not qualified, and perhaps not even interested in what you have to sell. Visitors generated by article marketing are highly targeted and they're very interested in your niche product or service.

When you share valuable information, people are more likely to buy your products and services. Why? Because people like to buy from businesses who care about them and are knowledgeable. Most businesses are pushing unwanted advertising on internet users plus annoying pop ups and other gimmicks to get traffic. This turns people off.

Separate yourself from your competition by becoming an global expert in your field. People from every country in the world visit article directories. By writing several articles over a period of time, you will soon become internationally recognized.

Find prospects and buyers that you can't reach any other way. Most people hate advertising and avoid it like the plague. This is why you won't reach some people with pay per click or sponsored advertising. 90% of internet users are looking for answers to their questions. That's why they use Google, Yahoo, MSN and other search engines. They are looking for very specific answers. When you write quality articles to answer these questions, people will visit your website to learn more. When they get there you can show them how your products and services will benefit them.

Credibility. Your prospects want to know they're dealing with a reputable, honest, and knowledgeable business. Tell them you're recognized as an expert worldwide and refer them to your articles on various article directories. You can even make copies of your articles that have been published and put them in a portfolio or sales binder. You can display this information prominently in your office waiting room, or frame them and put them on your wall, or take copies of your articles with you on sales calls, etc. ...

Write articles once and get traffic to your website year after year. If you don't have the time, hire someone to write your articles and put your name on them. Article marketing will help you expand your business exponentially. Trying to stop it is like trying to stop a freight train.

Expand your business even if you don't have a website! Your articles can be your way of reaching internet users without the expense and problems associated with maintaining a website. All you do is write several high quality articles jam packed with helpful information. Think about questions your customers typically ask. Answer those questions in an unbiased, honest way without making any reference to your business. Then at the bottom of your article in the Author's Resource box you can write a brief paragraph about yourself and your business. Include your email address and any other contact information.