Resource Box Swipe File
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About Resource Boxes
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Most people do their resource boxes completely wrong or forget to do them at all. As the former editor of Fresh-Articles.com, you'd be surprised to see how many article submissions I used to get that didn't have any kind of resource box at all.
In case you're not familiar with exactly what we're talking about here, your resource box goes right at the end of your article and provides some information about either you or your business.
This is your make or break...
You've written a great article with an attention grabbing headline, now it's time to close the deal with an offer of information, something free, or some other enticement.
What kinds of things can you offer?
- A subscription to your ezine.
- A free report.
- More information.
- A free ebook or a couple of free chapters of an ebook you have for sale.
- A free trial.
You get the idea.
Okay don't panic... That's why we're creating a resource box swipe file. Here are all the *must have* resource box items:
1. Your Name. Okay, this may seem to be a little obvious, but a lot of people forget to put in either their name or the name of their business. Part of building your credibility by promoting articles is for your voice and identity to show through.
2. A Website Address. You've got to give your visitors someplace to click in order to read more about you, your business, or to grab whatever incentive you decide to offer.
3. Your 30 Second Commercial. Some people also call this an elevator speach because it's a short sentence or two that explains what you "do." You can also look at this as telling people what makes you different or unique... this is called a Unique Selling Position.
Here's an example of one of my favorite elevator speeches: "I'm Rachel Ray and I make 30 minute meals. That means that in the time it takes to watch this program I'll have made a delicious, nutritious meal."
It's simple, creates a unique selling position, and it subtly says to the T.V. watcher "What's in it for me." This is a great one for your resource box swipe file!
4. A Call to Action/Free Offer. You've got to ask them to click on your link if that's what you want them to do. It may sound silly, but if you don't actually ask them to click, a large percent of your targeted readers won't do it... it's a psychological thing. So your call to action is where you ask them to "click here" for your free offer.
Optional Items:
Your Ezine Subscription Address: This is an excellent strategy for capturing your readers and giving you the ability to contact them through your ezine... what better way to start building their trust? If you decide to use this tactic, I suggest including an URL to your subscription page instead of an email address. An email address will be harvested by spammers.
Your Contact Information: I don’t usually include a lot of contact information in my article resource boxes, but many other 'experts' include their address and phone so that they can be reached for interviews or press/media kits. A URL to your website can work just as well in my opinion.
Your email autoresponder: I'm not a big fan of including autoresponders in resource boxes, but I’ve seen others use it. In my experience, you’ll get very few hits to an autoresponder for an article unless it’s part of your free offer. In other words, someone could send an email to your autoresponder to receive a free report or ebook.
Keyword Anchor: This is a search engine strategy where you actually use your keyword as the anchor text to link to your free offer or to visit your website.
For example if your keyword phrase was "article writing software," you would use something like:
"Click on the link for more article writing software information."
That was pretty lame, but you get the idea. You can only use this strategy if the directory or website you're submitting your article to allows HTML in the resource box. Many don't.
What NOT to include in your RESOURCE BOX:
A listing of every website you own. You’ll absolutely crush your credibility by including a bunch of URL’s that have nothing to do with the article. Stick with just one or two at the most.
A list of every feat you’ve ever accomplished. No one cares - remember the “what’s in it for me” thing? Your resource box should reflect benefits to your reader as well.
A bunch of personal stuff. You know the one’s I’m referring to where the author will talk about how they aspired to be a world class veterinarian since the age of two when they realized they could actually communicate with cats and their passion is creating crocheted doggy sweaters while volunteering at the animal shelter and writing cat poetry. Targeted readers don't care.
Advertisements or pitches. Many 'experts' include advertisements or pitches for particular products within their resource box. You can pull that off if your article directly relates to the product... but I tend to avoid any kind of product advertising. The idea of writing articles for promotion is to earn credibility and begin a relationship with your targeted readers, not to sell them one product one time. Including pitches for anything other than your Free Offer is short-sighted in my opinion.
A Few Other Thoughts For Your Resource Box Swipe File...
Keep your resource box small. Three to six lines is plenty of space to say what you need to say. If you make it too long, people won’t read it and it will diminish your credibility.
Develop Multiple Boxes. There's nothing saying that you can develop different resource boxes for different purposes and articles. Another good thing to note for your resource box swipe file.
For example, I have a different resource box for each website and each ezine that I promote. I also continually test which resource boxes pull in more clicks and which ones give me the most instances of my most wanted response. (more resource box swipe file fodder here.)
A most wanted response or MWR is whatever you want people to do when they click on the link. If you want them to subscribe to your ezine, then that is your MWR. An MWR can be anything from contacting you for more information to purchasing your product... it’s up to you.
Examples for Your Resource Box Swipe File
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Derek Gehl specializes in teaching real people how to start profitable Internet businesses that make $100,000 to $2.5 Million (or more) per year. To get instant access to all his most profitable marketing campaigns, strategies, tools, and resources that he's used to grow $25 into over $40 Million in online sales, visit: http://www.marketingtips.com/tipsltr.html
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The only criticism I can find with the resource box above is that it doesn't use a keyword anchor... which is optional anyway. I also don't think it's necessary to add the "About the Author" part, but that's just my preference.
Otherwise, I think this is a very good resource box. It's got a great 30 second commercial and a definite call to action. This one would be a great addition to your resource box swipe file.
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David Ledoux has been involved in the network marketing industry for 15 years. He is an author, speaker and million dollar earner. To discover more jealously-guarded secrets of making $100,000.00 or more every year through MLM check out his new book, The Ultimate MLM Blueprint for Massive Success. The book and a FREE MLM Training ezine are available online at http://www.ilovemlm.com
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This is a pretty good resource box, but it lacks a call to action... there is no "click here" type of message. He hints around at it and offers incentive, but fails to actually ask for the click.
You should also note that it's normally not necessary to include the bit about being involved in MLM for 15 years... but for MLM that's a good message that he's not a fly by nighter. In other industries, putting your length of time in the industry isn't necessary. Make a note in your resource box swipe file.
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Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links?
"Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for using
FREE articles to drive Thousands of NEW visitors to your
website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on
advertising! Click Here -> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com
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This is a great example to add to your resource box swipe file... It has a dynamic 30 second commercial, answers "what's in it for me", and has a call to action.
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Get step by step coaching on how to succeed
in adwords.
We're looking for a few dedicated students
who we can coach step by step on how to
make $100,000+ a year in affiliate marketing.
For More information:
http://www.AffiliateClassroom.com
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Again... No call to action! I like this resource box because they've broken it up a little more with their spacing to make it more readable. This is a good strategies if your elevator speach needs a very slow elevator. Also makes a good note for your resource box swipe file.
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Eliminate the Tax Nightmare of Your Internet Business AND
Claim Every Tax Deduction you are Legally Entitled To
Resulting in a Potential Windfall of Tax Savings. Find out
how easy it can be for you right now at...
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Again, there's not a clear call to action or "click here" in this example, but I think it still works really well because of the strong language of the message and the "Find out how" before the link. I think this one is a clear winner too and should find a place in your resource box swipe file.
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Joe Vitale is co-author of the new e-book,
"How to Write and Publish your own eBook...
in as Little as 7 Days"
For complete details
Click Here ==>: http://www.7dayebook.com
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This one is short and to the point. You may have noticed that the 30 second commercial is mostly the title of the ebook... Now that's a good title (maybe you should add it to your headline swipe file?). This is a really great example for your resource box swipe file because it shows you how to make your box pack a punch in a few words.
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Yanik Silver is recognized as the leading expert on creating automatic, moneymaking websites...and he still doesn't know how to put up a website.
He is the author, co-author or creator of several best-selling online marketing books and tools, including his
newest resource for online copywriting - http://www.UltimateCopywritingWorkshop.com
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Yanik is very good at writing copy -- just subscribe to one of his newsletters and you'll get a whole lot of ideas for your swipe files. In the resource box above, I think he's trying to appeal to the aspiring entrepreneurs who are just getting started... see how he makes mention of not knowing how to put up a website? He establishes credibility by listing some of the general subjects that he's been involved in.... It works because he is already an established expert. You may not be able to do the same thing in your industry and make is an effective resource box.
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About the Author: Article by Tim Kerber from the Small Business Web Site
Learn proven secrets to make your web site a profitable success.
Tips, tutorials, videos, interviews and more.
Click here now -->> http://www.SmallBusinessWebSite.com
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This is an all-around good resource box. Not too much hype and offers clear benefits to the visitor. It also includes that all-important call to action. Put this one in your resource box swipe file.
Do you have a great resource box that you think should be included in the resource box swipe file above? If you do, let me know and maybe we'll add it.
Best Wishes,
Arvada Yates
Editor/Owner
