Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

Articles By the Pound

October 12th, 2011 by Bob Bly

More and more these days I see marketers buying “articles by the pound” for their web sites.

By that I mean they go to the cheapest source, buy a bucket load of short articles packed with their key words, and post them on their web sites in an effort to raise their search engine rankings.

Two things they seem not to care about are (1) the quality of the writing and (2) the actual content of the articles (other than key words).

But those two things are important. Why?

As far as (1) is concerned, people judge you by the words you use. If your writing is inadequate, they assume you are inadequate, too.

For (2), search engine optimizers forget that prospects — not necessarily the bulk of visitors, but serious prospects — actually READ  your articles for the information they contain and to see if you know what you are talking about.

I was just contacted today by an entrepreneur who told me, “I read many of the articles posted on your site, and you demonstrate an understanding of the market we are trying to reach that I have seen no where else.” And he wants to hire me to consult with him.

This is a reaction you do not get when you buy and post generic, keyword-loaded articles by the bushel. So don’t.

 

Share

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 at 3:00 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

80 responses about “Articles By the Pound”

  1. Whitney said:

    This is something where, I think, statistics matter most. If an optimizer gets 1000 hits per month and 2 new customers, and a more socially conscious writer gets 100 hit per month (less because SEO ranking is worse) and 2 new customers, is there really a difference?

    I am not an optimizer, btw, but if it works it works.

  2. Aaron Poehler said:

    That’s kind of idiotic logic that comes into play when every customer is nothing but a number to you. Where those hits are coming from and the type of customer attracted are huge factors, so the answer is DUH YES IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

  3. Whitney said:

    If you can get the same amount of good, quality customers using a method that takes 5 minutes (instead of hours and hours and days and years), that does not mean you think of customers as “nothing but a number”.

    Doesn’t direct marketing teach us to pay attention to the statistics, not our own assumptions? That’s all I am suggesting. I don’t actually know what works best because I’ve never tested either method.

  4. Greg said:

    I am convinced that Google, at some point, will smoke this out and develop an improvement to their algorithm that will punish bulk, junk article publishing.

  5. William Reynolds said:

    Well-written content optimizes a lot more than our website — it optimizes your reputation and credibility. I always remind my clients that search engines are great at picking out keywords but they don’t read your content — people do. You can use SEO to draw a zillion people to your content, bur if that content stinks, you’re just announcing to a zillion people that you’re an idiot.

  6. Govind Mukundan said:

    Hi Bob, something I read on your blog some time ago stayed with me…and applies here, I think…the idea being that the price a client is willing to pay being a fuction of the a) the quality of copy and b) the importance of good copy to theis business. So perhaps – just thinking aloud here – there are businesses that need large quantities of low quality copy (and are “willing” to pay rockbottom prices)? An excerpt from what you said: “When it comes specifically to writing services, clients will only pay a premium price to hire an expensive writer if (a) the more expensive writer truly provides superior copy and (b) having superior copy is important to their business model (e.g., they are a direct marketer and if good copy boosts their conversion rates it makes them 100X more than they paid for it).

    If both those conditions do not exist, the client is just as happy to pay a lower price for a lower level of quality, as long as it meets his needs.”

  7. Ken Vaughn said:

    Well I have to admit to being surprised (in a good way) when I read Bob’s latest entry as it appears I may well have been the person he quoted in it. And yes, we have decided to take advantage of the opportunity to work with Bob. While we could have expended the resources required for this in other ways, more brochures, more catalogs, more of any other marketing material you can think of, how well would this money be spent if the message is not targeted with our unique selling proposition and circumstances in mind?

    I’m not a copywriter or an expert marketer and do not seek to make a career of either. But it seems this discussion has ended up being centered on nothing but numbers, conversion rates. Not that these things are unimportant, but what about the other factors such as credibility and the perception as to whether the source of the information is an “authoritative” one or not?

    Believe me, in my research to find marketing insight for our companies efforts I have spent many, many hours pouring over websites, articles and sources of information. And yes, I perused eLance for copywriting services and found that I could most likely get what we need done for very low prices. But will we really be getting what we need? If all we seek are a certain number of key words on a page or a certain space filled on our website maybe it would be. I have seen my share of articles that were long on words and short on unique, usable and targeted insight. And I have been thoroughly unimpressed when I see something that was obviously cobbled together by someone with some research skills but no real knowledge of, or insight into the topic at hand.

    As I’ve said, I do not seek to be a professional copywriter or internet marketer so I don’t have a dog in this hunt as we say in the South. Maybe it really is nothing but a numbers game and while things like reputation, credibility and being seen as a resource are nice they are not the most important factors. But I can tell you that as a buyer for these services if I am likely to bookmark a site (a vote of confidence in itself), link to it, tell others about it and return to it in the future, this too is about numbers. And once I have confidence that my choice was a good one I start to think about more products, more services and doing more business with those I have placed my trust in. And none of this will have to do with click throughs or conversion rates. I’m past that as I have ended the long, often frustrating search for a professional who understands that generalized, cookie cutter approaches might work to an extent, they will never be as effective as those carried out in methodical, targeted way with knowledge of the specific situation and prospects I am trying to reach. From what I have seen, places like eLance are filled with the former, but the latter is in short supply.

    Another observation, I visited the blog of a self proclaimed “expert” B2B copywriter today and the latest post was dated 2/10/2010, and another who claims a technical background who’s latest post was done on 7/5/2007. How impressive are these numbers? Seems like this is yet another concept Bob “gets”.

  8. Keywords and Quality | Better Writing in Business said:

    […] Bly – a successful copywriter and internet marketer – recently wrote a blog entry “Articles By the Pound” about the challenges of writing articles and content for […]

  9. Bruce said:

    I couldn’t agree more. I once out-tasked for 5 articles from someone in the Philippines with a high recommendation. Total crap and a waste of money.

    I have an unfocused friend who orders these things all the time and slaps them up on the web without even reading them. He also “wings it” in his various videos instead of carefully scripting them. He then marvels at the poor response he gets.

    I’m no whiz kid copywriter, but I do understand quality content. I do the best I can with an above average vocabulary and an understanding of basic grammar. This isn’t easy for me because I’m legally blind…..but it does pay off.

  10. Ryan Skinner said:

    In my experience, most of this will hinge on two – related – things:
    1) Is the businessman or woman in question a believer that marketing actually works? (I’m assuming he or she is, given they’re interested in SEO benefit), and
    2) Is the businessman or woman in question him or herself a reader? Many honestly aren’t. That is, they don’t read their own literature with a critical eye.

    In the heart of every businessperson is a procurement officer who questions every person and drives down every cost. To a businessman who doesn’t really appreciate the written word, driving down cost at the expense of quality will not cause a moment’s thought.

    And the results? Well, they’re probably mixed, but not great.

  11. Don Marti said:

    “Black hat SEO” tricks expire when the search engines figure them out. Relevant articles can go out of date and need revision, but they don’t just stop working the way that tricks do.

  12. tattiche marketing said:

    Cutts says, content is king!

  13. peopleinorganisationsjcu said:

    Superb website…

    […]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[…]……

  14. glass splashback for kitchens said:

    Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.

  15. Adam Gonce said:

    Can I simply just say what a relief to discover somebody that truly knows what they’re discussing online. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular since you surely have the gift.

  16. Viktoria Blaming said:

    Gotta avoid such restrictions, dont want this to happen again.
    smf-friends

  17. FamilytimeFoundation said:

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas on this one.

  18. homepage said:

    this is amazing movie, thanks a lot

  19. jennifer247 said:

    I have gone through this article named’Articles By the Pound’. It was a very informative article. I would like to know more about this topic so that I recommend adding some more details. diamonds rings for cheap Thank you for sharing this number with us.

  20. mobdro hd apk no ads said:

    Thanks, this is a really helpful article for me!

  21. y8 said:

    I really enjoyed reading your articles.

  22. Valerie D. Kohler said:

    checi it

  23. rupa said:

    thanks for the info dear.

  24. inshot pro mod apk said:

    really thanks for such great info dear.

  25. GBWhatsApp Apk said:

    going to say that i really like read stuff like this which is shared here very helpful post for my website i will check this. thanks

  26. saboura3423 said:

    ???? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ? ????? ??? ?? .??? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ? ????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ????? .??? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ? ????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??????. ????????? ????????? ???? ???? ????? ???????? ???????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????. ?? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ???? ????? .???? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????????? ???????????? ?? ??????????? ??? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????????.??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ????????.??????????? ?? ?????? ???

  27. ahdjjuue said:

    You can make a thumbnail design easily with online youtube thumbnail maker. We have provided everything you need to get started. It only takes a few minutes to create your own images in a couple of easy steps and within a few minutes.

  28. jenny john said:

    going to say that i really like read stuff like this which is shared here very helpful post for my website i will check this. thanks
    Jurassic Park The Game PC Download

  29. androidapps said:

    Download garena free fire updatee Latest Version free for Android to experience one of the best in survival shooter games. Outlast the competition and claim your spot as

  30. Tele Latino apk para pc said:

    Como bien sabemos ver y tener tv online es la mejor manera de distraernos en esta pandemia.

  31. Rupa Singh said:

    really thaks for th einfo dear

  32. jonah hill said:

    Let’s follow the Sephora Canada Survey steps and get Sephora $250 Gift Card after completion of the Sephora Survey. http://survey-feedbacks.live/sephora-survey-survey-medallia-com-sephora/

  33. cuydias said:

    https://www.facebook.com/livetvgame/posts/live-stream-the-parker-v-fa-live-boxing-joseph-parker-vs-junior-fa-live-fight-te/198813895326518/
    https://rijasans.blogspot.com/2021/02/sportek-fight.html

  34. One Dasty said:

    Bringing home a new puppy is a wonderful experience involving the whole family, family. Owning a pug puppy or French Bulldog puppy is hard work. Making sure they are raised and trained properly can be overwhelming at first, a great amount of support, we assist in the preparations to make it less stressful. To provide a completely different environment for our puppies, we thoroughly researched and make sure this puppies will only go to respectable families
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  35. Janitorial Service Pickerington OH said:

    I’ve been searching for some decent stuff on the subject and haven’t had any luck up until this point, You just got a new biggest fan!..

  36. robert said:

    https://savannahbengal.company.com/

  37. john said:

    KBC all india sim card whatsapp imo lucky draw 2022 KBC all india sim card lucky draw competition 2022

  38. Mini Militia apk said:

    Articles by the pound is really amazing which I really like to read and which info you have shared here I say you have done very amazing work because I didn’t find that kind of content on net even on any other websites which is why I am very thankful to you.

  39. monk23 said:

    This site has very amazing blogs. Thanks to the authors for sharing these articles. Best paintball gun 2022

  40. himanshu sharma said:

    check this hot babe https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/dakota-james-wiki/

  41. baman said:

    check this hot cute girl https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/trippie-bri-wiki/

  42. fmwhatsapp said:

    Agreed…these days, they just want to rank their site. They don’t focus that much on the quality of their articles and if they are providing the correct info to the visitors.

  43. Alex Norris said:

    My dream is to live to the age when VR technology is on the level like in SAO anime.

  44. Kitchen Renovation said:

    Kitchen Renovation in Canada Hire the Experts for your kitchen and Home Redesigned

  45. Private Investigators said:

    There are no Private Investigator requirements in the United Kingdom or need for official Private Investigator training.

  46. MP3Con Converter said:

    MP3Con Converter is a free online tool that converts your music files into MP3 format. Thanks ALot

  47. Jhon Micheal said:

    Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!Top Gun Pilot Charlie Jacket

  48. APKFilla said:

    I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this is LOVED.

  49. Dramas Online said:

    Loved this POst Really Worth It. Will you HELP Me.
    dramas

  50. ARN said:

    Motorcycle Race Leather Suit MotoGP Motorbike Racing Leather Suit Custom Made Cowhide Leather Suits – The Leather Posh. Crafted with Premium Quality Leather.

  51. Rivaj UK said:

    Rivaj offers the best cosmetics and related products like Maybelline concealer and similar Concealer products So, grab the best concealer today and enjoy. Their concealers are truly unbeatable and offer a high degree of satisfaction. Rivaj offers the best concealer in Pakistan to their customers every day.

  52. Flormar said:

    Shop flormar lipsticks shades for girls & ladies online in Pakistan from Flormar.pk. Online branded Lipsticks shades and colors in Pakistan at reasonable prices with fast delivery.

  53. Borjan Shoes said:

    Scarves for Women buy best Scarves for women Online. Shop from borjan Scarves online Pakistan in premium quality to make your outfit cool and fancy.

  54. Metro Shoes said:

    Metro shoes offers their customers the highest quality ladies sandals and sandal designs. Get the best available Women Sandals in Pakistan, today. So, buy the best sandals for girls online from Metro shoes. We bring you only the highest quality sandals for women.

  55. Rene said:

    Advantages and round-the-clock services of ???? ?????? ???? :
    Unclogging the toilet pipe, unclogging the pipe, removing valuables from the toilet, draining the well, opening and closing the well door, detecting the place of moisture and humidity, detecting the place of the pipe burst, removing the bad smell of sewage, unclogging the sink pipe, replacing and installing the toilet. And turning the traditional toilet into a toilet

  56. ShopECS said:

    ECS provides you the best collection of Women Sneakers. You can get the shoes of your own choice with high quality and most effective prices.

  57. parineetiii said:

    “Find the parineetiii HD Episode Watch Parineeti Online Drama Desi Serial, Parineeti Live Full Episode At Colors Tv, Parineeti All Episodes Today Watch Online Latest Hd Videos Download Free.

  58. Uk49s Results said:

    Find the Uk49s Lunchtime Results here after each game, and click the ‘Prize Breakdown’ button to get the full French lotto results and find out if you are a winner in either the main draw or the History 2021, Uk 49s Results from 2022

  59. Lora said:

    Find the Thunderball Results The latest Thunderball results are released here seconds after every draw. Match all five numbers and the Thunderball to become £500000 richer!

  60. Praveen Kumar said:

    Best Camphor Manufacture and Supplier Company in India:Gangotri Camphor.

  61. Praveen Kumar said:

    Best Adhesives Manufacture and Supplier Company in India: KoffClub India.

  62. seogirl said:

    I enjoyed reading your post, very nice to share, I want to twit this is LOVED.LOVED.

  63. Highway Fashions said:

    Highwayfashions offers the latest Wania collection online. Check the wide range of women’s dresses online at Highwayfashions. Get your favorite ladies’ dresses online in Pakistan at low prices.

  64. Royal Leafs said:

    If you are looking for the most appropriate hamilton marijuana dispensary, then you are at a suitable place. Royalleafs is a premier cannabis store in Hamilton. You can find online plenty of Cannabis products such as Cannabis pre-rolls, raw and milled flowers, drinks, and accessories such as bongs and vapes of the highest quality at Royalleafs.

  65. Filmyzilla said:

    You can find online plenty of Cannabis products such as Cannabis pre-rolls, raw and milled flowers, drinks, and accessories such as bongs and vapes of the highest quality at Royalleafs.

  66. Combos said:

    I enjoyed your post. Its very interesting and informative.

  67. Daily Lotto said:

    Find the Daily Lotto Results Daily Lotto Results for Today’s Draw are Announced Now. You can check here the Latest Daily Lotto Results 2023 we have updated all the Results on a Daily Basis.

  68. Daily Lotto said:

    Find the Daily Lotto Results Daily Lotto Results for Today’s Draw are Announced Now. You can check here the Latest Daily Lotto Results 2023 we have updated all the Results on a Daily Basis.

  69. tattooliege said:

    Our massageliege elektrisch range offers a variety of high-quality massage tables and accessories, all of which are carefully selected from leading industry brands. Our massaging tables are designed with versatility, comfort and ease of use in mind – ideal for all levels of practitioners.

  70. Ammara khan said:

    Looking for the perfect wedding dresses? Discover the timeless elegance of Ammara Khan, a reputable brand known for its exquisite bridal attire. From luxurious fabrics to intricate detailing, their wedding dresses are designed to make you feel like a true princess on your special day.

  71. Shahtaj said:

    Experience the elegance and grace of Shahtaj Qaiser, featuring a stunning party dress collection that harmoniously fuses traditional and modern styles. With a vast range of party dresses available online in Pakistan, we promise to make you feel outstanding and pleasing in your favorite dress.

  72. Deutech said:

    Are you looking for the best night cream in Pakistan? Our night cream work continuously to hydrate, repair, and restore your skin’s natural radiance. Wake up to a refreshed and renewed face with the trusted expertise of Deutech. Shop now!

  73. Maples Closet said:

    Buy the best luxury bags online in Dubai at Maples Closet, your go-to destination for women’s fashion. Browse our exquisite collection and choose from a range of meticulously crafted bags that effortlessly blend sophistication and functionality. Elevate your style with our premium selection of luxury bags, available for convenient online purchase. Shop now and embrace the opulence of Maples Closet’s luxury bags in Dubai.

  74. BSNS Consulting said:

    Unlock the full potential of your online presence with BSNS Consulting’s services of Digital Marketing Pakistan. Our result-driven approach utilises the latest digital marketing strategies to elevate your brand’s visibility, engage your target audience, and drive meaningful conversions. Stay ahead of the competition and achieve your business goals with our expert digital marketing solutions.

  75. We Buy Dead Stocks.. said:

    Looking for a reliable Scrap buyer in UAE? Look no further! At We Buy Dead Stocks, we are your go-to destination for efficient and hassle-free scrap purchasing services. With our extensive expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction, we ensure a seamless experience when it comes to selling your scrap materials.

  76. We Sell Dead Lots.. said:

    For top-notch sanitary suppliers in Dubai, look no further than Weselldeadlots. We offer a diverse selection of sanitary products to meet your specific needs and preferences. From bathroom essentials to plumbing fixtures, we provide high-quality options that combine durability, style, and functionality. Explore our collection today and enhance your space with our trusted sanitary suppliers in Dubai.

  77. iHost VPS said:

    IhostVPS is a premier VPS hosting provider in the USA. Our cutting-edge infrastructure ensures lightning-fast performance and unparalleled reliability. With our user-friendly control panel and expert support, we empower businesses and individuals to harness the power of USA VPS hosting for their online ventures.

  78. Tiptop-Einrichtung said:

    A Barbershop Bedienplatz is the workspace within a barbershop where haircuts, shaving, and other services for male clients are carried out. This area typically includes a chair, mirror, and tools.The Barbershop Service Station is the heart of every barbershop, where skilled barbers work their magic to create fresh looks and maintain well-groomed appearances. This dedicated area is thoughtfully designed for both the barber’s convenience and the client’s comfort.

  79. Vallee Real Estate said:

    Vallee Real Estate presents modern townhouses for sale in New Westminster. With top real estate agents offering personalized service, we guide you through the vibrant landscape of Canada’s property market, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience as you secure your ideal townhome.

  80. BSNS Consulting said:

    BSNS Consulting excels in providing hassle-free Taxation Services in Pakistan . Our dedicated team, focused on driving growth and optimising operations, understands your business intricacies. With innovative solutions tailored to your needs, from market analysis to strategic planning, we stand out as a top consulting firm committed to your sustained excellence.

Leave a Reply