NOTE: This is the 11th teleseminar report from the author in the “Expert Seminars” series hosted by Hilary Stewardson.

In January 2006, it all started with a simple four-point strategy and the discipline to make it work:

1. Write an e-book that people want.
2. Put up a website that offers the e-book for sale.
3. Drive traffic to the website.
4. Rinse and repeat the previous cycle.

Sean Mize used the above formula to establish his Internet Marketing presence. Nothing special, right? However, their traffic generation method of choice attracted attention. Instead of using pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimization (SEO), or video marketing, Mize turned to article marketing.

By consistently writing five articles a day and submitting them to the best article directories, Sean Mize’s traffic grew steadily along with his marketing expert status and credibility. After incorporating list building into his marketing equation, Sean’s income results took off. His regular e-book launch into the competitive and crowded internet marketing niche, along with a laser-focused approach to relationship marketing, has proven popular with his subscribers.

Why Article Marketing Works.

Mize feels that article marketing is misunderstood by most people and its effectiveness is seriously underestimated. In response to those who consider it out of place in today’s fast-paced digital environment, it offers its main premise:

Article marketing is first and foremost a traffic generator. Period.

Commit to optimizing every aspect of your writing (i.e. niche selection, keywords, title, body, resource box) so that readers will take you seriously and want to come back for more.

Do it yourself, for yourself.

Sean Mize’s use of article marketing is considered by some to be stealthy, cold, and ruthless. However, no one can deny its results. In two years, Mize claims that 80% of his five-figure list has been built through article marketing. Needless to say, keep writing for traffic. Yes, it can be time consuming and expensive (eg ghostwriting), but there is no such thing as genuinely “free” traffic.

Mize is skeptical of article generation and submission software tools. You can’t automate article marketing, but if you commit to a well-planned and disciplined approach, the results can be phenomenal. Consider rewriting articles for uniqueness and multiple submissions; Instead of outsourcing, Mize suggests taking the time to do it yourself, then testing and tracking the results to make tactical adjustments.

“Affiliate marketing is a crutch.”

Of course, people can make money, even with constant income, by promoting other people’s products. However, Sean Mize’s philosophy focuses on Building Me Inc .; After all, if you are willing to spend time and energy (and money) on others, why not capitalize on those resources yourself?

Making your own products establishes credibility like no other activity. An original contribution within your chosen niche can build your reputation and income competitively. Digital product creation in particular is suitable for new entrepreneurs (short start-up time, low overhead, no physical inventory issues, etc.). However, before embarking on serious projects, ask the subscribers on your list what they are struggling with in their businesses and what you can do to help them move forward.

Sean agrees to the use of ethical bribery, that is, free e-books and reports, to obtain a potential customer’s contact information. However, you remind us to use “Thank You” pages that offer subscribers a quality product immediately after they sign up for your newsletter. Embrace the concept of product funnels to enable you and your subscribers to build mutually beneficial relationships.

Two Internet Marketing Curses to Avoid.

Mize defines the internet marketing experience by the amount of income that a person has generated through legitimate and quantifiable online activity. In fact, if you’re not currently making $ 10,000 per month, Sean considers you a beginner!

So how do people graduate to the next level? For starters, Sean suggests that you minimize:

1. Information overload. It is a disease that will undermine your productivity and innovation. Seriously, you can’t read all the books, join all the coaching programs, or follow all the experts. Therefore, limit your email and instant messaging activity to one session per day. Be tough on the number of lists you subscribe to. Ask yourself: Is this relationship valuable to me? If not, unsubscribe … FAST!

2. Social networks. It is still too early to judge the effectiveness of Web 2.0 as a revenue generator. However, Mize is a healthy skeptic of its usefulness. Without conclusive proof that entrepreneurs can use Web 2.0 properly, and its reputation as a huge waste of time, you’d better stick with reliable traffic methods like article marketing that work for your long-term growth.

From article marketing to a full skill set.

Once you’ve mastered article marketing-based traffic generation, Sean Mize suggests that you take a serious look at the other pillar of internet marketing.

Drafting it is essential for long-term online income. Reports of his impending death are exaggerated. As a core internet marketing skill, we all need it. However, hardly anyone really understands it. So even if you plan to outsource, learn how to tell a good copy from a bad one. Ideally, develop your own skills by buying templates and watching what successful marketers do. Test your results first and then decide if outsourcing is right for you.

Sean has largely forsaken traditional joint ventures (JVs) in favor of advertising exchanges with marketers with whom he shares a common perspective. In addition to being a “free” way to get new leads, Mize prefers this networking method to live seminars and conferences. The high cost of attendance and preparation time associated with events should motivate people to proceed with caution when invitations arrive. However, he approves of hands-on workshops that motivate participants to take action.

Conclusion.

Sean Mize has integrated article marketing, list building, and product building like no other in internet marketing today. Nothing is easy, but if you are averse to the latest fads and are willing to try a legitimate method of generating traffic, follow Mize’s plan for success:

• 1. Drive traffic to your squeeze page with article marketing.
• 2. Build your list and create relationships.
• 3. Create products that satisfy a hungry audience.