We hear a lot about article marketing lately. It is becoming one of the most prevalent strategies for Internet marketing lately. Popularized by the “bum marketing” strategy, it has two very significant characteristics: it’s free, and it works.

Two significant advantages for Internet marketers are exposure and backlinks. Article marketing provides exposure, and generates valuable inbound links or IBL’s.

Article marketing is a numbers game, just like the other bum marketing techniques. Consistent and ongoing efforts are required for it to be effective. Submitting an occasional article may not have much impact, but ten articles in ten days provides an overall benefit greater than the sum of its parts.

In order to maximize your article submission strategy, you should target a single keyword or phrase for each individual article. Care should be taken to optimize the article, just as you would optimize a website. After all, each article, you have out their is in fact a one-page mini site.

You optimize an article for the search engines the same way you would for a web page. Put your keyword or phrase in the article title, as the beginning of the first paragraph, the beginning of the last paragraph, and for the anchor text in your link or resource box.

By following a few simple steps, you will gain maximum return for your effort. As part of a multipronged approach, article marketing becomes an extremely effective and inexpensive technique in your arsenal.