While all along- you will be driving hundreds or thousands of targeted visitors to your site to eat up content you are providing.

Targeted visitors that you can use to gain additional subscribers, members, or customers for your affiliate programs, products or mailing lists.

You may think I'm crazy- but personally, I couldn't care less if my site ranks dead last against my competitors as long as I'm consistently driving targeted traffic to my site from multiple sources.

While it is nice to be ranked #1 for your site, I consider it more of an ego trip. Getting a number one rank is easy for some terms, but does it end up converting traffic you're getting into sales for keywords you are targeting?

I have found that by using some proven methods of utilizing my time more effectively, like writing articles and press releases centered around some modestly competitive keywords, has given me more top ten positions for my keywords then by me trying to figure out how Google's ever-changing algorithm works.

Another method of getting your topics posted and indexed quickly is by using other sites that are known to be top contenders with Google. Search for any topic and you will find certain sites that pop up in top ten for articles, ads, or press releases all time.

Now remember- these sites are not writing all of their own content. They are also using other peoples content on their sites. All you need to do is provide them with your relevant content- let search engines spider their side and then piggyback on their ability to be ranked at top for your targeted keywords.

I don't know about you, but I just don't have patience to keep knocking my head against wall trying to figure out how to outfox Google, Yahoo or any of other search engines. Plus, I don't have a Ph.D. in search engine science voodoo.

So I'd rather be putting my efforts into methods that I know are getting proven and guaranteed results- and will continue doing so, no matter what changes Google makes.

Because no matter how many changes Google makes outcome still has to be same- serving up relevant content better and faster then it's competitors. And if you help Google accomplish this, they will continue to help you gain customers you need.

So fact is- Google will always need you- so take advantage of this and start writing some of your own quality content today!

7. I'm frequently asked, "How much information should I ask for?" My recommendation is to KISS your subscriber form -- "keep it short and simple." Ask for e-mail address and/or their first name. If you ask for their first name, tell them why. Example: We like to personalize our correspondence with our subscribers."

8. Set up a section for past issues of your e-newsletters. I recommend just listing their main topic or name of article and not by date. People don't like to read things they consider as "old news". If you use a pdf format to deliver past issues there are pros and cons. The pros are: pdf files are smaller to store and send. The con is that you loose opportunity for tagging item for search engine listing.

9. After you post your articles in ezine, expand or submit as is to multi-media web sites. Possibility: http://www.goarticles.com. Locations where publishers and editors will pick up article. Normally, there are no fees paid, just opportunity for visibility. When published send out a press release. Link their site, not yours, in press release, Send them a copy of release.

10. Readers are tired of not getting any value and are dropping off lists fast, faster than ever. To keep them there, you MUST provide valuable information (their perception not yours). The 25/75% rule (you give them 25% and sell them remaining 75%) is acceptable. After reading thousands of ezines, I found that many publishers don't come close to providing that percentage.

11. Add an invitation to all your automatic e-mail signatures. Also, mention free but-not-free item of month. Include an expiration date for that free but-not- free offer. Change e-mail signatures weekly to maintain interest.

Copyright, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.