As you no doubt already know, writing articles is probably most effective way to promote your web site. It's a very simple principle - publishers want a vast quantity of good quality content that they do not have to pay for; you provide that content, with proviso that at bottom of your article, they include your resource box with a link to your web site. It's a win-win situation. With your article published on heaps of web sites, and in several ezines, it's enough to set your traffic counter spinning.

However, I see many articles that are simply not written in a way that will maximize benefits for author. Minor mistakes can turn an article that would otherwise get published several times and achieve a great deal for author, into an article that is barely published and discarded by most publishers into trash.

By avoiding these common mistakes, your article will appeal much more to publishers, and you will see results from your article submissions vastly improve:

1. Do Not Write A Solo Ad

Many authors make mistake of submitting articles that are actually little more than solo advertisements for their web sites. Containing little helpful information, they read like a sales letter and then urge reader to visit their web site - and that's before you get to resource box.

The chances of such an article getting published are virtually zero. Publishers are looking for an informative article, a quality piece that they can publish in order to benefit their readership and their visitors.

This means that including a link to your own web site in article body is generally a no-no, unless for example, you are linking to a helpful article that adds further to information you have included and is in context.

Your article should not read like a promotional vehicle for a particular product or service.

2. Do Not Include Affiliate Links

My mother thinks I am lazy. I confess that I have stopped listening to her. Just because I do not enjoy ten hour days at office and would rather spend more time at home with my two boys and lovely wife does not mean I am lazy. I simply have a different perspective about work and earning a living.

My mother's reaction to me telling her I have an online business has taught me some things which I gladly share with anyone who has a moment to listen.

First, as difficult as it may seem sometimes, surround yourself with positive thinkers. I know my parents mean well, but there are better ways of expressing concern than saying something like, "why don't you start a real business?" If this means that you share details of what you are doing very sparingly than do so. Think up some succinct but brief responses to friends and family who ask about "the online thing you are doing" when you know they do not really want to know. Do not waste your energy trying to explain to people who really do not want to understand. Let them know if they are serious about learning more you would gladly send them some information.