When you implement article marketing into your online business-building activities, you open the door to limitless website traffic. Using article directories to get your message in front of your target market increases your chances for success exponentially.

An article directory is simply a website where authors can publish their content with the understanding that other website owners can re-publish the article on their own websites.

The benefit to the author is increased exposure in that the other website owners are required to include the author’s information any time they publish someone else’s article.

One key aspect of article marketing using article directories is getting your readers to visit your website. You do this using the resource box.

If you read articles in the newspaper or in magazines, many times you’ll see a small paragraph at the end of the article titled “About the author.” In website article directories, this is sometimes referred to as the resource box.

Your resource box can contain any information about you, your product, your website, or anything else you want to highlight. Don’t make the mistake of only providing a general statement about yourself and your website.

Use these three tips to turn your resource box into a tool that compels the reader to take action.

1. Blend it in.

Word your resource box as though it were the final paragraph in your article. When your article is published online, the resource box isn’t actually in a box. It simply looks like the next paragraph. Take advantage of this. Continue on with your topic and draw your reader directly to an invitation to click on your link.

2. Use keywords.

Keywords are the words and phrases that people use to search for things on the internet. Your article content and title must include your keywords in order for them to be found. You should also use the keywords in your resource box as the link to your website. Be sure the page at the other end of that link relates to the keyword.

3. Tell them what to do.

Invite your reader to click on your link. Tell them where to go and what to do when they get there. If possible, have two links in your resource box: one that is a link from your keyword to your website and another that is the full url typed out. That way, if someone publishes your article without using active links, the reader can still get to your website.

The resource box is small, but it’s incredibly powerful if you use it correctly. Make it interesting, and be sure to let the reader know what they should do next to allow you to help them solve their problem.