I admit it, although I’ve been online since 2007, I’ve not attended a lot of Internet marketing conferences. NAMS sounded interesting, but there was always some reason why I couldn’t go. Finally, this year, my calendar was clear for the dates of NAMS6 and I excitedly purchased my ticket.

But… I was a little uncertain if I would get out of it as much as I wanted. You see, I had a couple preconceived notions about how it would go.

#1 NAMS was going to be clique-ish.

That notion was bashed the night I got there. Once I got away from the drunk insurance salesman at the bar (really!), I met people like Sharyn, who were friendly and talkative. I also met and chatted with Connie Green, Nicole Dean and many others I’d known online but never met in person.

What I found was everyone, instructors and instructees alike, were approachable and more than willing to include me in their reindeer games.

#2 NAMS was going to be a pitch-fest, even though it was billed as “NOT a pitch-fest”.

Whew, I’m glad I was wrong. The only links given were those helpful for people wanting to go above and beyond with a particular instructor. No products were pushed, no classes were thinly disguised sales pitches with little meat.

The instructors were giving away valuable informational gems right and left, especially Terry Dean. I also learned from other attendees, even the ones that were brand new to affiliate marketing. I was able to help some people out and made some great contacts. Some of these contacts meant JV opportunities and have already impacted my bottom line.

My biggest takeaway from NAMS6 was when Helen Raptoplous spoke after winning the affiliate contest. She said she was tempted to blow off the first NAMS class after learning of the affiliate contest so she could start promoting, but then realized she could do both things. Her ability to be productive, even in short spurts of available time, has really inspired and challenged me. Thanks Helen!

I was delighted to have my preconceived ideas trashed. I’ve come away with clearer focus, new friends, cross-promotional opportunities, better relationships with old friends, and an enhanced knowledgebase regarding affiliate marketing. I’ll see you at NAMS7! 🙂

Peggy Baron can be found hanging around her blog sharing Internet marketing insights at www.PeggyBaron.com or her main place of business, www.AllstarPLR.com. And if you don’t see her there, say hello on Twitter @pegbaron.

If you attended NAMS6, we’d love to hear your biggest ah-ha moment during the weekend too. Submit your short article at here. And if you’d like to read how you can win a $100 gift card just for submitting your special takeaway moment, read why you should submit your big NAMS6 discovery here.

Article directories clearly state that when reprinting an article, the resource box must remain intact including the link. The resource box the most important piece of your article marketing strategy. It’s what draws a person to your site, helps increase your traffic, and ultimately makes more sales for you.

Your resource box should include enough information to pique readers’ interest, and have a strong call to action that will encourage them to click on your link for more information. No matter how good your article is, if your resource box does not compel the reader to visit your site and find out more, you have lost an opportunity to earn a customer.

Tips for writing an effective resource box:

1.Don’t start your resource box off with your bio. This signals to the reader that your article is complete and that they can stop reading. Instead, begin with a question or statement that will entice them to read more. Example: “Want fourteen more ways to make money from home?”

2.Do not include a full bio. Most people are not interested in your full bio or every degree and accolade you have received. In fact, most people will skim over it and you will lose their interest before they get to your link and call to action.

3.Include at least one link, more if allowed. Look at the resource box guidelines for each directory to find out what you are allowed to include. Most allow one link, some two. Be sure to include as many links as you are allowed.

4.A strong call to action is an absolute requirement. Include a statement which informs the reader what they will receive when they click on your link and how it will benefit their lives. For instance, “Download Joe’s free report today for more ways to make money in your sleep!”

5.Answer the burning question. When crafting your resource box, consider the question all readers ask (if only subconsciously)… “What’s In It For Me?” (WIIFM).

6.Draft a different resource box to fit each article that you create. If the article is about home improvement, then draft your resource box to tie into that with an appropriate offer and link. If the next article is specific to tool selection, steer your resource box in that direction. Start a file of resource boxes so you can add an appropriate one without recreating it each time.

The resource box is your opportunity to tell the reader what you have to offer and what they should do next. If you can show a reader what they will gain by clicking on your link, you’re almost guaranteed to build your website traffic with the articles you write.

You can see that the resource box is important, but what about getting your articles found in the first place? Stay tuned, because we’ll cover that in the next article in this series.