Simply put article marketing is advertising your web site through the use of articles. This choose of advertising is preferable over others for the simple fact that it's free. There are many article directories that allow you to submit your articles for free. They allow you to have a resource box at the end of your article that you can plug your site and products with. Not only that but if you are into building links this is a great way of doing it. If your article is chosen by publishers they will republish your article on there websites giving you even more publicity and exposure. A well written article can give you massive exposure. Can't write? There are services that will "ghost write" an article for you. Avoid purchasing article packs, these are pre written articles that you can purchase, slap your name on them and publishes them. The reason I say avoid such means is that you want your articles to be original, not something thousands of other people have put there names on previously. Besides, most article directories know these articles by heart and reject them on sight. So make sure your work is original. Avoid a strong sales pitch. Start off with a hard sales pitch will only discourage potential customers. There will be plenty of space to pitch to them in your resource box. Show your knowledge of the subject and give your readers valuable information pertaining to the subject. If the reader sees the professionalism of your work they will be more inclined to read the entire article and visit your links. Research and construct a list of all the free article directories you can find so that you can simply submit your articles to the sites on your list when you've finished writing. There are tons of these directories to chose from. Instead of submitting to all of them (unless you have the time) submit your article to the most important ones on your list. Be sure to carefully read the terms of service and editorial guidelines of each directory and format your article accordingly. The more articles you write, the better your chances are of getting visitors to your site. Article marketing is a great way to increase your name recognition and build links to your site so give it a try. Who knows, you might like it.