Between the backlinks and the foot traffic to my sites, I think it works well. I don't always use those articles to show as clips to clients but they're there as extra clips if anyone goes looking for examples of my writing style and the links in the resource box helps me rank for the words I want to be found in Google for.

I do utilise my own site as well as write for other sites. My formula is working for me right now. And, I'm definitely open to trying more marketing techniques that elevate my profile as well.

Thanks,
Dana

Your idea may work, but I worry that the association with those mills damage the reputation more than it helps you. Devon's point is spot on: pro bono work for oneself is always more beneficial than associating with sites that are exploiting writers. I think Wendy's experience is key – clients don't think these clips are worth viewing. That's a pretty strong message from an employer.

While I agree you're getting mileage out of it, I wonder if you could get better mileage out of the same content on your own site?

I land jobs that pay a living wage, so I can't be bothered with sites who don't.

Those "15 minutes" that content mill shills claim it takes to write an article — I can write a scene in my new commissioned play or a pro bono piece for an animal shelter that could actually save a life — much more productive, in my eyes, than getting paid a buck by someone who'll keep earning on my quality.

Here's how I build traffic — I write quality content that connects with people. Whether it's on my blog, where I get to be a cranky pants sometimes or talk about process other times or whatever, or a guest post where I do my best to be a "good guest" — I give it thought, attention, and try to keep the bar up for myself.

I decided to redirect it to a niche blog again and change the blog title to something niche related-I don't know what yet. But, then, I thought I needed a freelance writing blog just to throw my 2 cents worth into the writing arena. I just started that, but still don’t really know what I want to do with it. Except that I want to target new writers.

I don’t plan to write for any content mill type sites as I know some clients are adamant that I don’t provide any of those as clips to showcase my work. I can understand the search engine point of view, but I believe I’ll find another way for that.

Beyond that, I haven’t decided much else yet.

Great tips! Guest blogging can be a great way to get a backlink and bring new traffic to your website.

I have a Google Alert set up for my own name so that I know what I'm ranking for as well and I regularly check the top search engines to see what comes up on page one for my name. It's good to know what your clients and prospects will find if they go looking.

I also regularly check my site stats to see what I'm ranking for so that I can figure out what keywords to keep using or use a little more of.

I need to defend my content mill strategy.

It's true that if you don't have to give away your content to the content mills, you shouldn't give your work away for free.

But,here's why I do it:

Posting on some of those content mill articles have helped me get plenty of samples to page one and two of Google for some strong keywords that have helped me get clients so that's how I justify it 🙂 There are other reasons, too.

Ezinearticles.com, for instance, has definitely helped me rank for some keywords that are bringing people to my site to ask for writing quotes. While the site uses my article for free, that's not the only reason I post there. I get the benefit of that backlink which helps me rank for the keywords I want to rank for. The also is also syndicated so I get more than one backlink.

I also use their little widget on my customer-facing blog which shows prospective clients a quick listing of various niche samples of mine and those samples also link back to passive income blogs of mine as well.

I've seen results with my self-promotion efforts and it helps with my passive income efforts, too.

Cheers,
Dana