Is this for real?

[Phil]

This request seems a bit, um, spamish to me. Is it for real or is it just me?

http://www.constant-content.com/account ... tm?id=4461
http://www.constant-content.com/account ... tm?id=4461

[Celeste Stewart]

I think it's just you (no offense).

My take is that this is the type of info the requester wants us to provide. It's not unusual for a client to outline what he has in mind as well as provide a link to his website for more information.

If I were to write an article for this request, I'd look at his site first to get an idea of what exactly the site promotes and then write an article that takes into account his favorite traffic driving strategies - perhaps adding a few more as well. From what I can tell, he wants an article detailing "proven ways to drive traffic to your website." He's offered three solid techniquess: PPC, article submissions, and RSS feeds. I'd probably expand on those and write an article along the lines of "Top Five Proven Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website" and add two more strategies - maybe social media, maybe YouTube videos, maybe podcasts, maybe press release sites, maybe email campaigns, I don't know. . . just some thoughts off the top of my head.

Anyhow, I don't think the guy's trying to get us writers to check out his site in hopes of converting us to buy his product; I think he wants us to help him write compelling content to help him convince others to do so. Remember, many site owners rely on us to communicate their messages because they aren't necessarily equipped to do it well themselves. Perhaps he could have said, "Here's what I have in mind: An article that covers these points: . . ." We have to read between the lines.

CC does approve all public requests before they are posted to avoid spammy or inappropriate requests, so it's likely a legitimate request for help on an article that covers what he's mentioned.

[Celeste Stewart]

What's not clear is whether he wants us to promote his site or if those links are for reference only. I would simply write a basic article covering traffic driving techniques and let the customer worry about adding the promotional links to his own site. You could also ask him if his site needs to be promoted or if the article is more general in nature. Going with a solid general article hedges your bets in case the article doesn't sell to the original requester though, so I'd go that way myself. Besides, this is a popular topic

[audrabianca]

I thought the same thing, Phil.

[Celeste Stewart]

Looks like the request has been removed. . .

[jrichards]

Yeah we took that request down, it's a little hard to tell with some requests are spam and which are not. Anyways, on second review we decided to pull this request down. Apologies for letting that one through the filter.

-jrichards
Support
Constant-Content

[Celeste Stewart]

I still think the topic(s) would make for a good article though. So, if anyone already wrote for this request, I imagine the article will sell sooner rather than later.

[Celeste Stewart]

HMMN, is this a new spamming trend?
This new request has me wondering:
http://www.constant-content.com/account ... tm?id=4602

I suppose the client is asking us to rewrite his content so it looks more professional but I'm not sure. . .

[Ed]

It's gone.