Summary:
Article marketing is about much more than just writing articles, submitting them, and hoping for traffic - learn about the big picture, why it all works, right here, right now!

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Keywords:
article writting, seo, search engine optimisation, affiliate, serps


Article Body:
Understanding the Big Picture

My guess is that by now, you are starting to see the big picture with article marketing. Whether you are attempting to increase your search engine rankings by submitting to multiple directories, or you are looking to increase you direct traffic, article marketing is powerful.

Even if you are not focusing on search engine rankings, generally you should find that as you article market, your websites will become more popular. They will naturally receive more backlinks and traffic, and generally your search engine ranking will go up, even without any special emphasis on it.

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One of the powerful things about article marketing, especially if you are building a list, is that subscribers who come to you after reading one of your articles tend to buy more than subscribers who come to you from many other traffic sources. Generally, when someone subscribes to your list after reading one or several of your articles, they already are beginning to trust you, and might buy from you sooner than someone who needs to read several emails from you and perhaps communicate online before they will purchase. Article writing simply provides a unique opportunity for you too attract subscribers to your list who have a prequalified interest and trust in you.

Maintaining Patience as it All Comes Together

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When you first get started with article marketing, things will probably move slowly for you. One of the things that happen with article marketing is an exponential effect. When you have only 3 articles written, you are not going to have a flood of traffic. But if you write and submit a few articles a day for several weeks or months, you will begin to experience an incredible effect, and it will all become worthwhile. Remember, you will continue to receive the effects of articles you have written for as long as they are online and published. So when you have 10 articles or 100 articles online, you will have 10 times or 100 times the traffic that you will receive after the first article.


It is easy to become discouraged when you have written just a few articles, and your revenue is not consistent with the time you put into article writing and submission.
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In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you are only going to write a few articles and then quit, you might as well not write or submit any articles. Article marketing is extremely powerful, but it is most powerful when there is a cumulative effect, and that cumulative effect takes time and multiple articles and submissions.

Best Gaming Monitors: The best G-Sync and FreeSync screens for gamers

Make the most of your gaming PC with a proper gaming monitor. From entry level to the best of the best, we’ve picked out the top choices you can buy right now.

Until recently, when it came to selecting a gaming monitor, the options were pretty limited. You had a choice of between two or three screen sizes but only a TN display type – that was the only LCD panel that could provide the fast refresh rates that are key to a gaming monitor.

Now, however, gamers can finally benefit from the better image quality and fast refresh rates that IPS panels have to offer. Plus, we’ve seen the arrival of AMD’s FreeSync and Nvidia’s G-Sync technologies, which provide a way of making games look better by reducing image tearing and stutter. You pay for the privilege, though, but at least you can now get one monitor that does it all, without compromise.

So whether you’re looking for the most cost-effective way to raise your game, or you simply want the one monitor to rule them all, we’ve highlight the best out there over the coming pages.

For a few extra pointers on what to look out for when buying a gaming monitor, read on below.

IPS OR TN?

IPS and TN refer to the type of LCD panel that’s used to make a monitor, and each comes with its own particular image quality and performance characteristics.

TN is the most basic type of LCD and so tends to display inferior colour accuracy and often suffers poor viewing angles – colour and contrast performance can visibly change as you move from viewing it dead-centre. However, TN has traditionally been the only panel type that can refresh really fast (typically, 144Hz for a gaming monitor), and it can have a response time of just 1ms.

In comparison, IPS has tended to be stuck at just 60Hz, which means games can feel noticeably less snappy. However, the latest IPS tech has allowed for screens to hit up to 165Hz. Response times remain longer, at around 4ms, however.

But IPS benefits from far superior viewing angles – essentially, image quality remains
 stable until viewed at extreme angles – and such panels tend to offer better colour accuracy too.

The big compromise is that a fast IPS display will cost anywhere from 25% to 100% more than a TN equivalent.

FREESYNC AND G-SYNC

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FreeSync and G-Sync are two technologies that aim to address the issues of tearing and stuttering. Both occur as a result of the fact that monitors normally run at a fixed refresh rate while graphics cards simply churn out frames as fast as they can.

Tearing is where the monitor outputs an image made up of several frames

You can read more about how the technologies work here – but, essentially, they ensure that the monitor keeps in sync with the speed at which the graphics card outputs each new frame. This eliminates tearing and stuttering, making games look better and run more smoothly.

As such, for those who are simply after a gaming monitor for pure competitive advantage neither is essential. But if you're also concerned with having a more immersive, visually pleasing gaming experience, then either tech is well worth investing in.

FreeSync/G-Sync ensure the monitor outputs whole frames in a smooth manner

FreeSync is, as the name suggests, a free and open standard – although, in reality, it’s one that only AMD graphics cards currently support. Meanwhile, G-Sync is Nvidia’s proprietary version for which it charges a premium. As such, if you're happy opting for either brand of graphics card then it makes sense to go for the free version in FreeSync. However, in order to disguise the fact that G-Sync is expensive, manufacturers are making only G-Sync versions of their most premium monitors.

Look around, though, and you'll find models such as the Acer XF270HU, which may lack some of the flair of its more expensive G-Sync sibling, the XB271HU, but offers the same great image quality and core features.

ADJUSTABLE STAND

We generally consider having a fully adjustable stand to be a key consideration when buying a monitor, since setting a monitor at the right height is imperative for reducing the potential for neck and back strain from long periods sat at your computer.

However, if you have a work setup that allows room to simply stack a load of books or make a custom shelf for your screen then opting for a panel with a basic stand is a good way to save money.

Even better, if it has an industry-standard VESA mount then you have the option of removing the stand altogether and using a third-party monitor arm or wall mount.

CONNECTIVITY

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These days, there are only a couple of connections you need to worry about: HDMI and DisplayPort being the two dominant video connections. On some you’ll get only a single DisplayPort, but some monitors come with two; the same applies with the HDMI connection.

How many you need will depend on the number of other extra devices you plan to plug into your monitor. So if, for example, you’d like one display to have a TV box and several games consoles plugged in then you’ll need more connections. If you’re only running one PC, however, then this isn't something to worry about.

EXTRAS

There are plenty of extra features that monitor manufacturers have tacked onto the latest displays, and which you find useful will come down to personal preference.

Some of the items we've seen include pop-out headphone stands, flashing lights on stands, carry handles and much more. Where a monitor has some unique extras we’ll point them out, and let you know if we think they’re of much use.

HyperX Cloud Stinger review

KEY FEATURES

• 3.5mm connectors
• 50mm drivers with neodymium magnets
• Memory foam padding
• Ear cup volume-control slider
• Swivel-to-mute noise-cancelling microphone
• Weight: 275g
• Manufacturer: Kingston
• Review Price: £50.00

WHAT IS THE HYPERX CLOUD STINGER

The Cloud Stinger is HyperX’s newest addition to its headset line, priced at the rather cheap £49.99. The Stinger fuses an attractive design with easy-to-use adjustment features, and is super-comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions.

In addition, audio quality is excellent for such a well-priced headset, and although the analogue connection may compromise some devices, the overall package is very enticing indeed.

Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/hyperx-cloud-stinger-review#ptoj2cMMXGQSYYWU.99

HYPERX CLOUD STINGER – DESIGN, BUILD AND FEATURES

The Cloud Stinger is a wired stereo headset, and features a jet-black design with a large red HyperX logo on each ear cup.

The overall design works well, and from a distance it looks like a high-end piece of kit. Inspect the Stinger a little more closely and it becomes apparent that this is a budget headset.

Related: Best gaming headsets

While the Stinger has a reasonable textured finish, the majority of the headset is made from scratchy plastic. It does at least feel relatively strong, not that I would encourage dropping it on the floor repeatedly.

HYPERX CLOUD STINGER – DESIGN, BUILD AND FEATURES

The Cloud Stinger is a wired stereo headset, and features a jet-black design with a large red HyperX logo on each ear cup.

The overall design works well, and from a distance it looks like a high-end piece of kit. Inspect the Stinger a little more closely and it becomes apparent that this is a budget headset.

Related: Best gaming headsets

While the Stinger has a reasonable textured finish, the majority of the headset is made from scratchy plastic. It does at least feel relatively strong, not that I would encourage dropping it on the floor repeatedly.

The ear cups rotate 90 degrees, and come in a decent amount of faux leather-coated foam. A volume slider is present on the underside of the right cup, which allows for easy adjustment of audio volume.

The Stinger weighs 275g, and feels surprisingly lightweight. The headband never feels like it’s compressing against your head, while at the same time doesn't slip when moving erratically.

It’s a very well balanced headset that proved comfortable to wear for very long gaming sessions. The padding used throughout the headset provided a nice, soft feel, and I wasn't having to constantly vent my ears from excess heat.

HYPERX CLOUD STINGER – AUDIO QUALITY

The sound quality aboard the Stinger is impressive given its price. From the moment I began using the headset, I was genuinely surprised at the level of punch that’s delivered from a £50 unit.

My testing began with music from Spotify, and it was immediately apparent that the of the headset is very well balanced. A headset of this calibre is never going to rival a pair of luxury headphones, but the Stinger wasn’t as far off as you’d imagine. The bass was never overpowering, and while the clarity of the vocals couldn’t quite match the more expensive Cloud II, it provides an excellent listening experience.

The headset is also well calibrated for gaming, and delivers a strong performance regardless of whether playing a turn-based strategy game or first-person shooter. In two weeks of use, I’ve enjoyed listening to around 20 hours of the excellent soundtrack of Civilization VI, as well as many tense games of Gears Of War 4. Both are handled excellently, with plenty of detail and sufficient bass response - shredding an enemy into a thousand pieces is sadistically satisfying. Note that this is a stereo headset, though, so those wanting virtual surround sound will need to look elsewhere.

The microphone found on the Stinger is also an area of strength, with a noise-cancelling microphone that performs respectably. My voice recordings from the headset offered plenty of volume and excellent voice separation from the background – even in noisy environments.

While the recording does have a slight nasally quality, it compares quite well to the likes of the Corsair Void RGB. As an analogue headset, however, it can pick up a fair amount of background static from the connected device. Those using onboard motherboard audio chips should take note.

SHOULD I BUY THE HYPERX CLOUD STINGER?

After the disappointing Cloud Revolver, it’s safe to say that HyperX is back on form with the Cloud Stinger. For a headset costing £50, it’s great to see that all the important elements of a headset have been implemented so well.

The Stinger is immensely comfortable to wear for long periods, and the sound quality is marvellous at this price point. I’d have preferred to have a detachable microphone, but otherwise all the bases have been covered well.

If you’re after a budget gaming headset for your console or gaming PC, the HyperX Cloud Stinger should be at the top of your list.

VERDICT

A fantastic budget headset that delivers great audio quality and a comfortable design.

Asus ZenBook UX310UA review

KEY FEATURES

• 2.5-3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i7-6500U with Hyper-Threading
• 256GB SSD and 500GB hard disk
• 8GB DDR4 RAM
• 13.3-inch 3,200x1,800-pixel screen
• 1.45kg
• Windows 10
• Backlit keyboard
• 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, 3.5mm headset, 1x HDMI
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
• Base model starts at £500
• Manufacturer: Asus
• Review Price: £800.00

WHAT IS THE ASUS ZENBOOK UX310UA

The Asus ZenBook UX310UA is a premium and stylish 13.3-inch Ultrabook that doesn’t break the bank. With a starting price of just £550, this mid-range laptop comes with high-end features. These include a beautiful, thin and light metal-coated body, Intel Skylake processors, solid-state storage, a USB Type-C port and a backlit keyboard.

Navigating Asus’ confusing naming conventions isn’t easy: the new UX310UA is the direct successor to the UX303UA (we gave this laptop a 4/5 back in February 2016). There isn’t a whole lot new here, and it isn’t perfect, but for the money the Asus ZenBook UX310UA is one of the most tempting laptops I’ve reviewed in quite some time.

Its £800 price tag puts it in the same territory as the Lenovo IdeaPad 710S Trusted reviewed earlier this year, although the two offer slightly different experiences.

With the MacBook Air seemingly abandoned by Apple, the Windows Ultrabook market is starting to look more promising than ever.

Related: Best laptops to buy

ASUS ZENBOOK UX310UA – BUYING INFORMATION

With a retail price of £799.99, my review model is the top-spec UX310UA featuring a i7-6500U dual-core processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, 500GB secondary hard drive and a QHD+ resolution display. Considering the Dell XPS 13 costs £100 more for the base i5 Full HD model, I’m really impressed with what you get for your money.

If you’re on a tighter budget, the entry-level UX310UA sports an i3-6100U processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD and a Full HD display.

Related: Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 explained

Here it's worth comparing the specifications of the top-end Lenovo IdeaPad 710S: For the same money you get a larger and faster 256GB SSD, better integrated graphics and a slightly faster Core i7-6560U processor. The IdeaPad is also slightly lighter, but only gets a Full HD screen.

ASUS ZENBOOK UX310UA – DESIGN AND BUILD

There’s no fancy touchscreen or 360-degree hinge here – this is a traditional clamshell laptop.

The UX301UA’s all-aluminium coating looks as premium as it feels. Weighing 1.45kg – that’s 550g lighter than the MacBook Pro 13 – and only 18mm thick, this is the ideal travel companion.

Asus’ famous spun-metal finish on the lid looks great, catching the light as you open it. If you’re not a fan of the grey colour on review, the ZenBook is available in bronze and grey metal too.

On the whole build quality is great, screen wobble is minimal, there’s very little flex in the metal body, and the keyboard depresses only slightly with a firm push.

If I have one complaint, it’s that the chunky bezels detract from the high-end aesthetic of the laptop. Next to a Dell XPS 13 and its “infinity-edge” bezels, the UX310UA looks a little dated. It’s a minor gripe but something I’d like to see addressed on future models.

As for ports, the UX310UA offers a peculiar combination of old and new. There are three USB ports, but only one of them is the faster USB 3.0 type. It’s odd to see two USB 2.0 ports on a 2016 laptop – although it isn’t much of an issue if you just use these to plug in mice, keyboards or other peripherals.

The good news is the UX310UA does offer one of the latest reversible USB 3.1 (Type-C) ports, which is a nice piece of future-proofing. Elsewhere there’s a full-size HDMI port, headphone and microphone combo port, card reader and DC power port. It’s hard to think of anything that’s missing here.

ASUS ZENBOOK UX310UA – KEYBOARD AND TOUCHPAD

The full-sized chiclet-style keyboard on the UX310UA is above average. While the keys do feel a little spongier than I‘d like, they offer a good amount of travel; I was comfortable typing on the keyboard within seconds of using it for the first time. It’s fully backlit, too – a feature the UX303 lacked – which not only adds to the laptop’s premium aesthetic but makes it easier to use in the dark.

There’s a hint of flex in the keyboard if you press firmly toward the back-middle of the keyboard, but it isn’t something you’ll notice with normal use.

The big, glass trackpad feels great. The smooth surface has two built-in buttons integrated into the bottom of the trackpad. I found it slightly less responsive than I’d like out of the box, but increasing the cursor sensitivity by a notch in Windows easily resolved the issue.

ASUS ZENBOOK UX310UA – SCREEN

You have the choice of Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) or 3,200 x 1,800-pixel display, depending on which model of the UX310UA you go for.

My review model sports the higher-resolution QHD+ panel, which looks terrific – but I’m not convinced that anyone needs it on a 13.3-inch laptop. You’ll definitely need to make use of Windows scaling (which actually works well in Windows 10) to make the text and icons comfortably usable.

While I appreciate the sharpness (276ppi), unless you put the screen right up to your eye it isn’t something you’ll ever notice. I also believe it has a significant impact on battery life, but we’ll talk more about that later.

What I do like is the IPS panel, which is bright and offers wide viewing angles. Whether you’re watching a Netflix movie, YouTube video or just browsing the web, the display is nice to look at. Asus’ quoted 500:1 contrast ratio is lower than average, and means blacks are less inky and whites are a tad duller than you might expect given the type of panel used. For the price, though, the screen is adequate.

On the plus side, the solid 375cd/m2 maximum brightness combined with the matte panel makes it easy to use the UX310UA when you’re out and about. I found the display remained readable even in direct sunlight (hard to find during the Autumn in the UK).

Best smartwatch 2016

Smartwatches are still in their infancy in tech-terms but that doesn't mean they haven't come a long way since the days of the original Pebble. Having said that, it's still difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, which is why this guide is here to help you find your way.

Smartwatch manufacturers initially found it difficult to pinpoint their exact purpose and found it difficult to balance the dependence on a connected smartphone. Then they also had to tackle poor battery life and unwieldy designs. Fortunately, with newer models that have been recently released, and those that are coming out soon, many of these problems are beginning to be rectified.

We've had plenty of smartwatches come through the TrustedReviews offices, so here's our guide to helping you pick the right smartwatch for your wrist.

THIS WEEK'S BEST SMARTWATCH DEALS

Moto 360 2 at Amazon.co.uk | Was £230 | Now £159

Pebble Time Steel at Amazon.co.uk | Was £199 | Now £169

Samsung Gear S2 at Amazon.co.uk | Was £300 | Now £197

Huawei Watch at Amazon.co.uk | Was £289 | Now £223

Garmin Fenix 3 at Amazon.co.uk | Was £379 | Now £305

Huawei Watch at Amazon.com | Was $349.99 | Now $246

Samsung Gear S2 at Amazon.com | Was $299 | Now $249

Apple Watch at Amazon.com | Was $349 | Now $280

BEST SMARTWATCH – WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A SMART WATCH

Software

Before buying any smartwatch you should consider what type of phone you use. Outside of a few exceptions, close to all smartwatches need to be paired with a smartphone to fully function.

As a result, if you’re an Android user, you should steer clear of the Apple Watch. Likewise, if you have an iPhone you’ll need to make sure the smartwatch you’re considering runs software that's compatible with Apple's iOS.

If you’re buying a smartwatch that runs proprietary software, like Samsung Tizen or Pebble OS, you’ll also want to check which apps will run on it, as not all of them have mainstream third-party support.

Why you want it

Before buying a smartwatch you should consider what you plan to do with it. If all you want it for is fitness tracking, or step counting, there are cheaper wearables available from companies such as Moov, Fitbit and Misfit.

Likewise, if you’re not concerned about fitness tracking, there’s no need to purchase a more expensive smartwatch with GPS and a heart-rate monitor. If you just want a quick and easy way to check incoming alerts from your phone, you probably won’t need to shell out for an Apple Watch, or Moto 360 2.

However, if you want to use your smartwatch to answer emails or book calendar appointments, you’ll have to pay a bit more and invest in a unit that has either voice command or touchscreen functionality.

Related: Best fitness trackers 2016

Battery life

Battery life is one of our biggest qualms with smartwatches. In our experience even the most expensive smartwatch is unable to last more than one to two days off a single charge. The devices also generally use proprietary charging docks, which adds further insult to injury.

As a result, when buying a smartwatch you should keep in mind that you'll likely have to add yet another item to the list of devices you regularly have to charge.

Long-term appeal

You should also keep in mind that smartwatches don’t have the same longevity as a regular timepiece. When you buy a smartwatch it won’t be with you for life. Like all modern technology, they'll eventually break down or simply become obsolete and unsupported.

As a result, you should think twice before shelling out multiple thousands of pounds for swanky items such as the Apple Watch Edition or Tag Heuer Connected.

UPCOMING SMARTWATCHES

Now that Apple has release the Apple Watch Series 2 the other big smartwatch on the horizon is the Samsung Gear S3. It, like the Apple Watch Series 2, has some serious fitness functionality. GPS is also included as well as plenty of other sensors including a barometer, accelerometer and heart rate monitor. The Apple Watch Series 2 and Samsung Gear S3 are priced similarly so it will be interesting to see which comes out on top. It's worth noting that the Samsung Gear S3 is a much bigger watch – something to keep in mind if you have small wrists. It does have a more traditional circular watch design, however.

Then there's the Asus ZenWatch 3. It's the company's first attempt at a round Android Wear watch but instantly looks far more appealing than previous ZenWatch smartwatches. There's also no 'flat tire' in sight, which is something that has plagued over round Android Wear watches in the past. Asus is making bold claims about its fitness tracking, claiming it's 95% accurate. Disappointingly there's no heart rate monitor. As it runs Android Wear, you can expect a raft of app options.

Leaked image and handset roadmap suggest return of Moto X in 2017

Motorola fans have been given a glimpse of what next year's lineup of handsets could include from the Lenovo-owned brand, including a potential return of the Moto X.

Two separate leaks this week suggest that the Moto X could make a return to the range, and that other handsets will include the Moto G, M, Z, C and E. Since Lenovo's purchase of Motorola in 2015, it's taken general control of the smartphone manufacturing process, but will lead the way on the Moto E, C, X and M for 2017. The Moto Z and Moto G will still be fully designed by the Motorola unit within the company.

A leaked image online also offers a glimpse of what is likely to be the 2017 Moto X, complete with full-metal chassis and a large looking gap for the camera sensor. It'll also have a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, according to TechDroider.

There's no confirmation that it is indeed the 2017 Moto X, but it does look similar to images of the 2016 Moto X that surfaced online at the start of the year, but without the holes that featured on the rear of those earlier leaks.

While there are no specs to pore over yet, and the first impressions of the handset are one aiming at a 'premium' feeling device, Lenovo will need to work hard to simplify its branding and exactly how it plans to move forward in various markets around the world. For example, while the upcoming Moto M is branded as a Motorola, leaked images of the packaging appear to show Lenovo branding, which is likely to end up confusing for potential purchasers.

Google Pixel hacked in 60 seconds for $120,000 prize

Google's Pixel smartphone, which runs the latest version of its Android operating system, succumbed to a team of hackers in less than one minute, netting the winners a $120,000 first prize.

The Mobile Pwn2Own competition in Japan saw the Chinese team Qihoo 360 take the top spot by gaining control of a Pixel device and executing code remotely. In this instance, that meant opening up the Play Store, then opening Chrome and displaying a message. The team managed to do all of that in less than 60 seconds.

It's bad news for the Pixel particularly, as it's the second time the handset has been shown to be vulnerabile to remote code execution. Google's now working on a patch for both these issues, according to The Register. It also follows news earlier this week that Android Nougat actually makes it easier to brute force encryption passwords than previous versions of the platform.

Google wasn't alone in falling to hackers at the Pwn2Own battle though: Qihoo 360 also took home another $120,000 for breaching Flash in less than four seconds and Pangu Team nabbed $80,000 for breaking through Safari running on MacOS Sierra with a privledge escalation vulnerability. That took just 20 seconds.

White-hat hacker competitions like this highlight the need to always take as much precaution as possible with your personal details, passwords and other sensitive information online, as no matter how much preparation is put in, hackers tend to always find a way to sniff out vulnerabilites and break through any defenses.