Adding Sites to Directories - is it Doable?

Why does it consume so much time?

[adder]

Hi,

I just tried to estimate the timing of my SEO activities and realized that it takes ages and ages to submit sites to directories.

Right now I have 12 sites to promote (including my own and those of my clients). I created a Word document containing all the titles, urls and descriptions, so that I don't need to type them again and again (another case of Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V). I enabled my browser auto-fill, it saves me more time, when filling out e-mail addresses and names.

And still, it takes me around 40 minutes to submit all 12 sites to a single directory. That's awful! :(

Besides, in some cases I will find that I've wasted those 40 minutes because the directory has been long dead and isn't accepting submissions.

I just cannot afford to do that but it is just such a pity because I carried out a couple of interesting experiments and it showed that even as little as 10 free directories can improve rankings...

I'm wondering how are those out-source guys coping, who are submitting sites for other people? I saw this ad somewhere: "I'll submit your site to 1,000 directories for just $29"
If I cost/time it, it would take me exactly 56 hours to accomplish a similar task. That would translate into 50 cents per hour :D

Am I missing something? Are there any shortcuts?

Any input and constructive criticism will be appreciated!
Thank you.

[wheel]

50 cents an hour may be living wage in some areas.

I'm sure there's easy to develop software that will autosubmit. If you've got the top directory packages page structure figured out you can write a program to autosubmit. And since the majority of directories are using the same program, the same automated submission will work across a large number of sites.

[adder]

Yes, but the trouble is that I've decided to shortlist only the directories that match my own assumptions of good quality directory (At least PR3 AND at least Alexa top 300,000).

When it comes to good quality directories, they all have captchas or some other security barriers :(

But thanks anyway. I think I have an autosubmitter somewhere. I'll give it a test.

[wheel]

I should clarify :). I wasn't suggesting the use of an autosubmitter. I've never used one myself. I manually submit to everything. However I know some folks autosubmit.

there's also a package that will auto fill out forms as you visit pages. I want to say roboform, but it's been a while since I looked at it. That may help you as well, while at the same time letting you do each one by hand.