There are several ways to approach article submissions. The first is to submit your articles to lots of article directories for more backlinks and to possibly rank for long-tail keywords from several places. But the preferred method by me is to hand pick the best article directories (most traffic, most published, good PR ranking) and submit articles to only those top article directories.

Here is my updated list of the best article directories on the web by pagerank as of: March 29, 2011

PR7 – Best Article Directories

Suite101 – This is the big kahuna of article directories based on its PR ranking, time on the web, and the fact that you get paid ad revenues for your work.
PR6 – Best Article Directories

EzineArticles – If you’re just starting out in article marketing, this is the one to start with. People do not just submit to or syndicate articles from this site, it is a real community. Great support and development.
ArticleBase -This is another article directory biggie. Continued development on this site as well.
Isnare – iSnare is a  strong article directory and submission service.
SelfGrowth -Sign up as an expert on this site and you can submit articles to this directory. Lot’s of networking on this site.
WebProNews – This is an old and respected directory which must approve your content. Also, you can only submit original articles – no duplicates.
Helium – Cool and up-to-date article directory.
Buzzle -Another strong article directory with simple site design.
American Chronicle -This is a network of article sites whose results often appear in Google News results.
TheWhir -Great article directory for web business topics.
PR5 – Best Article Directories

ArticleDashboard -Another long time directory. They also sell their template for folks who want to create their own article directories.
SearchWarp -This directory promotes authors in a nice way. Your picture and latest article is featured on the home page.
Article Snatch – Another strong directory, but it is a “no-follow” directory.
ArticleCity -Standard article directory. They’ve also added a video article section as well.
IdeaMarketers -This is a popular article directory with writers because the site founder offers so many ways for writers to promote their content.
Site Reference -A content site with built-in article submission.
Article Alley -Another solid, standard article directory.
PR4 – Best Article Directories

Submit Your Article -This site is a dual article submission service and article directory. It is the ONLY submission service that I recommend.
GoArticles -Being the largest free article directory on the web is its claim to fame, although bigger is not necessarily better.
Articles Factory -Basic article directory with sturdy ranking and traffic.
PR3 – Best Article Directories

Amazines – This is another solid article directory, worth submitting your articles to.
Want More Best Article Directory Tips?

Learn more about manual article submissions vs. automated submissions?
Discover what determines what a GOOD article directory is?
Do you have any directories to add to the best article directories list? Add them in the comments section and I’ll check ‘em out!