Yes, great points guys.
Thanks for the share Richard and Jeremy.
Another one of the benefits is that you are published in a "third party" publication and being featured as an expert which is quite different than putting up a site where you say, "Hey everyone! I'm the expert. Listen to me and buy my products."

Once you've had your first 10 articles published with Ezine Articles, they are reviewed and usually approved within 24 hours for platinum level expert authors.