I post articles from all over and put in a link to the article source when I can. This links to say 'CNN.com's page and then some will automatically give a referral back to your site. I get wahkonta popping up all over now by this. On one blog I posted an article from one site, which referred to another article that linked to the site I wanted people to read. It was taking this to the limit of linkage as is, but I guess it will work. I assume the external URL is to get the site out and about to other sites and get better exposure. I think we should all make it a habit to get the links and referrals out as it will increase our hits to increase joeusers' hits. But linking to your own is also a good bet as it leads to more of your own articles. I found a blog by a lady who linked to her blog and found a wealth of good information articles I probably never would have read had she not done so. I know you have some good stuff too so get your word out using it.
Of course, I'm probably wrong but this will get GCJ to explain it to us soon.