Thanks for your question..! Pulling up article on the first of search engines listing is what everyone wants it....
As you read lots of answers from lots of expert seo above, there were many facts which google ranked you article depend on those. Hence, lots of webmasters are trying their best to follow those article, and try to bring their article up on higher..
But I have a question..., why does Google needs to list your higher than other..?
I think that you first you should answer the above question, then find how to do it...