Unfortunately, "build it and they will come" doesn’t apply to blogging, as you can see from today's Will Write for Chocolate comic. If you want people to come, you have to create some buzz. Here are a few of the tips I’ve picked up along the way:
1. Add your link to all your profiles. This includes your email signature, your profile page on MySpace, Facebook, Yelp, AIM, and anywhere else. Its not too obtrusive, but people DO click on it out of curiosity. Also include the URL in your alumni notices, if appropriate.
2. Comment Early and Often. Commenting on other blogs in your niche is not only good karma, it’s also a good way to get noticed. Be sure to log into your blogger account or leave your URL so they can check out your site. Hopefully this will lead to item #3.
3. Create reciprocal links. Blogging is all about linking. Add like-minded bloggers to your blogroll and ask them do the same (leave a few comments first so they’ll know who you are). Clicking through blogrolls is a great way to discover new ideas and new bloggers. Also link to and comment on posts from those blogs that interest you.
4. Google/Google Alerts: Regularly google your name and your blog's name so you’ll know when people are mentioning you and leave a comment thanking them. It's how I found this blog. Try searching for both "links:MyBlogName.blogspot.com" and "My Blog Name." If that’s too time-consuming for you, then sign up for Google Alerts.
5. Register with blog directories. A few examples: BlogCatalog, BlogHer, BlogWise, DelightfulBlogs, and Technorati. If you’re just starting out, then these can also be a good source for your blogroll.
Here are some more ideas:
ProBlogger's How to Market Your Blog in 2007
Web Pro New's 25 Tips for Marketing Your Blog
And great ideas for your general marketing needs: InkThinker's No Frill Freelance Marketing
Anything I've missed?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
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35 comments:
Susan,
Great post today. Very informative information, most of which I never considered, especially about commenting on other blogs as marketing tool.
Terah
www.terahs.com
Thanks for all the info Susan. I didn't know about all of the blog directories that you mentioned.
Harmony
Glad to hear it was helpful! Terah, I'm going back to your website tomorrow.
Great post. Google alerts are also good for when you have a inkling of an idea that might make an article - provides you with not only information but also how 'hot' the topic might be. Cheers, Liz
Liz brings up an excellent point!
Thanks for the link!
And speaking of Google Alerts, that's how I found that you'd linked to me in this post. They're good for lots of things! :]
kk
Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for the excellent tips. This is very generous of you, and I have implemented them all.
Great information, Susan, thanks a lot!
. ale
Thanks, Alead! Glad you found it helpful.
Very informative post - and so true ! Linking, commenting, readers blogs is basically the only way to be read as well... espcially when it comes to personal blogs.
This was a perfect summary of ways to promote a blog. It came at exactly the right time for me as I just started my blog and was thinking about the next step. Thanks for the great ideas!
Keli
Hey Kelli. Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to check out your blog, but you didn't leave a link. *hint, hint*
I forgot to shamelessly promote my blog! My link is:
www.counterfeithumans.com
Thanks very much!
Keli
Thanks, Keli!
Thanks so much for this information, Susan. I'm new at blogging and need all the help I can get!
Hi Susan -- I found your blog via Maria's blogroll. Congrats on getting picked! Fantastic! I can see why.
I just started doing the WD forum and getting the newsletter. I'm just about 2/3rds of the way through the first draft of my first novel and have been trying to "hang out" with writers. I do write in my own blogs each week -- one on health and nutrition -- http://www.wecould2.com
..and the other one about whatever is on my mind -- http://www.theleaderinside.com
Now I"m going to go back and read some more of your posts -- those that I've read so far are great.
In Peace, -- Ron Rink
Adding a site meter from a place like SiteMeter.com is also helpful. That way you can see how people are finding you and have a means of knowing when your blog is being picked up by news sources.
Whenever I see a big spike in hits on my blog I check the site meter and can tell what has happened to cause that --- usually my blog has been mentioned somewhere else.
It's a good tool.
Good one, Kathleen! I use Statcounter which is a huge help!
You did miss one thing. Handing your blog address out to drunk people at bars. I don't exactly remember doing this, but I now have at least one new reader (you may even get a free drink out of it).
Ashley, that is a highly original suggestion that I've never heard before. Thanks for commenting!
Thank you, Susan. I've done a lot of work on my blogs, but today decided that more had to be done to promote them. A quick Google search, and voila, up you came as #1. Excellent advice.
Thanks,
Sheree
http://www.visualsbysheree.blogspot.com
http://blog.picajet.com/about/
You may also be interested in
http://www.rsshugger.com, my recently launched website that aims to help bloggers as well as readers.
Thanks for these great tips on promoting our blogs. I do subscribe to Google alerts, and tag my posts with words, but wow, you have opened a huge world of possibilities to me.
Another thing I am doing is hosting blog book tours, aiming to limit to one a month.
I still don't know how to attach "widgets" in my blog site, which some of the search directories demand.
Terra,
Thanks for stopping by, and I'm glad I could offer a few more ideas for blog promotion! You can add widgets in the layout section of Blogger.
Susan
http://shesontherag.blogspot.com
Let's see if your advise really works...
I’ve found using Adoptic is a good way to show off your posts. http://www.brian1127.blogspot.com. I heard that Entrecard and Blogrush are good, too.
This is a great resource! I really like what you're doing here. Keep it up with the good advice and I'll keep taking it :-)
The Daily Pugle
Brian and Ben: thanks for your comments and welcome to the Urban Muse!
Many thanks for sharing your information.
I know you posted this forever ago, but thanks for listing it under your popular posts. I just came across your blog and can't wait to read more!
Thanks!
I'm so glad there are individuals out here that really help those of us who want to get their writing exposed to a larger audience. Thanks so much for all your advice. So, I will shamelessly market myself:
http://goodmenbadadvice.blogspot.com/
Enjoy! (and comment)
BT
thanks for the help!
www.charlieharperjr.wordpress.com
:)
Susan, Great post I wan searching for some new ways to push traffic to my blog and your site gave me a few fresh ideas I am going to run with.
great stuff thanks!
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