The last time we talked about blogging, we covered the idea that simply getting involved in the blogosphere was the easiest way to get noticed and build traffic to your site. It really is just about taking the time to read what others have to say, leaving some comments around, and having some fun getting to know other bloggers.
Of course, that’s only half of the story, and if you really want to build a blog that’s valuable to you for getting noticed, there are some other things you should do.
If you take a look at our site, at the bottom of every post is a Share This button. Now the button itself isn’t what I want to point out – the networks that button connects our site to is. With a single click of a button anyone can add one of our posts to their Technorati faves, to Digg, to Delioco, StumbleUpon, etc. They can also post a portion of the content to their own blog, or then can email it to their friends.
The Share This button is a great tool, but it isn’t necessary for everyone (we use it because it makes it simple for authors to promote our reviews of their books). What is necessary is to get involved in at least some of the bigger blogging networks out there.
Every blogger should claim their blog in Technorati, and it will also be beneficial to use at least one or two of the other services I list below.
Technorati - Technorati is the biggest blog network out their. They are also the only site that ranks blogs. You should sign up on technorati and claim your blog. Once you do, you can add “fave” buttons to your posts, or you can use their sidebar widget to allows others to fave your blog. I also use Technorati to follow other blogs that I like to read.
Claiming your blog in technorati does two things for you. First it gives you a simple measure of how many other blogs link to you (which is your Authority ranking) and it also allows you to add fave buttons or even just links like the one below (Ask Dave Taylor has a simple explanation of how to do this):
Add eBookGuru.org to Your Technorati Favorites
Stumble Upon - Stumble Upon isn’t specifically a blog network, but it will build traffic if you add Stumble buttons to your site and to your posts. This particular site is one of our largest referrers, and all it takes is for a few pages to be Stumbled and you’ll have traffic coming on a daily basis.
When you use StumbleUpon, you can add buttons like the one below (the button will give our site a thumbs up) and allow your users to vote for your content. Occasionally your content will end up on the front page of Stumble, or in the top ratings for content related to your site, and suddenly you’ll get a few hundred extra hits over a short time frame.
Stumble It!Blogged - There
are many different blog networks out there, one of the biggest is blogged. This particular site is the one that allows you to post buttons like the one I’ve shown below. You can allow others to rate your blog, and the more ratings you receive the higher you’ll climb within the blogged site itself. If you really get involved in this community it can be a big traffic builder.
BlogCatalog – BlogCatalog is the social network for bloggers, that is how they market themselves and in this case it really is true. There site is a huge network of blogs on any imaginable topic. It gives you tools to connect with other bloggers, and to promote your own blog. Again, if you take a little time to become involved with this site it will bring visitors to your site.
Bloglines – Is another big blogging network. This one focuses on sharing and favorites, but adding your own content to this network will help to build some traffic for your own web site.
FuelMyBlog - Fuel my blog is another social network for bloggers. This one is newer than BlogCatalog, but it is quickly gaining in popularity and you’ll see their logos on more and more blogs as they grow. A less mature site can sometimes be a great way to build traffic because there is a lot less competition (you get to grow as they do).
Digg and More – If you tend to post a lot of tips content that teaches others how to do something Digg buttons are an excellent addition to your blogging toolbox. Although content is key with this one, if you do have an article that becomes popular on a huge site like Digg, it will bring a lot of traffic and fuel your own growth.
There are really hundreds of sites that I could list that work to build traffic without costing you anything. If you have a big Twitter account, or a pile of friends on Facebook, those types of networks can also work to bring visitors to your blog. The most important thing is to get involved in at least a few of these networks. Most of us don’t have time to become active in all of them, but simply adding your blog to Technorati and Bloglines, for example, will add to the traffic you get from your own involvement in the blogosphere. Really most of these sites are just another way to become more active within the realm of blogging; which is the key to getting your own blog noticed.
Further Reading:
If you want to read more about blogging, I can recommend both of the following books. In reality, both of these books teach how to make money with a blog. But, because of that fact, they both teach the ideas behind marketing (building traffic, SEO, web 2.0 marketing, etc) which is the information you really need to grow a blog quickly.
1. Blogging to The Bank 3.0 by Rob Benwell – I have read this book in two different versions, and Rob Benwell’s latest book is well worth it’s cost. It’s likely the biggest-selling book on blogging ever, and they’ve done well keeping it up with the current state of technology/web marketing. (Clarice reviewed this one here)
2. Atomic Blogging by Alvin Phang – Don recommends this one. Personally I have never read it, but it does come with tons of bonus materials that likely make it a sound investment in learning material and in blogging in general. If Don recommends it, then I would imagine it’s just as good as the first one I listed (he’s more actively involved in the marketing side of information products, so he should know).
3. Instead of Atomic Blogging, you might want to read Web 2.0 Traffic Stampede by Chris Freville. I reviewed this book specifically for this purpose – after thinking about it, I remembered this one and thought it would be a more natural follow up to take your knowledge of Web 2.0 Marketing further. Read the review here: Web 2.0 Traffic Stampede by Chris Freville
Hi, Trevas,
Interesting read for a novice. I’ve managed the Technorati link, but StumbleUpon has been a complete pain. I can’t for the life of me figure out how to add their button to my page. When I follow the links, nothing happens and I can’t get the code. I’ve tried their help forum, browsing help topics and sending a direct request for help, but have gotten no response. I’ve simply set them aside for the time being.
On your basic point – get involved, comment, establish relationships – you’re absolutely right. The biggest problem I see is the issue of time. Nurturing relationships on too many sites reduces writing time. My newbie take is: pick one or two sites, and focus on them for a while.
I’m enjoying browsing this site, that’s for sure.
Hello Linda
When they redesigned there site – Stumble hid the buttons…
Scroll to the very bottom of any page on the StumbleUpon.com site, and then look under the Tools and Services heading. There is a link that says StumbleUpon Buttons (here’s the URL http://www.stumbleupon.com/buttons.php).
I agree with you – getting involved in more than one or two of the blogging networks is time consuming.
Personally I keep my favorites, and track this site, in Technorati. I also take the time to comment around the world of WordPress. I don’t really have a lot of time for much else.
When we have something intersting to say, I will take the time to Stumble and Digg the post, and have the others who write for this site do the same – generally though this site is getting enough traffic that I don’t have to worry about it.
There are other ways to build traffic which take less time in the long run, but do take time to get started.
Some of the social sites like Facebook or Twitter can be excellent traffic builders without a lot of effort put in, but it does take some time to build up friends lists/followers, etc.
Cheers,
Trevas
As fellow Ebook Week supporters, we found your site, read your marketing blog and totallly agree. Here at Booktaste we’ve found folk buy readily enough if the price is reasonable. And the best sales are for short stories and novellas rather than a lengthy novel. Maybe you could post a future blog on this aspect, the ebooks that carry a price. Regards from Cathy at http://www.booktaste.com
Very good work and excellent article! Cheers!