It's back to basics today and a trip into the past.I was asked how I managed to get traffic when I first started blogging - starting from nothing and without any blogging contacts.
Funnily enough I couldn't quite remember, other than I had the principle that every day I would do something different to try and get visitors. It was really my constant try, try and try philosphy that eventually got things moving.
I left this blog's URL/address wherever I could.
Often, it has to be said, this wasn't always productive but like water drip, dripping away it does have an overall effect. Plus, by searching for ways to get traffic, you come across all sorts of ideas - again some that work and some that don't. The point is: seek and you will find - that almost sounds religious!
So every day I plugged away doing something.
I hit the blog directories. There is a list of directories, together with their PageRank, on my February post A List Of 40 Free Blog Directories.
Looking back through old records the following two directories sent me the most referrals, though don't expect a deluge!
Blog Show Off
Blog Hub
I also got a good response from Klik Us - mainly because I got onto the front page. When I checked just now I'm still there and I haven't been on the site for ages.
I also joined various forums. These can bring traffic if used properly. One tip is to always comment on your own threads after anyone else makes a comment - this usually will bounce you up to the top of the list threads again.
Then there are things such as MyBlogLog - see widget in right hand column and myLot. Again, when I was starting out they brought me referrals plus with myLot I also earned about $40.
Like a lot of new bloggers I also dabbled with the Traffic Exchange programs. Now these definitely do work if you have the time. I'm not convinced, however, as to the value of the referrals but they can make your stats look good! Three I joined were:
Blog Explosion
Blog Soldiers
Blog Mad
One warning about Traffic Exchanges: Google AdSense do not like them so don't run AdSense ads while using any form of traffic exchange.
I won't go through everything that I tried when I started blogging - I see I haven't mentioned the likes of exchanging links, commenting on other blogs, social networking for example - but the message is:
Do something new every day to try and generate traffic. Readers won't otherwise magically appear - remember there are 50 million other blogs out there!
Good luck,
Mike.
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