Promoting a new blog can be quite daunting, but it doesn’t have to
be. As you might expect, breaking down blog promotion into small,
actionable tasks eliminates the mental road block you’ve probably
experienced when trying to wrap you head around how to get people’s
attention. You don’t have to do everything in this list, and some items
will have a greater effect then others, but every tactic will at least
drive some traffic, and any traffic is better than no traffic.

Content
1. Write a list of over 100+ resources or thoughts.
2. Write the definitive guide to something. Spend time making this awesome.
3. Release a manifesto.
4. Release 2 manifestos.
5. Interview cool people. People like talking about cool people.
6. After your articles are indexed in search engines, break them up into smaller articles and submit them to ezinearticles.com (and other article directories).
7. Or just pay someone to submit the articles for you.
8. Write a list of all the cool blogs and people in your niche.
9. Check out the most well loved content on high trafficked blogs. Make similar content but applied to your own niche.

Facebook

10. Start a page.
11. Make that page awesome.
12. Start a group.
13. Make that group awesome.
14. Make a Facebook app for your blog.

Fundamentals
15. Wait. After you’ve taken action it can take a small while for traffic to arrive.
16. Be patient. Some bloggers may seem like overnight successes, but if
you look back in their archives, they’ve been making content for a
long time.
17. Motivate yourself.
18. Read The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing.
19. Have an fascinating tale and overall purpose.
20. Embrace the Law of Reciprocity. Everything you give will come back exponentially.
21. Make blogging simpler.
22. Take action every day. Just get one vital thing done every day
and eventually you’ll start getting traffic. The more you do each day
the quicker your blog gets traction.
23. Find people with blogs at a similar level to yours and help each other out.
24. Turn off your computer, do some cool stuff, turn on your computer again and blog about it.
25. Know the importance of context.
26. Be consistent. You don’t need to blog every day but try to stick to at least some sort of schedule.
27. Make it a numbers game. Choose upon a certain plot of action (eg.
20 blog comments per day, 1 guest post per week etc) and stick with
that.

Online Video
28. Make videos and distribute them through tubemogul.com
29. Or for wider video distribution trafficgeyser.com may work for you (expensive though).
30. Respond to YouTube videos with your content.
31. Include your full blog address at the TOP of your video descriptions.
32. Take your time with devising video titles and tags.
33. Convert your video to multiple formats, with slight editing
changes, and upload it to video sites multiple times, targeting
different keywords. The content remains the same but you can test what
videos and titles work the best.
34. Buy the accounts of well loved YouTubers and then add your blog address to the descriptions of their videos.
35. Start the first live show in your niche (Ustream, Justin.tv and LiveStream are well loved choices). Make sure you record the shows too so they can be distributed as a podcast later on.

Other Blogs
36. Be the first commenter on the posts of well loved blogs. But still provide value.
37. If you can’t be the first then comment anyway. But try to be the first.
38. Stumble and Digg cool blog posts you find and let the blogger know
via a comment. If you have something worthy on your blog, they’ll
probably reciprocate.
39. Use google.com/blogsearch to find fresh blog posts and then leave intelligent comments.
40. Link to blogs of a similar size. They’ll notice and then excellent stuff may happen.
41. Write a guest post for a large blog. You may not always get
published, but when you do the traffic spike will be significant.
42. Write a guest post for a small blog. You’re more likely to get
published and build relationships with the next wave of A-List bloggers.
43. Write some more guest posts. Can’t hurt, that’s for sure.
44. Join a blog network.

Paid
45. Start a StumbleUpon Ads campaign.
46. Get reviewed.
47. Buy some ad space.
48. Send out a press release.

People
49. Attend relevant meetups.
50. Tell your friends and family about your blog. Have them tell everyone they know.

Podcasting

51. Start a podcast and submit it to the iTunes directory.
52. Convert audio files to video files (just use Windows Movie Maker or iMovie) and send them out via tubemogul.com
53. Submit it to some other podcast directories.

Search engine optimization
54. Write linkbait.
55. Have any video or audio content transcribed and posted to your blog.
56. Register your domain name for 10 years.
57. Take advantage of sites scraping your blog’s feed by interlinking posts. Simple way to get deep inbound links.
58. Use Thesis.

Social networks
59. Join every social network you can.
60. Or, just join a couple and be really active.
61. Become active in relevant ning.com communities.
62. Convert blog posts to PDF files and submit them to Scribd – include your blog url in the description and document itself.
63. Add your Scribd documents to relevant groups.
64. Submit your best posts to blog carnivals.
65. Join relevant forums, add your blog address to your signature and start posting intelligently.
66. Sign up at ping.fm and use twitterfeed.com to auto post your latest blog content to a bunch of social networks.
67. Make lists on Amazon.com
68. Write reviews on Amazon.com
69. Better yet, make video reviews for Amazon.com
70. Answer relevant questions on Yahoo Answers, leaving your website as the source.
71. Or on Mahalo Answers.
72. Or even through LinkedIn Answers.
73. Start your own Slinkset, and feed your RSS feed into it automatically.
74. Submit your site to alltop.com
75. Write an article aimed at Digg (okay, that article won’t help much).
76. Also, befriend one of the many Digg powerusers.
77. Make a new thread on a forum and write up a really fantastic guide
with no self promotion. Simple way to be seen as an authority figure and
to elicit comments on your writing (don’t forget that signature link
though!).
78. Submit your content to dofollow social bookmarking sites.
79. Or have Bookmarking Demon do it for you (certainly a bend in ethics though).

StumbleUpon
80. Become an active stumbler to know what stumblers like.
81. Friend people who stumble your content (they may just want to stumble more in the future)..
82. Have other people initially submit content (or “Learn” it as it’s known).
83. Place a Stumble button in your post template.

Su.pr
84. Sign up at su.pr and use it for all your small url needs.
85. Post content to your Facebook and Twitter stream.
86. Install the WordPress plugin to automate the process.
87. Identify the times that result in the most clicks and schedule tweets for them.
88. Setup your blog as a promoted website.

Twitter
89. Include hash tags (#tagname) in your tweets.
90. Search for your niche and answer any questions people have.
91. Place a Retweet button in your post template.
92. Follow relevant, well loved, and fascinating people.
93. Send @answers to relevant, well loved and fascinating people.
94. Tweet links to your content at multiple times during the day.
95. Like a product from a company that’s on Twitter? Review it and they
may just notice and tweet about the review. It’s happened to me.
96. Sponsor some tweets.
97. Find cool people in your niche who live nearby and organize a tweet up (a meet up where you invite anyone on Twitter).

WordPress
98. Install All In One SEO Pack.
99. Automatically ping lots of ping services.
100. Make a theme, include a link to your blog in the footer, and then release it for free.
101. Make a plugin and release it for free. Add a link to your blog
within the admin area. If it’s a excellent plugin people will like you for
it.

RESOURCE- http://www.dailyblogtips.com/ 

————————————————————————————

Do you want your blog to grow, increase your readership and
subscriber numbers, have your content constantly spread, and make more
money? Then you need to convert your blog visitors into dedicated readers.

 

Visitors are those that stop by your blog, skim through an article or two, and then leave – never to return. Boo. They’re of no use.

But dedicated readers regularly read your blog, spread your articles, leave high-quality comments, and buy your products. Yay! More of these, please.

Your mission is to convert your blog visitors into dedicated readers.

What excellent is 1,000 visitors a day if most of them don’t return?
Traffic figures alone might make you feel excellent, but it doesn’t get you
any desired results.

It’s all about quality over quantity. 100 dedicated readers beats out 1,000 passer-by visitors.

Here are 10 ways to convert your blog visitors into dedicated readers:

1. Be Yourself

This is slap-in-the-forehead common sense. But some bloggers try to
be someone they’re not just because that type of personality is
successful.

Just be yourself. Not only is it simple when you don’t have to force an
unnatural persona, but you’ll have a 100% genuine and desirable voice.

On my blog Lifebeat, I’m completely myself. And it’s so simple not
having to worry about projecting a certain image. I just write how I
talk. Very relaxed and informal. I keep it simple and to-the-point. I
inject jokes and music references. I constantly share personal examples.
And since I’m a huge anime fan, all my articles have anime images
rather than Flickr or iStock Photo ones.

Are you amusing? Be amusing. Serious? Be serious. Mad? Be mad.

Just be yourself.

2. Place the Reader Experience First

What makes you return to a restaurant? Chances are it’s not just the food but the experience.

Fantastic articles alone aren’t enough. You also need a fantastic reader
experience. If you want visitors to convert into dedicated readers, you
need a website people want to regularly return to.

That means don’t do anything on your blog that’ll compromise the reader experience. Translation: don’t annoy your visitors.

 

Common offenders: too many popups, ads, social bookmarking buttons, and subscribe links.

Just look at some of the most successful blogs: Daily Blog Tips, Problogger, Copyblogger and so on. No popups, and very light ads, social bookmarking buttons, and subscribe links.

I designed Lifebeat to place the reader experience first. Very clean,
very simple, and the content is at the forefront. There’s no popups, no
ads, no anything that would detract from enjoying reading one of my
articles.

If someone really wants to subscribe or share your article on
Twitter, they’ll do it. Don’t annoy and turn them away, losing what
could’ve become a dedicated reader.

3. Focus on Benefits to the Reader, Not Your Features

If you want dedicated readers, your blog should focus on what the
benefit is to the visitor. Not just your thoughts and thoughts but value to
a visitor.

Answer the “so what” question for new visitors: what’s in it for them? Why should they care?

Instead of putting the spotlight on what features my blog has, I
focus on the benefit to visitors: helping you maximize your life. Thoughts
and strategies to help you do more of what you like and are passionate
about. Not only do I state it in the About page and anywhere else, but
that’s the focus I have for each article I write: how can I help and
provide value to you, the reader.

Visitors care what you can do for them (benefits), not what thoughts
and thoughts you have (features). Focus on benefits, not features.

4. Write for Humans, Not Search Engines

Who reads your blog? People. So write for them.

Some bloggers make the mistake of writing articles solely based on
highly-searched keywords. That results in nothing-new, unremarkable
traffic bait. They might get search engine traffic, but very few
visitors will be converted into readers.

The best search engine optimization is incredible content. Not website
tweaks. Not a WordPress plugin. Not meta whozawhutsit. But incredible
content.

If people like your articles, they’ll share it on social media,
blogs, email, and even word of mouth. You’ll get higher-quality links,
too, since it’s interested people linking to you. And, as Daniel here or
Darren of Problogger and Brian of Copyblogger will tell you,
high-quality backlinks are the ultimate SEO.

Now, optimizing for search engines can help with search traffic. And
if you find a keyword phrase that happens to fit what you were going to
write about anyway, go ahead and use it.

I don’t consider searched keywords when writing an article. Only once I have an thought down, I’d use the Google keywords tool
to see if there’s a wording for the topic that people use most often.
If not, I don’t worry about it at all. I never once let keywords dictate
what I’ll write.

But place your message first – don’t compromise it. Make search engine
considerations a distant second to writing what you have to say.

Write for people first, optimize for search engine traffic later.

5. Be Consistent

Choose a posting schedule and stick to it no matter what. Build a cache of articles or schedule your posts if needed.

I clearly state that I post a new article on Lifebeat every Monday
and Thursday. I’ve stuck to that schedule ever since I started and
haven’t missed a day yet.

Consistent readers need consistent updates to return to. Provide it for them.

They’ll know when to expect a new article, just like how people
regularly check in to their favorite webcomics and news sites on certain
days.

 

6. Make It Simple for Visitors to Subscribe

The more you have to work to get something, the less likely you’ll
take the time to get it. Right? Don’t even try to deny it. That’s why
iTunes is killing it in music sales: it couldn’t be simpler to find and
download a tune.

Be like iTunes on your blog. Make it clear and simple for visitors to
be able to subscribe via email and RSS feed. Remove as many doors for
your visitors as possible. 

A visitor who subscribes is much more likely to convert into a dedicated reader.
This is because your visitors can read your latest articles from the
convenience of their email inbox or RSS feed reader. Your stuff is sent
to them, so even after they forget about your blog they’ll still get
your new articles, increasing the chance of them reading regularly (and
maybe even sharing or buying your stuff).

Putting an RSS and mail icon in a sidebar isn’t enough. Make the
subscribe option on your blog as non-cryptic and simple as possible.

Only a small percentage of your visitors will really know what what
an RSS or mail icon mean. Spell it out for the rest of your visitors,
including why they should subscribe (it saves them time and energy because new content is delivered directly to them).

And people like free stuff, so don’t forget to mention that visitors
can subscribe for free. Magazine subscriptions still have some thinking
that subscribing to anything means paying.

I have a simple design on Lifebeat, so the subscribe buttons are in
plain sight and clearly marked. I also clarify in a small sentence what
it means to subscribe and why a visitor should do it… and of course I
mention that it’s free.

7. Be Remarkable

Be unique. Be fantastic. Amplify yourself.

Don’t try to be the best in some field where you could never
dominate. Instead, do what Seth Godin says: make your own category and
dominate it. Analyze and figure out your unique traits, then crank them
up to a 10.

People aren’t going to be interested in yet another productivity,
personal finance, time management, self improvement, or whatever blog
that says nothing new. Use #3 (Be Yourself) and amplify your unique
traits.

I’m a writer, electronic musician, and adventurer who’s following his
unconventional passion in life via non-conforming means. I never
followed societal rules and found my own way. I also have child-like
curiosity, not limiting myself to how I “should” act – an eternal kid in
an adult’s world. I combine all of those traits and more into what I
hope is an always-improving remarkable voice that can offer something
fascinating, something fresh, something game-changing and disruptive.

Would you return to a blog that bores you or doesn’t excite you? Of
course not. So be fascinating to read, and visitors will start
converting into dedicated readers.

8. Talk With Your Visitors

It really is that simple: talk with your visitors. Answer to their
comments and emails, send thank-you notes if they leave a comment or
subscribe, or whatever else.

Use what works best for you (and doesn’t compromise your personal
style – remember, be yourself). Email, comments, Twitter, whatever. But
use at least one method of communication, so that visitors can form a
relationship with you and feel like they’re reading from someone they
know (or know that they can contact, at least).

I’ve never been comfortable on social networks and instant messenger,
but blog comments and email have been natural for me. So I focus on
posting and responding to comments and sending and replying to emails as
my forms of communication with my visitors and readers. I also try to
regularly send out thank-you emails.

People regularly return to something that they’ve formed a
relationship or connection with. Reckon about it: you care way more about
what your friends are doing than strangers.

9. Be Unconventional

Say something new that gets people thinking, motivated, and/or take action.

If you piss them off, that’s fantastic too – there’s no such thing as terrible
publicity, and controversy gets visitors interested (just question Seth
Godin, Tim Ferriss, or Steve Pavlina).

I’m constantly pushing myself to get out of my comfort zone and
become even less self-conscious by writing about unconventional topics
(or at least an unconventional perspective on something). Heck, even I
would get bored of my own writing if I played it safe.

If your article is no different from the latest blurbs that day, your
visitors will treat it at such: a quick skim-through and then go on.

Get visitors thinking and talking and you increase the chance of them
coming back for more (and maybe even bringing some friends along).

10. Have Fun

A blog isn’t a cubicle job, so just have fun.

People want to delight in what they consume. If you have fun writing an
article, chances are people will have fun reading it. And people tend to
return and consume more of what’s fun and enjoyable.

I have so much fun writing and making music on Lifebeat it should be
illegal. Like, I’ll be writing an article or making a new tune or mix,
and an alarm will sound. Woo woo woo! It’s the fun alarm: someone’s
having way too much fun.

Have fun, and your blog will be fun – and visitors will start converting into dedicated readers.

 Maximize Your Blog Visitors

Maximize your blog visitors by converting them into dedicated readers using these 10 ways.

Your blog to grow, your readership and subscriber numbers will
increase, your content will be constantly spread, and you’ll make more
money from more products sold. Now who doesn’t want all that?

Have these 10 ways helped you convert your blog visitors into dedicated readers? What other ways have worked for you?

———————————————————

Eearlier in the week I questioned readers to suggest their favourite free WordPress plugins. The response was fantastic and I’ll pull together a compilation of the most mentioned ones in the coming weeks.

But I’d also like to get your suggestions on the most useful Premium WordPress Plugins.

Over the last few years we’ve seen more and more premium (or paid) WordPress plugins released. At first many bloggers were skeptical about paying for plugins but of late I’ve noticed a bit of a shift and more and more bloggers are willing to pay for quality premium plugins.

If you’re a blogger who has forked out a few dollars for a premium WordPress plugin – I’d like to get your feedback on which ones you’ve found most useful.

So which are your favourite Premium WordPress Plugins – and Why?

This Post is from: ProBlogger Blog Tips.

Premium WordPress Plugins – What are Your Favourites?

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It’s been a few days since I launched the latest ProBlogger eBook – Copywriting Scorecard for Bloggers. Since that time we’ve seen over 1000 buys of the book and have had some fantastic feedback.

Here are of the first reviews so you can hear what others are saying about it.

1. Clare at Women in Business writes

“The eBook shifted my perspective on the purpose and value of each blog post. Sure you can have your call to actions at the end of the blog post – but does the content you’ve written support and encourage your visitor to take that action?” Read the full review

2. Ali Hale writes

“While reading, though, I was struck by how useful this book would be for many newer writers in the blogosphere. I see basic grammatical mistakes every day, and I also see posts which are fundamentally sound but poorly structured or formatted. It’s so simple to lose attention online, and this ebook would be invaluable to bloggers who are struggling to build an audience.” Read the full review

3. Kristi from Kikolani writes

“In addition to the checklist, the beginning of the ebook gives you 10 questions to question about your blog as a whole, as well as 11 questions to question before writing each post. If you refer to these answers as you write each blog post, your writing will not only improve, but you should also see better reader engagement with your posts as well.” Read the full review

4. Paul from Blogging Teacher Writes

“When you find a weakness in your writing all you need to do is look up that section in the ebook, learn how to improve that part of your writing, and place it into practice. In no time it will become second nature and you’ll be writing high quality blog posts with complete ease.” Read the full review

5. Jennifer from Gurls Asylum

The Copywriting Score Card for Bloggers is a fantastic product for all writers, especially those writing for the web. It shows many blog copywriting secrets in a way that is easily understood. The topics are actionable and often have a nice tip to help you use the topic better.” Read the full Review.

6. Stanford from Pushing Social

Check out this cool video review of the Scorecard – Stanford gives some thoughtful and considered analysis.

Updates and Price Increases

The feedback has overwhelmingly been a positive so far – but we’ve also had a couple of excellent suggestions on how to make it better. Glenn and I are already talking about how we can update it (any update will be given to those who already have it for free) to make it even more useful and anticipate having a significant update by the time the price goes up on 1 September (again, if you buy it now you’ll get the update free).

Keep in mind that the current price of $9.97 USD is an introductory offer. We’re putting the price up on 1 September. We’ve previously said that the price will go up to $14.97 USD but the feedback we’re getting is that it is worth more and with the updates we’ll most certainly place it up beyond that mark.

So to secure it at the introductory discount grab your own copy of Copywriting Scorecard for Bloggers now.

This Post is from: ProBlogger Blog Tips.

6 Reviews of the Copywriting Scorecard for Bloggers

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