Getting More Traffic To Your Blog

in Blogging, Marketing, SEO by Thomas Skavhellen on December 30th, 200811 Comments

So it’s about time I wrote this blog post as we are in the middle or soon in the end of a traffic competition in Alex Jeffreys coaching program. I’ve been working on some other things with my blog so I consider myself out of the competition or at least not in the top 10 of who is getting the most traffic. Even so I have a a number of steps that I work on that I want to implement into my daily and weekly blog work so that I can raise the traffic to this blog to new heights.

Before I go into the steps I must say that there is no easy steps to get a lot of traffic to your blog like super fast. Well, if you don’t count buying 10.000 visitors for $45 that clearly isn’t targeted and will not stay on your site for very long. The success of a blog is based on the readers of the blog. The more people that read the blog regularly, the more contents of the blog is spreading, and then in the mean time it will develop your blog bigger and bigger. The key to success is to build great content and a core audience. That’s why my steps for getting more traffic to my blog is a bit slower then most of the students that is part of the competition. I’m going for targeted traffic and building a relationship with my readers. It’s part of a branding strategy and this week it really seams to work, so let’s get to it.

1. SEO
I’ve read a lot of different things on the SEO subject in the past week. Everything from “Do not build a bloggroll, google will ban you” to lots of interesting simple to do SEO tips. In my opinion Search Engine Optimization is the best way to driving traffic to your site because traffic from search engine is very targeted. For now I’ve made my URL readable. I’m using an all in one SEO pack plugin for WordPress and I push keyword into posts and titles, for pictures and other content.

2. Blog walking to other blogs
This is actually very fun but I understand people that say it’s very time consuming. That’s why you have to organize this with some nice time management. Like spend one hour a day to visit blogs that are in the same market or niche as you and make comments on their posts. A comment with your url in it is considering an invitation to visit your blog. That way you will slowly get some traffic back to your blog. I’ve visited quite a few of my fellow students in Alex Jeffreys coaching program, but also starting to visit blogs outside the tribe to get some “fresh” traffic to my blog. I really need to credit Gary Simpson for this since he got me started doing this when days where grey.

I’ve also noticed that many other blogs are NoFollow Free. It means that when you comment with your URL it actually counts as a backlink to your site. So I’m considering making my blog the same with some rules next year.

3. Banner Exchanges
I haven’t started with the actually banner exchanges just yet. I want to build up some more traffic first. But from my experience in the marketing world this gives more traffic back and makes you send more traffic to other sites if done right. So I will be looking for blogs that are about the same size as mine and trade with banners starting in January.

4. Buy Banner Spots
This is also a tip from my old days and I’ve started with this already with good results. I’m actually amazed how low the prize is for banner advertising in this niche. You can get a 125×125 banner for just $30 a month on some sites that actually have great traffic. So it’s all about finding the right site to buy from and make sure the traffic you will get is targeted.

5. Making Videos
I’ve already released my very first episode of my marketing show Widlas TV. I think it was very good for a first episode with a few technical problems with the sound sync. But as my mentor always says, it doesn’t have to be perfect, you just need to get started. I hope to make it a weekly show. And I truly believe that it will make me more traffic on the long run. The first episode was just uploaded to youtube. But my marketing friend Marius Ystenes is trying out some cool software that posted his videos to all kinds of websites in just a few clicks and just days after he was on the first page of google on lots of keywords. So will look into that for sure.

6. Podcasting
One tip for you video makers out there. If your video does not show a lot of graphic and you just can listen to the sound of the video, you should really think about making your video as an mp3 file too. Then you can submit it to a bunch of podcasting directories and that will bring you even more listeners and traffic. It’s also a tip for everyone out there that doesn’t like to show off their face on the net.

7. Twitter
Many marketers have called Twitter the best tool for 2008. It’s very powerful and I have heard that marketing stars with over 70.000 people on their email list and just 6000 following them on twitter actually got more signups from Twitter on their product lunch. So that’s why it’s important to build your Twitter lists and have the same respect for that list as you have for your mailing list. I’m also building my Twitter list very slow. I don’t believe in the Follow me and I follow you teory. I believe that if I get more people following me for the right reason they will be more targeted and more interested in what I have to say or provide for them in the near future.

8. Viral Marketing
This is something I’m working on a lot. I want to start giving out tools free on my blog very soon. Thease tools will be moveable and valuable for marketers but it wll have my URL on it. This way I’ll create backlinks on every copy gived out. It will not be an eBook but it will work just like it. So as a traffic tip, try to make something that you can put your url on and that you can give out for free. It can be an eBook, a tool, a WordPress theme or something like that. As long as it’s useful and your visitors will spread it around.

Thomas Skavhellen

About the author

Responses to “Getting More Traffic To Your Blog”

Dawid Ryba 31.12.2008 um 12:11 pm
hi Thomas

Great blog, great advice, I will try and implement this information to make 2009 my best year ever.

I wish you and all your readers a Happy New Year.

Dawid Ryba
http://dawidryba.com/Blog/
Gary SIMPSON 1.01.2009 um 5:47 pm
Thomas,

As usual a very thoughtful post. Thanks for that credit but man, YOU are the one making it happen. I like coming here to see what you are up to.

Any idea where that traffic sign comes from? That would be a pretty confusing intersection. It makes me think it is similar to where most of the AJ students are now. Will they push through that intersection and get on the open highway or will they detour down a side road, make a few more turns backwards and then just head for the safety of their home where they can sit in front of the boob tube, crack a tinnie and vege-out? LOL!

Gary
Garry Parkes 2.01.2009 um 8:59 am
Hi Thomas,

Absolutely love your site. And what a clever name.

I’ve just played your Widlas-TV first episode for the second time. I knew you had something in there about Wordpress themes so I had a look at it again. You’re a nature at this. There are not many videos I’d stick around and watch twice unless it had my attention so well done.

Looking forward to episode 2. And yeah, it would be great as you mentioned on my site if you feature my free Profit Pulling Project newsletter, issue two, that is out next Wednesday in it.

It’s finding the time to do all these things though isn’t it? I’m just getting back into things after spending time-out of Christmas with my family. But now I’m back in the swing of things.

Wishing you all the success in 2009.

Garry Parkes
http://garryparkes.com/
Garry Parkes’ Official Alex Jeffreys Student Tour Passport stamp #003 of 500
Gary SIMPSON 2.01.2009 um 7:06 pm
Hi Tommy,

I disagree with Parkesy – for ONCE.

He said:

“There are not many videos I’d stick around and watch twice unless it had my attention so well done.”

I have watched his dopey little video of Good Gary/Bad Gary about a DOZEN times. LOL LOL LOL.

Sorry, Thomas, nothing sensible from me this time round – just being flippant and playful. Though, if you dig deep into what I said, there could be a message. Hey, I think I might have even taught MYSELF something here. Subliminal at first but now it is making even more sense.

Gary Simpson
Valerie Davies 2.01.2009 um 10:32 pm
Hi Thomas,

I’m on my turbo hopping mission to get round as many of the F500 that I can. It’s taking me for ever to get round everyone just to say hi, so I don’t want you to think I’m being rude bringing a standard message. Now that I have visited, I will be back as I see it is an excellent blog, and this newbie can learn a lot from you. I particularly love your header.

I hope I do not offend you as communication and generosity are what is driving this. If I wait for you to come to me, it might never happen. Thanks to all who have already visited Planet Valz.

Firstly, my wishes to you for a Happy, Healthy and very Prosperous Year 2009.

Secondly, I want to give you a New Year present, but you need to go to http://daybydaymarketing.com/2008/12/choose-your-new-year-present/
and choose what you would like.

I would appreciate being added to your blogroll. I am happy to add you to mine when you come over and vote for your preferred gift.

Valerie
http://daybydaymarketing.com
Paul Nicholls 2.01.2009 um 11:01 pm
Hey thomas

Thanks for the kind comment im glad you liked the vid, and your welcome to mention it no problem

What i mention in this video is just really a glimpse of how i do it

If i went in to anymore detail about some other methods that i use at the same time i think i would start to lose people, lol, as there is a lot of other great places that i use like hubpages, tagged etc but i will be adding all those vids at some stage

I do see what you mean about the links and i may go back in and add some, but some of the links are located underneath the video it self

My aim is to show people as much as i can and at the same time im in the process of making specific video courses showing how to use specific resources to get the best results

I see your alexa is looking pretty good :) :)

I do like your rss feed image and your twitter widget as well, im still trying to work out how to put these poxy widgets on my sidebar lol, as i think the free theme that i have may have restrictions

Are you going to share how much traffic your getting a day on average then lol
and whats your bounce rate?? would be good to see what some of u guys are getting to your blog…

Anyway its nearly 3 am here in the uk so i best be off to get my head down

i hope your still enjoying the course with alex and keep up the good work thomas

speak to u soon

paul
Lesley Morgan 6.01.2009 um 1:05 am
Hey Thomas!

Dropping by to see what is new on your “very fine” blog site. Always find great information here.

Your list was very complete. One of my favorites, and often misunderstood and/or overlooked is Twitter. It can be very powerful at building relationships. I would recommned just logging in and “listening”. Comment with care, and do not use it as a constant push on your products. Build a network there of like-minded individuals.

I’ll be back,

Lesley “UNPACKAGEABLE SPIRIT”

http://www.lesleymorgan.com

httpL//www.twitter.com/lesleymorgan
Harry Harris 6.01.2009 um 1:28 pm
Thomas

Well done man LOVE the Video – I was also thinking of doing a weekly roundup a news round type production – as I am gettting tired of all this writing stuff!!

Excellent stuff man…..

Harry
http://harryharrisblog.com
http:/twitter.com/harryharrisblog
Garry Parkes 7.01.2009 um 6:01 am
Hi Thomas,

Just wanted to let you know, if you are not aware already your site was down for at least a couple of days. It was just showing a holding type page. I tried to send you an email but it bounced!! Wasn’t just me who was having problems as well, as Gary Simpson confirmed he got the same page as me.

Just thought I’d draw your attention to it so you can look into the problem

Garry Parkes
http://garryparkes.com
Thomas Skavhellen 10.01.2009 um 9:55 pm
Hi guys! Thanks for the comments. You are the best. As you can see from my new blog post I was a little lost after the new year but are back now after some major planning. Damn it takes time to get those steps out on paper and organized in a way that makes it easy to work with.

Dawid Ryba: Thanks man. Means a lot getting a good comment like that. Hope you can use some of my tips.

Gary Simpson: I actually felt that I was standing in that intersection. But after a few days now I know that I am on the right track and I have a step by step plan on how to take some major action. So watch out. The T-man is going crazy very soon.

Garry Parks: Thanks for the comments about my video. I was very proud after my first pilot. I wanted to make something like that instead of just siting in front of the cam and talk. I wanted to make the video interesting for more then 30 seconds and I think I made that happen.

And yes I know that my site was down for some time. The domain was pointing somewhere else for a day or two. But got that fixed now and hopefully it will never come back.

Valerie Davies: Hi and Welcome to my blog. I admire that you try to get around and visit every student of the class. And I see that it takes a lot of time. I can’t manage it myself and I have not any plans to do so. I try to find the active ones and stick with them. As Gary have said many times the F500 will soon be a F100 or less of students that actually do anything. So that’s way I don’t want to waste my time visiting a bunch of dead blogs. I will only visit the one that are doing something. (Sorry If I offend anyone)

Paul Nicholls: I feel that I haven’t really got started yet. I don’t have a whole big of traffic but I don’t have any trouble of sharing the results either. I will put up something shortly for everyone to see. The bouncing rate is not good at all so I need to do something with that soon. It’s on my new list of things to do. And you are absolutely the man to follow on getting traffic to a blog. Keep up the good work.

Lesley Morgan: That is so true. Twitter can be very misunderstood. I don’t like the black hat method that many people use to get people to follow them. I can’t see how they can get a good list of people when they just add people and hope that people will add them back.. lol.

On long term I hope that my way would be the best one.

Harry Harris: Thanks a lot. I’m so glad that people liked my first online video ever :) Hope to get episode 2 up in not that long.