My Lazy Way To Generate Traffic For My Blog

[jbwood]

While I was responding to a post on another forum about generating traffic I thought to myself, “Hey, this will make a great blog entry and maybe even an article”

When I first got started I was overwhelmed with the “do this” and “do that” for generating traffic. Over time I have settled down into what matches my style.

The biggest thing was including a link to my product’s website (instead of to my own website) in my signature file in every forum I joined. Also adding the link to my e-mail signatures was a big step.

It may not sound like a big step but I don’t use signature files simply because I like typing my name instead of using a signature file. A letter just doesn’t seem “finished” if I don’t type my name. Yeah I know, the shrink doesn’t get me either.

Also, I join forums that interest me, and not just ones in my niche. I have a life outside of internet marketing and I have more interests than internet marketing. Internet marketing is what I do, not who I am. It’s not to project that I’m more well rounded (instead of just fat), it’s a reflection of the fact that I am more well rounded.

So what if my blog training videos don’t match my interests in salt water aquariums? I’m not there to advertise my product, but to participate in the forum and there’s nothing wrong with having a link to my unrelated product in my signature file.

If I ever sell a related product, I’ll change my signature file to match but until I do, fish keepers do more than just keep fish and they may want to learn how to set up a blog. The point is that it (fish keeping) is an interest of mine and not a sneaky way to advertise.

For article marketing I tried just writing articles but now I write articles when I feel my blog entry is “worthy” of being put into directories. I find that’s easier for me than sitting down to write an article and turn it into a blog entry. Must be a reverse psychology thing.

I also post comments on other people’s blogs only when I have a worthy comment to add instead of just “good entry”. This helps others see I have added value as opposed to just commenting for a quick linkback.

- Jeffery <– See, I typed that part all by my little lonesome.

[lisamariemary]

[southernbg]

Jeffery -

I have to say I absolutely love your post! I am now coming to realize that I have to do what works for me - not someone else! Your suggestions have always been ones that work for me! Guess I need to go back to the very beginning ... what I did BEFORE listening to all the "guru's" out there.

Thanks so much for the reminder!

Best Regards

Nat

[tknoppe]

[lisamariemary]

And also, I have to say, that quite often I will spend a good bit of time crafting an answer to someone in a forum - and sometimes even in a blog comment - and I realize that 'I wish I was posting this on my blog instead'. So perhaps, from now on, I just will!

[tknoppe]

But, adding valuable content to forums & blog posts is what helps others elsewhere recognize your expertise and to actually click your sig link and check you out. So don't stop posting value, but maybe shorten the posts, and say [continued on my blog], OR just give them an abbreviated version elsewhere outside of your own site.

[createyourdream]

Excellent thread, I really love crafting the things I do everywhere, with words especially, and in many different areas. Seeds of what I want to express in the content on my blogs and websites can begin anywhere!

This discussion really helps me to see that nothing we do is wasted and we all find our own way of doing things that work best and get results in our own situations, not always what we're supposed to do according to another standard.

It's one of the most challenging and best journeys in life, I think, finding your own way and being confident in it.

thanks.

best for now,
Mary

[lisamariemary]

[tknoppe]

[gsmart]

[MommyEnterprises]