Marketing
You have a good blog, now how do you get the name out there?
I think this has been the long anticipated Blogging 101 installment. I do have a degree and work full time in the field, so I may know little something about marketing. 
What I am about to say is strictly the business sided person of me coming out. I LOVE the blogging community and being apart of it, but at times I do have to look at what I do in the blogging world as a business venture. When I first started blogging I only had a handful of readers and it has grown more and more each day. Now there are thousands of you who read my blog from all around the world thanks to the message I have, but also how well I have marketed my blog along the way.
If you want the readership for your blog to flourish and grow you have to think back to how you discovered blogs in the first place. When I was a new reader I discovered blogs through other blogs. For instance I would randomly click on other blog rolls or from links in the comment sections.
Now, I need to state something right now, please DO NOT ask someone to add you to their blog list. Honestly, it’s a little rude. I know my blog list contains blogs that I actually read on a daily basis, they are not the only blogs I read, but are my favorites. It is ok to ask someone if you can add them to your blog just do not expect the same return right away. You need to earn your spot on the blog roll.
The best way to grab attention of other bloggers so they will add you to the list is to comment, comment, comment. That’s right comment your little heart away. When I first started my blog I commented on every blog out there I could discover just to get my name out there. I had most of my success attracting readers from the more popular blogs, but I had more success collecting comments from those with small blogs as myself who were also looking for new readers. I can not express enough how much commenting really helps in promoting your blog.
Participate in the blogging community as much as possible. If there is a contest enter it, if there’s an opportunity for a guest post, take it. I first started making the rounds on the Blogger Secret Ingredient contest. Each time I submitted a recipe to the contest the host would link back to my blog and put my name out there. I have done a guest blog post on Carrots n’ Cake, which gave me double the readership in one day. I have also seen a lot of click throughs from my cameos on Caitlin’s blog. We always make sure to advertise one another blogs on our sites when ever we hang out.
The blogs I frequented the most back when I was just lurker, were the ones that were easy to remember, which usually had their name for a URL. Such as: www.eatliverun.com www.thefitteneista.com www.seebriderun.com etc. I had a ton of blogs bookmarked at my desktop at work, but when I was at home or on another computer I only checked the blogs with easy URLs that I could remember. I recently purchased the domain www.graduatemeghann.com through my wordpress account. It was something I have been thinking about for a while and I hope to see some traffic improvement in the change. Of course I guess it doesn’t help that my name is hard to spell…lol…
Lastly, if you have a food heavy blog and are still not contracted with an advertiser, then send me an e-mail at graduatemeghann@gmail.com and let me hook you up! You should be making a little bit of $$ for all of your hard work!
Now remember, all of these marketing strategies are to get people to you blog, it takes some creativity on your part to keep them there. Be sure to read my other Blogging 101 posts for some ideas on how to do that!
- Part I: Content
- Part II: Design
- Part III: Photos
- Part IV: Marketing
These have been fun to write! I hope everyone has enjoyed them! Be sure to leave me some feedback.
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
Great tips! Thanks SO much!
This has been a great series, and really interesting information. Great job!
Great post. Totally agree with you on commenting and guest posting. Have you done anything for search engine optimization, like using Google Adwords or buying keywords elsewhere? Just curious if you’ve seen any lift from that.
Nate – I haven’t done anything like that simplay becuase of the $$ but Jenna from EatLiveRun is in the process of it, so if you haven’t questions I’m sure she will answer them.
So true!
P.S. I’m totally honored that we earned a spot on yours
You kick booty!
great tips! i remember when i had myspace people would ask to comment on their photos! how annoying!
You are right on with the blog marketing! I totally agree with you about the blogroll and commenting! I need to get my butt commenting again soon– I’ve been slacking!
HAha, thanks now I want to start my own blog.
These are great tips!
Lots of good tips, for sure!
Thanks for sharing!
I really love this blogging 101 series! I hope to see more like this in the future! These are great tips.
I hope you are feeling better, Meghann!
Great post Meghann!!! You’ve definintely done a better job than I have on the marketing! I wish I had more time for the blog
I like the domain idea though and yes the commenting is crucial!!!
Thanks for the great tips in Blogging 101 Meghann! Your blog is very successful and one that I definitely admire. Feel better!!!
re: your email… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Great installment of Blogging 101! I’m totally into this area of blogging because I’m an advertising major. I think of blogging as a little business, too. I look up to you as a marketing-girl…you’re awesome!
Yay that I’m on your blogroll! You’re on mine cause I read everyyyday
Wow, great post! Thanks for sharing, and you do make such valid points about it!
Great series Meghann! I agree 100%!! You’ve got to network to get readers – if you don’t comment on other people’s blogs, people won’t be commenting on yours. I need to send in my fax to foodbuzz so I can make the dough – I just need to get my hands on a fax machine
you rock!!!
Great installment!!! I totally agree on all of your points…you rock!
Congrats on the domain name, your reason for purchasing yours was the same reason I purchased mine last month. Its just easier for people to find you!
thanks so much for the 101. ive opened a blog account after becoming so inspired and addicted to reading everyones blog- esp yours, but have been hesitant to get started. all these what if’s…but i think ill just start!
thanks
Great tips! My blog is somewhat new so I have been trying to comment as much as possible. It really makes a difference!
http://www.missymaintains.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing these insights!
Fantastic!!
Since I recently started a blog, your tips have really helped. Thanks a lot and thanks for your comment yesterday, I’ll be sending you an email shortly!
Thank you for all your tips! I just started a blog today, and your posts have helped me feel like i can definatly do it
Thanks girl!
those are some really good tips! thanks for doing that, im sure everyone appreciates the advice!
I loved your “blogging 101″ series, and thought it was really sweet of you to share.
Also – I have to say – IThanks for the HUGE COMPLIMENT…when I was reading this entry and saw where you talk about people having to earn their way onto your blog roll – and then saw little ole’ Green Dog Wine was right there! I’m honored!
Thanks my dear!
Great post! (You may want to check the spelling on the fitnessista though)
You are awesome Meghann…love this post. I’m going to have to check out your previous ones on blogging…I started my blog at the beginning of summer and still consider myself pretty new to the world of blogging. I learn something new all the time!! Thanks for taking the time out to “tutor” us!!
Ohhh I have been long awiating this post! Thank you so much for your great tips.
I agree that commenting is a HUGE part of it. I comment my little heart out too, and in just 3 months my blog has grown so much.
Great series of posts!
Angela
http://www.ohsheglows.com
Thanks so much for the help Meghann! I will not be so quiet anymore on my fav blogs:)
http://kateswholeplate.wordpress.com/
Great Post M! You are right, you need to stay “in the community” to get the attention!
I don’t think my sister understands that. She put up a blog and expected the world to come running to it! Um, how are they supposed to know!
I don’t even have her blog on my blog roll because I don’t really like it. Is that a little mean?
Thanks for the wisdom!
Hey girl- this is my favorite blogging 101 post so far!
Great ideas! You’ve been on my blogroll for awhile. I love your blog!
Definitely the highlight of your Blogging 101 series because we saw the real Meghann giving real advice – you know your stuff!
And I love your unique name spelling, by the way. Most people spell my name with one N, and I always make sure I double check how names are spelled because of it.
Great tips Meghann!
Thanks for all the tips – I’ve been looking for ways to increase my readers, so this is very helpful!!
Thanks for the tips! These posts have been really great. Looking back I think I’ve broken one of the rules and asked one person to put me on their blogroll way back when
Oops. Bad blogger! At any rate, thank you!
WOW thank you for the great words of advise, I have recently started a blog and will be emailing you for help…ie some $. I read your blog everyday and love how you inspire so many!
C
This is such great advice!
Thanks for the great ideas Meghann! I really enjoy reading your BLOG but I have been trying to figure out for a while how to get people other than family and friends to read my stuff. Congratulations on your domain purchase. You’ve got great stuff here!
I found this blog (and SeeBrideRun) through a link from Jenna’s (EatLiveRun)! I read the blogs of several of the people who have commented here!
Biz, your blog and your brother Charlie’s ,are so funny and interesting, your sister’s HAS to be, right? Right??
Hey Meghann,
My blog’s a month old – and I’ve been learning a lot about blogging. These four articles are very helpful and engaging.
Thank you!
Ozge
Great tips. I will be using most of these. I am a newbie so any help is greatly appreciated!!
Thanks for the tips! Now I just need to learn to keep up with my Google Reader so I’m not commenting 3 days after the fact (like coming over from Tina’s post!)
Caitlin just told me you have info on blogging 101 – this is fantastic! Thanks!
This is brilliant Meghann! Yours was the first blog I started reading consistently, though I’ve been too shy to comment (how silly) until now, and I’m taking your tips to heart as I shape up my own little blog… Keep up the good work!
Just stumbled upon this section of your blog (LOOK! I’M COMMENTING!)
Anyway, quick question, should you ask someone if you can put their blog in your blog roll? I just added ones that I liked, without asking permission of the author. Is that “rude”?
Thanks! Still enjoying your blog! Way to go!
Meghann, I just read these tips and they have been really helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to help out new bloggies
Thank you Meghann, I am new to blogging. I wasn’t sure how things worked and were to get started. You tips and advice is great!
I’m always looking for new ways to market my blog since I put so much time, effort, and food into it. Thanks for the marketing advice!
just found this–thank you for all the info!! It is very helpful for a brand-spankin-new blogger like me
A Taste of Tangy recently posted..Chocolate for Breakfast! Yes- Please!
This is so funny! Literally, I just emailed you about being a blog “lurker”, and all the advice I need is right here!
Awesome series of posts – thanks for the help!
Thank you so much for the Blogging 101 tips. I’ve been reading blogs for a few months now (yours included, i love it!) and I just started my own blog for fun! I don’t really know exactly where I’m going with my blog yet, but time will tell and hopefully I’ll have readers (other than my parents and siblings, haha). Thanks again and have a healthy week
Great tips, Meghann! Love your blog
Lee @ in the pink of condition recently posted..Pizza Flats!
Marketing is definitely really important. Thanks for the helpful tips.
Dannii recently posted..Friday Favourite: Freedom Frozen Dessert
This was very helpful! Entering the blogging world is amazing but overwhelming. Every single suggestion helps.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for this post! I am fairly new to the blog world and am working on increasing my readership. I appreciate the info and hope that I can put it to work for me! Thanks!
Just read your Blogging 101 series – what a great help to a new blogger. Thanks for the tips!
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