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The Strategies I’m Using to Win the Blogging Idol Competition (and Why You Should Steal Them)
I promised I would be sharing the strategies I’m using to compete in this season’s Blogging Idol and I want you to steal these ideas to grow your own blog too! I’ll outline the basics for some of the methods I’m using and then throughout the month I will spend time going into detail for each. What’s that? Only some? You didn’t think I’d give you everything right here did you?
So … what am I doing to win this contest?
I’m Writing Helpful Content. This might seem obvious but especially during this contest period I don’t want to get so caught up in campaigning and promoting that I forget to provide content and helpful ideas. If you want a successful blog you’ll have to learn to be discipline and stay on top of your writing efforts. Post consistently.
I’m Social Networking. I’m huge into social networking and it comes very easily for me because I really enjoy meeting and connecting with people online. I’ve been involved in some of my networks for years and I’ve made strong connections so it’s made it very easy (and comfortable) for me to promote my Blogging Idol efforts through these communities. There are also a lot of us who get lonely working from home and this is a great way to combat loneliness too.
I’m Updating My Email and Forum Signatures. If you spend any amount of time online you probably don’t realize how many emails you send out and reply to in a day. Are you letting your email do some free advertising for your blog? How about in the forums where you participate? Update your email and forum signatures today!
I’m Asking for Help. I can’t speak for you men out there but most of the women I know agree that asking others for help is usually difficult. Seems we’re the first to offer up our help to those around us yet we usually find it very hard to ask others for help when we need it. If you want to succeed sometimes you’re just going to have to take a deep breathe and ask. The worst thing that could happen is that someone says, “No.” Once you do get up your nerve to ask it’s important to tell others exactly what you need them to do for you.
I’m Adding Tools to My Blog. I started looking over my blog and reviewing those that I follow to see what tools I thought might help me succeed. I’m looking for tools that might encourage others to subscribe to my RSS Feed and to come around often and support me in this contest. So far I’ve added the Comment Luv Plugin, Comment Relish, got my Related Post plugin working, got my Contact Form button fixed, added code to the end of every post asking readers to subscribe to my RSS Feed … and I’m still looking. Do you have any suggestions? Please let me know.
I’m Focusing on My Health and Fitness. Huh? What does health and fitness have to do with me winning Blogging Idol? Well, I’m working at a pace right now that will kill me LOL or make me very run down and possibly sick if I don’t pay attention to my health right now. I’m up at around 6:00 a.m. and working practically straight through until midnight or 1:00 a.m. It seems there are not enough hours in the day to do all I want to accomplish this month!
I’m Working Hard on My Organizational Skills. Staying very organized has helped me tremendously this month. I have pre-planned, mapped out, and even written several blog posts for this month. I’ve also made use of the scheduled post feature on Wordpress. I follow a to-do-list for each day so I will concentrate on the activities that will make me a winner. I don’t want my day to “run” me … I want to be in control of my time.
I’m Dangling Some Great Carrots. I’d like to think that everyone who runs across my quest to be the next Blogging Idol will just help and support me out of the kindness of their heart (and some do) but I also wanted to offer something that would make it worth their while too. I’ve been working very hard over the past 18 months researching and writing the class courses for my “Blogging for Bucks BootCamp” and I’ve made the decision to give it away for free to those who support my Blogging Idol efforts this month (by simply subscribing to my RSS Feed). I’m also offering a nice 200 character write up in my “Sponsor Directory” for those who will blog about my quest. It’s great exposure for them and a nice PR3 backlink.
I’m Returning the Favor Whenever Possible. Whenever you reach out to others and ask for help make sure you return the favor. If someone comments on your blog … go check out their blog and leave them a comment too. If they subscribe … you subscribe. You get the idea. Building relationships is the best way to grow your business online.
These are just some of the strategies I’m using to win the title Blogging Idol and I hope they help you earn new subscribers to your blog too.
Do you use any of these methods to gain visitors, readers, and RSS subscribers? What is your favorite strategy? Do you have some tips and ideas to help me win the Blogging Idol competition? I’d love to hear your comments. *SmiLes* Suzanne
Glad you're here! I wrote my first eBook, "Blogging Idol Secrets Revealed," and it's my FREE gift for those who supported me in the Blogging Idol competition (and for my new online friends too LOL).
Go download it and learn how I drove new visitors and grew my RSS subscribers by over 800% ... in 30 days flat! Let me know what you think of the book ok?
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17 Comments
Mark - The Niche Store Builder
on 8th Nov, 08 07:11am
Suzanne –
Sounds like you are definitely on the right path to success!! A couple small methods that do WORK to increase subscribers…
A Corner Stripe from: http://www.websiteribbon.com. They kinda just sits in the corner, asking for subscribers. (I have this on my site, upper right corner)
If you really want to get more out of it… go with the WP-Popup plugin, which will very nicely fade in front of users on your homepage only, reminding them to signup. (http://maketecheasier.com/wordpress-plugin-scheduling-popup-and-get-your-message-across/2007/12/14)
Of course, I am always looking for guest blog posts on my site as well. If you want to draft up a post about WHY you entered Blogging Idol and the possible benefits to you and your readers, I am sure it would get posted.
M
Mark – The Niche Store Builder’s last blog post..3 Full Weeks into my New WordPress Website!
TooManyHats
on 8th Nov, 08 04:11pm
Excellent tips. I look forward to exploring your site even more.
TooManyHats’s last blog post..Send a Message to President-elect Obama
Suzanne
on 8th Nov, 08 04:11pm
@ too many hats ~ love that name btw … Glad you enjoyed the tips and I look forward to getting to know you better on The Parent Place too. Have a great weekend. *huGs* Suzanne
Suzanne
on 9th Nov, 08 12:11pm
@ mark ~ I love askimet … but you ended up in my spam due to the links in the comment LOL. Thank you for sharing those tips and I will consider each. I would LOVE to do a guest post and I’ll get it to you this week … I truly appreciate your support Mark! *SmiLes* Suzanne
Dennis Edell
on 9th Nov, 08 04:11pm
I will do what i can to help!
The first thing I will do is urge you to disable comment relish until I reply to your email, which will be before the end of the day…it’s got issues.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Are You Able To Focus & Take Action? A 5-Step Plan That WORKS.
Suzanne
on 9th Nov, 08 08:11pm
@ dennis ~ ok … it’s inactive LOL what’s up? and thanks for the “heads up” whatever it is. *huGs* Suzanne
Dennis Edell
on 9th Nov, 08 09:11pm
I just forwarded it back to you with my comments above it.
andy
on 9th Nov, 08 10:11pm
Suzanne – Great strategy for the contest. I wish I had time to make one. Good luck to you!
Suzanne
on 9th Nov, 08 10:11pm
@ andy ~ you have a great blog … in fact i’m pretty sure I’m already subscribed to it. LOL. do you need any help with anything? I’m very stretched right now too … but this means so much to me (and my kids) that I’ll just push hard til the very end. I’m all for helping each other out … so just let me know what you need. *huGs* Suzanne
Suzanne’s last blog post..Top 7 Home Business Ideas
Tom - StandOutBlogger.com
on 10th Nov, 08 03:11pm
Nice to see you have a strategy in place! Best of luck with blogging Idol!
Tom – StandOutBlogger.com’s last blog post..3 Important Reasons To Network With Other Bloggers!
Suzanne
on 10th Nov, 08 03:11pm
@ tom ~ had fun reading about the contest you were in … and watching your funny video http://www.standoutblogger.com/blogging/108/ … sorry you lost but it sounds like it was still a huge success for you. Maybe I’ll earn your support for my Blogging Idol contest … *SmiLes* Suzanne
Ben Tremblay
on 10th Nov, 08 07:11pm
These are all good tips and you’ve got me with your socializing strategy, I’m subscribed!
Keep up the good work and bring more stuff!
Ben Tremblay’s last blog post..Drive sales with offline marketing – going crazy
Suzanne
on 11th Nov, 08 11:11am
@ ben ~ thanks again for your support! I plan on taking this thing all the way! And I won’t ever forget those who helped me get there. Let me know if you need anything … I’m here to help. *huGs* Suzanne
Suzanne’s last blog post..Top 7 Home Business Ideas
Blog for Beginners
on 11th Nov, 08 12:11pm
Though I’m not in Blogging Idol, I think anyone should follow your example with or without the contest. The fact that you do plan it well just proves that you’ve already won half the battle. Let me just give you my little support by subscribing to your blog and I wish you all the best.
Yan
Blog for Beginners’s last blog post..How I Increase My Email Subscribers by 60 in 7 Days
Suzanne
on 11th Nov, 08 05:11pm
@ yan ~ thanks for your support … it means the world to me! I have read the post you’re linking to (anchor text) and it’s awesome! I have it bookmarked somewhere LOL I enjoy your blog and will have to visit it more often … thanks for reminding me about it. *huGs* Suzanne
Suzanne’s last blog post..Top 7 Home Business Ideas
JR @ Internet Marketing Strategies
on 16th Nov, 08 02:11am
Great strategies Suzanne, I know you will be the next Blogging Idol!
JR @ Internet Marketing Strategies’s last blog post..Blog Traffic – 100 RSS/Blog Submission Sites
Suzanne
on 16th Nov, 08 09:11pm
@ jr ~ awwww thanks! I am excited to see how it goes with the voting … starts tomorrow (Nov 17th) … *finGersCrosSed* Suzanne