23
2008
What Is Blogging Idol All About … and Have I Earned the Title?
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What Is Blogging Idol All About … and Have I Earned the Title?
This coming week will wrap up an exciting (yet exhausting) competition for me and I want to share what I have learned throughout the month of November.
The point of me competing in Blogging Idol has been two-fold: (1) to encourage me to “launch” my blog and treat it as a business and (2) to compete with other bloggers for the coveted title, “Blogging Idol,” which if earned will be worn proudly forever.
When I started the competition I had no idea what I was going to do to win the competition. I knew there were 3 categories to focus on: (1) RSS gain, (2) the vote of the readers, and (3) the vote of the judges.
As mentioned by the host, Daniel Scocco, the RSS gain can be easily manipulated so that’s why, in the spirit of fairness, this season he added the other elements. It’s also easy to understand that established blogs with 100,000+ monthly visitors would have an advantage over blogs who see only 1,000 monthly visitors … right? There is no way to hold a completely “even” competition so I think adding the voting and judging evened out the playing field nicely.
Traffic Went Up
My traffic has risen from about 50 visits a day to on average about 150+ per day (with occassional spikes for Stumble, interviews, etc.).
My Subscribers Grew
For the RSS portion of the competition I decided to grow this naturally and steadily. As seen in my Feedburner account as my traffic grew my subscribers grew right with it (I started with 52 subscribers and I’m at about 300 now … a 600% increase! Not bad!). I read dozens of blogs and articles on the subject and after reviewing my own blog I decided on the following to achieve this:
- I decided to give away my upcoming “Blogging for Bucks BootCamp” for free for those who subscribe to my feed.
- I created a “Sponsor Directory” for those who subscribed and blogged about my quest.
- I have concentrated my content on blogging and gaining RSS subscribers to teach others what I’m learning through this.
- Added a related posts plugin.
- Added Comment Relish (it sends an email to first time commenters ~ in the message I’ve been letting them know that I’m giving away my BootCamp for those who subscribed to my feed).
- I’ve been out meeting other bloggers in my niche and growing these relationships (not just for the contest sake … but because I enjoy it and truly believe we can achieve more as a team than we can as competitors).
- I’ve become even more active in my social communities and I’ve been letting them know about my BootCamp offer and the competition (Twitter, The Mom Bloggers Club, My WAHM Space, Twittermoms, CWAHM, WAHM, MySpace, Facebook, etc.). This effort even lead to me being interviewed on a Blog Talk Radio show.
- I recently added the “What Would Seth Godwin Do” plugin. It puts a box with words before every post. I added the wording about the free BootCamp there and it has worked out great – this increased page views to my BootCamp page (and thus subscribers) immediately.
- I added an RSS subscribe image to the bottom of each post
- I have emailed all “Unverified” RSS email subscribers to see if they are still interested in subscribing.
- I emailed past commenters and invited them back to my blog and told them about the BootCamp and the competition.
- I also decided early on to share all of my strategies along the way with my readers (and therefore my competitors too). Some said I was crazy for doing so but I disagree. Although I’m very competitive I also believe in doing the right thing … and in this competition we are all trying to become better, more successful bloggers and sharing our ideas is what’s best for all.
Now … with all that said I knew it would be very tough for me to win the RSS portion of the contest so I decided to focus heavily on the other areas of the competition as well (voting and judging) by using “branding” and “name recognition” techniques. The voting and judging is to be based on the most “clever” idea to gain RSS subscribers ~ whether or not it was successful.
I want my name (Suzanne Franco) to be synonymous with “Blogging Idol.”
I want to EARN that title … it’s a competition … so I’m not afraid or ashamed to put myself out there. At the end of each American Idol show … the judges vote … and the competitors ask their viewers to vote for them … right?
Vote Suzanne Franco the next Blogging Idol Now!
Everywhere I go online I’ve been using, “Suzanne Franco ~ the next Blogging Idol?” as my signature line, my anchor text, etc. This is not to be cocky … but, again, to build that name recognition and tie my name with the “Blogging Idol” title.
I also went out on a limb and did some video invites to some “heaver hitters” in the internet marketing and blogging world. Of the six I invited to come by my blog so far three have shown up and one (John Chow) even blogged about my quest. Now, understand … this idea was to get my readers involved and to have some fun with it … and that some of these guys showed up is just icing on the cake.
I also feel that to be a “good” competitor where someone is hosting a competition and many sponsors have given their time and money it’s important to promote the competition and the sponsors as well. I strategically placed links and brand recognition back to the competition whenever possible to “give back” to those who have made this whole contest possible.
See the Sponsors of Blogging Idol 2 Here!
As we move into the final week I will give it my all. I have a drawing/contest launching on Monday, November 24th and my sponsors have really stepped up and donated some great prizes … over $2,000 worth so far!
I will require an email subscription to be entered into the drawing. Readers can also earn entries for blogging about the contest, by voting for me, and for adding an “I Voted for Suzanne Franco” button to their site.
With the voting opened up I will also be out reminding everyone who said they’d support me to go to the polls and cast their vote!
So … what do you think? Have I truly earned the title, “Blogging Idol?” What could I have done differently? What should I still do this last week to earn the title? Have I earned your vote yet? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. *SmiLes* Suzanne
RELATED POSTS
- Way to Go and Vote! You’re Awesome! And Some Details About the Drawing …
- Suzanne Franco ~ the Newest Blogging Idol?
- Did I Earn the Title “Blogging Idol”? Guess You’ll Have to Decide …
- How Do I Plan To Win This Season’s Blogging Idol Contest?
- Blog Contest/Drawing Launches Today ~ Over $2,000 in Prizes!
Hi Suzanne. I just subscribed in a reader and by email with extremeezine AT gmail.com. I was just looking over Blogging Idol 2: Update Four and I don’t see how to cast my vote for you.
The accomplishment you made for the contest is very impressive. It should inspire the rest of us to increase our numbers too. It was also very generous for you to list the methods taken to achieve a 600% increase in subscribers. I hope you win and thanks for sharing your techniques.
Brian D. Hawkins’s last blog post..Add A Public Comment To Your Site On Google Search With SearchWiki
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@ brian ~ thank you for the nice comments and for supporting me. The voting is not up until tomorrow and I can’t wait to see how it goes. I wanted to share as I went but I also wanted people to know (and I should’ve explained this better) that even though John Chow blogged about me … that didn’t have a huge impact on my numbers … the spikes on my analytics were from getting stumbled and those don’t general convert very well. So … that means that the methods that I’ve used will work for EVERYONE! Not just those who get noticed by John Chow LOL. Now, I am very appreciative that he came over and had some fun with us … and it will help with name recognition … but these methods can be used to increase traffic and subscribers pretty quickly right? *SmiLes* Suzanne
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Good Luck Suzanne..! =)
(I don’t want such TOUGH competition)
I’ll be there in Blog Idol 3 and I hope your not there
My vote for Suzanne Franco as the president of blogs!
\m/
Monty – Sensonize.com’s last blog post..We have more room now!
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@ monty ~ gee thanks! I would encourage anyone to go for it … either way I’ve “won” because it has totally stretched me and taught me a lot … but I won’t deny I want that title! I entered to WIN for sure. President huh? Did you see the comment on john chow’s blog that I sound like Sarah Palin? ROTFLMAO
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What can I say? Your stats are telling it all. I am good in drawing, but I will enjoy having one out my blog. I am now cooking a post about you and may be published soon.
Good luck!
Angel Cuala’s last blog post..The Latest Online Suicide Victim and How to Stop others
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@ angel ~ thanks again for all of your support! I look forward to your post.
*SmiLes* Suzanne
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Yeah.. I saw it ! ^_^
Monty – Sensonize.com’s last blog post..We have more room now!
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You are already an idol in my mind. The fact that you believe you are, you’ve won half of the battle.
“I want my name (Suzanne Franco) to be synonymous with “Blogging Idol.”
You have already done that, gal and I want my name (Yan Susanto) to be synonymous with “Future Blogging Idol.” LOL
Yan
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@ monty ~ I know I’m sleep deprived and silly right now … but … huh? Saw it? splain
LOL
@ yan ~ awwww … gee thanks! and you are the “Future Blogging Idol” and I’d be honored to pass down my … crown? to you! LOL
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Suzanne, you have earned a title for yourself. It is whatever YOU want it to be. You decided to WIN and so you will. You have my Vote!!
Laura-Whateverebay’s last blog post..Welcome to FeedBurner
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Hi Suzanne
You’ve got my vote! Not just for the efforts you have made for this competition, but for the way in which you go about things. You have created a Blog, where people like me, who don’t feel they know that much, do not feel frightened of being ‘flamed’ for asking a stupid question. This place has a great atmosphere and a sense of fun and I feel it welcomes everyone. You generously share your ideas and tactics with your readers and your competitors and you constantly strive to help people.
You should be proud of what you’ve achieved. Suzanne Franco is OUR Blogging Idol! (A bit cheesy, I know, but honestly meant).
I hope you win.
Denise
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You have Passion!
As Denise said you have a desire to learn and aren’t afraid to ask questions!
(my electronics teacher in HS always told me there was NO SUCH THING as a stupid question! The only stupid question is the one that was never asked
You’ve done an OUTSTANDING job in a short period of time and you can tell you’re in it to win it! And not just win Blogging Idol but to win over your readers and prove to yourself and others that anyone can do anything they set their mind to!
Sooooo YES you deserve it! GREAT JOB!
JeffLeft’s last blog post..It’s Friday! You Could Have Whatever You Like!
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Hello Suzanne.
Very nice blog indeed. I came here after seeing many people recommending your blog at DBT. Indeed your writing style is too nice. You just got another subscriber (Me
) This blog is already in my Google reader. Keep the the nice posts.
I started my blog in May 2008 as one for my country only but has gradually make mine a more general one which is of interest to anyone in the world. Do have a look at mine when you are free here. And if you like my posts, would be glad that you subscribe too
I am thinking of buying a .net domain name to replace my .blogspot within two weeks. As at now Island Crisis is the most visited blog in Mauritius. What I find very attractive in your blog is that you just started blogging too and the sharp increase in RSS during this competition. You are just great. Keep it up.
Another thing is that this blog is a really nice place to ask questions as Denise said above. Keep it up.
Kurt’s last blog post..Lets Have A Little Mauritian Blogs Survey and Award!
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Yan hit it dead on, win or not your name is burned into the archives of blogging idol forever!
Did you get my reply emails?
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..2 NEW BLOGS Unveiled! FINALLY!!
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Hi Suzanne,
Great work, I’m sure it has not been easy but as you say you’ve learned a lot doing it. I liked your call out to the Guru’s – very creative. I have an idea for you and i know it’s crazy and probably very difficult to do but it may be worth a try. Try to get in contact with Ryan Seacrest he must have a blog. See if he’ll be interviewed or better yet have him interview you. Hey it’s good to dream big.
Anyway congratulations on the growth of your blog and good luck. I’ll be voting for you.
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Sorry Suzanne for my previous post. It was meant for Reed Florens blog. I’m not sure how that happened but my browser reverted back to your blog. Maybe it’s a sign that you are indeed the new Blogging Idol.
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@Luca: Ahem, that’s what I call “speed commenting” at its best.
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