Blogging in real life
As a freelance writer, it’s important that I advertise my services so companies know I’m available for work. One of my methods includes writing this blog.
It also makes sense to publicize the fact that I have a blog.
The problem with blogging, for money or for publicity, is that it seems only other bloggers ever come across your site.
So what’s a serious blogger to do?
Here are some ideas for promoting your blog in real life:
Make business cards with your blog’s URL on them, and give them to people whenever the chance arises. If your blog is a business, or even if it’s designed to promote one, treat it like a business with physical manifestations of it.
When you talk to people in everyday life, mention you have a blog. Tell them where to find it.
Okay, this one may seem strange. But it’s worth a shot. Get a t-shirt made with your URL and some colorful logo. Then walk around a busy place (like a mall). People will be sure to notice.
Real life includes email too. Put your blog URL in your signature line of almost every email you send (but be careful to only include it if you want your party to know about it).
Finally, consider printing some of your favorite posts and passing them out as a real-life mini-magazine.
Have you tried any of these ideas? Have they worked? I’ve tried only a few so far, so keep us informed!
(This post is part of the Internet Marketers United Group Writing Project.)
Hi Theda, I have not really tried any, except I put the URL in my e-mail sig line. I love the t-shirt idea! But I think it will work only if you have a catchy URL, one that is easy to remember and that has enouh mistery to make you want to go visit the site.
Hi Marie,
Good point about the URL. I guess it’s worth a try. I hope someone does it and reports back their results!
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How about putting it on your car license plate frame.
That’s a great idea!
(sorry it took so long to post your comment…it was lost in the spam filter)
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Just started a “parenting” blog- http://sweetlifewithmary.com/ and once I felt the blog was presentable, I included my blog URL at my sig line on my email. I know that I did get one person to look at my blog this way. I have also printed out personal cards with the blog URL that I have started to give out to people when they ask me what I do or hand them out to moms on playdates or to anyone who asks for my email address (like, in restaurants.) Early days yet…
Hi MarysMom, thanks for your comment. I’m glad to find out that some of the techniques are already being used, and are working. I haven’t implemented all of them yet, but I’ll be doing a business card soon too.
Come visit again!
Hi Theda,
Thanks for the article. I like your points about promoting your blog outside the blogsphere. I need to update my business card. That tactic worked really well for me when I started my blog and began my first real traffic to my site.
I do have t-shirts made up with Beautiful Summer Morning.com on them thinking that most people would figure out how to type that in the browser. what the t-shirt does is gets people asking me what my BSM is. Then the old card comes out, snap.
Your reprint post and handing them out as mini magazines in brilliant. I will try that one for sure. Maybe down at our local university. I’ve been trying to think of a way to promote there.
Nick
Hi Nick! (your comment got lost in the spam filter…darn akismet.)
I’m glad someone has actually tried some of my ideas (I’m an idea person…I just never get around to following my own advice).
When you pass out a mini-magazine, come back and let us know how it worked. And if you don’t see your comment right away, email me.
Thanks for the input!
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Also having other bloggers read your blog is not all that bad. It could result in some business. For awhile I was bummed that a large chunck of readers for my real estate blog seemed to be other realtors. But now I figure its better than nothing and could result in more business through referrals.
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I am like you, I spend time wondering about who is actually reading my blog. I am a real estate agent and I used to post on Active Rain (a big real estate blog site). All my comments there were from other realtors.
For you, I don’t think having other bloggers comment is a bad thing. They could be customers too. Many work at companies, if fact they could be the people you want to meet.
Hi Theda-
I like your initial observation that only other bloggers were responding to your blog. I am 3 weeks new to the blogging world and am beginning to wonder, as well, if all us bloggers are really just wandering around a giant house of mirrors. I mean, does all the traffic have any meaning if it’s just more bloggers barking at their own image? I, seemingly like you, love writing, and I love ideas but I get a little disheartened when it seems to me that all anyone is doing is parroting each other in an effort to gain visability. I don’t know what I think the solution is. I’m too new to this to really know. I can only agree with your initial statement and say that it is a relief that someone has noticed the same thing. I guess I’m challenging bloggers to answer the question: what does it mean that you have traffic if it’s just a bunch of other people seeking traffic? I guess your advertisers don’t know that. Maybe that’s as far as most bloggers need to think. That seems sad though.
I like your list, it shows some original thought that anyone who is trying to promote something from a grass-roots level could learn from. So thanks, I’m going to stew on this some more, maybe I’ll blog about it;)
Thanks for the tips Theda.
Just today I received an e-mail from someone who has a blog listed in her e-mail. I’ve visited her blog and thought,”cool – she’s got a blog”.
I also wanted to add that we might want to include the specific benefits (of visiting our blog) when we post the URL.
Very nice post, I may actually try some of the suggested tips. Thanks Theda.
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