This page is all about sharing information:
Using Gravatar to build traffic – posted 5 March 2018
How to Upload Widgets and Link to another Website – posted 25 March 2014
FIGHT PLAGIARISM – 15 Plagiarism Detection Tools for Bloggers and Writers. Posted 26 October 2013
BLOG Comments and Replies – Do your Comments and Replies attract or chase away readers? Posted 15 March 2013
************************
Drive traffic to your Blog:
If you are a typical blogger like me, you love more people “following” your blog, love to receive all those psychedelic “Likes” and read lots of “Comments”.
Many SEO consultants can help drive traffic to your blog. However, if you are like me, you probably don’t fancy dolloping dollars.
There are other avenues to attract traffic, which incorporates the fun derived from blogging. And what I propose will save us the trouble of learning yet another skill-set. (Have you figured out how to use twitter? Good for you. I’m still figuring out all the features in Facebook!)
First off in our mutual help plan is:-
Monthly Blog Pick (Click to see how it all started)
Once a month I feature a Blog. It helps highlight the Blog to readers and helps me too. Mutual self-help at its best, I reckon. You can do it too. (I’ve since discontinued this due to time constraints but hey, feel free to use this idea (2 Nov 2013)
How does it work?
We visit and post comments on each other’s blogs. Based on the number of comments I receive – and I always visit bloggers who leave behind comments – and if I enjoy your blog content, I shall feature your blog on the First Monday of the Month.
My Blog Pick 2012 – See my post Sunshine Tales and Verses. Ian Grice blogging as IANSCYBERSPACE had this to say:
“Well now that was an unexpected treat Eric. All of a sudden I have new friends in the WordPress universe…”
My Blog Pick March 2013 – I selected nightlake blogging as call2read. Within 24 hours, she received new followers and posted a very welcomed comment:
“…wanted to thank you once again for the kind appreciation of my blog and its selection as the blog pick of the month. 10 new appreciative bloggers are following my blog, thanks to you.”
My Blog Pick April 2013 – I enjoy Jane Stansfeld and had to select her, even though I had been reading her posts for only a few weeks. Check out her blog at jstansfeld.
“…Thank you, thank you, this is generously kind of you…I consider your selection and feature an awesome honor. It gives me a wonderful feeling…I always enjoy coming to your blog for both your provocative and well written posts and for the inspirational dialogue which always follows. You are a most empathetic blogger…Cheerio Jane”
My Blog Pick May 2013 – Always thought provoking – that is Dee Vachal – and I meant both her posts and the comments she leaves behind in my posts. Check out her blog at Lillies, Sparrows and Grass.
“Dear Eric, this is a heartwarming surprise. I am overwhelmed…After traveling over 20 hours again from the East Coast USA to Asia, here I am sleepless, fortunate with a smidgen of internet connectivity for a while, and smiling with shock (picture that). Thanks again, Eric. I am grateful beyond words. Luv and peace, Dee”
************ I’ve discontinued this due to time constraints ************
33-Word & 55-Word Flash-Fiction Gallery (Click to see sample post)
Some of you might not have the time to do all that “commenting” stuff. Hold onto your seats – there might be an easier way.
Start a Flash Fiction Gallery.
How does it work? (Read your mind :-))
Post a flash-fiction (33 or 55 words) and provide a key word or image as “Prompt”. Readers come up with their flash fiction utilizing the key word – in prose or verse and in any genre – and post their contributions in the “Comments” which end up in a “Flash Fiction Gallery”.
Fictions are supposed to have an introduction, body and conclusion. If you can pull it off, great. But if you can tell your story without these strait jackets – excellent! However, please keep within and do not exceed the word count – that’s the challenge.
Check out the first gallery here > Covert Affairs. See also my first 55-word Gallery.
************ I’ve discontinued this due to time constraints ************
If you’re not into 33 or 55 words but more of a free ranging soul, no worries. I’ve got that covered too 😀
Ad hoc Gallery (Click to see sample post)
Some of your commenters are probably like mine – amazingly talented – and probably post haiku, poems and random flash-fiction as Comments. Compile and post these on an ad hoc basis – again giving due copyright credit for their work and linking back to their blogs.
With this “Gallery” format, in essence, everyone gets two shots of exposure – when they first post their flash fiction/haiku in the “Comment” and later in the “Gallery”.
Depending on how interesting the flash-fictions and/or haiku, there’s added traffic to your blogs – yours as well as your commenters’.
************ I’ve discontinued this due to time constraints ************
Thank you for your visit and have a great day ahead 😀
*** NB: Header Image Credit @ David Koh ***
What a refreshing and positive tips page! Also found some great bloggers thanks to you 🙂 so.. thank you!! Katie.
Thank you and you’re very welcome. Looks like I missed replying to your comment. My apologies 🙂
Hi Eric,
Thanks for all the sharing! I find it very helpful. But as for personal blog, it doesn’t need that much traffic.
Hello Tony,
Thank you for leaving behind a comment 🙂
Yes, each to their own, I reckon.
Peace,
Eric
Hi Eric,
In reading some of your comments you have been called “a gifted writer”. What an intense remark.
What I’ve learned is always do what you the writer wants to write. I was told only concentrate on fiction. You can’t do children’s, adults, poetry and photography. I’m thankful that I didn’t take heed.
Do what makes you happy….:)
Hello Pat,
And how lovely to see you here again.
When I started serious writing in the fall of 2009, literary luminaries I consulted all suggested that I should write in one genre – brand yourself to that genre, they said and pointed out JK Rowling, Dan Brown and others.
I suppose if I wanted to pursue a purely commercial approach – I would write romance-comedy-vampire-werewolves-zombies all rolled into one. But I don’t – as in some ways, I’m a purist, unless when I write (what passes off as) humour as you’ve seen with my Brothers Grinn tales.
All my corporate life, I’ve worn masks – now, I am me. You’re right – do what makes you happy!
Therefore, I write poetry, fiction (mostly thrillers and recently, satire/humour) and non-fiction (all business related).
Blog readers have called me Renaissance man, a gifted writer and so forth. Obviously, these are all my friends with large generous hearts. Bless them.
All good wishes,
Eric
@Eric
(Warning: blatant plug for a gifted wordsmith totally not associated with me)
In my (rather peculiar, I admit) head ‘Twitter’ + ‘flash fiction’ + ‘romance-comedy-vampire-werewolves-zombies all rolled into one’ = @DeadEndFiction, “short horror fiction confined (or coffined) to 140 characters with a beginning, middle and dead end”
🙂
PS These time constraint thingies are teh suck. Here’s hoping that the thingies that are keeping you absorbed are keeping you fulfilled!
Hello Colin,
The thingies are keeping me out of trouble as I’m sure they’re doing the same for you 🙂
Cheers,
Eric
Norty thingies 🙂
Great tips.. so far I mostly paricipate in different challenges… and I try to comment on as many places as I can.. Thank you for visiting my blog.
Hello Bjoern,
Glad you found these tips useful – you probably know most/all of them but it’s always nice to learn that others are on the same page too.
All good wishes,
Eric
Interesting and useful suggestions. Thanks Eric and cheers 🙂
You’re welcome Dilip.
All good wishes,
Eric
Thank you for the tips. Also, I love your flash fiction section. The concept is brilliant. It disciplines one to write.
Hi Eric, I have had a good nose around your blog and love what I have come across so far! I really like your Grinn Brother category and your fallen grace series. I am very new to the blogging business and building up my blog very slowing – your tips on how to network via the blog I find very very useful. I have also looked at some of your followers and commented on their blogs. Look forward to connecting again soon. Oracle16.
Hello Wendy,
Welcome aboard 🙂
Glad that you found my offerings useful and to your liking. Hope to see you return 🙂
I visited your blog but found the frames too small, making the font difficult to read. Perhaps you can choose ‘Large’ before you insert the image into your post.
All good wishes,
Eric
Yes Eric, I will definitely bear this in mind for my next blog entry. Look forward to connecting soon!
Wendy
This is nice for beginning bloggers like me, thanks for the tips!
You’re very welcome and hope you get the hang of loading your posts and pages.
All good wishes,
Eric
Hello, My Friend!
Geesh, about time I looked at this particular aspect to your site. Very insightful and fascinating material here, Mr. Alagan. I shall peruse further and see what illuminating facets I can discover. I am quite certain I will find a few choice nuggets. : )
Wishing you a safe, happy, laughter-filled weekend. (With perhaps a wee dram or two of JD…) 🙂
Dear Paul,
I’ve been somewhat remiss as I’ve not updated this page. Hopefully you pick up some nuggets instead of stones 🙂
Many readers found the Blog Comments and Replies post useful.
Cheers,
Eric
P/s Today being Saturday and all, probably a touch more than a wee dram or two of JD 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m a newbie, not too familiar with blogging right now. I will take your advice a day at a time.
That’s very gracious of you, Arleen.
All good wishes with your blogging,
Eric