Im not sure what it is (school starting? Cooler temps so we are all out FROLICKING not blog-reading?) but recently everyone seems to be lamenting a lack of traffic to her blog.
Heres where I say BE ME! BE ME! Never look at your analytics. Allow people to tell you that youre completely unprofessional because you dont know your precise numbers offhand. Make that lack o’knowledge part of your brand!
I have no answer to the “how to get additional traffic quick fast and in a hurry!” query (and probably endorse the living not blogging notion a weetad too much).
I do have a few marketing tips to share.
Misfit Marketing tips if you will as, since I have no ads on my blog (oooh kinda foreshadowing! Im *so* utilizing that English Lit degree!!), my goal for bringing in new readers is to trap em, keep em, and coerce em hope they join our community.
(translation: Im not hoping to drag people here in an effort to make money from impressions or ad click throughs.)
Misfit marketing tip #1:
Do not be afraid to be the first. With anything. Your approach may not unfold as anticipated (hello New Coke! Greetings MizFit bracelets circa 2008!) –but you will never wonder “what if??” *and* I guarantee you will learn something for your next marketing endeavor.
Also remember just because something hasnt been done before does not mean it wont work! And, if you discover it’s just too freakin expensive much to your chagrin there’s indeed a reason why—you can still always tweak and morph your plan into marketing marvousnessment (technical term) down the road.
Ive seen it happen.
Misfit marketing tip #2:
People frequently ask me what *I* think of marketing ideas and approaches. In my opinion it all depends on your brand.
I believe nothing is too zany or too outside the box (to employ an overused term) if it fits your brand!
I believe readers/potential readers only do the movie’esque double take if a marketing approach does NOT fit the blog or site branding/voice.
For example a highly serious, super grammatically correct marketing endeavor up in herre? I think not.
For example, back when I was a freelance personal trainer I decided it would be a great idea to iron-on the letters TRAINER! to the back of my raggedy sweatpants (this was before the proliferation of letters on bumbums we see today).
LongstorySHORT? I am a woman who lacks both ironing skills and the crafting gene. I ended up with very askance, highly sloppy TRAINER ironed to my bumbum & dripping down my legs.
LongstoryLONG? I acquired many clients as a result of that marketing ploy. Women rightfully assumed I must be a misfit if *that* was my approach to selling myself. They extrapolated (correctly) from there I must be a slightly off-beat personal trainer as well.
(unnecessary aside? Im so SAD I no longer have those sweatpants!)
Bottom line: Anything works—no matter how seemingly quirky—if it meshes with your brand.
Misfit marketing tip #3:
Be a fist. Or more aptly phrased: make yourself a member of a fist.
Im a huge believer in the power of community.
Im a huge believer in the face we are NOT competing with each other over readers/readership (which is what makes me sad when there are blog cliques)—but all benefit if more people, in general, are reading blogs!
It was for that reason I happily ponied up the cash to place an ad over at No More Bacon and why I love both the fact he’s fearless (doesnt worry linking to other tribemembers will lose him readers) and creative (pay what you choose).
Whether you place an ad on another blogger’s site or merely dedicate one day to linking and promoting other blogs remember when you market others you help yourself too.
Alone we arent as powerful as we are together. When one community member gits him a spike in readership—we can all benefit from links and referrals.
Hold on loosely (sing it with me!) to your readers—THEY wont let go.
* Runs to get a protein-rich snack to replenish after her brain-dump*
As you can plainly see above, I posses nary a marketing secret.
For me self-promotion or marketing is not simply stumbleupon or Triberr or any of those more mass pursuits as my goal is to create a community
For me giveaways to arent an approach to gaining readership—but a way to share what I love with my peeps.
For me what works with regards to marketing is not letting the norms control my growth.
For me marketing (and fitness and LIFE)…isn’t about fitting in.
Now YOU.
Whats your best self-marketing tip?
Do you stumble and connect and pinterest in a way I do not?
Are you happily a FINGER while I sing the praises of a fist?
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