Any efforts you have in getting traffic, social media followers, or online reputation, requires the first step of being recognised by others. And the best and fastest approach to helping you get noticed is leveraging the network of bloggers with a large(r) following.
However, being on social media is like a standing on a noisy, crowded bus. It's really hard to be noticed among the throng of people and sounds. And cold approaches are unlikely to breed much by way of results.
But don't give up. This post outlines some pro tips to help you get a little recognition from the movers and shakers in your blogosphere.
This acts as a radar to notify influential bloggers that you've developed an interest in them/what they write about. You can do so by often commenting and liking their blog posts.
"You can do so by often commenting and liking their blog posts."
It's also best to go that extra mile and provide positive feedback on their posts. This demonstrates that you are adding value to their posts and over time, this is likely to get noticed. (Bear in mind that commenting on blog posts with few comments isideal, since it's more likely that your comments will be seen.)
Sharing blogs/blog posts of people with a large following certainly helps them get more exposure, but it might help you gain more too - in particuar when you tag them so that they can see you have shared their blog posts.
"Sharing blogs/blog posts of people with a large following certainly helps them get more exposure, but it might help you gain more too."
For the best results, look for blogs/blog posts with fewer shares, or new blogs that are yet to received little interaction.
Promoting other people's products by providing positive reviews creates a personal connection. An example is reviewing an online course, e-book, or membership site, among other products.
"An example is reviewing an online course, e-book, or membership site..."
You can begin by purchasing the product or requesting a free sample of the product to give honest feedback. This will help the person you are willing to connect with get exposure for their products, all the while recognising your concern in promoting them.
It's rare for bloggers to decline interview requests, making this option the perfect chance to not only ask questions that cannot be responded to via email, chats, or calls, but to also build a stronger connection with the prominent blogger.
"It's rare for bloggers to decline interview requests..."
Not only that, many will promote and/or attach the link to the interview on their own social media profiles, which in turn helps you get noticed by their larger audiences.
Ask every blogger, and they will affirm that finding your content links in other platforms and blogs is a pure joy. So, use this as a means to get the blogger's attention and link whenever possible.
"So, use this as a means to get the blogger's attention and link whenever possible."
Of course, ensure you don't spam the links, but instead include these links where you feel they make sense and add value to your content. That way, when WordPress sends a pingback to posts linked in your blogs, the influential blogger will see how you frequently link to their content.
Sure, they are already 'famous'. And writing about them makes them even more famous, which is a great outcome for most influential bloggers; and such efforts are unlikely to go unnoticed.
"And writing about them makes them even more famous...and such efforts are unlikely to go unnoticed."
You can also write and publish a response to their posts. It proves that you appreciate the hard work that helped them succeed and creates a rapport when approaching your interests.
Blogging has become a lucrative venture for many in recent years, but the journey is a challenging once - not least of which is because you're up against plentiful and stiff competition, making standing out an issue. It is like trying to be the only person in a room that's already full of people.
But just because it's difficult, doesn't mean it can't be done. It just takes hard work, perseverence and adopting these tips outlined above.
SourceBottle helps connect people interested in raising their profile to journalists keen to share their stories. The platform is used and loved by journalists from famous media outlets.
So, are you receiving FREE publicity opportunities, straight into your inbox?
No?!! (Wha?)