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How I Went From Unknown to Boost Blog Traffic Writer in Six Months (and How You Can, Too)

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fist-pumpSix months ago, this blog didn’t exist.

I had 30 followers on Twitter.

I had a measly 22 followers on Google Plus.

I had zero email subscribers.

In short, I was about as popular as a guy who understands every obscure reference in a Dennis Miller rant or MST3k episode.

And yet, somehow, I just wrote a post for one of the most popular websites in the world. (Update: Make that TWO posts!)

Scratch that…

I was asked to write for one of the most popular websites in the world.

They contacted me and I said yes.

“How the heck did that happen,” you ask?

Great question.

Many Bloggers Are So Discouraged By What They Lack They Fail To Appreciate What They Have

I might not have had a blog, a following, or any subscribers; but I had a supportive wife, a knack for writing, and a little know-how.

My background as a website developer provided the necessary technical skills, and my years as a high school teacher and humor blogger gave me an interesting (dare I say unique?) writing voice.

No blog? So what… I’ll create one.

No followers? Big deal. I’ll go find some.

No subscribers? My wife will subscribe, and that’s a start.

It wasn’t easy, but nothing really worth having in this world comes easily.

And guess what?

Now it’s your turn…

The 2 Deceptively Simple Ways To Earn An Invite From Boost Blog Traffic (or Any Elite Site)

It’s going to sound overly simplistic, but do you want to know how I managed to receive an invite to write for Boost Blog Traffic? I did two things:

  1. I devoted time each week to getting onto the radars of the people in charge, and
  2. I made sure that, when they did notice me, there was something worthwhile to see.

Told you it would sound simplistic! 🙂

In practice, these two points require lots of time, dedication, and hard work.

Of course, it’s nothing you can’t handle.

Let’s walk through it, step by step.

We’ll start with the easy part: getting onto the radars of Jon and Glen.

(Note: The examples in this post will focus on Boost Blog Traffic, but the tips relate to all influential bloggers and any influential site.)

Getting Noticed By The People In Charge

Boost Blog Traffic is owned by Jon Morrow, and its managing editor is Glen Long.

Both men know their stuff. Both men are excellent writers. And both men, thankfully, are active on Twitter.

STEP 1: Follow Them

That’s assuming you aren’t already following them, of course.

Takeaway: If you want someone to notice you — and this goes for influential bloggers as well as the cute girl in Apartment 4b — start small. Follow them on their preferred social media platform.

(Subliminal Message: Follow ME on Twitter by clicking here.)

STEP 2: Subscribe to Their Mailing List

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No, their RSS feed isn’t good enough. You need to be on their email list.

In many cases, bloggers will encourage subscribers to respond to their emails and ask questions. This gives you a direct line of communication!

Takeaway: Becoming a subscriber is the best way to stay up to date with announcements and updates. Plus, you will benefit from knowledge shared only with subscribers.

(Subliminal Message: Subscribe to MY mailing list by clicking here.)

STEP 3: Share Their Stuff

No matter how big or small they might be, every blogger enjoys having their content shared.

When a great post was published on Boost Blog Traffic, I shared it.

When Jon or Glen shared a post elsewhere online which caught my eye, I shared it.

When Jon shared a great post written by Glen, I shared it.

And when Glen shared a great post written by Jon, I shared it, too.

I didn’t share everything they wrote. That would be overkill (and kind of crazy).

But whenever Jon or Glen shared something I really enjoyed, I shared it.

Takeaway: It doesn’t matter if you have ten or ten thousand, if you hope to catch the attention of an influential blogger you need to share their content with your followers.

(Subliminal Message: Tweet this post by clicking here.)

STEP 4: Leave Them Comments

Don’t just leave any ol’ comment, though…

Write comments which expand the conversation.

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Write comments where it’s clear you read the post.

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If possible, be one of the first people to comment on a post.

This is where being an email subscriber and Twitter follower comes in handy. When a new post goes live, you’re ready to pounce.

If you consistently leave insightful comments (and you’re consistently one of the first to comment), you may just get replies like this one.

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When this happens, you know you have made a positive impression.

Takeaway: Don’t think of comments as platitudes no one bothers to read. Pretend you’re an actor, and comments are your audition tapes. Write great comments, and people will be interested in what else you have to say. They will click the link to your blog. One of those people could be the individual you’re trying to impress.

(Subliminal Message: Leave me a comment at the end of this post.)

STEP 5: Link To Them In Your Posts

A wonderful thing about following authority bloggers is you are introduced to awesome content you can feel good linking to and sharing with your readers.

I’ve linked to Jon and Glen numerous times the past six months.

When I wrote a roundup of some of my favorite blog quotes, I included a great one from Glen.

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When I wrote about effectively using anecdotes in your posts, I featured an example written by Jon.

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And when I mentioned them, I let them know about it.

Sometimes I would tag them on Twitter.

Sometimes I would tag them on Google Plus.

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And sometimes I would contact them via carrier pigeon.

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Admittedly, some methods were more effective than others.

Takeaway: Don’t force links. It doesn’t matter if it’s to a popular site or a site no one has heard of before, your links should be relevant to your content. But when you do link to relevant sites — and you should in most every post you write — link to influential bloggers sometimes. And then tell them you did so.

(Subliminal Message: Link to Be A Better Blogger in your next blog post.)

STEP 6: Be Cool

Don’t be “that guy” or “that girl.” Don’t follow, share, comment, or link just so you can immediately hit up someone for a favor.

Sure, it will get you noticed. A tattoo of a spider on your face will get you noticed, too. Doesn’t mean you should get one.

True, asking for backlinks is a proven method for getting them. It’s a numbers game, after all. But that’s not what we’re doing here. This — all of this — is about building relationships.

Takeaway: Don’t be cynical. Yes, you want influential bloggers to notice you. Know who they tend to notice? People who genuinely appreciate the work they do. When you hit someone up for a favor, it’s impossible for them to know if you shared their content because you liked it, or because you wanted something in return.

(Subliminal Message: Please don’t ask me to drive you to the airport.)

“Wow. That wasn’t so hard, Kevin.”

I know, right?

Who knew getting onto the radars of influential bloggers was as simple as reading, sharing, commenting, and doing all the things we bloggers should be doing anyway! 🙂

Of course, that was the easy part…

How To Make A Positive Impression

What do the influential bloggers see now that they’ve noticed you?

Do they see a blogger not worth their time…

Or do they see a blogger worth getting to know?

Unless you want influential bloggers to think “that’s so adorable” while they give you the proverbial pat on top of the head, your blog needs to be worthy of the attention being given to it.

First, The Basics…

no1Your Blog Needs To Look Good

Looks matter (with blogs at least).

All the “great personality” in the world won’t do your blog much good if it isn’t pleasing to the eyes.

With so many great WordPress themes available for free (not to mention the amazing premium themes available), there’s simply no excuse for your blog looking like a Kardashian without makeup.

no2Your Blog Can’t Be Covered In Ads

I’m not saying your blog can’t have any ads.

Have an ad or two or three if you like.

But if you have more than that, at best you are distracting your readers from your content and your opt-in form.

At worst… Well, remember the fight scene in Anchorman?

Influential bloggers probably won’t throw tridents at your chest, but it’s a possibility.

And they’re definitely not going to want to read your blog content.

no3Your Posts Can’t Be Littered With Grammatical Errors

For argument’s sake, let’s say an influential blogger will look past your many typos.

Let’s say they will overlook your use of “there” every time you should have used “their.”

Let’s say they will turn a blind eye to all of it and focus on your untapped, diamond-in-the-rough storytelling skills.

They’re still likely to think:

“Gosh… a guest post from this cat would take a lot of time to edit. I’ll just email that Kevin Duncan guy from ‘Be A Bitter Blabber’ and have him write another guest post instead.”

No blogger is perfect (this one included).

But don’t be so imperfect influential bloggers decide you’re not worth the time commitment.

(In short, make sure your posts are proofread and edited before publishing.)

Now For The Hard Part…

Blogging is easy.

Blogging well is the thing which trips up most people.

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Creative Commons Image via Kiran Foster

You can have a nice-looking blog free of advertisements and grammar mistakes, but it means little if you can’t write.

You can have the full and undivided attention of Jon Morrow, Brian Clark and Darren Rowse, but if they’re unimpressed with your writing skills it won’t matter.

You see, I can give you pointers.

I can guide you in the right direction.

I can tell you what others have done to achieve success, and how you can hopefully emulate them.

But I can’t turn you into a great writer.

The good news?

You can.

If you’re willing to put forth the time it takes to improve as a writer, there’s nothing you can’t achieve.

So, practice. Try to write every day.

Read the posts of Glen Long,?Henneke Duistermaat, Shane Arthur, and Stefanie Flaxman. Study their writing tips and techniques.

Learn from the best, but be sure to develop your own voice:

God made each of us unique. There might be billions of people on the planet, but there is only one you. You have unique DNA. Your hopes, thoughts, and dreams are unique. Even the face you make when you accidentally walk into a spider web is unique.”

Once you’ve found your unique voice as a blogger and honed your skills as a writer, you’ll be unstoppable.

Are You Ready?

A lot can happen in six months.

You could train for a marathon. You could learn to play a musical instrument. You could read most of Moby Dick.

Or, you could?put a check mark next to?half the?milestones on the blogger’s bucket list.

Want to?write for one of the biggest, baddest blogs on the web?

Get them to notice you, and make sure they like what they see.

Now… go.

Go be the person influential bloggers?never knew they always wanted to write for them.