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Doubled my traffic with contests

Posted by bloggernoob • 2/28/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: promotion

I recently doubled my traffic with contests. www.bloggernoob.com/double-your-traffic-and-stats/28/ It doesn't look like it's a temporary boost either. cause it's been pretty consistent for the past two weeks. Have you guys had similar success with contests? What other promotional methods do you guys implement?

User Comments

2/28/08

pointlessbanter

Contests have usually backfired on me... I think people get turned off by them if you have an established base and move away from your typical format.

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  alexvorn2
  
  right
2/28/08

bloggernoob

good point pointless. sometimes contests can be counterproductive. i guess it all depends on the type of blog you have.

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  thegnr
  
  Hey Noob
  I'm almost ready to do my first contest just trying to come up with a nice prize for the winner.
2. 2/29/08
  
  pointlessbanter
  
  Yeah but I am glad to see it worked for you, anything to drive traffic.
2/28/08

gerri50

Good for you!! I had a small little contest a little while ago on my small little blog and traffic has been better than it used to be.
I have a question for you - Is there such a thing as running too many contests?

[reply]
1. 2/28/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  i think so. everything should be done in moderation. if your blog ran too many contests, then it's possible that it'll turn into a contest blog. it's important to keep the main tone of you blog set to your topic, and then run promotions every once and again.
2/28/08

mawbooks

I have a niche blog and have run a few contests where I give away books. My regular folks like it and last time I ran one (actually my last post) I had 3-4 new people leave comments. I'm fairly new to blogging and I hope that I can establish a good base doing this and get my name out there. I've noticed other book blogs who give away books usually get a post written up about them from the winner. It seems as though book blogs have their own clique and community and I'm trying my hardest to break in.

[reply]
1. 2/28/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  that's sweet. yeah i think each niche has its own cliques. you mentioned another good reason to run contests. winners will post about you. contestants will post about you. and they will keep coming back. win win for every one. and it's a lot of fun
2/28/08

klynnphoto

hmmm interesting

[reply]
2/28/08

bloggingmix

I had two contests, and currently running another two. Contests are a great way to generate buzz and build traffic to your blog. I sually advertise my contest in blogs that accepts free contest advertisements. Here's the list I compiled:

www.bloggingmix.com/2008/01/11/submit-your-blog-contest-for-extra-publicity...

Meanwhile, here are the two contests I'm currently running.

Move your blog to Wordpress. Win 2 Year Site Ground Hosting Service + Domain Name + Premium Wordpress Theme (or Cash equivalent)- www.bloggingmix.com/2008/02/11/move-blog-wordpress-contest-siteground-hosti...

Special Contest - FruitfulTime Task Manager Software (4 Copies) - www.bloggingmix.com/2008/02/22/fruitfultime-task-manager-special-contest/

[reply]
2/29/08

Sewdelish

I just started a contest today. Guess how many items in the box.

sewdelish.blogspot.com/2008/02/craft-box-prize-blog-competition.html

It is my first contest, so will see how that goes. Will try some of your links bloggingmix. Thanks

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  that sounds simple enough. and fun too. those type of contests usually work out well. good luck with it
2. 2/29/08
  
  Sewdelish
  
  Thanks for your entry bloggernoob.
2/29/08

DaVincisBlogLog

My First Contest WIll Be Starting March 1st YAY!!!! once it's live I'll post the link

[reply]
2/29/08

ThriftShopRomantic

I did one contest for my bloggiversary, but I think I would approach it differently. I had people make guesses on something, which turned out to be too complex. For a future one, I will try just having people comment.

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  yeah. i think keeping the contest simple is the way to go. if you make it easy to enter. a lot of people will enter. if it starts lookiing like the da vinci code. people will be turned off by it.
2/29/08

whojaybe

Honestly, my very first contest wasn't that successful. Matter of fact, today's the last day people can sign up but I don't foresee a lot of people subscribing to my RSS Feeds by tonight.

Honestly, I don't think I promoted it enough/right. But I guess it's all just a learning experience.

But if you ARE interested, my contest is at www.datmoney.com/2008/02/1st-dm-contest-cash-ec-and-custom.html and I'm still doing WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS at www.datmoney.com/2008/02/new-weekly-cash-and-ec-giveaway-at.html

Thanks!

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  i entered your contest! i personally like the weekly one better then your leap year old. i've found that people don't like to subscribe even for a contest. i'm giving out a pmp worth $250 but not a lot people want to write posts either. i think prizes don't really need to be big. just make the contests easy to enter. bloggers are lazy
2/29/08

gosmelltheflowers

Hi BN and we find contests are a great way to GO!

The quicker the better often works.....totally agree...5 seconds in and out as the actress said to the bishop!

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  i don't know that joke. actress and bishop. i would ask you to elaborate but i think blogcatalog would remove this thread
2/29/08

whojaybe

Hey Noob, even with the weekly contest, people are STILL lazy lol

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  yup. bloggers are totally lazy
2/29/08

b123morgan

read your contest recently- looks very cool. Will continue to watch and hear about your progress, keep us posted. Brian Morgan (Do You Know blog).

[reply]
1. 2/29/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  thank. you should enter
2/29/08

mrjavo

Hey bloggernoob, I actually improve my traffic/subscribers by doing contests. It's a good way to promote your services and broadcast your site over the web.

Mr. Javo ~ mrjavo.com/

[reply]
1. 3/01/08
  
  bloggernoob
  
  way to go. yeah. growing your subscriber base organically would be ideal, but blog readers are a lazy bunch. they need the extra incentive to subscribe.
3/01/08

Shankerbakshi

with 3000 Entrecard credit giveaway i won some really good subscriber base , no doubt

[reply]
3/04/08

Sewdelish

I am running a contest at the moment. It ends 14 March. I have about 30 entries so far.

sewdelish.blogspot.com/2008/02/craft-box-prize-blog-competition.html

[reply]
1. 3/04/08
  
  helix
  
  This contest is simple but attractive. I am pretty sure you will achieve your objective
2. 3/05/08
  
  Sewdelish
  
  Thanks Helix. Got your entry too!
3/04/08

Dukepro25

What kind of contests do you do?

How do they win the prizes?

Do you just ask them to visit the site or what?

Never done one before.

[reply]
1. 3/05/08
  
  Sewdelish
  
  Everyone has different contests with different rules and prizes. So visit their blog to find out.