Is One Month Too Little to See Progress?

Lori · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Florida

I've been at this for nearly a month. I'm following the NPT checklist and the things I learned in the "Super Affiliate Handbook", and have learned some additional things in the 30 Day Challenge. My traffic level is extremely low on my two sites (www.FloridaBeachReviews.com and www.SuperAffiliateCaseStudy.com). What am I doing wrong? I know the key is good content and I've been trying to think of some 'sticky' features. I know I'm supposed to build an email list -- but I need the visitors to visit first. I'm definitely missing something. Any suggestions?? (I know the header image on the Florida Beach Reviews site needs changing!)

Lori · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Florida

As I scoured the NPT site, I realized there are some articles I missed like Ros's "7 Steps to Promos that Work (http://www.netprofitstoday.com/articles/183/1/7-Steps-to-Promos-that-Work/Page1.html). I also realized I don't have features that invite people to join. They can leave comments or they can subscribe via RSS, but I don't have a guestbook or survey or any other real interactive features. Hmmm... 'nother busy week ahead!

Any other advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated!

Jim Hutchinson

Lori · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Florida

Hi Jim,

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I've never heard of a few of them! I've learned so much just in the one month I've been doing this, and the biggest thing I've learned is that there's always more to learn! Thanks again.

Lori · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Florida

Jim,

Thanks again for mentioning BlogRush. What a cool little tool! I used your badge to sign up -- I'm in confirmation mode so it's not yet visible...

Jim Hutchinson · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:25 pm Post subject: **Re: Blogrush**

Hi Lori

Blogrush is a traffic exchange for blogs and can get you more exposure. It runs on credits like other traffic exchanges. Each time your blog is visited with the badge on it, you get credit, which is then used to display a link to your blog.

The visitors may start slow with little traffic to your site, but can add up quickly because it compounds. The more credits you have, the more sites your link is shown on. The results can be exponential.

The part I like about it, is that the service is automatic. Once set up, you just keep driving traffic to your site using other methods and let Blogrush do its job to increase the traffic.

You should do well with it. Very Happy

Lori · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Florida

I like the concept behind BlogRush. I cringed when I read "traffic exchange" in your post, but it's different than the "traffic exchanges" I read about recently where people visited other peoples' sites to boost each other's traffic -- seems a little pointless to me; I think I'd rather find ways to get people to come to my site because they were interested in the topic presented, not solely because they're getting credits to stare at my homepage for 30 seconds. At least with BlogRush, people are opting to visit your site -- like an ad for your site, sort of.

Joseph Ratliff · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 19

Hi Lori...

For traffic, light SEO is a good thing...watch your post titles, instead of "Week 4 Wrap Up", which doesn't keyword into what you are doing with Super Affiliate Case Studies...I would suggest related keywords in the titles of your post, while not losing the human aspect of your writing (make it make sense).

Article marketing...

Write keyword optimized articles, with a resource box that acts as a "continuation" of the articles themselves, and a link back to your site. 20 - 40 articles should start a good stream.

Viral Marketing...

You already have stuff to get visitors to come back...but what about something they can share with each other, that's worth spreading around?

Just some things to ponder...I know this isn't a complete tutorial...but should give you a start.

Lori · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Florida

Joe, thanks for your suggestions.

Can you please explain what you mean by "resource box"?

I've been doing a lot of research and am finding that increasing traffic seems to be "Problem #1" for many bloggers. I'm probably going to end up modifying the format a little bit and will keep your suggestions in mind, particularly the one about using more keywords in the title and looking for some viral marketing methods. Since I started the other blog, I guess I've been neglecting this one but realize I need to get back to it. Thanks for your inputs.

Joseph Ratliff · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 19

Hi Lori,

The resource box is the bottom part of the article (usually), where you get an opportunity to "sell" a little...by writing compelling copy that entices the article reader to visit your site.

If you would like to learn more on a host of other topics, but also including article writing and marketing...simply (url code would go here) etc...

Like that Smile