Host a Link Party.
Tons of popular blogs have weekly link parties and for good reason - they get hundred of readers to their blog every week!
I am currently hosting Bloggers helping Bloggers which is a different sort of link party in which you link up your blog, review the blog of the week and have your blog reviewed in return by several of your peers so you can get back lots of feedback. If you would like to link up it starts Tuesdays at 7:30 am EST and runs until Sunday night.
But hosting a link party isn't as easy as it sounds, as a newbie blogger its difficult to promote your link parties to get 10s or 100s of link ups each week.
You can try to promote it by submitting it to a linky party directory like Link Party! A Complete Link Party Directory - to get more exposure.
Promote it on social media - which is somewhat dependant on the number of followers you have. You can find out how to increase your Twitter or Pinterest Followers here.
Or add it to my Favourite Link Parties Board on Pinterest:
And add it to other link parties that allow you to add yours.
And you often have to purchase a inlinkz subscription which is only $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year inorder to have thumbnail images. They do offer a free trial though for text links which I believe is 60 days or so.
But it can be a little daunting - when no one (or barely no one shows up to the party) so another great and much easier way to get traffic is to:
Co-Host a Link Party
I see several opportunities every week at the link parties I attend to co-host their link party with an already established blogger. - you just need to keep your eyes out. I was thrilled when I was approached to be part of the fabulous Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop starting every Tuesday at 7:00 pm EST.
To be a cohost you will probably need to email the host and ask to co-host and follow the rules of the link party, some people allow you to change the information before and after the links and thanks to Tammy from CreativeKKids leaving a comment and co-hosting Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. I realized you do not even need to purchase an inlinkz subscription to co-host a link party so the cost to you would be free.
But this gives you the opportunity to promote your blog, and lots of link parties have the requirement of following your hosts on social media - so you may be able to boost your social media followers every week as well.
Giveaways
Lots of people host weekly giveaways to attract new viewers. It may not be easy as a new blog to find giveaways to offer your readers but you can sometimes find group blog giveaways - in which every one of the blogs chip in a small amount in order to offer a bigger prize.
I know Grow your Beck has a large list of available giveaways - and you can purchase different options for joining the giveaway you choose.
Some bloggers have contacted companies directory and offered to do giveaways on their blog for one product for themselves and one for the readers. This may be a little difficult if you are just starting out but you may just get lucky - you can list some of your more positive site stats and possibly successful giveaways you have run in the past.
Guest Posting
Another great way is to write a guest post or contribute to an 'expert' round-up for a larger blog that focuses on the same niche as your blog.
I have written a guest post for ... And this can be a great way to drive traffic to your blog if the blog you guest write for promotes the article a lot and their is a call to action to visit your blog - free printables or more information that relate to your post.
I always love featuring people on my blog - so if you write about blogging, social media, children's activities, budgeting or any other related topic please e-mail me about guest blogging.
Button Swap
As a new or small blog your main focus is probably on increasing your views - one great way to accomplish this is to offer a free sidebar button swap with other blogs. You can advertise this on your media kit page - and/or a button in your sidebar.
For instance I am currently offering one sidebar button swap with another blog (of somewhat similar size).
You will want to create a square button incorporating your blog header in order to promote this opportunity but you will be able to score an ad on another blog for free in return for the same option.
I have also seen people run giveaways for free ad space on their site for a couple weeks or a month.
Attend Link Parties
Attend lots of link parties and leave meaningful comments - something's that lets the author know you actually read their post - nice post or great tips! Is too generic and shows you didn't put any thought into it.
You can track your stats to see which link parties drive the most traffic to your blog and try to focus on those each week. And you can check out How to Get Noticed at Link Parties for tips on standing out.
If you are currently looking for co-hosts for your link party or know where to find opportunities for giveaways please leave a comment so I can add them. Thank you!
