Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ardell DellaLoggia on November 14, 2011 at 6:07pm

Works really well for me...but you have to be artful in where you hop and what you say when you do. Leaving links in the hop in your comment is a no, no and does more harm than good. So you want to hop into a place where your name links back to you...vs having to leave a link in the comment. Most blogs allow you to register your name with your url so that your name hyperlinks...most all WordPress blogs function that way. 

 

There should be 3 lines when you comment: Name, email address, URL. Don't forget to fill in the URL portion of that 3 box option. The email address won't carry in the hop...but the url will as a link if someone clicks on your name. Very important.

Permalink Reply by Janiera Eldridge on November 14, 2011 at 6:08pm

I love blog hops, I can not tell you how many new followers on both my blog I have gained from them. I know some people complain about getting spammy comments but I've only received a few.

 

Plus it doesn't do any good to just list your blog and walk away. If you leave meaningful comments people will visit you back and do the same. I know a few professional bloggers who built their following this way and it made a big difference.

Permalink Reply by Christina Linnell on November 14, 2011 at 6:10pm

Sonia,

I used to when I was just starting out. Honestly now I have very little time to participate in them. The ones I would participate in where always really big, like SITS. But, there are lots of smaller ones that really connect bloggers and create a super community.

Permalink Reply by Sonia on November 14, 2011 at 6:39pm

Awesome! good to hear. I think when I started it, it just seemed kind of fake at first. I get it now, but I have to say, some have too many expectations behind it and when people don't comment back then you get the complaints. Glad it worked out for you ladies!

Permalink Reply by Joanne Gilman on November 14, 2011 at 7:31pm

I am not familiar with tribes. I have participated in a few blog hops (I think 3) The last one I participated in was the best. People really visited each other and I picked up about 9 new followers as well as finding some new interesting blogs. I find that the blog hops that only last a few days work better because you get busy participating whereas if you know you have a month to check out blogs, you tend to put it off. I guess it is hit or miss really, but I think it helps with exposure when your blog is new.

Permalink Reply by Nicole Moulton on November 14, 2011 at 8:47pm

What is a blog hop?  I am new to this, so I don't understand the lingo?

Permalink Reply by Ardell DellaLoggia on November 15, 2011 at 11:44am

I've never heard the term "Blog Hop" outside of HerSocialNetwork. So I was hoping someone else would answer. :) Broadly, I think it is just a term someone has used for commenting on other people's blogs primarily or secondarily to gain the recognition and readership of the people who comment there. Hop from blog to blog, leave comments, leads a trail back to your blog and helps grow readership and followers.

 

If you were an Investment Counselor, as example, you might read the Wall Street Journal every day and comment on the WSJ articles online. People would then say "I saw you in The Wall Street Journal".  You can become a respected and known entity in the area you hope to Google well in, by visiting blogs that already rank high in Google and leaving intelligent comments that are helpful or educational.

 

A good strategy is to make a list of 20 keywords you would like to be known for. Put 20 posts on your blog on those topics using those keywords sparingly. AFTER you have at least 20 good posts on your blog on these topics, Google the keywords and comment on the top ranked blogs for those same keywords. Become a regular commenter on the Top 3 to 5 ranking blogs.

You will more quickly become known as an expert in those fields by both blogging and commenting on other people's blogs(blog hopping), than by just blogging alone. 

 

Nicole Moulton said:

What is a blog hop?  I am new to this, so I don't understand the lingo?

Permalink Reply by Ardell DellaLoggia on November 15, 2011 at 1:21pm

For instance, Nicole...I just saw this in my email.

"Hello, new here! I blog at The Laine List (http://www.thelainelist.com), and I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all!"

 

That's a good example of a "blog hop". Hop in, leave your link, say something mundane, leave...  It's OK maybe to do that as in introduction first comment..MAYBE...not in my circles...but to do that once a week even, and never say anything but "here is where I blog" with a link to yourself, would be marked as spam. Generally it is not OK to use someone else's blog to bring people to your blog.

That is like going to a party and walking in the door and saying "Hey everyone! Come over to my house!" You have to remember whose party it is! :) Coming just to bring the readers over to your blog will get you blacklisted by blog hopping.