Free advertising--Blog commenting

[LaurasLastDitch]

Need free advertising?

Comment on blogs--ones where you can link your user name to a URL. I always use "Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares" as my user name, and . I don't write anything spammy, I just give a comment that is germane to the conversation. When I check Etsy stats, a blog I comment on is my 6th highest source of traffic--perhaps not that great, but having links on various websites also helps SEO. I just wish I knew how to add a photo with my products as the avatar!

I try to pick blogs to comment on that might have the demographic I like to sell to. In this case, it's The Non-Consumer Advocate, a blog about not buying new stuff, and switching from being a consumer to being a thoughtful user. Quality vintage kitchenwares fit very well with that attitude.

If you want to see what I mean about linking your user name and site URL, here is a link to the comments section of the blog:

http://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/2011/08/the-food-scavenger-strikes-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2...

[Former_Member]

How do you do that? Link your username and etsy shop, I mean.

[olganna]

I am on blogger and when i try to leave comments on others blogs it comes up with a message and I lose the whole thing that i have written. tres annoying. Its on my list of things to do to sort this out so thanks for the nudge!

[LaurasLastDitch]

There isn't this feature on all blogs, but on some of them, there are choices of how to leave a comment (you can choose Facebook login, Gmail, etc). Often there is a choice to leave name and URL. When you see this, think, "Free advertising!" Leave your store name followed by what you sell (if it's not obvious), then add your shop URL. In my case, I enter "Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares" as my name. See the blog link I left above, go into the comments section to make a comment, and you'll see what I mean.

[Former_Member]

I think most blogging platforms have a built in link for your username when you sign in so there's really no need to leave a link pointing people where to go. I blog pretty frequently and I really don't ever visit people's blogs who specifically leave me a link because I know they're just trolling for their own traffic. I think the best way to get traffic from blogging is to be genuine and strive to make real connections with the blog host. Developing a friendship is going to make them want to check you out anyway. Just my thoughts. :)

[Former_Member]

I actually got quite a few hits from poppytalk this way last week. it works! as long as you dont post spammy stuff. just be genuine.

[Former_Member]

I agree with the comments about being genuine. I don't "follow" a lot of blogs, but I do follow those that speak to my interests or values or whatever. It does take time, however, to build relationships that will hopefully lead to traffic/sales.

[Former_Member]

Laura,

That is great advise of which I was not aware. Thank you for the tip, and I will be sure to use it every chance I get.

Thanks.

[LaurasLastDitch]

I'm not going to comment on things I'm not interested in, but when I find an interest, it doesn't hurt to participate in the conversation. The link doesn't show up as a URL, just a user name that you can click on, so I don't think it looks bad unless the content of the comment is spammy.