THREE Li’l Princesses’ audience is fast growing and so far I haven’t had to sell my soul. I could say I’ve been blessed or that my “content is king’’, but I really doubt either are true. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is, but I’m guessing it might have something to do with:
- The sheer volume of comments I make on other bloggers’ blogs. No, I’m not stalking you.
- Getting involved in social media – Twitter and Facebook. It helps save hubby’s ears from my constant natter.
- Giveaways. Because who doesn’t like something for free? Unless it’s a cold and then, no thanks.
- Memes (aka blog hops). Rhymes with “cream’’, not “Demi’’.
The latter is where I see huge spikes in traffic and comments. I’ve road tested quite a few and have four that have worked really well for me. They are:
- The Little Drummer Boys’ Wordless Wednesday (on Wednesdays)
This one is pretty simple. You upload a photo. End of story. Although, it isn’t end of story for me, as no words causes huge headaches for my homepage thumbnail, so mine is never truly “wordless’’. And maybe also because I can’t keep my mouth shut. Even for just one post.
- Where’s My Glow’s FlogYoBlog Friday (on Friday)
Choose your best post from the week. I’ve found the key to this one working is an eye-catching headline – and headlines have never been my strong point. Thank goodness I married the rather clever Bloke in The Shed (please don’t tell him I said that).
- Maxabella Loves’ Grateful For (on Saturdays)
One of my favourite memes of the week, this one is simply a post about what you’re grateful for. I’ve slightly copied Maxabella’s format, in that she usually posts three things. Hers are numbered and mine and mere dots, so I’m being “slightly’’ original. It’s also my chance to spruik the silly things my three-year-old daughter Ella does.
- Life In A Pink Fibro’s Weekend Rewind (on Saturdays)
This one is just too easy. Allison picks a topic and you have to dive into your archive (or you can just scroll through, if you like) and find a post that fits the subject. Love, love this one!
My advice though is to 1. Make sure you include the badge in your post to credit the wonderful work of the meme host. 2. Comment on other posts that are part of the meme. *UPDATE* This meme is now hosted by the lovely MultipleMum of And Then There Were Four. Check her out. She has a fab blog.
*UPDATE*
- Aussie Giveaway Linkup, hosted by Tina Gray {Dot} Me and yours truly.
Since writing this post, I was asked by the gorgeous Tina Gray to co-host the Aussie Giveaway Linkup. The aim is for bloggers and business owners who host giveaways on their blogs to link up each Sunday morning to 1. attract more traffic to their giveaways and 2. give readers a chance to find giveaways all in the one spot. The linky closes on Tuesdays at 7am.
If you’re a blogger, do you take part in memes? What are your favourites? If you’re a reader, what memes attract your attention?
Oh wow! Thanks Kel! That is a wonderful list! I really want to start doing these once my new look is done and sorted out a few other bits 🙂
Can’t wait to see the new look in action, Kym. And I’d definitely encourage you to take part in at least one of these. They are just fab! 🙂
You forgot the other reason for your growing audience: you are so lovely! And of course your content – I love reading your blog.
Aww, thanks so much, Tracy. That’s so nice of you to say. Some days you start doubting yourself and wondering whether anyone cares and then you get comments like yours. That means a lot! xx
I love all of these blog hops, although I often get distracted and fail to participate. Can’t promise you a post a week, but your “what’s made you laugh” meme will attract an entry or two from me. And no, I certainly don’t do anything silly, why would you even suggest that?
No, no, of course not, Tat. I’d never suggest such a ridiculous notion!!! 😉
I’ve been chatting with the wonderful Tina from tinagray{dot}me and we’re looking to start a giveaway blog hop for people to link up their giveaways. I’ll keep you posted on that. So I might put the “what’s made you laugh” meme idea in the Ideas Folder for now! Thanks for the support though. That’s nice to know.
I like the idea of your meme, Kel.
Thanks Toni! I can imagine you’d struggle to choose just one post a week to link up!! hehe!! Your posts are all too funny! They always give me a good laugh! 🙂
Thanks so much for the shout-out Kel. I love the Rewind and am so glad you do too. 🙂
My pleasure, Allison. Such a brilliant concept for a meme and, judging by the amount of people you get linking up, extremely popular! 🙂
I think you’ve listed to top five there. All fabulous ones. Def think you should start one too. And I agreed with Tracy – our readership is growing because you’re a lovely blogger:) Keep up the good work princess!!
Awww, thanks so much, Caz. So nice of you to say.
They are brilliant memes, aren’t they? It’s sometimes the simplest ideas that work the best. As I just posted in this comments section, I’m co-hosting a giveaway meme with the lovely Tina Gray. Definitely one for all your giveaways, Caz! 🙂
You clever thing! Will give it a go….thanks for your help oh wise Blogger! x
LOL! My pleasure, Barb. And glad to see you back in the blogging world! xx
Yay! agree with other statements that your blog is loved because of the lovely writers and the content but I also love your blog because you guys always acknowledge your readers – you make each and everyone of us feel special and somehow it’s like you are writing just for me!
good idea on the memes kel, i only do the ‘flog yo blog’ one so far and not every week but i will put the effort into that more and others now too!
Wow! Thank you so much, Rachel. That is so nice of you to say. I love that the blog’s had that affect on you. I figure if someone’s taken the time to leave a comment for me, it’s only right for me to send them a nice reply. But that’s just me!! And, quite possibly, I talk too much! LOL!
It’s definitely worth doing at least one meme a week, Rachel. You’ll see a big difference in your traffic and comments for that day. Weekend Rewind is a great one, because you don’t have to write anything new. It’s all taken from your archives. Hope to see Because I Said So in a meme list soon! hehe!! 😉
You’re meme idea is great 🙂
I’m a big fan of Wordless Wednesday, I link up at http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/ .
I’ll sometimes jump on other memes but I’m pretty terrible at doing them once a week despite best intentions. Even if I don’t link up I usually check out others who have though.
Thanks, Andie! I haven’t linked up to the big Wordless Wednesday yet, but I might give it a try this week and see how it goes. I think I’ve always been daunted by how many people link up to it!! But maybe that’s a good thing. hehe!!
And yes, I’m a big reader of others’ link ups too. It’s nice being able to read a whole heap of posts all with the same theme. 🙂
Thanks for the tips! I’m a total newbie to this blogging caper and didn’t even know these existed.
So glad it’s been of help, Andrea. They really are great for those of us starting out. You get to meet new bloggers and I think coming across these same “faces” weekly helps build relationships. Hopefully I’ll see you in a meme soon!! 🙂
I remember reading this when you first posted, but didn’t comment at the time, just nodded my head at the screen! And since then you’ve started up a fabulous linky for giveaways which is such a great thing! I love that these links in particular provide such a sense of the blogging community, especially on the weekends when we have more down time to tap into it. xx
That’s so true, Shelley. I think that’s why I love these memes. I’ve built some lovely connections with bloggers through these linkys in particular, including yourself. 🙂
I link to all of these blog hops except for Wordless Wednesday, I am not a camera person at all. But as I share my other blog with a friend who is a camera person, our shared blog has joined in with Wordless Wednesday from time to time. Thanks for your great tips!
That’s great to hear you’re a fan of these too. There’s so many memes out there and I’m only just starting to discover a few new ones too. However, these memes I’ve found to be a really good fit for me and the blog.
I have to say, I’m not the greatest photographer in the world, but I do enjoy mixing up the blog a bit each week with something that doesn’t require me to write something. And this, coming from a journalist!! I know, strange… LOL! 😉
I didn’t know you hosted a giveaway meme. I must come past and try my luck Kel! Thanks for including the change of hosting in your update and thanks for Rewinding this Weekend x
My pleasure, MM. And please do stop by. There’s always some fab prizes up for grabs! Tomorrow will be our 8th Aussie Giveaway Linkup, so we’re still in our early days with it! 🙂
It’s amazing the spike you see isn’t it? FYBF and the Weekend Rewind are my favourites. As soon as I get comps going on the blog, the giveaway link up is where I’ll be heading.
Oh, that’s so great to hear, Penny. We’d love to see you linking up. 🙂
I really love Weekend Rewind. Not just because you don’t have to write anything new (!), but you can give some of your older posts a chance to get noticed. Especially the early stuff when blog visitors were few!! LOL!
Great post – and thanks for the mention and the update! I don’t do as many memes as I used to, mostly due to lack of time, but they are a great way to meet new blogs and bloggers.
My pleasure. 🙂
Yes, they zap quite a bit of my weekend time (after the girls are in bed, of course!!), but it’s been wonderful to meet new bloggers through them. There are some bloggers I would never have met without these blog hops. So thanks to you for starting Weekend Rewind. Your sister is doing a great job with it too! xx
Thanks for this. I have participated in all of these, except yours. The next time I do a giveaway, I’ll be sure to link up! Don’t hold your breath though. I have only ever done two giveaways in 2 years. 😉
LOL!! No dramas, Shelly. 😉
There are a few other memes I haven’t linked up that I’d like to try in the future, but for now these are working really well for the blog.
Nice post and glad to have read it. I do like the memes I do as the bloggers I read usually seem right on my wavelength. It’s a bit of a tricky time as the weekends for me are far busier than the weeks, so sometimes I ‘m not catching up until Mon, Tues and Wed.
Yes, that can make it really hard, Seana. I do most of my commenting on Friday and Saturday nights when hubby is watching footy. If I wasn’t reading blogs, I’d probably be reading a book so there’s not much difference there for me!! 🙂
I have seen a spike in traffic since linking up with all of the above (except for Wordless Wednesday – I need to get my butt into gear on that one). I need to get myself into some sort of routine. Thanks for this post its been great to read.
Visiting from the Rewind x
That’s really good to hear, Courtney.
I’ve been loving all the new bloggers I’ve been able to meet through the memes as well. Some I would probably have never stumbled across if not for linking up! 🙂
Hi Kel, checking out your blog through FYBF, coincidentally enough! There’s the proof right there! It’s the first time I’ve linked up with it, and enjoying it so far!
I also participate in a relatively new meme – Write on Wednesday at inkpaperpen – http://inkpaperpen.blogspot.com/search/label/Write%20On%20Wednesdays, for all those budding writers out there, Gill posts a short writing exercise for everyone to complete and then we all visit each other’s posts and comment or give feedback on the writing. Fun!
I also like Listography at Kate Takes 5 – http://katetakes5.blogspot.com/p/listography.html although I’m yet to participate! I do love a good list though 🙂
Wow, Janelle, these sound fab.
I’ve heard of inkpaperpen’s Write on Wednesday and have endeavoured to be part of it each week. I really must commit and have a go. I think because I’ve been doing Wordless Wednesday, I keep getting sidetracked. Maybe I should post it on a Tuesday instead!
I haven’t heard of Listography though. I’m the same – list writing is fun to do and such easy and enjoyable reading. I’m off to check that one out.
Thanks for sharing!! 🙂