Make money online
Get something more from that crappy Entrecard traffic
I know how you all hate Entrecard related posts, so I won’t chime in with yet another useless one to tell you how cool it is and how much traffic I am getting from it. I will though talk about HOW to make sure that traffic is less crappy as it should be in such a program.
If you want repeated QUALITY visitors and many comments, then just don’t go to Entrecard. Just like StumbleUpon, Digg and other schemes like these, Entrecard is a good way to get visitors, but the bounce rate is HORRIBLY HIGH. Yes, Entrecard traffic is crappy traffic, but it’s traffic in the end. It’s still good because you do get some visits (quite many if you are active there) and you might also discover some nice blogs to befriend with. Some of the biggest blogs are also present in the program, so maybe it’s not that bad anyway.
Let’s see now HOW to make sure some of this non-quality traffic turns into repeated visitors who are actually interested in what you write there, not just to drop that stupid card and be out of the blog before you can say “spam”.
1. You do get what you give.
So, you know about some scripts that can help you drop 300 cards in 3 minutes. Or less, or automate this process and earn as many credits as possible while not giving a damn about the blogs you visit? I think you have the big chance of getting the same result as the poeple you try to “fool” in this game.
Before you download that script think about this: “Would I like my visitors to use such scripts so that they don’t have to spend less than 1 second on my blog?”. Are you happy thinking you spent yet another hour writing that meaningful post 99% of your visitors won’t even bother reading, because they are interested in just dropping a card and be on their way?
In the end how DO YOU FEEL about this?
I can tell you with all sincerity that it saddens me, especially since I know how much I work for my articles and how useful some of these are. In the end I didn’t open my blog just to be ignored, I love it when people come and read and why not, even comment.
This is why I DO NOT use ANY automation script. I do visit each blog, even if it does take a while. And from hundreds of crappy blogs (yes, so many are just junk) I have found some excellent ones I also commented. And I am thrilled to be able to visit them daily and read some more of their great articles.
2. Search for relevant blogs.
I am a web developer mainly. This means I have few categories I visit and drop my cards on: web development, blogging, design, online marketing, make money online. Even if I would love reading some nice personal blogs or I love pets (I have 2 dogs too), since my time is LIMITED, I just visit the blogs that are in my area of expertise. By dropping my card on SIMILAR blogs I have the chance of getting visitors from the same topic.
3. Don’t just drop the card. READ!
I do consider that a lot of the blogs I see daily are useless junk. Yeah, I can tell this because I READ THEM. I cannot brag with reading tens or articles, but I do scan carefully the page I find the card widget on (the index usually). It is a slower motion in my case, less drops than in the automated process, but I do get more from this. I am able to track good content and the blogs that, even if are small, promise a lot from the start. Before I drop my card, I scan the content fast and if I feel like I have something to say, then I do say it.
4. So you found something interesting? COMMENT!
I think this is one of the best things. I use Entrecard to find SIMILAR blogs that are of quality. I know the big ones and read them daily, even if some have lost all that freshness. You cannot blog for 4 years and still be as fresh as a new blogger, it’s a fact. The same goes with the quality of the content that doesn’t exist ONLY on the big blogs. I know some small blogs (maybe with less articles than I have here) that always offer a great read. Size does matter in some cases, in blogging, content can be good in a 2 week old blog as it is in a 4 year one.
And yes, as soon as I do find an interesting article, I drop by (more than my card) and post a comment. I use my name and the blog link and try to reply to the article that sparked my attention.
This usually makes the blogger come visit my blog too and comment on an article ofr mine. Or even more, if he/she finds more interesting. I visit my commenters daily to see what’s new there and everytime someone drops a comment, I visit the site in the search of something nice and interesting to read. And sometimes I do find an excellent blog I never knew existed.
In this way I was able to get some visitors who now like my blog and come as soon as I posted something on the blog. They comment, we already have a nice realtionship started on Entrecard.
You can get use Entrecard just to get that increased traffic and drop 300 cards a day while not caring about ANYTHING but those points, or you can do the right thing: use this as a means to visit some interesting blogs, comment on them, get your name out there and gain some quality traffic too plus some RSS subscribers.
No, I won’t bore you with stats and other things, there are already tens of blogs praising the system and trying to convince you how cool it is. It’s not the best way to get the best traffic, but if you play your “card” right, you might find some excellent blogs and some people you’ll just love reading from now on.
Ditto. I stop and read a post or two myself.
Vicky’s last blog post..By: Vicky
In regards to the script thing Ramona, I couldn’t agree more. It’s like blogging karma (i’m going to copyright that term). Do good things and good things happen, and the reverse if you try to take advantage of the system.
Since I’m a blogging n00b I relish every comment I receive. EntreCard has been good to get my site off the ground, but I’m seeing that my bounce stats are in the high 70% and I don’t want that. This is a great read for those new to blogging and EC like myself. Spot on post!
Bryan’s last blog post..My Web Development Tools (Part Two)
Entrecard can be fun, but you are right you get what you put in. It can be a great way to help comment and possibly build links if people like what you write.
I agree with your observations about Entrecard. Although the “bounce rate” may be high, many people forget that it often takes several contacts with a potential customer before an actual sale is made. Of course, in this case a “sale” could mean a comment, a feed subscriber, etc. but the principle is the same.
I am a relatively new member of Entrecard (registered about a month ago), but I have already seen this principle at work both as a webmaster and as a visitor/card dropper. As a visitor, there have been many sites that I have dropped cards on but did nothing else with for the first few times. But on the sixth or seventh visit, I noticed that the site had published an interesting article, so I stopped to read it and saw an opportunity to comment. There have even been a few sites that I purchased text link advertising from (usually through the ScratchBack widget) after repeat visits. So I know from personal experience that Entrecard is not completely useless.
On the webmaster side, Entrecard has been helping also. The most noticeable effect after the first few days has been the increase in Alexa rank, but I have also picked up a few comments from some of the Entrecard droppers. If I can sustain my current activity, I may be able to pick up some signups or affiliate sales from the repeat visitors. Eventually if I add an opt-in form to the site, I may be able to use the increased traffic to generate some free leads and build up a potentially profitable mailing list.
@Vicky .. I do stop to read too and I am so pleased to see so many nice articles in the end. I am a blogger because I also love reading and these articles make me happy
@Bryan .. I also faced the problem of not getting traffic to the new blog. I do own some other sites in the network, but I didn’t advertise too much. Still I have a nice traffic from Entrecard (good for that Alexa rank) and the good thing is that some of this traffic is pretty decent in the end because of knowing how to attract the content lovers as myself.
@Lee .. yeah, I think it’s indeed “you get what you give in this too”. Some people are successful in SU or Digg, others in Entrecard. In the end all requires attention and effort in the system, you cannot just drop the link in the system and want to succeed.
@Karlonia .. welcome to the blog too
I never thought about the sales issue since I am useless in this. Wasn’t too good with selling advertising or products, I am just now learning to monetize the network a bit. Imagine having 24 sites and not being able to earn too much
Absolutely right, top post! I drop around 30-50 cards a day, but I do give each half decent blog some respect and at the very least read the first post. If I like it I bookmark it, if not I move on (if it’s one of those - how to make millions on the net with adsense blogs I drop my card for the point and move on swiftly).
I have to agree, automated scripts are just not acceptable. I am not a pro-blogger, I have a normal day job and I still manage 300 EC drops per day with the occasional comment on the more interesting articles I come across. I do not use a script or any other underhanded way of doing this. The bounce rate from the EC visitors is high but it is no higher than the visitors from Stumble for example.
As a known ‘chain dropper’ allow me to say that I feel that if folks want me to comment more on their sites they need to offer me something interesting. The onus for getting many comments on any article is and will always be on the relevant author.
arnold’s last blog post..Internet security
@Reformed Smoker .. I also manage to drop 50-200 cards a day. Even if it does take a lot of time, it’s OK since I like to spend some time reading too, not just dropping the card.
@arnold .. welcome to the blog
Nice seeing you in here. I agree there are articles not worth commenting on, but the good thing is that we do find good content daily, so it’s an enjoying dropping
Hi Ramona,
I posted on this a few days ago as well, after having dropped 200 EC´s and feeling I was just not doing it the right way. I think you are right in what you are writing here, you get back what you give out so I have slowed down dropping and reading first posts and looking if there is something that really catches my attention.
Today however I noticed there are a lot of blogs that hardly renew and many more that really feel like they rather have you leave asap instead of hanging around and participate…
Anyways… yours surely is inviting and interesting!
Mirjam’s last blog post..What are You getting out of Blogging?
Hello Mirjam and welcome to the blog. Thank you for the nice words, I also felt nice when I visited your blog. There are some excellent articles there too for me to read and enjoy, yet another reason to consider Entrecard the chance to find something good too read too
I know, it frustrates me that people cheat and run programs to get cards. I do it the “old fashioned” way by visiting the blogs. And I hate unrelated people wanting to advertise. But as you said, out of all that chaos comes a few people who are genuinely interested in your blog. (as I am now in yours). So a little effort gets a little reward!
Susan Payton, The Marketing Eggspert’s last blog post..Eggcerpts From Natalie: Creating Heaven For Your Customers
All the scripted dropping and stuff seems pointless to me. Whats the point in going click, click, click to get 300 credits if you don’t actually spend at least some time looking at the blogs? The benefit of EC is exposing your blog to the world - if people just click and don’t bother reading and participating in each other’s blogs it strikes me as a fairly pointless race to accumulate credits … for what purpose???
Ian’s last blog post..Punishment to fit crime
Hello Susan and Ian and welcome to the blog
I think that in most things what you put into would help you get a better or worse result. Not respecting others’ efforts would attract the same reaction. Being attentive with other blogger would make them reciprocate too most of the time. From just a “drop your card” game this might help meet some good bloggers and establish quality relations.
Hi Ramona,
I’m new to blogging (just started last month) and Entrecard (just registered a few days ago) and I only manage to drop around 30-50 credits daily. This is not much considering there are a lot of schemes out there who promotes powerdropping, which enables Entrecard user to drop 300 credits in just minutes.
For me, who’s blogging part time only, I’d rather spend my time online posting on my blog or commenting on other blogs, which in my opinion worth more in the long run.
Ditto Rahmat’s last blog post..Move Your Blog To Hosted Wordpress Contest
Hello Ditto and welcome to the blog
Do use Entrecard the most you can, and do it in a quality manner. For a new blog this is an excellent way to make others notice you, and if you use it as we advised here already you’d be amazed to see the nice results
[...] CKMarketing: How to Use Entrecard to Grow Your Blog Ramona Iftode: Get Something More From That Crappy Entrecard Traffic [...]
we just have to be positive in any kind of traffic. Beside, it will not hurt our site anyway
People often forget about blogging and concentrate to much on EntreCarding. A way to speed up the dropping is to subscribe to the blogs so that you can do all the dropping and then scan the posts in rss.
Colin King’s last blog post..Trackbacks, Pingbacks, Linkbacks - huh?
I agree about spending time to read some blogs and create a relationship by commenting. I do eventually drop 300 cards by the end of the day, but I stop and read a good many of them. Or at least scan, as you mentioned.
I do feel that a lot of the new blogs, (and older ones) that you say are junk, probably are. But I think a good part of those bloggers are truly putting there all into it.
I’ve been at this now for about 6 weeks, and can honestly say I give it my all, and sincerely try to give quality content. Hopefully, I haven’t fallen into the “junk” category.
You have a very nice site, btw, and I’ll probably be back!
Curt’s last blog post..Makin’ Money On The Internet! Ain’t Life Grand?
Hi,
As I am a compulsive reader it’s very difficult to me to go power-dropping. I hardly drop more than 60 EC’s a day, and some days none at all.
Regarding EC points stacking I use a different approach, just try to keep my advertisement prices on about 80EC to attract people. That gives me about 160 EC a day and allows me to stop and read indeed (and comment sometimes).
Regarding the type of blogs I actually like to read, I don’t go mainly for the informational part but for the tone of the blogger (I wanted to say this on a previous post of yours in which you said people mostly looks for useful information :)).
I like your blog because of the way you write. I like to read about any topic of my interest on blogs in which I feel like the blogger is having a conversation with me. We can agree or not about the subject but if the tone is conversational and reflects the ways, moods or wits of the blogger, I must kick myself to remind me that I have work to do.
I don’t consider myself a “pure breed” blogger, as I just created my blog as a by-product to receive more traffic. Said that, I also must say that I get hooked on this from the beginning. I’ve made some nice relationships from Entrecard and other social sites and time permitting I’ll be making my blog worth stopping by and reading (not offended if you just go, drop and leave though)
Regards
Anthony
Anthony at Work-at-home-wealth.com’s last blog post..Entrecards Users Exclusive “You drop, I link” brand new Free widget from Work-at-home-wealth.com
Thanks for the tips. I’ve seen my traffic quadruple with Entrecard, but I don’t get any more comments. I’ll try some of the things you mention, and see how I get on, I think.
Grateful Guy’s last blog post..The “Things I’m Grateful For” April Contest
This is a great post. I stopped by when dropping my card and as usual I read the latest post. I cannot imagine people are just dropping their 300 or even 600 cards and don’t even look at the blogs they are visiting. Thanks for such a nice post. Sometimes I feel it’s needed to convince more and more people of that.
Ana’s last blog post..Wisdom Words on Sunday - Cat Quotes Part 1
I made a post about Entrecard saying the same thing. In the help menu it recommends that you read and attempt to comment before dropping. This is partly why I have my widget at the bottom.
[...] Even if all these DO help us to get our content and blogs out there so that other bloggers can see them, we WASTE a lot of time by doing this. In my first days of Entrecard I wasted 3-4 hours a day dropping cards on others, reading and commenting, since I was trying to Get something more from that crappy Entrecard traffic [...]
I haven’t joined entrecard yet, i probably will
accord’s last blog post..Mix Your Adsense Profits With Affiliate Marketing
I’ve used Entrecard a few times. Sometimes it worked out very well, other times it didn’t work at all. I guess it depends on what niche you’re in and how you’re representing it.