18 Comments to “Bloggy Question 76: Where Are My Clients?”

1. February 24th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
   Ritu said

   Hi Liz! Thanks for writing this post and allowing me to finally let go off the snooze button in my brain.

   I think there are many ways to make a blog viral. Content as always is important but again, not every link bait post that have made a blog viral has been of immense value to the reader or the blogosphere in general.

   Personally, I think one of the best possible way to take a blog viral is by entering into an influential network. Being a part of an influential network allows us to be known by not only one but many that might be in a particular field. I think commenting, guest posting, emailing can also help tae a blog viral as long as it is done in moderation. If anyone wants to take their blog viral my suggestion would be to start networking and go viral slow with careful planning. With an influential network a blog will surely flow like a fire in a forest.

   All in all, the best possible way, in my opinion, is to start building and making yourself a part of influential network. My 2 cents

2. February 25th, 2008 at 3:52 am
   CatherineL said

   Liz - this is a tough one. So many people expect traffic to come immediately don’t they?

   And as you know, viral marketing isn’t all that easy. If it was, there’d be far more examples of viral marketing success stories when you Google viral marketing.

   I would encourage him to keep on trying to come up with viral ideas. But explain that some sites only become viral because others need to get their friends to join - eg. skype and hotmail.

   So, it would probably be best if he concentrated most of his time on other means of getting traffic - eg. seo and networking.

3. February 25th, 2008 at 4:35 am
   SaiF said

   Hey Liz!

   As you may know, I’m currently kind of in the same situation, only that I don’t sell anything..

   I did my research today on how I could do that and I found this great article that you could refer your friend to:

   http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/01/11/how-to-market-your-blog-in-2007/

   However it only applies to a blogger, so I say, MAKE HIM A BLOGGER!

   Hope that helps!

   SaiF
   The World’s First Teen
   Personal Development Video Blogger

4. February 25th, 2008 at 4:50 am
   amypalko said

   That’s so funny, SaiF, as I was just about to recommend another Problogger post.
   http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/02/24/a-tortoise%e2%80%99s-guide-to-blogging/
   It uses the fable of the tortoise and the hare to communicate the idea that steady, consistent blogging results in sustainable traffic. Going viral may give a temporary boost, but it likely won’t result in many long-term clients.
   Slow and steady wins the race, in other words!

5. February 25th, 2008 at 5:39 am
   Karin H. said

   Hi Liz

   He wants to run before he can walk. It’s about commitment both ways. And it starts with ‘Givers Gain’.
   Give others attention - meaningful attention, share knowledge on other sites and blogs - become the authority, give freebies to start that conversation.

   He has to see building trust (equals traffic) as the same investment as he has made by building his product and site.
   Then the viral part will start on its own and give him the best ROI he’s every wished for. But investment it will take!

   Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

6. February 25th, 2008 at 8:32 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hi Ritu!
   I agree the work is really best done with a view to the long-term in mind. It’s the people and the network that will sustain a blog.

7. February 25th, 2008 at 8:35 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hi Catherine!
   I agree that viral marketing is a serious long shot. Most of all, going viral rarely happens when the message sent is one that benefits the sender outright.

   I’m with you a traditional foundation of growth is what I would advise too.

8. February 25th, 2008 at 8:37 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hi Saif!
   I would definitely get thim blogging. There’s no reason not to.

9. February 25th, 2008 at 8:38 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hi Amy!
   We all seem to agree that real strategy isn’t a viral attack.

10. February 25th, 2008 at 8:41 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karin!
    You’re a wise teacher. It’s true that we need to walk before we run.

    Drive by blogging can do some serious harm.

11. February 25th, 2008 at 8:43 am
    Karin H. said

    Drive by blogging

    LOL

    Now that really made my day!

    Karin H

12. February 25th, 2008 at 9:45 am
    CatherineL said

    Liz, I love the “Drive by blogging.” I think you just coined a new phrase.

13. February 25th, 2008 at 10:35 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Karin!
    We know I’ll go pretty far to get you to laugh!

14. February 25th, 2008 at 10:38 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Catherine!
    I don’t know that I’m the first to use it, but it sure seems to describe what I’m thinking of.

15. February 25th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
    Amie Gillingham said

    In addition to networking and being part of the community he’s serving (which is, I agree, his best long-term strategy for success), I might also have him take a look at his SEO since if he has the content but not the traffic, there might be some quick and dirty “silver bullets” he can add to his site that will at the very least improve his “walk-in” traffic. Websitegrader, for example, has a decent free tool that takes a look under the hood to see where he can make specific tweaks.

    http://www.websitegrader.com/

16. February 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Amie!
    Websitegrader is a great idea. Thanks for bringing the link. A fresh look at some quick SEO is always a help.

17. February 25th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
    RayD said

    I think I would ask him what his goals are again. If he wants visitors for his site, he’d need a different kind of content than when he wants to build long term relationships with clients. From the description I gather his goals are a bit mixed up….

18. February 25th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi RayD!
    Great observation. Sounds like he wants to get rich quick, mot get clients doesn’t it. Thanks for making that observation.