Some of you may wonder what a link-up is. Link-Ups or Linky Parties are tools for promoting your blog posts. There are countless link-ups being offered on a weekly basis.
Here are some tips for sharing your posts:
1. Don’t be afraid to link up on a “small” blog. Yes, linking to a “large” blog can bring more viewers to your blog, but your post could get lost in the sea of other thumbnails.
2. Be sure to have a good image that highlights your topic’s subject. Images are still the most powerful tool for bringing readers to your blog. All link-ups use thumbnails as square images, so you will need to crop your image a bit. Since images are the first thing people will see, and can be very small in the link-up, make that image stand out!
3. Many link parties have requirements for linking up. Please read the guidelines, then follow your host! Comment on the link party page and thank the host for providing the link-up. It is customary to read at least two other posts that are linked. Sharing and commenting on those posts is the right thing to do at a link party. After you link, the link tool prompts you to share the party on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest, so other people can find it.
4. Choose link-ups that fit your blog. If you write about DIY or share recipes, look for link-ups that focus on those themes. If you find a fitness link-up, then share a post about fitness or wellness. For example, posting a topic about how to fix your car on a “Mommy” blog may not get a lot of readers (unless it’s a step-by-step how to change a flat).
5. Getting featured will score you serious traffic! Most link parties will feature the best blog posts from the week. One of the main reasons for participating a link party is to gain traffic, so visit some of the other bloggers who have linked up and let them know you stopped by. It will not only give you a chance to support others who are trying to grow their blog, but it will also give them a chance to visit your blog, if they haven’t yet.
I have had the honor of being featured several times on two different link parties (see my sidebar). It is extremely validating to me as a blogger to know that other bloggers read my posts and think they are good enough to be featured.
When asked why join a link party, according to BlogChickaBlog “You could get featured! Many, but not all, blog link-up parties will feature 3 or more posts form the previous week’s link up. And often they will share, pin, and promote the posts they feature on their various social media channels.” This means you could potentially get a much bigger traffic boost! Even if there is no featured blogger, you can still expect some traffic!
6. Do not link and run—major faux-pas! If you participate in a link-up, be prepared to spend a few moments reading, commenting, and sharing. Isn’t that what building a blogging community is about? You are not expected to read every post shared, but try to find a few that look interesting to you and leave a meaningful comment, letting them know you that you read their content, and you found them from that link party.
7. Most link-ups have a banner you can place on your blog, whether in your sidebar, your post, or in your gallery of challenges and awards. If you are a featured blogger, display the “badge of honor” on your page. This also shows your readers and visitors to your blog that you participate which may send them to the link up.
8. When linking up be sure to consider these two important steps:
- When entering the URL, do NOT link up to your homepage. You must link up to a SPECIFIC blog post. As much as you love everything you write, a link party is not for sharing your entire blog.
- Where it prompts you to include “Name” do NOT enter your name! Use the title of your post here.
Link-ups are fun and a wonderful way to meet new bloggers!
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 