We’re now two months into the revised strategy of Blogging Flail, and I can’t believe what opportunities were in store for me this past month.
When I started my strategy, in early December 2014, I was getting zero engagement on this blog. OK zero may be an over exaggeration, but I wouldn’t say one comment a month is something to write home about.
Now it seems every time I write a post, I’m responding to 15 – 20 comments, thanking people on social media for sharing my content, and getting a number of new followers on both Twitter and Google Plus.
Is my strategy working?
I think it’s safe to say it is so far.
Let’s talk about some highlights for the month of January.
Monthly Highlights
January was quite the month for me.
I didn’t really change my approach much from December. The focus was still on networking, primarily through blog commenting. It still amazes me how such a simple concept can provide so many opportunities.
Speaking of opportunities, take a look at what happened:
- I received my first backlink early in the month
- I received my second backlink a few weeks after the first
- I was invited to participate in a private networking group with other key bloggers
- I was mentioned in a Podcast
Now instead of going on and on, and giving all kinds of details on each of the above bullets, I thought it would make better sense to focus on how each of these things happened.
Two words – blog commenting.
Edit – I offer some more insight into this as part of my newsletter, but you’ll need to subscriber to get those details.
The power of blog commenting, do not underestimate it.
Want To Learn More?
Well, you’ll need to sign up for my email list.
Every month I share with my subscribers some insight to my strategy. Want to learn more about:
- What items in my strategy are working
- What part of my strategy is not
- Insight to my visitor and subscriber growth rates
- Plans for the upcoming month
And more….
You see, as a subscriber to Blogging Flail, I want to help you succeed. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I must be doing something right to get the level of engagement I’ve been seeing over the last 2 months.
So what do you have to loose?
Nothing!
Simply sign up for my list by clicking here, and I’ll send you links to all my past monthly summaries.
Hey Craig!
Glad to hear blog commenting / networking has worked so well for you! A lot of people discredit it early on but that’s a huge mistake because as you now know it’s extremely effective if you utilize it correctly. You’ve made quick progress and the results of your efforts have been clear. That is an inspiration for everyone and you should feel proud!
I’m also glad to see you implemented GetResponse on your site. One thing I just found out earlier that I’m not sure if you’re aware of is that the Javascript forms are being blocked by the ad blockers. This can be fixed by using the HTML version instead. Since so many people in the blogging/marketing niches are unfortunately using ad blockers, it may be worth it to switch to the HTML forms. I’ve just done so and hopefully we’ll see some more opt-ins pretty soon.
Keep up the great work man!
– James
Thanks for the comment James. I’ve been pretty happy with the results so far, especially in terms of engagement on the site. Now I just need to focus on that email list, which is what I’m trying to do this month.
Good observation on the use of GetResponse. I thought I’d give it a shot. Just started playing around with it and trying to figure things out. Hopefully I used your affiliate link correctly and you get credit for the purchase if I continue with it after my 30 day trial.
Interesting feedback on the use of the JavaScript forms. I was not aware of that. I thought that was a pretty nifty feature, especially being able to make changes to the forms on the fly without having to copy new code into the site. Looks like I’ll have to switch that over to the HTML version. Oh well…
Thanks for the encouraging words, and I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Hi Craig,
This is my first time here. I found your blog from your comment on Adrienne’s blog. Nice to meet you. 🙂
Well, I really understand your feelings about blog commenting. Because I also tried the same thing with you. I get readers through blog commenting as well. Really the same as you do.
A few months ago, I get a lot of traffic, share and engagement in my blog. However, due to some problems, I am not blogging for a month, and it makes it all fall to the ground.
But now, I am going to start again. I enjoyed reading your articles because they can remind me for something. Thanks for that. 🙂
Great article, Craig.
Keep up the hard work! 🙂
Regards,
Nanda
Nice meeting you as well Nanda, and thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
That’s the thing with blog commenting. If you don’t keep up on it, it can absolutely impact the traffic you get as a result of that effort.
Thank you for the kind words, and I wish you luck on your blog as well.
[ Smiles ] Well Craig, you are definitely doing something right and I think that you have chosen a niche that most people have an interest in; which is blogging advice.
Great post!
Could be a double edged sword Renard. While it’s a niche that everyone has an interest in, it’s also a niche that is ripe with competition. Wanted to take a slightly different spin on it and show everyone what implementing a strategy can do.
Thanks for stopping by again. Appreciate that!
Hey Craig,
Bravo my friend, bravo! So happy to hear that you’re doing really well and I know that people who are/were at the same place you were are eager to know what you’ve been doing to get these kinds of results. I hope you have plenty of opt-ins that are eager to learn more about what you did.
Now blog commenting, you know it’s my most favorite thing to do. So many people discredit it saying it’s too time consuming. Granted, it can be but boy does it work and look at all the great content you get to read and learn along the way. Let’s not forget the networking now, that to me is gold. Because of what you’ve been doing you are making those connections, the ones that are benefiting you tremendously and we both know what that can lead to.
I’m very happy for you and proud of your progress. I only see it getting much better moving forward and I can’t wait to continue learning about your journey.
Have a fabulous week my friend and keep up the great work.
~Adrienne
I do know blog commenting is one of your favorite topics. I think I learned that from you. 🙂
I agree, it can be time consuming, but it can also be rewarding. And yes it does work. I can vouch for that. Commenting has led to many wonderful connections for me, and in such a short period of time. I can only imagine where I would be if I started down this path years ago. If anyone is just starting off with a blog, I would stress (and I’ve been trying to) the importance of doing this activity.
Appreciate the kind words Adrienne! Hopefully I’m providing some value to those bloggers that are also struggling. You have a great week as well.
Hi, Craig,
So happy that your hard work is paying off, my friend. Love it!
Yes, I definitely concur that reaching out to like-minded influencers in your market does produce great results, and blog commenting is one method that certainly works.
Your emphasis on list building and gaining subscribers here is admirable, and I think you’re spot on with focusing on something that a lot of marketers and bloggers are neglecting lately. Well done. 🙂
Hope you’re having a great start to your week. Will be talking with you soon.
˜Carol
Thanks Carol! All part of my master plan, just need to get those subscribers now.
Have a great week as well Carol.
Hey Craig, great to hear things are working out so well and it’s been a pleasure to connect with you over these past few months.
Blog commenting does work. I remember when I first really heard the concept, I thought, “Is that really worth my time?” But honestly, it is because it helps build relationships with other bloggers. Which is what we all want and should be doing.
Keep up the great work and keep growing.
– Andrew
It’s been great connecting with you as well Andrew. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I thought the exact same thing as you. Not really sure spending the time commenting would be worth my time. Boy was I wrong. I keep saying this, but I wish I would have realized this years ago. I can only imagine where I would be…
Oh well, we are where we are.
Have a great week Andrew.
Hi Craig,
I often hear people complaining about the miniscule results they get from blogging. Unfortunately, they express that blogging takes too much time to get results, too.
There’s no doubt that blogging provides results as long as you believe in the power of friendship and networking. Somewhere, there is an audience waiting to hear from you.
All you have to do is believe.
It’s good to hear that you’re getting excellent results since December of 2014. Keep at it because your blog will continue to grow and attract more traffic as the months pass.
You’re very open about your results and the willingness to teach others will shine like a bright light in a dim room. So many people try to sell from their blogs before they’ve attracted a following, which leads them to fall short on the success they desire.
Keep sharing your knowledge, and you’ll soon have to hire someone to help manage your comments. 🙂
Have a great evening and thanks for being YOU!
– Bonnie
Thanks for the inspiration and kind words Bonnie, I appreciate it. That would be nice, having to hire someone to manage all my comments. Probably need to monetize my site first though. In due time…
Have a great rest of the week Bonnie, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Hey Craig
Your time to time new opportunity grabbing is really inspirational for my kind of bloggers because after working for more than years i am running very slowly my blog.
But your kind of blogger friends are teaching us some good stories about you.
Thanks for the kind words Avnish. Hope you are finding this information helpful!