I’ve been struggling with what question to pose to all you smart people out there. Not because I don’t have any questions, but because I have so many to choose from 
.
Like, how do you get your kids to clean up their toys without MAJOR complaints? is there a secret to getting boys to flush? how do you stop girls from being so dramatic and whining all the time? is ketchup dangerous if ingested in large quantities?
These are all just little things, however. I think really what you can help me with the most is how to drive more traffic to my blog site. I have some products I’d eventually like to offer for sale (like these cute bibs), but I’m still working on my site and don’t have enough traffic yet (I don’t think).
There are bloggers I see who haven’t been blogging long and they already have great traffic and lots of subscribers. What did you do that you felt like brought more traffic to your site? If everyone would just leave a comment about the smartest thing they did as a blogger, I should be in great shape!
While you’re here, take a look around and give me some feedback on what you see. I’d really appreciate it.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Ketchup - not deadly. very often the secret to getting them to eat without a fight.
Girls whining and dramatic - if you figure that out… let me know.
Boys to flush - I wish I knew. Start training them when they are little, and ask every time “Did you flush?” and then call him in to flush when it’s discovered he didn’t. and Praise him when does. that’s about all I know. It’s sort of working. one flushes, one doesn’t. so… it’s a 50/50 shot, right?
Cleaning toys without major complaints - get rid of most of the toys. Only keep what they *really* love, and ditch the rest. Now is a good time to do this. Explain that by donating their toys to the thrift stores, kids whose parents don’t have alot of money will still have a nice Christmas. Or don’t tell them anything and just start packing toys up and making them disappear. Then - when the toys are down to a manageable level… set the example with your own room. if your room is messy, theirs will be too. You can’t expect them to do something you aren’t doing. Try FLYlady.net for help with routines and what not. I don’t do the whole program, only what works for me. modify the routines, and find what works for you and yours. oh, and try putting a basket for each kid in the living room in a back corner and make that the toy home. if it doesn’t fit in the basket, if goes back to your room at the end of the night.
As for blog traffic. ugh. I wish I knew. I’ve heard the secret is to pick a theme, and blog everyday. I know I love reading funny. if it makes me laugh, 9 times out of ten, I’ll come back. so if you’re bloggin life, find the humor in it all. And links. the more links in the blogosphere, to more likely people will come to your site. Comment on other blogs often, and instead of just a “this is what we did today” try to post in a manner that encourages discussion. At least, that’s what I’ve heard… I haven’t had time to put it all into practice, so I can’t verify any of it… *S*
Good luck!
November 7th, 2007 at 11:06 am
I’ve only had my blog up for two months and am doing pretty well. I don’t write about just one thing, I write about whatever I feel like. I will say that I seem to get the best response when I write about things that are either funny or helpful. Also readers love photos, whenever I do a tutorial I include as many of them as I can stand. Mostly I just visit and comment on as many other blogs as possible, betting that if that blogger will visit me in order to return the comment that they will like my blog enough to stick around. I do giveaways too, and send the permalinks of my giveaways to different giveaway blogs to get mine listed. Good luck!
November 7th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Well, I don’t have a blog, but have done tons of research since I am putting up an info website in the next few weeks - which will have a blog also. Just a disclaimer to take this for what it’s worth
Check out:
moneysavingmom.com
Crystal is in the process of talking about making money from blogs, increasing traffic, etc.
Might be worth the read!
November 7th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I think besides participating in things like this (Works for Me Wednesday), joining blog rolls has also helped.
But, really — I think one of the best ways is just to set aside a certain amount of time every day to read others blogs and leave comments. You know — just like “the way to have a good friend is to be a good friend.”
November 7th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Just by checking out other blogs and leaving comments on their’s seems to work, almost like you are showing an interest in them so hopefully they will check you out.
Join in recipe links, WFMW links and things like that, then people will come over.
You have got to be out there to be seen.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
The best way I know is to visit others and leave comments regularly. It’s like you’re calling card.
November 7th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Boys who don’t want to clean. Have them play beat the clock. Set the clock for 3 or 4 minutes and challenge them to get everything off the floor within that time.
Try selling your bibs at etsy.com OR go to live journal community blogs for expectant mothers.
Girls who are whiney and dramatic - make a chart. Ten days without whining or drama - a small prize such as a bottle of nail polish, stickers or earrings.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Participating in things like WFMW definitely helps. That’s how I found your blog today! I agree with a lot of the previous commenters: Keep a theme, have a larger blogroll, visit other’s and comment often. I’m still working on increasing my readership, as well.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Make sure you add your url to the google blog search too - I get tons of traffic from Google! http://www.google.com/addurl/
November 9th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
I hear ya. I want lotsa comments too. I practically have to beg people to read my blog and post comments. It’s pathetic, really. “oh pretty please read my blooogggg” lol, actually I’m a little more subtle. I’ll say “Oh by the way I posted a new blog” Oh wait, that wasn’t subtle at all, it was almost as bad as putting a cherry on top.