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Loading ...Dropping cards for traffic sounds like it is too good to be true doesn’t it? In fact, it is a little too good to be true, there’s more to EntreCard than just dropping yours where ever you feel like. This past week, I’ve taken the opportunity to visit a lot of the sites that Entrecard plays host to (and I’m no where near done yet) and its been amazing at the differences between sites that I’ve seen. I’ve come across some Really bad ones, some that are common wall flowers and others like The Gospel and Cigar Jack that have some cool stuff and good writing to offer that I’ll visit more often.
It astonishes me that the number of websites lacking proper design, writing and taste on entrecard is so high, but then, with the number of blogs that has sprung up lately, should I really be that surprised? It seems that everyone and their sister has a blog dedicated to making money on line that they fill with the “latest and greatest” money making tips that any monkey with a keyboard should be able to figure out. The number of personal diaries online has seemed to skyrocket as well. These two areas can probably be attributed to the rise in the number of paid blogging systems (yes, I do belong to several of them) that have popped up over the past year as well. One of the benefits of Entrecard is enabling more people to learn about your site through various means like advertising on other blogs.
Is it really worth it though when your “card” is going to be displayed at the bottom of a mile long page of mindless blabber about the weather and the fact that the site owner had to write about ladies undies you could at least do it in a better form than “well, a sponsor wants me to write about ladies undies but I’m a man!”. No its not. However, you shouldn’t let the bad sites ruin your chances to increase traffic.
As with any advertising media, there is a right way to choose whats best on Entrecard. You have every right to be picky about which sites you advertise on and which sites advertise on you. For instance, if I ran a blog about dogs, I would most likely not advertise on a blog about cats (or Vietnamese food) and I would not have a cat site advertise on mine. Do not be afraid to reject ads if they do not fit in with your topics. You don’t see want ads for window washers under the used car salesmen section do you?
Secondly, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, advertise on sites where the entrecard box is below the fold (the fold is an old newspaper term referring to the bottom half of the page which is usually not seen when the paper is folded. Here we’re talking about the bottom of a page where someone has to scroll to see it). If its not one of the first thing a person sees once the page is loaded, its a waste. Want proof? Ask around. I’ve found that in advertising on Entrecards, the ad’s I’ve placed that are above the fold perform better than those below the fold. You can drop your cards as much as you want on those sites, but DO NOT advertise on them no matter what kind of traffic they claim to provide.
Don’t be afraid to drop your card and even write recommendations for the site owner through entrecard. I’ve found that by dropping cards on sites I get more visits back in return. It does two things. One it lets people know about your site (and if you do it in your own category, you might gain new links elsewhere) and it encourages them to visit your site and drop cards. Dropping cards on other sites benefits everyone.
Lastly, and this is probably the most important, leave a comment on a post or two on the blogs you visit through entrecard. Not only is it free advertising to you, but many blog owners have the scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours mentality. If you comment there, they’ll come and comment on yours. Its an excellent way to gain friends, readers and comments which all helps in the traffic game.
If you want to see who all is on entrecard… Check HERE
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December 27th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
What possible reason would there be for placing a non-moneymaking social networking widget above paid advertising? Particularly one where the visitors it brings stay for less than a minute on average? Particularly one that will get your Adsense ’smart priced’ due to non-converting traffic?
Frank C’s last blog post..Big Honkin’ Ads: Ad Selection Strategies
December 27th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
@ Frank C: Not everyone uses Adsense. Not to mention the fact that if they’re all grouped together and the ads are done right, it should not look like an ad. The point in having the entrecard higher on your page is the same as having the regular ads higher on your page. More people will click them in theory.
Besides, when I’m visiting a site with the sole purpose of dropping my card, if the ad is father down the page, I’m not looking at the content as I scroll. I’m only looking for that little E. If its higher on the page, I’m more inclined to check out the rest of the site.
But thats just me.
December 27th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Thanks for the link back!
I do agree in part with what Frank says.Which is why I put my entrecard about half way down the page. I don’t think it’s TOO far down (in fact, it’s usually on the screen when the comment box is open :)).
My reasoning is that “people pay me to put their ads on top of the page, entrecard readers will have to find the “E” to drop their ad, why not read a bit too ;)”
Rhys’s last blog post..Three Things I Hate About Christmas
December 27th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
It has brought me to a few blogs that I may not have noticed before. I have been trying to leave comments here and there.
Karen’s last blog post..A Waste
December 27th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I like seeing the variety of blogs, it is always nice to see what kind of blogs are out there.
ryan’s last blog post..Social Media Networks suck at giving you money
December 27th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
I enjoy surfing and looking at the variety of blogs out there. I probably would not get the opportunity otherwise.
In addition, I am enjoying the traffic that I am receiving. I’ve been with Entrecard since Friday, Dec. 21st, and I’ve seen my traffic pick up quite a bit. I’ve also gotten 2 new subscribers.
That’s big for me.
I too, like to leave comments on blog posts I find informative and entertaining. Bravo to those witty enough to do what I sometimes don’t.
Oh yeah, I like your blog too!
LaTease Rikard’s last blog post..12-Year Old Survives Plane Crash
December 27th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Great article. I’ve met a great group of people on Entrecard just by dropping cards and commenting on their blogs. I’ve found that I like to reward great posts that I find on the blogs by giving them a thumbs up on stumbleupon.com, especially if I’m advertising on their blog at the time.
December 28th, 2007 at 9:34 am
@ Rhys: In a way people are paying you for the entrecard ad. Just not in a hard currency. Traffic is one of the best ways people can get paid, even if its a five second jaunt to find the entrecard location.
@ Karen: That seems to be the one thing EC is good at. Bringing to light some lesser known blogs.
@ ryan: it is, until you run in to five blogs running almost the exact same content on them none of which is original
@LaTease: Thanks! It was recently reworked to the new layout so some things are not functioning as they should (like the asides) at the moment….
@ Sly: I’ve been finding that I’m stumbling things more myself lately as well…
Its a good steady traffic booster.
December 29th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
“when I’m visiting a site with the sole purpose of dropping my card, if the ad is father down the page, I’m not looking at the content as I scroll. I’m only looking for that little E. If its higher on the page, I’m more inclined to check out the rest of the site.”
You have a great point there, and it’s true.
Xacur’s last blog post..Black Tide
December 30th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Well I sure hope because you accepted my ad, that my blog was good looking, I take pride in all that.
I like entrecard so far, have seen many cool blogs such as your’s, and the ugly long loading ones too, but hey can’t get the good without the bad eh?
Chica’s last blog post..I love me some Cinnamon Toast Crunch
January 1st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Personally, I don’t mind if the “E” is below the fold, just so it’s not way down towards the bottom.
Placement of the widget is not only important to those who may choose to advertise on our blog, but it also is a determining factor on who I would choose to advertise with myself. I just don’t think it has to be above the fold.
Telling It Like It Is’s last blog post..2008 Social Networking Tips For All You Whiners
January 10th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Oh boo hoo! I’m a common wall flower!
That’s ok, I’m just getting started. Hopefully you’ll come back in the future and I’ll have something more interesting.
Laura aka NastyMcT’s last blog post..10mph.com - Help support this indie film!
January 10th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
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