I’m excited to introduce a new feature here designed to help writers who read this blog grow their own blog audience. It’s a monthly link party!
I learned about link parties at the New Media Expo, from the wonderful women at the blog Six Sisters’ Stuff.
Apparently, link parties are common in lots of other blog niches, like food and crafts. But I’d never seen one for my type of blog, about freelancing, writing, and blogging.
Here’s the thing: There are now nearly 6,000 subscribers to this blog, and over 24,000 writers read it every month.
I know a lot of you are great writers! And have blogs of your own. (Because when you leave a link in the comments, I often head over and check it out.)
I’ve been asking myself how I could do more to help you promote your own blogs…and then I learned how to make a link party.
This is a great opportunity for you to bring a wider audience to your blog, by sharing a post link here on this post.
Instructions are below — look forward to seeing your posts linked below!
P.S. — just have to come back to apologize that I didn’t manage to enable voting properly on this link party…but I’ve researched it and hopefully we will have voting after posting closes next time!
That’s a great idea! I might re-use that idea for my blog when it’s more popular. 🙂
I’m learning a lot thanks to your articles and they’re written in clear English which is great since it isn’t my native language.
Thanks for the great idea, Carol. I’ve received a lot of extra traffic to my blog since this event took place.
That’s great to hear, Amel! That’s what I was hoping for in putting this event together.
Wow, I hadn’t heard of this before. Not sure if I’m too late to join in, but here I go (my latest post):
Attempting to hyperlink the url, but not sure if it will work.
Article Marketing – Optimize Your Blogger Blog Posts
Thanks for the opportunity!
Ah, didn’t realize it would hyperlink the actual url – cool.
Hi Karen — the official link party is the thumbnails you see above…and it did close on Friday, it just runs for about 18 hours. But people are free to leave more links in the comments! Maybe we’ll call this the after-party.
You don’t really have to code your link into the post, because you can use CommentLuv to attach it, Karen. You’re lucky this didn’t end up in spam since now it’s got 3 links in it…I’ve trimmed one off.
Next time I’ll have voting enabled, so people can spotlight the best posts among the party. Try to show up the day of the event to get your link posted in the more prominent official party area, where you can leave an attractive graphic for us, and be part of the voting. 😉
Wouldn’t it be something if we all did a link party on a particular day, that way we all are encouraged to visit each other’s websites, read posts, and leave comments as well as others from outside sources?
That would be the ultimate link party and a huge boost to traffic and engagement at a large scale. Just an idea.
Thanks for the opportunity, Carol! Can’t wait till the next one. 🙂
Thank you for the opportunity to post my link and network. When is the next link party?
First Friday is the name of this…so that’s when it’ll be back!
I missed this one, but will try and make April. Thanks, Tice for the opportunity to meet and mix with other fabulous writers.
Cheers!
Carol’s in the spotlight on my blog today – come see what she has to say about vacation time, balancing family and work, and what she wants her legacy to be.
Thanks for featuring me, Crystalee! I love the header on your blog.
Hi Carol,
Great to see this new linkup! I’ve been linking for awhile now to other bloggers, and usually they have a button they want the linkers to add to their post, showing the blogger who is hosting the blog hop. Not sure if you have one… I’m not seeing it? Looking forward to reading posts shared here… I am sharing one about a day when I was trying to meet a writing deadline against all odds…Thanks!
Oh duh — bet I should figure out how to add that! We’ll definitely have it next time.
No fair! The time zone thing messed me up and I got lost in the shuffle. Great idea, though. All those thumbnails really bring the blogs and bloggers to life.
Hi Rob —
This was definitely a first effort…I bet next time more writers will remember to put the title of their blog post in the ‘name’ field instead of their own name, and we’ll have an even more useful collection.
And I did send a subscriber email out the day before, and the party was open for about 18 hours…so what messed you up? I wanted to make sure writers all over could participate, so let me know if there’s a way I can do it better, since this feature will definitely be back next month!
Next time I’ll be better prepared. I did my usual and messed everything up – including the time. You’re on Pacific time? One day I’d like to write a guest blog: “How to do everything wrong and succeed in spite of yourself.”
What a great idea. This is the sort of party I like. Thanks for the invite.
I love this and it’s great to have parties on Friday since we can all sleep in the next day (maybe!)
I am so looking forward to coming back tomorrow to see what everyone else is writing about. Thanks, Carol, for finding a way to connect us all!
This is a really cool idea. I’m new to the site and I look forward to reading and sharing with everyone. By the way, I was hooked when I read “Why it’s So F*ing Hard to Be a Freelance Writer.” Great title and content!
Not everybody loved that headline…got a couple ruffled feathers! But traffic was up 50% over a typical Monday post here. So the majority voted with you!
Thanks for doing this–it’s fun to see what everyone else is writing about!
What a great idea, Carol. Thanks for hosting the party!
Carol, what a fun idea! I just went on a little clicking spree, and I agree — your readers are great writers! (No small thanks to you, of course…) Thanks for the great opportunity!
There’s some fantastic talent here that I likely would’ve missed if it hadn’t been for this site.
My site’s not ready yet but WOW, talk about a jab in the arm for motivation. I’m going to get it done this weekend so I can start merrily posting away.
Carol, great job. See you at the next fiesta!
Cool — Look forward to seeing you here with a post next month!
Thanks Carol! This is a great concept, and I am very glad it is brought into this writer’s circle. My post is about Bursting the Comfort Bubble. A fun, light piece on stepping outside your comfort zone to approach new things with a new attitude. I hope some of you enjoy.
Cool — Kali, next time put the headline in where it says ‘Name’ on the link tool — you’ll get more traffic.
I have to say I’m having a blast reading all my readers’ great posts! I’ve been retweeting like mad…hope you all are, too.
This is awesome! Thank you for hosting!
Hey, a link to another link party…I have GOT to check that out… 😉
And hey — it used the same tool as mine, so that was great…I got to see how it works as a link poster now. Definitely helpful to me. Think I’ll crop my photo next time.
Carol this is such a great idea! Got the message yesterday, read it, figured it would make more sense when I saw it in action today (and it does and it was easy). Thank you!
What a great idea! I’m new to the internet writing community and would appreciate any comments and support I can get!
Best to you all,
Taryn
Did you put up your blog-post link? It’s hard to tell with 100+ links already!
Just want to encourage people to post their BLOG POST HEADLINE rather than their name…you can see scanning through there how much more interesting the ones are with a headline.
Carol, this is awesome. Thanks for hosting this – I can’t wait to start checking out other blogs. 🙂
Took two attempts after realising I failed to read your rules correctly but at least I got on here eventually. I’m not too late am I? Where’s the chips and dips?…
You should be able to post up until about midnight PST tonight, Ken, so jump on in!
A newbie here with a finance degree that finally has time to return to college to take creative writing!
I look forward to reading your blog & to visit other writers.
DeniseAngela
Hi Denise — your finance background is a great niche for earning well writing articles and for financial-services businesses!
Wish I could say the creative writing degree will help with anything, but I’ve mentored so many grads who emerged with no idea how to earn a dime, and having been told the only option is teaching. But enjoy it! Then hang around here to learn how to use it to make money. 😉
Carol-
Thanks for doing this. This is so awesome….and a teeny bit scary~
Thanks a lot for hosting Carol. I am from the Caribbean island of Jamaica and this Monday, March 4, will be 2 years since I started blogging. I still have a lot to learn! Take care and have a good weekend.
What a fabulous idea Carol! And I look forward to more First Friday Link Parties. Ok I’m off to check out the linked posts here 🙂
See what happens when you’re 66 years old? You post a photo from your blog but your blog doesn’t show up. Hey, you kids; get off my lawn!
This is so much fun! What a great idea and I am grateful to be invited to this party. I love parties and this one without food is the best!! By the way, I put my own name in there (where it asked for “name”), when I’m thinking I should have put the name of the blog. Oh well….Anyway…it was rather straightforward to add the link so that was great. Thanks again and lots of luck to you with all your good work too.
As you can see, you weren’t alone in that boo-boo…but I bet by next month everybody will have the hang of it!
I knew there’d be a few bugs to work out on this, but seems like people like this feature. I know I am loving the chance to see a lot of my great readers’ blogs.
Another link-party hint for everyone — be sure to tweet out this post and let people know you’ve got a link on here, so that your own peeps will come check it out.
Kk! yeah– “name” means “name of blog post” — :). At least I wasn’t the only one who made that boo-boo and put my real name .. Live and learn. And yes, I tweeted it out….thanks again! Have a wonderful weekend.
It’s awesome to see the link party rolling now!
And hopefully everyone can see how much more catchy it is to put in the NAME OF YOUR BLOG POST instead of your name, or the name of your blog.
Think I’ve been to visit all the early ones that posted a headline, and they all rocked! I am tweeting like mad…hope you all have a chance to check these out.
The title I have for the linked post is way too long for the small box to hold it without screwing up the page. I could delete it and re-add with my blog’s name instead, but I doubt it would make a difference. 🙂
Probably a sign you need to write shorter blog headlines. 😉 But something to think about when you choose your post for next time!
Hehe, good hint. 😀 Thanks for the tip, Carol!
Thank you so much, Carol, for this opportunity. I love your blog and all the wonderful advice you give. Make it a fabulous Friday.
Deb 🙂
What a fabulous idea, Carol!
And look at ALL that reading material!
It’s going to be an interesting day. ;D
wow, great to see some wonderful writers here already. There are a lot of my posts that I like personally but I thought the most relevant post was the one on “networking” which I believe will help writers dramatically. I have got a lot of business from networking, and I think most writers will also benefit immensely if they start networking with their local community.
Great idea! I’ll have to come back this afternoon and start visiting blogs. 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity
Hi Carol,
Wow, thanks for the linky luv! This is such a nice and awesome thing to do. You’re the best!
Annie (aka Writer Chick)
I love idea Carol. What a way to create community. I’m looking forward to making this a monthly tradition of mine. 🙂
Carol, you continually come up with great promotional ideas, besides all the solid tips on writing-business mechanics supplied in the Den. Thanks for a great opportunity!
Thanks Tom — enjoy!
This is so exciting, Carol! Thanks for doing this for us! What a great idea 🙂
And writer friends, tomorrow I’m featuring fabulous CAROL TICE as a Saturday Spotlight.
Hop over Saturday to learn what she wants to be her legacy, how many weeks she likes to take off each year, and a bit more about her personal life.
She’s a-MAZ-ing, and my respect for her has only grown learning more about her.
Cheers and confetti time! Excited to check out your blogs!
Thanks for featuring me, Crystalee!
Great idea Carol, many thanks for giving us all this opportunity to share. Even more importantly thanks for the window on the world of all these wonderful writers and bloggers.
I’m off to spend some time dipping in and connecting with some new people 🙂
Tony
Got mine submitted- can’t wait to start poking around.
Oh, but wait. Today’s my son’s college’s FAFSA deadline, so-o-o-o, guess I’ll be reading blogs later then. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, your life is better for it!)
Talk to y’all later on!
I do know what you mean…my oldest has been attending UW.
I knew someone could relate. 😉
I’m almost done with the college stuff- licking my chops to get to the blog links!
Hi everybody!
Well…you knew I sucked at technology.
Apologies…I built that link widget wrong! But it should be working now. You may have to refresh your page.
I love all the unstoppable writers who posted theirs in the comments here — don’t let anything stop you!
I encourage everyone who left a link in the comments to come on back and use the tool…it’s up now. That’ll give you a nice-looking link with the chance to attach a graphic — that should get you a lot more clicks.
I see people are starting to post — one big tip — instead of your name, put in the name of your post! That’ll get you more attention.
Yeah, I thought putting a name would be more interesting – I put the name of my blog. Thanks for the PARTY, Carol! Confetti time!
I realized that, too, Ms. Carol. I mean putting the post title instead of your name. It gives people clue what they’re going to expect if they click on it. Dumb me. Haha!
Thanks for the great opportunity, though.
Until next month’s party!
Rock n’ Roll! 🙂
Diana, if you want I think I can go in and delete your first one off and then you could submit it again with the headline…let me know if you want to do that.
Yes, Ms. Carol. I’d like to do that. 🙂
Don’t bother, Ms. Carol. I just did (deleted and repost). 🙂
Oh cool — didn’t realize you could do that…so that’s a tip for anyone above who’s put in their name instead of blog headline — feel free to redo it. It will put you a bit farther down, but I think nobody’s clicking when it’s just your name. I’d go for it.
I went back a few hours ago and deleted and re-posted. Was a cinch..now I’m checking out other folks’ blogs. Amazing how much there is to write about writing. Some really good stuff.
I thought of deleting and reposting, but a) I can’t figure out how to do it lol b) I like being #46 and not some higher number on the queue of posts.
Is it normal that there is a little red x on the left side of my image? Does that mean it’s not completely up yet? Just wondering….
The red “x” is for deleting the link. 🙂
Thanks Diana! That’s hysterical that I didn’t realize that 🙂
My comment didn’t show up, so I’ll try again. I’d like to submit my latest post. It’s about how scientists and other specialists can reach children and other smart people, with Alan Alda as a guide! 6 tips for doing it.
Looks like everyone is having trouble with the linking tool too. My entry is about how scientists and other specialists can get lay people excited about their work – using Alan Alda as their guide! See the video explaining fire to children.
The post is at http://www.thewritersclinic.com
Terrific idea, but seems the link tool is not up yet. Since I have to get on the road for a day of travel, I’ll put my link here, and hope Carol gathers a great bunch of links all day. My post is “Eleven Things to Think About When Renewing Writing-Related Memberships ” (and, within my post is a link to another great blog for writers, too!). Enjoy.
http://lisaromeo.blogspot.com/2013/02/eleven-things-to-think-about-when.html
I looked for the link tool but did not find it. I must admit, I’m more familiar with the Mr. Linky type tool too.
Still, this is a great idea and a wonderful opportunity, Carol. Thank you! I will definitely check back later. In the meantime, I linked one of my recent blog posts below.
Great Idea Carol!
One of my most popular recent posts was about communication style:
http://www.writingthoughts.com/communication-style/
I hope that you enjoy it. 🙂
Carol,
Thanks for the opportunity to share, and to read the other blogs from your readers. From what I’ve seen so far, you have talented writers checking out this site!!
http://joedegiorgio.com/2012/05/09/the-most-valuable-land-on-earth/
Hope you enjoy this post. It’s the one I may be most proud of.
I’ll highlight a recent guest post on my Productive Writers blog by CPA Carol Topp:
“The 8 Top Ways to Legally Lower Your Freelance Writer Tax Bill.”
We’re at 39 comments and counting. This is great opportunity for you to ask your most pressing tax question and get a straight answer from a qualified tax professional.
John,
This was a great post and deserves highlighting.
Thanks.
Since I have to get going, I’ll link to mine here as well. This post is to help writers make their own inspiration instead of waiting for it to randomly strike. I’ll be checking back in later to look at the blogs of those of you who are able to link up!
Well I’ll just link here in the comments! My recent post, “On momentum,” is for anyone who’s hesitating to move forward. Don’t.
http://www.wittytitlehere.com/2013/01/on-momentum/
The “Add Your Link” button isn’t appearing yet. Maybe we should wait for 6am Pacific time. Not sure of the time, though. 🙂
Refresh your page every chance you get. It may help. 🙂
Just after 6 a.m. Pacific here in Oregon. Hopefully Carol will soon figure out what’s going on and get the link tool up and running.
Was not to sure what we had to do on that inlinks tool either 🙂
Hmmm… Cannot actually see the link tool, or are we posting in the comments section? I was expecting a ‘Mr Linky’ type tool? Yes, there is a Mr Linky – I’ve used his services before 🙂
Or does 6,00am refer to west coast time, meaning you’re not open for submissions yet? I’ll check back later.
Karen, I’m assuming it’s Pacific time since that’s the time zone Carol is in. It also probably levels the playing field a bit so that the East Coasters can’t snag all the first spots because the rest of us are just rolling out of bed 🙂
Ha HAAAAA!
Am I the first one?
Ok, let’s get this party STARTED THEN.
Thanks Carol.