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Move Over Social Media Marketing: Increase Blog Subscribers and Views With Hops

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Every blogger wants to be heard. I have written! Hear me roar!

Sure, drumming up interest among your followers and friends on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn generates readers, page views and email list subscribers.

Much like a pub crawl, you hop from one blog to another to see what other bloggers have on tap. How do they write? What type of information are they serving up? Do I have competitors out there trying to blog about the same topic?
Much like a pub crawl, hop from one blog to another to see what other bloggers have on tap. How do they write? What type of information are they serving up? Do I have competitors out there trying to blog about the same topic? Image Credit: SXC.HU http://www.sxc.hu/photo/638063

But to really get your blog out there, you need to reach an entirely new pack of readers. Fresh eyes. Open minds.

Don’t get me wrong. Your dedicated social media fans will retweet and share your content to give it even greater reach. But, sometimes you just need a little more promotion, right?

Social media marketing isn’t the only way to boost blog traffic.

It’s Not About Beer

It’s time to get involved with hops. No, not the fermented, cold bubbly ones. I mean blog hops. This method of marketing often flies under the radar of top marketing professionals because well, it seems a bit amateur. But, who cares. Reaching new readers is a goal, right?

What are blog hops?

They are themed writing events that create a buzz among bloggers. Hops usually involve posting to your blog daily for a set amount of time, such as a week or a month. Fellow bloggers visit your site, and you visit theirs. It’s pretty simple.

Much like a pub crawl, you hop from one blog to another to see what other bloggers have on tap. How do they write? What type of information are they serving up? Do I have competitors out there trying to blog about the same topic? Use blog hops to gather information, gain insight and network.

Since everyone is hopping around, your blog gets tons of exposure by like-minded individuals.

I’ll Take Another Round

In addition to this site, I have a food blog. I always attract other foodies, who end up on my email list because they want to see what I’ve been doing in the kitchen too.

Last year I doubled my email subscriber list ( I use AWeber. Check it out with my affiliate link for yourself!)  and gained faithful blog visitors during a month-long blog hop called the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Yes, I’m signed up for the 2014 hop.

Have you ever participated in a blog hop? Tell me about your experience in the comments below! And if you know of a great hop coming up, please share the details!

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Published by Angela Tague

Hi! I collaborate with content marketing companies, SEO agencies and media publishers on their web content production. I utilize my background in print media journalism to write, research, conduct interviews, fact-check texts, follow client-focused style guides and meet deadlines. I strive to create content that fits seamlessly with your company’s marketing and journalistic goals by aligning with the audience and voice you prefer. Connect with me on Twitter @AngelaTague.

13 Replies to “Move Over Social Media Marketing: Increase Blog Subscribers and Views With Hops”

  1. Great informative posting. I too am participating in the A-Z. This is my third year. I had to take a blog hiatus last year and am once more trying to connect with followers and readers once again. I am hoping the A-Z will help.

    1. Thanks! Yes, I think the A to Z is a great way to re-connect with old fans AND get seen by many new people. Here’s to a successful blog hop! ~Angela

  2. I’ve never participated in a blog hop before, so this will be an entirely new experience for me. I’m participating in A-Z this year, too, and it’s definitely going to cause a lot of random writing! I still haven’t decided on a theme….

    1. They can be pretty fast-paced! It’s best to start preparing NOW by making a list of blog topic ideas and writing a few outlines. I usually have at least half of my April posts written before the hop starts so I can keep up with my daily writing work in addition to the hop. Good luck! ~Angela

      1. Whoo okay. Now to drop everything and start scrambling to get a lot of things ready to fire off at the drop of a hat…Thanks for the advice. I really hope this goes well!

        1. Don’t stress! You’ll do fine. Remember this is FUN! And, we have a month and a half to prepare! 🙂 ~Angela

  3. Great post! Yes, hops are a powerful, and often overlooked, tool for growing one’s community. This will be my third–well, second-point-five; long story–year doing the A-Z, and I love it. So glad you’re on board–and for the Theme Reveal, too! Woot-woot!

    Guilie @ A Hop Within A Hop: The A-Z Theme Reveal!

    1. Thank you! Yes, I think hops are one of the best ways for new blogs to “get seen” and start some momentum on the web. Here’s to a fun, productive April A to Z 2014!! ~Angela

  4. This is a really great post – blog hopping is great because you’re helping yourself and also other bloggers who are in the same position as you!

    1. Thank you! Yes, in my opinion, we’re all here to help each other out! Hop on! ~Angela

  5. Pingback: Quick Writing Tips and Terms: My Blogging From A to Z April Challenge Theme! | Web Writing Advice
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