EntreCard Therapy
 |
| From Blog Photos |
For those who don’t know: “Entrecard enables you to advertise your own Entrecard on any blog in the network. You pay for this advertising with Entrecard Credits, that you earn for free by networking (a.k.a. visiting blogs and dropping (via clicking) your card for other bloggers).”
I find bloggers either love EntreCard or they hate it. When I first signed up, I didn’t understand it, but most bloggers use EntreCard to: increase traffic to their blog(s), find other blogs or increase their Alexa ranking.
A while back, I commented on this blog1 that it was just a matter of time before we needed Blogtherapists to sort out issues some of us face as bloggers. I played out a conversation in my head as a possibility of what might be discussed regarding EntreCard and blogging. Listen in….
Blogtherapist: So you have EntreCard on the brain, but you’re not obsessed? Can you give me an example?
Blogger: Well, my inbox at work has the word “Drop” taped to the front of it. As people drop things in, I respond by saying: Thanks, Go! Go!, Alright, Yeah, Wicked, Awesome. I don’t think it’s obsessive, but people look at me funny.
Blogtherapist: I see and what do those sayings have to do with EntreCard.
Blogger: They’re messages that are equivalent to Thanks! and are shown at various numbers of drops per day. The more I drop, the more I move up in “Thanks.” It’s cool and I could use the encouragement because sometimes I can’t even find the widget I’m supposed to be clicking. I scroll up and down a blog, scanning every freaking banner, button and badge hoping one of them will peek-a-boo me the word “Drop”. It feels like an online version of Where’s Waldo. Very frustrating.
Blogtherapist: Okay now tell me about this new toolbar you mentioned.
Blogger: Oh the Entrebar! I like it because I can open multiple browser tabs for faster dropping.
Blogtherapist: That’s a good thing, no?
Blogger: Yes, but what bugs me is when bloggers add music to their blog and now I have these 10 tabs opened, I don’t know which one it is, I have to try to find the offender, turn off my own sound or click all of the tabs closed that I just opened.
Blogtherapist: I see and how does this make you feel?
Blogger: I feel annoyed and insulted because I have a radio. Maybe EntreCard can come up with a category for fast loading blogs, with widgets above the fold and no music in their network.
Blogtherapist: Well let me ask you this, do you want to end your relationship with EntreCard?
Blogger: [insert your answer here]
Back to the post. I happen to like EntreCard, not because of the dropping and traffic, but because I’m able to find some great blogs that I probably would not have otherwise found on my own.
I’ve read several complaints about EntreCard’s “hit and run” traffic, that people are only visiting blogs for the drop, and they don’t stick around. This is where I get confused. Once EntreCard brings you the traffic, isn’t it the bloggers job to get the reader to stay?
There are a gazillion blogs out there all screaming for attention and if you’re catering to drive by traffic, there is very little time for foreplay in posting. You kind of have to get in there, state your business and pull out. Perhaps a quicker and more effective technique may be needed to make them come again.
I don’t know how much of my traffic comes from EntreCard, but I can’t depend on it to do everything. I’m thinking I have to go out there and get some of the traffic myself. Personally, I think the best way to build traffic and readership is by commenting on other blogs. What about you?
Do you have a love/hate relationship with EntreCard?
Have you seen an increase of traffic since using them?
How do you build traffic to your blog?
Comic by By arthur.wneir
Caption by Me.
- I think [↩]
In: Blogging, Social Networking, Technology, WTH · Tagged with: Blogging, EntreCard, Social Networking, Traffic
on September 17, 2008 at 12:07 am
Permalink
I love EC. I don’t hate it one bit. You are right when you said EC brings us the traffic but it’s up to the bloggers to keep the reader there. Great post.
ImitationAngel’s last blog post..I’m Rich Now!
on September 17, 2008 at 6:01 am
Permalink
Good news! I just read on the EC blog that blogs with auto-playing music are banned!
“No autoplaying audio: This includes music that plays automatically when you visit the page, or short audio ads that come up unannounced.”
Here is the updated quality standards list: http://entrecard.com/blog/?p=546
on September 17, 2008 at 6:49 am
Permalink
I’m not sure why I use it. I let others advertise on mine but I rarely have enough credits to ad on the ones i love. I don’t have time to drop cards though- so I bring that on myself. I think I should stop using it but people keep advertising on mine and I don’t want to deny them that ONE person who will visit their site! LOL
Did I mention I’ve been drinking?
HA!
Corrina’s last blog post..Why Recycling Is Bad
on September 17, 2008 at 10:54 am
Permalink
This is the first I’ve ever heard of EntreCard. I get my traffic from commenting on blogs. Stumble, Digg and the others are so time-consuming that I never use them. I’ve read that doing guest posts on busy blogs is another way to get traffic. Mostly I try to find blogs that interest me, because I figure then the bloggers and I have something in common and might share the same readers. Drive-by readers aren’t really what I’m looking for.
Am I the only one who thinks you’re contradicting yourself? On the one hand, you want to visit a jillion blogs very quickly (“maybe EntreCard can come up with a category for fast loading blogs, with widgets above the fold and no music in their network.”)
On the other hand, you say, “Once EntreCard brings you the traffic, isn’t it the bloggers job to get the reader to stay?” If somebody’s going to hit-and-run 300 blogs a day, what chance do we have of expecting that they’ll read anything in their mad rush to find the place to click?
on September 17, 2008 at 11:54 am
Permalink
Faiz’s Father, we’ll go as a group…:)
Imitation Angel, it’s a nice way to bring in traffic and I do think it’s up to the blogger to get them to slow down and look around. Thanks.
Kathy, is that right? Whoa, score 1 for EC. I have to go read that post. Thanks for the update.
Corrina, I don’t even remember how I found EC, but I signed up, didn’t get it, took it off and then added it back. If you’re committed to using it, it’s not a bad way to get your blog out there and find some new stuff. You’ve been drinking, oh goodie!
Dot, hello again. Really, you haven’t see the widget on any other blogs? How do you get traffic from Stumbling and Digging…you Digg a post, then what happens. I’ve Dugg a few posts myself mostly for my benefit.
I guess if you are unfamiliar with EntreCard, my comment could be confusing. I don’t see it as contradicting myself, but it depends on WHY a blogger uses EC. Sometimes when I use EntreCard it’s JUST to drop, period….I’m not in the reading mood, my M.O. is to plant seeds in inboxes about my blog, say I saw your blog (maybe I read it, I might be back later). I’m dangling bait, I’m collecting ECs to advertise on other blogs. In the evening when I use EC, my motive is different. I can spend more time reading and commenting on blogs.
My comment “maybe EntreCard can come up with a category for fast loading blogs, with widgets above the fold and no music in their network” was facetious (okay I thought it was funny too) for when I’m only concerned about dropping…even though I did ask them, I already knew there would be no such category.
So it depends on the blogger and why they use EC. “If somebody’s going to hit-and-run 300 blogs a day, what chance do we have of expecting that they’ll read anything” I think most of the commenters of this post found me through EC…
we have 2 seconds to get their attention.
EntreCard come up with the dropping system = the MORE blogs you drop on the MORE exposure you get. Who doesn’t want exposure for their blog and if dropping is one way to get that, then most people will drop and run…. The more you drop, the more people get used to seeing your “face” or avatar. It’s like building a brand. You don’t have to buy (comment) anything today, I just want to get my blog (avatar, name, brand) into your head. If you don’t drop or only drop a little, your blog doesn’t get as much exposure…. Personally I think the 300 drop maximum/limit a day is a lot (and should be lowered)…that quota alone encourages the need for speed, (some bloggers – myself included – can be competitive about being on top or prominent) but I don’t make the rules, I just play the game…sometimes.
I hope I was able to clear this up for you. THANKS for giving me the chance to better explain, got me thinking, maybe someone else thought the same thing.
on September 18, 2008 at 12:22 am
Permalink
This was too funny! I feel this way about a lot of the blogging things that I do. Ultimately though, I like social networking and surfing the internet while unwinding at night. I still learn a lot just from looking at other people’s sites, so maybe entre would be a fun thing to try.
Dr. Nicole Sundene’s last blog post..Zen Please? 20 Things to do on Your Day Off
on September 19, 2008 at 6:59 am
Permalink
Hi Dr. Nicole Sundene, I like to use it at night time myself for surfing, it’s fun. Like you I have learned a lot just from looking at other people’s blog as well. I’m going to check to see if you signed up for EntreCard. Later.
on September 20, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Permalink
I like entrecard because it has taken me to meet some very interesting people. I don’t have any need to increase traffic to my blog – what for? I wrote for myself; because I like putting my thoughts down in black and white. I started my blog 3 years ago – I posted intermittently, now I write almost every day – it’s good for me; I do it for me and if other folks sometimes peek in and find what I write of interest – well, that’s just lovely.
Broadway Matron’s last blog post..And isn’t it a blessing
on September 20, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Permalink
[...] in the week, I joined Entrecard, upon the recommendation of Valerie Morrison. It’s too early to say how effective it’s going to be as a blog marketing tool, but [...]
on September 21, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Permalink
Its all about content after you get your visitors via Entrecard. They see something in the first 10-15 seconds while dropping and they normally stay around longer. My regulars are all entrecard droppers!!!
trench’s last blog post..Fist of Legend (DVD)
on September 22, 2008 at 5:47 am
Permalink
Broadway Matron, yeah it’s nice being able to find new blogs, it’s nice to be able to get exposure too when you feel you want it. You write everyday now, wow, I tip my hat to those who can, will have to check you out, thanks for stopping by.
Trench, agreed. You know people, most not all, are there to drop, gotta be quick or just stay visible. They’ll be back if we keep at it. The majority of my visitors are probably all from EC as well. Thanks!
on September 24, 2008 at 10:08 am
Permalink
i love the setting for your piece, you know one can just get obsessed with dropping cards rather than content ! it becomes more frustrating when a site takes time to load and the widget is somehow hidden!
on September 26, 2008 at 6:49 am
Permalink
Hey Nairobian! Oh yeah, it can get obsessive, sometimes, I’m just a dropper other times, I drop and read. It depends on my day, mood and what I want to do with EC. Oh yeah, I’ve been trying to get my blog to load faster. I don’t mind waiting the first time, but as a repeat visitor, I don’t want to have to wait too long for your blog to load.
I miss the widget all the time, sometimes, I have to refresh. Somebody told me I didn’t even have a widget on my blog and I’m like, huh?
Thanks for the visit!
on October 7, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Permalink
I still am not sure whether I hate it or love it yet. I do know I have found some cool blogs that I would have not ordinarily found.
Dan N´s last blog post..Verizon tactics in adding services to your bill
on October 7, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Permalink
Hey Dan, it’s fun to me, most times. I do find some great blogs and I get a chance to pimp my blog.
on October 17, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Permalink
All this blogging is way overrated… this is just a medium for people to blow off steam… i guess for some it’s like ‘therapy’ or whatever… some of these folks need to get a life!! – just messing with yall… don’t take me too serious because i don’t!! –
on October 18, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Permalink
Under the Desk, blogging is not overrated, writing is an outlet or therapy for some. You have to try it sometimes and you know who to call for help too.
on November 13, 2008 at 4:55 am
Permalink
Before answering the questions, Entrecard is good for exploring other blogs and read them and not to praise the idol of 300 card. So my answers are as following:
Q. Do you have a love/hate relationship with EntreCard?
A. Neither love nor hate
Q. Have you seen an increase of traffic since using them?
A. Yes actualy.
How do you build traffic to your blog?
A. Commenting over other people’s blog + sharing over online communities + telling my offline friends
Hicham´s last blog post..To Blog or not to Blah?!
on November 16, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Permalink
Hey Hicham, it’s wonderful for finding other blogs, I can’t remember how I found blogs in the past then I remembered blog catalog…with EC at least there is an incentive to participate.