One of the most common requests I get from BlogBurst network members is the need for tips and tricks on how they can increase placement opportunities on publisher sites. I applaud any writer for taking an active interest in the success of their blog, but since publishers choose which posts appear on their sites, there are no set rules to guarantee instant pick-up.
It is my honest opinion that a blog that is well-written, stays on topic, uses alluring post titles, and publishes content that presents a unique perspective will always achieve success in the end. That being said, if publisher pick-up is your main objective, here are some ideas that may help you swing the odds for placement in your favor:
Meet the Publishers
Some of BlogBurst’s more well-known publishers include Reuters, USA Today, and FOX News, but can you name them all? Visit the Blogger Overview section of BlogBurst.com to view a full list. One tip to increase placement is to know the publisher. Spend some time browsing through their content. Read some of the blogs placed by your fellow BlogBurst members. Get a sense of the type of content they strive to deliver to their readers. Take note of the headlines that grabbed your attention and the stories that were so good that you had to read through until the end. What would you contribute to their editorial coverage for the day? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section below.
Be Timely
Hands down, a timely post will always attract more readers than a post that is written out of the context of current affairs. Defining current may be more of a philosophical debate between you and your subscribers, but if you are stumped for post topics, read the news. Give your readers your personal take on the situations that are making the headlines. What did you think about last night’s presidential campaign debate? Who’s your pick for the Super Bowl? What are you cooking for Super Bowl Sunday? Brittney did what? Microsoft buying Yahoo!… really? Mars Rover transmitted images of an intelligent life force on Mars that is more than meets the eye? OMG!
Keep it Clean
If publisher placement is your top priority, understand that they may not want to introduce dirty language, graphic images, or hateful speech to their visitors. There are many times that beautiful posts are passed on because the image is not suitable for all readers. I cringe when I have just read a genius post, only to find the F-bomb in the last sentence of the last paragraph. If using explicit content, take a moment to ask yourself: “Is this really necessary?” If not, get rid of it. Your subscribers that are reading your blog from work or family room computers will thank you for it.
Have an Opinion
I believe that the blogosphere presents a unique opportunity for writers of every level to have their voices heard. Anyone with access to the Internet can start a blog and contribute to the world wide web of information. Reposting full articles from mainstream news sites and {gasp} your fellow bloggers is not only wrong, but serves as a great injustice to your readers. If you found a great article during your adventures on the Web, link to the story and tell your readers why they should click on it. Explain why the article is important or contribute your opinions to the subject. If including a quote from the original story is important to your commentary, only quote the essential text and provide a link to the rest of the article. No matter what you do, always give credit to your source.
Full Posts, Please
Publishers will only place posts that display the full article, so make sure that your feed is set to display full posts. For Wordpress users: download and install the CompleteRSS plug-in if you want to use the “Read more…” link while still maintaining a complete feed.
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