Linking and Backtracking to other's blogs

As there is no search function on the new site, please forgive me if I'm repeating an old ditty.

What is the difference between having a "link" button that is ongoing on one's blogsite, and specifically "backtracking" to some other blog?

Does one bring traffic to one's blogsite by linking to other blogs permanently, or through individual postings? And should it be of similar content? And what if there isn't that much Seattle alternative health blogging going on?

What I tend to do is create links to NYTimes articles that seem important to my line of work. But how to get more than 12 people a day reading my blog? Even more pertinant, how to get people in SEATTLE reading my blog?

I've checked out blogher, but the health section has some very conservative writers and content. I've tried interacting with several writers and didn't get much response. There's one very cool health/ fertility writer blog I have a link to, but she is in Rhode Island - nice but not really relevent to driving more Seattle people to my blog - or is it?

I guess so far I've accepted that maybe the main purpose of blogging for me is to help prospective clients get a taste of who I am as a person, my views, and how compatible we may be.

feedback???

(Beuler? Ferris Beuler?)

3 Bizniks have posted replies

Posted by Jill Tolman, Seattle, Washington | Sep 06, 2007

I can relate to your blogging question/comment on so many levels as a former blogger. Particularly when you asked "how to get more than 12 people a day reading my blog?"

Starting a blog seems simple and fun at first, but as I'm sure you have or are finding out it takes a LOT of time and energy.

If you're looking to increase traffic levels, there are a couple of sites you can post to that will increase your visitor rate in particular Reddit and Delicious.

You may also want to look into sites related to your industry that allow you to post your stories. You'll probably just have to get creative and spend a day Google'ng to find which sites will let you do that.
Posted by Scott Berkun, Redmond, Washington | Sep 06, 2007

I'm not a blog consultant, and I don't even play one on TV, so YMMV:

On traffic: the simplest way to build traffic is to consistently provide value to people on a topic you have expertise on. There are tons of tricks but they won't help much if what people read when they get to your blog isn't valuable to them.

Bag 'O Ideas:

1) If you want Seattle traffic, make sure all your clients, friends, family, etc. know about your blog, and know why it might interest them. Your clients are your most powerful network to start with - they already respect your opinion and want more from you.

2) Offer advice. Linking to NYT articles provides one level of expertise - the expertise of the NYT article author. But it's more valuable if you provide your own context - what questions did the article raise and what are your answers?

3) Have a rhythm. People seem to obsess about volume of blog writing, but that's not as important as rhythm. If you make it clear you'll post an opinion or article every Wednesday, people will learn to expect, and appreciate, that kind of consistency.

4) Provide value. What are the common questions you get asked? Common misnomers about naturopaths? Common ailments people make mistakes about? Pick a juicy topic each week and dig in.

5) I think there are quite a few naturopaths on biznik - email them, or organize a lunch with blogging/Seattle alternative media, as the topic. Maybe you can form a blog together that you all contribute to.

And for ref:

Does one bring traffic to one's blogsite by linking to other blogs

Call it either a blog, or a site.

And a trackback is a way to find out who is linking to something you wrote. Depending on the blog software you're using, you'll be informed of trackbacks in different ways.
Posted by Brianna Young, Tulsa, Oklahoma | Sep 06, 2007

I noticed that Sterling, in her Dog Blog, (http://greenpups.com/dogblog/), offers a Q and A type thing, Well, she hooked me as a reader a long time ago with advice and tips...this goes one step further.