Thursday Two Questions Meme - Entrecard & Adgitize



There is going to be a rant along with two questions.

You'd think I would know better by now. I recently created Collectibles Mercantile which I made to help spread the word on my new eBay store of the same name. It has been quite a while that I've had to use any of these promotional sites to advertise a blog. I no longer use any of these on Poetic Shutterbug. Since my Collectibles Mercantile
is so new, I thought why not try Entrecard again. I was obviously having a memory lapse and warped sense of judgment when I had that thought.

I opened an account there again and started dropping. Lo and behold first 15 minutes of dropping and I get a virus - a trojan horse which closed my browser, redirected me to other sites and basically caused complete havoc on my computer. Luckily I have virus protection and was able to clean it up. Harsh memories of the EC virus infested blogs surfaced and I thought to myself, it just isn't worth the stress. I transferred the credits I had to a friend and canceled the account with Entrecard. I am using Adgitize on Collectibles Mercantile but am being very careful as to where I drop. Adgitize is much more safe than any of the other sites I've seen.

By the way, check out my new blog and follow if you so choose. We'll be having a giveaway soon.

So here are my two questions:

1. When trying to promote a new blog which free promotion sites do you use?

2. Which ones work for you?


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Comments

J. M. P. said…
I no longer look for new ways to promote my main blog, it's like I ran out of ideas. I've recently created a non-English language blog and I have not even tried to promote it, it would be too difficult. I just comment on some blogs and participate in writing prompts.

As regards EC, it's outrageous that things like this happen. Since many people complains about those viruses, I only drop on a few blogs, just the ones I know well and like. Of course I will be even more carefull from now on.

So, summing up: I can't help you!
Joanne Olivieri said…
Josep, you have the right idea in just participating in writing prompts and only dropping on those you know. It's a lesson learned.
Ann said…
oh no, it's a shame that something that could be a good source for advertising has to be ruined by things like this.
Since I don't have a new blog I can't answer about promoting.
I do still have EC but I only drop on blogs that I follow who have the widget. I don't look for any new ones at all. My drops are down to maybe 15 or 20 a day compared to the 300 I was doing way back when
Mike Golch said…
I still use entrecard.I have been luck I guess.
Joanne Olivieri said…
Ann, It is a shame and yes, dropping on the ones you know is definitely the way to go.

Mike, I'm glad this hasn't happened to you. Be careful where you drop though. Thanks for commenting.
Like Ann I have cut back to dropping on the blogs I know to be "safe". But...my Norton anti-virus has always protected my PC from those troublesome sites. I am alerted before I can click or enter the site. Then I report the site...and Entrecard does listen and remove them.
Going to check out your new site!
Joanne Olivieri said…
Jean, I should switch my anti virus. I have AVG which is okay but doesn't alert me before I click. I'll check it out, thanks.
Bossy Betty said…
Sorry I don't have any advice for you!

I love the first line of this post though.
Kim, USA said…
That's a bummer if computer is attack by virus. Good thing that you were able to fix it. Great job to that!! Happy Thursday!
LP:Kulay Rosas

ps. I have avg and it doesn't alert me. But the firefox browswer alert you if you enter a site that has malwar or spyware, that's why I like firefox. ^_^
Joanne Olivieri said…
Betty, I thought you'd like the rant :D

Kim, Thanks for the info and I'll check out your blog.
Margaret Duarte said…
Instead of promoting my blog through faceless promoters to a faceless audience, I've decided to concentrate on writing quality content and zeroing in on the niche audience I believe will be interested in buying my novels when they are published--cultural creatives, mostly women, intersted in spiritual freedom, unity, and empowerment. I understand if you're selling another type of product your marketing plan might well be more universal. I plan to do a blog in the near future about all the free virus/malware programs available, including Secunia/PSI, Malwarebytes, Spybot, and AVG. Guess that answers questions 1 and 2.
Joanne Olivieri said…
Margaret, that is the perfect approach and I can surely understand it with your writing blog. If there were a way I could promote my store blog without the sites I've mentioned I would certainly do it. I look forward to your blog post on all the free virus programs. And, LOVED your posts today.
Unknown said…
Joanne, my good friend, Chan Lee Peng owns a site which is pretty good and promises 200 visits for $1. http://www.upgrowthbux.com/

I have used it and could see the visits by checking my traffic feed. I even gained a couple of followers. I think joining the memes is also a good way to get your name out there. I just don't have the time I would like to have to dedicate to my blogs.

Take care and God bless!
Joanne Olivieri said…
Judy, wonderful. Thanks for the info and link. I'm headed over there now.
Unknown said…
i haven't tried promoting my blog. i guess joining memes and visiting other blogs would give your new blog exposure. but you need to devote more time on line.:p
Joanne Olivieri said…
Luna, that's the key, more time online :D thanks.
SquirrelQueen said…
I have never used EC but I have heard others talk about the viruses, that is a shame. I like the blog hops to gain followers and get seen. The memes also bring a lot of traffic to my blog. It does take a lot of time.
SquirrelQueen said…
BTW, I love your header photo!
A shame you had difficulties with EC again. I have it on my blogs, but am no longer active. I just let my blogs tick along on their own now.
Daisy said…
We gave up on Entrecard when my Mommeh had to go back to work and had no time to drop. But we got a bad virus back then, too, and our dad had to reformat the entire computer. It was a disaster!
Icy BC said…
Sorry to hear about the virus, Jo, but I'm glad you've it taken care of.

1) I used CMF ads before, and it brings in traffic but the bounce rate is too high.

2) I join memes/themes, and visiting blogs, and it seemed to work to a certain level..
Emm said…
I made a lot of very good blogging friends through EC but eventually I realised I wasn't making any more friends or getting any quality traffic and that I was practically wasting my time. Adgitize was great for getting hits but none of them resulted in click-throughs or quality interactions (for me).

I'm using CMF ads at the moment and I noticed a sharp increase in traffic all round after just being back with them for a month. A month ago, I ran a small one-week advert on two of my blogs costing $1.50 each and noticed an increase of 20% & 17% respectively in traffic for the whole month.

Unlike Icy BC, it hasn;t increased my bounce rate but you have to be sure to update regularly if you want any of them places togive a decent bounce rate. In the past, all three increased my bounce rate.
Emm said…
I made a lot of very good blogging friends through EC but eventually I realised I wasn't making any more friends or getting any quality traffic and that I was practically wasting my time. Adgitize was great for getting hits but none of them resulted in click-throughs or quality interactions (for me).

I'm using CMF ads at the moment and I noticed a sharp increase in traffic all round after just being back with them for a month. A month ago, I ran a small one-week advert on two of my blogs costing $1.50 each and noticed an increase of 20% & 17% respectively in traffic for the whole month.

Unlike Icy BC, it hasn;t increased my bounce rate but you have to be sure to update regularly if you want any of them places togive a decent bounce rate. In the past, all three increased my bounce rate.
Self Sagacity said…
Jo, to me the best way is to comment on blogs, not only you will get the traffic in return, but you will also gain a relationship over time. Second best is if you're just looking to get exposure for your new blog, memes are good. Last two would be CMF and Bloghops, since like Icy said the bounce rate is too high and you will probably just gain 'dead' followers - that is what they are called if they don't interact with your blog ongoing.
RNSANE said…
I quit using EC before when you advised me against it. Haven't even been on Adgetize in awhile but I will get back there.
Joanne Olivieri said…
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice. Visiting others and commenting is the way to go though with my new blog being a store it's a bit difficult to find memes for it. But, you've all been a big help. I took both EC and Adgitize down and feel much better about it.

Thank you all.
Colette S said…
I'm glad you were able to clean it up. Those are just terrible!

I don't promote my blog. I just visit other bloggers and they return visits and etc.

ALoha!
DoanLegacy said…
1) I have no idea what Entrecard is, but I know Icy used adgitize on the blog..

2) I just visit blogs and join meme!

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