1. Take Great Photos. {and/or edit them to be awesome}
I’m going to be honest right off the bat. Between caring for Little Crafter, working part-time, running the house, running an Etsy shop, and keeping up with the blog, I simply don’t have time to visit every post linked up at Shine on Fridays. I’m guessing that’s the case for most, if not all, bloggers who run link parties. That being said, when I’m deciding which projects to feature and visit, the first thing I do is scroll through the party and look for thumbnail images that catch my eye. No matter what kind of project you’re sharing, it’s good to keep these things in mind to up your chances of getting noticed.
* Am I choosing the best photo of my project for the thumbnail image? You want to showcase the finished product, not the process.
* Is my photo bright and well- lit? If not, you can easily edit in PicMonkey.
* Is my photo too “busy”? Staging can be good, but remove unneccessary clutter from the background.
2. Be Original.
I hate to say it, but no matter how great your melted crayon art is, you’re probably not going to get featured. Because everyone else has already done it. Don’t belive me? Take a look.
When I’m choosing who to feature, I’m looking for something I haven’t seen a million times already.
Something that makes me go, “WOW!” Or, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Or best of all, “I want to do/make/have that!”
3. Be Timely.
Not everything I feature is seasonal, but of course in the fall, I know my readers are going to want to see cool things to do with pumpkins or a yummy fall treat recipe. In November, I’m going to have my eyes open for holiday ideas and gift tutorials that I can share. If you link a Valentine craft in June or a pumpkin in February, it’s not going to be what people are looking for. Also, be aware of current styles and trends in the blog world {ie: the chevron craze}.
Linking up a project that fits in with what the average blog reader is interested in at the moment increases your chances of getting not only featured, but lots of visits too.
4. Follow the Rules.
Every party has its own rules. Make sure you know and follow them. For example, many hosts require you to post their button or a link to the party on your site somewhere. Some specify that it has to be within the post, while many are okay with it being in your sidebar or on a party page. Recently, I got an email from my sweet friend Jessi over at Practically Functional because she wanted to feature one of my projects but I had forgotten to add her party button to my page. I felt awful, of course, and got her button up right away, but she would have had every right not to feature me.
Sorry again, J!
5. Be aware of the particular blog’s style, focus, and readership.
Certain blogs have a niche, like children’s activities/crafts or home decorating. I don’t typically link up Little Crafter’s latest projects at French Country Cottage, nor do I put my latest furniture upcycle at Made By Little Hands Monday over at Delicate Construction. It just wouldn’t work. The readers of those blogs, as well as the authors, are looking for certain things. Some parties are free-for-alls; others aren’t. Try to judge which projects are appropriate for which parties instead of just linking everything everywhere. Or if you do share everywhere, at least don’t be surprised when your kid’s fingerpaint art doesn’t get a feature at some places, know what I mean?
6. Leave comments and let your hostesses get to know you.
As a hostess, it’s always nice to get comments from partygoers that say “thanks for hosting.” In the meantime, it helps them to get familiar with your name, particularly if you exchange a few emails back and forth. If you leave a personal comment, and possibly even mention what you linked up {without doing so in a generic or spammy way}, it may even encourage a hostess to go seek out your link and check it out.
7. Don’t give up!
Those tips should serve you well, no matter what party you’re linking to. Just keep in mind that some of the parties have hundreds {and hundreds and hundreds} of entries and even if you do everything right, when someone is choosing just ten or twenty projects out of 700 to feature, you may not make the cut. Don’t be discouraged, and don’t stop linking! Keep on trying and also try to find some smaller parties to link to where your odds of a feature are doubled or tripled just based on the number of projects shared each week.
And now, just for giggles, here are a few tips that are specifically One Artsy Mama related. Here are a few sure-fire ways to catch my attention with your link!
Make dessert. Or something equally yummy looking.
Yes, this is a craft blog, and yes, I feature lots of crafts. But I write my posts between 2-5 PM which means I’m almost always hungry while I’m perusing the party links. Those pumpkin chocolate chip cookies or the Reese’s Mousse Pie are just going to call my name. That’s all I’m sayin’.
These pumpkin scones also incorporated suggestion #2:
Mention something you know I can’t resist.
Those babies claim to be “Better than Starbucks.” We all know I’m going to have to go visit. It’s a no-brainer. Starbucks. The Baltimore Ravens. Ballroom Dance. Mod Podge. You guys know my weaknesses…probably as well as I do!
Cheap, quick, easy. Yes. That’s the kind of projects I’m always looking for.
I hope you find some of these tips helpful, and I hope they start you on your way to more and more features you deserve! Questions? Comments? Other helpful tips? Lay ’em on me!
Desire Empire says
Yes I did Amy thanks. I haven’t linked up for a while but plan to soon.
Carolyn
Modern Day Disciple says
Nice post! You rock! ;)I live for Cheap, quick and easy. What does that make me? lol
AnaMB says
great infos! so useful to know 🙂
[email protected] Pretty says
Thank you so much for the “insider secrets” and for taking the time to share them!
Heddy J. says
Love your tips! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂 Now, if you’ll excuse me…I have some feature-worthy blog posts to create! 🙂
Kara @ Petals to Picots says
Great tips, Amy!!
Rachel @ The Philosophers Wife says
Thanks for the tips! I love linking up to your parties! 🙂
Chiwei @ One Dog Woof says
Great roundup of tips, and have a great week!
Darby Hawley says
Great tips Amy!!! I’m going to make sure I implement these 🙂 I have to say, of all the series on blogging, and this is my favorite!!! Thanks for being real girl!
Just Jenn says
Great tips- I am new to blogging….. Looking forward to growing and learning!!!
Katie @ Favorites and Things says
Great post, thanks for all the information! I’m recently back to blogging after taking about a two year break so it’s great to get some information on how to raise my readers back up.
tiffany lagrange says
Terriffic post! Thank you so much for this! My blog is just recently starting to get noticed so this is a great next step! http://www.craftinterrupted.com
{Steph} says
This is a great post, Amy! Lots of things I wish I would have known when I first started blogging. 🙂
Have a great day!
Steph @ Silver Boxes
Eva {Tales of the Scotts} says
Great post! Probably the hardest thing you mentioned for me to do is leave a comment for the hostess. So many “go live” at the same time and with everything else I need to do at home, etc., I feel like all the time I have is to link up. Like this morning, I just linked up to 6 at one time. But, gives me something to work toward. 🙂 Thanks Amy!
Ladybird Ln says
Great tips, great reminders of things I should be doing!
Carlee
http://www.ladybirdln.com
Pam says
Great tips and reminders here, Amy!!! Taking good photos is the one I find SO hard. I’m slowly getting better, but it’s just not my area, although I know it’s worth the time and effort. I’d love you to share the ‘Grow Your Blog’ series at our Ongoing Link Party that’s just for Blog Tips…
http://threadingmyway.blogspot.com/2012/07/threading-your-way-blog-tips-link-party.html
Kelly @ thelilypadcottage says
Really great tips, I’ve been blogging about 2 months, so slowly figuring it all out, thanks! Kelly
Sarah @ Scissors and a Whisk says
VERY good tips! 🙂
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says
Great tips and reminders for everyone! Photos make such a huge difference! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Garden Chef says
Great tips, Amy! Can’t wait to apply them all!
Tori Boyers says
Thanks for the tips I was just wondering about that. 🙂
http://www.glutenfreebloganista.com
angelicscalliwags says
As a fairly new blogger these tips are so useful, thank you!
Linda Kilsdonk says
What great and encouraging ideas! Thanks so much for sharing! Linda @ paperseedlings.com
Michelle says
Thanks for the tips, Amy! 🙂
Jenna says
Great tips!
artclubblog.com says
Very helpful post, filled with some great tips. Thanks!
Designed by Dawn Nicole says
Great tips as always, Amy! Thanks for sharing. I’m with you on the Starbucks. Even my 4 year old is well aware and will say, “Let’s go to Starbucks, Momma”. It just warms my heart! 🙂
SJ says
Great post and lots of helpful tips, Amy! I’ve been catching up on your whole Grow Your Blog series and it’s full of useful info. Consider me your newest follower 🙂
Trina says
Hi! I’m visiting from TGIF! Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Beth (www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com) says
Great tips!
Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a GREAT weekend,
Beth =-)
[email protected]://thislittleestate.blogspot.ca/ says
Thank you for all of these tips. I found you through a link up party and cant wait to catch up on all of your blogging tips! Thanks for taking the time to teach us newbies a thing or two. 🙂
The Shoestring Contessa says
Visiting from Weekend Wrap-up. Thanks so much for the tips!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Great tips! I’m working on brightening up my photos. My apartment is kinda dark, but that’s no excuse! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
ARod Rodriguez says
great post lots of good tips thanks for sharing
Marty Walden says
These are great tips! I know all these things but I get sidetracked and forgetful. Thanks for the reminders to pursue excellence!
Lynn says
Thanks for the helpful tips. I’m fairly new to the blogging community but I am definately hooked. I’m also an Etsy Junkie. Nice shop!
Pam says
Hi Amy, I’ve featured your post on ‘Getting Featured’ today…
http://threadingmyway.blogspot.com/2012/11/threading-your-way-features.html
Ann says
Excellent post with useful information. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Jeannie-JB says
Good tips – saw you featured at Stuff and Nonsense and came on over to check you out.
Marisa says
I just discovered your blog through Pam from Threading my way. Thanks for all the great information you have here, now you have a new follower, I love your blog and I’ll visit you often.
Marisa.
Kendra says
Thank you for sharing. Gaining followers and static readership has always been a struggle for me. Sounds like I should focus a bit more on link parties!
potspansandpaintbrushes.blogspot.com