Another advantage that blogs seem to currently possess over traditional web pages and sites is lack of competition. While number of bloggers grows daily, there are still relatively few commercial blog sites. When I created my blog I found that it showed up in number 3 spot in Google for term “Marketing Weblog” within about 3 weeks of launch. Not bad considering I did nothing to make it happen.

There are a couple of other things you should do to make your weblog a traffic magnet. They aren’t really that different than tradition SEO tactics but names and faces are unique to blogging world.

Use targeted keywords in your entry titles

No rocket science here but this tip can’t be stated enough. Forget cute…go for titles that fit your targeted keywords and phrases…even if they seem a bit awkward. (You do have targeted keywords and phrases don’t you?)

Register with Blog Search Engines – Search engines that specialize in blogs

http://www.daypop.com/ http://www.blogvision.com/ http://www.blogsearchengine.com/

Register with Tracking Services – These services note when a blog has been updated and publish an ongoing list. They even keep track of most updated and most visited weblogs. Plus you get to learn what pinging is.

http://blo.gs/ http://www.weblogs.com/

Trade Some Links

You don’t need to get out of control on this one but a few “relevant” swapped links to related blogs can boost your traffic.

Syndicate your content

This one is way to technical to cover here but do some research on term RSS and you may discover ways to have your content and entries fed to sites that are hungry for type of stuff you write. Many of popular weblog software packages have this capability built right in.

http://www.feedster.com/

The Call to Action

Like any marketing campaign, decide what you want final outcome or call to action to be and deliver it in last piece. If you want them to call your office, take your call, visit a website, attend a workshop, make it painfully clear what price of game has been.

I’ve actually had clients tell me that prospects who wouldn’t even return their phone calls, eagerly made appointments and sometime still displayed items they were sent throughout campaign in their office. People don’t get this kind of attention from much in their lives and they want it. More than ever your prospects crave two things – content and contact. A lumpy mail campaign had potential to deliver both with a bang. (careful with too much auditory impact)

How Much For Those Lumps

A lumpy mail campaign can get relatively expensive when compared to, say, a postcard mailing so its important for you to consider two things when you are designing yours. How many clients you can serve and what lifetime value a new client has to your business.

Most small businesses only need a handful of new clients at any given time to thrive. Lumpy mail is perfect for that kind of growth. Carefully target 10 new businesses at a time, throw kitchen sink at them and watch your appointment rate soar to about 70%.

If you are in a business that sells a one time $19 product then you can’t really spend to much to acquire a new client but if your business can generate thousands of dollars from a long term, loyal client then perhaps spending even $100/new client running a creative lumpy mail program makes a ton of sense.

So get to your local toy store to get creative gravy flowing and pass mashed potatoes already.