How to Write a Successful Blog Hop Post

 image credit: free digital photos.net
Blog hops and blog trains remain a popular way to give away digital scrapbooking freebies while sharing traffic with other designers in your stores or through other websites that host them. Whether you are a regular or occasional participant, you want to do more than just give away the freebie. This is a critical time to capture new email subscribers and customers. It may be the ONLY time some visitors come to your blog, so it’s important to present a way to connect with your designs in the future.

The biggest thing I want you to take away from this article is this:

Put something ELSE on your blog post besides your freebie!

Here are some ideas for the other items you could include with your freebie. I personally think these items should go above the freebie in the post. People can take a minute to scroll down. You are not inconveniencing them by asking them to take a quick look at your paid offerings as well.

• Link to sign up for your newsletter. You could also add an additional coordinating freebie exclusively for newsletter customers. If you don’t have a newsletter, at least set up Feedburner so people can follow your blog posts.
• Link to a coordinated paid item in your store. In my experience, this needs to be a really great deal – something along the lines of a full kit for $1.99 or less. Many designers are hesitant to offer a deal like this but if used ONLY occasionally, it can kick up your sales because you are able to capture some of the people who simply never buy unless there is a very deep discount. This tactic is best for short run blog hops (a week or less)
• A coupon to use for a discount in your store. This could be a general percent off or dollar off coupon. It could also be used to discount the special offer above. If you do that, then only your blog visitors get the extreme deal and your special product shows as regular price in your stores.
• A graphic ad – sales announcement for your store
• Previews of a few of your recent releases
• Links to connect with you on social media – Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

Bookmark or pin this page so you can refer to it the next time you are getting prepared for a blog event. Maximize your work and blog traffic for your next event!