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Running a Contest to Increase Blog Traffic

I’m posting this under the SEO category as I’d like share this little link-bait experiment I’m doing for the Travel Blog & the Urban Blog. For just over a year now, these two blogs have not really taken off in terms of traffic and repeat visitors. I have heard of people telling me they regularly visit these two blogs and even more people wanting to contribute for them. However, I’m still pressed on pushing both blogs to better traffic numbers.


I did a little experiment on link baiting for the two and what better way to get other bloggers & regular readers to actively participate is by having a contest and giving away prizes. So the quest for more visitors started with the free tickets to the 2nd World Pyro Olympics.

I now have partial stats results of the contest on both blogs and the graphs showed great response:

Philippine Travel

The travel blog used to average 500 pageviews from around 200+ unique visitors. The last week, it saw 900+ pageviews from 400+ unique visitors. That’s almost 200% increase in traffic.

Metro Manila

The urban blog used to average 200+ pageviews from 100+ unique visitors a day. That week, that number jumped to an average of 500+ pageviews from 200+ uniques, more than double IMO.

But those inflations will eventually slid back after the contest right, you might ask? We’ll the second and the more long term benefits involves the SEO part — getting more links from bloggers and eventually ranking much higher in the SERPs for the term world pyro olympics and all its permutations. We’ll learn more how this pans out weeks after the event.

Cost of running the contest: Php3,600 (tickets) Php1,120 (LBC)

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

17 Responses

  1. Avatar for Web Design Web Design says:

    Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.

  2. Avatar for Cabinet Roll Towel Cabinet Roll Towel says:

    Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.

  3. Avatar for lanTot lanTot says:

    wow nice Visitor huh i wish i could reach that one on my new blog

    www.kevzmoney.blogspot.com

  4. Avatar for Joel Joel says:

    awesome stats..i hope i too get visitors like this

  5. Avatar for Rugjeff Rugjeff says:

    jhay, Darren is successful with everything he does. Contest are good for an instant increase in traffic, but do little for your blog’s long term success.
    yuga hit the nail on the head, SEO is king.

  6. Avatar for Anthony Anthony says:

    I’m conducting a similar experiment with one of my newest blogs.

    I’m looking forward for more tips from our top blogger . :)

    Go go go !

  7. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    Three letters, my dear friend — S.E.O. — just 3 letters. ;) If you get the drift.

  8. Avatar for Tribal Tribal says:

    I have a idea…. there is no need for link baits… if the topic/blog is interesting there is no need for link baits… would you all agree?

  9. Avatar for Tribal Tribal says:

    Your right.. everyone was standing…

  10. Avatar for scuba guy scuba guy says:

    What about running a contest to have some linkbaits and win the ituloy angsulong contest? Do you think it will work?

  11. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    If you checked my Photo Gallery about the fireworks, you’d clearly see which pictures were taken with the exclusive seating. ;)

  12. Avatar for Tribal Tribal says:

    @PI Outsource

    Good point… lol…. Anyone could have seen this…. kudos.

  13. Avatar for PI Outsource PI Outsource says:

    Can’t you watch the pyro olypics for free? Last I checked they are for all to view (like in the sky dude!!). Just kiddin, good promo.

    LOL, I am sure these are for the best seats in the house though! Kudos to you..

  14. Avatar for jhay jhay says:

    I installed ShortStats once in my .com.ph blog but it never logged any metrics. Waited on for 2 weeks, still nothing. I decided to remove the plugin when the server suffered downtimes prior to the MOA blogger meet-up. Just sharing a thought.

    Anyways, contests are always good at increasing traffic. Darren Rowse has been successful with them. If only I had the capital to spend on contests, I have a few neat ideas in the drawing board.

  15. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    I have Analytics, AWStats and Shortstats but this one gives me the better graph. I’m actualyl seeing higher numbers via ShortStats & Analytics.

  16. Avatar for Kates Kates says:

    I see you’re still using statcounter.

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