Using EntreCard to Kickstart your Blog

You’ve probably noticed the EntreCard ad in the sidebar of this site - it actually serves a couple of purposes and in my opinion is a great option to include on a new blog.

EntreCard is basically a banner exchange program for bloggers, anyone in the EntreCard system can purchase an ad on another participating blog using EntreCard Credits (EC’s). You earn EC’s by visiting other blogs and ‘dropping’ your card, or by having other people drop their cards on your blog.

It’s not going to get you a flood of targeted visitors, but it does create a few opportunities - here’s my take on the benefits of EntreCard:

1. You get instant visitors. Depending on how much time you have to put into dropping EntreCards, you could easily get 30+ new visitors per day (more if you devote a lot of time to EntreCard). A word of caution though, I said visitors and not readers for a reason - many just drop their card and move on, but you will get a few that read your posts and comment… which brings me to my next point,
2. You get to network with other bloggers. As you visit other blogs with the EntreCard widget, take the time to comment on any post that interests you. If you regularly drop your cards on that blog, or even just bring EntreCard up in the comments, you’ve got an immediate connection with that blogger that you can later develop further.
3. You can use the EntreCard system to get links back to your blog. This can be done either directly - offering free EntreCard credits for bloggers who link to you, or indirectly from bloggers who highlight the most active droppers on their site.

Overall, EntreCard is an excellent way for new blogs to get active… you’ll get extra comments, incoming links and start some excellent conversations with other bloggers - all key elements of successful blogging in any market.

So what are you waiting for? Go join up, drop your card on the widget in my sidebar and leave a comment here introducing yourself… EntreCard is a great way to get social, make the most of it, don’t just drop and run.