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Linky Parties and Blog Hops, the great debate. Are they really worth it? What can they do for you? Some bloggers love them, others hate them. I wrote a post about my opinion on them over a year ago and it really hasn’t changed. What has changed is that currently, I am NOT participating in any parties or hops. I need to focus more on my writing and photography so I have phased out the parties and hops at least for the time being.
Let’s find out what these 11 bloggers have to say about:
How Do You Feel About Linky Parties and Blog Hops?
“Link parties are a great way to get other bloggers to find, like, and comment on your content. If you get lucky, you could even have your stuff shared or featured and garner a lot of page views from the few minutes it took to drop your link! Unfortunately, this isn’t very common. And in my experience, there are a lot of other, more efficient ways to connect with bloggers and get your content shared. It can be a good way to get new followers, initially, but most people come to abuse link parties and don’t visit anyone else linking up. We are all short on time. However, if you are a good commenter and linker, link parties are a great way to find similar blogs to your own, and make connections that can be extremely important to your future career as a blogger.” – Katelyn from What’s Up Fagans?
“You have to be careful with linky parties. In the sense that you should not join too many at the same time. You will get overwhelmed and ultimately not be able to reciprocate accordingly. My best advice is to try out various linky parties, two per week, until you find the ones you really like and where most of your niche writers hang out. When you find that one, stick with it and share and comment on at least three or four of the other posts.” – Orana from Crazy Little Family Adventure
“I have my ‘favorites’ which I take the time to leave links at the most often. It is important to make a very visible square image on your posts. If you don’t the links you leave may never be seen. Also, take the time to follow each linkup rules, because the hosts realize this and will not feature you. If you are fortunate to be featured, it will help with blog traffic. As with all things you need to be balanced. You need to contribute, but do not become overwhelmed with them. Start with a few and find your favorites. I do co-host one, and it does bring traffic to my site, but hosting them can become a lot of work.” – Haley from Haley’s Vintage
“I agree with the above comments. I have a link party page on my blog. In the beginning, I tried to visit all of the parties, but it became time-consuming for little return. I did find some great bloggers and now visit one or two a day to test out the ROI. Now I can give better attention to the hosts and links.” – Heather from H and P Artistry
“I actually wrote a post about link ups. I co-host the Over The Moon link up which is a new combination of two I used to co-host. I think it is better to build relationships with a few.” Sue from Sizzling Towards Sixty
“I just won a Paypal giveaway on one, so I love them right now! Haha! Seriously… One subject was not mentioned so far is the shelf life of a link party if you are a host or co-host. There are basically two types of Link Parties, those with just the parties and those with original content in addition to the party. Those with just the party are easy to create for the host and co-host. Usually, it is just cut and paste. You can also put referrals to other posts in the beginning which will increase traffic to those posts. But, many link parties don’t want you to add links to other link parties so you can’t promote them there. And more importantly, you will get traffic during the party, but not much afterward. Those link ups that require the hosts and co-host to create something new (for example, a new recipe) before the link party require more work for everyone. But, they can be linked up to other parties, and they continue to generate traffic long after the party is done.” Audrey from That Recipe
“I think this is a really interesting question! I love link parties. When I was blogging, I could easily join/comment on about 250 links per week with the organizational tool Audrey shared with me a long time ago (To Do List tool for free).
1) Yes, they are exhausting
2) People don’t always reciprocate
3) Biggest pet peeves? A) People who use parties to make money off the hosts. I was contacted by some when I took a hiatus from parties due to health. The messages I received were rude, inconsiderate, and selfish, stating “Do I know how much money so and so is losing as a VA from me not having my party?” It was the first time I was aware that many VA’s profits from dumping links in people’s parties. B) Too many hosts and co-hosts … some have no expectations, but some of those parties want comments on all hosts and co-hosts yet they don’t all reciprocate. In the end, it sometimes becomes “X will comment so that I will comment on X.” I hate that mentality!
I could go on, as there are many pet peeves. I question myself, on occasion, “Why do I bother?” There are many advantages and disadvantages. It takes a lot of time!” – Joanne from What’s On The List?
“I love linky parties. It’s a great way for people to meet and get to know you! I haven’t done a blog hop.” – Maggie from Momz Cuisine
“I keep a spreadsheet of the days, times, and URL’s of the link parties so I know when to link up. I have a guest post article here on linky parties.” – Holly from The Coconut Head’s Survival Guide
“I love link parties. I have met many incredible bloggers through them. With that said, some people participate or organize them for the wrong reasons. Link parties and blog hops aren’t just an easy way to get traffic, no matter how many people may think so. Most of the time, participants don’t come for your content, they come to drop their link and leave. It’s not engaging traffic.
To me, both link parties and blog hops are like networking events. You come across a lot of great people, but at the end, you leave with only a couple of contacts you want to take further.
There are ways to increase your reach whenever there’s no drama from hosts or participants. And when done for the right reasons, it’s a lovely way to interact with other bloggers!” – Debbie from Debbie In Shape
“I find linky parties to be effective if you choose only a few per week so that it’s not too time-consuming. This way, you can ‘actively’ participate instead of just dropping links (which of course, you shouldn’t be doing without visiting others). If you’re commenting on the links that you visit, maybe half the time, that blogger will visit your blog, too. It also helps to join the parties where you know the hosts and co-hosts actually visit your links and share them, as well. Those are the ones I will keep coming back to, but I also try to find new parties to join monthly for more exposure and new readers. Follow the rules and share the party, the host usually notices you doing so and will share your link. I think these parties are an added way to meet other bloggers and find inspiration from blogs you may not otherwise come across.” – Bernadyn from B is 4
Whew! This was a popular question! Tell me:
What is your opinion on linky parties and blog hops?
Leave me a comment below.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Let’s Make Your Blog Awesome coming March 2nd, when we will discuss Blog Themes: An Important Part of Your Brand.
Have a wonderful week wherever you are in the world! Signing off, Tina