I have joined linkys, memes and blog hops for years. I’ve even hosted some here on my site. Since January, I have been joining 50-75 linkys a week consistently and due to this practice, I have gained readers, followers, friends and fans on my blog and my social media accounts. You can do this too! In this process I have learned that there are right ways and wrong ways to hop on the linky train so today I hope to help you learn the right way to do things.
How to Be a Good Linky User
- Be organized
- Be consistent
- Be obedient
- Be nice
I know those sound like directions we would give to our children but they really do apply to linkys.
Be Organized
You need to share different content each week on your linkys. I use the spreadsheet I found at TheCraftyBlogStalker. Of course, I have added and deleted linkys and instead of blog post names at the top, I put the URL so that I can easily copy and paste it from the spread sheet into the linky. Using the spread sheet, I stay organized and I know that I am sharing unique content with each linky each week.
Be Consistent
In my Time Management for Bloggers Part 1-Writing post I shared my daily schedule with you. My first hour of every morning, BEFORE email and FaceBook, I do my linkys. IF I have time in the evenings, I do any that I may have missed in the morning.
Be Obedient
Every linky has its own rules, read them and abide by them. If you don’t like a certain linky’s rules don’t join that linky. The host has made the rules for a specific reason so please abide by them. I have created a 3rd column in my spreadsheet for notes about specific rules for each linky.
I’m going to share some basic linky rules so you know what I am talking about.
- Follow the host(s) on social media.
- Add my linky badge to your site or link back some other way. **I have read several accounts of bloggers getting dinged by Google for having the “I am linking this post up to these link parties” followed but a ton of links at the bottom of every post because it comes across as spammy, and it is very time consuming.** Create a link party page, like I have, and list all the parties you join in one neat place. your readers can find it easily and you don’t get in trouble with Google.
- Only link up recipes.
- Don’t link up giveaways or Etsy stores
The rules aren’t usually hard to follow and a good host will delete links that don’t follow the rules.
Be Nice
Don’t link and run. I typically link 2 posts to each linky. Then I start at the bottom of the linky and scroll up to find at least 2 posts that interest me. Click on the links, read the post. Leave a comment and share that post on social media. Make sure you mark off your actions on your Printable Daily Social Media Checklist then move on to the next linky.
As long as you are linking well written posts with great photos you will begin to gain followers from corners of the web you didn’t even know existed.
In addition to linkys that you add posts to, there are a lot of linkys that help you directly gain followers to your social media accounts. My favorites can be found at TheUltimateLinky.com, A Peek Into My Paradise’s Social Media Mixer, and Barbie Bieber and Beyond’s Stumble Upon Party.
I hope these tips have helped you wrap your head around the use of linkys. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to ask!
I agree, Cindy! Over the past couple of months I’ve been joining lots of linky parties and gained followers and lots of new blogger friends.
However, it can be overwhelming if you’re not organized and this post will really help me with that–Thanks!
Mitzi recently posted..DIY Wreath for All Occasions
Mitzi, finding the spreadsheet helped me a lot.
Good Morning Cindy, just saw you on Krafty Cards etc. These are great tips! I am one of the most unorganized people on the planet, so I intend to make regular trips to your site! Thank you for sharing your info!
Val
Val recently posted..Shoulder Adjustment On A Pattern
Val, I’m glad you found my blog. I hope these posts help.
Love these tips! I’ve always been terrible about Linky parties, but I found you through the Type A one today!
Triplezmom recently posted..It’s the Weather, Stupid
Thanks for stopping by! I hope the tips help.
Thank you for this post! Very useful information!
Lana recently posted..Mothers Here and Gone
I’m learning so much from you. Thanks for the help with social media and time saving suggestions. Quick question – does it matter if you add your post to a linky late (close to the bottom)? I worry that I won’t get anyone to read my posts.
ConnieFoggles recently posted..New Fantasyland Update | Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Connie, I’m glad you are finding these posts helpful! I try to not add a post to a linky after entry 200. Thankfully more and more linky hosts are randomizing where the posts show up on the linky so that gives latecomers a better chance of being seen.
Duh! Why didn’t i think of the spreadsheet! Haha… This is going to help me so much. Thank you! I’m curious though, are there specific linkies you’ve had the most traffic from? I know for me, anytime I can get a good post in the first 20 or so links on abowlfulloflemons.net it is a MAJOR source for me. thesitsgirls.com is good too.
Steph, I get the most traffic from SkipToMyLou.org and Somedaycrafts.com. I am not good at getting on the linkys early, because I try to be off my computer in the evenings. I’ve never entered the 2 you mentioned so I am going to go check them out. Thanks!
Thank you so much for linking to The Ultimate Linky! I need to do the spreadsheet. I want to link up at others and plan to, but am having a hard time just staying on top of what I need to do to keep my blogs going. I obviously love linkies and there are so many good ones out there!
Tammy recently posted..Thoughtful Thursdays, Installment Eleven #linky
Thanks for linking up to Friday Pin Fest as I’m co-hosting this month! I agree that they are excellent tools to meet and grow. I’ve made some great new friends this way, too. Good to meet you today!
Dana recently posted..Pinterest Link Party May 15, 2014 – I’m Co-Hosting Fridays in May!
Dana, Nice to meet you too. Yes, I have enjoyed co-hosting this linky too.
Part 2 to my above comment.
Of course, this is YOUR Linky and I am happy to be involved with it. It took me a minute to put your name to your post, so I apologize. It’s been fun working on this linky this month with you and Alma. 🙂
Dana recently posted..Pinterest Link Party May 15, 2014 – I’m Co-Hosting Fridays in May!
Thanks for the tips, Cindy. I’m trying to be more efficient at linking up to link parties. Your suggestions are helpful.
Lisa recently posted..Add flair to flower arrangements with DIY painted vases
Lisa, I’m glad you found them helpful!
Great tips! Social media can be such a time zapper. I’m learning….Thanks for sharing. Blessings…Shari
Pure Grace Farms recently posted..Seared Salmon with Fennel and Sugar Snap Slaw
Hi! Dropping by from Put a bird on it! I really like your post, I’m going to pin it so it stays in my notes. The only thing I don’t understand is when you talk about “getting in trouble with Google”. What do you mean? Can you get in trouble by doing linky parties? Thanks a lot!
Ana, Yes, Google “dings” you for too many spammy looking outgoing links and this effects your Google PR rating and how often you are seen in their search. It is best to have a page for all your link party badges and then at the bottom of your post, if you want to say “I link to these parties” and link internally to your page not to each individual linky. I hope this helps.
This post was right on time. I’m struggling with organization and consistency. Will check the link you sent. I do exactly what you do – start at the bottom. If I linkup to 3 of my posts, I comment on at least 3 other links.
Thanks,
Raki
Raki, I’m glad you found this helpful. Check out my other posts about Time Management for bloggers, those may help too.
I absolutely love this post & the spreadsheet ideas you’ve shared. Thank you!!
Jillian recently posted..Toddler Apps to Keep Your Child Entertained
You are welcome, Jillian! I hope they help.
Great post! I’ve linked all of the info you’ve provided. I love that you referenced your favorite linkys and shared with us the spreadsheet that you use. Thank you for sharing with Turn it Up Tuesday.
April recently posted..First Ever “Build your Bundle” ~ Homeschool Edition Coming Soon!
I made myself a little spreadsheet when I first started out so I can keep track and never have I thought to add the URL. I always start by copying the URL I’m linking but whilst I’m visiting other posts I copy another , maybe to pin it or tweet and have to keep going back to my blog page to pick it up. I cannot believe I did not think of this! You are a link party genius! I have added it to my spreadsheet already.
Julie recently posted..Using Sketches for Card Making
Julie, I’m glad it was helpful. I didn’t think up the spreadsheet, I got it from another blogger and tweaked it for my use.
Thank you so much for the informative post. Also thank you for the information and the resources. I needed these to help me be more organized.
Sophia Reed recently posted..A Typical Single Mother Story With An Atypical Ending. My Single Mother Story.
Sophia,
I’m glad you found the post helpful.
I kind of got stopped at the joining 50-75 linkys a week. Wow! I do maybe 4 a week. Thinking perhaps I should branch out a bit… There were some good tips here thanks!
Louise, If it makes you feel better, I’ve entered less than 10 linkys this week. It has been a crazy one!
Hi! I have been blogging about three years but didn’t know much about link parties until recently. I am really loving the opportunity to find fun blogs, connect with great bloggers, and find great content to share on my social media. Thanks for your post with this wonderful tips!
Amy recently posted..Top 10 Pinterest Pins This Week
Amy,
I’m glad you found this helpful!
Great info. I can see that I need to start joining more link parties each week. I have been trying for 3 per day but that is only about 21 per week – and some days I don’t get a chance to link up so it is more like 16 per week. I have looked into (in the past) using that spread sheet you referred to and instead made up one of my own in word that works for me – it does help to keep you a lot more organized.
Kimberlee recently posted..Working Out Week 28 of 2014
Thanks for sharing, I found a lot of info that I didn’t know about linky parties. Finding the time and remembering where I’ve done it is my biggest problem. I’m totally going to use your spreadsheet idea.
Thanks again!
~ Terrie
Terrie, I’m glad you found this helpful. The spreadsheet makes it soooo much easier 🙂
You’re a genius! I had someone tell me that my blog was considered suspicious today, and I think the blog hop links might be what is causing it. Thank you so much! A page dedicated to my hops will both help me to organize better and (I hope!!) solve my problem. Thank you so much for this post!!
Jamie,
I hope this helps! Cindy
I’m just glad linkies are still a thing! I stepped out of blogging for a long time and everything seems to have changed.