Comments for Entrecard Credits
No doubt, by now you have heard of Entrecard.
Recently springing into the blogging world, it’s quickly become the most loved (or sometimes, most hated) networking tool for bloggers.
If you’re not familiar with it, here’s the theory:
A widget box, like the one displayed here (but not working on the blog post) gets placed on your site. Other Entrecard users visit your blog, click on the “drop yours” leaving you a 125×125 banner on your Entrecard dashboard.
For every card dropped on you and every card you drop on others you earn credits with Entrecard. You then use your credits to purchase advertising on other blog sites. This is the card that is displayed in the widget box for a full 24 hours. All this is to drive more traffic to your site from both Entrecard users (dropping cards) and blog visitors (with your card displayed on another site).
The theory is great. However, the problem that most bloggers complain about the bounce rate from Entrecard. Visitors come from Entrecard but it’s not to pay attention to your content, it’s to drop their card, earn credits and raise the rate of advertising for their Entrecard on their own blog. You can read the full details of how Entrecard works and how advertising rates are calculated by visiting this page.
So, sure traffic comes but the bounce rate is high because visitors are on your site for 2 seconds while they drop their card. Then they’re gone and off to the next site. In the end, are you getting real traffic from it? That’s left up to each blogger to decide.
For me, I haven’t paid too much attention. I’d like to classify myself as a casual dropper. Typically I don’t visit blogs just to drop a card. Instead I’ve used Entrecard as a way of saying “Hey, I was here” even when I have left a comment to let the blogger know I’ve been around. It’s casual networking for me and not something I’m fanatical about.
I think it’s a good system, in general. Entrecard is continuing to make steps to improve on the service and make it better and easier for everyone. Just this morning I logged into my Entrecard dashboard to see that new features have been added.
There really are a lot of things you can do with Entrecard and the credits that you earn. And those options are continuing to grow with the fairly recent addition of the Entrecard store where you can sell items for Entrecard credits (WordPress themes, domains, hosting, books, consulting, etc).
Now, the point of the post:
In the last month or so I have earned 600 Entrecard credits. Not too bad, others have earned more, others less. But I’m not sure what I’m going to do with them.
There’s not much in the store that I’d like to purchase. Advertising isn’t huge for me, even though I could pay Entrecard credits to advertise on John Chow and ProBlogger.
So, I’m giving away my Entrecard credits with a contest. It’s been done 1,000 times and I figure, why not? How else would I choose someone to just randomly drop Entrecard credits on?
Being that today is February 1st, we’ll start the contest today and it’ll last for the next 29 days (did you know 2008 is a leap year with 29 days in February?).
What do you have to do?
COMMENT!
Do not keyword spam my comments and don’t leave something that says “nice post.” Those who use keywords instead of their name to comment will be ignored as well as the “nice post” comments. Leave something that adds value to the post or gives you opinion.
In plain terms, REAL comments.
With my top commentator plugin, at the end of the month the #1 person on that list will get 500 Entrecard credits from me (Entrecard account required).
The person listed as #2 top commentators will get the Entrecard credits I have after I gave away the 500 credits (currently 100 Entrecard credits) but I will continue to build credits this month.
Got it?
Now, if you have something to say… leave a comment!
Technorati Tags: Entrecard, Bloggers, Networking, Banner Advertising, Free Advertising, Contest, Entrecard Contest, Free Entrecard Credits, Drop Entrecards, WordPress Plugin, Top Commentators, Leave Comments, Keyword Spam
Lori Says:
I actually would love the credits so I could buy a theme from the store that is only available for purchase otherwise. Even though there is a high bounce rate, some of those readers do stay and end up subscribing. The traffic always helps!
Anyways, great contest. Count me in:)
Posted on February 1st, 2008
Sarah Says:
I use Entrecard, and I do drop cards, but not very often. I only do it if I think about it, and only on the ones that I actually subscribe to, and leave comments at. Like here, for instance, I drop a bit, but I also comment (and obviously blogroll and subscribe to). To me, that just seems like a better and polite solution.
And no, I’m not saying this for the contest, :P. I just have an opinion on everything, ;)
Posted on February 1st, 2008
Jennifer Says:
I’ve been using Entrecard lately… while there is a high bounce rate, there are also a few people who have taken the time to read, comment and stick around. I personally have found blogs I wouldn’t have found otherwise, but there are plenty of sites I click through to and then keep right on going.
Posted on February 1st, 2008
mikster Says:
Um…. really, really, nice post? Nice that you’re having a contest and I’m sure whoever wins will appreciate the credits. (I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want to use them yourself though.)
Posted on February 1st, 2008
Denise Says:
I agree with your assessment of Entrecard. I too feel that it is a nice way to say hi but I haven’t gotten that much traffic. However, I have discovered a lot of blogs that i really like that i wouldn’t have otherwise known about, have even linked to them in a post.
Good job summing up how it all works.
Posted on February 1st, 2008
Katy Says:
Sarah » You do have an opinion on everything, that much I know. And for the record, I installed the plugin a few days ago and know that you were the top commentator for January. I image it’s that way most months and now I’ll be able to track that for sure.
Dropping my card has become part of my habit when visiting blogs. Like I said in the post, I don’t usually seek out blogs for the sake of dropping cards but I’ve browsed the blogs that use Entrecard to find blogs I haven’t seen before (and I’m sure to drop my card while I’m there).
Jennifer » Agreed, again. People do stop. I think my first wind of discouragement came when I got a trackback from a blog post that was about how to drop your card fast (and run). Not really great promotion (for yourself or Entrecard). By having this contest I’m not giving up on Entrecard, I have more studying of traffic before I pick a side with keeping it or ditching it.
Mikster » Creative! I’m not using my credits yet because I’m watching how it works for those who are currently advertising on my blog with Entrecard (I so appreciate those stats from Entrecard). This is helping in my evaluation of the system. Credits are earned quickly so I’ll have a chance to get them back and keep going.
Denise » I enjoy using it the most to say Hi. Especially when I enjoyed a post but didn’t really have anything to say in the comments. Because of Entrecard I’ve picked up about 10 to 15 new blogs to read. I subscribe, read through past posts and decide to keep receiving the feed or have it go. I’m fascinated by the system and really… that’s the best way for me to put it. :o)
Posted on February 1st, 2008
nat Says:
Hey, Nice Post! ;)
I don’t know what to do with my credits, either, so I keep adverting on a friend’s blog, and she adverts on mine, too. And I HATE the bounce factor.
BTW, I added your site to my google reader, so if I don’t leave a trail, that’s where I have been reading posts. I like your blog.
Posted on February 1st, 2008
Emmanuel Kennick Says:
It’s my first time of hearing of this system. I am considering in becoming a member.
Posted on February 1st, 2008
Katy Says:
Thanks for picking up the feed. :D
Emmanuel » It’s worth looking into (it won’t cost you a dime). There are some things good, some things bad and the system works differently for everyone based on how you use the system and what blogging niche you’re in. Good luck!
Posted on February 2nd, 2008
Toni Says:
Every week I offer 30 credits per person who posts on one of my blogs, that way everyone who posts gets rewarded rather than just 1 / 2 people. let me know if your way works out better.
Posted on February 2nd, 2008
Katy Says:
Posted on February 2nd, 2008
Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings Says:
I use entrecard. I’ll admit I go in spurts of dropping my card. Some days I have time to do so and some days I don’t.
blogged ya: Sunday Edition of Contests Galore
Posted on February 3rd, 2008
Katy Says:
Posted on February 3rd, 2008
GL3nn Says:
hi there Katy, i also found out that bloggers doesnt care about my site content, they are just blog hopping and dropping cards.. anyway.. i found your site by searching on technorati for the keyword win entrecard.. i want to have more entrecards!
Posted on February 4th, 2008
Katy Says:
But… if you want to win Entrecard credits, feel free to leave more comments. Perhaps it’ll be you that is my top commentator this month! :o)
Posted on February 4th, 2008
weightlosswand Says:
I just couldnt understand this concept, iam quite new to this kind of stuff.
Posted on February 4th, 2008
Katy Says:
Posted on February 4th, 2008
Joe Says:
Yes, i have an entrecard to one of my blogs, it gives me a good quality traffic too. Entrecard is the best. just like this blog.
Posted on February 4th, 2008
Katy Says:
Additionally, your name and URL have been edited. There’s no need to keyword comment here and link to a different URL in your comment. I’m not one of those girls keen on keyword comments. Should you choose to come back, I’d love to have your participation and comments as Joe. :o)
Posted on February 4th, 2008
Mohit Says:
Hey!
I am a web-designer by passion not profession and pretty new to this blogging stuff and started my first and last blog on 1st of January this year. For a few days I was really concerned about the traffic and promoting my blog. I used to keep refreshing the site meter and check my Google analytics account daily.
Then one day I read a post about submitting a site to the CSS galleries so I submitted my blog and I got around 1700 unique users so far from these sites. No doubt it excited me a lot but after a few days I realized that the traffic was only interested in the unique design of my blog not the content and now same is happening with EC.
I totally agree to the point that people are visiting sites just to drop a card and earn 1 credit. I mean that not blogging all about. I am a casual and relaxed dropper and more interested in the content that helps me to enhance my skills.
What’s your call??
Posted on February 8th, 2008
Katy Says:
Working at your traffic and readers should be done on a regular basis. Target websites will help you gain people who are actually interesting in reading your content, not checking out your design.
Regularly use websites like BlogCatalog, StumbleUpon, and Mixx to pick up traffic from people who are interested.
When you search blogs on Entrecard, drop cards on people who blog in the same niche you do. Chances are they’ll come to return the dropped card and stay for your content.
The only thing that submitting your site to a CSS showcase will do for you is bring traffic from people who want to rip your design. They have no care at all what exactly it is that you’re blogging about.
However, the traffic shouldn’t be discredited… these people will help to increase your Alexa rank (most designers use Alexa), your PageRank when they love your design, and your Technorati rank if they’ll talk about you on their website.
Reality is, all traffic, targeted or not will do something for you. Your blog is young, keep working at it.
Posted on February 8th, 2008
Funked Says:
Nice Idea. Anyway, I’ve been a member on entrecard for a day now. I can honestly say I’m not that impressed. Your not really gaining quality traffic from it.
I’ll let it run for a month and see how I feel after then.
Posted on February 15th, 2008
Katy Says:
Good luck testing the system, be sure to let me know how it worked out for you! :o)
Posted on February 15th, 2008
Deb on the Rocks Says:
It’s true about the bounce rate, and I don’t know enough about statistics to know if that is hurting any part of my “rating,” but as a humor blog, I don’t worry about that too much. I’m just happy to meet new folks.
Posted on February 16th, 2008
Katy Says:
I realize the traffic doesn’t convert well and that is the majority. But the blogs and bloggers I have found through the system have been great and for that reason, I do like it. Just as you. :D
Posted on February 16th, 2008