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WordPress Plugins, a Widgets Junkie and Twitter
By Mark | July 23, 2008
I love WordPress because it is so simple to create a site that looks good and can be easily updated. But even more I love the massive range of plugins and widgets that are available that make using WordPress easier or help with everything from backing up to search engine optimisation. Yes, I’m a widget junkie!
I’ve been experimenting with Twitter although I openly admit to being a little sceptical since I personally take little notice of other people’s Twits – most seem to be promoting something or telling me they’re making a cup of coffee!
But today, Mark at Healthy Foods brought something to my attention that really caught my imagination.
This brand new plugin (like most WordPress addons it’s free) has really opened my eyes to how Twitter can be a real traffic generator. There is an upsell to be fair, which actually is really exciting, but I’ve not gone for it yet. My Homer tendencies had me reaching for the credit card but I’ve got too much else going on right now.
What’s unusual about this plugin is that is does several things. The main part being it should really increase the traffic to your sites due to the viral nature of what it does.
Firstly it automatically posts to Twitter immediately you post to your blog. One job saved.
Secondly, there is a widget that goes on your own blog that immediately shows your latest Twits. Visitors at your site are likely to look at your list of Twits and, if your worth following, will start to follow you.
Thirdly, there’s the upsell. If anyone decides to download the plugin and buy the upsell then you get a share of the commission.
So by simply using a plugin to potentially generate more traffic you could also make some commissions without doing any more promoting at all.
I’ve decided to try to enhance this traffic experiment a little further and you may like to give this a go too.
Anyone posting a comment on Guru-Fodder (at any time) or showing up in my Recent Visitors box will, as always, be visited by me.
What I’ll now do, however, is Twit those blogs / websites so they will get exposure to my followers and perhaps my followers, followers. In addition, the link to those blogs will also show up in My Twitter Feeds on this blog.
So, for a simple comment here you will get two links – one from Twitter and the other from this blog.
Will that lead to more traffic? I can’t answer that but I can tell you – there’ll be no traffic from here if you don’t give it a go since no one will know you’ve visited!
To join just click the link at the bottom of the My Twitter Feed list or take a look at Tweet My Blog.
Looking forward to your comments.
Mark
If you know little about Twitter you’ll find these other resources useful
Ultimate Twitter Resource and Promotional Guide – (Here are the links to my previous Twitter columns: Using Twitter to Increase Readers and Make Friends, Don’t Take Promotional Personal with Twitter, and The Twitter Effect). My series of Twitter entries created quite a bit of buzz, …
Digsby: Get Twitter Followers and Nintendo SP? – Now I have been on Twitter for a little more than 10 months, and I have currently a little over 260 followers. I started actually using Twitter in March, in only five months I have gained 250 followers. How did I do it? …
Relationship Marketing via Twitter – Social networking sites like Twitter have rapidly saturated the Internet landscape and are flourishing. Is your organization capitalizing on this phenomenon? Zappos is using Twitter to connect with job seekers. …
Using Twitter in your Social Media Strategy – For those that aren’t aware, Twitter is a social network that allows ‘friends’ to communicate with each other in brief 140 character bursts of text (known as tweets). You can send these tweets directly through the twitter website, …
Topics: Back Links, Free Resources, Marketing, WordPress | 7 Comments »
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Thanks Mark,
I had signed up but had not used it. I hope Homer was able to Bypass the buy now or miss out for ever offer
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Hi Suzie – just visited your blog and Twittered.
Yes, Homer (aka AntiHype in this case) did avoid the OTO but was sorely tempted!
I actually think it's probably a very good product – just too busy to do anything with it right now so it would gather dust on the hard drive and I'd end up forgetting about it! Mark
July 25th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Hi, Mark,
Just beginning to try to get traffic to my blog. I love the post about the Twitter plugin and widget. Haven't yet joined Twitter, but will as soon as I read your other resources related to the site. Once again, you have provided me with a good resource. I started reading for the Homer and Marge saga, but I continue because you provide such good resources and information for someone new and tech-challenged.
Keep up the good work!
July 25th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Hi Maggie, good to hear from you. Glad you're finding the posts of use. I need to get an update from Homer – he's conspicuous by his absence lately! Mark
July 29th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
[...] use of Twitter had completely passed me by – until today. I admitted to my scepticism a few days ago but now I’m [...]
November 29th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Great post, thanks for the info.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Hi Mark,
I’m new to twitter but I’ve heard a lot of good marketers bang on about how you must join. Maybe they are right, or maybe they just want us to follow them. Either way, it costs nothing to give it a try, as long as you can resist the oto’s. Nice blog.
Ken
Ken Actons last blog post..Jazz Up WordPress
Hi Ken, I’ve been more involved with Twitter since that post & have reached a conclusion. There are 3 types of Twitteres. Those who want to tell you their every move, those who are blatantly trying to promote something and those who are using it sensibly in their business.
For me I cannot see the point in “following” everyone – you know following 1876 people. How could you possibly read all of those Twits? Similarly if you are being “followed” by someone who follows 1876 people how will your Twitters ever stand out?
The answer is to be very choosy who you follow and to ensure your own Twitters are meaningful and of value – try to focus and be targeted with your message (1st rule of TheAntiHype’s marketing!) – that is, of course, if you are trying to use Twitter as a business tool.
Thanks for your comment.
By the way everyone – ther’s some good solid information at Ken’s blog.
Mark – TheAntiHype