If you keep an eye on your blog stats, sometimes you might notice a traffic spike on a specific post. Usually this spike comes from a link from another blog or website, linking to a meme or a social bookmark. (More on social bookmarking coming soon.)

Seeing all this extra traffic is exciting. But instead of just sitting back and enjoying the higher numbers, why not take advantage of this new traffic? After all, wouldn’t it be great to turn some of this one-time traffic into returning traffic?

When you notice this traffic spike, take a minute or two to add a few lines at the bottom of that post that’s bringing in all the visitors.

Something like this works well:

Welcome new visitors! I’m glad to have you here. If you like this post, you also might enjoy these (link to 2 or 3 of your most favorite posts). You can subscribe to this blogs feed by clicking here. (Add a link to your RSS feed.)

What is HARO you ask? HARO is an acronym for Help A Reporter Out. The brainchild of Peter Shankman, HARO is a wonderful source that connects average people with media sources and vice versa.

On the HARO website, you can enter your name and email address to be added to the source list. Then, you will begin receiving thrice daily emails from Peter Shankman and HARO. These lists are filled with queries from reporters and other media sources looking for a qoute or more detailed information.

Some of the media sources that use HARO include:

• National magazines, such as Parents, Reader’s Digest and Ladies Home Journal
• Local newspapers
• Television entities such as FOX, The Mike & Juliet Show and Dr. Phil
• Large blogs and websites

And that is just a very small sampling. The opportunities are endless.

Here is an example of a query you’ll find in an average HARO email:

7) Summary: “Me” Time

Category: General

Name: ———

Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Title: Freelance writer

Media Outlet/Publication: Redbook

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region?  No

Region:

Deadline: ————————–

Query:

“Looking to hear from women (mid 20s – mid 50s) about your
15-minutes of “me time.” This is time you carve out for yourself
each day to get a second breath. So, 1. when is your “me time” (I
need an actual time i.e. 7am, 3:15pm, or 1am, for example) 2. what do you do–play guitar; deadhead flowers in your garden; play with your dog, whatever? Finally, what does this little blast of time do for you? Do you emerge calmerer, inspired, rejuvenated, joyful or what? Please include your name, age, city/state & one more thing: I also need a photo of you! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO RESPONDS!”

Responding to a query is as simple as sending an email. It’s a great way to get your name out there.

If any of our readers have previous experience with HARO, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

As a new blogger you have high aspirations for sharing your endless knowledge, your funny stories, and your most humble (or not) opinions.  You want others to try your tastiest recipes and your favorite household tips.  You desire to unleash your inner writer and make a difference in your corner of the blogosphere.

But what do you really want? What you really want is for someone to read your posts! I can remember refreshing my stats page every hour 30 minutes after those first few posts, giddy when I saw that someone was reading.  Even better was when one of my posts received a comment.  Oh, happy day!

If you want readers, you’ve got to get the word out that you’re writing.

• Linking to memes, or blog carnivals, is an easy way to direct readers to your site.  Try this comprehensive list of memes to get you started.
• Read and comment on other blogs. Make it a thoughtful or thought provoking comment, and other readers might click on your comment to check out your blog and see what else you have to say.  Commenting is also an excellent way to build relationships with other bloggers.
• Use SEO friendly titles in your posts. Skip the cutsie stuff, and get right to the point.  You want a search engine to retrieve your article.  Think like a reader and use keywords that would help find your post.
• Join Twitter and/or Facebook and leave a link to your latest work.
• Write a guest post for another blog. I’ve seen many a request for guest posters via Twitter.  Also, it can’t hurt to email a blogger with a guest post proposal.
  
• Apply as a contributing writer for another website.  Blissfully Domestic and Happy to be at Home are often looking for bloggers.  Be prepared to offer writing samples from your site.

What other ideas do you have for increasing blog traffic?

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