Entrecard Official E-book on the way
Written on May 5th, 2008 by Graham
I’m compiling information, tips, tricks, and uses of Entrecard for an official Entrecard E-Book. This Ebook will be available for free download on the site. In addition, a link to download it will be sent to all new Entrecard members when they complete signup.
This is where you come in. I want to know from you, the Entrecard members, what sections you think we should include in the ebook? What information is going to be especially helpful to new members of the service? What would you include if you were writing the Entrecard Ebook?
I already have a large chunk of the Ebook done, and it covers all the basics: adding the widget to your blog, anatomy of the dashboard, the credit economy, drops vs advertising, reducing bounce rate, selling in the shop, advertising. You know, the basics.
What I’m looking for, and hopefully some of you out there can help me out, is ideas for topics to cover and expand upon in the ebook that are not “the basics.” These are strategies, tips, and tricks that you’ve found helpful enough that you feel they deserve a section in the official Entrecard Ebook.
Feel free to reply here on the blog, or in the forum. Who knows, you’re section might show up in the official ebook!
May 5th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’ve written a few guides on getting the most out of the service. Most of it is stuff I’ve learned along the way to make life easier/better for myself while dropping cards.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
If you had to pick 2 or 3 topics that are the most important, and off the beaten path, what would they be?
May 5th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Reciprocating is a great way to form bonds with other bloggers, and it’s great for advertising too, because you get your advert in front of their eyes repeatedly.
Advert placement is also important – people wont click it if they can’t see it.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
wonderful, these two topics will be added to the ebook!
May 5th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Cool! Do I get a mention?
Just kidding.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Getting rid of the generic widget by asking in the forum for someone to help or going to the shop.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Yeah, that is totally key. Thanks Stan.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I have found that Entrecard traffic gets better over time. People may visit your site quite a number of times and over time it becomes more familiar and they start to look around a bit more. At least, that’s what I’ve found (for myself and my visitors).
It’s also an excellent idea to stop and leave a comment on sites that appeal to you. Chances are if their site appeals to you, yours will appeal to them. I’ve build some great reader relationships this way.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Yes Lightening! This is what we’ve been trying to tell people. Entrecard traffic DOES get better over time. There are only so many times someone will visit your site to drop before they leave a comment, or stay a little longer, or click an ad.
It’s just a new class of traffic. A commuter. A passer-by. Still good.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Graham is so right. It is just like that restaurant you drive by everyday on your way to work, eventually you will try it. If you like it you will keep going.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Hi Graham,
I’m feel a bit sh**ty on coming here to toot my own horn, but I think “You drop, I link” widget is being perceived by people who don’t drop a lot themselves, as a useful widget to increase dropping rates on their sites. I think it should be in you book along with other third parties widgets and services related to Entrecard.
Just my two cents. Thanks for reading.
Regards
Anthony
May 5th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’ve seen your widget, Anthony, and I’m a fan. It always amazes me when people like you take it upon themselves to expand the Entrecard platform by offering such a useful and beneficial tool.
It will be added.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
That’s great, thanks. I’m glad you like it.
May 6th, 2008 at 6:09 am
I second the idea about urging people to get rid of the generic widget.
Also, is there going to be a section on etiquette? One thing that has annoyed me a few times is I have rejected an ad and the person has immediately put their request back in. It smacks of petulance or hypersensitivity.
May 7th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Some ideas already given here are great – like placing the widget in an easily-found spot on your blog, and getting rid of the generic widget.
Speaking of widgets: my advice would be to have a great graphic, with the blog’s NAME in it. Unless you’re Target and can have just a Bullseye or Nike and just have a swoosh, then my advice is to have the blog name in the widget.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I think you could write a great chapter on different strategies people use for dropping, for example I know someone who religiously goes through their inbox first, then goes onto other sites based on their popularity. Some people have a list of 300 they religiously drop on, others start with their inbox but also click the ad on blogs they visit. There are any number of ways of dropping and it could make for some fascinating reading.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Hey thats an awesome idea Carl
May 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
After being hit with several messages today, I think you need to be real clear about what constitutes spamming members through the PM service.
So far I’ve been asked to write a review of a site I’ve dropped on a total of 5 times and a request to purchase an item from the shop from the sender. To me those are both spams as site reviews in my book should be based on if I think your site deserves my kudos, not that you asked me for one and if I want or need something from the shop, I know where to find it.
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May 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Thank you Margaret. I have been so focues on making the most of Entrecard, and the different topics and debates, that I completely forgot about including the “DONTS” of Entrecard, of which this is one.
Added.