EntreCard is the latest mass marketing tool to enter the blogsphere. I question whether or not EntreCard is just another click traffic exchange. On first looks you would probably say yes.
The basic concept is no different to a lot of traffic exchanges. You surf to other sites receive credit that can be used to advertise your site. Not all that different to other traffic exchanges. Where EntreCard does differ is in the placement of your sites ad on another site with the hope that their visitors will visit your site.
I have starting using EntreCard to see what sort of benefit I can get. Like everyone else, I am keen to increase my traffic. However I would prefer this traffic to be quality traffic – people who will read and act on my posts. By act I mean stumble, digg, favor and most importantly, decide that what I have to say is important enough to earn a subscription to my future posts.
My early thoughts are that most visitors are only fleeting, most visitors are here to find my card so they can drop theirs and move on.
This has led me to another question. Where is the best place to put your widget. As an advertiser, I want my ad above the fold, preferably on the left. As a blogger, I want my widget down near the bottom so that visitors looking for it have to scroll down through my posts and my ads to find it. It is a pity we cannot have the best of both worlds.
The concept is interesting. The real test will come over time. The concept is new and everyone is keen to talk about and use the cards. Blogrush (I will review them in my next post) also started with a rush, started to die and was given a rebirth – once again it is on the decline. Can EntreCard maintain the action and make a real difference – can they maintain the momentum or will people eventually get tired of doing the rounds and dropping cards.
I will make one observation – I have visited many blogs now that I would not have visited if I had not decided to join – and most of these blogs I do stop and read, and at times, leave comments. To that end, the concept is proving to be just a little more than your average traffic exchange. I will come back at the end of January and report what changes there have been in traffic and how I perceive the moment of the concept is traveling. In the meantime, if you have a card, don’t forget to drop it.
If you are using EntreCard I would like to hear your opinion and experiences – is it increasing your traffic? Is it making more work for you and taking you away from what you should be doing? Please feel free to discuss in the comments section.
I posted nearly the same thing today as I was updating what has worked, and what is going away from my sites.
I too, am experiencing new traffic thanks to Entrecard. For me, the ultimate proof will be participation in my primary business.
For now, I’m happy with increased visits, the occasionally comments, and new subscribers, something I don’t have many of at this time.
Will I participate in the contests (or even run one)? I’m not sure. I’ve never been a meme fan, so doubt I’ll do one of those. However, there’s got to be some solid long-term payoff with Entrecard.
As far as BlogRush and BlogSkinny go… they’re joining BlogExplosion and others as ideas that could have been good, except for…
Shari
Increased visitors is good although I am not getting a huge jump – I am also finding that some blogs are very slow to approve ads. As for competitions – I don’t have much luck running them so I staying clear for now.
thanks for the visit and the comments
Honestly, I’ve been coming to your blog for a while and also subscribed to your feed by email (sub@datmoney.com). I think I had left a comment for a blog review of one of my sites (either DatMoney.com or DatCurious.com) but I’m not even sure if my comment ever went through.
But anyways, I’ll add you to my link love when I write that post in a couple weeks.
Hope you had a nice Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jay
Hi Jay, your site is on my list for the next set of reviews. thanks for the visit and for the subscription. Have a fab 2008
les
Hey Les,
Entrecard has increased my traffic. However, it did not bring me targetted traffic, unless i started to visit all the blogs that i see in my entrecard dashboard, and find out the blogs in line with my niche segment. Those were the bloggers who are more likely to visit my blog, and eventually become loyal readers or friends. So i started leaving comments to their blogs, highlighting their posts etc. It worked.
Cheers,
Mert
Entrecard is new to me. Thanks for sharing.
I have noticed the widget on a few sites. My first impression is that the individual card graphics are almost always hard to read so you don’t really know anything about the card displayed unless you click through to the site. It does seem like most clicks will only be other EC users looking to drop their own. We’ll see how it turns out.
Traffic Exchange sounds very interesting I could use some please pm me for a link exchange