Who else?
Most writers would love to the grab the attention of a celebrity, editor, literary agent, or producer with their blog, right?
I hear ya. There’s nothing like seeing your blog traffic rise like the temperatures in Phoenix!
But what about this?
You start a blog/website, sign up for the “big three” social media websites, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and post links to your blog posts, hoping someone of a VIP status will see them.
You wait and wait and nothing happens.
You begin to wonder if you’re a good or even great writer. You wonder if you should just throw in the towel and find something else to do.
But that little voice inside your head won’t allow you to give up, yet. The voice knows you’re in a ‘niche’ that receives a lot of traffic. It knows you have the solution to your audience’s problem. But you can’t seem to wrap your head around ‘why’ your traffic hasn’t increased or why your comments section isn’t that chatty.
Well, check out this story from Scotland…
Nine-year-old school girl reaches Jamie Oliver
Martha Payne is a 9-year-old Scottish school girl who started to review her school’s lunches on her blog NeverSeconds. Let’s face it; childhood obesity and nutrition are ‘hot’ topics. Who better to speak about this than a child who receives mediocre school lunches every day?
Anyway… Martha’s dad helped her photograph her school lunches and she reviews them on her blog with the following criteria:
- Food-o-meter/overall taste
- Portions
- Health
- Courses (or dishes)
- Pieces or strands of hair (gross)
The good news or not-so-good news is Martha found two hairs on her lunch tray. It could have been worse.
The best part about Martha’s blog is her dad understands why she’s hungry. Parents now have a better understanding why their kids are starving when they come home from school. Now they know the quality of the school lunches that are served to their kids every day.
How to Get a Celebrity’s Attention
Step #1: Blog about a topic that’s close to a celebrity’s heart
Martha has a timely blog topic that’s close to First Lady Michelle Obama and Chef Jamie Oliver’s heart. Both are concerned about children’ health and nutrition.
Martha’s dad tweeted her blog posts, which grabbed the attention of Food Revolution extraordinaire, Jamie Oliver, who tweeted Martha’s blog to his millions of Twitter followers, which blew up Martha’s blog traffic/page views.
Dad did more than sympathize; he got the attention of Food Revolution general, Jamie Oliver, via Twitter. After Oliver tweeted the blog to his followers describing it as “shocking but inspirational,” Martha’s page views reached nearly half a million. (As of Monday, NeverSeconds is closing in on 700,000 page views and counting.)
Step #2: Be active on social media websites to multiply blog traffic
Be active and helpful on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, etc.
Celebrities, editors, literary agents, producers, and other influential people take advantage of social media to connect with their audience and to promote their work and increase their blog traffic.
Step #3: Read and comment on celebrity blogs
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop is the perfect example of the ‘lifestyle niche’ which encompasses recipes, wellness, travel guides, fashion, and culture. Lifestyle writers can find other websites and blogs like Ms. Paltrow’s and start reading and commenting on them.
Writers, once you become familiar with blogs within your niche, pitch guest blog post ideas to the owners. Make sure you stay on topic and write eye-catching headlines!
Step #4: Contact local media outlets
Thanks the efforts of Martha and her dad, the local media in Scotland has added pressure to Martha’s school, which has resulted in the school’s implementation of healthy reforms to school lunches. Children are now allowed to have as much salad, fruit and bread as they want. The only caveat is that some kids may need gluten free bread and or may have to watch their sugar intake if they have juvenile diabetes. It’s still a sticky situation that needs to be monitored.
Step #5: Post videos on YouTube and link to your blog
YouTube is another social media website that celebrities use. Post videos about your blog’s topic and link back to your blog. Not only will this increase your blog traffic, but you’ll shine a spotlight on you, your writing, and your passion for (fill in the blank).
So… what are you waiting for?
If a 9-year-old-girl from Scotland can get energetic Jamie Oliver to ‘tweet’ her blog posts, you can too.
You may have to revisit your blog content and headlines and see what needs to be tweaked here and there, but the effort and time you put into your blog will be worth it in the long run.
I know some of you may want to quit, but don’t give up yet.
Think about your readers.
What do they want? What do they need? What’s keeping them up at night? Do whatever it takes to find out. Take a poll or survey if you have to. You can be the solution to their problems.
Get started right now.
Your readers and celebrities are counting on you.
Photo credit: Stock Exchange: Sigurd Decroos
