Do you want to see your pageviews quadruple in just a few weeks? If you’re a “baby blogger” – as I like to call the newbies – then these tips will be a gold mine. Or even if you’re a “big girl blogger” – or a guy, not trying to discriminate! – these may just be the extra push you need!

I want to share with you today about what I experienced when I started a linking up to link parties and just watched my blog grow in leaps and bounds. And it hasn’t stopped since!
A little background: I started this blog back in February of 2012 and really just wanted to document how I DIY’d and decorated my new house. It opened up the whole world of DIY blogging to me. And let me tell ya! It’s a fun world, and I spend hours every day Β working on it and interacting with some of the most wonderful people on the planet. It is truly my creative outlet and a joy!
I didn’t really get serious about blogging and building my reader base until April or May of this year. Before that I’d been blogging for my mom and close friends and family, I guess. And my mom doesn’t even read this blog, so pretty much, I was just blogging for myself. π Until … I began linking up to link up parties.
I had been linking up to a couple of Β blog link up (or linky) parties here and there, but not really committed to them.
{Does anybody else hate the word “linky?” It’s like the words “moist” and “panties” … we could just do without those words altogether. So, I choose to call them link up parties. Whew, I feel better now that I shared that with someone. You have no idea… it’s been bottled up for months!}
Funny aha moment … I remember one time Centsational Girl announced she was having a themed link up party and announced the time it would go live. I had never tried to link up to a party as soon as it went live, but I thought I’d give it a twirly whirl. I set a calendar alert on my phone for about 5 minutes before the party started. I remember sitting at my computer hitting refresh, waiting for the party to pop up. And when it did, I realized that … holy smokes! There were other people sitting at their computer waiting too!
It was my first realization that the first spot at a link up party is a coveted spot. Because, let’s face it, you get the MOST traffic if you’re first. Lightbulb.
It was then that I realized how valuable link up parties are to building my blog. So, here’s my secret sauce formula …
1. Find a friend who has a similar niche to your blog and has a link party page and start visiting those parties. Look for parties that are similar to your style and content. For example, if your a big recipe/food blogger, then you’ll want to find a link party that features a lot of recipes. If you mostly focus on DIY wood projects, then you may not be wanting to link up to a recipe link party. Just a suggestion. You can find my link party page HERE.
2. Once you have visited and selected several link parties, figure out when these parties go live each week. If the party post doesn’t have a time stamp, I check out the comments and see when the first commenter left their comment. This will give you a fairly good idea when the party started. Some bloggers start theirs at the same time every time, and some don’t. You’ll get the hang of it over time. {I LOVE the link parties that start at the same time every week. Seriously, smoochity smoochity. Bonus points if you can name that movie. And if so, you probably have a preschool daughter.}
3.Β Create a calendar of your favorite link parties and when they go live.Β I type in all of my link parties into my iCal program on my Mac. I program it to send me a pop-up message on my computer and phone whenever it’s time to link up to a new party. That way if I’m sitting at my computer, or hanging out at home and I get a message to link up, I can get on the computer and link up right then. Because the closer you get to the top of the links, the more traffic you will get. Yay!
4. All link up parties use a square image, so you’ll want to create a square image in your post to linking up. Or you can create it and keep it on your computer and just upload the file when linking. If I don’t create a square image, I at least make sure my image will look good cropped as a square. Here’s how I do that in PicMonkey …
5. Create your ownΒ Link Party page. I started out by putting every link up party at the bottom of my posts. But now, I just redirect my readers at the end of every post to my link party page. This is less cumbersome on my blog. AND it doesn’t send a bunch of my Google Juice to a lot of other sites. I want to repay my link friends with a link, but I don’t want to send my every reader off to a bunch of sites right after they finished reading my post.
6. Once you’ve been linking up consistently over a few months, look through your analytics and see who is sending you the most traffic. Eliminate the ones who aren’t sending traffic. Your time is money and you don’t want to waste it. Also, I love a consistent party. if a blogger isn’t posting their link party consistently. I tend to make them off the list. I don’t have time to keep checking back all day long to see when they will post. And, like I said before, my favorite link parties are the ones who state their start time and are consistent.
7. And lastly, edit your link party list whenever it changes. You don’t want to recommend link parties to your readers that aren’t there anymore or don’t post their parties in a regular or timely manner. Don’t waste your readers’ time.
{You know, I’m now co-hosting an awesome link party called Work It Wednesday and would LOVE for you to link up your awesomeness each week!! It starts at 8 am CST every Wednesday. Go ahead … I’ll wait right here while you put it into your calendar.}
After I implemented these tips and tricks, my pageviews increased, literally four times. And since then, my pageviews have more than doubled.
And in addition to gaining new readers, I’ve met so many real friends in the process. Seriously. Before I tried systematic linking up, I was blogging in a little turquoise bubble. But once I got out there, started putting my projects out there for others to see … well by gosh, people liked them and turns out they liked me too. Some of my best blogging friends, I met through link parties. So, it’s not all about the numbers. π
And if these tips were helpful, I’d love it if you pinned this post! Thanksomuch!!
Do you link up? A bunch of parties or just a few?
How has your experience been visiting and participating in link parties?
I hope you have a wonderful Friday … and a fabulous weekend!! {Bring on the football!}
Don’t miss out on the behind-the-scenes fun!
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ClickΒ HEREΒ to see where I party every week.
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Zak says
great issues altogether, you simply received a
new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your
put uup that you just made a few dayys ago? Any positive?
Jennifer says
Thank you, this post was really helpful to me. I’ve been blogging for two years but just started participating in link parties this summer. It seems a bit overwhelming to keep them all straight and know when to link up so I really appreciate your tips about keeping a spreadsheet and setting an alarm. Those two things will help a lot.
Clare says
I’ve been linking up to parties for ages now and the wine thing that drives me nuts is I can never work out when they start – nothing like turning up and being guest number 260 and thinking why bother? That tips about looking at the first comment is genius! I’m off to set up some calendar alerts.
Laura says
π There you go! I hope it helps!!
Ashley says
I know this is way late, but I just wanted to let you know that this post really helped me! I’m a “baby blogger” and have been researching SO much on ways to increase traffic and page views. I know it comes with time and consistency, but I want to be as proactive as possible. Thanks again! Love your blog!
Ashley
Laura says
Oh good! I’m so glad it was helpful to you, Ashley. If you look at my stats, that’s when my pageviews really started to grow. I believe it’s what helped my blog to be what it is today. Almost all social media interaction is helpful, too! π Good luck on your blogging journey!
Jelli says
I do these things too! I started making an excel sheet with linky parties for each day of the week about a year or two ago. It’s so helpful and I’m always rotating the parties in and out as they get cancelled or just stop giving me the traffic I need. Glad to hear someone else recommending this strategy.
Jessica says
I have been looking at the links in the link ups…but I have not really participated yet.. I think I am motivated too now! thanks!
Laura says
Yay! So glad you’ll be participating. π Our link party starts back up next Wednesday morning {Jan. 8} at 7 am EST. Look forward to seeing you there!
Carli says
I am a newbie and am just starting to understand these linkup parties and I feel sooooooo lost! I guess I just don’t understand what I am supposed to do on my blog and what I am supposed to do once I link up. I keep looking for an explanation but I can’t find anything that tells me a step by step what I need to do. But I love your tips and I will be pinning!!!
Laura says
Hi Carli, check out this older post from Beneath My Heart. She gives a great tutorial for linking up with a link party! http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2011/03/how-to-link-up-your-project-to-a-linky-party/
Good luck!!
Alicia says
You’re hilarious. I hate the word “linky” too. I specifically named my party page “LINK parties” for that very reason. Otherwise, it might as well be called “Panty Page”. I appreciate you sharing these tips. I’m not so good at getting to the parties on time (story of my life outside of blogging too). I’m now your newest follower/friend! π
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Laura says
Bahahaha! “Panty page” has me rolling on the floor. You’re too funny, girl! Thanks for following along. π
Richella Parham says
These are great tips! I’ve been blogging for a long time, but there’s still so much for me to learn. I just plod away, day in and day out (and try to host a link party with consistency!). I appreciate your joining the Grace at Home party, and I hope it’s brought you some traffic and introduced you to some new friends. π
Laura says
Thanks so much, Richella! I love your consistent link party. π I have met some wonderful women through all of my link parties and now call them my friends. It’s the best! I hope you have a great weekend!!
Sarah says
Thank you Thank you! I just recently realized that linking up in the first 10 really increases my page views. Love the idea of setting reminders.
As always, love your posts.
Sarah
Creative Ramblings
Laura says
Yes, the top of the link party is crucial! And you gotta be ready with some of the bigger parties. They fill up fast! Thanks for commenting, Sarah!
Christine says
GREAT tips Laura!!!
Laura says
Thanks Christine! I’ve loved your link up party for a while now! Thanks for always hosting a great one!!
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
Hi Laura! I found your link at Saturday Show & Tell. I’ve be doing link up parties ;-D here and there. But here recently I have been trying to be more regular and do several each week to see if it helps my traffic. I guess I’ ll give it a few more weeks and see how it goes, and which parties I should stay with. You have some great tips. I pinned them on my business and blog tip board. Thanks for sharing! Have a great week.
http://mixedkreations.com/blog/2013/09/saturdays-yard-sale-finds/
Laura says
Thanks so much for pinning, Linda! And good luck with your linking up. π Have a great week!!
[email protected] says
I had to come back and tell you…. we saw Dane Cook last night and he did a whole bit on how girls hate the word “moist” – I couldn’t stop laughing!
Laura says
bahahaha! That’s too funny. And soooo true! π
Jennifer says
Awesome tips. I always know I should be more consistant w/ my party participation AND thank you for pointing out the two words that make me cringe ” moist” and “panties”, Can we just vote to ban those from the english vocabulary? LOL
Laura says
Yes, my vote for banning is a sure thing! Good luck with those link parties!! π
Emily @ My Love for Words says
Thanks for the great tips! I’m definitely a baby blogger, and I just recently started linking up to parties last month. I’m still getting the hang of them, but it’s so fun to interact with others and get out of my blog bubble. Now I need to set alerts on my phone! π
Laura says
I remember when I got out of my “blog bubble” … it’s so much fun out here in the blogging world! π Thanks for commenting, Emily!
Gillian says
great advice, thanks so much π
Paula Parrish says
Thanks for sharing all of these awesome blogging tips. ;o)
Laura says
You’re welcome, Paula! Thanks for stopping by!!
Melissa says
Wednesday, you say? Wait, I have to go back to my old pen and paper calendar, ’cause that’s how I roll. OLD SCHOOL! π Thanks for the info, love it! I’m not new to blogging (been doing it since ’08), but super new to actually caring about blogs since I finally have the time to commit to it – can I get a wahoo?!
Laura says
Yes, we’ll have our party tomorrow morning at 8 CST. Hope to see you there, Melissa!!
Karmen says
Thanks for the tips! I found you by way of Imparting Grace. Good stuff.
Laura says
Thanks Karmen! I hope you’re having a great week!!
Brooke says
Such great tips, Laura! I need a few refresh my link party strategies. Have a great day!
TaMara @ ImplausiblyBeautiful says
Thanks so much for posting this ! I just recently got serious about blogging as well and have only been linking up consistently the last week or two! It’s so hard to keep everything organized, but you gave some great hints!
Laura says
Awesome, TaMara! I hope you are getting some great traffic from linking up, and making friends, too! Best thing about blogging!! π
Mique says
I literally laughed out loud at the “linky” comparison to moist and panties. Ha! I love all the tips.
Laura says
It’s so true, though, isn’t it?? π Thanks Mique! Love your party every week!!
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Laura, Great tips! When I first started blogging one of my projects was featured at several link parties and this kick started everything. I always appreciate you joining the Open House party.
Hugs,
Sherry
Laura says
Thanks Sherry! I think everything started for me, too, when I got featured. I love linking up to your party every week!!
Jenny Lynn says
I enjoy link up parties. Although, I have yet to see the results that you are experiencing. I am have been blogging for years. Only recently have I been able to find my niche’. What I miss is not all the page views, but the comments and making new blogging friends. I like giving comments and will give lots. But, don’t seem to get very many. Great post. I totally enjoyed it.:)
Laura says
My comments started growing when I started linking up, and now I have built many friendships through my blog. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!!
Krista says
I’m a newbie, about a year behind you, so these tips are super helpful!! I never thought about setting a reminder!
Laura says
Yay! And welcome to blogging. π
Bethany says
Ya, I hate “linky” too! Hahahaha! Great tips here, thanks for sharing!
Michelle says
Thank you Laura for the great tips. I have been linking up to parties religiously for a month or so and believe me, it DOES help. What’s even better for driving more traffic to your blog is if you manage to link up a post that a hostess finds especially intriguing. Just recently I hit a jackpot with 1 post that was featured on 3 different blogs. That meant increased exposure and readership for an additional week. Watch all of us tomorrow morning, poised over our keyboards, jockeying for first position at your blog party!
Michelle @ On A Wing And A Prayer
Laura says
Yes! Features are huge!! It’s all about creating great content and if you do that, then you’ll definitely get featured. Good luck!! π
Erin Melikidse says
Thank you for all your tips, I am still just learning. I have done some link party’s and have had a hard time linking back I have put a button on my site but it does not always link back. Do you know if this is consider linking back or good enough. I am still trying to figure this out. I hope I not being rude to the party giver. I was all so wondering about the you have to be a follower does that mean you need to subscribe to there blog?Thanks so much for you info.
Laura says
I would either use a text link to their blog, or if they have a blog button, they should have the html code underneath it. You just copy that html code and plug it into your blog, and it should link back to them. I wouldn’t put a button up if it doesn’t link back to them. And I think being a follower could mean anything like following their blog on bloglovin’ or feedly, or subscribing by e-mail, or liking on Facebook or following their boards on Pinterest. I think all of them would be a great way to follow the hosts!
Shana @ Our Feathered Nest says
I love these tips! I just joined my first “linky” party today and I think I’m getting the hang of this blogging thing lol Thank you so much for all the helpful information π
Laura says
Yay! Great!! You’re so welcome. π
Angie @ Burton Avenue says
Great tips. Thanks so much for this post.
Ellya Brill says
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for the tips. I have been joining link up parties for almost a year now. And I can not thank the hosts enough because my blogs has never been the same. I got a lot of traffics and still growing. I definitely will join in your party on Wednesday. I have a question though; most hosts link up parties will not allow you to post giveaway or items for sale. I get it. But let say; I curate an item that I made myself and for sale on my Etsy store then I created a spread, tablescape or a vignettes. Can I post that story on the link up parties? I asked one of the hosts a while a go and her answered was that I can post it. I am still not sure yet. Perhaps you could give a definite answer to this. Thank you so much Laura. Have a lovely evening.
Laura says
I would say you could post it, if it had a DIY aspect to the post, and your item for sale was just a part of it. I’d say as long as you’re not linking up to just a post about an item for sale, or directly to your etsy shop, you should be ok!! Thanks for stopping by!
[email protected] says
Totally with you on the words – all of them! I’ve been jumping into link parties for a while but really just in the last couple of weeks dedicated time to make sure I was hitting about 2 a day that seem to gather the most “like mine” blogs. I have seen a decent amount of traffic, but not a ton of interaction – so my new “to do” is to interact more from MY end and hope that helps! Loved this post!! (BTW – I already follow you on Facebook, but found this at the Give Me the Goods LINKY party! π
Laura says
I think interaction is another key part of building our blogs! Genuine, real interaction, not the spammy kind. Glad to have you here!! And I LOVE the Give Me the Goods LINKY party. π I’m there every week!!
Carmen Whitehead says
This is such timely information for me! TFS! I’ve just started my blog about a month ago and did my first link up party today, The Scoop, which is where I found you. I will definitely join you on Wednesday!
Laura says
Thanks Carmen! I LOVE The Scoop. And happy to have you at Work It Wednesday!!
joann says
Thanks for the tips, I’m new to blogging and had just discovered link parties. Glad to hear I’m on the right road.
Laura says
Welcome to blogging, Joann! I’d love to have you link up to Work It Wednesday today. Just go to my main page … it’s the top post! π
Justine Y says
Great tips, thanks! Pinned! π
Kristin says
Thanks for the tips! I love link parties!
Aleshea says
Excellent points my dear. Most of these steps are actually how I’ve gotten most of traffic. I have a few post that are so old and the link party is no more but in still getting traffic from it.
Laura says
Exactly!! It’s also a great source of traffic if you get featured!!
Samantha @ Five Heart Home says
These are great reminders, Laura! I need to take your advice about setting an alert for when link parties start, especially those that usually begin at less common times. And you just gave me the motivation I needed to create a link party page! Putting all those links at the bottom of each post has become rather cumbersome…
Laura says
Yay!! Glad I could help!
Darcy says
Thanks so much for the advice! I have been blogging awhile and am starting to want to grow it!
Laura says
Link parties are a great way to do that! You put yourself out there, and make friends at the same time! I’d love for you to link up to Work It Wednesday today!!
Kristin says
Ahahaha! I hate the word “Linky” too!!! I don’t know what it is, but you’re right it’s right up there with “moist.” Both make me squirm! I call them “link parties” or “link ups.”
Great tips!
Laura says
Glad I’m not alone. π Have a great day!!
Jocelyn says
Great tips, thanks!
Corinna Ashley says
Thanks for the wealth of great tips! The blogging niche I’m trying to carve some space out for doesn’t have a loads of link up parties. I find that part frustrating. That and many of my favorites I can’t seem to figure out when they go live. Like, come on. I’m tired of being #467, haha.
Laura says
Maybe you should start your own link party in your niche!! Sounds like it would be a good time to start one. π Hopefully you can look at the comments in the link parties you want to link up to and figure out when they are going live. #467 is no fun!!
KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family says
I do something very similar to you, though I don’t have a reminder in my calendar. I tend to link up first thing in the morning and again in the evening…so I know which ones to check because I have them organized in folders by the day of the link party in my feedly feed. Works for me and I started linking up seriously a year or so ago and it definitely helps with the pageviews. I often forget to check what my picture will look like in the little square…thanks for that tip.
KC
Laura says
Ahhh, folders in feedly. That sounds like a great idea! I use Bloglovin’, and am not too familiar with how that even works. Sounds like you have a great system in place, too!
Deby at Moms Make Money says
I love this post Laura! I am just starting a guest blogger series over on Moms Make Money and would really like you to write a post for me. Thereβs a link to the post below, do drop over and offer some advice to all the new bloggers I am getting started.
Cindy @ diy beautify says
These are such great tips, thank you. As a new blogger and a non-techie, I have been dipping my feet into the world of link up parties and am making some wonderful blogging friends π If i may ask, where do I find the gadget that shows who is following my blog? I would like to add that but am not sure what it’s called.
Thanks so much!!
Laura says
Hi Cindy, are you on blogger or WordPress? I’m thinking if you’re on blogger, then it’s called Google Friend Connect. And I think it’s a widget that comes with Blogger. Is that what you’re taking about? Sorry I’m not more help!! π
Denise says
Fantastic article! Thanks so much for the advice. I will be implementing your suggestions ASAP!!
Laura says
Thanks Denise! I hope you get tons of new traffic!! π
Chelsea says
These are aweosme tips, Laura! I so wish they were around when I was brand new and spent hours trying to figure out what times/days parties went live!
Laura says
Ha! Me too!! Took me forever to figure out how to link up effectively. π
Amanda says
Thanks so much for this! I’m new at blogging and would LOVEto build my readers. I have been doing 1-2 link up parties a week and have seen a difference, but this post gives me even more tips. Thanks π
Laura says
Thanks for stopping by, Amanda!
ellie @ creative geekery blog says
FABulous post, girl! Am totally with you for “linky” and “moist.” My husband canNOT stand “pantyhose.” I have started hosting two parties and I have gotten lazy about visiting others. This is a really great reminder. Have an awesome weekend! XO, ellie
Laura says
Thanks so much, Ellie! I hope you have a FABulous weekend, too. π
Jamie says
Awesome tips! I hate the word linky too!! Glad I’m not the only one π Sooo what time does your party go live and do you have an app on your phone for the schedule?
Hugs,
Jamie
Laura says
Glad I’m not the only one too! π Work It Wednesday goes live at 8 am CST. I just went back and put that in my post – might be a helpful piece if information. HA!! I don’t have an app, just my calendar that syncs with the calendar on my mac. Have a great weekend, friend!
Manda Wolf says
Great tips. I never thought about making sure I was the first and tracking when the parties go live, I just try to hit them on days that I can.
Laura says
I think most people just link up when they can. But it really makes a difference if you can be in the top few. Of course I don’t get them all, and I don’t stress about it. Just when I can link up at the beginning, I do! Have a great weekend, Manda!
The Pinterest Housewife says
Great post! I, too, will now create a pop-up reminder on my phone and/or computer for link up parties! Thank you for the advice!
Laura says
Awesome! Glad I could help, Christina. π
Cindy says
Thank you, Laura! π
Laura says
You’re welcome, Cindy. π Have a great weekend!
Pamela says
These are all fantastic tips!! Hope you do not mind me adding my two cents, I will say that a lot of hosts prefer that you put the link to their party on the same page as the post you are linking up. Most people will not click over to the page with the list of the parties you are at. They will just look at your post and move on. The entire reason to host parties to is to hopefully drive traffic to your own site. That is also as you stated why we join parties. If people do not click over to your party list page then there is no extra traffic for the host of the party you are joining. There are host that will either ask you to add the link to your post or may even delete your link which you never want to happen after going thru the trouble to party at their place. Not all party host require it but a lot do so I say always make sure to double check the party rules as to not insult the host.
Laura says
Hi Pamela, I so welcome your two cents. π I agree to check the host’s rules when linking up {I should have put that in the post}. I have stopped linking up to a few parties because they require a direct link in the post. I guess it’s a decision for each blogger to make. As a new host of a link party, I’m fine with people just linking up to a link party page. And I think, too, if you’re just linking up to a few parties then it’s probably best to just put the link at the bottom of the post. But when you have so many, it becomes awkward at the end of every post and pulls your Google juice away. It’s a fine line to walk between Google SEO and linking up to every host. :-/
Brandi @ Nest of Bliss says
Thank you for this Laura! I’ve been joining link parties in hopes of sharing my content with others. I will definitely be following your advice. I almost feel like you wrote this especially for me it’s so spot on.
I have a question about your link parties page, is this page accessible through your navigation, or do you just link it at the bottom of posts?
Have a great weekend. π
Laura says
Hi Brandi – you’re too sweet. I’m so glad this helped you! I do have the link page accessible from my navigation bar. You have to hover over the “About” tab, it’ll appear in the drop down. Maybe I should move it so that it’s just on the navigation bar? I may do that!!
[email protected] Impatient Remodelers says
Great ideas! Thanks. As a total newbie I started posting just because I love my house and would love people to see it evolve. But I get disappointed when I spend time doing it an no one sees it.
I see link up parties and never really do anything about it. Once in awhile I post something if I make it on time.
Anyway, thanks again π
Laura says
You’re welcome, Sherry! I hope your able to utilize the world of link up parties. They are such a great way to get yourself out there!!
Ali Burtt says
Yes! HATE the word “linky”. Also “panties” and “moist”. Are we twins?
Laura says
Whew! I thought I was the only one. With all of these linky parties around, I’m glad I’m not the only one who cringes every time I read it. π Thanks so much for stopping by!
May says
Oh, girls! Just wait until your kids are in their early 20s. You will find that your use of the word panties–especially in a store–will send them into a frenzy of sushing and blushing that is so much fun to watch! So, don’t eliminate it from your vocabulary completely. Just put it on the back burner!
Great post!
Laura says
Definitely! I’m sure I’ll pull it back out to embarrass my teens! HA! You’re too funny. π Thanks for stopping by!
Kate says
How about “maxi” skirts?! Oy! How can something so cute have such a awkward name?
Laura says
For real! It soooo bothered me when maxi skirts and dresses became popular. I think I’ve gotten used to it now because I still see it and hear it a lot. But those other not-linky words just kind of sneak up on me and gross me out! HA! π