4 Unique Ways to Promote Your Blog

If you own a blog, you probably already know all the basic ways to promote it. You've listed it with the major search engines, you've been faithfully posting comments on related blogs, you've submitted some articles to a few blog carnivals, and you ping blog tracking websites every time you post a new entry.

However, there are some less common ways of promoting your blog that can really get you a boost in traffic. Some require a small financial investment, others are free! So if you're looking for a unique way to promote your blog, try one of these suggestions:

Host a contest! Contests are great ways to both generate some traffic and learn a little something about your readers. Choose a prize related to your blog topic. If you write about knitting, for example, offer a package of knitting supplies for your prize. If you blog about TV shows, a collection of TV-themed DVDs are a good prize option. Your contest should be something that will help you find out more about your visitors' preferences. A poll question or essay question contest will allow you to learn more about your readers' opinions. Just remember to follow the rules and laws in your state/city regarding contests.
To promote it: Post links to your contest on sweepstakes websites.

Offer a freebie! A promotional product giveaway will not only entice visitors to your blog, it will also give them an item that's branded with your logo or blog URL! Pens, pencils, coffee mugs, notepads and magnets are relatively inexpensive promotional items. You can purchase them in batches as small as 50 from some printing services, and they can cost as little as 30 cents each. (Choose an item that's relatively cheap to ship, too, since you'll need to send them out in the mail.) Include a disclaimer like "While supplies last" so visitors know your supplies are limited.
To promote it: Link to your giveaway on freebie websites and message boards.