I see so many people trying hard to earn traffic for their own blogs, it’s natural. As humans, we like attention. We want to feel important and our work has some sort of validation. Often, with this mindset, we miss out on what is truly important.
“It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. Do not concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory…”
Bruce Lee
I suppose I sometimes see things from an opposite point of view compared to many people. That’s why I never really fit in while growing up, and in school. Whenever I saw the majority herd like sheep around the latest fad or coolest clique - I ran the opposite direction.
When we write about how to gain traffic, we are really out to gain traffic for ourselves. We rationalize, believing we are teaching others how to gain traffic - we are really teaching others to be greedy, just like we are! I see money bloggers often believing they help others by teaching them to make money…they are really just trying to make money for themselves!
If you seek out new bloggers (meaning a blog just started by a novice), what is your intention? Is it to gain a link? Is it to sell them something? Is it to truly make a friend? I am just looking to make a friend.
Some Thoughts on Technorati
Let’s set the record straight on Technorati. If I link to you, you gain +1 in authority. If I link to you 1000 times, it still only counts +1. I cannot add 2 or more points to another blog’s authority. That link will last 180 days! After 180 days, it no longer counts! So…you can fight to raise it, but it is only temporary!
A friendship lasts longer than 180 days, definitely something to think about! This is why I never check my stats…it’s the most irrelevant information in the universe.
Give The Gift Of Reading
“For anyone wondering how they’d go about looking for new blogs, look at MyBlogLog’s list of new blogs. That will get you started
”
Read other blogs and leave them comments. Read blogs in many different categories, other than your own! Brown Baron recommended to read blogs listed in the new blogs section on MyBlogLog. Don’t go hit these new folks with a sales pitch or asking for a digg or stumble!
When you visit a blog, you are entering their home! It’s like going to someone’s house for dinner. Have some freaking manners! Read their blog…it’s the greatest gift to give 
Link to cool unknown posts from other bloggers. Most people link to the same blogs, usually the big, well known blogs. For crying out loud, the big blogs have enough links. It’s like sending an expensive present to a multi millionaire. I’m often amazed when I see a restaurant give free meals to famous stars. Why do they do that? Feed a starving child for free and charge the star!
Don’t Be An Expert
When I started blogging, I didn’t have any readers. So, I started reading about how to get readers. One of the things that stuck in my mind was the recommendation that being known as an “expert” is good for traffic.
When someone claims to be an expert, they come off as not an expert. Experts don’t claim to be experts. A true expert is one who realizes they are but a beginner, no matter how much they know. If you are an expert, let others say it, don’t say it yourself.
I remember the 1st time I heard someone talking about their glass being half full. Immediately, I thought they were referring to Zen philosophy. Hahaha…they weren’t! A glass half full means optimistic, half empty means pessimistic (live and learn…hehe).
I say the glass is always empty, as my mind is always empty…detached from the situation. If you want an in depth explanation of detachment, read my post, Beyond Thought II: Detachment. The western mind is often a full glass. There’s no more room in that glass for new knowledge. Claiming to be an expert is a pure expression of being a “know it all”.
“Remember this. The traffic you give is better than the traffic you receive…”
Don’t be an expert…BE YOURSELF!
I love it! Don’t be an expert, be yourself. That’s fantastic
Brown Baron’s last blog post..Disk Cleaner: Easy Way To Regain Disk Space
Hi Baron! The only thing I’m good at is being me
I like your opposite point of view and I agree with it, even if I don’t apply it too much (just because I haven’t so much time) but I want to change that. Though, it’s hard for me to believe you are not interested in traffic, since you have a few ads and affiliate links on your blog. But I think your advice fits with: “give and you will be given”.
Diana13’s last blog post..Blogs about blogging I like most
Hi Diana13, this blog costs me around $100.00 per year to keep running, that’s why I have ads, just to cover that. Of course you are also right! Nobody wants to write a blog with no traffic. I think it’s all about the perspective we choose to see things from. It takes much time to read tons of blogs, so I just do it at a very slow pace!
I especially loved these points:
When you visit a blog, you are entering their home! It’s like going to someone’s house for dinner. Have some freaking manners! Read their blog, it’s the greatest gift to give
and
I’m often amazed when I see a restaurant give free meals to famous stars. Why do they do that? Feed a starving child for free and charge the star! (I’ve often wondered this one myself.)
So many good points. What a great post.
teeni’s last blog post..100 Things About Me - Part 5 of 10
Thanks teeni, I like to present a different perspective on ordinary things. None of us are perfect, but putting ourselves in other people’s shoes can really open our minds!
Once again Bobby, you have presented us with your honest opinion and I like it..ever since I got here, when ever I read your stuff…I definitely got something… :smile:…I too believe in the power of giving to others and the power of simplicity…
…I’ll stay tuned to your next post… 
nimrodjo’s last blog post..RSSHugger To You
Thank you Nimrodjo! I could take my blog in any direction, I know how. However, there is no better direction than making friends and helping to join people from every place on Earth as one human race, joining in the name of peace!
Great post Bobby. I agree with simply everything you said. Especially about going into someone’s home. I never ever leave my blog’s addy when I make a comment. I comment because I either agree or disagree with a person’s point of view. Also I at least comment.
I read your comment over at Euro’s about fellow bloggers and not making comments and such. Why go visit someone’s home and not at least say hello? Now that would be a stupid thing to do wouldn’t it?
So why go visit a blog,vote for it, but yet you never,ever leave a comment?
I hope you have great week-end Bobby. As for me I am wore out.
Shinade’s last blog post..Santas Blog Of The Day
True Jackie! Sometimes we might not have anything to say. I try my best to comment where I can, but I always try to say something of value. Sometimes I don’t and just say something goofy..haha!!!!
Good advice Bobby, cheers.
Scott Paterson’s last blog post..How Many Switchers Have You Made ?
Thanks Scott! Cheers
I always wonder why new bloggers link to big blogs. I suppose it is the same thought process as the companies that give famous people free stuff. It seems like backward thinking to me. Anyway, good points in there.
clairec23’s last blog post..Yawn
Hi clairec!!! New bloggers are just trying to learn. I think most people, after they gain enough experience, will be less likely to link to the big blogs in favor of those getting less attention!
The word cynic comes to mind. This whole blog world is one big game and people play the game differently. Some take it quite seriously and some are very flippant about it. My view on stats is that it is part of the game and it intensifies the fun, as long as we don’t get totally caught up in it.
As far as someones home goes, when we begin a blog we are opening up our home to everyone. When we do that we should expect the unexpected. I agree with the manners aspect. But, honestly, there are blogs that I read, blogs that I glance at and other blogs that I want to throw up in. My philosophy is that if I take more than a casual glance at a blog I will leave a comment. Comments are the only way we can give honest feedback.
“Don’t be an expert, be yourself” That I can absolutely live with.
Mel’s last blog post..Baby Boomers Unite
Haha…yeah…there are some terrible blogs out there. I choose to not leave negative comments even if I want to, I just don’t leave one. I treat others the way I want to be treated in all situations
Part 2 - “Greed” - We are all greedy in some respect whether we want to admit it or not. The way the world works, and I have no problem with it, is that I will get ahead (whatever that means) by making sure that you also get ahead…..except that I will try and get just a little further ahead that you. On the flip side, If I know that your generosity to me will benefit you even more, but what you offer to me also has value, that’s OK too.
Mel’s last blog post..Baby Boomers Unite
Hi Mel! Here in the blogging world, I have no desire to get ahead. I just want to share and read with my friends.
Thanks for the tips Bobby. I shall continue to be myself and never claim to be the expert that I am not.
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Sinus No More
You’re an expert at making people smile!!!!!! You’re the Genie Princess..hehe
Yozz Bobby!
I think I will never ever make it big in the Blogger’s World. Ha ha…
But I am proud and happy to remain so! With so many great friends that I have come to know, show care and concern and confide in, I think this is worth more than whatever pagerank!!
I share the same view on creating traffic for new sites. I was so delighted when my humble posts started getting comments from great people like you! And they were not comments like “Great Post” or “Nice Blog!”. I was very touched by the many sincere comments from the heart from great people like yourself! In this same way, I hope to spread this same spirit to other new bloggers whose site might not get that many comments.
Have a Great Weekend Bobby!
waterlearner’s last blog post..Fragile
You’re a superstar in my blogger world Karen! I personally rank you in the top 10 of all time!!!! I do realize I cannot meet and be friends with everyone. It is great when you can find a really good blog just sitting there with no attention…and reach out to them!!! It makes their day much brighter! I know how good it feels to get comments from people who care
Ah finally I can leave comment here…
Just today I hear on the radio about how to treat the customer…the expert said we have to give delight service for our customer to enjoy.. do you think we can apply this advice to our blog? We give our visitors and readers a delightful post, try give our best in every post? Of course… we have to remember not to be an expert for them.. 
Bobby I have to go for a doctor appointment again… so I will be back to leave more comments on your other posts ok?
What I’m meaning by not being an expert, is to not brag about it! You are a world class expert at spreading cheer and hope!!!!! I think whether it’s a friend, reader or customer…treating them with honest kindness is the best way to go. Thanks Trinity! I am still praying for you and Cliff!!!! Bless you
If the only thing you’re good at is being you… then I’d say
PLEASE BE YOU! I’d hate for you to be like anyone else!
Bobo’s last blog post..How to “touch” a Bimbo
Thanks Bobo! I will not get plastic surgery and change my name to DragonLord…hehehe
I like you just the way you are too!!! 
[...] How To Provide Traffic For Others - by Bobby Revell [...]
Well, I agree with you when you say People who help making others money, are the ones who are making money themselves.
i love your Blog !! Great work !
Keep it up dude
Best wishes
Ankit
Ankit’s last blog post..World’s Cheapest Car Launched in India !!
Hi Ankit! I am just trying to present a different perspective on the world
Hey Bobby - You are amongst my favorite bloggers. Not only do you have great advice and are always helpful you intersperse those posts with others making your blog an interesting smörgĺsbord of both fun and helpful stuff.
Random Magus’s last blog post..…the means to Meaning!!!
Amber!!! Thank you so much! I want to be myself in blogging…in the purest way possible
I don’t know whether I can agree with all your suggestions. it depends a lot on why you blog. if you blog as a hobby then fine, most of your opinions are correct. but if not for e.g. you definitely need to check your stats and analyse them
Planet Apex’s last blog post..Mercades Benz Car Nailed To Moscow Airport Roof
Hey, I wrote a comment ,and published but it got lost.
nevermind I’ll write again. While most of your conclusion are correct I don’t agree with someof them. for e.g. not checking the stats? comeon…
well, maybe it depends on why you blog..
Planet Apex’s last blog post..Mercades Benz Car Nailed To Moscow Airport Roof
If you use stats to judge success is any way…you will write to improve stats! I’m a blogger not a statter.
nice! me as of now i have 176 reactions on Technorati,
btw, nice blog i found u through my new pal, Dave Lucas
julia’s last blog post..It’s Caesarean For Christina Aguilera!
Now you have 177 reactions on Technorati! It’s been several months since I looked at mine
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I love quotes and that’s a great one. Experts don’t generally go around saying how great they are. Great post!
Natural’s last blog post..David Gregory’s “Just Fine” Dance
Thanks Natural! I made that quote up all by myself…but still don’t feel like an expert…haha