Blog Rolls – How To List Blogs

Hilary, a handmade seller online at Etsy.com, recently shared a list of her favorite blogs with HandmadeMarketing.org.  Hilary is also a blogger dedicated to helping handmade sellers sell more online on her site Haptree and Me, as well as on Craft Blog UK.  In this article, Hilary explains blog rolls and why they are a must for blogs.

What is a blog roll?

“The blog list or blog roll is a very straightforward little gadget that can add lots of interest to your blog,” Hilary writes in her Craft Blog UK article.  “It uses an RSS feed and automatically updates when the blogs you have included have new posts added.”

However, Hilary explains that there is a lot more to this basic gadget than most bloggers think.

“People often read craft blogs because they enjoy finding out a little bit more about the artist behind the craft and they also want to feel part of a craft community,” she writes. “Sharing not just your own thoughts and experiences but a those of a list of bloggers that you love to read is a great way of letting people know a bit more about you and your interests in a creative and interactive way.”

Hilary suggests bloggers think of their blog roll in the same way as the books they display in their home.

“Be selective,” she says.  “You wouldn’t want the phone directory to take pride of place on your book shelf, but the copy of Black Beauty you have had 30 years and read 6 times might even get it’s own shelf!”

According to Hilary, a blogger’s blog roll does not need to be every blog you are following.  Instead, she suggests bloggers think of it is as a tribute to those you love to read best and that reflect your own peronality and taste.  In essence, your blog roll should reflect who you are.

Additional traffic is another reason to incorporate a blog roll into your blog.

Hilary explains not every blogger will look up their followers blogs, especially if they have a large number of readers.  She suggests each time you add someone to your sidebar blogroll, you may want to let that blogger know.

“Why not leave them a comment and let them know,” she writes.  “They are very likely to say, ‘wow thank you’ and become a blog follower.  They may even let their own network of friends and followers know about your blog. You already know you have the same interests, so these sort of connections can really help to build your network and encourage traffic.”

If you would like to set up your own blog roll on your craft blog, be sure to read Hilary’s article “Blog Rolls – Step by Step” for a blog roll tutorial.

Interested in learning how to get creative with your existing blog roll?  Hilary explains how a blog roll can be used for sites other than blogs in another HandmadeMarketing.org article “Web Feeds – Use Blog Rolls for Other Websites”.

What do you think of blog rolls?  Do you incorporate a blog roll in your craft blog?  What other blogging tips do you have for other bloggers?

Share your ideas with HandmadeMarketing.org!  If we publish your tips, we’ll be sure to include a link to your handmade craft shop and blog as a thank you.  Submit your article here.