What is a linky? Why should I join linkies? | How to start a Blog

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I’ve been blogging for over 18 months now and throughout that time have joined various linkies and found some favourites… I thought it might be helpful to new bloggers to do a short post on linkies. I’ve also been reminding myself on the importance of linkies after I lost my blogging mojo a bit through being shattered by early pregnancy….  So linkies. The big questions are: what is a linky? Why should I join linkies?…

 

1. What is a linky?

A linky is in effect an online party, shating blog posts. A host or hosts let other bloggers link up their posts on their blog. Then, both the host(s), and other bloggers, read the linked up posts and comment on them.

The host(s) will usually advertise their linky on Twitter. It will start every week (or sometimes every month) at the same time.

 

2. What does a linky involve?

You link up  one or two posts (usually there is a limit), and then follow the host’s rules.

e.g. these usually include: comment on the post before yours, and the host’s posts. Sometimes they also include: comment on “at least one other post of your choosing” or share a post on Twitter.

Host’s linky badge

You usually also have to include a link to the host’s blog by adding their linky badge to your post. You insert the badge into your post using the ‘text’ or ‘html’ part of your blog post. This again adding links to your site to provide more backlinks. Backlinks help Google (and other search engines) find your post and blog (and of course, those reading the posts may also click to your blog to have a read).

Tweeting the hosts

It’s worth noting that it’s good exposure to Tweet the blog hosts with your linked post (once you’ve linked up). When you Tweet a blog host with your post to remember to include the hastag for the linky, the link to your post and tag all hosts.

Commenting on linky posts

Firstly follow the commenting rules – e.g. on the post linked before yours, the hosts posts and then do any other requirements…. and have a look at other posts in the linky.

When you comment on a blog post that you’ve found through a linky, end with the hashtag for the linky. This means the blogger can easily see where you found them, and will often then have a look for you in the linky too, or through your comment. Make sure you include you blog website address when you comment in the box that asks for website (or select Name/url).

If there is a CommentLuv tick box, tick it and it’ll add a link to your latest blog post too… another link, and another way for people to stumble across your blog. It’s also worth adding the Comment Luv plugin to your website too!

 

3. How does a linky help me as a blogger?

As you usually have to comment on the blog post that is linked up before yours, the person who links up after you should comment on your post, along with the hosts. So by linking up you’ll usually get at least two comments on your blog post, a social media share from the host and two views from two unique visitors (assuming there is one host).

As well as the hosts and perhaps some other bloggers will sharing your post (usually on Twitter), the host will usually pick their favourites from the previous week. If your post is selected you’ll get a link from their blog in next week’s linky. This link is really good for SEO and search engine rankings, and of course brings your blog to the attention of other bloggers.

If you’re new to blogging, then join in with a few linkies – everyone is friendly! If you join a few (I joined over ten a week when I started), it will also brings you blog followers, friends and social media followers. Social media followers sharing your blog posts increase your exposure – very useful at times when you aren’t online or aren’t playing blog.

Remember to thank those who RT and share your posts, as well as the hosts. Also it’s worth asking the hosts to remind you each week – it’ll jog your memory! They’ll usually include multiple bloggers together in one Tweet, so you’ll easily find other bloggers who join and can add follow them too.

 

 

4. Where can I find linkies?

Do a search on Twitter, and also check out my favourite linkies page… these are the linkies I regularly link to. I have linked to others in the past, but at present these are my regulars.

 

I don’t always link up to every linky every week, but do so most of the time. It’s also worth noting that you don’t want to link to too many and then find yourself struggling to comment and keep up. Get a good balance and you’ll reap the rewards.

 

Hope this helps new bloggers!

 

Lynne x