Mike Stott

In the ever-evolving realm of digital marketing, driving traffic to your website is the goal. While conventional strategies like search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing are proven to be effective, sometimes, thinking outside the box can yield surprising results.

Here are some non-standard strategies to bring more traffic to your website:

Host Virtual Events

Hosting webinars, virtual workshops, or live Q&A sessions can be incredibly beneficial in engaging with your audience and establishing yourself as an authority in your field. The interactive nature of these events allows you to share your knowledge, answer questions in real-time, and provide valuable insights to a wide range of participants.

To maximize the success of your virtual events, it’s essential to promote them effectively. One effective strategy is to leverage the power of social networks. By sharing announcements, teasers, and updates about your upcoming webinars or workshops across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, you can generate buzz and attract a wider audience. Be sure to utilize eye-catching visuals and engaging captions to capture the attention of your followers and encourage them to share the event details with their own networks.

In addition to social media, incorporating email marketing into your promotional efforts can also yield impressive results. Craft compelling email campaigns to inform your existing subscribers about the upcoming events and include enticing details that highlight the value they will gain by attending. Personalize your emails to make recipients feel valued and show them how their participation can benefit them. Consider offering exclusive discounts or early-bird registration incentives to further incentivize attendance.

Building anticipation and creating a sense of exclusivity can significantly impact the success of your virtual events. Consider leaking tidbits of information about the content or guest speakers in the weeks leading up to the event. This can generate excitement, leaving your audience eagerly anticipating the event and increasing the chances of participants sharing it with their connections.

Don’t underestimate the power of collaborations within your industry. Partnering with relevant influencers or complementary businesses can extend your reach to a wider audience. Explore opportunities to co-host webinars or workshops, or even invite guest speakers from other reputable organizations. This can not only expand your potential participant pool but also lend credibility to your event through association with trusted industry figures.

Online Contests and Giveaways

Everyone loves free stuff. Hosting contests or giveaways with enticing prizes can drive a significant amount of traffic. Ensure the prizes are relevant to your industry to attract the right audience.

When it comes to running a giveaway on your website, there are several website software options available that can help you manage the process effectively. Here are some popular choices:

1. Rafflecopter: Rafflecopter is a widely-used giveaway platform that allows you to create and manage giveaways on your website. It provides a user-friendly interface and offers various entry options, including social media actions, email subscriptions, and more.
2. Gleam: Gleam is a comprehensive marketing platform that includes a giveaway feature. It allows you to easily create and customize giveaways, provides multiple entry methods, and offers advanced features like viral sharing, user-generated content, and email integrations.
3. PromoSimple: PromoSimple is another popular giveaway platform that enables you to create and run giveaways on your website. It offers customizable entry forms, supports multiple entry methods, and provides tools to track and manage participant data.
4. Wishpond: Wishpond is an all-in-one marketing platform that includes a giveaway tool. It enables you to create visually appealing giveaways with customizable entry options, integrates with popular email marketing services, and provides analytics to track the performance of your giveaways.
5. Woobox: Woobox is a versatile platform that offers a wide range of marketing tools, including a giveaway feature. It allows you to create giveaways with various entry options and provides advanced features like social media integrations, dynamic forms, and detailed reporting.
6. RafflePress: RafflePress is a WordPress plugin specifically designed for running giveaways. It offers a drag-and-drop interface to easily create and customize giveaways, integrates with popular email marketing services, and provides features like viral sharing, fraud protection, and winner selection tools.
7. ShortStack: ShortStack is a powerful marketing platform that includes a giveaway feature. It provides a drag-and-drop interface to create giveaways, supports multiple entry methods, offers customizable templates, and includes advanced features like analytics and integrations with other marketing tools.

Remember to consider factors such as pricing, features, integrations, and ease of use when choosing the right website software for running a giveaway. It’s important to select a platform that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

Collaborate with Micro-Influencers

Instead of targeting big influencers, collaborate with micro-influencers in your niche. They have smaller but highly engaged audiences, which can lead to a higher traffic influx.

• Instagram: Search for hashtags and explore related accounts in your niche. Look for users with a smaller but engaged following.
• YouTube: Look for channels in your industry with a moderate number of subscribers. These creators might have a dedicated and loyal audience.
• Blogs: Research and follow blogs in your niche. Look for bloggers with a smaller audience but a high level of engagement in the form of comments and shares.
• Twitter/X: Use advanced search options to find users who frequently tweet about topics related to your industry. Look for users with a smaller but active following.
• LinkedIn: Search for professionals in your field with a smaller but engaged network. These individuals might have a strong influence within their circle of connections.
• Facebook Groups: Join relevant Facebook groups and interact with members. Identify individuals who have a smaller but active following and engage with their content.
• Online Forums: Participate in online forums related to your industry. Look for users who consistently contribute valuable content and have a smaller but engaged following.
• Word-of-Mouth: Ask your existing network, customers, and colleagues if they know any micro-influencers in your industry.

The key is to find micro-influencers who have an engaged audience that aligns with your target demographic. Relevance and engagement are more important than follower count when working with micro-influencers.

Utilise Browser Push Notifications

Browser push notifications are an excellent tool to engage with previous visitors and entice them to return to your website. Unlike email, push notifications are less intrusive and provide users with the convenience of opting in or out with just a few clicks.

When it comes to reaching out to your audience, it’s important to strike a balance between staying connected and not overwhelming them with constant messages. Browser push notifications offer a solution by delivering targeted updates and reminders right to users’ desktop or mobile screens.

These notifications can be used to showcase new products, notify users about upcoming sales or promotions, share blog post updates, or simply remind them to check out their abandoned shopping cart. The possibilities are endless!

To make the most out of browser push notifications, it’s crucial to carefully craft your messages. Keep them concise, yet compelling. Be clear about the value users will receive by clicking on the notification, whether it’s an exclusive discount, useful information, or an exciting update.

Moreover, take advantage of segmentation and personalization features provided by push notification services. By tailoring your messages to specific user segments based on their interests, browsing behavior, or demographics, you can significantly increase engagement and conversion rates.

However, it’s important to remember that while push notifications can be powerful, they should be used judiciously. Bombarding users with too many notifications or sending irrelevant content will likely lead to opt-outs, and you definitely want to avoid that.

Browser push notifications offer a less intrusive and user-friendly way to bring visitors back to your site. By crafting enticing messages and leveraging personalization, you can effectively engage your audience and drive meaningful actions. So why wait? Start implementing push notifications on your website and watch your user engagement soar!

Create interactive content

Creating interactive content such as quizzes, polls, or calculators is an effective strategy to boost user engagement and encourage social sharing of your content. These interactive elements act as magnets, attracting visitors to your website and keeping them actively involved.

Quizzes are an entertaining and interactive way to test your audience’s knowledge or engage them in a fun challenge. They can be educational or light-hearted, providing a break from the routine while still offering value. By incorporating relevant and engaging questions, you can keep users on your site longer and inspire them to share their results with friends and followers.

Polls, on the other hand, offer a quick and easy way to gather insights from your audience. By asking for their opinions or preferences, you can gain valuable feedback, refine your content strategy, or even make data-driven decisions. Sharing the poll results with your audience can foster a sense of community and make users feel more connected to your brand.

Furthermore, calculators can be incredibly useful tools that serve a specific purpose for your audience. Whether it’s a mortgage calculator, a health and fitness calculator, or a savings planner, interactive calculators can provide practical value and keep users engaged on your website. By offering tools that solve common pain points or provide useful information, you can establish yourself as an authority in your field and drive more traffic to your site.

So, embrace the power of interactive content! By incorporating quizzes, polls, or calculators into your website, you can offer a unique and engaging experience for your visitors, increase user engagement, and ultimately drive more traffic

Be a guest on podcasts

Being a guest on popular podcasts in your industry can be an excellent strategy to boost the visibility of your brand. Podcasts have gained immense popularity in recent years, offering a unique platform to share your expertise and connect with a wider audience.

When you appear as a guest on a podcast, you have the opportunity to showcase your knowledge, experience, and unique insights to the listeners. This could help establish you as an authority in your field and generate interest in what you have to offer. Furthermore, podcasts often have dedicated and engaged followers, which means that your message can reach a highly targeted audience.

During your podcast appearance, it is crucial to mention your website. This will enable interested listeners to easily find more information about you and your brand. Make sure to articulate your website address clearly and encourage the listeners to visit your site for additional resources, further engagement, or simply to learn more about your offerings.

By mentioning your website during the podcast, you not only increase the chances of driving traffic to your site but also create an opportunity for potential customers or clients to explore your brand in more depth. Remember to ensure that your website is up-to-date, visually appealing, and user-friendly, as this will positively impact the impression your audience forms about your brand.

Appearing as a guest on popular podcasts in your industry can have numerous benefits for your brand. Take advantage of this opportunity to showcase your expertise, connect with a broader audience, and increase awareness of your website. Make the most of every podcast appearance to elevate your brand and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field.

Online Communities and Forums

Engaging in relevant online communities and forums can be a great way to establish your presence, contribute value, and subtly direct users to your website. In these online spaces, it’s important to approach your interactions with authenticity, respect, and a genuine desire to help others. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Identify relevant communities: Research and identify online communities and forums that align with your industry, niche, or interests. Look for active communities where your target audience actively engages.
2. Lurk and learn: Spend some time observing and understanding the dynamics of the community before actively participating. Take note of the topics being discussed, the tone of the conversations, and the community rules.
3. Provide value: Once you feel comfortable, start contributing by providing valuable information, insightful opinions, or helpful solutions to others’ problems. Share your expertise, but avoid overtly promoting your website or products.
4. Build relationships: Engage in conversations, respond to comments, and interact with other community members in a genuine and friendly manner. Building relationships and establishing yourself as a trusted and reliable source of information will make your occasional subtle website promotion more effective.
5. Share relevant content: When appropriate, share relevant articles, blog posts, or resources from your website that can genuinely help others. However, make sure your intentions are to provide value rather than solely self-promotion.
6. Use a subtle website mention: Instead of explicitly promoting your website, incorporate it naturally into your responses, when relevant and appropriate. For example, if someone asks for more information, you can mention that you’ve written an in-depth article on the topic on your website and provide the link.
7. Respect the community rules: Each online community or forum has its own set of guidelines and rules. Make sure you familiarize yourself with these rules and adhere to them at all times. Spammy or overly promotional behavior will not only harm your reputation but can also get you banned from the community.

Remember, the key is to provide value and build relationships within the community genuinely, rather than using it solely as a promotional platform. By consistently contributing in a helpful and non-spammy manner, you’ll increase your website’s visibility and credibility among the community members.

Content Repurposing

Repurposing your blog content into different formats is an excellent strategy to maximize its reach and engage with a broader audience. By transforming your written posts into captivating visuals like infographics, engaging videos, or informative podcasts, you can offer your audience diverse options to consume your content and cater to different learning preferences.

Infographics are powerful visual tools that condense complex information into easily digestible and shareable content. You can convert key points from your blog into visually appealing designs, incorporating relevant images, graphs, and icons. Infographics are highly shareable on social media platforms, allowing you to reach a wider audience and potentially attract new readers.

Videos provide an immersive experience and can grab the attention of your audience effectively. Transform your blog content into engaging video scripts and create visually appealing videos using platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. Adding animations, visuals, and even background music can enhance the overall viewer experience and increase the chances of your content being shared.

Podcasts, on the other hand, provide an audio-centric way for your audience to consume your blog content. Audio content is convenient for on-the-go consumption, allowing your audience to listen to your posts while commuting, exercising, or multitasking. Convert your blog posts into podcast episodes, either by reading them aloud or conducting interviews related to the topics you’ve covered. Podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts give you access to a vast listener base.

Sharing your repurposed content on various platforms beyond your blog helps increase its visibility and reach a broader audience. Utilize social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram, to promote your infographics, videos, or podcast episodes. Additionally, collaborate with other content creators or industry influencers who can share your repurposed content with their audience, further expanding your reach and establishing your presence in new circles.

Remember to optimize your repurposed content for each platform. Tailor the visuals, descriptions, and titles to resonate with the platform’s specific audience and formatting requirements. By repurposing your blog content into different formats and sharing it on various platforms, you can extend the lifespan of your content and engage with a wider audience, ultimately driving more traffic and fostering a strong online presence.

Quora Marketing

Answering questions on Quora or other Q&A platforms in your niche is an effective strategy that can not only help establish your authority but also drive significant traffic to your website. These platforms provide a valuable opportunity to showcase your expertise and knowledge in a specific field, allowing you to connect with a wider audience who may be interested in the topics you cover.

One of the key benefits of participating in Q&A platforms is the ability to position yourself as an industry expert. By providing thoughtful and informative answers to relevant questions, you can demonstrate your expertise and gain credibility among your peers and potential customers. As you consistently contribute valuable insights, people will start recognizing you as a go-to resource in your niche.

Moreover, answering questions on these platforms can be an excellent way to drive organic traffic to your website. When you provide helpful answers, users are more likely to engage with your content and visit your website to learn more. By including a link to relevant articles or resources on your site within your responses, you can redirect interested users back to your website, increasing the chances of conversions or further engagement.

Another advantage of engaging on Q&A platforms is the opportunity to build relationships and network with other professionals in your industry. As you actively participate in discussions and provide helpful insights, you can establish connections with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and even find new clients or customers.

To maximize the benefits of answering questions on Q&A platforms, it is important to focus on providing high-quality, accurate, and valuable information. Spend time researching and understanding the questions being asked, and craft well-thought-out responses that address the concerns of users effectively. By consistently delivering exceptional value, you can establish yourself as a trusted authority and boost your website’s visibility and traffic in the process.

Leveraging Q&A platforms like Quora can be a powerful strategy to establish authority, drive traffic, and expand your network in your niche. By actively participating, sharing your expertise, and providing valuable insights, you can position yourself as an industry leader and attract a larger audience to your website. So start answering questions today.

Create a free tool

Creating a free tool that addresses a specific problem faced by your target audience can be a powerful way to attract and engage users. By offering a solution to their pain points, you can establish yourself as an authority in your industry and build trust with your audience.

When developing the tool, it is important to keep it user-friendly and intuitive. The tool should provide a clear and straightforward solution to the problem it aims to solve. It should be accessible to users of all skill levels and offer a seamless experience. Remember, simplicity is key.

Once you have created the tool, the next step is to promote it effectively. Social media platforms can be a great way to connect with your target audience and showcase your tool. Create compelling posts that highlight the benefits of your tool and demonstrate how it can solve their problems. Encourage users to share your posts and engage with your content.

In addition to social media, industry forums and online communities can be valuable platforms for promotion. Participate in relevant discussions and threads where your target audience is active. Share your expertise and, when appropriate, offer your tool as a solution to their challenges. Be mindful of forum rules and guidelines and avoid coming across as overly promotional.

Driving traffic to your tool requires a multi-pronged approach. Consider leveraging search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to increase visibility on search engines. Write informative blog posts or create video tutorials that highlight the problem your tool solves and how it can benefit users. Engage with influencers and thought leaders in your industry who can help promote your tool to their followers.

Remember to monitor and analyze the results of your promotional efforts. Track metrics such as website traffic, user engagement, and conversion rates to measure the effectiveness of your strategy. Make adjustments as needed and always be open to feedback from your audience.

Developing a simple, free tool and promoting it on social media and industry forums can be an effective way to drive traffic and engage with your target audience. By providing a valuable solution to their problems, you can establish yourself as a trusted authority and build strong relationships with your users.

Collaborative Content

Collaborating with other bloggers or businesses in your niche to create collaborative content can be an excellent strategy to expand your reach and gain exposure to new audiences. By joining forces, you can tap into the expertise and creativity of others, creating unique and valuable content that benefits both parties involved.

One of the benefits of collaborative content is the opportunity to cross-promote each other’s work. When you collaborate with someone in your niche, you can leverage their existing audience and vice versa. This means that both parties have the potential to gain new followers, subscribers, and customers.

Additionally, collaborating with others can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to your content. It allows you to combine different expertise, experiences, and insights, resulting in content that is more comprehensive and engaging. Collaborative content often sparks creativity and innovation, as brainstorming and exchanging ideas with others can lead to unique approaches and fresh angles.

Moreover, collaborating with others can also help you establish valuable connections and relationships within your industry. Building a network of like-minded individuals or businesses can lead to future collaborations, guest posting opportunities, and even business partnerships. Connecting with others in your niche can broaden your professional circle, opening doors to further growth and possibilities.

To initiate a collaboration, reach out to bloggers or businesses who share similar interests or target audiences. Craft a thoughtful pitch highlighting the potential benefits of working together and how your collaboration could provide value to both parties. Be open to exploring different formats for collaborative content, such as guest blog posts, podcast interviews, joint webinars, or even creating a co-branded product or service.

Remember that successful collaborations are based on mutual respect, clear communication, and a shared vision. Be willing to compromise, listen to the ideas and suggestions of your collaborators, and be open to creating something truly unique and valuable together.

Collaborating with other bloggers or businesses in your niche offers a win-win situation. It allows you to tap into new audiences, create compelling content, and build valuable connections within your industry. So, don’t hesitate to explore collaboration opportunities and unlock the growth potential they can bring to your blog or business.

Run a Referral Program

Encourage your existing customers or visitors to refer new users to your site by offering them discounts or other incentives through a referral program. An effective referral program can be a powerful tool to expand your customer base and increase brand awareness. By leveraging the trust and loyalty that your current customers have in your business, you can tap into their networks and attract new customers who are more likely to convert and become loyal supporters themselves.

One way to implement a referral program is by offering discounts or special promotions to both the referrer and the referred customer. This creates a win-win situation where both parties benefit. For example, you can provide a unique referral code that customers can share with their friends or family. When someone uses the code to make a purchase, both the referrer and the referred customer can receive a percentage off their next order or enjoy free shipping.

In addition to discounts, you can also consider offering other incentives such as exclusive access to new products or services, early bird discounts for events, or even cash rewards. These incentives can motivate your existing customers to actively promote your business to their networks.

To maximize the effectiveness of your referral program, make it easy for customers to participate. Provide them with clear instructions on how to generate and share their unique referral codes. Consider integrating the referral program into your website or app, allowing customers to easily track their referrals and rewards.

It’s important to promote your referral program to your existing customers and visitors. Utilize various marketing channels such as email campaigns, social media posts, and on-site banners to create awareness and encourage participation. Highlight the benefits and value that both the referrers and referred customers can enjoy to incentivize them to take part in the program.

Remember to constantly analyze the performance of your referral program and make any necessary adjustments to optimize its effectiveness. Monitor metrics such as the number of referrals, conversion rates, and the lifetime value of referred customers. This will help you gauge the success of your program and uncover opportunities for improvement.

By implementing a well-designed referral program, you can harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing and leverage your existing customer base to drive new user acquisition. Start incentivizing your customers to refer new users today and watch your audience grow while nurturing valuable customer relationships.

Email Signature Marketing

Including a link to your latest blog post or a key page on your website in your email signature can be an effective strategy to drive more traffic. This subtle yet impactful approach allows you to promote your content without being overly intrusive. By simply adding a hyperlink to your email signature, you create an opportunity for recipients to discover your latest blog post or explore important pages on your website.

Not only does this tactic help increase the visibility of your content, but it also enhances your professional image. By demonstrating that you consistently produce valuable and informative content, you showcase your expertise and establish yourself as a reputable source in your field.

Moreover, incorporating a link in your email signature serves as a constant reminder to your contacts about your blog or website. Whenever you interact with colleagues, clients, or potential partners via email, they are exposed to the link and may feel compelled to click on it out of curiosity or interest. This simple gesture can potentially lead to more traffic, engagement, and conversions.

To maximize the impact of your email signature, consider implementing the following best practices:

1. Choose the right page: Decide whether you want to promote your latest blog post or direct people to a key page on your website. If you frequently publish new content, featuring the most recent post can be a great way to keep readers updated. On the other hand, highlighting a vital page that provides value, such as a resource hub or a product/service offering, can also be effective.
2. Keep it concise: To maintain a clean and professional appearance, limit your email signature to one or two hyperlinks. Including too many links might overwhelm recipients and dilute the impact. By focusing on a specific blog post or essential page, you increase the likelihood of attracting the attention of your recipients.
3. Use compelling anchor text: Instead of simply pasting the URL, create an engaging anchor text for your hyperlink. For example, if you want to promote your latest blog post about “The Importance of Email Marketing,” you can use the anchor text “Read our latest blog post on the importance of email marketing.” This approach captures attention and entices recipients to click on the link.
4. Consider visual cues: If the email client allows it, you may enhance your email signature by adding a small icon or button next to your link. This visual cue can draw attention and make the link more clickable.

By strategically including a link to your latest blog post or a key page in your email signature, you leverage the power of every email you send. It’s a simple yet effective way to drive more traffic to your website, increase engagement, and ultimately achieve your online goals.

LinkedIn Articles

Finally republish your blog posts as LinkedIn articles with a link back to your website. It can help reach a broader professional audience and drive traffic back to your site.

Each of these unconventional strategies requires a tailored approach depending on your industry and target audience. By venturing beyond the beaten path, you may discover a reservoir of untapped traffic, waiting to be channeled to your website.

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