First things first, I bought a domain, created a Facebook page for my blog and logged in to my dormant Twitter account. One of the few accounts I started following was Blogchatter.
So, when Blogchatter tweeted about a campaign called #MyFriendAlexa I signed up for it, though I was clueless about what it entails. I had studied Digital Marketing and so knew that Alexa had to do with website ranking.
Soon my gmail was flooded with emails on the campaign.
Till date
Why every blogger should participate in #MyFriendAlexa
I seriously feel every blogger, beginner or veteran, should participate in this campaign. #MyFriendAlexa takes your blog to heights.
- I had to upload a minimum of 8 posts on my blog, i.e. two posts per week. This gave my writing a boost and threw me in a writing routine. As it was my first blogging campaign I was very sincere.
Blogchatter shared with us a weekly reading list where we had to read blogs and comment and share a post from each every day.
The reading list was a great opportunity to let everyone in the blogosphere know about you, that you have joined the gang. In fact, #MyFriendAlexa proved a great way to read amazing blogs without having to make an effort to search for them. Imagine, you are getting a reading list right in your mailbox and you just have to click and read. Saving you the hassle of searching in google and then shortlisting the ones you like. I
- I also learned the most important lesson of
blogosphere , not to expect reciprocation from every blog you visit. You may want to read and share a blog post by XYZ blogger but it’s not necessary XYZ also wants to do the same. There is no entitlement. This, in fact, is a great understanding amongst the bloggers, which I just love.
The best and funniest part of #MyFriendAlexa is that the biggest loser is the winner. Baffled? Let me explain.
My blog had no rank when I entered #MyFriendAlexa, of course mine was a fairly new blog no one knew about and so no one would visit. But by the end of the campaign, I had both a global and India rank. And, the biggest surprise was yet to come.
When Blogchatter revealed the biggest losers, I was one of them, the third winner of #MyFriendAlexa 2017. My happiness knew no bounds, my first blogging campaign and I won?! Unbelievable.
How was I a winner by losing?
Let me explain further.
A weekly reading list is rolled out to every participant where each of us visits the blogs mentioned in the list, pick a post to read, comment on it, and share on Social Media Channels where sharing on Twitter is mandatory. Last year there were around 70+ bloggers so even if 50 or 40 bloggers visit your blog, your blog would get a rank.
Ranking entirely depends on the footfall on the website, the higher number of visitors landing on your website the lower will be your rank. And #MyFriendAlexa gives you just the needed opportunity.
What else I got from #MyFriendAlexa apart from being a loser
- Every blogger appreciates a fellow blogger and provides genuine feedback which is accepted warmly by the latter.
- Entering #MyFriendAlexa gave me an awesome community in the form of
Blogchatter . I have made some great bonds in this virtual world which go way beyond the friendships in the real world.
This year, as per Blogchatter, the registrations have already crossed 200. Just imagine the amount of footfall your blog would get. Go ahead, register here if you haven’t yet ( You can’t miss it, buddy).
Hey, so I’ll be meeting you in the campaign, right? The
Meet you soon!
This is great. I am participating this September and i am excited for it. Just hoping to catch up with all the reading. Waiting to see the numbers fall.
That’s great, Pratikshya. Looking forward to meet you there. Cheers!
First, Congrats for being the best loser. I mean, winner ?
It’s very interesting and encouraging too to see such feedback on #MyFriendAlexa bcs this year is first for me. Hope I lose some numbers as well…
Thanks much, Maheshwaran. It was unexpected. #MyFriendAlexa can a bit tasking, bit its super fun. All the best. You will lose number, for sure. 🙂
Very informative blog Rashi!! Though I missed the date. I am too new to this blogging world, I have a basic question, from where you have bought the domain? Is it WordPress.org or some other?
Thanks much, Praj. No problem, you have next year. I bought the domain from GoDaddy.com. While buying I got WordPress.com
Very nice.. even you have answered many FAQs.. great.. Even I am looking forward to this amazing month…
#MyFriendAlexa
#LovelyReads
Very helpful post, specially for the first time participants like me.
Very nice encouraging words. I agree with every points you mentioned. Yes blogging is as much about reading others as about writing. I am sure by visiting blogs and others visiting my blog Alexa rank will improve.
This is an amazing article. you said it right! alexa is fun
I am participating this time and your post very helpful .. I am very excited.. #FlavorsofworldRead
Yay!! great story! Looking forward to a tumultous month ahead. Already overwhelmed by 12 hour job and homemaking, and now this! But I love writing so much that it doesn’t feel work at all. Social media and other techie stuff is more painful and Blogchatter in many ways cuts those efforts . Atleast that’s what my expectations are. Thanks for the post
This is the first post I read which decoded Alexa for me, and inspired me to participate! Definitely among the best written pieces on it! Thanks a mill!
Very nice curtain raiser, quite useful for new participants like me.
Well said! Guess all of us who joined the campaign agree whole heartfelt!!
This is my first time participating in #MyFriendAlexa campaign. Reading 10 blogs a day is difficult for me in my busy schedule. Other than that I am enjoying the writing part and reading many wonderful blogs.
Wow Rashi. That’s a wonderful achievement. I’m looking forward to doing the same this year.
Love the way you explained it so easily. Excited about the campaign! All jittery and happy too. #MyFriendAlexa #literarylehareads
Already in first week of #myfriendalexa and I am loving it. expecting to learn a lot from fellow bloggers.
Oh yes, Milan. #MyFriendAlexa is a great way to let people know of your blog and to build a rapport. 🙂 all the best, Milan. 🙂
Alexa definely helps me to get back on track both reading and writing wise. In is extremely useful to keep us motivated!
My Friend Alexa is a true friend, I tell you. If not anything else it puts you in order with your regular posting, so you are writing responsibly and ready responsibly. All the best Rashi for this year.
Great post!! i am also participating in #MyFriendAlexa and it’s my first experience, wish i could learn more in blogging. #DelhibloggerReads
Really exhaustive info on #MyFriendAlexa.
Thanks for the information, I just joined without any thinking
Great post. Alexa matters the most to the bloggers and #MyFriendAlexa campaign targets Alexa technically. Thanks for sharing your experience:)
‘I also learned the most important lesson of blogosphere, not to expect reciprocation from every blog you visit.’ this was my takeaway from Alexa as well.
As a blogger I echo your other thoughts as well, and feel that MFA is the best campaign for bloggers. Good post, Rashi, helpful to bloggers, Alexa or not.
Oh yes, this challenge has been amazing. I’m totally in love with it!
Good post. I feel this campaign has helped in more ways than one. Meeting like minded bloggers, getting into the discipline of writing and reading, getting out of the comfort zone, exploring other themes and niche are just a few of them.
I had tried to be a part of it years ago and gave up in 1st week. I am happy this time I am still here in Week 3. I also love the opportunity to read so many blogs which I wasn’t proactively, and explore the talent! Lot of good stuff, and blog ideas out there.
great post, it’s a great colab blogchatter have come up with… enjoying immensely 3rd week of #MyFriendAlexa
Rashi, I enjoyed going through your post on #MyFriendAlexa and now that 20 days have gone by, I feel more at home, catching up on the reading and writing my posts. I am waiting for my blog to come on the lists as well, but till then I am enjoying browsing through any interesting blogs and their posts. As you said, this is truly a worthwhile exercise. Thanks!
#DeepTiesReads #MyFriendAlexa
I read this post in particular wanting affirmation for the task I have undertaken
You have described My Friend Alexa really well. I remember our conversation in the WhatsApp group over engagement. And you have shared realities and facts about that as well. Last you were one of the biggest losers. I wish you to be one this year’s as well.
Taking part in Alexa campaign with Blogchatter really helps. This is my second time and I hope it works the best for my blog
MFA is not just a competition but its a good way to try out something new, new genre, new topics. But more than the it puts your blogging cells in a disciplined action.
#MothersGurukureads#Myfriendalexa
I really loved how ideas flow and really pushed that creative side to write the posts for My friend Alexa. Love reading all the post.
That was an awesome post! 2017 was my first foray into Alexa too. It had been a super experience.
I am excited to be participating in MFA too.It’s my third time and it’s always a learning experience .
Totally agree with your points, this is the first blogging challenge that I’ve participated. #dewreads
#MyFriendAlexa