Strategic tips to use Stumbleupon

I should note before we start that, while StumbleUpon use is heavier in some niches than others, these principles should help you to tap into SU traffic regardless of whether you’re blogging about blogging or Mexican walking fish. SU is arguably the most powerful promotional tool niche bloggers can use.

Having a core base of active SU users who read your blog is all you need to tap into a steady stream of SU traffic. If you haven’t yet developed this core base yet, here’s what you should do:

1. Start using StumbleUpon and voting up content from other blogs and websites in your niche.
2. Friend those who Stumble your articles and thank them. This will start a dialog that could turn them into a loyal reader of your blog.
3. Write about SU and encourage readers to add you as a friend.
4. Swap Stumbles with other bloggers.
5. Link to your SU profile on your About page.
6. Befriend active StumbleUpon users and stumble and review some of their content if they have a blog or website. Active users command more traffic and they’re more likely to repay the favor because they’re Stumbling all the time anyway!
7. Add a Stumble button/link under each of your posts.
8. Add a Stumble link to your Feedflare (find it in your Feedburner control panel).

Points to review

• When writing for StumbleUpon, focus on writing value-packed posts for your target audience. Don’t try to accommodate everyone.
• Be mindful of the post types that tend to receive little interest on SU.
• Remember the post types that SU loves best.
• Practice SUO.
• Work hard at turning active SU users into loyal readers of your blog.