Posted 4/24/08 – Kellex
This is the second in a two part segment from someone I would consider an "Entrecard expert." Stan from the fantasy baseball site Razzball has been on top of Entrecard ever since I can remember. He's an amazing guy and shared with us this piece on how you can get to the "popular" page on Entrecard and stay there for good. In case you have seen this before, he also posted this as an Entrecard blog. It's incredible. If you missed part one or the "Razzball" Guide to Entrecard Pt. 1, please read that portion first.
3. “This all seems pretty doable.”
Well, it is, but we’re not done yet. Next step, pick a side in an Entrecard forum debate and argue it. That’s not to say, belittle other members and threaten to Google bomb them. Agree or disagree, and state your opinion. If you’re wrong, concede to the other side. After you’ve participated in a few threads, start a sticky thread of your own. Make sure it’s in the right forum. (Entrecard Forum or Community Forum only. Promotions Forum is a mess and don’t bother at all with the Introductions Forum, it’s a waste of space.)
Your forum thread should never be about your posts or your blog. People can find your blog if they want. If you think you can grab people’s attention with your blog, then starting a forum thread shouldn’t be that hard.
A good first thread usually is, “Is my Entrecard image good? Do you think it can be better?” People will gladly chime in and they will also be seeing your card and thinking about it. This is very good. Also, if your card’s lame, there’s some great Entrecard members that can help you with it and this will help you forge a possible friendship.
(Tip: Another thread that works well is one along these lines, “Reciprocating Drops…. Why is it that I drop on so many people and they never drop on me back?” This says two things, “You drop a lot of cards and if someone drops on you, you know what’s up and you will reciprocate a drop.” Caveat: You absolutely must reciprocate drops after saying something like this. This will annoy people if you’ve said something like that and don’t actually reciprocate.)
4. “Am I going to advertise anywhere?”
Actually, you’re going to advertise everywhere. Take $20 and buy yourself 2000 credits. With those two thousand credits, advertise on the Popular and “Top Three” sites you’ve been hitting every day. Put an ad on every site that is available.
If you’ve struck up a friendship of some sort in one of the forums, advertise on their site. If you want, advertise on some Most Recent sites. Go into your category and advertise with some sites that are now below you. Advertise with sites that are right in front of you. Advertise absolutely everywhere.
Take another $5 and advertise on Project Wonderful Entrecard sites. (When looking for sites in Project Wonderful, search the tag, “Entrecard.”) Blanket Entrecard with your image. Make it impossible for people to be unaware of you.
(Tip: Advertise on other people you notice moving up the ranks. They’re trying to do the same thing as you so their price is going to go up. Get it while it’s low. Secondly, they’re dropping a lot if they’re moving up, so your card will be seen by more people because of their activity. Caveat: Don’t be annoyed when someone rejects you. Turn into a positive. Message them and say it’s no big deal that they rejected you. Their site is probably out of your niche anyway. If you don’t want to message them, at least drop a card on them. Life’s too short to hold grudges.)
5. “I’m almost to the Popular Page and for the first time in my life I feel alive!”
That’s great, but you’re not there yet. You’re about to put everything you learned to the test. When you first reach the top of your category and feel like you’re about to swell over into the Most Popular page, stop dropping 200 cards in the morning. Simply open your Drop Inbox and hit everyone that has dropped on you so far in the day, that should take you to about 50 to 75 cards already.
Now check your Inbox once every hour or two and hit the sites that are dropping on you. This shows them that you are on top of reciprocating. Now around the half way point of the day, start dropping cards on sites that you know usually drop on you, but haven’t yet. This will stimulate activity to your site.
Finally, the Promotions Forum. Go in and start a thread that says, “Ten Credits to drop on me.” This usually gets people dropping on you just to drop and they say keep the credits. If they want the credits, send them along. Finally, towards the end of the day and you’re just about to reach the Most Popular page, start a forum thread in the Community Forum with the title, “I Can’t Believe I’m on the Most Popular Page…” Then inside the thread, you thank me.
First, you’re welcome. Now that you’re at the Most Popular page, immediately you ask yourself, “Do I really wanna stay here if it’s going to involve so much work?”
This reminds me of my uncle who is on dialysis. He says everything can go to turd as long as he maintains the torso. Once you are on the Most Popular Page, all you have to do is “maintain the torso.” You advertise here and there and reciprocate every drop. As long as you reciprocate every drop, you should “maintain the torso” of your advertising price. You no longer have to seek people out, because now they seek you out.
Stop making friends? Not unless you’re a xenophobe. When someone new comes along, welcome them. If they want to drop on you – great. Just make sure to drop on them, because you know firsthand the work they’re putting in. Before you know it, they’ll be sitting between you and Joan Joyce on the Most Popular page.
A giant thanks to Stan again! Please stop by his site, Razzball for all your fantasy baseball needs. Hell, just stop by to say "Hi" to the guy; he has a ton of knowledge that I'm sure he would love to share.