Get Traffic, Get Page Views

Keyword density and writing an article with a great title always help to generate page views, but so does good old fashioned useful information and controversy. I recently wrote an article about Sarah Palin, and considering she is in the news a lot lately, this made sense. I did indeed, get more page views than I had been getting for that article, so I wrote another one concerning her daughter's pregnancy. Again, a good number of hits came flowing in. Unfortunately, most of these articles will have a short shelf life, aside from the few visitors who will drop in to read them because they thrive on stealing the spotlight with unsavory comments.

Political articles seem to be the trend at this time, for obvious reasons, but I am not so knowledgeable on the subject that it will be my main source of topic ideas in the future. Besides, if one cannot remain impartial when writing about it, it is a great way to lose friends. However, controversy and anything gross really does pay. It may be a good route to take when looking for that elusive page view spike.

After all the research and hard work I did earlier in my writing career, I see that nobody else appreciated it as much as I did. For example; I wrote about diabulimia which is the dangerous practice of skipping insulin shots to rapidly lose weight. This is frightening! Unfortunately, the information did not go far from where I typed it, and not many page views came through on that one. In stark contrast, I then wrote two how-to articles; "Repairing a Leaky Toilet: A Do-it-Yourself Project" and Replacing a Tap Washer: A Do-It-Yourself Project. These two articles got more hits than the previous few put together. Good old useful information really does pay. By the way, for those who always wondered how to make Pickled Butts, you may need to visit that one too.

I also discovered, when writing the Palin articles, that some people just read them for the sake of posting their own political views, trying to convert me to another party when I have not made my stance clear in the first place, or because they like seeing their names up there in lights. Either way, they did visit, and I thank them for the page view. I even got a message threatening me with violence because that particular reader was a democrat and I was opposed to all the negative press Sarah Palin and her family were getting. Again, I appreciate you reading me, and thank you for the page view.

Everyone seems to have one favorite article, and my most meaningful article had disappointing page views. The number of views was not so much the problem, but this particular medical condition I wrote about took my beautiful Mother from me very suddenly. It can affect anyone of any age, regardless of how healthy they are. I have no shame in promoting this link here, or anywhere else I can plug it. I encourage anyone who see this to read it; it just may save a life. "How Pulmonary Embolism Touched My Life and Can Affect Yours, Too"

So, back to common sense and controversy for this writer, even though I get a kick out of writing articles about Australia, especially this giggle. I suppose I can alternate between common sense and controversy, depending on the mood I wake up in.

What is your best performing article? You may be surprised.