StumbleUpon is a great example of a startup making its way into mainstream Internet culture. From its humble origins in 2001 to more than 20 million users today, the “serendipitous discovery engine” has more than its fair share of bragging rights.
More than discovering new sites that you find interesting, StumbleUpon has become a venue for bloggers and marketers to attract eyeballs. A single successful stumble can give you a traffic spike that may very well lead to your site crashing.
However, getting that traffic spike isn’t as common as finding a goldfish at a pet shop.
If only it were that simple!
That shouldn’t be a reason to give up on StumbleUpon, though. Lots of sites get StumbleUpon traffic. Why can’t you do the same?
Much like any other social network, StumbleUpon has some “rules”. To get StumbleUpon traffic that makes an impact, you need to understand how it works. You need to know little tricks (good ones) that will drive traffic to your site.
Here’s a quick guide on how to use StumbleUpon to your advantage.
Some highlights:
- Use a profile image
- Connect your other social media profiles
- Don’t upvote/like only your site
- Follow other stumblers
- Use the most appropriate category for your stumble, and add accurate tags
It would be remiss of me if I don’t mention what the infographic says at the end: StumbleUpon isn’t perfect.
The main issue, I think, is that when you get a traffic spike, it is not bound to last. Still, that means you get some authority, and your stumbles are more likely to be discovered.
My take: follow the tips, and when you do get that awesome feeling of tens of thousands (or more) of views from StumbleUpon, enjoy the ride and look forward to the next one.
