Seth answers the question "how can I get more traffic?" by questioning the word "get" in the question.

People never say, "how can I earn more traffic?" or "How can I rethink the core of what I'm offering so that it organically attracts people who want to see it?"
Getting traffic is a little like getting a date. You can probably manipulate the system for a little while (I had a roommate in college who was great at it) but self-reinvention is a markedly better long-term strategy.

Part of me wants to say "well, duh!"

But on the other hand, I've heard the question asked so often that a lot of folks really must not understand.

Posted by jzawodn at February 09, 2006 08:07 PM

Reader Comments
# Elliott Back said:

"Getting" traffic is good in its own right, as once you "get" some, you tend to keep some of it for pretty-much ever. If you're interested in making money of the web, this is a good way to go. If you want to be famous, this is a good way to go. If your journalistic principles are high and straight, you'll probably eschew search engines and try and build loyal readership.

on February 9, 2006 10:08 PM
# Kevin Marks said:

My son Andrew realised this in 2002, when he was 7:

http://funnystories.blogspot.com/2002_05_01_funnystories_archive.html#85095380

on February 10, 2006 01:09 AM
# T Jordan said:

This same thing applies in other areas as one commenter noted.
I've heard it talked about most recently in relationships.

Everyone always asks how to get the guy/gal they want, but few think about being the type of person that attracts a great guy/gal.

I wonder how this applies to companies and programmers?
Instead of trying to only higher great and awesome hackmasters, why not be the type of company that draws them like flies...

TJ

on February 11, 2006 04:17 PM
# charles said:

yup i agree with you T Jordan.. thats precisely what webmasters should do.. attract customers..

manipulating your traffic in any other form is effective but the effect is only temporary... coz that will not usually convert visitors to buyers, since they are just lured or misguided.. once they see the site.. most likely they leave right away if they dont like the content of your site or blog.

the key to real traffic and customers is the quality of the content your site have.. thats the best optimization.

on February 20, 2006 05:05 PM
# parthiban j said:

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on July 5, 2009 04:59 AM
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