Digg is a phenomenally successful social bookmarking site. While some people refer to as a social news network or just a social network, its original purpose was merely to disseminate interesting news.
As it evolved however, it seemed that the only way to get your story “dugg” lots of times and appear on the digg front page was by becoming both an avid user and popular member. This is still true today.
Do not underestimate the power of Digg to virally spread good quality content. If you happen to achieve a front page on digg with one or your own articles, you could expect to get anywhere from 2000-100,000 visitors within a 24 hour period. Read through this list of best practices when using Digg.
Digg Content
Perhaps more on Digg than on other sites, content is king. Digg members tend to be quite savvy when it comes to technology and the internet. They can spot a sales pitch a mile away and can easily identify poor, lame, or re-used content, such as a short article directing readers to a site where the original news was posted – a blatant form of spamming.
All articles submitted to digg should be informative and interesting. If you are planning on submitting your own articles, you will need to establish yourself as an expert. One of the easiest ways to do that is to write consistently about a particular topic, or at least on a specific subject matter. As more and more Digg members read your articles and realise you know what you’re talking about, your content will start to get dugg, which is a thumbs up that will increase your chances of readership.
You will experience the greatest success if you write about topical subjects. Take a look at Digg’s top stories, the New York Time’s list of most searched articles, or the Yahoo Buzz index. If you can relate some of those topics to your business and write quality articles, you will be well on your way to the Digg front page.
Hint: Many Digg members love to read about science and technology, weird and funny articles……and bacon!!
Become An Active Member Of The Digg Community
Another part of making Digg work for you is by becoming a contributing member of the community. Join appropriate communities and participate in discussions, post some informative comments on articles and support your mutual friends submissions.
Study the readership and determine who is reading what. Look for top contributors by clicking on the profile of each person with a front page story and read at least a few other pieces of their submitted content. Determine whose articles these people are reading.
Reciprocity is big at Digg. When you begin digging other people’s works, then they will often befriend you and reciprocate, or at least check out your submissions. It’s poor form to ask anyone outright to Digg your articles when you’re not already online friends. Find members that you think are interesting and strike up a relationship.
The idea is to build your network here, much the same as you would on Twitter, MySpace, or Facebook. The more popular you become, the greater your chances of getting noticed.
Consider signing up, adding a Digg widget to your blog, writing some great content, adding Digg to some of your other services (like Onlywire and Friendfeed for instance) and spending some time on the site every day and you could see some great results.
You can find me on Digg as Bullhunter.
Have a most outstanding day.
Sean RasmussenAussie Internet Marketing
www.AussieSEO.com 2010
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Sean,
I’m starting to learn that I really need to put some effort into building relationships with people on social bookmarking sites. I have been guilty of just submitting and running because it’s all I seem to have time to do.
This is especially true of Digg. It’s only very occasionally that I’ll look at anything that isn’t related to one of my Digg friends.
I can see though that if I actually spent some time networking with other users it would help me in the long run. Internet marketing really is a team sport. You really do have to work with and help other people if you want anyone to help you.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Learn and Earn Competition – This is It
I’ve had an account on Digg since 2007 and have submitted articles irregularly. Some were from my own blogs but more frequently, other people’s material. I’d never considered “getting results on Digg”. Similarly to Jazz, I’ve been a submit and run individual. The tips in this article certainly have aroused my interest in expanding my contacts within the Digg communities.
Don White´s last blog ..You Cant Throw That Out-
Digg is a whole new world to me..
Will start visiting more often and check out community groups
Could be as rewarding as facebook
Now that’s the best summary of using Digg I have seen – and as I joined ages ago, now I might make some sensible use of it as I like content focussed things.
Until I signed on here I had not heard of Digg. I’ve registered on the site, but I’ve not done much with it as yet. Sounds like I really should designate some time for it and utilize it as it should be used.
Hi Sean
The time has come for me to branch out into social media sites now as I see how important they are for marketing myself, my products and helping others.
I think it is fascinating how many people are involved in on line social networking and the different ways in which you can get yourself noticed, popular, go viral or get on the front page of Digg.
I can see the many benefits of being part of social media sites and I put my hand up and say yes, yes, yes!
You say that it is a good idea
Elly´s last blog ..
Hi Sean,
Usually I submit an article to Digg and not hang around. Occasionally I’ll peruse and read articles. After reading this article, I see it wise to visit Digg each day and become acquainted with the community.
I’m learning that networking on Social sites is important for Internet Marketing. I’ll enjoy time each day meeting members and Digging submissions.
Jill Brown´s last blog ..Couples Marry at Common Law
Hi Jill,
I have the most trouble with the networking side of social media. I feel like I never have enough time to stop and just hang out. But, I guess it’s like everything else, I need to schedule the time in and just do it.
The benefits you get from networking and building relationships far outweighs my issue with not having enough time.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Finding Your Passion
You are so right Jazz. I often put it off because I think I don’t have time and that other work is more important.
However, as you intimate, it is more a time management issue really – so I have to get my daily timetable finished and work from it! It’s still half done and gathering digital dust on the desktop!
I also wonder what is the best time to do it – being 12 hours ahead of New York time – and to do it all when the US is likely to be more online – or perhaps that doesn’t matter?
That’s a good reminder about Digg Jill. I haven’t been there since last week!
Like any social type site, you will get out what you put in Jill. Digg users won’t give you the time of day if all you do is submit articles. It sounds like you are on the right track now
Hi Jazz,
My sentiments also, thanks for feedback, Jazz. The networking side of Social Media can be time consuming, if I don’t manage it. I’m working on a daily routine that’s a good Internet Marketing Program with Digg on the list.
Hi Peter,
I wondered also, on what time of the day should I go on Digg. It’s a consideration and especially if I want to interact with the US.
Hi Sean,
I appreciate the tips on how to get Results On Digg . It’s not something I would normally know by myself if I didn’t have you there to put me on the right track. Thanks.
Jill Brown´s last blog ..Couples Marry at Common Law
Jill, as the US has multiple time zones like us it can be difficult to target exactly. That’s one reason I like Ewen Chia’s Twitter tactic of repeating his tweets 3 times a day – and a new lot for each day of course)
Obviously it can’t be done with blogs etc. And how important the time difference is with them I am not sure – perhaps Sean has some insight into that. I suspect one’s name (based on good content etc) is enough and if people like your material they will find you or keep track via RSS etc regardless of when we post.
The time of day that you use Digg is not important. The important thing is to follow other Digg users that you find interesting and support them by digging and commenting on their submissions. If you can do this, you will soon have many “power users” as mutual friends. The time of day does play a bit of a part when it comes to submitting articles, I find the start of the day in the US or the end of the US business day seems to work well