Network Search Helps Readers Find Your Blog
October 29, 2008 · Print This Article
Lijit is something we discovered at Blog World Expo in Las Vegas. First, I "lost everything" in a pitiful but friendly game of poker with the b5media people
The b5media people recommended that I not play poker in any of the casinos. Ever. (I didn’t.)
Then, they indirectly recommended that I explore Lijit. It’s the network search tool that they are already using for their b5media blogs. Visit Phil Gerbyshak’s b5media blog Slacker Manager , and you’ll see the Lijit search just under the fold on the right. (Hi Phil!)
So, I tromped over to the Lijit people. They were so gracious, I couldn’t believe it. Just because I liked them, I gave the widget a try. Why not?
Well, I have had it for a month now, and it’s pretty awesome. There are lots of bells and whistles, but their big service comes down to this-we can all search each other’s blogs from our own blogs.
Think about that for a minute.
No, forget that. Stop thinking and just go do it. Visit GoodWordEditing.com and run a search on the word “retreat.” You can see that we have the Lijit search just to the right here, but I need you to stay on this page and keep reading after you play around with the search.
By exploring the Lijit Picks and the Network search, you’ll organically find your way to these other network blogs and network writing projects…
- http://freedominthedance.blogspot.com/2008/05/retreat-retreat-retreat.html
- http://spaghettipie.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/retreat/
- http://middlezonemusings.com/the-power-of-retreat/
- http://www.reallivepreacher.com/node/211
- http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/2008/08/arrested.html
- http://successcreeations.com/value-in-getting-away/435/
- http://www.goodwordediting.com/retreat-get-a-handle-on-gods-design/418/
*** Warning Geek Paragraph Ahead ***
And the search is customizable. You’ll get more network results at GoodWordEditing.com, than you will on some blogs. That’s because in addition to providing search results from my blog, I’ve told Lijit to search my network of social media contacts through the services like del.icio.us, linkedin, disqus, flickr, and youtube. And that includes a whole lot you YOU GUYS. If that makes no sense or seems too complicated for you, don’t worry about it.
*** Resuming Content for Nongeeks ***
The point is, we’re already all connected just a little bit because of the social media work that Chris, Gordon, L.L., Sam Van Eman, and others are already doing.
But now we have the opportunity to connect even more closely . And that’s what this network is about, right?
Real connections. Real conversations. Real encouragement.
Real community. Shared values.
So, if you’re interested in installing Lijit, leave a comment here or email Marcus at marcus@highcallingblogs.com . I’ve been working with the Lijit staff for a month now, and they are going to help us load as many people as possible into the network search.
Remember, once you install Lijit, any search on any blog in our network can return results from YOUR BLOG. And vice versa. b5media is already using this–and they are pretty much the most successful blog network in the world. You’ll be able to search the entire network without ever leaving your own URL!
If you don’t trust me, look into Lijit yourself.
Then leave a comment here or email me to let me know you’re interested.
Marcus, will this work on blogs that aren’t hosted by High Callings too? If so, then is that search widget up there all readers will see? Can I limit it to HCB blogs, add others, or stuff like that?
Robert, The Lijit widget will work just fine with blogs not hosted on HighCallingBlogs.com. In fact, most of the blogs in our community that we have been testing it on, including my own, are hosted elsewhere.
Not to complicate things, (as the non-geeks eyes start to glaze over) but you can add your own social media site accounts, like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Delicious, StumbleUpon, and a whole lot more to your Lijit widget if you want. Not only will the widget search across the HighCallingBlogs network, but it can search across your own social media sphere as well.
Each user can customize their widget how they want, or leave it in the default settings, whichever they prefer.
Marcus.
I picked up the Legit stuff after I saw you so engrossed at their table at GodBlog. I didnt get the whole skinny, but I came home and put Legit on my blog….You didnt even mention the analytics they provide — which is good stuff.
David
Thanks for the post and kind words Marcus. Everyone here at Lijit appreciates your support. You’ve done a great job explaining the value of our network search and it’s been my pleasure to help out!
And Chris, thanks for all your assistance with the additional geek explanation.
I’m looking forward to seeing all of the HighCallingBlogs benefit from Lijit. Feel free to send questions my way as well. I’m tara at lijit dot com.
I’ve got it at Seedlings, but I want it at Green Inventions too (well, I set it up there, but without the cool High Calling header… : ) Help?
I signed up a while ago, but can’t install it on my wordpress.com site
Sounds great. I’m in! Will install it today. Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I’m forwarding your information to Tara–she’s great to work with.
Robert, in my opinion, Lijit is absolutely something you’d want on MiddleZoneMusings.com.
spaghettipie, if Tara can’t help you install the widget on wordpress.com, give me a holler and I’ll talk you through it.
Include me please! Thank you
[...] both Tod AND Mark have already installed their HighCallingBlogs.com Lijit search widgets… a2a_linkname=”Confessions of a great leader”; [...]
yup … i want it at weaving the hours … please and thank you.
Marcus,
I didn’t make it to GodBlogCon because i had other commitments, but your post gave me a great tidbit of helpful information.
Also i wanted to say how impressed i was that Tara emailed me personally within 24 hours to tell me that she had tweaked the lijit search for my blog so that it returned better results on highcalling. I told her i was really impressed with the service, but i wanted to say it here too…
I haven’t tapped the full potential of lijit on my blog - but i like it so far.
A.
Dude… I am toally installing this on both of my sites…
I’m in!
count me in. sounds like fun.