Introducing the TwitterMoms Blog Network

Today, we're launching a new, free way for our members to drive additional traffic to their blogs. Learn more and get started here:

There are about 330+ members who link their blogs to TwitterMoms using badges or text links. I have featured these blogs on our homepage, mostly to say "thank you" and give something back to the members. We never officially launched this feature, but lots of moms figured out that all it took to get your blog featured on our home page was for your blog to include a link to TwitterMoms.com.

This got me thinking. How could we help all these industrious mom bloggers build up their traffic as TwitterMoms grows? The answer came in the form of a simple "blogroll widget" that anyone can install on their blog. The widget features the latest posts from moms participating in the ad hoc "TwitterMoms Blog Network." Copy, paste, relax. Simple as that!

The widget is easy to install and configure if you've got a blog or web site. Many of you have installed the TwitterMoms.com badge, and you might consider this a replacement for that (or install both) if you'd like to participate in this "traffic ring." If you're reading this post, I certainly hope you will!

Introducing this widget is a first step in one of my 2009 resolutions, which is to help bring economic opportunities to moms who are interested in them. Many of you put your hearts and souls into your blogs, and a traffic ring like this can help you build your audience and discover new bloggers with whom you have a connection.

Here's what it looks like:

TwitterMoms: The Influential Moms Network

You can customize the size of this widget here to fit a sidebar.

NEW! Check out this awesome screencast on how to install the TwitterMoms Blog widget!

How It Works

Using the magic of Google Blog Search, I track the blogs that link to http://www.twittermoms.com and surface them on this site using RSS. I've now created a widget that includes both the RSS feed for this search and a link back to TwitterMoms.com. If you've got a blog and want to get traffic this way, all you need to do is install this widget on your blog! As new postings hit Google's radar, they are automatically included in this network and your headline gets displayed on this site and across any other member sites displaying the widget. Easy, huh? I have "locked down" the widget in case nefarious outsiders try to game the system. From time to time, I may be forced to change the Google Blog Search to be more sophisticated.

The tagline at the bottom of the widget is a text link that helps brand this site (at least in the eyes of Google) as "The Influential Moms Network". Along with this tagline (and some rebranding as we get to it) we'll start rolling out more lucrative opportunities for members of the network. Stay tuned!

Installation Instructions

Hover your mouse over the widget above. Where you see "copy me" simply click, and you will see options for places to publish this widget automatically. Blogger and TypePad are supported from directly within the widget -- everyone else should select the black plus (+) sign and copy the code. You can then paste this into your blog template.

Install, discover new blogs, and watch your traffic grow! More fun stuff to come in 2009. Let me know what you think!

Tags: blogs

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Comment by Mary on December 29, 2008 at 4:49pm: Love it! Thanks so much for doing this. :) It's a little wide for my sidebar, so I had to add it to my links page.

Comment by TheDietDivas on December 29, 2008 at 4:49pm: I tried to add it to my website and its too wide for my side bars too.... Bummer!! If I add a badge, will it work the same way? Thanks!

Comment by Rebecca on December 29, 2008 at 4:39pm: I was just thinking that too Tara

Comment by Tara @ Feels like home on December 29, 2008 at 4:35pm: Just one thought - I put the widget in the footer of my blog because it won't fit in my sidebar. It might be easier for people to use if the widget weren't so wide. Just a thought.

Comment by Rebecca on December 29, 2008 at 4:35pm: Wowzers....way to go!

Comment by Lori on December 29, 2008 at 4:34pm: I tried to install it, but it is too wide for my sidebars. When I tired to adjust the size it cut off the lettering. Suggestions?

Comment by Ohana Mama on December 29, 2008 at 4:31pm: p.s. Thanks for this!!

Comment by Ohana Mama on December 29, 2008 at 4:31pm: I love this! I was just going to install it, which is super easy but is there any way to make it narrower to fit in a sidebar?