Linkys. What the heck is a Linky? And why would I want to join one? And how in the heck do I actually join one? Are you confused about this blogging phenomenon? BritMums is here for you with a simple explanation of what linkys are and some input from BritMums members themselves. You see, we are here to hold your hand and get you involved in one of the big blogging trends at the moment.
A "linky" is simply a method of linking up your blog url or a specific post url through a third-party programme which, when clicked on by a reader, will take that reader to your blog and/or post. A linky within a post and/or blog can be in the form of a "blog hop", a meme, a weekly challenge, a blog carnival or your everyday one-off post. It's a way of putting posts together (generally centered around one theme) which then gives readers one platform to come to and visit a variety of blogs. Examples of some popular and current linkys are: The Gallery, Blow Your Own Blog Horn and the BritMums Blogging Prompt of the Week.
There are two main linky hosts that are typically used by the British blogging community: Linky Tools and Mister Linky. Linky Tools began as a free service but now has moved to a pay-per-use service due to it's increase in popularity. The fee is $2/month or $24 per year. If you will be hosting linkys on a regular (i.e. Weekly) basis, this is a reasonable investment for a reliable service. Mister Linky is another popular, and free, linking service which does much the same as Linky Tools.
There are MANY linkys rolling around the blogosphere at the moment. It seems that there is a new one popping up every day! The delightful Ella at Notes from Home has collated a generous list of the regular linky-related features in her Bloggers Diary. This is a fairly thorough selection of pretty much every linky post out there! If you're wanting to get involved in linkys, this should be your springboard.
The burning question is: Why would I want to join in on a linky? Well, according to several bloggers, it's an excellent way to get involved in the community and find new blogs. @Mari's_World says: "Like them! I love the community spirit they offer!" @mummydaddyme feels much the same: "Thumbs up from me- some of my favourite blogs I have found via linkys!" Kylie Hodges acknowledges that "I think they can become a bit of a millstone around your neck, particularly if you have a lot of conditions of entry" for those who choose to host a linky. Debbie O'Connor, as well notes that"I like them, but I need to be careful that the subject of the linky does fit well inside my own blog."
Many bloggers find that linkys are a great way to get themselves involved in the blogging community and to drive traffic to their blog in the process. This can be a massive boost to "newbie" bloggers in particular. One of the wonderful benefits to exploring the blogs within a linky is that you will find blogs that, more than likely, you never would have found had you not joined in. Popular linkys like Tara Cain's The Gallery and the former Silent Sunday at Mocha Beanie Mummy, draw from a wide-reaching audience which includes many non-mummy-bloggers. It's very refreshing, in what can become a somewhat small circle of parent bloggers, to find different voices, bloggers and images thanks to vehicles like linkys.
There are opponents to linkys who feel that some bloggers may only enter linky posts to drive traffic to their blog/post without "putting in the effort". This can be true if bloggers just enter their linky and sit back and watch the traffic roll by without becoming involved in commenting and visiting other blogs.
What are your thoughts? Do you feel that linkys are just a simple exercise in driving traffic to your blog? Or do you genuinely enjoy joining in on the excitement? Do you find yourself seeking out as many linkys as possible or do you limit yourself to one or two that really fit with the spirit of your blog? What are your favourite linkys?
We'll be doing another "tutorial" in the near future about how to enter and host a linky so please let us know what information would be of greatest use to you in this process.
