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Are you a blogger? Do you want more traffic to your blog? Of course you do! So keep reading to find out how you can use Mix to get more blog traffic.
Last year I introduced you to the new site called Mix from the makers of StumbleUpon. If you missed that post about Mix, read it at… Mix – A New Way To Discover, Collect, and Share Awesome Content.
As bloggers we all want more traffic to our blogs. Everyday it seems competition for pageviews gets tougher as people spend more and more time scrolling through Facebook and Instagram.
But we believe the best of the Internet is actually out there on blogs.
That’s why our favorite social traffic source isn’t even a social networking site… It is Pinterest and it is a content discovery platform. They actually call it a visual discovery platform.
Pinterest helps people find awesome content and sends traffic to those websites and blogs that published the post or article.
So we’re excited because the new site called Mix, that launched last year from the creators of StumbleUpon, has the same goal of helping people find and share great content.
As bloggers, we are content creators.
If you’re a blogger, you invest your time creating fantastic content and you want people to discover and read your work.
So while Facebook keeps making it harder for our friends and followers to see our links, we need to find new platforms that help people discover content.
Mix can be that new platform. And bloggers are going to make it happen.
Do you remember when Pinterest was born and it was mainly craft and food bloggers that got on board right away?
Sadly many of us dragged our feet as we were already overwhelmed with building our audiences on Facebook and Twitter. We didn’t want to have to make a new following on a new site.
Hindsight is a painful view.
If only we’d started there sooner.
But we have another chance to get started early with Mix.
I believe Mix will be a huge success, but bloggers will be key to seeding it with high quality content that people actually want to read.
As bloggers, we want to fill the Mix database with delicious recipes, clever DIYs, fun family activities, creative crafts, stunning outfit ideas, helpful parenting tips, and other types of top-notch content.
How Bloggers Can Get The Most From Mix
- Don’t Add All Your Content All At Once
When you first sign up with Mix, it can be tempting to add a whole bunch of your blog posts all at once to a Mix.
But you should slowly add your content to various Mixes on your profile over time.
Add a couple of your own posts, and then add a variety of other blog posts from your blogging friends and other sites. I would suggest that you want to keep a ratio of about 20% your own content to 80% other sources.
- Use Catchy Mix Names and Add Mix Descriptions
At first I just named my mixes simple one or two word topics… often that were suggested by the app when I created a new Mix.
But later I decided it would be better to have more catchy names for my mixes.
Also, when you quickly create a new Mix using the toolbar button as you’re adding a new url, you may not realize that you can add a description to your Mix.
I suggest you go through your Mixes and make the Mix names a little more creative – but still try to keep the main keyword in the name. For example, I changed my Appetizers Mix to be Appetizers To Impress Your Guests.
And then I added the description, “Appetizer recipes for your next dinner party or casual get-together.”
Also, you can change the cover images of your Mixes. Pick one of the most eye-catching photos that you have in the Mix and set that to be the cover.
- Use The Mix Toolbar and App
You absolutely want to use the Chrome Mix Toolbar to quickly and easily add posts to Mixes.
I actually love adding posts to Mix because it’s faster than sharing on any other social platform. It pulls in most of the information directly from the url, so you just select the Mix, and you’re done.
Whenever I press publish on a new blog post on my site, I always add the url to Mix using the Chrome toolbar button.
During the day, when I’m using other sites and I come across good content from other bloggers, I again use the toolbar on my desktop to add to Mix.
On my phone, I love using the Mix app. Each day I spend a few minutes in the morning and evening browsing through Mix and adding posts to my Mixes. I also click through from other apps like StumbleUpon, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook to good blog posts and then use the Mix extension in my Safari app to add the post to Mix.
- Add A Variety Of Content From Different Sources
My priority is adding high quality blog posts from my community of blogging friends, but I also add posts from all types of other sites.
While I prefer to send traffic to a recipe or articles on a blog, I’ll also Mix urls from larger websites.
Variety always creates the best flavor.
- Follow Your Friends From Your Community
You’ve spent years building community on your blog and other social channels, so continue those relationships on Mix.
Tell your friends about Mix and give them your profile link.
Your link uses your profile name just as you’d expect…
Clearly, it’s important that you grab your profile name as soon as possible. Use the same handle you use on Twitter, Instagram, etc.
One trick to find your friends and followers who are already on Mix is to click on your followers and find faces your recognize. Then click on each of those profiles and click on the list of people they are following. Chances are high you will recognize some faces there.
You want to grow your Mix community organically with real people who you really want to follow. When you get email notifications from people following you, don’t feel that you must follow every single person. If you don’t recognize their name, click through to their Mix account and see if they are sharing content you like.
- Add A Recognizable Profile Photo
It’s so important to use a photo your friends and followers from other sites will recognize.
I suggest using the same profile photo on Mix that you use on Twitter, Pinterest, or Facebook.
While it’s usually best to use a photo that shows your face and that you’re a real person, the most important aspect of the Mix profile photo is that it is consistent to what you use on other channels so that your current contacts can find you easily.
- Click Through And Read Articles
Before I re-mix an article that I see on Mix, I usually click through and read it to make sure it’s a post that I want to share.
And of course, we want to support each other’s blogs, so we want to actually visit blogs, not just spend all our time in the Mix app.
- Cross Promote Posts And Mixes On Other Social Channels
A great way to use Mix is to find great articles that you can share with your audience on your other channels.
For instance, I often look on Mix to find interesting posts to click through and then share on Twitter, Pinterest, etc.
You also want to share links directly to your Mixes. That’s a great way to introduce people to Mix and to get the to follow you.
- Use Mixes To Save Articles You Want To Read Later
Mix is a perfect way to bookmark posts you want to save to refer to later.
Create a Mix for recipes or crafts you want to try.
If you’re researching for an article, use Mix to save the links you discover.
- Follow Topics and Boards As Well As People
To ensure you see the types of articles you want to read when you go on Mix, follow topics you’re interested. But also, follow individual boards that catch your attention.
And of course, the best way to use Mix is to follow people who Mix the types of posts you want to read.
We’d be honored if you’d follow us… mix.com/5minutesformom
We Want To Follow You On Mix
We definitely want to follow you on Mix. So once you sign up for an account (it’s free of course), leave us a comment with your Mix profile name.
You can follow us at mix.com/5minutesformom.
Pin it for Later
Disclosure: When we published the first version of this post on March26, 2018, Mix provided us with StumbleUpon ad credits to thank us for sharing about their platform and we are part of the Mix Referral Program.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at pinterest.com/5minutesformom
Divine Trendz says
This content has helped me to understand how to use Mix and because of that, it improved the business on my e-commerce website. I appreciate all the knowledge you have shared with us through your content.
Bethany says
Ok I feel really stupid but I cannot figure out how to add a link on the Mix app and the chrome extension won’t download either. Can someone help?
That Lady from Europe says
I’ve been trying Mix for a while now, but it doesn’t seems to pay off at all. It looks like no one is on Mix… but then you have 28k followers?!?!?! Is the entire Mix community following YOU? 😀 How do people find you? Maybe it’s my topic, I don’t know. I talk mainly about travels (and this is NOT a good year for traveling!!! 😛 ). I’m following you now, I’ll stalk a little bit how you use it and try to steal your secrets! 😉
Susan says
I think the reason we have so many followers is because we were such early users on Mix.
shannon s colclough says
I just found out about Mix this weekend and will be using it more often.
Susan says
Awesome! What is your profile name on Mix?
Nancy says
Thanks for this helpful post. I discovered that one of my top backlinks is from Mix, so decided to check into it. Your post helped me get the overview of it. I just created an account and can’t wait to see what happens with it. Here’s my username @nanh77
Nancy says
Sorry. Change of username: should be LifeAndaCompass.
Rdong says
I’ve just started using Mix and I’m loving it. I’ve followed you on Mix, and could you follow me back? My Mix username is rdong.
Tanuj says
Thanks, I was really looking for this information.
Swati | hearmefolks says
Hi Susan,
Thanks a lot for writing this down. I’ve been procrastinating this since years. Signed up a long time ago (@hearmefolks) but never really did anything.
Will give it a try now. Stay safe!
oneTeacher says
I start loving Mix, thanks to you. The problem it’s a little difficult to find active users there. Your blog has valuable info, it’s a rich content. My username is sosteachers (I will follow back all of you guys)
Trisha says
Thank you for the article. I just discovered Mix, and love the valuable info you give about how to use it as a blogger. This seems like another good place to promote blog posts 🙂 I just opened an account. My username is trisha1111. Thanks again!
The North Brand says
Thanks for the advice here is my mix https://mix.com/thenorthbrand. A very nice site and great idea overall.
Kamjah says
Hi, just joined mix @kamjah.. your tips are useful. Thanks
Nekraj says
Jusr started on mix and then search about it on Google and landed on your site.
My username @nekraj and I just followed you.
So its similar to Pinterest where we save hq article in collection.
Sandra La Rene says
Thank you for this information. I joined today and I’m looking forward to seeing results for my blog. Here is my username @solutionswithsandra.
Marjut | The Smooth Escape says
I’m just getting started on Mix and this article was super helpful for understanding how to use the platform! 🙂 my profile is @thesmoothescape
Weird & Liberated says
Thanks for the advice. I only just discovered Mix today!
Ayesha Imtiaz says
I started Mix for Branding our Property Business. How can it woks to get more Traffic.
Lillian says
Hello! Can I ask, how much traffic does Mix bring to your blog? I’m currently blocked from Pinterest which brought my main traffic and I am wondering whether Mix is worth my time.
Thank you and I hope to hear from you.
Ben Paul says
I joined Mix a bout a week ago and at first, I didn’t know how it works, but this post has opened my eyes. I am going to engage more! Here is my Mix handle: @benpolo
Minted Millennial says
Just got started on Mix! Hoping to turn this into a good source of traffic for my Personal Finance Blog, as well as discover new good content out there! @mintedmillennial
Thank you!!
Deepak Kaushik says
Thanks, It’s interesting and we love to implement your strategy.
Mia Angela | miawrites.co says
Hey there! Thanks for the tips. It’s such a challenge to distribute content with places where you get good click-through rates. Good luck with your blog!
Kelly | Fatten The Wallet says
Your MIX account looks amazing. It looks like I created an account a while back but never used it. I’m so overwhelmed with so many ways to drive traffic and trying to learn as much as I can. Definitely need to spend more time learning how to use it. Thank you so much for the post. My account is @fattenthewallet if you want to be my one and only follower 🙂
Susan says
Hi Kelly, I’m following you now! Keep mixing… I think you’ll really love it.
Chrysa says
Can I ask you after a year+ in what kind of traffic you’re seeing from Mix?
Susan says
Hi Chrysa, Mix sends me more traffic than Twitter but less than Facebook. (Pinterest is far above any other source.) I’m confident that the traffic from Mix should continue to get better as it grows more.
In the last 30 days, I’ve had 341 new users and 580 sessions from referrals by Mix.
When you are looking at your Google Analytics, you’ll see the traffic under Acquisition/All Traffic/Referrals… not under Social.
linda cassidy says
late to the party but this really helped me understand it. Thanks Followed you and hopefully I will start using this effectively @alabouroflife
Susan says
Great to hear Linda. I just followed your Mix account and added some of your posts to my collections.
Cassondra Scott says
I just joined Mix today @Cassondra
Raseduzzaman says
Yes, I also use mix for my own website. I would appreciate if you tell me that, if Mix has a schedule posting like facebook, or we can do that using any online tool. Thanks
Susan says
I don’t think there are any scheduling tools yet for Mix.
Biju says
Thanks so much Susan. I’ve already followed your profile on Mix.
https://mix.com/bijutoha
Susan says
Hi Biju, I’m following you as well. Thanks!
Jen | A Cure for Monday says
Thanks for sharing Susan! I hadn’t heard of Mix before. I joined and followed you (my Mix profile name is acureformonday). I’m interested to explore it further and see what it’s all about.
Susan says
Hey Jen, I’m sorry I didn’t reply earlier. I’m following you now on Mix… and I’m looking forward to seeing more of your collections.
Janice Wald says
Hi,
Thanks.
https://mix.com/janicewald
Courtney says
Thank you for this article!! Super new to blogging and had just started using StumbleUpon when I heard they were shutting down! This is the ONLY article I have found about Mix and blog traffic – I really appreciate how thorough it is! Thank you!
Jemmarie Ann says
Now that Mix and StumbleUpon has merged what else can we get by joining the incentive program I’m very interested 🙂
I blog about my experiences and advice people who might learn from them.
Most of my blog are my experiences and thoughts on design, marketing, career and life in general 🙂
Find me on Mix: https://mix.com/jemmarieann
Susan says
Yes, Mix and StumbleUpon have just announced that they are merging! They are working on plans for the incentive program and we will be sharing more information about this soon. Stay tuned…
Jemmarie Ann says
Awesome! I filled up and sent in the form today.
Will look forward to it! Hoping I get to join the incentive program 😀
Kim Button says
I just started following you. Wow, great Mixes! I’m just starting, my profile is KimButton
Nicole | The Professional Mom Project says
This is so cool! I’ve never heard of Mix. I just signed up and followed you guys. Hope to explore the app more. thanks for the tip!