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How to Get a Ratings Bump Without George Clooney

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So, ER is finally winding down. I have to tell you that I haven’t watched the medical drama since George left the set. I have that thing where you believe you have every illness that happens on the show (even gun shot wounds, which last I heard aren’t a communicable disease). What’s that called? Oh yeah, hypochondria.

But, I dealt with it for Clooney.

Anyway, for the end of the series, ER brought all of the heavy hitters back, the original cast: Eriq La Salle, Julianna Margulies, Anthony Edwards…and, yes, George.

I was just standing in my kitchen daydreaming about Hollywood, as I often do. And, I was imagining the producers of the show finding out that everyone was coming back – George Clooney, in particular – and how they must be thrilled to get the ratings bump.

And, it occurred to me that what us bloggers deal with – the highs and lows of stats, the rare superstar post, the prized guest post or the coveted mention on a bloggeratti’s blog – isn’t so different from this television phenomenon.

Their episodes are our posts. Their guest stars are, well, our guest stars. Their feature on the Today Show is our feature on Chris Brogan’s blog. The ratings bump sometimes disappears in a flash, but sometimes the audience stays, grows, builds. We both win awards – though ours isn’t quite as prestigious…yet. But, we’re getting there.

So, if you can’t get George, what do you do for this ratings bump? Here are some ideas:

  1. Bring in a guest blogger who has a wide audience in a field that will be valuable to your readers, but won’t take your readers away.
  2. Same as above, but make it an interview.
  3. In either case, ask your guest to mention the appearance to their readers.
  4. Write something really good about a very hot and current topic.
  5. Guest post or be interviewed on someone else’s blog and meet their audience.
  6. Have a social media network that supports you and shares you (because you do the same for them).
  7. Provide information and value – give the people what they need!

Okay, chime in – your ideas always dazzle…

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Join the discussion 10 Comments

  • Kim Lucas says:

    Or you can put on a dazzling presentation at a seminar, networking event or school. You initially will gain a “bump” for curiousity seekers but may find a few diamond followers in the rough.

  • Julie Roads says:

    Thanks, Kim – excellent point. I’ll try NOT to read into that one!

  • Anne Mayhew says:

    Love to see the spikes up in my stats and then it’s a real bummer feeling when they level out again…Never thought I’d see the spikes on some of the topics that seemed run of the mill to me!

  • Ari Herzog says:

    I’ve seen enough episodes of ER over the years. Not every one, mind you, but enough to follow character development and plots, even if it’s every few weeks or months.

    I started watching it again three weeks ago when Noah Wyle rejoined the cast. I noticed last night the episodes are also on the NBC.com site in full. Last night, I saw the episode. I won’t give anything away, but Juliana and George’s parts were anything but central to the storyline. I do see Eriq LaSalle cameoing again.

    Anyway, if I’m a TV producer and I can’t get George, I bring in a creative writer like Julie Roads.

  • Julie Roads says:

    Oh, Ari…NBC can’t afford me.
    I believe they just brought those folks in as a last hurrah – there is no more story line…the end is upon us.

  • Great post and oddly enough I’m now watching ER again (after several years off) because it’s ending!
    BTW Julie…wanna do a guest post over on my blog? LOL

  • Julie Roads says:

    Janine – I would love to…we’ll talk (as they say…) Especially since I ‘kind of’ have twins – it could be a great match!

  • Lorrie says:

    Thank you for the advice, I am going to be doing a blog swap for one posts with beautywriter and i have several interviews planned with some celebs for my blog.

  • Alisa Bowman says:

    I also get a bump whenever I write about sex, but I’m not sure how you would be able to do that here. Unless, of course, you decide it’s a cure for writer’s block… which it probably is.

    I recently have attempted to break free from my addiction to my “stats.” I only check them once a week now, and it has allowed me to be happier. I now focus more on the nice comments and emails I get from others, which helps me remember why I am doing this.

  • There is certainly a lot to know regarding this. We think you made great points also.

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