Why Alltop Rocks, and How to Get Listed There
You know I'm always on the troll to discover new ways to help you maximize your presence on the Internet. Here's one of my latest discoveries and how you can take advantage of it. Alltop is a "content aggregator" that collects "all the top" Web-based blog posts and news articles in different categories and makes them easily accessible at one website. Alltop devotes each page at its website to a different category. Fashion, beauty, autism, Christianity, photography, wine, yoga, zoology, nursing, HIV, gardening, sports, social media … You name it, and it's either at Alltop or it will be soon. Guess what my favorite Alltop category is?
You guessed it: small business. And its a good thing too because yesterday, I was informed that Indie Business Blog's application to be included in Alltop's small business category was accepted. (UPDATE: On November 4, I was informed by Alltop that my blog feed was also added to their "women" category.)This is a very good thing for my blog, and I think it might be a good one for yours too. So this post details the steps I took to get listed in Alltop. There's no right or wrong way to do this. This is just what worked for me. At the end of the post, find out how to get a copy of my Alltop pitch, which you can use as a template for your own pitch.
About Alltop
When people log onto the Internet, they are usually looking for information. Alltop's purpose is to aggregate or collect this information in one place, thereby making it easier, faster and more efficient for people to find the information they are looking for. Not only does Alltop aggregate the content via a feed from the content originator, it separates this content into categories. This makes it easier for an Alltop site visitor to find quality information that interests them all in one place.
When you log onto your favorite search engine and enter key words, what happens? You get dozens if not hundreds of pages of potentially relevant website links. Where do you start? How do you know that the content you find is going to be useful? You don't know, until you take the time to click on it. While search engines can still be useful, Alltop adds a new dimension to your search for information by collecting what you are interested in by subject matter and making several quality links on that subject available to you in one place.
Alltop "clears" the links it includes at its website in terms of relevance and timeliness. No more clicking on a link that sounds good, only to find that it's from an article dated May 3, 1987.
As of mid-September, there were 213 topics at Alltop. I'm sure they've added more by now. I believe that Alltop will make it easier for more people to find out about the Indie Business Blog, and that's why I wanted to be included. Would you like to be listed at a site that makes it easier for people to find out about you, and which touts itself as the place to find "all the top information" on the Internet? Darn skippy you do! That's why I'm going to tell you how I got listed at Alltop. Maybe my strategy will work for you too. Here's what I did.
My Alltop Strategy
1. Learn About Alltop
Just as I would not pitch a magazine without first knowing as much as possible about the publication, I didn't want to ask Alltop to include me until I knew how it worked and what its purpose was. So the first thing I did was make sure I was a good fit. I did this by visiting the founder's, Guy Kawasaki's, blog. There, I discovered how and why Alltop was created.
2. Make Sure Your Blog Is a Good Fit
I invested some time reading through Guy's blog (a very good investment of time, by the way!), and then grabbed some coffee and delved into Alltop. My goal was to find out what was so special about the blogs Guy included there. I focused on small business and entrepreneurship, but you focus on the topics you cover in your blog.
My search revealed several helpful things. First, while many of the blogs were custom designed, many others were not. Some were pretty plain in fact. No bells and whistles, no fancy videos or flashy graphics. A few of the blogs were even hosted on free platforms like Blogger. But no matter where a blog was hosted or what subject matter it covered, it was well written and had "curb appeal." That is, from the time you hit the home page, you could tell that someone cared. Someone was keeping cobwebs from forming and updating the blog regularly with fresh, relevant content — the ultimate search engine candy.
3. Make Your Best Pitch!
Once I decided that my blog was up to snuff based on what I saw at Alltop, I went to Alltop's About Page to read more about Alltop and to find out exactly how to submit my blog for consideration. On September 29, I dusted off an email to Guy and the Alltop team. I treated it like a cover letter, with my blog serving as my resume.
My Alltop Pitch
I divided my email message into 3 parts.
- I started with a little Alltop praise, and then introduced Indie Business Blog as a blog that is relevant and unique in the small business category
- The meat of the email was highlights of some of my more popular and insightful blog posts in different categories, with a focus on posts with video, my take on current events and photos of me with members of the Indie Beauty Network
- I concluded with an indication that I was willing to answer any questions Alltop had or provide any additional information in support of my application. I also left all of my contact information at the bottom, including other website links, to show that I am socially well connected online.
Later that day, I got an email from Alltop confirming receipt of my application and asking me to complete an online form to help them evaluate my application. It took about 60 seconds to submit the form.
On October 6, I received a note welcoming me to the Small Business Alltop family. Yipppee! So now, I can display the cool button you see on the right column of my blog.
So that's how I did it. If you give it a shot, remember to make sure your blog is updated regularly and well maintained. No cobwebs are allowed at Alltop. Plus, be sure to cite a few examples of why your blog adds value — like videos or your own especially unique or uncommon perspective on the topic you want to be listed under.
OK so that's it. Now it's your turn. Let me know how it works out.
What about you?
Would you like to explore whether it's a good idea to pitch your blog to Alltop? If so, maybe you'd like to get a copy of the email I sent to pitch my blog. I'm happy to email it to you if you leave a short comment here telling me briefly why you enjoy the Indie Business Blog. That's a fair exchange, don't you think?
Related Posts (to help you whip your blog into Alltop shape!)
Blogging: So Easy, Anyone Can Do It
Top 10 Reasons Why Your Blog Is Dead
My Blog Mentors
Bad Blogger
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Thanks for another great tip dM!
I’m going to put your advice to work today.
And congrats on getting your application accepted at Alltop 🙂
Gina
Thanks for another great tip dM!
I’m going to put your advice to work today.
And congrats on getting your application accepted at Alltop 🙂
Gina
Hi Donna,
I love your blog because of the valuable information it provides me to grow my business. It’s fabulous and I want my blog to grow up and be like yours someday!;-) I would love to see your cover letter. I love Guy Kawasaki and have read many of his books and monthly articles in Entreprenuer Mag.
Hi Donna,
I love your blog because of the valuable information it provides me to grow my business. It’s fabulous and I want my blog to grow up and be like yours someday!;-) I would love to see your cover letter. I love Guy Kawasaki and have read many of his books and monthly articles in Entreprenuer Mag.
I have been a member of Indie Business for nearly 5 years now. Over the years I have found dm to constantly be striving to give her members the best and latest tools to grow our businesses. Alltop is the latest. Thank you dm!
I would love to receive your pitch letter.
I have been a member of Indie Business for nearly 5 years now. Over the years I have found dm to constantly be striving to give her members the best and latest tools to grow our businesses. Alltop is the latest. Thank you dm!
I would love to receive your pitch letter.
Christine, Kelli, Gina: you are all good candidates for Alltop, especially if you share your expertise at your blogs. Kellie on anti-aging skincare, Christine spa and candle lotions and Gina on how yoga and Ayurveda fit into skincare. Everyone brings something to the table and the cool think about Alltop is that it makes it easier and more fun for you to share your expertise. See you at Alltop, ladies! Indie Love, dM
Christine, Kelli, Gina: you are all good candidates for Alltop, especially if you share your expertise at your blogs. Kellie on anti-aging skincare, Christine spa and candle lotions and Gina on how yoga and Ayurveda fit into skincare. Everyone brings something to the table and the cool think about Alltop is that it makes it easier and more fun for you to share your expertise. See you at Alltop, ladies! Indie Love, dM
dM, you NEVER cease to amaze me! You’re constantly introducing Indies to the latest and greatest. Thank you for keeping us updated by providing this blog as a resource.
Congratulations on your ALLTOP acceptance!
-Kelley (aka The Mineral Makeup Coach)
dM, you NEVER cease to amaze me! You’re constantly introducing Indies to the latest and greatest. Thank you for keeping us updated by providing this blog as a resource.
Congratulations on your ALLTOP acceptance!
-Kelley (aka The Mineral Makeup Coach)
Congrats on All dM
I can’t think of a better living wiki than you. You’re definitely an expert and your information is as always -“invaluable”. Thanks for always keeping us “in the know”!
Congrats on All dM
I can’t think of a better living wiki than you. You’re definitely an expert and your information is as always -“invaluable”. Thanks for always keeping us “in the know”!
Hi Donna.
I really love this site because I learn really useful tips for my business that are not the usual 10 biz building strategies that people in my niche tend to spew out. It’s great to get relevant biz building tips from someone who is outside of my field. It really gives me a fresh perspective. I’d love to take a look at your email to Alltop. I’m sure that one of my blogs would be a good fit for it. Congrats to you of course!
Hi Donna.
I really love this site because I learn really useful tips for my business that are not the usual 10 biz building strategies that people in my niche tend to spew out. It’s great to get relevant biz building tips from someone who is outside of my field. It really gives me a fresh perspective. I’d love to take a look at your email to Alltop. I’m sure that one of my blogs would be a good fit for it. Congrats to you of course!
Great advice. I’m working on a few websites, only just recently started exploring the power of blogging and social networking. I know there’s gold in dem there hill’s, just haven’t quiet figured out how to mine it.
Great advice. I’m working on a few websites, only just recently started exploring the power of blogging and social networking. I know there’s gold in dem there hill’s, just haven’t quiet figured out how to mine it.
Hiya 🙂 I know this is an old post, but I would love to get my site on Alltop – thanks for a great article. You asked why I enjoy your blog; it's because you're authentic and you care – I admire those qualities in a person 🙂 I also love that you feature 'real people' if you know what I mean. People like me, just trying to do their best. If you still have a copy of that mail and could send me a copy, I'd be most grateful 🙂
Warm wishes
Mrs Green
Thanks Mrs Green! How kind of you to notice the effort invested here. I’m sorry but I no longer have a copy of the email I sent, but it was pretty much an introduction and recognition of AllTop as a great addition to the Web, why my blog should be included (which boiled down to the value this blog offers that no other blog does), and that no one else does), thanks for the opportunity, and how to get in touch with me with questions. That was pretty much it!
Thanks for responding Donna and good news! Since I last wrote I’m now on alltop 🙂 🙂
Alltop has changed significantly since this post. However, you can use the bullet points that I used to make your submission at this link at the Alltop site: http://alltop.com/submission/. Good luck, and let us know if you become listed there!
Hiya 🙂 I know this is an old post, but I would love to get my site on Alltop – thanks for a great article. You asked why I enjoy your blog; it's because you're authentic and you care – I admire those qualities in a person 🙂 I also love that you feature 'real people' if you know what I mean. People like me, just trying to do their best. If you still have a copy of that mail and could send me a copy, I'd be most grateful 🙂
Warm wishes
Mrs Green
Alltop has changed significantly since this post. However, you can use the bullet points that I used to make your submission at this link at the Alltop site: http://alltop.com/submission/. Good luck, and let us know if you become listed there!
Thanks for sharing your advice. I got accepted into Alltop. I appreciate the time you put into your post
Thanks for swinging by. When I joined, the process was a bit different than it is now. Glad you’re there — will look for you!