Boosting Your Site Profile: The "Open Directory Project"

I've been writing this blog for a few months, but have done very little to promote it.  My theory was to get going for a while, build up a catalog of posts, then start reaching out for fame and fortune (well, at least boost my subscribers.)

So today, I started poking around for advice. And let's face it, before I get fancy, I need to do the basics like link to other bloggers, become a regular reader and on their sites, leave comments, etc.

Still,while reading an article on link baiting on Search Engine Journal, I came across the Open Directory Project, "the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web."

The idea of the Directory is to add a human element to the order of the Internet.  No matter how good Google may be, it can never be as accurate as a peer reviewed recommendation. This is a HUGE undertaking run by thousands of volunteers.

But what's great about the ODP, aside from just browsing its vast catalog, is that getting listed in the directory is one simple step that can supercharge your visibility on the web. If you are accepted (there's an application process that takes about 5 minutes to submit), they will also list you on the other top directories, including AOL Search, Google, Netscape, Yahoo! and others.

I recommend visiting the ODP today, and get started.  Read and follow the rules closely. They will refuse you if you don't.  But give it a shot and help bring order to the wild web.