How my blog made number one on Google because k.d. lang sang Hallelujah at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremonies

When I posted the video of k.d. lang singing Leonard Cohen's song Hallelujah, I never dreamed my blog traffic would explode, it would make it to number one one Google and I would be having a discussion on Twitter about its relevance to the 2010 Olympics.

But that's exactly what happened. If you're interested in how I got traffic to my site, read on. If you're interested in my deep philosophical thoughts as to why I think k.d. lang's performance was completely relevant to the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, read on. And if you would like to see lang sing Hallelujah, read on.

How my blog traffic rose

Look at this picture of how my blog traffic rose yesterday (February 12, 2010). As you can see, my visitor traffic has always hovered well below fifty visitors per day. Probably closer to thirty. But yesterday, there was a spike. Above 200 visitors. Amazing!

Now look at this image of my number one placing out of 6,750 on Google for a search "kd lang sings at olympics". This is only one search term. There are over 250 search term combinations that people are finding my blog through that are related to lang's performance at the Olympics....and growing.

Those are only the statistics from yesterday. Today, my traffic is even much higher, but I will not know exactly how high until the day is complete and I can check my Google Analytics report.

How easy is it to post video to your blog?

It's easy. Very very easy.

It's free.

It takes only minutes.

How do you do it?

First, find a video on YouTube that you like.

Second, find the "embed" html code that is located to the right of the video as highlighted in yellow on the right of this screenshot I took from my vernongirl YouTube channel page.

Then, cut and paste that "embed" code into the html code (sometimes called the source code) of your blog post. It is that simple. And, it's legal. If someone who has posted a video on Youtube chooses to share their video, they will make sure that the "embed" html code is accessible to you. This allows you to cut and paste the code and use their videos on your blog or website. Now, how great is that?

There is advertising that comes up on the video that you have no control over, but it's worth it.

Blog about current topics and trends

This experience has taught me that it is a very good idea to be on top of current topics and trends, and to comment on them quickly on your blog if you want traffic. Sometimes it can pay off. I've been wondering when this day would come.

But it's also important to go with your heart. And since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, what a great segue into my next point about heart in sports and life and the relevancy between Cohen, lang, Hallelujah and the Olympics.

Why are k.d. lang and Hallelujah relevant to the 2010 Olympics?

This morning on Twitter, someone tweeted to me that they didn't see the relevance in lang singing about biblical infidelity.

This sparked a big discussion between me and my husband over morning coffee. He didn't see the relevancy either. So I looked up Leonard Cohen on the internet. I was pretty sure he was Canadian. (I'm not saying this tongue-in-cheek either.) Yes, I was right. According to the LeonardCohen.com website ....

"Cohen ironically describes himself as “the little Jew who wrote the Bible,”.

....He has immersed himself into Jewish culture, Christian imagery and Buddhist detachment. He believes that our human imperfections are finally what will bring us whatever transcendence we can attain." (I edited.)

Human imperfection seemed particularly relevant to me since the Georgian luger flew off the track yesterday and slammed into a pole, killing him instantly. I watched the video on the internet just before I sat down to watch the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics (but refused to send out links to it.) Human imperfection is apparent in the design of the track and the execution of the luger. Poignant. Plus Cohen is a celebrated poet and songwriter. Here is a link to Leonard Cohen's biography. 

k.d. lang grew up in Alberta, but now makes her home in Los Angeles, California. An incredible talent, she is no stranger to adversity. Being a lesbian in Alberta, I'm sure, had its challenges. (I grew up in Calgary.)

But overall, Canada is an amazingly diverse country. Not only is our landscape diverse, but so are our people. We are a cultural, religious and idealism melting pot. So to have k.d lang singing a song written by a self-proclaimed Jewish poet is completely relevant.

It celebrates diversity, art, expression, freedom, overcoming obstacles and choice. Choice in religious beliefs, sexual orientation and how you will triumph over human imperfection. Isn't that what Canada is all about?

Here is a link to the original blog post that sparked this story, and my blog traffic, where you can see the video of k.d. lang performing Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. Enjoy!

p.s. I have to give credit to Danielle Laporte’s White Hot Truth blog for giving me the idea to put this video onto my site. One day, I was looking through her blog and I came across this inspirational video of k.d. lang. (I read Laporte's blog for creative inspiration.) I love inspirational women. Laporte also writes about sex. I love that in Canada you can do that. And Danielle is from British Columbia too. Go Canada!

Thanks for reading.

Courtenay Pitcher, Born in Canada

Related posts: Automated reply system for Twitter: Antique collector and web designer unite to brand Twitter.
 

Comments

[Courtenay]

Hey Carrie:

I don't think it resulted in more regular readers, but the traffic spike emphasized to me that writing about current events is always a great idea for generating traffic.

Cheers, Courtenay

[Carrie]

Okay, a random spike in blog traffic -- but did it lead to more regular readers? Or was it a one day special?

[vancouver internet marketing]

Lang won the American Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her 1989 album, Absolute Torch and Twang. The single "Full Moon Full of Love" that stemmed from that album became a modest hit in the United States in the summer of 1989 and a number 1 hit on the RPM Country chart in Canada.

[Courtenay Pitcher]

Kelly: Thanks for your comments. I like your interpretation and agree whole-heartedly. cheers, Courtenay

[Kelly Diels]

Hi Courtenay,
I thought the song was beautifully appropriate to the Olympics:

"love is not a victory march"

"and even though
it all went wrong
I stand before The Lord of Song
with nothing on my tongue
but Hallelujah"

those lines sound to me like an affirmation of all the athletes and about valuing - and celebrating - effort, passion, commitment and devotion to excellence in and of itself, without reference to winning or medals.

not to mention that kd lang's haunting, rich voice, combined with Leonard Cohen's poetry, is excellence and talent at its finest.

[Courtenay Pitcher]

Here is a link to watch the video.

http://www.vernongirl.com/2010/02/if-you-liked-kd-lang-sing-at-the-olympic-opening-ceremonies-youll-love-this.html

[ISABEL F STRUTHERS]

K.D LANG SANG HALLELUJAH SO BEAUTIFULLY BUT I'D LOVE TO HEAR HER SING IT AGAIN--NO LUCK WITH GOOGLE!! ISABEL

[BJ]

Ooooou, loved seeing K.D. Lang on your blog doing that song.

Culture, language, diversity...those are more of my favorite topics.... I don't believe Canada is the melting pot... That's the American ideal. Canada is the mosaic. People here are given the opportunity to learn the official languages and can keep their own, too. Same with religion and other aspects of culture (food, music, etc.). Come to America and be like us vs. Come to Canada and bring all you are... Am I being too idealistic? Are those my rose coloured glasses? :-)

We live in such a great country.............

Halleluia!

[Courtenay Pitcher]

James....I hope there is no moral failure at the Olympics (i.e. doping) this year. Thanks for your insight.

[James]

Dig the Hallelujah song for sure - own a version even. But totally wrong context for the Olympics in my opinion. Only part of ceremony I didnt like. Has anyone read the lyrics? I interpret the song as an expression of honest moral failure or a perhaps a sorrowful lament. (The song highlights various low points in a couple old testament Biblical characters - David/Bathsheba and Samson/Delilah) The rest of Opening Ceremonies was rockin though!

As the Twitter/Facebook/blog argument grew, I decided to Google it - For those interested... there are a zillion covers of that song, and I guess just as many interpretations. So I suppose we can all be right in the end. ;-) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallelujah_(Leonard_Cohen_song)

[Courtenay Pitcher]

I've fixed the post now to reflect that. Thanks K. D. Lang fan. Courtenay

[kdfan]

kd lang lives in LA., not BC.