"One way links from here"
As you will know by now one way links are great to help your page rank improve.One way ones are even better especially for newer blogs that need to get the exposure as quickly as possible.
One way anchor links are even better again yet may only point to certain post you have done, so if this is your route pick you best post in which you have the best chance of gaining a reader who will come back later or at least bookmark your blog.
To this end how can I help you which will also help me?
Well this is my 197th post so I had considered making my 200th one a great list of on way links to your blog.
BUT there is a dilemma, I do not want everyone posting just expecting a link back, as this is not how I value my blog, its NOT a link farm is it. ;o)
So... I got thinking, instead of having just a link, how about I make it a link with a short 30 word blurb of your choice?
Like a bio box style set up.
Getting a one way link from some places will cost you a fair bit, so I thought I would go one better and charge everyone a single dollar, or a single pound, whatever you prefer, those who are smart will know which to use. ;o)
So here's the plan, I will do a blog post, as long as need be on my 200th, which will solely promote your blogs, if this appeals to you, just buy me a beer today using the icon below, and then comment on this post saying you have bought and want this bargain one way anchor link.
I will then give you my email addy to send your blurb, I will post these on the blog in the ORDER I get payments...;o)
So be quick and get yours on the top of the post! ;o)
Any thoughts, comments, or takers?
Labels: blog, linking, newbies, promoting, special offer, traffic
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Rob Sellen @ 3:04 PM, , links to this post
"Article traffic"
Writing articles is yet great another great way to gain extra traffic with the added bonus of having a longer term effect if others use your articles.By far the best way is to use "long tail" keywords relating to your blog, site topic.
For an example lets say you have a "dog related" blog, you have tips for training, breeding and other general dog related topics.
Your general keywords may be...
Dog
Dogs
Dog training
Dog breeding
Breeding dogs
Training dogs
These are termed "short tail" in the sense they are broad search terms, these are the keywords every "dog related" site or blog will target, rightly so too. ;o)
But using longer tail keywords can gain a big advantage for you in the sense others may not target them, and you have less competition by targeting these terms.
For example...
Training dogs the right way
Dog training and breeding
Dog training for new owners
Training dogs for beginners
Training German shepherds < This could be changed for all other breeds. ;o)
Buying my first dog
Dog training at home
House training dogs
The new dog breeder
Etc... you see that these are longer terms, more in line with what people will search for too. ;o)
Writing articles that target these terms will bring in a "long tail traffic stream", meaning you get this traffic long after you do the article. ;o)
With less articles targeting the same keywords as you you have a better chance to capitalise on the traffic coming in.
You really should add articles to your plans for they are an "evergreen" form of traffic, use a good bio at the bottom of each pointing to your blog and watch the traffic build up.
Another twist for you is to capitalise on linking the articles together, so one could be linked using anchor linking as a better SEO plan for your blog traffic.
For example you do an article called "Dog training at home", which is a basic one for all dogs and dog owners, posting this to an article database, but you can have this linking to another blog post titled "Dog breeds and training" where a list of breeds of dog and training methods for each is laid out nicely for all traffic from the first article... ;o)
So your anchor link in the first article bio will be...
www. whateversitename.com/dog_breeds_and_training < that's the second articles title...
IE... an anchor link. ;o)
A post with a short blurb and a link to each breed and training article you have on the blog.
Do you think these people will click on the breed specific article you have for them?
What's more you can add affiliate links or AdSense on each post of the second articles list.
That's the way to do articles I think. :o)
If you think it's hard think again, it's made easy with the fantastic article ebook done by a friend, which is a crazy bargain and what's more, you can add a twist to the above method to gain buyers of this very book and make a profit. ;o)
How?
Do an article on how you write articles very easy on "dog training" and how other dog lovers can also start a blog on their new dog...
Have your anchor link to a post specifically teaching others how to start their "dog blog" with your ebook link at the bottom for them to get started with. ;o)
One sale and you got a great article book free!
Labels: articles, blog, how to, linking, newbies, tips, traffic
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Rob Sellen @ 12:47 PM, , links to this post
"A goal reached...I think"
Should have done enough on stay online now, while not certain, it's timing and everything as you know.Anyway, taking a look at things as they have happened and looking at the plans I had made to follow up on, I thought about things I have learned from it all.
What can I take forward with me and what can I lose in order to streamline?
Well I can't share all that obviously but what I do know is certain thing have opened my eyes, you learn alot when you have your back against the wall in any degree.
But I also learn of new opportunities I hadn't seen...
Missing the woods from the trees springs to mind here. ;o)
Interesting to realise I can improve this blog and the focus of it without ruining it in any way. :o)
The blog shouldn't and isn't the centre of things...
I can make it the centre of what I want it to be though. :o)
As for other things I now have an idea or two to capitalise on...see where it goes. ;o)
One bit of advice I can pass on that has got me thinking is the sheer activity in the web.2.0 side of things, social networks etc.
It works, and if you have a newish blog or need to widen your reach then you should become active within web 2.0 networking style sites.
Like bloglog, blogcatalogue and seen in the sidebar... ;o)
Nice people with great blogs, go look at them.
Take an active role with stumbleupon, it works well and return the favour on other blogs you like, add friends etc.
Be active and others are active.
Get involved with discussions etc, use forums.
One thing some may have noticed on blogcatalogue, alot will have missed it but one thing I have done is to change the "top neighbourhoods" say once a week, give everyone a chance for a bit of exposure. ;o)
Members rush to check my profile.... ;o)
It works...look at the "home" page and refresh, as peoples faces change in the widget it makes a difference to the "welcome feel" to it.
Neighbourhood owners will appreciate what I did.
Communicate, be active, touch people and it's returned. :o)
Any thoughts?
P.s I hope I get the connection sorted in time... :o)
Labels: bloggers, blogging, blogs, people, tips, web 2.0
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Rob Sellen @ 11:47 PM, , links to this post
"Almost there"
Funny thing life...Funny thing online life!
Anyway I digress.
A few things have happened and things look slightly up, not quite there, but the right direction, still here, with opportunities, time and effort to utilise.
One step at a time eh? ;o)
Thanks to those who have helped, wittingly or unwittingly. ;o)
So...arse in gear throttle down...away we go.. ;o)
Some good things I notice with traffic stats lately is people are keen and active out there in the wide blogosphere and social network side of the Internet, keen to read your blog and giving you the chance to see their blogs...interesting what you find out there, amazing pictures too. :o)
Funny things where you just know the feeling... ;o)
Ever the watchful (enhanced?) eye I notice something I have had to give thought, the focus of some blogs I see tend to have a theme and a narrowness, and on others they are a mish mash of thoughts, pictures, tips, others purely aim to make money, or give 100% freely, whatever.
Yet all have different expectations as you know, but do you take notice of the anticipation?
All different again? ;o)
Every time you go to certain blogs you have visited often you get a certain expectation and that influences the anticipation...in a big way.
What do you anticipate on a visit to each blog you do?
In most case is "more of the same", no? ;o)
So something not quite expected this time is to peak in some way your anticipation on the next visit?
Concentrate on your readers anticipation and watch their expectations change, hopefully for the better, every so often ;o)
If you have yet to grab the free book as seen on the sidebar here, it touches upon a key example in it's "pillars" which do this. (Every blogger should have that book!)
Problogger Darren does it with his "series" too.
But there are alsorts of ways this is done, and maybe it truly is each blog is as unique as the writer AND reader. Each visit for each person generates a unique reaction, spark, idea, view, inspiration, spark of anger...whatever...all unique.
We all take things uniquely every visit, every word.
So we can never be perfect in any way, why try? ;o)
Just do whatever you are but anticipate your readers anticipations every so often until it's an every time habit.
The truth to me is the focus of a blog is what the readers make it to themselves. ;o)
The writers focus should be purely intent, in whatever form, be it to share, teach, sell, give, spread, annoy, worship, gain as a fan, or a mix in any way.
The writers intent may be different for each post obviously, yet the anticipation and expectation can be the real deciding factor in the level of reaction gained from each post, the aim of the intent.
Do I think about your anticipation then? Of course.. ;o)
I anticipate that some of you are not even here, but saying "wow, great pics", or "yeah, I KNOW I've been close to doing that", some of them may be back.. ;o)
Some of you "older" readers will be here, and thinking, "jeeeesus Rob, your marketing cap has slipped, you lost readers already, some won't be back and not a money button in sight!" ;o)
Some of you "older" readers may be saying "The caps on tight enough for now" ;o)
Some will be saying "Get to the bloody point Rob".. ;o)
Some of you new readers will be saying... "Hang on, start thinking about MY readers expectations and anticipations...then how I influence it hhhhmmm.. that's new" :o)
Some will be saying..."what the heck?" "Is the man nuts?" :/
Some will say..."nothing new here, nothing to see people!, move on" ;o)
It's all good. ;o)
Understanding yourself is the first step to understanding others. ;o)
Any thoughts?
Labels: honesty, marketing, people, stats, thoughts, tips
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Rob Sellen @ 12:59 AM, , links to this post
"Sort your act out blogger"
Sad that Google has treated us old time bloggers who use the old blogger format instead of beta like second class bloggers.I have posted three post and none have published!
SORT ya shit out blogger!
You did a sly and I think disrespectful thing when you set up blogger beta...making it better for people who use it, so trying to get more people to use it with own domains...well I don't want to use beta on my domain that way.
Alot of others don't either and yet I was one of the beta bloggers in the first place.
What a kick in the teeth.
Blogger wonder why most people prefer WP?
Sort it out Google!
I am tempted to move everything over to WP if I can get it sorted out.
You have mucked us about too long.
Any opinions?
Labels: blogger, blogging, customer service
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Rob Sellen @ 4:15 PM, , links to this post
"Misinformation"
Shocking, I had a browse around the forums, including the ones I was on but no longer use, the level of crap and misinformation is unblelievable.Newbies and fakers posting about things they know nothing about trying to sound like they do know about it.
Terrible mistake, and certainly stupid when they later ask for information on how to do whatever they were previously pretending they knew.
You know the stupid idiots who have "Make huge bucks with ?? blah blah link" in their sig.
Then ask how to make some money in a post?!
You have to laugh at these morons.
Else they drive you nuts! :o)
Stupidity is abundant in some of them.
Including what are "supposedly" the best forums!
Labels: forums, how do i, marketing
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Rob Sellen @ 4:02 PM, , links to this post
"New niches if I stay online"
I love blogging on here but obviously it's not enough, I have now started to really plan out that I will do with things, my other blog I will completely revamp and refocus it.The portlandpowerblogger one that is.
I would like to keep this blog just as it is but improve more and blog to it more, like twice a day or at least once everyday.
Having thought about things a little more I know I need a few more niches, if I can stay online that is what I will be aiming for and I think I found one or two that will be good. :o)
Nevertheless there is also an idea I have which will spark some controversy and yet it will hit on some real truths...more than I can say at the moment, but those it's aimed at will not like it!
Tough... :o)
It will be an interesting thing because the twist to it is crazy!!! :o)
Everything is going to change for me and I will make it the springboard I need to get OFF benefits and blog full time.
But they say "If you don't ask you don't get"
So..
I AM asking, can YOU help me stay online so I can get this controversial idea off the ground and running?
Can you help me stay online so I can blog more on this blog?
I will be doing far more on here from a deaf person's perspective and it WILL be unique because although I AM deaf, I am in the hearing world... :o)
Someone pointed out something about me that really made me sit up and take notice!
So... Can you help?
Labels: blog, blogging, deaf, personal, plans, thoughts
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Rob Sellen @ 3:15 PM, , links to this post
"Wow, what a let down"
So just three post ago I explained my situation and then the next post asked if you could help me help myselfI had ONE response, which I was greatful for them doing...I appreciated it alot....but from the amount of people who read it it was a bad % of action.
Seems the people who really make money online are the IMers who sell crap to other IMers, via HYPE!
Well, it has certainly got me thinking and the fact I spoke to a few REAL friends offline aboiut things, friends who I respect and listen to, these friends are friends who know little about online stuff, but know ME well... I am "way too nice" online...is the advice they say.
They feel I should be more like I can be offline, which is somewhat a strange thing because they say I am a little "nice" offline too in some ways but I also have a streak of hardness in my honesty, and these friends also say they KNOW if they had an issue they could come to me knowing I won't sugarcoat things...if someone else has bothered them or hurt them they know I would certainly "say something" or help in some way.
"You need to just DO what you feel will work for you online but show more of that hard honesty streak online too.".
This really got me thinking and I have to say...they are right.
Some of you disapointed me.
Alot of others online have angerd me.
Ah well... lessons learnt.
To many want what they can't have...instant results, instant riches, yet IMers sell bullshit that hypes this very "want" up.
Sad, but hey IF thats what works... should I do it?
You tell me.
Interestingly yesterday was a great day, saw ALOT of people here on the sea wall during the battle of the bands gig, and so many said, "how do you do this, that, do people really make money online?"
So I relaise I DO know enough and more than most about this lark, and I tell you the ones making the most are the snake oil sellers, if you don't think so... why not?
Who makes the money if not these IMers who are mainly fakers?
Ok, if I have to do something to stay online should I sell what I do know?
I would rather just GIVE it all away on this blog and let others decide the true worth...but it won't work fast enough or well enough, and most are just to plain happy to take!
This anger and disapointment is going to drive me more now, but you probably won't see it as I will not be online much longer, so you also won't get what I GIVE freely.
Stuck in no mans land and it's getting bigger and lonelier all the time!
Any thoughts?
Labels: blogging, honesty, snake oil, thoughts
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Rob Sellen @ 12:09 PM, , links to this post
"Banging head on the wall is..."
Not good for you!!! Must stop doing this myself!!
Before I go that far! :o)
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Rob Sellen @ 12:30 AM, , links to this post
"Can you help me help myself?"
Bad night sleep last night, with the frustrations of yesterday heavy on my mind and the reality I could lose my connection any day I have to act, do something to ensure I can stay online at least long enough to keep the ball rolling and push it harder.The truth is I simply what i do get in benefit is not enough and I have to send out cv's and letters every week which is denting what little I do have.
Something I am at a loss about here is the sheer amount of companies and employers who blatantly ignore the letters.
Of the 22 I have sent out in the last two weeks I have had TWO replies!!
Do people just not bother anymore?
I remember after the "black weds" in the start of the 90's when we left the ERM and all got laid off from work, I got a reply to 90% of what I sent out.
Didn't take long back then to get another job, and it was a bloody recession!
Shocking...it's getting as bad as customer service...non existent.
So...what can I do, and more importantly whats the plan for me now.
Well I would like to say I think I am getting better with this blog simply because I try to give better value in every post, I mean I have always strived to do this, but lately I have realised the power of giving over anything else.
The pleasure if giving is better than the pleasure of receiving for me, always has been.
The purpose of this blog was not to make money, but now I have to inject it into the blog so I can keep giving and giving more.
So if you can help me help myself I would be grateful for that and I could keep on keeping on and give bigger and better content.
How can you help me?
No.. how can I help you... ;o)
I would like to make some more good long post with tips, tricks and possible ideas for you to utilise in your blogging efforts or life efforts even.. ;o)
But I need to get a certain amount of income to enable me to do that...
So what can I offer you?
My screensaver which is just £5 (10 dollars), pic samples can be found on the blog sidebar...if you prefer dollars, just use the beer icon below and state in the message box...
"I want your screensaver please" and I will manually send it you. ;o)
If you really like that screensaver, or have pictures of your own you would prefer in a screensaver... just let me know, for a price of $20 I will create your unique screensaver from your pictures, up to a max of 20 pics and they must all be the same size.
If that appeals...again use the beer icon. ;o)
If neither of those interest you, how about this, one of the fastest ways to add a "income link" to your blog is using the 100% commission products as in the sidebar.
The link you add is so simple to do and you only need one sale for it to be free to you.
Here's an idea for you... you most likely blog and that means you are writing post or articles.
The Article easy one is great, a solid ebook of about 50 pages and very well written by a friend of mine, Martin Avis, which would help ANYONE get started writing articles or blog post etc.
Articles can be a great way of getting traffic.
Why not write a great article on your topic that leads to you pointing your link out for this product, the post or article is a top quality on on your niche topic, the teaser you have is...
"Want to write great articles on your (topic name) blog, website or for others to use on their websites with a link to you?"... "You need this article easy report" :o)
Or something to that effect, the point is you are showing by way of a great article.
Go as far as write a great article to post to the article directories with a link back to the very post on your blog where you write about how you create great articles... ;o)
If you like the idea of creating your own 100% commission reports, go grab the one which gives you the scripts to utilise for this.
Create a great little report on your topic and your readers may grab it, more so if they can resell it via a link on their blogs...all the while you are getting more readers of the report and your blog...you would include a link to your blog wouldn't you?
You could have affiliate links in there so you continue to earn from the report long after its sold.
Offer an extra free bonus to those who subscribe to your feedburner email set up. ;o)
Maybe you like using forums, of have your own forum... if so how about 20 pages of useful content you can use anyway you like?
I wrote this and I also include ideas on how best to capitalise on it.
The ideas may surprise you... ;o)
Or would you rather join my forum? Set goals and reach them. :o)
Well maybe you just have a big heart like me and decide..
"Hey I want this fella to keep on blogging, so I will just plain old donate to his cause...?"
Hey...thanks.. ;o)
The beer icon is just for that. ;o)
If you can help me stay online I can take this blog up a notch and do more over delivering on content.
I am most grateful for you being my reader and do hope I can continue to create for you.
Thank you for any help you can give me to keep on keeping on, and hopefully I can stay online at least till the benefit office recognise my disability.
I am writing to my MP next. :o)
Labels: blogging, deafness, general, life, personal
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Rob Sellen @ 10:21 AM, , links to this post
"How screwed up can it be?"
The silence is not golden at the moment for me I must admit!Somethings certainly not right with the way this seems and I would guess you would agree after reading about this...
I have posted before about the fact I made claims for disability help because of my deafness, now I have been turned down recently for jobs because of...you guess failing health and safety due to...my ears.
Now some of you know I DO hear things with hearing aids etc, but the problem is I can't hear where the sound, noise (possible danger) is coming from.
Not a good situation obviously, so I mentioned this to the benefit office and asked them to take it into consideration when deciding my "disability claim".
Ok they said...
Now I get another knock back...no sorry... your not "deaf enough" in a politer way.
As I said before...
How dare they!!
And the biggest cheek is... they say "sorry about that, but we will make sure you have a disability adviser" ??!!
Look... I am either deaf or I am not!
No giving me bullshit like that, it's "yes you are" or "no you are not".
Simple... no?
I can appeal...what again?
Thanks. :o/
Another three month wait?
Nothing I can other than that, what a stupid system when others out there fake it with "bad backs" and crap.
Then I am on the bus coming home and I see a mate, get talking and I told him of this and you know what he told me?
Them smack heads (heroin addicts) (names not being revealed ;o)) are getting "incapacity benefit"...!!
What? WTF is going on with this country?
Smack heads who are NOT forced to take that crap are getting MORE than me to live on!!
They can't work??...Most never have, never will.
Makes me feel like all the tax, Nat insurance I have put in when I was working, was for nothing!
So...it stinks, what can I do?
Any comments?
Labels: deaf, deafness, life, personal, thoughts
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Rob Sellen @ 8:21 PM, , links to this post
"What a lesson, at 5 years old"
I'll never forget the day and how it's influenced my whole life from there onwards and I was just a little 5 year old lad who was put on the spot and acted with an old head in a split second.So what am I going on about now? ;o)
It was a lovely day, we were all at school sitting in the hall for assembly, I gazed out of the floor to ceiling windows over looking the outdoor swimming pool, watching the shimmer of the sun on the water made me feel good.
I felt like I was anywhere but where I was until the headmaster stood on the stage and addressed us all, his voice snapped me out of my trance and I turned to face him.
"Good morning everyone" he said, "we have a special guest today who wants to talk to you all, so please welcome to the stage... (forgot the name?!) " as he motioned over to the man with his arm.
The man stepped up and slowly started to speak to us all while scanning over us kids "hello everyone, I am from the Royal National Institution for the Deaf, RNID for short and I believe there is a deaf child here today?"
"Dam" I thought... everyone turning to look at me, the man spotted me and ask me if I would like to stand up...to myself I thought, NO not really but slowly rose to my feet felling a little embarrassed..."yes sir" I said, I noticed the surprised look on his face.
"Ok nice to meet you and what's your name?" he asked...
"Rob" I aid sheepishly, wishing I could sit down and let him get on with it.
"Great well Rob, I am here today to help you as well as others with something I think you may find makes things easier for you" as he held his hands up and signed to me "hello Rob"...
I must have looked perplexed because he then asked me if I knew of any signing at all, when I shook my head he asked if I would like to try some and everyone else could try it too.
"No thanks" I said...
Shocked he ask me "do you feel uncomfortable about it or is there any reason as to why you don't want to?"
"No I don't need it, I can talk and if I start to learn that then everyone else has to as well, but if I talk only I have to learn it" was my reply, where this thought come from I had no idea.
"Well that's ok, we can all just try the very basics, the letters" as he held his hand up to show the vowels being signed, "you can all try this" he went on...
I sat sharpish...he noticed and thanked me for talking to him.
We all started to do the signing, myself very reluctantly as I felt singled out for this.
That man was not on that stage as long as he hoped, after the assembly the headmaster called me to his office, by now I thought I was going to be told off.
As I entered the office I saw the man also there sat with a bemused look on his face, "your speech is great Rob" he said, I thanked him, looked towards the headmaster in anticipation of a "telling off" which never came...
"Rob, I am proud of you, you showed an old head on your shoulders and everything will be done to help you continue the way you are, well done."
I was pleased to not get the telling off and not have to learn to sign.
I asked him to explain what he meant by old head on my shoulders! ;o)
"Two things happened today" he said, "one, YOU made the decision that will shape your life and two, you gained something from your friends that no-one else could have done, that is... understanding".
The man put his hand out for me to shake it and thanked me and wished me good luck...I shook it feeling like I had achieved something for me.
The very next day I noticed all of my friends were looking at me alot more when talking to me which helped me lipread them better.
It was not till years later I realised the significance of that day and exactly what the headmaster meant by that "understanding".
By me taking that stand and saying "if I have to learn that everyone else will have to too"
I saved all my friends some learning curve they wouldn't have wanted and THAT meant they knew without really realising it that they owed it to me to try harder with me.
And they did, they did ME proud...they helped me become who I am.
They helped me become part of the "hearing world".
THANKS to all of them and I know some read this blog, they may even remember that day. ;o)
That day will never leave me. :o)
Amazing how switched on we are as kids without even knowing it.
Any thoughts?
Labels: deaf, deafness, life, personal
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Rob Sellen @ 10:49 PM, , links to this post
"Do women make better bloggers?"
My eldest is here...in bed now so I have another chance to post, albeit a quick one. ;o)Been an interesting few days and partly due to a good friend sharing a book of great interest to me and one every man should read....and possibly the ladies for that matter. ;o)
(anyone wants to know what book just ask in comments)
What really got me thinking though was how I could see what the book tells of in life, real life and online too.
So... I ask you...Do women make better bloggers?
I believe they do and the reason is fairly simple, women connect better than us men, to themselves and each other and also to us fellas.
Women are more likely to write openly and that means other people can relate and connect to the meaning clearer and better, deeper.
It's no coincidence that the post(s) I have written from the heart on this blog have had the better responses and more comments, in fact a few have sparked donations via the "beer" icon below the post(s). Always welcome they are! :o)
When you do write from the heart it is open, raw and meaningful...no matter what it's about.
We are emotional beings...not robots! :o)
Inject some heartfelt writing in your blog and give people a better connection to you and your world.
After all blogs were and are still in some way online diaries, personal musings of the blogger.
A way to share your story.
I believe women share better than men do so make better bloggers!
What about you?
Whats your opinion?
Labels: blog, blogger, conversation, general, people
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Rob Sellen @ 11:25 PM, , links to this post
"How to promote a blog"
Great work...you are blogging now you need to get "eyeballs" on your blog and in your mind..."the sooner the better!". ;o)
First...in a way I am sorry to keep you waiting...I say in a way because it's the school holidays and my youngest in bed in the other room...had i have had a great two days with him, still tomorrow to go till tea time so it's all great!...but I am not sorry too much...my boys come first. ;o)
Eldest here on Monday for a few days... ;o)
So, while I have a chance it's time to help you along with your blog promoting!
Getting the all important readers.
Simple quick methods are...
While you researched your topic or niche, expertise...you looked at blogs and sites, one of the fastest ways to start utilising that research in an extra way is to comment on the popular ones you liked and comment to the BEST of your ability in the sense of content, add to the "conversation" or topic or ask a great question to provoke a great response as your comment will most likely have a link back to your blog. ;o)
Do NOT spam blogS, emphasis on S because if you comment on 1 with good content, it's NEVER considered spamming, on the other hand... 5 different blogs with the same thing looks bad, if each blog has a different comment then you are ADDING great content and most likely all will be almost completely different comments (angles, questions etc) so it looks good overall.
Add your blog link in ALL your outgoing emails to friends, colleagues etc,
Simple to set up in your email and as it "auto adds" to each emails it's a once set up and forget effort.
Use Google to find good forums on your topic, niche, simply type into Google...
forums : topic or keyword
Join and use the popular forums you like with your link in the signature file wherever you are allowed to BUT ADD great content to the forum, help others and answer questions etc.
People WILL click your sig link but make your sig "blurb" as catchy to the eye as possible without offending etc.
You want people noticing it...
Maybe...If it was a "cake recipe forum" have...
Like Old English cakes?
20 recipes book free!
Visit "blog name" and get yours now.
As an example... BUT, people LIKE free! ;o)
Get them subscribing to your blog or newsletter, ezine, if you have one...if this is new to you, just ask. ;o)
Join community sites...web 2.0 remember... ;o)
Interact with others in your niche and build friendships etc.
Look at the "widgets" on the sidebar of this blog with pics, "my bloglog" blog catalogue" etc and join these sites and add your blog to it as well as create a profile.
A tip... BRANDING is something worth always keeping in mind.
You can use the same pics or avatars as they are known across all these sites which most do and this really does help brand you.
If you are unsure of putting a pic of you up use a related one or have a UNIQUE one created.
A unique one is what I recommend.
I have the pic of me on here and the same one is used everywhere else if I can...people will notice me and remember me. ;o)
But I also know some people are simply not happy posting a pic of themselves up...so another way is to get a pic "treated"...same but different... ;o)
Like...
Who the heck is that!!! ;o)
If you prefer this idea head over to Nathan who did a great job on this for me, snow him under with work and mention me, say I deserve a beer for that,... ;o)
He will do a great job for you...I KNOW that. ;o)
Having a unique picture or avatar will go a long way in branding your blog and shouldn't be underestimated.
Why web 2.0 though?
Widgets...pictures...profile pages...
Here's a truth, everyone likes to see their pic, avatar on other peoples blogs...admit it you bloggers... you do, we all do and another thing is we like to see other people on our blogs too!
Interactivity, did I mention that?... :o)
You may want to use facebook, myspace, whatever to spread your word, the key is to show some interest, read other blogs sites get to know people and people will get to know you.
Funnily enough, because I am deaf in one sense its easier to "get to know someone" online than offline although people offline will tell you I do communicate pretty "normal", but online there are NO barriers! . . . Nice!! :o)
You can do it...easy, I got faith in ya!
What else can we do to get you cracking and that ball rolling along?
Write a great article with a great sig link (the whole point of article writing) at the bottom and let others use it.
This is done with ezine article databases where 1000'2 of them are there for anyone to use.
The more that use yours the more one ways you have and it does work well.
For some it may be a bit confusing...if so, its simple and it is done best by writing a great 400 to 500 word article relating to your blog topic, (use a few keywords in the article too) which has a sig link at the bottom (sig must be included by others using article), a bit like the forum one you would use, you create great content that's ALMOST enough...but leading to more on your blog via the sig link. ;o)
Submit your article to the top ezine article directories in the related topic categories.
Ask in comments if wanting to know more.. ;o)
Utilise smaller channels to gain exposure to the bigger ones.
Lets take real fame for example...the first paper you want to get into is the local one, then hope it gets picked up by a national one. ;o) Make sense...?
Blogs can be the same way.
Give great content to your readers and they may share it with others by way of a link to you or blogging about your blog and you never know "who" is reading that blog where YOU are the content.
This can work well in several ways, your great content has provided someone else with great content to utilise and ADD to in their own blog as well as possibly sparking other smaller bloggers entering the same conversation on their own blogs.
But also you may have sparked a "fan" who is a blogger considered "above" the bloggers who blogged about you and you will made yourself noticed.
It could be a long while before it happens if it does but it could explode your traffic....overnight!
Think outside the box for your niche, stand out with something.
Lets say you are doing Old English cakes, as I has done here through this, you could find ONE cake which uses what is NOW a "superfood".
Create a great article on this specific cake and hows it's used this superfood for "whatevertime" without mentioning the actual cake in the content, and a teaser in the sig which lead to the blog post with THAT cake recipe on it.
So your actual article is about the superfood...not the cake. ;o)
Angle...it's about your angle, think about them in your niche topic and you can come up with some diverse angles to write about while still being "on topic".
BUT the quickest way to get a reader...
Post a comment here now and you will automatically have a link back to your profile where we can find your blog.
Any comments?? ;o)
Labels: blog, blogger, conversation, how do i, how to, marketing, newbies, promoting, tips
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Rob Sellen @ 11:53 PM, , links to this post
"Creating the blog"
A big welcome to all new readers, great to have you pop by.Following on from the last post I did, where I am just posting in the hope it helps some readers to start blogging, but for some of you new readers, I don't need to advise on starting...oh no some of you have some great blogs going and I will read more... ;o)
But you are very welcome to comment and add to anything. :o)
So... cracking on, now for those who did what was mentioned in the last post will have had some fun or possible frustration.
Either camp's good.. ;o) ...Means you are learning and that curve is already shorter.
So, what now?