"Funny old week really" 11.11.08
Cheers to whoever it was that kindly donated the dose of flu, I know google does some great things, it's just a shame don't help me avoid flu here like they do in the USA.
Now that would possibly help some. :o)
So, not too good, but at least I have not spread it all about, at least I hope not!
I did alot of writing in bed between the inevitable and sleeping with a real pen and notepad, you do remember them don't you? ;o)
Very productive, more than enough to help take my mind off what I was going through, even as much as keeping my temp a bit better than it was when I didn't do anything.
No "distractions", because there were no opportunities to procrastinate, surf, whatever.
Drawing mind maps was also a nice new experience!
Not glad to have flu though!
Mind you, it got me some results. ;o)
I digress.
Anyway, from that I got some real clarity and this had a great effect on my focus.
I realised part of the best option of the ones I had, was to in some ways revamp this whole blog, I can and maybe will move this to a .com/blog domain, no need to worry though it won't be now, or in two days, or anything, so plenty of notice will be made.
The reason for that would be so I can better utilise the main domain robsellen.com :o)
I have thought it out and consider it to be the best option, so I can add more and grow the site in certain directions.
For example:
- I may do a .com/pictures and decide to sell pictures, or at least things with my pictures like mousemats, table mats, calenders, etc.
- Or a .com/local I may promote local interesting things, like local art work etc.
- Or maybe .com/forum have a forum attached.
- Or even .com/recommendations for things I feel are of value etc, free or otherwise.
- Possible have .com/screensavers A newer better batch of great screensavers, free or sold.
- .com/whatever... you get the idea. ;o)
The important thing is you the reader.
I know a few things I am doing, not exactly on here, but they will help a huge deal.
I hope to just be able to blog what I do on here to my hearts content, better and bigger, more often, on the .com/blog because it won't JUST be the main page. :o)
I even had a play around and decided to make a toolbar, a little bit of fun but also I can see some huge potential with that for the users and well as me. :o)
The toolbar?
Oh yeah well you can use it on firefox and ie, so try it out, see what you think and I will make it much better, not just leave it as is. :o)
Here is that toolbar.
Labels: blogging, fun, general, toolbar
posted by Rob Sellen @ 9:41 PM,
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"Twits on twitter" 15.9.08
There are a few.... ;o)
They obviously don't know it themselves, else they wouldn't carry on being twits!
Maybe they will soon ;o)
Twitter, a great idea which I don't think is going to die out anytime soon with devices capabilities so you can use your phone with it etc will most likely help it grow massively as more people hear about it, try it and like it.
Why use twitter?
For the same reason we live...to build relationships, be connected, to share, to talk, to help, to teach, to laugh, to support and to be there for.
If you doubt that, you don't grasp it as you should.
People who use twitter often get "news" online fast, like the current IKE issue, people posting updates on twitter were doing so in REAL time.
There is a lady who is in LABOUR, giving birth, keeping everyone updated on twitter...in REAL time. Best of luck there to you too. ;o)
It's like a mini RRS feed of someones going on's as it happens. :o)
Where else do you see that? See the potential with that?
Yet so many who should know better get it wrong.
Here is the dilemma with the twits, they see it as ONLY a marketing tool, inevitably be to be abused like other things that go the same way.
Marketing IS a part of life, we all do it, but not all the correct way, or in the most beneficial way.
Unintentional marketing is usually the best marketing.
Hard to do when all you intend is to market and IMO end up spamming the place with links in almost every "tweat" (each 140 character response made) you make.
If that is YOU, you don't "get it at all" IMO...you are a twit!
Don't get me wrong there are some marketers who do use it well.
Tweaters on the other hand, "get it" ;o)
It's a connection tool first, they follow who they like, while others who like them follow them. :o)
One good advantage with twitter is you can add the RSS feed to a blog, website, lens which means freshly updated content each time you tweat.
Your biggest advantage on twitter is to be YOURSELF.
Just as it is in life.
If twitter is ONE part of your social networking efforts, be careful not to ruin it with a dirty great footprint which could be counter productive, as Lynn terry elaborated on too.
It's not all bad though as Lynn shared with us a good port on doing it successfully.
I point you to them as it means I need not explain it myself, and also I am doing what we should be doing.
Sharing good content which will help others, and freely.
I am not taking away from my own success doing this, as others would have you believe when they say, "you may LOSE readers, as they may prefer the blogs you share over yours".
Well, if that is the case, it means I need to DO better with my content rather than STOP sharing great content of others... does it not?
But hang on, I AM sharing content here, but improving it by linking to great content elsewhere because I feel MY readers deserve it. ;o)
That IS the essence of the web after all.
Lynn will be pleased lol.... don't take Lynn's or my word for it, read the what those who use twitter say.
Who better to read than those who say what makes you "get it", than those who say it ON twitter.
Labels: blogging, linking, people, socail media, tips, twitter
posted by Rob Sellen @ 2:31 PM,
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"What do YOU want?" 5.9.08
Been a few days since I have posted here, though I have been writing up some post to show I will post those over the next few days.
That's the beauty of blogging, you don't have to post as you write, so if you get into a "writing mode" and you feel on a roll, go with it and just write, just save them for posting later.
I often do this and it means I "get ahead" of myself, if tomorrow I don't write I still have something to share.
instead of posting what I have done, I wanted to ask for YOUR opinion.
I am going to revamp the blog as well as set in motion plans I have made...could be some big changes but I would rather hear what you have to say first as it's you that gets to read it.
Are there topics you would like to see more off on this blog?
Are there topics you would like to see me drop?
Are there topics you would like me to blog about that I don't already blog about?
More pics?
What do you want to see here?
It's exciting times online, I can see the massive changes from a few years ago, when it was harder to get yourself noticed online.
With the social networking sites like facebook...(which most of you seem addicted too!) we have never had it so good.
So, what would you like me to do here?
Tips or... ?
If you have any opinions please comment below.
Labels: blogging, general, ideas, thoughts
posted by Rob Sellen @ 2:14 PM,
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"Blogrush?...um, well, it sucks" 19.9.07
Well I wrote earlier about blogrush and asked...why bother?
A few days later and looking around it seems people think its sucks!
I couldn't say, I didn't have any idea what was happening with mine but now...
My stats have appeared in my blogrush dashboard.
A few things that bother me are...
- A very low click through rate, I also notice others say the same.
- No idea what widget on what blog people click on, to find my blog here, if any. :o)
- When the widget goes down temporarily, a blurb replaces it, but I feel this badly worded.
Addressing the concerns I have...
Low CTR rate....write better captivating titles...like the one used here. ;o)
I could do a search around to see if I can find out how to know which blogs widget drove me the visitor, this may well be part of the process being refined during the beta stage.
That blurb...Not happy with that, the wording had NO mention of blogrush, just saying this is temporarily down but the site will soon be fixed.
IF I was the reader I would have assumed it was the blog itself that was down, or that part of it at least.
NOT looking good doing that!
That blurb should be changed.
So, what about my opinion on if "it sucks"?
I think it's early to say, the traffic I have had from it is very small, almost nothing, of 660 impressions I got ONE click!
That's rubbish, I am GIVING more than GETTING with blogrush.
I will give it a week or less if things don't improve fast.
I know John will improve it, but how fast is the key.
It is pyramidal feeling, MLMY if you like, and yet it was the early adopters, Johns friends, inner circle, and the big influential bloggers that stand to benefit the most.
If you have a brand new blog, hardly any traffic I would skip it! ;o)
Whats your opinion?
Labels: blog, bloggers, blogging, blogrush, John Reese, stats, thoughts, traffic
posted by Rob Sellen @ 6:18 PM,
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"The power of the cause" 14.9.07
This weekend is going to very very interesting for two reasons, but first...
Fasten your seatbelts!
Get your thinking cap on, keep your notepad and pen handy, maybe create a folder to save stuff too. ;o)
There is a cause I think you can help make succeed, yet you could also learn a thing or two as well...depending on how you look at things. ;o)
Two things are happening this weekend and both may be of interest to you, for now I want to concentrate on the important one...the one that will save kids lives.
Everyone does things differently, like we blog about passions, hobbies, thoughts, life, experiences we have, or just about what we are experienced at. Us bloggers all blog but for different reasons. :o)
The reason behind us doing things has a big bearing on how well we can do too.
A good cause is a powerful reason to succeed.
Saving the lives of children is a very good cause to do anything in life.
And the man behind this cause just amazes me.
I have to do what I can to help him save the lives of these kids.
THAT is the real cause behind this post... if I can help in any way whatsoever it is by sharing the message with you and anyone else I can share it with, if you can also share the message and help the cause then that is great.
My good friend Dr Mani is the man behind the cause, his name is a hint on how much he is behind this cause.
See Dr Mani is a heart surgeon who operates on kids...but not only that he also raises the money to pay for these operations!
Yes, an amazing genuine hard working and big hearted man indeed!
As I said there are many reasons we do the things we do, Dr Mani turned to the Internet early on, realising the power it had in helping the work he does and as that work as so important I don't blame him. ;o)
You see, he turned to the net part time in order to raise awareness, but also utilises everything he does in a positive way and he does this brilliantly, his drive is huge...because of the cause. :o)
Hopefully one day you will see this logo EVERYWHERE on the net...Go on post it too. ;o)
Each year he blogs for 24 hours...a post every 30 minutes to raise money and it's this weekend!
Last year I did a guest post on his blogathon (this blog project) and felt proud to have contributed.
This year it's a little different...YOU can take part too!
Why not take a look and see what you can do to help, the blog of Dr Mani.
Take a look at the "mini blogathon" to see what others are doing too. :o)
If you do nothing else this weekend please keep an eye on that blog. :o)
There is something else too, Dr Mani really knows what he talks about when giving tips...read his blogging tips.
That's what you want the pen and notepad for!! ;o)
Labels: bloggers, blogging, dr mani, health, life, people
posted by Rob Sellen @ 6:41 PM,
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"It's still a journey" 9.9.07
We all start at the bottom when we start out blogging, we all take it one post at a time. Everyting takes time and blogging is no different...
You may start off humbly like above... ;o)
With dreams of climbing that success ladder in the hope of something better and bigger.
One step at a time, if we all walk the steps we all take the same amount of steps...but a tip for new bloggers, the faster you start taking the steps, the better and I mean post as much as twice a day for the first few weeks to really get the pace going...before you know it you are half way there. ;o)
Next thing you know, you are at the top, and you never know something like the above could be waiting! ;o)
One step a time... :o)
Labels: blogging, fun, general, goals., newbies, people, pictures, success, tips
posted by Rob Sellen @ 3:31 PM,
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"Normal(ish), untill christmas" 7.9.07
The summer end is approaching but we are having some nice weather here, the kids are back in school, the usual routine again, and mums and dads everywhere breathe a sigh to catch their breath again. :o)A chance to get a little time to themselves and plan ahead, prepare for the coming season changes, slowly. ;o)
A nice time to pop to the beach for a breather...
Spot the people?
And further around it goes...for 19 miles!!
Bring ya fishing rod and take your spot.
Plenty of room. ;o)
Beautiful eh?
Sept has hit us and now is the time to start planning what you have in store with your life, work, blogging.
You are planning to take advantage of seasonal things, aren't you? ;o)
Halloween comes up, Guy Fawkes, Christmas.
Do you add these to your plans?
Blog about what you can relating to you and your blogs topic, theme?
Planning early and planning well you can make the most of being seen when the time comes, being prepared with good articles, ideas, blog posts, contests and other angles can be a great boost, if you can keep the momentum going you have a great chance to improve the following ones, like Christmas. ;o)
While you take a breather, take time to also reflect on what you can add to the mix for the next few months. ;o)
Any thoughts?
Labels: blogging, chesil beach, general, ideas, life, pictures, plans, thoughts, tips
posted by Rob Sellen @ 2:45 PM,
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"You tell me, I'll listen" 6.9.07
It's been a real summer of reflection and change in some ways and they say people fear change, well I would like to embrace it for what it is, not least because the last 7 or 8 weeks has taught me a huge amount. ;o)
Learning things in ways I wouldn't have expected and yet learning things where I wouldn't have even looked....right under my nose! ;o)
The blogging side of it is no different on that score and what I have gained over that time I couldn't put a price on it in many ways but putting what I have learnt into practice is the key.
That's the aim and it is giving me two feelings, one of slight anticipation and one slight excitement and fear mixed.
One the one hand it's all "go for it" and yet on the other it's "what if goes wrong?"
So who better to ask than you, the reader. :o)
You see there seems quite a divide among bloggers and no-one will please everyone but at least pleasing your own readers is the main thing. :o)
What's this divide?
Monetisation and those who bleat about the so called "cause", which I guess is that blogs are "diary's, personal, not meant for making money with"...the brigade who in my eyes have no place telling others what they should and shouldn't do on their blogs.
If blogs weren't made for monetisation why did Google start AdSense?
But I digress, the fact is there is a divide and to me it's as daft as ya like. ;o)
Blogs are simply dynamic websites, no more no less. ;o)
The easy way to build an online presence...for anyone, and fast.
But it also got me thinking... ;o)
I got thinking about this blog and what I want from doing it as well as what other plans I would like to carry out elsewhere...which way am I going, and where to?
I got thinking about what I can do, now and further down the line.
Well I got some answers from asking...me, but I don't read this blog, I write it so the reader is as important as me in what can be done to improve things, after all that's the whole point and you benefit the most. ;o)
I did get some great tips from a readers view from a discussion board and it made me think too.
I will tell you why too...and I do think it matters.
We all market, we all not all marketers yet we are.
An oxymoron I know but what I mean is it's a mentality, a marketers mentality and it's more so with IM, (Internet marketing).
So while we all blog we need readers and in some way the blogs are marketed to them, even indirectly, if you blog...you market in some way yet you may not actively market.
You don't have a "marketing head on" all the time.
It's a real thing and it can also be an addictive thing but also being exciting, frustrating uplifting all rolled into one it can be a nightmare to stop, to turn that "marketing head" off.
IM is a myth, a mentality, yet a reality! ;o)
But here's the rub, without learning what I have through IM I wouldn't be where I am now. ;o)
But I digress, where was I?
Oh yeah...having stepped out of the IM circle a bit in the last month or so I have had my eyes really opened by stepping more into the blogosphere and the "social network" side of the net...which I always known of just not realised the scope and benefit of it.
The future is there, and we are a part of it already.
But I also now realise who diverse the wider picture is and feel more in line with where I am going and how, just need to act and act the best I can on what matters while also growing in the right direction.
This blog is a big part of that direction.
Lets be straight here and lets say...for instance, as it could be anyone of us bloggers and most of us will have asked themselves at some point, so for example...
It cost £30, or $30 to be online a month, so we can say...
The reality is £1, or $1 a day from this blog keeps this blog going easily, so that's free Internet...not much is it?
But...
Where does that come from?
If I don't get that how can I do that?
And every month?
(Sheesh my IM "marketing head" is partly back on... See... ;o) )
The basics people say are you usually get a 1% response rate, meaning 1 out of 100 will actually give, buy, act in what way gets you the £1 or $1 but...
Only if they have a way for you actually getting that £1 or $1.
It's the last one that's so pleasing to me and THAT is the one I like most. :o)
When I get a beer it does make me feel great and knowing someone gave freely is the icing on the cake. ;o) Maybe it's the supposedly "subliminal messages" here which I can't find! ;o)
But if you did all of above you make your chances better and worse, depending on how you do them...mix and match is what most people do.
So while I was asking myself these questions I realised making money from this blog was never really an intention but it has become a need for now because of that stepping out of the IM circle gave me a slight dip which I has risen above now...just hoping not too late. ;o)
I view the world online a little different to some being deaf it makes the world more communicative. ;o)
More accessible and for that I want to stay online for good.
Re-thinking plans and taking the lessons learnt I have to embrace changes and I will. ;o)
Well I got thinking about how this blog looks, what you get from it and how best to ensure of a £1 or $1 a day thrown in the mix.
Just for the simple reason of making the Internet pay for itself via at least one thing I do and if it's this blog than all the better...
Because I give all in this blog the best I can and want to improve, grow and write under no pressure of the content I put here, meaning it doesn't have to do more than I need it to do money wise, I enjoy writing on here and want to enjoy it more. ;o)
So in all honesty I only need to do ONE thing...for at least £1 or $1 a day I give content that's worth it ;o)
That's why a beer is better than a sell. ;o)
It means what I wrote was worth it to someone who is under no obligations.
I prefer to write longer and better posts if I can give something to someone in some way. :o)
So two or three ideas spring to mind...
Would any of you feel if all but the beer was removed that you would ever buy the beer?
Or would you get me drunk? ;o) ( Not that it goes on beer of course! )
Any thoughts, comments? Please comment.
Wanna share this post?, Please do.
Or even buy me a beer? ;o)
Learning things in ways I wouldn't have expected and yet learning things where I wouldn't have even looked....right under my nose! ;o)
The blogging side of it is no different on that score and what I have gained over that time I couldn't put a price on it in many ways but putting what I have learnt into practice is the key.
That's the aim and it is giving me two feelings, one of slight anticipation and one slight excitement and fear mixed.
One the one hand it's all "go for it" and yet on the other it's "what if goes wrong?"
So who better to ask than you, the reader. :o)
You see there seems quite a divide among bloggers and no-one will please everyone but at least pleasing your own readers is the main thing. :o)
What's this divide?
Monetisation and those who bleat about the so called "cause", which I guess is that blogs are "diary's, personal, not meant for making money with"...the brigade who in my eyes have no place telling others what they should and shouldn't do on their blogs.
If blogs weren't made for monetisation why did Google start AdSense?
But I digress, the fact is there is a divide and to me it's as daft as ya like. ;o)
Blogs are simply dynamic websites, no more no less. ;o)
The easy way to build an online presence...for anyone, and fast.
But it also got me thinking... ;o)
I got thinking about this blog and what I want from doing it as well as what other plans I would like to carry out elsewhere...which way am I going, and where to?
I got thinking about what I can do, now and further down the line.
Well I got some answers from asking...me, but I don't read this blog, I write it so the reader is as important as me in what can be done to improve things, after all that's the whole point and you benefit the most. ;o)
I did get some great tips from a readers view from a discussion board and it made me think too.
I will tell you why too...and I do think it matters.
We all market, we all not all marketers yet we are.
An oxymoron I know but what I mean is it's a mentality, a marketers mentality and it's more so with IM, (Internet marketing).
So while we all blog we need readers and in some way the blogs are marketed to them, even indirectly, if you blog...you market in some way yet you may not actively market.
You don't have a "marketing head on" all the time.
It's a real thing and it can also be an addictive thing but also being exciting, frustrating uplifting all rolled into one it can be a nightmare to stop, to turn that "marketing head" off.
IM is a myth, a mentality, yet a reality! ;o)
But here's the rub, without learning what I have through IM I wouldn't be where I am now. ;o)
But I digress, where was I?
Oh yeah...having stepped out of the IM circle a bit in the last month or so I have had my eyes really opened by stepping more into the blogosphere and the "social network" side of the net...which I always known of just not realised the scope and benefit of it.
The future is there, and we are a part of it already.
But I also now realise who diverse the wider picture is and feel more in line with where I am going and how, just need to act and act the best I can on what matters while also growing in the right direction.
This blog is a big part of that direction.
Lets be straight here and lets say...for instance, as it could be anyone of us bloggers and most of us will have asked themselves at some point, so for example...
It cost £30, or $30 to be online a month, so we can say...
The reality is £1, or $1 a day from this blog keeps this blog going easily, so that's free Internet...not much is it?
But...
Where does that come from?
If I don't get that how can I do that?
And every month?
(Sheesh my IM "marketing head" is partly back on... See... ;o) )
The basics people say are you usually get a 1% response rate, meaning 1 out of 100 will actually give, buy, act in what way gets you the £1 or $1 but...
Only if they have a way for you actually getting that £1 or $1.
- If you rely on Adsense or similar you need alot more than 100 visits to get the £1 or $1 a day.
- If you have good traffic to your blog you could do it with Adsense easy, if it's the action you want and lead them to take.
- If you have something to sell that your readers can buy you may well do it easy.
- If you sell adspace privately you may well do it easy.
- If you have a good readership and a good niche and you are an affiliate you may well do it easy.
- If you have a good following of fans whether due to controversy or other you may well get the traffic funnelled someway to earn indirectly.
- If you give great content freely and people donate to you.
It's the last one that's so pleasing to me and THAT is the one I like most. :o)
When I get a beer it does make me feel great and knowing someone gave freely is the icing on the cake. ;o) Maybe it's the supposedly "subliminal messages" here which I can't find! ;o)
But if you did all of above you make your chances better and worse, depending on how you do them...mix and match is what most people do.
So while I was asking myself these questions I realised making money from this blog was never really an intention but it has become a need for now because of that stepping out of the IM circle gave me a slight dip which I has risen above now...just hoping not too late. ;o)
I view the world online a little different to some being deaf it makes the world more communicative. ;o)
More accessible and for that I want to stay online for good.
Re-thinking plans and taking the lessons learnt I have to embrace changes and I will. ;o)
So where do you come in?
Well I got thinking about how this blog looks, what you get from it and how best to ensure of a £1 or $1 a day thrown in the mix.
Just for the simple reason of making the Internet pay for itself via at least one thing I do and if it's this blog than all the better...
Because I give all in this blog the best I can and want to improve, grow and write under no pressure of the content I put here, meaning it doesn't have to do more than I need it to do money wise, I enjoy writing on here and want to enjoy it more. ;o)
So in all honesty I only need to do ONE thing...for at least £1 or $1 a day I give content that's worth it ;o)
That's why a beer is better than a sell. ;o)
It means what I wrote was worth it to someone who is under no obligations.
I prefer to write longer and better posts if I can give something to someone in some way. :o)
So two or three ideas spring to mind...
- Keep blogging as I do, leaving the blog as is?
- Improve the overall blog layout keeping it clean and simple yet not too different?
- Streamline and clean up alot by reducing the adspace and similar?
- Have only MY income makers and not other peoples, of which is very little anyway?
- Remove all but the beer, keep on giving good content but relying on at least ONE of you a day buying a beer?
- Remove all but the beer and the only time I really share other peoples stuff is in a relevant post?
- A possible addition could be a forum, maybe as a place to also discuss this blogs post, ideas, share tips and more...free or even indirectly helping by a one off charge of a £1 beer? ;o) (It stops spammers! ;o) )
- Other ideas, or another mix?
Would any of you feel if all but the beer was removed that you would ever buy the beer?
Or would you get me drunk? ;o) ( Not that it goes on beer of course! )
Any thoughts, comments? Please comment.
Wanna share this post?, Please do.
Or even buy me a beer? ;o)
Labels: blogging, content, conversation, general, honesty, marketing, people, thoughts, tips, web 2.0
posted by Rob Sellen @ 12:44 AM,
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"Did you catch it?" 3.9.07
I hope the weekend was a good one for you.
Maybe some of you worked hard over the weekend, did you catch it?
The opportunity?
Where?
Right here on the blog, taking action using article traffic and maybe a new blog, or at least your newish blog you have been hard at work on up to now.
Grabbing the one off one way link offer to link to your choice of a good article which also has the bio box of yours on it pointing back to your blog. ;o)
This article is on your blog anyway among others you have already done.
You could have also written an article on how you write your blogs articles on "topic" with your 100% commission "article easy" book link, on a post near the one I link to... (hint: a certain yet different page, so you have bigger exposure? **) ;o)
**Any guesses? (comment below) ;o)
Opportunities are everywhere!
If I was to mention that as this is the 198th post, there is a little time to still act! ;o)
If you new you should start (after this post) on "How you start blogging" and then read up on "creating the blog" and "promoting the blog" not to mention grabbing your "one way link" which will help your blog get found faster. :o)
Give it a go and you may well have some pleasant surprises!
And why the heck should you listen to me anyway? ;o)
Labels: articles, blogging, how do i, how to, linking, newbies, tips
posted by Rob Sellen @ 1:49 PM,
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"A goal reached...I think" 29.8.07
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
posted by Rob Sellen @ 11:47 PM,
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"Sort your act out blogger" 27.8.07
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
posted by Rob Sellen @ 4:15 PM,
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"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
posted by Rob Sellen @ 3:15 PM,
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"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 myself
I 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
posted by Rob Sellen @ 12:09 PM,
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"Can you help me help myself?" 25.8.07
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
posted by Rob Sellen @ 10:21 AM,
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"Creating the blog" 13.8.07
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?
First a couple of home truths...what the "big guys" don't tell you in the "ebooks" you see.
1, It's NOT easy, simple yes, not easy but very worth doing.
Anything is simple IF you follow a step by step plan of action and DO.
Nothing really complicated is even needed to take a BIG stride and keep that ball rolling.
Put it this way, it's alot harder to "give up" once you DO have a blog up with a few post and you see it!
The first hurdle...starting is the easiest time to give up!
2, NO ONE will read you blog for a while and it will frustrate you...for as long as you let it!
"Build it and they come" is the myth of which the dream chasers hope for when they buy the "next big thing ebook".
No one will even KNOW about your blog unless you actually DO something to share it...you HAVE to market it in some sense.
To some that's a dirty thing, snake oil sellers... "Internet marketing"...is simply promoting whatever on the web... a blog for instance?
But simply telling your online friends about your blog in IS in a sense "Internet marketing"!
So YES you will have to learn how some things work.
But don't let them discourage you. :o)
Because there is just an easier way now and that is because the web is now how it should be.
Let me explain...
Web 2.0 is simply to me a term for the "more interactive websites and systems"
The more interactive YOU are, the more you benefit...it's PEOPLE not websites... ;o)
But I am slightly ahead of myself here... I'll end that slight diversion on this... you have had by now had a good look around at blogs etc to research your "topic" as in the last post... so you were interactive with them, you were "traffic" ;o) See..you will get the "traffic" aka "people"
But they are PEOPLE first, traffic second yet inseparable.
So start with people in mind and continue with people in mind.
On with the post... ;o)
Before naming your blog you should give some thoughts to keywords or even using branded style if you have in some way a brand of sorts to use...name etc.
Your content will use whatever keywords suit your "topic" etc so a keyword is not essential in the blog name...in my opinion.
But it won't hurt... ;o)
Creating the blog, using blogger from your google account with the by now researched ideas on whatever your topic with bookmarkd sites and blogs to get inspiration from.
You want to use inspiration from what caught your eye, but keep it simple enough to keep on top of and build as you go. I used minima templates as my first one and learnt alot about the code behind html etc...with the new blogger layouts you don't need to know it, just choose wisely. ;o)
Now you should take heed of this... you want to ignore the fact people may not read your blog alot for a while as it will do after a while.
The most important thing is to simply get cracking so now create a post...300 words maybe to get you going if more happens, great.
Don't stare at the blank screen... heres what i want you do to help you out there, whatever the topic...
Imagine I am sitting there with you and you are telling me about your "topic"...
Look at my pic... then sit and write... imagine it.. "hey Rob, I got all these tips on how to maintain a harley davidson"
Me : Oh yeah.. tell me a bout it.. write a list of ten.. ;o)
"Rob... I got these great recipes to share"...
Me:... Great, are they cakes, main meals etc? What Origin...
Oh, just some old english recipes passed down... "
Me: I'll read and use them.... ;o)
Write...write more, don't edit just write write, this creative writing comes flowing from you and the edit mode is later! ;o)
When you run out things to say... (IF you do!), click SAVE NOW get up and go put the kettle on or coffee pot and take a break from it... ;o)
Pat yourself on the back too...not while sipping ya drink though! Doh! :x)
Now you go back and READ your words... dont edit.. just read... make sense of it.
DO NOT put yourself down for any of it.
You just want to capture what "I" would read... ;o) Unedited.
Now you can alter spelling stuff only!
I get amazed at I need to edit less and less as I blog nowadays.. it flows fluidly at times.
Practice makes a massive difference...repetition is a great learning process.
What you will have will most likely surprise you, maybe 440 words... maybe 600... ;o)
More... doing better than most.
Tidy it up some, slightly reword a few things you feel needs doing and PUBLISH !!
That's IT... you have started and you are now a blogger! Ok.. calm down!.. ;o)
Now this is important... try to post at least 3 post a week, more if possible daily being better!
The first week you may only get a few visitors, but now you have a blog up with 3 or more post and it's a ball rolling.
Next, some ideas on pushing that ball better. ;o)
If you like this and it helps... great, up to you what you do NEXT, stumble this, digg it, share with someone, subscribe to my email updates or feed, comment to it, or even buy me a beer! ;o)
After all you are a person...people first traffic second so I leave THAT choice up to you.. :o)
Remember to write it with me in mind, and then come tell me and I WILL read it... ;o)
Off to check stats LOL.. ;o)
Edit to add...on the sidebar here is a report on writing articles which would be a great help if you really stuggle and not only that it could be your FIRST income maker on YOUR new blog! :o)
Labels: blog, blogger, blogging, blogs, content, conversation, general, google, honesty, how do i, how to, newbies, people, tips
posted by Rob Sellen @ 1:57 PM,
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"meme: 5 ways you can...." 17.7.07
Help me change my life!
Before I explain the meme I will need to explain this post to make sense to everyone.
I feel a bit bad, slightly annoyed but humbled.
You see just over a year ago I was made homeless wrongly...without naming or discussing it for obvious reasons.
I was helped by many over that period and will always be grateful for that as I should.
All that though made me feel bad, ashamed as a dad...they were so good I didn't feel that way for too long.
Now I am housed, I am on the way to showing my boys a good lesson to see, picking yourself up and dusting yourself down...getting on. It wasn't a lesson I wanted them to see me show that way but it is going to be.
Now its a case of making my place a home..it's pretty bare yep!
I got back, blogging and more, but I lost a key thing in momentum...the ball was rolling and ground to a slow crawl, one downside of a blog as apposed to a website.
I would love to be a full time blogger and hope to continue that way to be so.
I wanted to share the positive of that belief I will be.
I am not one to lie and say I make blah blah 1000's a month!
But...
Now I would love it if you could help me make up some of the momentum I lost, help me to step up my aim to show my sons it pays to get up and dust off.
The book I mentioned in an earlier post has clarified alot for me and refined my focus as well as my determination and motivation.
Not to make blah blah money, but to achieve what I set myself out for and do things the right way in the right direction.
For me the Internet and blogging is a new world of communication, from no distance communication at all to worldwide is... you know!
If money comes...great as long as I have given more than that in value.
So... hopefully you can understand the importance of momentum online as well as the fact it DOES take work.
But here I am in front of a computer just like you...we are far better of than most so we can't complain. :o)
But I want to thank you for being my reader, you are helping me already more than you know.
Now back to the meme...
I hereby name this meme "5 ways you can..."
Here's what I thought.
The meme is passed around with your "5 ways you can "whatever" " (More on that in a min)
I will write my "5 ways you can..." Help me Change my life.
- Keep reading my blog to help me towards becoming a full time blogger. I would love to sit and blog more often on this blog, so if the readership goes up and effects the income then great, it means I can post far more here. THAT would be great and would I hope also mean I am giving value.
- Subscribe to my feed for your reader or email inbox. Subscribing can be done from the sidebar or bottom of the blog, I recommend googles reader because I do use it, along with iGoogle as a homepage its a great quick easy option to keep up with all the blogs you read and more.
- Donate towards my furniture chase! Yes I am serious, crazy as it sounds my place is slightly bare still, not homey yet so I'd love to finish it off and have somewhere my boys feel comfy bringing their friends to should they want to...not even enough sofa for us three! You can easily help should you want to by clicking the beer icon at the bottom of the post. Rest assured it won't be going on beer! ;o) Better still would be buy something from this blog and gain something in return.
- Comment on this blog saying what you would like me to blog about. You would be helping me tailor my post to benefit you the readers while also inspiring me to keep going.
- Blog about this meme. Would be great to see this meme spread knowing we were at the front and we spread it afar. Meant to be a bit of fun but could be a very interesting meme for a good reason.**
This is how I considered it working.
You blog with a link to this post, your post is titled "meme: 5 ways you can..." and in your post the choice you make, at the end of the post you "tag" 5 people with this meme and so on.
**The twist of fun and interest.You can pick whatever you choose (within reason) as your 5 things, but you must guess what those you tag will choose. ;o)
Could be interesting for those who you choose.
They still choose what they want to post about but may well have a surprised feeling at the "taggers perception" of them.
Maybe you all ignore it!!
Who knows?
The 5 I tag and what I guess they could choose for "5 ways you can..."
- Lynn Terry... "5 ways you can... Balance being a successful mom / homeworker."
- Seth Godin... "5 ways you can... Effectively spread your message further, faster and easier."
- Yaro Starak... "5 ways you can... Easily improve you blogs effectiveness."
- Michel Fortin... "5 ways you can... Quickly, effectively and easily improve your sales copy"
- Brian Clark... "5 ways you can... Pull your readers in with eye grabbing headlines."
Maybe they will share some great tips we can all benefit from. :o)
Who will they choose to tag?
Should be fun learning for us all.Never know what people will share...
5 ways you can... bake better cakes?
5 ways you can... improve your health this week?
5 ways you can... spend a family day out?
5 ways you can... save money this year?
5 ways you can... lower your carbon footprint?
5 ways you can... save time?
5 ways you can... cook with potatoes?
And more...!
Who will you choose?
Labels: 5 ways you can, blog, blogging, conversation, fun, general, meme, people, tagging
posted by Rob Sellen @ 2:06 AM,
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"Trying to change?" 16.7.07
Taking to blogging and IM to "change things" round?
Chasing the pipe dream that is overnight riches?
Desperate to change tomorrow and blogging furiously to do so?
Take heed of your blogs future and what you are trying to change as so well put by Seth.
Labels: blogging, general, IM, life, marketing, people, plans, seth godin
posted by Rob Sellen @ 9:36 PM,
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