Blogging and Marketing Resources for the Average Blogger and Business
Posts tagged Entrecard
Updated Above the Fold Lists
Dec 29th
Updated "Above the Fold" Lists
Bloggers who pay attention to widgets from Adgitize and Entrecard have many reasons for doing so. One, of course is convenient “dropping.” We can debate the impacts on bounce rates vs. the exposure to new blogs. However, in this regard, the best blog real estate for any sort of advertising is “Above the Fold” on the opening screen without the need for scrolling.
With a new monitor used to maintain the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit comes the need to refresh the Above the Fold lists – and add a new one. To appear on the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit’s Above the Fold lists, the widget must be identifiable and clickable in the first 984 pixels on the screen. In the spirit of sharing the tools I’ve developed, this is what works for me. I hope it is beneficial to you.
The lists are now:
This is the sequence in which I use my lists and what appears to have the best value for me. I would appreciate your comments on your experience with Above the Fold drop lists (or new sites to add to the various lists!)
Hint: When using Google Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer, hold down the CTRL key when clicking the links on the list. Each click will open a new tab but will keep you right on this page and allow you rapid clicking through the list. As the list gets longer, it will of course take time to load them all. However, this is a very efficient way to get many easy-to-drop blogs served up in tabs.
If you find these “Above the Fold” lists beneficial, feel free to link directly to this or any of the pages.
Enjoy!
Dave
Better Blog Badge Bonanza
Dec 13th
A Badge... Finally!
OK, I admit this post’s name is a bit cute, but the topic is a result of taking some time off. Getting back into the blogging saddle has reminded me of some long overdue details. One is the lack of a real blog badge.
You see them in nearly every blog you visit. That 125 X 125 pixel calling card that lets readers know about your blog. Some blogs share their own with a “Grab my Badge” offer along with some HTML that allows you to load it into your own blog or web site.
In blog sharing and network advertising services like Entrecard, Adgitize, CMF Ads, and many others, it is the badge that provides the visibility into what you have to offer. I’d be the first to admit that while mine is pretty basic with its pleasing colors and basic white text, there is an art to the creation of badges. The result is what calls out for attention on all these networks. A call that says, “click on me!” Mine is basic, but it also has a great story about its very unique identity.
I recently found a site called Random Art. Its author, Andrej Bauer, is a mathematician from Slovenia. On his site, he uses programming languages called OCAML and CDuce from which he wrote a 2000 line program. This program allows a visitor to enter names, terms, initials, etc. to create a totally unique image. (Are you seeing where this is going?)
The program first chooses a random name from which a mathematical formula is generated that describes the color of each pixel in the picture. What you enter is input to the program when it creates the image. The same name always determines the same picture. However, it is nearly mathematically impossible for two different terms which are entered to create the same image. Bauer indicates on his web site that, “It is hard to determine their precise number, but we may safely claim that there are more random pictures than there are atoms in the universe.” I’m thinking that’s a pretty strong endorsement for “unique.”
You can read more about Andrej Bauer on his personal site.
So why am I sharing this? A couple of reasons, actually.
In Yes, It’s Been a While, I stated that some of the time away had been used to identify some new blogging ideas and projects. This is just one of them. I used Random Art to create my new badge! What you see is the letters UBT entered into Random Art, rotated 180 degrees for aesthetics, then Photoshopped with some sizing and text. (Yes, my first real Photoshop project. Another result of my time away!) I have updated my profiles in Entrecard, Adgitize, CMF Ads as a first step. My hope is that this small step toward visible “legitimacy” may help my cause. Time will tell.
But there is another reason for the Badge discussion. I have been very focused on getting my badge displayed. It has been important to get the right look, make it unique, and tell my story in 125 by 125 pixels. Consistent with the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit’s mission to provide blogging resources to the average blogger, I thought it would be fun to extend that to the creativity invested in the millions of blog badges across the Internet.
In a few days, I’ll post a much shorter entry and create its own page about adding the Blog Badge Bonanza to the Free Blog Review. Yes, I still have many reviews to conduct, but there’s no reason why I can’t fill the pipeline even further. UPDATE: HERE’S THE NEW PAGE!
My offer: send me your badge along with how and why you created it the way you did. Include what you’ve learned and if it is a revision from an earlier design. Did you create it, or did you have it done professionally? Are you happy with it, or just tolerating it and why? I’ll use it to tell your story in a blog post and link back to your blog.
Similar to the Free Blog Review, all I ask is that in your blog, write a post that refers to the Blog Badge Bonanza and that you were featured. Include a link to your specific post on The Ultimate Blogging Toolkit, or to my home page.
Who’s in?
Thanks,
Dave
Overdue List Updates
Dec 7th
Ultimate Blogging Toolkit "Above the Fold" Lists
In my effort to get re-engaged in the blogging process, one of the tasks I’ve been focused on is updating the “Above the Fold” lists for Adgitize and Entrecard enabled sites. As a blogger, it is good to adjust your site, testing new monetizaton strategies, better usability and overall evolution. But through this lense, sometimes these changes eliminate sites from the lists.
(And for Jody Burdette, your Blog Review has begun and will be published soon!)
I recognize Entrecard has gone through significant changes with ownership and strategy adjustments, but it still provides benefits on two very important fronts:
- Entrecard still provides an excellent environment to experience new blogs and to be experienced by others.
- For those just interested in “clicking for credits,” the widget shows whether you’ve clicked to day or not (a significant benefit for those combining Adgitize, since Adgitize doesn’t indicate today’s click.)
Nothing significantly new with Adgitize. They keep serving up blogs, offering advertising at attractive rates and fostering interaction in their own way.
Here’s a few changes just made to the Entrecard and Adgitize Above the Fold List:
- Business Sphere Consulting removed: Adgitize scrolling required
- Doug’s Missoula Blog removed: Adgitize scrolling required
- Healthy Herbal Products removed: Entrecard scrolling required; Adgitize gone
- Kamila The Camel removed: Adgitize scrolling required
- Jhtongson removed: Adgitize scrolling required
- The Ad Master removed: Adgitize and Entrecard scrolling required
- 113 Dir removed: Entrecard gone
- 2 Witches removed: Adgitize and Entrecard scrolling required
What this has uncovered for me is the need to address the Entrecard Above the Fold List as well. In fact, I see an Adgitize Only List coming soon.
As always, drop a note if you have others to add.
Thanks,
Dave
Blog Review: Lavender Greetings
Aug 23rd
Lavender Greetings Blog
Each blog review I’ve performed has of course been unique, consistent with the unique qualities of the individual blogs and their authors. Lavender Greetings is no exception. What is particularly noteworthy in this case is the relationship between the Lavender Greetings blog, an ecommerce site selling custom, handmade greeting cards, and an Etsy site selling the same cards. For this review, I will provide a perspective on each and hopefully some advice on pulling them together.
First, the blog. (After all this is a blog review!)
With Blogger as the hosting platform, the layout is organized and the graphics well done and VERY lavender! I’m not making light of the lavender theme. This creates an instant connection for the reader and is a strength I would like to see exploited in the eCommerce site, but more on that later. I am also very pleased to see not one animated gadget or widget on the site. As you’ve read in other reviews, too much animation is distracting and at times, annoying. But Karen has done an excellent job of providing straighforward information and an already extensive and useful Category/Tag collection for such a new blog property (first post Tuesday, June 9, 2009.)
While the lavender banner is quite pleasing, it takes up valuable “above the fold” space. The graphic shown here is what I see when I first access the blog. Note that only a little more than a paragraph from the top post is shown and so little of the embedded graphic, that without scrolling, it is impossible to see what it is. If the header were half the height (cropped carefully), all of the important elements could be retained, but the important content on the remainder of the page would move up into a more visible location.
One more comment about the banner: “Welcome to Lavender Greetings” is a pleasant message for new arrivals, but it still isn’t absolutely clear to me what the site is about. A tag line something like, “A place to explore handmade greeting cards” or “We’re talking custom, handmade greeting cards!” would further describe the site, confirming the visitor is in the right place.
I have an ongoing debate with a valued friend about the merits of Google Ads when trying to sell your own wares. My friend’s perspective fits this situation to a tee. In the top position when I captured the screen is Wedding Supply Superstore. Based on the Seahorse and Celebration of Love wedding invitations on the eCommerce site (again, more on that in a minute), Karen already has a good start on a beautiful collection of wedding “supplies.” Why earn a few cents for the click, only to have the potential customer leave the site? My recommendation is to look hard at the Adsense earnings. Unless it is a significant revenue source, I might suggest an alternative.
Traffic – quality traffic – is always the initial driver of success. Without quality traffic, nothing else is possible. For my blogs (Ultimate Blogging Toolkit, and a more casual, The New Blogged Word) I have been quite pleased with my combination of Entrecard and Adgitize as free networks that allow members to explore (and be explored!) in any number of categories. At Entrecard, there are currently 850 members in Women’s Interests, 2462 in Art, 305 in Romance, and 903 in Hobbies. What better environment to develop relationships and be exposed to others who appreciate crafting? With Entrecard, members earn credits for visiting other blogs and “dropping” your card on the site. Both the “dropper” and the “dropee” get a credit. Use credits to advertise on other blogs, gaining yet more exposure.
Adgitize Badge
With Adgitize, visiting sites is still the name of the game, but based on blogs visited, page views, ads displayed and posts made on your blog, actual money is earned. It’s not a lot, but I might argue that depending on the traffic currently received on Lavender, it may be comparable, or even better than Adsense results.
(Karen, if you click through here or on my Adgitize badge to the right, and join, I gain some ancillary benefits. Many thanks!)
Next, the eCommerce Site: Make it Lavender!
I am so impressed with the lavender “ambiance” when visiting the blog, I recommend capitalizing on that positive feeling. I know, easier said than done, because with many things, there are options. My job is to lay a few of them out for you.
Lavender Greetings on Etsy
“Recommended” Option A
Use Etsy as the primary eCommerce activity. It has a built-in shopping cart, ability to search the site, a unique presence, and easy “categories” to find merchandise. (See red boxes on graphic.) Use www.lavendergreetings.com for the Blogger site (choose Custom Domain in Blogger’s Settings > Publishing.) Make the blog the primary landing identity, blog about interesting new cards, creative uses by customers, or exotic locales where the cards have been shipped, then promote the Etsy store as the way to purchase. Yes, this means your eCommerce site goes away.
Regarding the Etsy identity, when planning the new banner for the blog, size it appropriately to be used as the custom graphic on Etsy. (Note: I’m assuming this is possible.) That way, when someone goes from the blog to Etsy, the same, familiar lavender “ambiance” that I really like is retained. It would make it appear that it is all one environment, unlike the very dissimilar treatments in play today.
Option B
Revamp the eCommerce site to make it look like the blog (lavender, graphics, fonts, etc.) This still maintains three separate environments (blog, eCommerce, Etsy) which confuses me. I’m really not in favor of this unless a serious change could be done. Navigation, fonts, colors – everything needs to be rethought if it is to be elevated to the simple elegance of the blog and solid functionality of Etsy.
Option C
This may be a longer term strategy, but Karen, you may want to consider WordPress as a content management system. It is a great blog environment (The Ultimate Blogging Toolkit uses it) and it is easily customizable. If you don’t want to learn to customize it, there are many, many people who do that sort of thing. Since it is quite common, customization services are usually not very expensive. That way, you could eventually incorporate blogging, the eCommerce site, and the Etsy store functions all into one web property.
This of course would require you to purchase your own hosting. Just like I’ve shamelessly plugged Adgitize, BlueHost is what I use and I’m quite pleased. Joining through this link gives me some benefits here as well. Thanks.
Karen, the URL you own, LavenderGreetings.com is perfect; hold onto it. Regardless which way you decide to take this activity, you will benefit from it.
For everyone else, Lavender Greetings has wonderful products made by someone who seems to be very passionate about her craft. Blogs, URLs, WordPress, hosting – all are very necessary “evils,” but they are secondary and will evolve over time. Karen has the right product, the right color and the right attitude to be successful. My hope is that this review will help in a small way with the necessary evils.
Dave
Entrecard Acquired by Ziprunner
Jul 22nd
Entrecard is now Exitcard
One of my earliest posts on the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit was my new found networking system of learning about new blogs, called Entrecard. By now, most of you have discovered Entrecard has been acquired by Ziprunner. At the bottom of this post, I have displayed the email notice that came from Graham Langdon, Entrecard’s previous CEO.
Entrecard has seen its challenges recently as it has tried to evolve, grow, mature and still please all its members. I don’t intend to expound on the merits of individual strategies or whether Ziprunner will be better or worse. Instead, it is a great opportunity to discuss change and the need for bloggers to adjust to change – or sometimes make it happen.
As I’ve explored other networking and advertising options to further monetize the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit, the New Blogged Word, and my newest project, Energication, I’ve come to realize there is no one best solution. I’ve since added Adgitize as a new advertising system, CMF Ads and Project Wonderful on various blogs. (More posts coming on my experiences with them soon.) It’s still too early to declare a hands down winner, but it has been an interesting start. Each one has its merits, and its drawbacks.
The important message: try new things. The old adage of “if it aint broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t hold true today. Today, constant iteration of new advertising strategies, monetization models, A/B testing, and so forth are the name of the game. Keep pushing the limits. Other bloggers (aka your competition for eyeballs) are. Constant change is simply the ante to play.
Time will tell if this Entrecard change is positive or negative. For now, Entrecard continues to be a very good tool and I intend to keep experimenting, learning and adjusting with it and other environments. It is the ability to change that is what bloggers need to master, and I intend to continue that effort.
The Entrecard announcement email appears below.
Dave
7.16.09
Dear Entrecarders,
It is with great excitement that I announce Entrecard.com, Inc. has been acquired by Los Angeles based ZipRunner Inc.
ZipRunner has the resources, vision, and dedication to Entrecard that will allow it to grow in pursuit of the vision I laid out nearly two years ago.
Moving forward, my relationship to Entrecard will be that of an adviser, and I will help the good folks at ZipRunner take the whole project to the next level. Expect a follow up communication from them very soon.
ZipRunner Inc. was chosen out of a number of potential suitors because of the resources they can dedicate to the project, their exciting vision for the company’s future, and their understanding of social media and the blogosphere.
I urge you all to look forward to a bigger, better Entrecard, and I couldn’t be more proud to bring it to this point before passing the torch. I’ve heard first hand all the great things that are in store for the company and it’s members, and needless to say it has me quite excited.
If you would like to keep in touch with me in the future, you can find me at my new blog Ontrapranore.com where I look forward to sharing my stories of entrepreneurship and starting/running internet companies.
Whether you love or hate the decisions I’ve made for Entrecard in the past, I always did the best I could to move the company forward given the resources I had, and I always had the best interest of the members in mind. Now, with new management and ownership stepping in, I urge anyone who has left the service to give it another chance, and I urge those who have been loyal members for days, weeks, months, or years to look forward to a brighter future, a reliable and stable service, and great new features and strategic direction.
Signing Off,
Graham Langdon
Founder of Entrecard
Ontrapranore
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