Blogging and Marketing Resources for the Average Blogger and Business
Posts tagged Relationships
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
PageRank as a Measurement Tool
Aug 9th
PR Checker Badges
Recently, I offered to provide free blog reviews. I am very pleased to say that the response has been great. I have several in the works and will be posting the next one soon. Thank you again. Where appropriate, I’ve been showing that blog’s Google PageRank (TM) as a way to further define their success. Since this is a great tool for getting a quick read on how Google sees your blog (or anyone else’s in which you are interested), I decided to place the tool here for your convenience.
What is PageRank, you say? Let me explain.
Many of you already have a badge on your blogs showing your PageRank, but you may not know what drives the number. First, there are many sites that measure and provide statistics. The one I use, PR Checker, is simple and has the best looking selection of badges.
Let’s start with how Google describes it. After all, it’s their trademarked and patented tool. (In the spirit of full disclosure, notice the TM above for every reference on my site.) Google says,
“PageRank relies on the uniquely democratic nature of the web by using its vast link structure as an indicator of an individual page’s value. In essence, Google interprets a link from page A to page B as a vote, by page A, for page B. But, Google looks at more than the sheer volume of votes, or links a page receives; it also analyzes the page that casts the vote. Votes cast by pages that are themselves “important” weigh more heavily and help to make other pages ‘important’.”
Of course, it is much more complex that this, but in essence, “the higher the ranked sites that link to your site, the higher your PageRank.”
As I often do, I turn to our friends at Wikipedia to dig deeper. This entry is about all the detail I care to consider – or serve up. If you have trouble sleeping at night, I’m sure you can find even more detailed descriptions on the web.
A while back, I posted about the value of relationships in a post comparing online and offline businesses. This is probably the number one piece of advice I could give. Visit blogs, engage in the topics, provide clear perspectives, make your visit there valuable, and they will reciprocate. A relationship is built, a link back may ensue and you’ve just added some PageRank juice to your site.
Dave
Free Blog Review by The Ultimate Blogging Toolkit
Jul 16th
A Blog Review to Answer Your Questions
The Ultimate Blogging Toolkit is offering to review your blog – for free! Why, you ask would I want to do that. Well, the benefits are mutual.
First, your blog receives an honest, objective and hopefully helpful assessment of what I see as an average blogger. Next, you’ll receive through my review on the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit, a permanent link back to your blog. A link back to you from another site is one of many ways to help improve your page ranking for Search Enging Optimization (SEO).
My only request is that you make a post on your blog, discussing the review you received on the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit, and return the link back to me. I get some press and some of that good SEO juice.
But more importantly, I get better exposure – at more in depth levels – to additional blogs. Quality engagement and interaction: isn’t that what this is all about?
Your blog must have a specific, obvious and very targeted theme. Reviewing a personal blog of anything that comes to the mind of the blogger is not of any interest for this exercise. I have one of those and it’s just my way of throwing out perspectives.
Violent, prejudiced, hate-filled, or pornographic sites will not be considered. I have no issues with those – 1st Amendment Rights and all. I just don’t want to include them in this exercise. It will be my call on whether I feel comfortable reviewing your site.
A special thank you needs to go to Blog Angel at Blogs With Wings. She gave me the idea for this post and I want to thank her for that. We have exchanged thoughts on topics before and I value and appreciate her insights. Visit. You won’t be disappointed.
If you would like your blog considered, place a comment on this post. I moderate all comments, so if your comment appears, you’re on my list to be reviewed. Check back often to watch for the review. Then, I would appreciate your post discussing the review, and linking back to me.
Best regards,
Dave
Entrecard Paid Ads Confusion
May 22nd
Is This Sustainable?
As I continue to use Entrecard to further develop my network of fellow bloggers, I continue to see many forms of resistence to “Paid Ads.” There are many people who feel this is a “sell-out” but I hold a slightly different view. Let’s look at the economics.
First, understand I’m relatively new to Entrecard, so I may be holding somewhat of a naive viewpoint. With that said, I see the “No Paid Ads” movement as a somewhat self-defeating move. Dropping cards on each other as a way to track the touch points in buiding relationships is fine – we all benefit with Entrecard Credits (ECs) when dropping or being dropped. But where’s the financial source for those of us who want to monetize our blogs?
Without the paid ads, I’m not quite following how members can earn any income whatsoever. Granted, the potential is small to moderate, but it’s a start for many of us, speaking for myself.
If everyone boycotted paid ads, where is the incentive for Entrecard to continue, grow, flourish and benefit all its members? The perspectives of long-time members are welcomed and appreciated.
Dave
Yes, It’s Been A While
Nov 29th
Posted by Dave in Uncategorized
5 comments
First, if you are reading this, thank you for being patient. I appreciate every one of you who follow. I’ve been developing some other project ideas and I’m now in a position to move them forward – and the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit will be a part of them. Stay tuned.
Secondly, for those of you who have asked about a Free Blog Review, again, thank you for staying with me and yes, I will be conducting each and every one of them.
Again, thank you and look for some new concepts to be introduced as part of the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit. I’ve missed this interaction, but very excited to be bringing you fresh perspectives in the near future.
Dave