Blogging requires discipline !

It's easy enough to create a blog and toss some affiliate links into the blogs’ template.

Creating posts every day proves a tougher challenge, and the vast majority of blogs don't last very long. Non-writers who think writing is easy find out that one to three entries a day, every day, doesn't just roll out of the head… It requires optimism, discipline, and focus.

People will find optimism, the most difficult of the three to maintain consistently, and, no wonder that impacts one's blogging. Sentences become too terse, or grow to lengths that could have been avoided. Optimism comes from one’s continual work toward a goal.

Discipline is easier than optimism. That may seem strange, but most people tend to do certain tasks each day or week, whether they are at work or at home. Blogging's consistently posting a minimum number of posts each day, even just one, can become part of anyone's routine.

Not every blog post has to be 500 words long. There is something to be said for conciseness, but the content has to be good enough for at least a hundred words to get a point across to a reader. So, sometimes less is more.

Now we come to focus, the most complex of the three and getting that traffic means the blog has to effectively inform visitors consistent with the blog's focus. The blog could be a standalone presence, or it could be in place to support a site. But publishers probably want to have a blog complementing an existing site. This is where focus helps.

So bottom-line…..Try and get a regular, disciplined blog posting in a way that focuses on the main topic of the blog, which inturn helps build a perceived authority on the topic.

The blog topic

What will your blog be about?

How do you choose the topic for your blog?

To answer these questions you need to decide what topics you are interested in. What are the things that you enjoy talking about and that you would like to share with others? For instance, if you are a writer and enjoy blogging about writing, then that should be suited for you.

The same is true for any thing that interests you. You can share your life’s events or hobbies that you enjoy. If certain events that are taking place in the world get you stirred up this could be a good topic for your blog. You do however, have to choose a topic so that anyone interested in visiting your blog will know what to expect. Otherwise, very few people may want to waste their time going to a blog when they have no idea what it is about.

After determining the things that interest you, your next step would be to choose the topic from these things that is broad enough to allow you to gather information to have something to talk about. You do not want to make two or three entries then run out of things to say. An example of a good topic would be a network marketer.

Someone with this type of blog could write about tips on marketing tools and strategies. They could also talk about marketing software and a number of other subjects related to network marketing. The key is to have a topic that will allow you plenty of material to talk about, but still small enough that you can stay focused on one subject.

Readers come to expect a certain amount of information when they look at your blog. This is why it is important to stay focused on your original topic most of the time. If you begin talking about to many other subjects to often, some of your readers could lose interest and look elsewhere for information. It doesn’t hurt to throw something else in there occasionally just to keep things interesting, but for the most part stick to your topic.

Why should I blog ?

Because just about EVERYONE is!

Another way to say that it is......that 6% of the entire U.S. adult population (internet users and non-users alike) have created blogs. That’s one out of every 20 people or that translates into more than 11 million American adults who say they have created blogs.

Moreover 16% of all U.S. adults (or one in six people) are blog readers.

Well, OK, if that isn't good enough for you, here are two more reasons.

Blogs let you REACH and RELATE.

Reach... Who?

Your audience. Customers, subscribers, prospects, readers. Anyone whom you could earlier reach by email. Have you looked at your email delivery stats lately? Notice how fewer messages are getting through to your list. Blame it on the deluge of spam email. Or the use of increasingly aggressive filters, by ISPs and end users.

Fact is, e-mail is getting less effective as a communication tool simply because it often fails to reach the intended recipient.

Enter the blog - where a message is on the Web for anyone to see. There's still the issue of getting the word out when you update the blog - but I'll come to that later.

The next good reason... Relate.

How?

By revealing your true personality, by letting your individuality shine through. It's easier to establish rapport with audiences through a blog post that's an unpolished form of your thought processes - than through a corporate bulletin or edited newsletter.

So Reach and Relate - through your Blog.

Why are blogs hot ?

First you need to understand that blogs are an industry that is growing rapidly. It increases every day. There are millions of blogs being tracked by Technorati right now. Therefore, to be a success you need to know what techniques work and which ones do not. Using the right techniques will help you to see positive results with your blog in no time at all.

Web logs do not represent something brand new in human communication. They are only different types of diaries that closely resemble web logs.

It's Personal -- it's done by a person, not an organization. The individual's personality shines through the blog posts. Not a sanitized, corporatized, acceptable form of collective thinking and feeling -- but the unique, rough edged, even sometimes bizarre individualism of the blog owner.

It's on the Web -- So it can be updated frequently, is not expensive to maintain, and can be accessed through a web browser by anyone you choose to permit.

It's Published -- There are templates into which each post is 'streamed' by an automated process. The result is an electronic publication. One that can be distributed to many others, even syndicated, through technology called RSS feeds.

In short, it is a part of a vast online Community -- Each blog links to several others, connecting people together through common interests. And as any eMarketer knows, building interactive online communities around an area of interest is the secret of online success.

Now, perhaps that’s the reason why they are hot!

Blogging is HOT

If you have spent any time on the internet, you have heard the word “blog”. But just what is this concept of blogging and how can it make you rich? This is where everybody is at a loss

Of course, making money is what it’s all about so you will have to learn how to use your blog for this purpose

The phenomenon of creating and managing web logs has caught the imagination of the online community.

Weblogs – or ‘blogs’ – and their related tools, tricks, tips and paraphernalia are springing up all around you.

As a savvy web marketer aspiring to be ‘ahead of the curve’, what do YOU need to know about blogs and blogging?

A lot.

And the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Enjoy it!

What is Pinging?

Pinging is another way of bringing traffic to your blog.

The way it works is by letting search engines and other feed directories know that the content on your blog has been updated. Sites such as PingoMatic and Pingoat are two that are set up to provide this service.

Technorati is one of the most high-ranking pinging-services available.

They inform other sites that take content from blogs that you are updated and all you have to do is visit the pinging site each time you update. The more sites they ping, means that more potential visitors re coming your way.

There are two ways to use a ping site. One way is by having your blog added to directories and then you tell them when the updates are normally made. They will checks for updates every so often. However, the best way is by having blogging software that will ping specific services automatically whenever your blog is updated.

I signed up for PPP!

You wouldn’t believe how glad I was to open my email this morning and read that the Payperpost had given me my first post – "We want new Posties to talk about what you love best about PayPerPost.

Now before I begin…..what's PPP?

No... it's not anything political like People's Political Party... But instead, it stands for payperpost.

Now, I didn’t want them to give me that post – I would have done that for them free – given the hassles I have been through. Forget it….you wouldn’t understand…..

But what I respect most is their customer service…. Yes, they drove me up the wall, rejecting just about everything I submitted. But they still give me another chance to correct it and submit it again. But I was in two minds and thought they were playing with me. But all said and done, I am glad that they approved my post and gave me the go ahead….. I sincerely hope that this is just a beginning.

Now all I got to do in return is why I signed up and how I heard about PPP and spread the love!!

Okay here goes…

If anybody who wants to make some extra income from blogging, just sign up with payperpost… Believe me it would me far more than you bargained for… I think this is a great source for side income if you already own a blog and is a freelancer working from home. It is even better if you are a college student...there is nothing like side income during college days.



The minimum payment for a post is USD.5.00 and that definitely is not bad... It is particularly good for Asian countries, where the opportunities are opening up like crazy, but still far from being organised.

PayPerPost pays you via your PayPal account... and there is another way to earn besides writing posts and that is through the referral program. YES! You will get paid to do blog reviews !!!

All you got to do is to click on that button on the right-hand sidebar, where it says to sign up with PayPerPost, and a special opportunity will be created just for you and all you gotta do is to review a post. Your post will be approved shortly, and you'll get the agreed amount credited into your PayPal account!

So, what are you waiting for? Click on that button now!

Only disadvantage, is that you better get a high Page Rank as fast as possible and some quick traffic to your site. Only then, your blog would stand out. Also rremember, your blog must be at least 3 months old and there must be at least a minimum of 20 posts before hand. I guess the above explains it !

So, what you waiting for ? Just go ahead and sign up with payperpost.

Once again, thank you PPP.

My Technorati Profile

Technorati Profile

Recently started to use the services of technocrati as one of my friends suggested me to have a Technorati Profile.

Technorati Profile as its a good website for a blogger. It gives all information on blogging and lets you to publish content and get famous amongst millions of other technocrati users. So watch my Technorati Profile and help me be famous too in the Internet.

Thanks

Back into Blogging

Sometime back, I got into this blogging thingy, but unlike others, the difference was I had very little choice but get into it big time as my investor was sitting on my shoulder. All he needed was me and he was least interested in others…..he was just interested in me and my connections !

Phew… Little did others realize my situation…….. as I had very little, or infact no choice at all but get into it full heartedly.

I had some idea about blogging, blogs and knew who were the Patrick Gavins, Chris Garretts, Richard Jalichandra, Troy Irelands, Jarrod Hunt, Ted Murphy, Karen Allen etc…etc..

My problem was, that I was afraid they knew me or that they had the same if not better contacts I had.. However, I had an advantage……I could ask for anything and get away with it being a newbie !

My investor was sending me “aids” from all sides just to set up similar, if not identical sites and run it for him….. it was then I thought better stick with blogging rather than breaking up established companies. In other words, you get a fab piece of inside “aid” and breaking that company down systematically.

I decided to go against it and go into blogging and not into anything else and devote a week for each of these guys as the “aid” I received….and then go fulltime later [perhaps a year or so later] in to starting a paid review company

Okay, it was time to do some serous thinking……. Gimme a week and let’s see how the first scapegoat develops !

The question being asked at that time was why you getting into blogging and that too not to seriously, when you could start a paid review service at that time with ease. As not only I had access to all these companies, but there was very little competition.

But, then again I just couldn’t get myself to do it. ……I decided to play simple….NO I was not going against those in the same jig !

Aww….frigg it…. After all these guys are doing the same thing as you do, and it wouldn’t be fair to play dirty….. What is the use…… some new company…. Rewarding raves ……. My a*se !

Better to be recognized as a straight player…..

Cold feet, perhaps ?

No, cold feet wouldn’t be right….. It just was conscience…

Conscience ??

What does conscience have to do when you have guys by their b*lls [with due apologies]

Opportunity doesn’t come always and who cares about ethics when you have things going for you. In other words, when they don’t have things going for them, but neither they nor the market realizes that.


Funnily, now I regret of not taking that offer….would have had at least two Companies up and running with two execs looking after the day-to-day affairs……

What do I have now……basically nothing and even worse being criticized by the same lot whom you stuck up for!

Now that my blogging relationship are at a distance, I don’t know who these guys are, ie., the Patrick Gavins, Chris Garretts, Richard Jalichandra, Troy Irelands, Jarrod Hunt, Ted Murphy, Karen Allen……….

Worst, I now am being rejected by just about every blogging source……and for no bl**dy reason….. Tried to find out why….and it ended up that your guess is as good as mine.

My blogs are being labeled fake, with no traffic and lack of links [which to an extent is true, as I can’t juggle 10 blogs at one time !]

The worst is that most of the blog content is being labeled spam…….now that’s icing on the cake…..

My friend Pam laughs it off ……ofcourse she can afford it….. with an initial of S…..Pams’ name keeps appearing as S.Pam……wish I had that name…..that would solve me a lot of problems.

Hope something solves this issue so that I can have my regular blogging income returned or else this is driving me from a striving writer to a starving writer !

One thing I have learnt is that there is so many darn sources out there….. and nobody really cares…. Take up any opportunity as they come…….forget the source, ethics and scruples…..there is no such thing as playing dirty…….just only playing the right card at the right time !

If and when I start my paid review company, one thing I am gonna avoid for sure is these approvals…firstly, they are so stuck up….secondly you pay bloggers the desired amount, there are so many guys out there willing to write for ya…….Its a buyers market out there…so better keep quiet and pay up, otherwise, somebody else would do it for ya at a cheaper price!

That’s about it for now….. shall vent out any balance frustrations later…

Guys, gimme a break will ya !

Toodles

How should I make money from blogging?

Most people start off with the two questions

a) Where do I start if I want to create a new blog?

b) How should I make money from blogging?

Or What returns do I get from all this work I put in?

Two other questions which most people don’t ask(but should) are:

c) WHY are you blogging? and
d) What do you stand for?


Its a Catch 22 situation !

Here's Why Paying For Your Traffic Is A Smart Move

There are so many success stories you will hear about businesses making it good by "paying for traffic".

The troubling thing is, there are maybe a tenfold or even a hundredfold of stories contradictory to theirs. Many have unsuccessfully launched a business enterprise that is internet based but only a handful shall succeed.

Is this through luck? That is even more remote. It takes good business sense and a lot of help and team effort. Most importantly, it is the eagerness to succeed and the determination to learn and the willingness to invest in a lot of hard work and some money.

The Very Basic

Like Neo, traffic is “The One”. Without traffic, all your effort would just go to waste. Every business needs customers, without them you wouldn’t have anyone to sell your products to. In the internet world traffic is the walk in customer. The more traffic you have the more people would be able to sell your products to.

But like any business that’s in every corner building or in the mall, not everyone that goes in will buy, but the greater of number that do come in to browse your merchandise, the greater number of people that will buy your products. It is a simple and known fact.

But, how do you get traffic, traffic large enough that could make a small percentage of eventual buyers enough to make a good profit. Many big companies generate traffic of tens of thousands a day and a measly ten to fifteen percent actually buys, but that small percentage is enough to provide them with good business.

Many of these success stories get their traffic from paying others. Yes that’s right; you have to spend money to make money. Advertising is the key. The more people that knows that your site exists; the more people would of course go to your site, that’s common sense.

While there are many ways that can get you advertising for free, this do not generate the same high volume as those methods that are getting paid. These paid advertisements include advertising schemes by Google and Yahoo.

The Value of Searches

The search and will be the easiest and fastest medium in finding what a person needs in the internet. Search engines have been very popular because they provide a vital service to many people. They are free and easy to use. With this popularity, they get many visitors and clicks that they are the most common sites that people go to. It is easy to understand why so many companies would pay to advertise with these search engines.

Search engines provide information to the millions of users that they have each day. They provide links to many sites that a user may be looking for. If your sites link pop up in the high ranks of the search results page, you get a great chance that they will go to your site. While search engine optimization is a cheaper and low cost way to get your site a high rank, paying for advertisements will ensure that you will be on the top ranks.

When you pay for your advertisements, it is like paying for your traffic. This may sound like not such a good idea, but the payoffs would tell a different story. When you pay for your traffic, you are guaranteed of a consistent traffic flow to your site. You will never go with an empty sales day.

Paying for your Traffic

Usually, you will be charged with the number of hits a link gets when your ads is clicked, this is called pay per click. For some search engines, you will be charged with the number of times your ad shows up when a certain keyword or keyword phrase is searched. It is imperative that you have good keyword content in your ad. There are many tools that aid you in using the right keyword for the right moment.

All the money you spend in paying for your traffic will not be for naught. You will get an impressive boost in traffic which will also result to a great boost in your sales figures. "Paying for your traffic" would be a really good idea and you will get all the benefits it has to offer.

New data on blogs and blogging

We continue to ask about blogging in our tracking surveys and have some numbers to update from our last report in early January, "The State of Blogging."

They show some level of growth in blog creators, and not much change in the number of blog readers. In two surveys of American adults conducted between January 13 and March 21 that involved 2,871 internet users, we found that 9% of internet users now say they have created blogs and 25% of internet users say they read blogs.

Another way to render these numbers is to note that 6% of the entire U.S. adult population (internet users and non-users alike) have created blogs.

That’s one out of every 20 people. And 16% of all U.S. adults (or one in six people) are blog readers. These new figures for blog creation represent a bit of an increase – though within the survey’s margin of error – from the 7% of internet users who reported to us in November they had created blogs. That translates into more than 11 million American adults who say they have created blogs.

The percent of blog readers is a small percentage drop – again, within the margin of error – from the 27% of internet users who reported to us in November that they read blogs. The new number translates into 32 million American adults who read blogs. Some 11% of online men say they have created blogs and 8% of online women have created them.

Blogging is very much the province of the young. Fully 19% of online Americans ages 18-29 have created blogs, compared to 5% of those 50 and older.

When it comes to blog reading, online men and women are equally as likely to have browsed the blogosphere. Again, those ages 18-29 are much more likely to have read blogs than their elders: 36% of online younger adults have read blogs compared to 18% of those who use the internet and are 50 and older.

And some other context for the blog readership figures: The number of adult readers of blogs is about 40% of the size of the talk radio audience. According to a survey conducted on May 2004 – by the Pew Research Center for The People And The Press, 40% of all American adults are regular or occasional listeners.

And that same survey showed that about 79% of American adults regularly or sometimes read daily newspapers. So, the blog-reading audience is about 20% of the size of the newspaper-reading population. The combined surveys have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

Article Courtesy : Lee Rainie

Technorati Tags in Blogger Posts

Technorati, which indexes millions of weblogs, allows blog owners to assign "technorati tags" to their posts.

These "technorati tags" are essentially words which describe the category that their posts, photos and videos fall under. Visitors can then search these tags to find the relevant blog posts. How can the Technorati tags be inserted into Blogger posts so that they can be indexed by Technorati?

Is there a need to include Technorati tags in the first place?

There is a Blog Finder function in Technorati which searches for blogs within general topics of interest. When you first register with Technorati, you can assign twenty tags which best describe your blog.

To edit them, login to Technorati and go to Account -> Blogs. Click "Edit Settings" to change the tags and when finished, click "Save Blog Info" at the bottom of the page. Try to fill up all the 20 tag slots and choose keywords that are relevant to the blog contents.

To check if your blogging is properly tagged, copy this URL into the internet browser and insert one of the 20 "technorati tags" into the portion in capitals and your blog should appear in the blog listing - http://www.technorati.com/blogs/TAG.

Avoiding Impulse Spending

Are you surprised each month when your "credit card" bill arrives to note that at how much more you were over charged than you thought you had spent ?

So, now answer these questions truthfully:

1.) Does your spouse or partner complain that you spend too much money?

2.) Do you have more shoes and clothes in your closet than you could ever possibly wear?

3.) Do you own every new gadget before it has time to collect dust on a retailer’s shelf?

4.) Do you buy things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them on display in a store?

If you answered “yes” to any two of the above questions, you are an impulse spender and indulge yourself in retail therapy.

This is not a good thing. It will prevent you from saving for the important things like a house, a new car, a vacation or retirement. You must set some financial goals and resist spending money on items that really don’t matter in the long run.

Impulse spending will not only put a strain on your finances but your relationships, as well. To overcome the problem, the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants.

Advertisers blitz us hawking their products at us 24/7. The trick is to give yourself a cooling-off period before you buy anything that you have not planned for.

When you go shopping, make a list and take only enough cash to pay for what you have planned to buy. Leave your credit cards at home.

If you see something you think you really need, give yourself two weeks to decide if it is really something you need or something you can easily do without. By following this simple solution, you will mend your financial fences, your "credit card" spending and ofcourse your relationships.