I’ve got several projects in the works, as usual I can’t stick to just one. Have to always be working on a million things at once, hence the nickname Missy “Are you nuts?” Diaz. But that’s how I like it, wouldn’t want it any other way. Ok, let’s get to it.

1. iPhone 4 Covers Blog – this is my preferred baby at the moment. It was born June 2010 and is doing really well in terms of traffic and sales. In it I showcase cool covers and cases for the new Apple iPhone 4 cell phone. Feel free to subscribe and or follow on Twitter for updates.

2. Cheap Blog Help.com – another new site of mine. This one I created to direct SSWT forum members when they need quick blog help. It’s targeted mainly at WordPress help, other odd blog jobs and will be marketed via forums and social media.

3. iWannaBeSurprised.com -this is my second baby at the moment. The idea came to me when I was online shopping around and was just plain bored senseless with what I was coming across. I wanted to be surprised, I wanted to not know what I was ordering – and that’s when the idea hit me. How about creating a site where one places an order for an unknown item? A total surprise at the mailbox! This special project will be marketed via guest blogging, press releases and social media.

4. Cell Phone Cases Blog – similar as the iPhone 4 site above but covers the gamut of cell phone brands and models.

Aside from the above, I also have my usual gigs and assorted character of sites and blogs. Some get more attention than others, but all are on the blackboard.

What are you working on this July?

• adding or changing a website header
• deleting the date stamp from blog posts
• configuring a WordPress plugin
• adding in a Twitter or Facebook widget
• creating a Contact page (or any other form)
• need a Buy Now button to sell stuff on your blog

If you need help with any of these quick minor tasks, we now offer a new service for bloggers at CheapBlogHelp.com, which you can order straight away.

Services are performed by my staff and I as time allows. Do take note that since most services are performed at only $5, please don’t expect delivery yesterday. If you need or want it asap, there will be an extra charge.

Having said that, since we just opened the doors, we WELCOME you to submit a micro service order for any WordPress help you need, and we’ll get right on it. As of this writing, there’s no backlog. Let us know how we can help you!

But what are these plugins good for? Essentially they expand the functionality of the WordPress software, much like the add ons available for Firefox and apps for the iPhone. Each one makes a task easier, faster or more robust. If you’re wondering which are the must have plugins for your blog? Wonder no more, as I share my top picks.

I NEED THOSE STATS YESTERDAY!

1. WordPress.com Stats – this is clearly one of the absolute must add WordPress plugins to your blog. It tracks visitors but displays the stats within your admin dashboard. I’m highly addicted to this plugin and add it to ALL my blog sites. Yes! I do use Google Analytics as well, but barely ever check it. I check this one instead because all is right there within easy view; such as search engine traffic, social media traffic, daily weekly and monthly visitor count, keyword terms, and much more.

MY 8 BALL

2. Physic Search – one of my super top secret WordPress plugins. This one accompanies the plugin I use above, and for good reason. The reason is that it shows me (with a link) the key term or phrase someone entered in the search engine to find me, AND the page they landed on. A powerful and must have plugin on your blog.

ALERT GOOGLE NOW!

3. Google XML Sitemap – one of the best ways to let Google know you have updated your site is via the use of a sitemap. With WordPress you can add a sitemap plugin and make it crazy easy to alert Google each time you post an article.

EASY BREEZY SITEMAP PAGE

4. Dagon Design Sitemap Generator – the difference between this plugin and the one mentioned above is the format. This one creates a Sitemap page on your blog and keeps track of all your articles and pages.

ADSENSE HEAVEN

5. Post Layout – another one of my super top secret plugins. This one makes it nice and easy to add Adsense, an affiliate banner or anything at the beginnning, end or middle of posts to your site. Simply drop the code in the plugin and you’re off.

I’M TO SEXY FOR…

6. Sexy Bookmarks – my preferred social bookmarking wordpress plugin, because it takes something mundane and makes it SEXY. How can you not love this plugin, add it to your site at once.

MY MEMORY IS SHOT, HELP!

7. Subscribe to Comments – many times when someone visits your blog and leaves a comment, they will completely forget to return later, because they can’t remember where they were. This plugin adds a small checkbox at the end of a comment, and if the commenter checks it off, they will be notified if (and when) a reply has been posted. A nice way to make it easy for someone to return to your blog to continue the conversation.

NO COMPLAINTS PLEASE

8. Contact Form 7 – a simple no frills contact page plugin. But the neat feature of this particular one is that it allows you to create multiple contact pages or areas on your blog. Let’s say you want to create a “Submit a Tip” page or a separate “Advertising” page, use this plugin to create them both.

GOOGLE SMOOGLE

9. Easy Privacy Policy – easy way to instantly create a privacy policy page on your blog. Enable this plugin, complete the fill in the blanks section, and you’re good to go. A privacy policy is required by Google if you have Adsense on your site, to stay in compliance. This is the fastest and quickest to set one up.

PIC ME UP A RELATED PIECE, WILL YA

10. Link Within – a cool way to display related articles on your site. When you set this plugin up on your blog, it fetches related articles, but with an accompanying picture. A super highly under rated way to lower your bounce rate and keep visitors on your site longer. It’s popular on all my blogs as readers seem to really like it.

COLOR ME BLIND

11. Tiny MCE Advanced – this neat plugin adds extended functionality to the wp editor, such as background color for text, quotes, additional font styles then what’s default in WordPress and more. I use this one whenever I plan to spice up a site with cool fonts and more color.

MISS CONGENIALITY I AM

12. Most Commented Widget – do you have popular articles with lots of comments? Feature them on your site with the use of this plugin. See it in action on this blog in the sidebar.

SOCK IT TO ME!

13. Exclude Pages from Naviation – you ARE so learning all my secrets today. This power house plugin enables you to hide (or exclude) pages from showing up in your navigation bar. For example, let’s say you decide to offer up a new service on your blog, but the plan is to promote it strictly via Facebook. You don’t want your regular readers to haphazardly stumble upon the page, without being fed a proposal first. So you exclude it from navi and only those who come via your Facebook marketing efforts see it.

Or let’s say you want to set up a series of “child” About pages, such as an About this blog, About my income, About my car, etc. But you don’t want these child pages cluttering up your navi bar, exclude them. Zap!

note: many newer WordPress themes have this function built in, if that’s the case. Then obviously you won’t need this plugin. But if your theme doesn’t support “page exclusion from navigation”, this is a must have.

READER Question

These WordPress plugins are my personal faves, which I use on a repeated basis and can’t do without out. Which are your personal faves and why?

So, what the heck is it? Apple calls it a tablet. In other words, an entirely NEW category of device.

Which brings me to the following question. How do YOU plan to protect your tablet? With a case, cover, sleeve or bag? Due to its irregular size, many are not sure on how they plan to keep it scratch, dust and accident-free. Plus since Apple is not including any built-in accessories, many also need room to hold extra connectors (and whatnot) to expand the iPad’s functionality. Such as the camera connector, etc.

G34 media has created a new web property dedicated to iPad covers and cases.

The blog site was created in January 2010, the same day Steve Jobs announced the iPad. As we learned from an (ebook reader site) we created, protection will be key. Especially since it’s such a coveted, expensive and high end device.

But what will SELL best? Cases, covers, sleeves or bags.

That is the question. So far, it seems cases are in the running. Followed closely by bags.

Did you pre-order an iPad? If so, do take a minute to let us know below how you will PROTECT it.

Blog site specs:

• The blog site runs on WordPress
• Uses the gorgeous Snow Blind wp theme
• Has 30 plus articles, 100% original (all written by me)
• Built-in eBay shop, promoting new iPad screen protectors
• Laced with Amazon affiliate links
• Google Sitemap submitted and approved
• Initial on site SEO completed
• Initial off site SEO completed, including a press release submission
• Custom logo – on order!
• Traffic – organic search engine traffic via Google, Yahoo and Bing
• Revenue – over $50 (so far) from Amazon, eBay and Commission Junction

We’re closely monitoring the blog site to see how it performs, as we get closer to the iPad launch date of April 3rd.

To follow progress on the site, subscribe through RSS, via email, or follow on Twitter.

Questions? Ask below.

Why not offer a $5 blog here on G34 Media for my readers and visitors, who might be looking to get one.

The catch?

There’s a tiny catch, but a very reasonable one. You need to sign-up with hosting through me, as this way I get a small commission which offsets my precious time.

I specialize in niche blogs and can create one on any product or niche, the blog would include the following:

• WordPress install (the latest version)
• Premium or free WordPress theme (from my personal collection)
• full set-up and configuration of wp admin backend
• 5 WordPress plugins, including All in One SEO, Google XML Sitemap, Sexy Bookmarks, Adsense, and Privacy Policy
• an About page
• a Contact page
• initial on site SEO
• a sweet custom logo
• FREE 30 minute Skype chat consultation with me
• FREE referrals to low cost writers
• turnaround time, will depend on demand
• optionally, I can also set up a (matching Twitter account) for a few extra bucks

So you get a complete and well designed WordPress niche blog for FIVE bucks. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Ready to order? To discuss your niche blog and to order, visit Fiverr.com, remember to avail of this $5 March blog blow out special, you MUST sign-up for web site hosting through me.

Go to Fiverr.com now and let’s get that dream blog of yours going.

Don’t wait! This offer is only good through March 31, 2010.

First, let me say Congrats! on getting yourself a piece of web history and joining an exciting field. Blogging, social media, online marketing, SEO, is alot of work but it’s also alot of fun.

If this is your very first niche blog site and are not sure where to begin, let’s go over a few basics now.

First, make sure you know your niche. Make sure you know which keywords you are after and or targeting through your new blog. See below for more on this.

Second, have a plan of action. What goals do you have for this blog site. Is it to capture leads? Is it Adsense clicks you’re after? Maybe you want to sell an ebook? Affiliate marketing with Amazon or eBay? Whatever it is, decide early on what you want your blog to do for you.

Now let’s move on and discuss easy traffic tips. Because regardless of the blog business model you’re after, traffic is key. Plus this article assumes you’re PAST THE BASICS.

1. Organic Search (a/k/a SEO) – This is perhaps my preferred method of gaining traffic to a new blog. It’s good, because “searchers” as I like to call them are looking for one of three things:

• to research
• to socialize
• to buy

That’s it. That’s why their online and it’s your job as a new blog owner, to figure out which of those three things YOU are going to give them. Once you have this decided, you will need the Google Keyword Tool to check on the (in demand keywords) in your niche, and don’t forget to check on your competition, use the SEO Quake From Firefox free add-on for this. Make sure your onsite SEO is strong and lastly but not definitely not least – add SEO rich content.

After you’ve got some initial ground, it’s VERY important that you focus on:

• content
• and getting good backlinks

You need both. You can’t let either flounder.

2. Twitter – This is my second preferred method of easy blog traffic. Each niche blog that I create comes with a Twitter page as part of the package. Why? Because its great for traffic. The “search” feature on Twitter can’t be beat, because it’s in “real time”. This means, that “as it happens”, it shows up on Twitter. As of last count, there are *18 millions users on the micro network and grows BIGGER by the day. It can’t be discounted. (*source)

Need help with Twitter? Let me know as I provide a low cost Twitter account set up service.

3. Facebook Fan Page – This is web 4.0 at it’s best. It’s gaining in popularity as we speak, because if done right, it works. On social networking site Facebook, you have the ability to create what is called a FAN PAGE. This page is basically for businesses to promote a service, product or brand. As a site owner, you can use it to promote your new blog. You can include quite a bit on a fan page such as the site URL, a logo, RSS feeds, fans, images, articles, tips, polls, videos, giveaways, and so much more. You can also set it up so that it automatically updates, when you update your blog. You don’t have to visit both at the same time. It’s a pretty cool new method to promote online, and it’s 100% free.

Need help? Let me know as I provide a low cost Facebook Fan Page set up service.

4. Forum Marketing – To be a blogger or online marketer you NEED a network. There’s no two ways about it. You can’t succeed on the web without one, plain and simple. You can’t. You won’t. Why do you think Myspace, Facebook and Twitter are so crazy insane HUGE? Because there’s demand and there’s a need. Look for the networks in YOUR NICHE, join up and become acquainted with the other members, provide value, learn, ask questions, etc. Become a community member, this will in turn help you in many many ways – down the line. Some of the better forums for bloggers, include Warrior Forum, Problogger.com, and Digital Point.

As a new blog owner, you will no doubt have questions and run into issues that you will need help with, that’s what your blogger friends are for. Seek them out, and in no time. You will be happily skipping about with glee and joy!

5. Viral Widgets – If you’re lucky enough to be a developer or know one, then a fancy widget such as a Facebook game, an iPhone app, etc would surely net you some sweet traffic. If you aren’t a developer or know one, you can (if within your budget) always outsource the creation. Places like the Warrior Forum and Digital Point have paid developers for hire. Think of something cool, get it done and promote it everywhere.

6. Contests/Giveaways – After you’ve done your quick research on your niche and have some good articles on the blog, have a sweet giveaway to get the word out. Think of something whether in (physical or digital form) that is low cost, but has high value to your readers. This could be a book, unique screen savers, silly bumper stickers, iPhone case, a funny t-shirt, etc. Think INTERESTING, FUNNY, WACKY, or COVETED. Set it for at least two weeks in advance and make sure to post about it in your social networks, the blog itself, and blog contest forums. Remember this could be digital, so get creative and again think of your market and what they would want to win.

Since on a new blog, you’re probably not gonna have too many readers, best bet to promote your contest/giveaway is via Twitter, Facebook, friends, FORUMS, other blogs, guest posts, a press release, and/ or your email list. (If you have one.)

7. Friends – What are friends for, if not to boost you up? Tell them you have a new web property and want them to come on by and visit. Ask for their feedback, or simply let them see what it’s all about. Be sure to tell them to pass it on to their friends as well.

8. Press Releases – Great for exposure in online circles, as many reporters, bloggers and other authors routinely use Google Alerts to scout out for stories, new products, etc. Make sure to at the very least write one good press release. Even if it’s simply announcing the grand opening of your fabulous new blog site, and what it offers. Then let it spread like wildfire. Oftentimes, bloggers think that a “press release” is meant for a product company or an offline company, but in fact press releases can be used by anyone for any newsworthy purpose. Don’t overlook this simple, quick and low cost idea.

9. Blog Carnivals – This is considered old school by many. But it works and its targeted. Blog Carnivals are like chains where bloggers sign up and share their content with one another. There’s an actual site named Blog Carnival. You sign up with them for free, look for blogs in your niche and submit your article to the carnival. Choose an article that you want a backlink to, as this is one of the primary benefits of joining a Blog Carnival. This method is not for gaining barrels of traffic, but it’s good for SEO. So that’s why, i’ve included it in the list.

10. You tell me! What easy traffic tips do YOU have for a new blogger? A tip that maybe is not that well known, but works like a charm. Please share below in the comment area.

BONUS TIP #11. Guest Posts – I had to add this easy traffic method to the list, because it’s all the rage now. I recently wrote about how and where to guest post. Be sure to take a quick look at my article.

Submitting a guest post is one of the BEST methods for good traffic to a blog, new or old.

I buy premium wordpress themes for several reasons, including:

• my site flips
• and my niche WordPress blogs creation service

Whenever I create a site flip for Flippa, I tend to use a premium WordPress theme as this raises the value of the site. And because they’re usually much better crafted. But not to dog on free themes, because there are quite nice free themes out as well. And for my niche blog creation service, I usually always go premium.

Below I share some of my favorite WordPress designers and their lovely premium (a/k/a fee based) WordPress themes.

Woo Themes – I have several, including Gazette and Busy Bee. I love Woo because of their stellar design qualities and ease of use. Each one of their premium themes has a full “admin options” area, great for newbies and or those who are scared of code. (like me!) But really, I love Woo because they have fancy designs and make any site look good.

Thematic – They recently changed their name, you might know them as PremiumThemes.net, I have several themes from Thematic, including Snippet, Product Folio, iProduct, and Store.

]]> http://www.g34media.com/2010/01/22/want-to-see-my-private-collection-of-premium-wordpress-themes/feed/ 0 http://www.g34media.com/2010/01/21/ten-free-wordpress-themes-how-to-rebrand-your-feedburner-page-and-a-very-cool-email-capture-wordpress-plugin/ http://www.g34media.com/2010/01/21/ten-free-wordpress-themes-how-to-rebrand-your-feedburner-page-and-a-very-cool-email-capture-wordpress-plugin/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:45:15 +0000 Missy http://www.g34media.com/?p=634 I have a few solid resources for you on important blogging and or WordPress related issues. These are all from savvy bloggers who know their niche and have come up with the goods. If you have a minute, do give these good articles a read.

First up? Is Erica.

How To Brand Your Feedburner Page, from Erica Mueller of Erica Says.com

Great mini guide on how to take your bland boring Feedburner subscribe page and spice it up abit. Erica gives you a step-by-step on how to brand and format this most important page.

Adam Baker Interview, from the popular Man VS Debt Blog

Young Tanner who runs a lifestyle blog has a neat interview with Adam Baker who runs the hugely successful get rid of debt blog, Man Vs. Debt. Good stuff in the interview, be sure to pay Tanner a visit.

10 Free Awesome WordPress Themes from Ninja Blog Set Up site

Looking for a nicely designed, but free WordPress theme for that NEXT site of yours? Have a look at the collection gathered by Shawn from Blog Ninja Set Up. Several high quality themes are showcased, including Amazing Grace and Swift.

WordPress Email Capture Plugin from the self-titled Rhys Wynne blog

This is a revelation! The email capture WordPress plugin works as named. Essentially it allows you to collect email addresses from site or blog visitors, and either add them to your list or send them a digital goodie. Or both!

It’s easy, fast and 100% free. Read more and download it, via the link to Rhys blog above.

Cheers!

Till next time.

What is this method, you ask?

Submitting a guest post. Yes! that’s it in a nut shell. It’s simple, free, trusted, quantifiable, manageable and it best of all…it works! It’s not really a novel or new idea, in fact I wrote about the practice of submitting a guest post back in August of 2008, and it holds true till today. Maybe more so! But it’s gained alot of traction as of late. Everyone is talking about it.

Why? Because a link from a similar niche, high PR (anything above PR2 is good) blog site is GOLD. Yes, my friend pure gold. So, treat a guest post opportunity as such. Think about it, for a second? When you submit a guest post, you essentially eat all the ingredients necessary for a smacking good Google meal – relevancy, pagerank, dofollow, naturalness, etc. See? It’s near perfection.

Keep the following rules (I mean guidelines) in mind when submitting a guest post on any blog site:

• find a relevant niche
• the receiving site, should have pagerank (any at all, is good)
• keep the guest post on topic
• ask first
• submit second
• write a killer article and submit only GREAT content
• thank the receiving blog site
• promote the heck out of the guest post

The great thing about guest posting is that you LITERALLY can control what site your “killer article” goes on, because you CHOOSE the blog. Yes! not all blogs will approve or even accept a guest post, but many will.

Ready to try?

Ann Smarty a well known blogger and SEO chick has recently created a fantastic website dedicated to this very topic. It’s free to join and participate. Simply sign-up, then look for guest opps in your specific niche. Remember to recip and also write some, don’t just accept them. This is bad form.

Then there’s Google and Twitter. Each one of these two sites, has great SEARCH features which will facilitate you finding solid opps. You just have to know where and how to search. Below is the where and how.

My Blog Guest.com – a site dedicated to guest post opportunities. Very nice community here as well, since the site also has a forum.

Twitter Search -Perform a simple search for guest post, and watch the madness unfold. In real time, of course. Nice!

Google Alerts – Type in your “niche plus the word guest post” and find blogs that will gladly accept your article.

Guys, don’t underestimate the POWER of this method for traffic and backlinks. There’s a reason all the A list bloggers and net marketers are all touting the benefits of guest posting right now.

It works!

Want more help, guidance and resources on guest posting? Take a look at the guest posting workbook from Chris Garrett. It contains everything you need to get started and more. A comprehensive guide (including a nifty spreadsheet) to keep track of it all, from the king of guest posting himself.

Below are my top five SEO tips for WordPress bloggers.

1. Install an SEO plugin on your blog - such as the powerful All-in-One Seo or the newer more robust Platinum SEO. These two take care of alot of the basic onsite search engine optimization you need on your blog posts and pages. (this mostly applies to WordPress bloggers)

2. Get Backlinks – it doesn’t matter if your blog is a day old or 3 months old, you can never start too early to hunt down for link opportunities. Start with relevant directories.

3. Link To Yourself – Well not exactly. What I mean is make sure you regularly link to other articles, pages and blog posts you’ve written. This creates a spider web effect that search engines know and rely on.

4. Install a Sitemap – Sitemaps are literally maps to the content on your blog, and Google loves them. My favorite way to add a sitemap to my blogs is with the Dagon Design sitemap plugin. Fast, easy and free.

5. Use a Related Posts Plugin – this action produces similar results as installing a sitemap. It lets Google know of the content on your site and how it relates to the overall topic of your blog.

These are basic but powerful ideas, don’t underestimate any of these tips. If you haven’t yet added or practiced these SEO tips, now is a great time.

You’ll rise to the top in no time.

Next Article!

Our next article will touch on the topic of: traffic generation.