I just update and go. Love it. It is a tool on the web like no other. I like to describe Twitter as IM on crack.

With that fine introduction to what Twitter is and why you should be using it, below are my top picks for twitter tools you should be using if you’re a blogger.

1. Twitter Feed -This is where the RSS feed function of Twitter comes into play. I cant’ tell you how many times i’ve come across a feed tweet from a blogger that led to some interesting or useful information. Feed tweets get me all the time from a variety of bloggers. Don’t miss out on sharing a great post, use TML.

2. Twirl -This is a neat widget you download so you can use Twitter like an instant messenger, as opposed to having a web window open. You can send tweets, receive tweets, share pics, share links, (and my fave feature) you can retweet with Twirl. It’s free, easy, and fun. A must if you’re a blogger.

3. Tweet Later - You can do several things with this one. First you can schedule an upcoming Tweet and have it delivered at a predetermined date and time. Second you can auto follow people who follow you. And third you can send a thank you or welcome message to new followers in the form of a DM, automatically via Tweet Later. 3 very cool features. (hat tip to Sly from Slyvisions on this one)

4. Twitter Search -The name says it all. This site allows you to search in real time whatever topic you want more information on. You type in a search query and it searches all of Twitter for a result.

5. Monitter - I just found this one, but its worthy of mention. It is like Twitter Search, in that it allows you to search other tweets. But it displays 3 columns worth of tweets, as opposed to 1.

The Famous Follow

Of course one can’t write a post on Twitter, and not ask for the famous follow. So you know what comes next, right? If you’re a blogger and use Twitter, follow me here.

Want More?

Here is a link to a fantastic round up of Twitter tools. It’s a really long list, so go grab a cup of coffee before reading this one. But you will like this awesome list.

11 Blogs You Should Be Reading If You’re A Blogger

1. Problogger

Some say this is the quintessential resource for blogging, and i would have to agree. The sheer volume of information on this blog makes for a worthy addition to your RSS feed. Here you will find information and tips on any and every aspect of blogging. If you’re looking for a blog job, this one has a job board as well. The blogger behind this blog (Darren Rowse) wrote the book on blogging literally.

2. Performancing

This is a multi author blog and is loaded with industry information and guides on how to become a better blogger. Industry leading, a must read.

3. Daily Blog Tips

Daniel Scocco runs this blog and as the name implies it covers daily blog tips. He updates every day with about 2 to 3 posts and covers a wide gamut within the blogging field. Excellent tips can be found here.

4. About.com Weblogs

This blog is part of the About.com network and is also a fantastic resource. The site is part portal part blog, and contains lots of useful tips and information. This one is run by Susan and she does a fine job of keeping tabs on the industry. A good place to start if you’re a new blogger.

5. Blogging Tips

Another multi author blog run by a neat guy named Kevin who dishes on all things that have to do with blogging. There is also a forum here that you might be interested in. Post a question, answer some, gain some tips. Get to know the community there, it’s a small but steady one.

6. Small Business SEM

What would a blog be without SEO? Yes, the blogs mentioned above do delve into the topic and cover search engine optimization tips, but this one focuses on it. Run by Matt McGee, this is a must add to your feed reader as well.

7. Wordpress Hacks

All hail to Wordpress. Woot Woot. Did you know that Wordress was founded by a 23 year old? Well now you know. That was just abit of trivia thrown in for the hack of it. Wordpress is so robust and feature rich, thousands of blogs exist solely to cover this vast dimension of bloggery tech. Hack Wordpress is a newer entry (having been around since 2007) in the blogosphere, but it contains a plethora of really useful tips on how to transform your basic Wordpress install into so much more.

I guarantee if you visit this blog, you will fall in love with it. 100% guaranteed. (no i dont know the owner)

8. Zedomax Biz Blog

I am abit biased here on this, as the genius behind this blog is also technically my boss. But if the blog wasn’t valuable to bloggers, i would not include it in this round up. Max specializes in Adsense tips and Adsense optimization, and he delivers the goods. If you use Google Adsense on your blog, this one is a must read for you.

9. Weblog Tools Collection

WBT has been around for some time now, and it focuses on tools for bloggers. You will particularly enjoy the fantastic (and ongoing) collection of wordpress theme and wordpress plugin reviews. Plus it provides detailed information on what’s new with the latest versions of Wordpress. This blog is always an interesting read. Great addition to your feed reader.

10. Blogger For Dummies

Wordpress isn’t the only game in town? There is also the Google owned Blogger and the many who choose to go this route, have their top resources as well. I found this one which is shock full of hacks, tweaks, and tips for those on blogger. Lots of good stuff here.

11. Gear Fuse

Let’s face it. If you’re a blogger you’re most likely a geek too. I am the exception. LoL. Just kidding, i am a geek, and if not, i so want to be. The mavericks behind this blog are Steve, Vincent, and Ryan. Wow, did i really just say mavericks? Anyway, the talented nerdherd behind this blog is always fun to read. Ryan (along with the other authors) feature lots of tech goodness for us bloggers. Everything from eco friendly laptops to the latest cell phones and accessories. A fun blog.

Which Do You Read?

There are tons of blogs that i did not mention, as i plan to write a follow up post and include smaller blogs. But do share your personal faves below.

P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter. And please do link to this article if you think it is awesomely awesome. Thanxs.

So far lots of good comments have come in and the feedback has been top notch. I’ve received all sorts of suggestions, everything from change the theme to add more content. See all ideas below.

Mieke says -

Make the sidebar dynamic, have the banners and widgets rotate. The blog is not static, why should the sidebar be.

Kris says -

Add some unique elements to the blog, such as a custom header banner, favicon, etc. Make the blog design standout by adding some personal flavor to it.

Sven says -

Choose topics you’re passionate about and cover these in new articles. Create some branding, get an email list going, and create a blog theme song.

Sylvester says -

Add a newsltter. This helps to create a connection to your readers and is a great way to stay in touch.

Yan says -

Convert your army of blogs into mini niche sites and focus solely on G34 Media. (or whichever site is your fave) Focus, have patience, and keep on plugging away. Oh! and change the design.

That is loads of awesome feedback for this blog. And as i said above are all good ideas. One thing i definitely plan to do is go over my list of categories and prune them up a bit. The categories that remain will guide the writing on this blog.

I want to thank all the bloggers mentioned above for participating and voicing their opinions on the future of this blog. I appreciate it.

The contest ends on December 2nd. If you want to win some cool prizes, you still have time to enter by leaving a comment on Max’s blog. Just answer the question, “How Can Missy Improve The G34 Media Blog?”.

That’s it for this contest update. Thanxs for reading.

Problogger Darren Rowse has launched a blog devoted to all things Twitter. He launched it just days ago and in it he sets out to cover tips on how to best use the micro blogging platform.

TwiTip is a blog about Twitter. It’s a place that I’ll be posting tips, news and reviews of tools for those wanting to improve their use of Twitter whether it be using it for personal reasons, to expand their personal brand, to promote their business etc.

Twitter exploded in 2008 and has gained mad popularity among bloggers, myself included. I think some of the popularity stems from the fact that the tool allows for quick communication. Not too mention it is a flexible platform, you can update via the web or via your cell phone.

Darren has a big following so his twitter blog will no doubt be a big hit. He says he received over 1,000 visitors on day one since the launch.

What sort of tips can you expect from Darren on TwiTip?

Nothing but great insights for sure, including how to optimize, how to get the most use of, how to find more followers, cool new Twitter tools and more. Speaking of Twitip, i think he could/should have picked a better name for this blog. I think many bloggers are going to be typing in “Twit Tip”, not “Twi Tip”.

What’s Next? What else but to ask you to follow me on Twitter. Feel free to leave your info below so i can follow you as well.

The contest is basically a (feedback initiative) to get YOU to help ME and WIN some cool prizes in the process. As some of you may know i started this blog back in 2007 as a hub for my growing network of web properties. But it’s been a challenge for me to monetize, not to mention maintaining focus as to what the heck the blog is about.

I wanted the blog to be a catch all, a blog i could write anything on. But this makes it hard to monetize and also to develop any sort of following.

So to make a long story short, pitch me your ideas, opinions, and feedback on what i should do with this PR4 blog. If YOUR IDEA is electrifyingly good, then you might,

WIN THE FOLLOWING SPECTACULAR PRIZES:

1st place. “Blogging In Action” package. Learn more about the product here.
2nd place. “Expert Wordpress” package. Learn more about the product here.
3rd place. $10 will be deposited into your Paypal account.

The contest ends on December 8th, and you enter by leaving comments on Max’s blog. Tell your friends, and be sure to link to the contest. (pretty please, with a cherry on top)

Remember to enter you must leave a comment on Max’s blog. Good Luck!

The blog is on Wordpress and uses the WP Premium theme by WP Remix. So far it has 10 original keyword-rich articles, over 280 backlinks, and is nicely indexed in Google. Also is on first page of Big G for several keywords.

Some of the quality articles include:

How To Erase Contacts From Used Cell Phones

The Easy Breezy Apple Recycling Process

How To Recycle Your Old iPhone - 6 Easy Methods

Organic traffic is starting to come in daily from Google and Yahoo. This is a flip blog, which means i plan to SELL IT. If you’re interested, please feel free to hit me up via my contact form and we’ll talk.

This blog also sports a pretty groovy iPhone Accessories Shop made with the Wordbay (ebay) WP Plugin.

Do check it out and let me know what you think.

Thanxs!

Missy.

Essentially AppLoop does all the behind the scenes stuff (you know code and programming). All you do is set up a free account and submit your RSS feed. I submitted my veg blog and hopefully it gets approved.

I’ll charge .99 for my app. How super cool would that be.

What do you think, will you submit your RSS feed?

I have been thinking of Google Webmaster Tools lately as JR from Internet Marketing Strategies) has written a fabulous article covering the tool. He describes the 6 tabs on the tool one by one and covers some tips on why and how to use GWT.

As i mentioned to JR every time i read a new article on GWT, i learn something new. I wouldn’t necessarily describe GWT as super advanced, but it isn’t exactly child’s play either. Some level of webmastering is required.

I want to get to the bottom of one thing within GWT: robot.txt

The what, who, when, why, and how? Feel free to share your tips and experiences below. When i go to Google Webmaster Tools, i notice a few things in the overview section. (see screenshot below)

It seems this blog has 19 not found URL’s and 2 URL’s restricted by robots.txt

What does this mean? How do i fix it? Feel free to weigh in below in comments.

Missy.

Maybe you waited till you had a certain number of articles, or reached a certain number of subscribers before you decided to monetize. Regardless of the reason, you NOW want to know how to make money with your beloved blog.

Let’s take a look at the various ways to generate some cash NOW.

1.) Private Ads

These are direct ads you get from readers or subscribers to your blog. Usually these ads are in the form of 125 x 125 ad blocks found on the sidebar. But this needent be the case. You can rent out space on your blog anywhere. A 486x 60 on the homepage should fetch a pretty penny.

TIP: Try different formats and rates, to see which works best for your niche and your blog.

2.) Google Adsense

If you’re a new blogger try this money maker first. Why? Because it is dirt easy. It is easy to install, easy to manage, easy to make money with. My favorite thing about Google Adsense is that the ads served to your readers are RELEVANT. The ads are matched to the content on the page. This is wht it is called ad sense. Because the ads make sense.

TIP: Use the 336×380 ad format, and place (above and below) each post. It may not look ideal, but it makes money. If you are blogging for money (and who isn’t) you need to do this. Need help? Shoot me an email, i run an Adsense install and configuration service. Each ad block runs $3. Just let me know.

3.) Performancing Ads

This is a new ad network created by the guys from the performancing blog. This is similar to private ads, the big difference is that you benefit from the traffic built by the network. They also charge a small commission per each ad booked.

TIP: Try pricing your ad spots low, and place above the fold.

4.) ShareaSale

If you write about products, then take a look at ad network Shareasale. In a nutshell you sign up and browse the advertisers available, then choose a few that relate to your niche. For example, if you write a finance blog, look for credit report products, etc. Once you have found something relevant, place the Shareasale link on an article.

TIP: Write an awesome article, stumble it, digg it, email it to your friends, build backlinks to it, etc. Point is that after you write a groovy piece, don’t forget to promote it. Example: On my vegetarian blog, i recently wrote a top 10 list 10 Reasons You Should Subscribe To Ideal Bite, i slapped my affiliate link on the article, and so far i’ve raked in OVER $96. Need any more proof? Let me know.

5.) Amazon Store

Amazon makes it (easy breezy) to create and add a basic store to your blog. The super cool thing about Amazon is that because it is so massively huge, they carry everything. So it doesn’t matter what type of blog niche you’re in, Amazon (most likely) will have something for you. My fave type of store to create with Amazon is a bookstore. Run an automotive blog? Hello, create a book store full of the hottest and awesomest books out there. The only drawback about Amazon if you can call it that, is that their commission is pretty low. They pay 4% on whatever you sell. But like Adsense, those pennies do add up.

TIP: Make your Amazon bookstore stand out, maybe have someone design a sweet logo, or have a contest wherein people promote the bookstore for you. It’s all about promotion. (blogger style, you know social media)

In Conclusion

The 5 methods discussed above will net you blog cash right away. Remember the important thing is 1.) relevancy 2.) promotion 3.) and foundation (the foundation is your blogs content) Your blog CAN be a money maker if you like what you write about. People will pick up on that.

If you’re a geek, start a gadget blog. Your knowledge is money. Your personality is money. Your uniqueness is money. How much you make (of course) is up to you.

Stay tuned for Part II of 10 Ways To Generate Blog Income. I will discuss 5 more money makers which you can use NOW to make money with your blog. Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or your fave feed reader, so you don’t miss part deux.

READER QUESTION

Of the 5 money makers discussed above, which are YOU NOT using and WHY? Share below.

Joe of Im With Joe says:

Yep, it’s here..many of you may remember about a month back when Bryan Clark pulled a crackhead move and tried to flip 5 sites in 24 hours. Well, he did it, to the tune of $1600. Anyway, that same guy has just launched a membership site…but, unlike most memberships, there’s no monthly fee.

Neal of Nota Bene Consulting says:

Many of you out there have been looking forward to this for sometime, but for those of you that are not aware of this monumental release, please read on.

A great deal of my monthly online income comes from site flipping and it has been much talked about recently too. The ‘Blog Flipping Blueprint’ is designed for all levels and aimed to take your online earnings way and above the few dollars you are currently making with Adsense.

Ian of Random Forest says:

Bryan had definitely reached what some would consider Guru status in the site flipping world. He recently demonstrated that it was possible to make 1k in 24 hours creating and selling 5 blogs from scratch and reports that he earned $160k last year with site flipping…… And from many of our chats I know he spent a lot of that time on holiday!

I’m not greedy but I certainly want some of this :). My ideal is to make $2k a month from selling a few websites and doing a little design work…… so this blog flipping blueprint will be something I make great use of.

The blog flipping blueprint is a membership site that allows you to get hold of all the resources you need to set up and sell websites. Even if you have never done it before. Many more things are going to be added as time moves on but as it stands it is worth way more than the sign up price of $167.

Jay of SuiteJ says:

Don’t Buy Bryan Clarks Blog Flipping Blueprint Today

So, to make sure you don’t get excited and get in over your head with an impulse buy, please do me (and yourself!) a big favor and wait until my post on Friday before you decide whether or not to purchase Bryan Clark’s Blog Flipping Blueprint membership.

I will have information to offer that you NEED to have before you make this purchase.

That is the latest and greatest on the Blog Flipping Blueprint by Bryan Clark. I will have my own personal assessment of BFB in the coming days, if not next week.

Stay tuned!