New Media Services
Posts tagged Blogging
Blog Flipping Tip: 15 Domain Name Extensions
Mar 20th
Ok. So you have a killer niche idea for your next blog flip, but the ideal domain name is taken. Many times the .net and .info variation will be available, but you prefer to stick with the .com version.
Well this can be annoying but no need to fret, as below i give you over 15 creative domain name suffixes and prefixes which you can use to snatch up the “next best thing”.
- Guide (as in yoga exercise guide.com)
- Hut (as in coupon hut.com)
- Point (jonas brothers point.com)
- Just (prefix)
- Blog (vegas golf blog.com)
- Weblog (taylor swift weblog.com)
- News (twilight movie news.com)
- Big (prefix)
- Solo (seo solo.com)
- Simply (prefix)
- Hub (blogging tips hub.com)
- Tips (social networking tips.com)
- Get (prefix)
- Zone (miley cyrus zone.com)
- Pros (freelance writing pros.com)
- Surplus (this one is good for product-based blogs such as plumbers surplus.com)
These are just some of the domain name extenders i have used when registering a name for a blog flip, when the one i prefer is already in use by someone else.
So next time you have that killer niche idea and a name in mind, but it’s taken, get creative and adopt one of the multi-purpose extenders above.
I’ve seen quite a number of great domain names lately on Sitepoint and would ask that next time you visit, do focus on the extenders some sellers are using. Then see if you can come up with a few on your own.
Oh! and one last thing, if at any time you have doubted the importance of using keywords in your domain name, see what Matt Cutts has to say about it.
Reader Question?
Have you used a funky domain name suffix or prefix that didn’t make my list above? Share below.
5 Cute Twitter Icons For Your Blog
Feb 13th
With over 11% of the adult population on Twitter, the micro-blogging tool can officially be touted as super popular and maybe even mainstream.
If you’re one of the 11% and a blogger, let your blog visitors know by grabbing one of my custom-made twitter icons below, which come in different sizes and colors.
To use: right click on the image and save to your PC
Where To Place Within Your Blog
If you’re wondering where to place these, it’s best to add near the top of your blog or site and don’t forget to link your Twitter profile URL to the banner. This way when peeps come over and click it, they’ll be directed to your profile and can follow you right away.
Before you leave a comment …
Cut and paste the following and share on Twitter:
5 Cute Twitter Icons For Your Blog – http://twurl.nl/g72fcr
Hope you like my collection of cute twitter icons and let me know in the comment area, if you have any questions or need help.
P.S. Diana from U Stand Out also has a nice collection of Twitter Badges you might be interested in.
P.S.S. Want more? Go to TwitterFollowButton.com for a sweet collection of small Twitter follow me buttons and graphics. All 100% free and a very simple copy and paste job. Find one you like and add to your blog, website or other online profile.
5 Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggersfiv
Dec 7th
There is loads of information on the web on the topic of affiliate marketing, but if you’re a blogger, the five tips below are all you need to know to get started.
If you’re a blogger and want to know how to best use affiliate marketing on your blog, read what i’ve written below, then go practice it. If you disagree with me, feel free to comment after the article.
1. Find a good affiliate network – First you need to find a good affiliate network and not good as in popular or big, but one that suits you, your niche, and your site. You will need to spend some time doing research on this, i would point you in the direction of Shawn Collins and his affiliate tips blog for a good primer on general affiliate marketing. Then i would like you to visit the directory of affiliate programs, and find one (or two) that are in your niche. Don’t pick too many, as this will overwhelm you, like it did me. Stick with just a core few.
2. Use a relevant merchant - Once you have found a suitable affiliate network, now search for a suitable merchant within the network. Look at things like banners and links available, when do they pay, how do they pay, are they somewhat established, and don’t forget to see what sort of support system they have in place. Do they have a blog, phone number, email, forum, etc? Are they easy to reach if you have questions or problems? Find an affiliate network that works for you, then work on generating revenue.
3. Write killer (affiliate product) articles on your blog – One of the best methods to generate revenue in affiliate marketing from a blog, is to write good articles on the blog. Incorporate some affiliate products into the article, just make sure the products are RELEVANT to your readers and your niche.
4. Promote that article – After you’ve written your killer article with a few affiliate products incorporated, make sure to promote the article. Tell your blogger friends about it, submit to social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Then submit the article to social bookmarking sites like Stumble Upon and Digg to garner some possible traffic and or backlinks. Also don’t underestimate the value of blog carnivals, these are fantastic for generating links back to your blog.
5. Rinse and repeat - Now do steps 1 through 4 about once a week or so. The frequency will be dictated by your posting schedule. If you post 3 times a day, then obviously you can do more. But if you post once a week, affiliate marketing articles should be less frequently. Keep a good balance, do not annoy your readers and visitors.
The most important thing to remember in affiliate marketing is that you need to have a foundation in place first. Since this article is directed at bloggers, the foundation in your case, would be your awesome blog. Establish yourself as knowledgeable in your niche. Not an expert, but knowledgeable and resourceful.
I’m not an expert by any means, but i relate my knowledge and my resources from experience. I’ve been blogging since April 2007 and have become quite savvy on the subject. i hope you have enjoyed this article and learned a thing or two.
Have Questions?
Do let me know any questions you have or general comments on the subject of affiliate marketing as it relates to bloggers.
11 Blogs You Should Be Reading If You’re A Blogger
Nov 19th
How do you stay abreast of the various changes and ideas in the world of blogging? By reading blogs that deliver the goods. But which blogs? Below i share with you, the core group of bloggers i follow, who keep on top of changes within the industry and know the myriad of details that make up a good blog.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
