Live From Belly Acres, Alabama: Battling Writers: Main Event Battle!

NOTE: While this is a major news item for online writers, it is nothing new. This battle has been going on ages. We have seen the issue crop up multiple times recently with contests of which is more authentic - news media or citizen journalists. My feeling is that both have their merits.  Now it is officially on: writers duking it out on forums. Belly  Acres points out it the debate is leaving the written forums as the writers take it to the mat - video mat that is! The debate will air live on Spreecast Thursday, June 20th at 8 pm CDT. 


Belly Acres, Alabama: online writing:

"Next time you catch a battle on tv or on YouTube, take a look at the audience.  Solid moves draw cheers, and particularly painful jabs prod onlookers to cringe.

I certainly appreciate a good bout, but I didn’t think I’d be oohing, ouching, wincing, and belly-laughing quite so much over a written writers’ blog battle.  Better yet…they’re taking it into the video ring.
Round One
Earlier this week . . ."

Read more by clicking on title link above.
'via Blog this'

Sharing information and tips to increase earnings. Increase your passive, residual income. Guest bloggers welcome.

The Great Squidoo vs. Panda Death Match: Are We Having Fun Yet? – Squidbits – Greekgeek's Squidoo Blog

NOTE: This article is great analysis of what is happening on Squidoo (and likely on other sites too).   Specifically targeting the issues will help those that are still writing on Squidoo and those who are diversifying their work.   The following is just a tiny intro of what to expect in the must read article. : ) 

The Great Squidoo vs. Panda Death Match: Are We Having Fun Yet? – Squidbits – Greekgeek's Squidoo Blog:

"So, we all knew that Squidoo had to do some major damage control to rescue itself, since Google’s downranked it for… well, we’re all making educated guesses, but Google’s webmaster guidelines provide us with a list of likely culprits (links are to the specific part of Google guidelines detailing each big no-no):

Spam, thin, and duplicate content that’s not useful to visitors (Panda algorithm, starting in Jan 2011. Squidoo took modest hits from Panda, offset by other Panda update boosts, until Panda 22 update in November 2012 killed 60% of Squidoo visibility.)
Affiliate links that sell without giving users something that helps them. Google’s quality rater guidelines show that it has evaluated affiliate-link pages critically long before Panda, but I think Panda has raised the bar."

'via Blog this'

The art of communication: Know your audience

Sharing information and tips to increase earnings. Increase your passive, residual income. Guest bloggers welcome.

I am sitting in the hospital while my daughter sleeps and I cruise Facebook.   This JUMPS out at me and I had to share it here.

As writers, we always have to keep our audiences in mind.  This video makes a strong statement, not just for marital differences, but also in the art of communication.

Enjoy  the video and please leave a comment!  Share with your friends.

Squidoo: It's Quite Simple Really

Paul Ward cuts through the fluff and explains how to keep Squidoo lenses solid, during this time of turmoil.  I call it role modeling his philosophy, but others call it wise advice. Leave a comment for our guest writer, Paul Ward.

Squidoo: It's Quite Simple Really

Squidoo has suffered huge upheavals in recent weeks. Some people have been kicked out (for reasons I won't explore here). Some have chosen to leave. Some have lost or chosen to remove parts of their portfolio. Whatever your situation, either you feel like you've been mugged or you know someone who feels that way.

So, as you survey the battlefield amidst the faint cries of "medic, medic", what are your thoughts as to the future? I'd say they will probably depend on why you came to Squidoo. If you're one of the get rich quick hopefuls, conned by the hype on certain forums, you're probably realising that you've made a mistake. If you're one of the conmen, you're doubtless realising you need to change your business model.

What if you're just a good, honest writer? Well, you need to realise that a knowledge of outside forces is a good thing. You don't need to know the ins and outs of Google or what Matt Cutts has for breakfast (he doesn't, he just watches Youtube clips of himself). You do need to exercise a bit of commonsense though.

Look how things have changed - the cry used to be "get backlinks" and people scrambled to spam everything from other lenses to forums on stamp collecting. It was the equivalent of selling elephant-sexing services by putting flyers on car windscreens but people bought into the hysteria. Now they're suffering.

Aurelijus Valeiša - Creative Commons

People wrote lenses with lots of product links. They got a few sales, or someone said on a forum that they were selling huge amounts, whoopee, let's write some more. Now, HQ tells us that thin content with lots of crappy product links is bad.

"It's not fair," you cry, "everyone was doing it." And those good old words from your mother come to mind: "if everyone was jumping off a cliff ..."

You're a one man band, you can't do market research or follow industry trends. Well, you don't have to be: lots of websites do it for you. Even go down to the level of product selection for a lens - half the people I know don't even look at bestseller views or customer reviews. Hands up anyone who's added a product because it had a pretty picture or to pad out a lens on a theme.

HQ jumped on the responsive design bandwagon - rightly, though belatedly. People with masses of ugly (usually) styling were caught out. 

Now I'm saying, go for defensive design: content, structure and appearance should be aimed at giving visitors what they want, in a manner that is not likely to cause problems a few months down the line. I don't mean produce bland lenses, I don't mean jump on another bandwagon of the Best Baby Stroller With A Q In The Name 2013, I mean pick products that you'd use, or that your friends would.

Forget trying to game the system and chase longtail keywords until you disappear up your own backside. Find some products that people want, group them sensibly, present helpful information clearly. Bang, you have a lens, a lens that stands a good chance of seeing in the New Year.

Congratulations… Now, Stop Being A Wuss. | The RANT

NOTE: I LOVE THIS PART Of Carlton's post!   How to learn to be succesful in life does depend on our ability to form thoughts and relate to others. You can't do that by not ever learning how the other half thinks!


Congratulations… Now, Stop Being A Wuss. | The RANT:

"(One caveat to self-education: You must, early on, read up on how debates are actually taught. Or join a debate club.
I’m serious. Best thing I’ve ever done. As you sample debating, you should demand that you get to defend the OPPOSITE viewpoint that you currently hold for any subject. This forces you to look beyond your petty biases, and open your mind to other points of view.
This is a HUGE advantage to have in your toolkit throughout life. Everyone else will be hobbled with un-examined party-line nonsense and indoctrinated crap they can’t even begin to defend when challenged…"

… while you — with your rare ability to walk in anyone’s shoes, and to feel the pain or glory of alien thought patterns — will forever more see beyond the sound bites and cliches. And be able to eloquently explain anything, to anyone.

You will actually begin to sense vestiges of “truth” in the wreckage of our modern culture."

'via Blog this'

Save Money: Tips for getting the most from your hard earned dollars!

Thank you Rosey! 

Tips for getting the most from your hard earned dollars!

From

RoseyThe Coupon Coach

Buy clothing and shoes off season! I save up to 90% on our clothing and shoes buying off season. That means purchasing what we need (or want) at the end of the season and putting it away for the following year. Styles (even designer brands) do not change that drastically from year to year. Buy a size larger for your children. Even if they grow quickly and grow over the size you haven't invested that much money in the item to get upset over it. I'm certain you will be able to sell that brand new with tags item at a yard sale or to a friend who will be thrilled to obtain that item for their child at such a great price. Some stores like Kohl's will accept your returns even up to a year or more old as long as they still have the tags attached and you have your receipt.

Get rid of that expensive fancy cell phone plan! You are throwing away your hard earned money each month paying for that fancy cell phone plan. I dumped ours years ago because we were paying for minutes that we never used. If you are a big cell phone user then I guess it is worth having the fancy phone and expensive plan but I save a bundle each year using a pay as you go plan like Tracfone, Net10 or Straight Talk! It cost me about $110.00 per year per cell phone to have cell phone coverage with the latest phone. Tracfone now has a triple minute plan that you can buy and each time you renew your yearly plan you will receive triple minutes. Check out all the many options and plans available at Tracfone, Net10 or Straight Talk! You'd be very surprised what you can get with a pay as you go plan.

Start a veggie garden! Get together with some friends/neighbors and see if they can grow something different so that you can all share in the bounty. We grow tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, melons and lots of herbs each year. Even if you only have the room to grow herbs in pots on your windowsill then do so. Check out the vast selection of seeds and instructional videos that Burpee has to offer on their website. It's free and a wonderful resource for great deals on seeds and information.

Don't purchase items you really don't need. Make a list and stick to it when you go food shopping. Think twice before purchasing those pink shoes – exactly how many times will you wear pink shoes? Weigh the cost of a repairs vs. new - you would be surprised how much more life you can get out of that washer with a simple repair. If you are handy there is a wealth of information on the internet on how to do your own repairs. If the project looks too overwhelming then don't tackle it, call a professional but be sure to get an estimate before he starts the work. Don't trust any of the local professionals? – Join Angie's List it's well worth the small fee you have to pay each year to get the valuable information on her list. My blog followers are thrilled with their memberships to Angie's List for peace of mind in knowing that no one can pay to be on Angie's List but they have to earn their reputation on the list with A+ ratings from people like you and I.

My journey as Rosey The Coupon Coach started over 25 years ago when I needed to find a way to help the families that were associated with my charities stretch their limited weekly income. 
Since that time I have perfected a technique that helps me save over $10,000.00 a year on my spending.  This affords me the opportunity to donate what I save to local charitable organizations in the form of groceries, clothing, health and beauty items, toys, shoes, gift cards, and much more. 

Come save with me at www.roseythecouponcoach.com. I post daily tips and deals to my blog and Facebook (www.facebook.com/roseythecouponcoach) page each day that will help you save on anything from clothing to travel.

© Rosey The Coupon Coach

Squidoo Alternatives and 4 website reviews

Squidoo Alternatives is written by Adragast 


The recent turmoil with Squidoo locking lenses has brought many people to ask me for websites alternatives, so I thought I would write a post about it. Alrady kindly invited me to post here so it was the perfect occasion to do so (I originally posted it on Squidoo but it got a warning after just a half day).

To make things clear, I do not think that leaving Squidoo is a good thing. I know we are upset, angry and frustrated about everything that is happening but making money online is not about feelings. You are your own boss but as a boss you have to play it smart and see things in the long run. Squidoo is doing fine now and will do even better when the low-content lenses are locked, even if this means sacrificing 5% of real high-quality lenses. And the filter may improve in the future.

However, this shows one more time that you should not put all your eggs in the same basket. I know it seems easy to say now, but I had warned about it already some time ago and made it my principle since I started writing online. I now regularly write for 4 websites other than Squidoo and this is a nice safety net.

Here are the sites I write for:

• Zujava: similar to Squidoo with Tier earnings, Amazon modules, etc... The ads revenue is low compared to Squidoo BUT your Amazon share is 60% instead of 50% if you write 25 leaves or more. In my opinion, this site is best for Amazon-focused articles.
• InfoBarrel: great community, a lot of help between each other in the forum. No tier system, you are paid according to the revenue made through the ads. You can use your own Adsense account OR InfoBarrel's Adsense account (then IB is paying you directly). You need your own Amazon account though. This site is best for informational articles and single product review. You are limited to 1 product every 200 words, so a "shopping list"-type of article would not do great there
• Seekyt: an interesting site too. You need your own Adsense account and your own Amazon account. The site is optimized for ads, ie readers will have a higher tendency to click on them than on other sites (improve Adsense revenue). The Amazon module is on the right though, so I generally do things manually (add a picture of the product and link to it with my affiliates link). This site is best for short 400-500 word articles in my opinion.
• Bubblews: this site pays per view, like and comment. You can use it as a backlink site similar to lensroll (except it pays you to do it). I personally use it as a paying Facebook. I make friends, interact with others and only backlink when I feel it. My connections there are precious and I don't want to annoy them by spaming links only. Good money but maybe too good. I cannot see how they can pay so much (I am making more than $25 a month with only 500-600 character posts, not words, characters). I, for sure, would not put all my eggs in this basket.

I am active on all these sites and would be happy to help you on any of them. Don't hesitate if you have questions about them.

Thanks to Alrady to let me post on this blog and don't hesitate to give me some feedback.

Squidoo locking lenses and Google's hitting content websites hard!

If you were hit hard by Squidoo locked lenses check out  NANCY Hardin's Squidoo - Facebook Community  has plenty of information for people!    My  heart goes out to those hit so hard by their recent changes yesterday's Squid lockdowns that happened without warning.  Squidoo IMHO has shot themselves in the foot, seemingly far worse than any other site right now that is struggling to adapt to all the Google changes.  The locking of lenses without warning for people that have been there 4-5 years, well it is very reminiscent of days gone by elsewhere. Squidoo is not doing this for fun - of that I am sure, because they are going to be losing revenue too.

One thing other writing sites has taught me - you can't fight city hall. I may be wrong about Squid - but I doubt that much will change because of user input.  Squid itself is losing just as much as the lens-masters lose, because it is rev share. 'Nuff said from me on Squid. Other sites hit harder earlier this year seem to have gained in this latest Google Merry-Go-Round.  Please comment if you know of a site where the results are worth the effort. Where will you be when the next Panda update hits?

My sympathies also to those at other sites or with personal website drops.  I think this will be big learning experience for many and a dropping off for others. One thing  I learned from a successful writing friend (after we experienced some Examiner setbacks) was to dig in hard and fast and find workarounds to site changes. I know that right now people are scrambling on Squidoo -- so  my thoughts are this: dig in hard and deep and be decisive. Like my friend you might have to work 2-3 times as hard (or as I say 2-3x smarter) --  But you will get through this!!!  Watch out next time for traffic surges to your content. It seems to be a predictive bad omen! It may be you have to move your material - or it could mean total revision.

Meanwhile, invest in Google stock because predictions are Google will come out the winner, hitting $1,000 a share faster than other companies - Google is even able to predict a companies future Wall Street success.  WOW 

If anyone has a great place to write - let us know!  Sticke together as writers and help each other's efforts to succeed.  "What goes around - comes around," my mom always said! 

L

Congratulations to LEE Mellott: "Make Money Online" book featured in magzine

Make Money Online: 101+ Ways To Earn Money Online! (Work From Home): Lee Mellott: Amazon.com: Kindle Store

Congratulations to Lee Mellott  - Her book was featured in the Women's World May 3rd magazine!!!! Featured in the "Ask The Expert" section !  

Darla's View: Need a pay raise??? Too much month at the end of the paycheck?  Do yourself a favor and at least check out the information Lee has assembled for you. What have you got to lose ---- poverty? 

This book has so much more than a list of job opportunities.  This book helps you decided what to do, how to do it successfully and how to handle money. Avoiding scams and the lifestyle of working at home is all included. 

I have seen so many subscriptions or how to make money online kits -  information that cost people hundreds of dollars and then asks for more. Lee has put together the information you need, in concise ise way that costs less than a $1.00 special burger at McDonald's.) 

Instead of making pennies on some websites - you can take control and earn more.  You could be the next featured writer in a magazine. Lee's writing is the result of her working and achieving online writing success, in other words - she lives what she writes. Congratulations to Lee on the magazine spot!

CHECK out this $.99 cent special ebook by clicking on image or the title at the top of the posting. 

***Not an affiliate referral  

An update on Google Affiliate Network: Google Affiliate ads discontinued

An update on Google Affiliate Network:

Well it's bye bye Google Affiliate Ads. Thankfully I was never into this program and my Adsense is still going forward. Would love to hear from those involved how it will affect them.

'via Blog this'

Alternatives for Amazon Affiliates – Life After the Tax Bill

Alternatives for Amazon Affiliates – Life After the Tax Bill:

NOTE: IN looking for affiliate programs for my legal blog, I ran across a post of Pat Flynn's that grabbed my attention.  The post above might be a little dated for some of you, (July 2011) however it has a nice little section that outlines a few affiliates programs that will provide something a little different than the "same old - same old."

Exploring further a couple of posts caught my eye and since I have known Pat for years (think old eHow days) I decided to add those links here for my friends that are having trouble earning a buck on blogging.

Blogging Tips You Should Know  

THE Backlinking Strategy That Works 

Backlinking Strategy & Process Overview" 

If you are like me, after reading a couple related links - you have forgotten the title link above - so don't forget to hit the title link and start down the road to affiliate link alternatives. 

Enjoy the information and Pat if you are reading this -- feel free to drop a note! 

'via Blog this'

Sharing information and tips to increase earnings. Increase your passive, residual income. Guest bloggers welcome.

UPDATE on writer's helping homeless author: Over 3K on Fundrazr.com

Sharing information and tips to increase earnings. Increase your passive, residual income. Guest bloggers welcome.

Photo:  click to go to donation page

People are rejoicing because we are just a mile away from the finish line in helping one person overcome homelessness. Fellow author Upon Request (Squidoo) aka, AFuller (Seekyt) has been living in a major city's tent city. So far, we have to say -- GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!!!

The tent city homeless shelter is a temporary residence and hopefully the donations coming in and the promotion of the author's work will help get her back on her feet in a solid way.

It is thrilling to see the fund grow and over the next month to six weeks we hope to see the fund grow enough to cover three months rent and food, so that the author can get stable and in turn help others. Donations are coming in to help with immediate needs and for the shelter itself. Follow progress by checking the widget at the bottom of this article.

Seekyt.com is a website with compassion: Owner helps promote Fundrazr for homeless author

Writers united giving writer friend a hand: Heartstrings tugged as writer shares "Homeless in Seattle" experience

Helping others, paying it forward

resources:

Video: The Homeless Tent City in Google and Facebook's Backyard

Seekyt.com is a website with compassion: Owner helps promote Fundrazr for homeless author

Homeless Photo: via HUD.gov

Today, I received a message about the fund raising efforts of writers that have banded together to help a fellow writer who has hit hard times and is currently residing in tent city, a homeless shelter. What is making me almost cry are two things:

1) Tyler, the owner of Seekyt.com (a writing website) has recognized the need of the community of authors. Tyler, has helped promote the fundraising efforts of writers from many different websites and placed it in a prominent position on the FRONT page of the website. The Fundrazr post is located in a very visible position and includes a click out to the site for donations. Tyler took this action even during weekend hours. That is what I call awesome! Friends are responding to the act of kindness:
 

"What Tyler did is incredible....I just am so overwhelmed with emotion.” Anon

“I'm so proud of Susan and of Seekyt! That's a wonderful thing to do for Angela!” – Nancy Hardin

“He has a heart of gold. There is no question to big or small, he will answer it. He treats the writers like people not users.”  Susan Golis

Tyler really cares about the writers and the individual community members of Seekyt.  As writers, we are always looking to find sites that treat us like human beings.  I have to say Tyler’s actions make me want to write at Seekyt!  How about you?  If you are involved in this project make sure to give him a big thank you. 

"Into the Light": Let's help others get into the light! photo credit:HUD.gov

2) People everywhere have joined in and the Fundrazr account is growing and has met the basic minimal goal. The second goal of raising enough to allow the author to relocate to an apartment. Starting over is hard and without a boost sometimes it is next to impossible to regain footing.  It only takes a job loss, tornado or earthquake to risk being in the same situation. That is why I am all in favor of this project and thrilled by the compassion of others. 

Squidoo.com has featured the writings of Upon Request (aka, AFuller) on their LOTD page (Lens of the Day).  It is great to have community that bands together. 

Susan Golis shared her post on Facebook so that the writers could see that all the efforts are making an impact on others. My final thought is that it is wonderful when this kind of thing happens and I have to agree with her posting:  

"Tyler the administrator at Seekyt is one in a million….his kindness has brought tears to my eyes." 

Related Articles:
Writers united giving writer friend a hand: Heartstrings tugged as writer shares

Additional Articles:
2012 Writing Sites: Get Paid to Write Online;
Pinterest Successful Marketing Explained « Seekyt



















Sharing information and tips to increase earnings. Increase your passive, residual income. Guest bloggers welcome.

Writers united giving writer friend a hand: Heartstrings tugged as writer shares "Homeless in Seattle" experience

Living In A Tent City by Nancy Brown Hardin:

Our friend, UPON REQUEST from eHow,  InfoBarrel, Squidoo, Seekyt and even  Zazzle has made a lens based on her experience in a homeless tent city in Seattle. Our friend Nancy Hardin was so touched by the story and responded immediately to reach out to author UPON REQUEST, letting other writers and authors know about the special lens and the woman courageously writing about her life experiences. 

After reading the Squidoo lens: Homeless in Seattle - friends got together and Nancy spearheaded a fundraising drive to help with immediate needs. 

Susan Golis organized a Pinterest board linking many of UPON REQUEST's Zazzle products and others are gathering to promote the Pinterest,  Zazzle, Squidoo and Seekyt projects.  

Won't you join in by:
1) Donating a few dollars (think Starbucks and Big Macs). Okay,  I will skip one meal cause, eating a Big Mac while a person lives like this =====>>>>>

2)  SHARE these projects, the Squidoo Lens and Fundrazr with your social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Foursquare, Tumblr and other sites. 

Maybe you know someone that is philanthropic and will donate items from UPON REQUEST's Squidoo Lens Wish List for Tent City. If everyone will do one or two things - then much will happen for not only this special author (who is very courageous in telling her story) but also for others who have bad situations right now.



'via Blog this'

Pinterest Successful Marketing Explained « Seekyt

Pinterest Successful Marketing Explained « Seekyt:

Pinterest is a pin board sharing websites that encourages the members to create and manage themed boards.  These interest based boards are then shared with their followers.  Users and followers alike can re-pin the images to their own boards or they can like the photo pin.  

Create visually appealing marketing boards and share them with your followers on your home feed.  Your followers are your future clients  

(Keep reading for more tips and steps to take:" Pinterest Successful Marketing Explained ")

'via Blog this'