Random Blog Thoughts & Advice

I wanted to take some time today to post my thoughts and opinions on some of things to with blogging while it is fresh on my mind as well as provide some helpful advice to readers. These are my own opinions, and some of my friends already know where I stand on many of the issues I'm going to bring up. And besides, this is my blog and I invoke my right to these opinions on my own site.

Blog comments
After coming across a great friend of mine's site last night, I wanted to touch on this one first. Also, some of my other friends I've met recently have been attacked with this issue, too.

First off, I'm a strong believer in freedom of speech before I address my thoughts. However, common courtesy should be shown when visiting a site that isn't your own. Some of you that have left these immature comments act like we post in a reform of communism in the blogging community. In other words, it was your choice to read the person's blog. It is your choice to comment. It is also your choice to walk away and read something else instead of feeling the need to attack. There's no point in belittling anyone that you have a disagreement with. If you don't like the person and you have to resort to name-calling, then you have the right to read another blog just as much as the person has the right to their opinion.

Awards/Tags
Anyone that receives any award or tag is appreciated and liked by the person who presented it because of thinking of you. It is always honorable to receive praise from your peers in any profession. It is their way of thanking you for the support and being kind to them. Also, it can serve as motivation or sense of joy which I do know from my own experience was a big help to keep a good friend of mine from quitting on her blog.

When I personally tag or award anyone, it doesn't bother me how they handle posting it or not. I'm more than cool with it if they leave a comment on the post and go on with their day. At least they acknowledge you for it in someway, and appreciate you for the mention.

You have to remember that when you tag anyone, they have the right to handle it any which way they want. If they want to keep the award for themselves and not pass it to anyone, that's their choice. If you want to post it in your sidebar and not make a post, that's your choice, too. To me, there really is no "wrong" way for anyone to handle an award/tag the way they want to.

Furthermore, when you tag anyone, you also give them a chance to post it anytime they want to. No one is ever on any deadline to post awards, so do be patient with them because life does happen for all of us. Personally, if I was concerned about when someone posted their awards, I wouldn't be passing them out every time I receive them. Also, I know many at this time(myself included) have tags in line to be done, and that they keep coming to them. That should be more of a reflection on you as a blogger and friend than anything else.

Awards/Tags do help you build traffic and friendships with others. Being kind to other bloggers can go a long way for you in the community for traffic and friendships.

Page Ranking
Most of you that have come here have figured out that I don't post to get a Google PR. While it is nice to have a PR, it isn't the end of the world if I don't have one. Furthermore, there seems to be a misconception going around that just because you don't have a PR, that it means your blog isn't any good.

Well first off, I know plenty of New York Times Bestseller books that raked in tons of cash, but were universally panned by every major media critic. On that same note, plenty of movies have raked in tons of cash, but were also universally panned by every major media critic. My point is, just because your blog isn't ranked doesn't mean it isn't any good. It just means those with a PR are more visible in searches than those without one. That isn't meant to say that those with a PR have bad blogs, but it seems those have the mindset of thinking they don't have a good blog because of not having a PR.

Also, I must admit that having a PR does give you some more opportunities and advantages. Like for instance, if you're looking to get paid for posting, many sites won't pay you on posts unless you have a high enough PR. That also could be beneficial in getting other advertisers on your site as well. Obviously, your blog is widely seen in searches with a better PR, too. But don't fret or completely quit blogging just because you don't have a PR.

I started this blog in May of last year under another name, and I didn't get a PR until recently which it currently stands at a PR3. That's how it may go sometimes.

Ways To Build Traffic
OK, one of the first ways is to obviously link with as many sites and services as possible which is what most all of us know. I'm wanting to talk about a couple of the services I've used in recent months that have helped me not only build traffic, but friendships as well.

1. Chatbox(Cbox), ShoutMix, or related services
Without question, the best move I ever made on here was putting in a Chatbox after I seen what it had done for my good friend tripzibit. This is an easy way to build traffic, and meet new on-line friends.

Whenever you leave a comment on someone's chatbox, be sure to leave your link so that it is easier for the person to contact you back. If you don't it will make it harder to build traffic especially if you're not linked to sites you leave comments at. Some sites that use this service have found it more effective to faster communication and a way to protect your privacy because of not having to email someone about linking them.

You leave your link, and others will eventually be inclined to click on it. They stop by, they leave a message, and you build traffic. You reply back, and a relationship builds. This duplicates itself, and you start getting traffic from all over the world.

When I first used this service, I wasn't getting that many messages in my chatbox which is what one can expect at first. But after about a month, that changed in a big way. Now, I'm flooded every single day I login with messages on it which can sometimes be hard for me to catch up on. But it did exactly what I wanted it to do: Build traffic and friendships. Some of the bloggers that I consider my best blogger friends that you see me mention all the time were contacted originally by chatbox.

2. EntreCard
Now some of you may notice going around on chatboxes when someone says something like, "Dropped EC". EC means EntreCard. You'll notice mine under David's Links.

This is a great way for traffic as well, and is another way I've met on-line friends, too. All you do is go by site where you can find ads like mine, and right-clicking on the word "drop". When a person checks their inbox, they'll see you dropped their EC. More than likely, they'll drop yours back. If you have friends that use EC, then be sure to drop them so that it gives you more credits to use to purchase ad spaces on sites for more traffic.

Also, it would be wise to design your own 125x125 ad space if possible. I know of a couple of friends that can design some if need be. An attractive 125x125 ad can be of big help. Posting as often as possible helps build credits as well.

More often than not, you'll see many people offering EC credits for contest winners, too.

There are other sites that help, but I'm not as familiar with them as of right now.

If you want more advice on blogging, think stop Ovah Coffee where Maxi is very good in helping others. She's helped me before with advice, and is one of the most generous and gracious people I know. Some others like Twinks and Lainy are helpful, too.

That's all for now, and thanks for reading!

Posted in: advice, blog, blogger, blogs

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