Blog Pimpification
It’s the last day for JohnCow’s Pimp your blog contest. I was thinking about skipping this contest, but I could really use some help with the blog theme. Getting Hayder’s help would be awesome, I like what he’s done for the Milk Man.
The theme I need help with is Fanatic Space. I’ve done pretty much the best I can with that. I’m no web designer though. I’ll admit the theme isn’t that pretty. I need some help with it. If I can win the contest it would help a lot.
I’ve tried to build Fanatic Space myself. I started out with a site template and changed it to be closer to what I wanted. When I added Wordpress to the site I did something similar. I found the basic theme and used that as a base. I copied over what I’d done with the front page and made my own Wordpress theme. I liked it, but I had a few complaints that it was kind of plain and needed some color. I’ve tried to address those concerns and rebuilt the theme. I’ve learned a lot about CSS doing that. I don’t think I know enough to make a professional looking theme though.
Today’s the last day, so if you read this and need some help with your blog theme you’d better get to typing.
Technorati Tags: Contests, Blog Contests, John Cow, Pimp Your Blog, Blog Theme
Technorati, 99 Days. WTF?!
Technorati Tags: Rants, Blogging, Technorati, 99 Days, WTF
It works for them. Will it work for you?
I saw a couple of posts recently that clarified something I’d been thinking about for the last few days. Should you take advice about blogging from someone just because they’re successful at it? Sure, the advice they’re giving worked for them, but will it work for you? I don’t think that’s always the case. Even more than that, I think taking someone’s advice without examining it first could hinder you.
Bloggers know about the echo chamber. If you’re a blogger that hasn’t heard of it, you will, at length, repeatedly. It’s probably the loudest echo in there. However, the Milk Man seems to have broken away from the herd on this issue. What else is new? He blogs about what he wants to, not what people tell him he should blog about.
Courtney Tuttle points out the dangers of SEO. He makes some good points. People get so involved with SEO that they forget other things. Sure SEO can help, but don’t overdo it. Going too far to please the search engines can really mess up your blog. Write for people, not search algorithms.
Falling in line and becoming a good little blogging bot can lead to success for some. I’m sure there are blogs that were built by following everything Darren Rowse or John Chow said. Some of ‘em might even be good. If it works for you, go for it. If it doesn’t, then maybe you need to strike out on your own. Try blogging for yourself and not the A List. Or the B List. Or any List.
What works for you?
Technorati Tags: Blogs, Blogging, Blogging Tips, Blogging Advice, Echo Chamber, Tips, Advice, SEO, S.E.O., John Cow, John Chow, Darren Rowse, Courtney Tuttle
Google Page Rank Predictions
There are a lot of tools on the net that claim to predict your page rank. They don’t work. Most of ‘em will even say that in a round about way. Much like astrology or fortune telling there might be a disclaimer stating that the tool is to be used for entertainment purposes only.
Just take a look at the pic on the right of iWebTool’s page rank predictor tool. There is no way that’s right. I would be dancing around the room if I thought the FanaticSpace blog was really going to be a PR 5 page. I’m not though. Why? Because it’s not going to happen.
The only one of those that might even be close is the PR 1. Simply because it’s already close at PR 0.
Don’t trust Page Rank prediction tools. Google is the only site that can tell you what your page rank is. If they tell you, then it’s not a prediction. The page ranks they show are already outdated by the time they’re released.
Sure, tools like that are fun, but don’t trust them. They’ll only break your heart.
Technorati Tags: Blogging, Google, Page Rank, iWebTool, Page Rank Predictions, Web Tools
Boost Traffic By Stalking Bloggers
Maki over at Dosh Dosh recently did a piece on networking. He suggests building a prospect list of bloggers you want to cozy up to. It seemed kinda conniving to me at first. Subscribing to a list of blogs just to familiarize yourself with the blogger. All in an attempt to get on their good side. Hoping that being on their good side will open an opportunity for promoting your own site. I mentioned my thoughts in the comments.
2xKnight - October 13th, 2007
I don’t think I could do that. It seems kinda cold-blooded to me. Maybe I’m not cut out for blogging. The bad part is this is advice I need. I’m terrible at networking.
I am terrible at networking. I also have problems pretending to like some one I don’t. i supposed I’m not what you’d call a people person.
His response cleared a few things up for me though.
@mblair + 2xknight
Yes, I do agree that this approach can seem a little too clinical but I have found that as you network with other bloggers, you gradually move into a much more casual relationship where everything isn’t premeditated and you’re really just sharing or giving because you feel like it.
I started down this path and made quite a number of friends, many of whom I talk to regularly on IM. Many times, we don’t even talk about our businesses or websites.. just fun stuff in general.
What I like about this method is its consistency and organization. Instead of just pushing another blog as and when you feel like it, you’re making a real commitment towards deeper relationships with people in the same industry.
Ah ha! So it’s not a guide to online stalking as I’d first thought. It’s organization skills for the network challenged. Re-reading the article in that light, I can see he’s made some great points. It could help you decide which bloggers you want to work with. It also gives some tips on how to make first contact. Those are both tough things to do when you’re starting out and lack a few social skills like me. Even though I don’t like using feed readers, I might have to try this out.
So to Darren Rowse, Maki and all the other bloggers out there I just have this to say. That guy in the bushes? It’s not me. I’m not going to be stalking you. At least not if my traffic picks up.
Too creepy? Guess I need to find a guide on humor in blogging too.
Technorati Tags: Blogging, Traffic, Networking, Blog Feed, Stalking
Re: Your Brains
I played Harry Potter trivia in the Knockturn Alley chatroom tonight. I decided to post lyrics to whatever Jonathan Coulton song I was listening to at the time as my answers.
The scary part? I didn’t come in last.
I’d recommend checking out his site. He’s got songs you can listen too for free. I’m hooked. I need to buy some of his CDs.
Wii Love Coupons
Everybody Loves Coupons is sponsoring a blog contest and the prize is a Nintendo Wii…
Everybody Loves Coupons is sponsoring a blog contest and the prize is a Nintendo Wii, complete with a game. I had to look the site over first. Wii or not, I’m not going to blog about a site that only offers a few deals you can find anywhere. Since you’re reading this they must be pretty good huh?
First I checked to see if they had coupons for major sites. Yep, I could have saved some money this week if I’d known about ‘em. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and even Kmart all have coupons available on the site. Looks like you can get a deal on just about anything there.
I also checked to see if there was anything good for Halloween, since that’s when the contest ends. There’s quite a few deals to be had for Halloween in their Party Supply section. So you can look great at your Halloween party and save money too.
Looks good to me, I’m entering. Here’s the prize description from the site. Just in case you haven’t made up your mind.
What You Win:
A brand-new Nintendo Wii which includes:
- Wii system
- Wii Sports game
- 1 Wii remote
- 1 Wii nunchuk
- 1 brand-new Mario Party 8 game
Technorati Tags: Contests, Blogging Contests, Nintendo Wii, Coupons, Halloween, Costumes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kmart
I won $10.
Yep, 10 bucks. Yay!
I won it in a pretty cool name that tune contest over on A Cowboy’s Wife’s blog. I figured I should write up a post about it. Shoot, I’ve written posts for less.
The tune I managed to name was Cherry Pie by Warrant. I don’t think I would have gotten it if I hadn’t listened to that song about a billion times when I was younger. I watched the video a lot too, but I’m not sure I heard much of the song. As soon as I heard it I knew what the song was and even which part. For me that’s great. Sometimes I know the tune but I couldn’t tell you which part of the song it is.
All in all I’d say that I’m glad I entered. I’m $10 richer and I looked up the Cherry Pie video on youtube. Thanks Lori.
That’s a pretty cool contest she runs. I might have to steal that idea and see if I can do a similar one. Of course it’d have to be specific to the blog I run it on. Clips from anime themes on Anime Fans Online would be cool.
Technorati Tags: Contests, Blogging, A Cowboy’s Wife, Name That Tune, Warrant, Cherry Pie, Bobbie Brown, $10
Wordpress 2.3 doesn’t like me either.
I had to switch back to the previous version of WordPress. Not because of tags, or a broken plugin. Nope, I had to switch back because every page other than the main index couldn’t be found. Yep, all the post pages came up 404. It wasn’t even my 404 page. It was the default browser 404 that showed up. Now all my categories are gone and my blogroll won’t show up with the widget. I’m very glad that I tested 2.3 on a new blog. If this had happened on a blog that I’d had for any length of time I would be very upset.
This doesn’t sound like a release candidate bug to me. Doesn’t even sound like a beta level bug. That stuff should be caught in alpha.
I’m beginning to wonder if the accelerated release schedule that WordPress has adopted is really such a good thing.
Technorati Tags: WordPress, Word Press, 2.3, 2.3 Bug, Bug, Missing Posts, Missing Pages, Missing Article
-
Search
-
Recently Written
