Aug 01
Goodbye June and Hello July!
Last month was a good month for me.
I think I did a lot of things good, cut out a lot of the bad stuff and in the process tripled my page views and unique visitors (not to mention the continued increase in my feed subscriptions).
As you’ve probably guessed though, I’m not content to rest on my laurels! I certainly want to keep up these good trends and definitely want to keep meeting friendly people. (#):)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
In regards to the “bad” things I was doing, I don’t think it was limited to June. In fact, I know it wasn’t. But June just happened to be the month where I figured it out and did something about it.
- Posting Frequency – I’m so proud that I managed to write a post everyday. It wasn’t easy at times but I knocked it down. Having the calendar in the sidebar really helped to keep me honest.
- Upping the Quality and Upping the Relevance – In the past, I think I’ve written more about what was happening in my personal tech life…Stuff that doesn’t necessarily interest anyone but me. I tried to shift that a bit, in focusing on what what was going on my tech life that you guys would care about and would be of benefit to discussing for everyone. This has become a bit easier as time has gone on because I’m starting to get a small feel of what you guys like and what you don’t.
- “How-To” Posts – Last month was the first month where I wrote a series of posts or a “how-to” post and the response has been phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for more. Sometimes we take it for granted that the stuff we know won’t be of use to others, but you just never know. And best of all, everyone chimed in to add some great tips for everyone’s added benefit!
- Scannable Posts – It wasn’t until I really started reading ProBlogger that I was able to really significantly improve upon the way I write posts. I was looking back at some old ones last night, and it was really hard to read them, even for me. The reason is I didn’t make them scannable so it was taking more effort than I would’ve wanted to get my eyes to go through them. Making lists and using bold text makes things a LOT easier for everyone.
Still to Come
Despite my successes, there are still many things that I need to implement and improve upon. And I’m looking forward to getting that underway soon…
- AdSense – In the next couple of days, I’m going to post what I think will be my first revenue post. I added AdSense about three weeks ago, and I’ve made pretty much next to nothing with it. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. Thanks to some of my friends, I’ve received some killer tips and look to implement them this next month to try and get those numbers up. (I also have to report about Review Me, Pay Per Post and Sponsored Reviews).
- Alexa and PR – This also lies on the monetization front but there it is anyway. Currently my PR is at 1. I need it to go up. I know the PR update should be happening any day now, but the suspense is killing me! And on the Alexa side of the ball, I’m still working to drop my number. *laughs* This is a fun game to play isn’t it? For competitive people like myself, it really is a lot of fun.
- Contests – I started this blog in February so this is its 6 month anniversary! And that means I gotta have a big ol’ contest! I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I’m going to do but it’s going to be a lot better than my last one!
August 1st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
About the update? The suspense is killing me too haha.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:54 pm
@Brown – I wonder if iwebtool is randomly working for other people too. *shrugs*
August 1st, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Sounds like a great month! I’m looking forward to your contest.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:23 am
PageRank — Don’t get me started on that one guys! I’m going crazy… Sounds like a great month for you! I’m thinking about posting up some sort of blog update but don’t have any clue on how to go about it. I liked your how-to’s so keep those coming :c).
ps. I play with your navigation all the time. I like the hover effect, it trips me out.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:39 am
We don’t get the june-july joke, sorry!!
Finished reading before last post (living in office space), we think that you have to make a decision, that way of life isn’t very satisfactory, the time spend in you and your family is better, later . . .
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:27 am
I’m eagerly awaiting your reviews.
I’m no sure if you were talking about everyone? If not that everyone that reads your blog doesn’t comment. My lurkers still outnumber the people that comment. On average I receive about 30 emails a day from my silent readers some are old, but many are new people that have stumbled onto my website.
I look at Google Analytics and the tracking provided at my hosting server. It shows me which pages are looked at the most so I plan my topics ,accordingly.
Imagine where I would have been if I took my blog seriously over two years ago?
I’m not complaining, lol. I’ve gotten to the point where I know what works (for my website) so now I’m just gong through the process of putting my ideas in action.
I have things coming down the pike that I’m sure will take it even higher (community wise) over the next several months.
It looks as though I’ll be reach $100 with Google Adsense today. I was at $99 with Adsense this morning. The past few days I’ve been averaging $4 and it keeps getting better.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:03 am
@Grace – That makes two of us!
@Gnomey – I’ll certainly keep hte how-to’s coming and you should take the plunge on an update post! It’s fun! PLUS, months from now it’s great to look back and see what you were thinking and where you’ve come from.
@IceDragon – Yeah, I’ve obviously been giving this some thought myself. I think I may have come up with a plan of sorts, but that is yet to be unveiled. (#):)
@Opal – That’s a good point. And in fact, I really hope to install a plugin or two highlighting popular posts and all that.
BTW, congrats on AdSense! Will that be your first check!? If so, you know the deal…You GOTTA take a picture with it!!! (I’m so envious. (#);) )
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 am
I do? Yeah I’ll take a picture I’m getting direct deposit. I should receive it next month. Have you noticed anything different about the way I’m commenting?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
@Opal – Of course I have! Aren’t Tribbles the things in Star Trek? Those furry little pink things?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Yeah! Yeah!
Don’t start with the jokes you hear!
One of my former coworkers actually sent me the DVD “The Trouble with Tribbles.” LOL I should have branded myself in this way a lot sooner, but I was too nervous about it. I guess I’m really “out there” now, eh?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
100 points for you! You’re a man and you actually noticed something. Ahh the stereotypes hee hee
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
@Opal – Ha ha ha. I can’t believe that’s actually what it was! It’s funny you said what you did, because I think I’m pretty observant but ESPECIALLY when it comes to women, I just keep my mouth shut most of the time. I’d hate to say, “Did you get a haircut” or “Is that a new necklace” etc and it be wrong OR I’m only noticing two weeks later. *nod*
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Ahh sometimes it doesn’t pay to be too observant. Most of the time I just play dumb. Or is it real? Great, now I’m really confused.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:27 pm
@Brown – lol
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Really looking forward to your upcoming posts, thanks for the sharing and it’s really helpful to us newbie bloggers.
Joanne
http://www.imhappyfish.com/blog
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:35 pm
@Joanne – “You got it dude.”tte (#):)