Like many of you I have been blogging for a long time. Many of us have been blogging since long before others new it as blogging and even before it was called blogging. I cannot take credit for any of the tools and tips you will read below but these are some very helpful links I have gathered from across the web through my own searches and those of friends.
If you haven't tried it you can always post for free to http://BlogX3.com (Blog Blog Blog temporarily known as "The 24") where you favorite AR bloggers have added some great SEO juice especially Scott Schang and Katerina Gassett - now it is open to you as well!
Want to try Twitter? My twitter is http://twitter.com/thekencook (The because plain Ken Cook was taken ;) - don't worry if you don't understand Twitter, you'll find many of your AR friends there. Now here are a million more tips.
Okay, it's not really a million and it won't guarantee you an hour on cable news dedicated to you:
Existing businesses have incredibly valuable assets that others do not—customer and prospect lists. That being said, telling your existing customers about your new blog full of press release content and expecting them to come running is a recipe for mediocrity. If you don’t have an existing list, you can create an offer that is attractive to social media news site users and your results will be similar.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the growing number of web sites and social web communities. ShareThis lets you instantly access all of your profiles, blogs, friends, and contacts for easy sharing and updating. We think users should be in control of their online world.
Topix is the leading news community on the Web, connecting people to the information and discussions that matter to them in every U.S. town and city. A Top 10 online newspaper destination (comScore, March 2008), the site links news from 50,000 sources to 360,000 lively user-generated forums. Topix also works with the nation's major media companies to grow and engage their online audiences through forums, classifieds, publishing platforms and RSS feeds.
Having a good looking website is great if you want to show your friends, but one that actually attracts real prospects is another. If your website is not well positioned in search engines for key phrases your visitors would use to find you, your website is virtually invisible. (While you are there at least check out http://www.seocentro.com/tools/search-engines/metatag-analyzer.html ) You’ll be glad one way or the other.
So, you’re seeing too many of those “how to” and list headlines, and want to try a few different angles? Let’s move beyond those common headline formulas you see over and over, and add some new blood to your attention-grabbing arsenal.
Plagiarism Today (PT) is a site targeted at Webmasters and copyright holders regarding the issue of plagiarism online. Though it deals with many legal issues, in particular the DMCA and copyright law, it is not a legal blog and is, instead, a blog regarding a societal ill that’s effects may never be fully understood or comprehended.
FeedBurner is the leading provider of media distribution and audience engagement services for blogs and RSS feeds. Our Web-based tools help bloggers, podcasters and commercial publishers promote, deliver and profit from their content on the Web.
Have you ever came across a Wordpress blog, saw something you liked, and questions like ‘how they did that‘, ‘is that a plugin or hack?‘, ‘where can I get those cool mods‘ begin to pop? Well, it’s really pretty normal because most of us did the same thing. For this article we’ve spent time with some 14 Wordpress bloggers, finding out what kinda hacks and plugins they are really looking for to enhance their blog in any aspect. Here’s our outcome, 40+ most wanted Wordpress tips and hacks, including those you don’t even knew the keywords to search for.
Twitter is a privately funded startup with offices in the SoMA neighborhood of San Francisco, CA. Started as a side project in March of 2006, Twitter has grown into a real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices.
Kinetic Knowledge is an application service provider focused on the delivery of business-class blogging solutions for today’s business professionals. Founded out of the Web 2.0 movement, Kinetic’s staff is deeply committed to the success of each and every one its clients. From building and hosting powerful blogs to creating and distributing related educational and business resources for those who new to blogging, Kinetic Knowledge is uniquely positioned to help today’s business professional take advantage of the ever-changing rules of marketing. Blogging Starter Checklist http://www.squidoo.com/blogstarter
Excerpt
Many of my close friends are entering the blogging world. I am so happy for them. I started blogging in Feb 2005 and I have learnt that we need to do a few basic things when we start a blog. I learnt it the hard way but you don't have to. I have put together a starter checklist for new bloggers. I have used this list to help my friends and now I thought I will make this public.
Founded in August 2006 by Alan Levy and Bob Charish, BlogTalkRadio is the leading social radio network. We know full well you've got something to say-so we're providing you with the megaphone and the tools to do so. Create your own live talk show which can be heard around the world without the need for fancy equipment or downloads. Freedom of speech meets social networking.
BloggingTips has been online since March 2007. The blog actually started off life at BloggingTips.org but we were fortunate enough to secure the dot com version of the domain the next month. The blog has been targeted to one type of person since its inception - Bloggers! We try our best to post articles and news that interest both new and experienced bloggers with topics ranging from promoting your blog to design and coding as well as industry news and views. (Grammar and spelling corrections at my liberty.)
This site is dedicated to helping other bloggers learn the skills of blogging, share their own experiences and promote the blogging medium. I started it in September 2004 mainly because I wanted to keep a record of what I was learning about blogging for money. Since then I’ve added over well over 3500 articles, tips, tutorials and case studies to my archives here.
Daniel Scocco has lived and studied in several places around the world, including Italy, Chile and Brazil. After receiving a degree in International Economics and working for a year within a multinational company, he decided to quit and pursue entrepreneurial projects on the Internet. He started blogging in 2005, and the experience completely changed the way he interacted with the Internet. Throughout these years he launched several successful blogs, and Daily Blog Tips is the place where he shares what he learned along the way. The blog was nominated under the “Best Web Development Blog” category on the 2007 Weblog Awards, and currently it is ranked number 29 among the most popular blogs in the world (according to Technorati).
You can produce your own professional-quality audio shows with Propaganda software. It's fun, it's easy, and it includes everything you need to record, assemble, and publish your own podcasts. If you've been listening to podcasts recently and have wanted to record your own shows, now you can. If you've been making podcasts with an assortment of software that wasn't really designed to do what you need, now you have an easier way.
Got any more to add of your own? We'd love to know about them.
See you at the polls in November. I dare you to vote for inexperience in a time like this.
THE OPINIONS IN THIS COMMENTARY ARE STRICTLY KEN COOK's PERSONAL OPINION AND NOT REFLECTIVE ON ACTIVE RAIN, NOVATION MORTGAGE, or ANY SPONSOR OF THIS WEBSITE.
EDUCATION BEATS LEGISLATION EVERY TIME. Get your clients, friends and family members to a LENDER RUN home mortgage seminar as soon as possible.
Wow, THANK YOU! I am new to this and really working my way through the learning curve. It is amazing tht so many people are so willing to share so freeley. Really, THANK YOU!
Thanks so much! I think I could spend a full week reading this blog and researching the datapoints. I know I went to SEO centro and made some tweaks. I need to go to the WordPress hacks. If there were only 26 hours in every day!
I've just gone off to the WordPress hacks link and my mind is purely boggled. Thank you! Thank you for giving us such wonderful resources in one concise post.
Lane - it took me two football games and a NASCAR race to type it. Then another 4 hours to re-read it and finally get it online. Ha. Have a super-awesome week my friend.
Greg - I understand it's a long read and that's why it's here ... reference. You can do a header like that with Paint Shop Pro or Gimp (Gimp is free). Thanks for the compliments and the comments!
Tom - thanks. Just a bit of going through bookmarks while watching the Falcons win IN GREEN BAY I may add. Hope you can use something from it. Thanks for stopping by.
Ken - I got started on "The 24", as you recall, but I sort of forgot to keep posting there. I need to look into that again. Thanks for the other 999,999 tips!
Jason - yeah buddy, I missed you there. Uhm I haven't been exactly faithful to BlogX3 but when I check my logs from my money maker and I see BlogX3 5 to 10 times every day as a referring site I have to know it works. Scott Schang was the solo man there for a while. Hey, enjoyed your songs on Twitter tonight.
Thank you for all the great resources Ken! I had to bookmark it, so I can get to them all. Some, I am not sure I even understand yet, but I will visit the sites and find out. Thanks!
Thanks for the post, I have been blogging since May 08. There is a lot to learn - about the techniques of blogging and social networking, but also about the profession.
If you are going to blog, have something to say. It takes some effort to have something to say.
Ken-I am relatively new to Active Rain and defintiely new to blogging. Luckily, I work with Katerina so I can get some pretty quick answers to questions I have sometimes. Still trying to get some Active Rain skin though....thanks for these great sites. Doubt I'll be selling any real estate with all this on my plate...LOL.
Holy Cow Ken! What a list! I am bookmarking it, so I can come back and digest it, piece by piece. Oh, and I just started following you on twitter. I couldn't get Jen Bowman, but I got JenniferBowman on twitter. I'm still not sure how twitter works, but I'm doing it. Thank you for this great post!
Great list, Ken. I had just read that article on Copy Blogger the other day. I spent time trying to do some catch up on my RSS feeds. Plus my outside blog needs some readership. Will check out BlogX3, never heard of that one.
Christine - feel free to come back as often as you like. Thank you.
Trunda - I think that's what social networking is all about. People helping people.
Tony or Darcy - not a problem. Thanks for commenting. Michele - if you have any questions just ask - someone will know the answer.
Kris - you are welcome.
Richard - I prefer to blog about the industry. I get both my "artistic" release and promote change in the industry and traffic for my business. Thanks for stopping in.
Lisa - Katerina is one of my best AR friends. In fact I miss her over at http://blogx3.com (formerly The 24). Welcome to AR!
Mike - Thanks! I hope it helps you further along.
Diane - it's impossible to keep up with all of it. There is so much new stuff every day. Thanks for your comment.
Jen - great then I'll see you on Twitter! (I had to get "the"kencook). Feel free to join me at http://blogx3.com too.
Suzane - one day yes, 6 times per week!
Shannon - sneaky me, eh?
Missy - feel free to join us there at BlogX3, too. It gets some pretty good SE traffic.
Charlie - you are very welcome.
Huiting - yes I believe it is featured - thank you!
Jeremy - all of us can do more not just you. Thanks.
Gita - it is a lot to read - visit as often as you like! Erica - why thank you very much! Welcome.
This is very useful information and I will have to come back and take a look a many of these links. there is so much to learn and I am relatively new to blogging. I have bookmarked this post.
Thanks! This looks like a great list to submit my feeds to, hopefully they all accept feeds. I am going to bookmark this blog and work on it later. Appreciate it!
Pickles, but that's a lot to digest for a gal who can't get a handle on Facebook... can we say I'm an AMATEUR.... I'm getting my GED compared to your Ph.D. I have some late night surfing and reading to do for sure. Bookmarked!
Ken - Thanks for the list. I found some old favorites and a lot of new sites to check out as well. I have bookmarked this so that I can come back later a check them out.
Been trying to respond on your other post you wrote after this all day long and no such luck! Thanks for all of your wonderful tips Ken. Have a most splendid day!
Ken... thanks for sharing these tips... I could always use new tips or reinforce old ones. Gee, its hard enough to keep up with lending guidelines and programs.... lol thanks
Jeff - thanks. Lender guidelines? You haven't heard? Guidelines have been exchanged for the following process:
1. Take application 2. Pull credit 3. Pre-approve 4. Order title, insurance and appraisal 5. Gather all documents 6. Suspend 7. Order review appraisal 8. Issue clear to close 9. Send docs to closing agent 10. Deny file at closing table
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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Hi Ken
Great tips and insight I will try several out and look forward to having my own cable news talk show.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig