SEO and Writing News Worth Reading
January 13, 2010
Looking for something worthwhile to read on the Net? Aren’t we all. I found a few little gems tucked away in the folds of the Internet this week and thought I would pass them along.
- Ten Search Engines Powered by Twitter from Search Engine Guide, shows that even your Tweets matter to SEO.
- 80 Ways to Use twitter as a Small Business Owner by Lisa Barone has some good tips for getting the most out of your TwitterTime.
- Dragon Slaying 101: How to Use Heroic Language to Battle Boring Copy by Ali Hale made me smile and made a good point, even the most boring drivel can be perked up by a little creative copy.
- In Creative Block #1: I’m Not Creative , Mark McGuinness tells us, ” Forget about ‘Being Creative’- Start Creating“
- Find something to blog about with 100+ SMB Blogging Ideas to Kick Start 2010 by Lisa Barone
- The Launch Coach tells us to stop fussing and start doing business in The Big Secret to Success? Run with What You Have.
- “You can write blog posts from now until doomsday, and if no one reads them, you might as well be picking your nose.” from Jonathan Morrow at Copybloggger.
and… last but not least, I found a nice little video from Chris Lumpkin about landing pages:
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, yes, I do write landing page content. 
Blog Nirvana: Courage, Bugs, and Bite Size Nuggets
November 29, 2008
This was a short week for many of us in Blogopolis. My reading was a little lighter than normal, to make room for all that cooking, cleaning, and eating! We’re still lying around in hyperglycemic comas here, I hope some of you are up and moving. 
“Today. You have a choice. You can choose to worry when life confronts you with it’s challenges. Or you can choose to live your life. Taking care of what you do have control over. Yourself. Your actions. What do you choose?” Lance http://www.jungleoflife.com/2008/11/18/dont-worry-be-happy/
“Self-esteem is not based on what you give your children, or on flattering words. It is based on an attitude of acceptance of who they are, and encouragement for the effort behind their actions.” Corey http://www.parenttolaunch.com/building-your-childs-self-esteem.html#more-156
“And readers too want to experience that very same instant result with your content. They don’t want to waffle through mountains of information. They want a nice, quick bite to begin with.” Sean D’Souza http://www.copyblogger.com/ramen-noodle-content/#more-1417
“Sometimes it takes courage just to get out of bed and face another day. It takes courage to look in the mirror. Courage to look at the checkbook balance, the Visa bill, and the unpaid stack of medical bills piling up in the corner.” Wendi Kellyhttp://lifeslittleinspirations.com/collecting-courage
“Even when bugs move in, appliances threaten to die, and the kids act squirrelly, there is room for laughter and love. (And even if you can’t quite find laughter and love in the moment, you can trust they haven’t left for good—they’re just taking a little break.)” Kristen, commenting at Writer Dad. http://halfwaytonormal.com
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I am more confident and happy with myself today than I have ever been. I am no longer looking for happiness in all the wrong places. I know it’s not found in house square footage or shiny gadgets. I know it has nothing to do with what I have and has everything to do with what I am. Choosing to live on less today has made me feel full of more. More love, more appreciation, more creativity, more peace, more time, more space.” Emily http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/11/25/unexpected/
Blog Nirvana: White Bread, To-Do Lists, and Deep Thinking
November 22, 2008
This week’s blog nirvana is a mish mash of sorts. But that’s just the kind of week it’s been. I’m working diligently on my book, an article for the local paper, and a special 12 days of Christmas blog series. I may need to be medicated before the week is over.
“I’m making my life an open book because I’m sick of being the only one who sees it.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/17/i-didnt-know-if-youd-do-it-or-not/
“There isn’t a kid on the whole planet that doesn’t love squishy white Wonder Bread. So naturally, it’s your duty to BAN IT from the household at all costs. Only serve Dempsters Ultra Colon-Blow Fibre-Bread, made with 28 kinds of grain, including chunks of actual hay, topsoil, and un-shelled sunflower seeds.” Deep Friar http://deepfriar.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/how-to-suck-all-the-fun-out-of-your-kids-childhood/
“One trick I’ve practised is to take an opening sentence from another writers book, and construct a possible plot from it. You too could try using other authors opening sentences as a springboard to unlocking your own creations.” William Meikle http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/archives/112
“When you start your new business, especially one in an area of high competition like writing or design, you need to think beyond the product you sell. Before that product hits the virtual world shelves, you have to decide on the image you’re going to portray to the public.” Harrison McLeod http://menwithpens.ca/what-do-you-selli
“Today’s women have daily to-do lists as long as their arms. It’s difficult to concentrate on deepening friendships—or even developing them—when our idea of fun is crossing items off that list. Also, those endless lists make us feel alone even in a crowd. Women need each other, but often it takes special effort to form those connections.” Sandra Aldrich http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2008/11/interview-for-one-womens-friendship.html
“When you sit down to write a blog post, what’s your purpose? Are you just trying to fill space so your blog doesn’t go without being updated for more than 24 hours?” Jason Katzenback http://www.copyblogger.com/purposeful-blogging/
“I’m a freelancer now. I thought I would feel more free. But I’m still mostly a workaholic trapped inside corporate skin. Only difference now is I’m the one trapping myself there.” Amy Derby http://amyderby.org/1
Blog Nirvana: Flaming Bloggers, Silly Puddy, and Vanilla Pudding Tag Lines
November 1, 2008
Welcome to November! Hopefully this month holds lots of goodies for the blogging world as we Americans gear up for the Big Thankful Turkey Day and the BIG football game here in Ohio, OSU vs. Michigan.
It’s been a wild week here in Blogopolis. Here’s my G-rated summary.
“Kindness is the silly puddy version of the never-ending gobstopper. It stretches and stretches and never loses it’s flavor. Even a small amount of kindness can alter a person’s life. So, next time you think you don’t have anything to contribute, please remember kindness. It’s cheap, accessible, and it doesn’t take much of a brain to use.” Oktober 5 http://oktober5.com/2008/dear-posterity-i-was-here/
“I don’t remember sex being as torturous as this.” To which I responded: I don’t think writing is hard, not at all.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/10/29/no-really-writing-is-just-like-sex/
“I want to look at my position through a pair of well rested eyeballs rather than the blood shot blobs I’m currently seeing in the mirror. “ Dave Fowler http://www.teachmychildrenwell.com/2008/10/24/i%E2%80%99ll-sleep-when-i%E2%80%99m-dead/
“It’s a tactic of capitalizing on a person’s inability to control what they say. Silence is the ultimate nullifier of otherwise strong points of reason. No matter how solid the logic, all arguments will fail when given the silent treatment.” Oktober 5 http://oktober5.com/2008/what-to-do-when-someone-says-something-stupid/
“My favorite vanilla pudding taglines are the ones that promise to “deliver results.” Or even better, “results-oriented.” (You aren’t even saying you’ll deliver them. You just think about them a lot. Oh good.) It’s verbal wallpaper. No one knows what this means, and no one cares.” Sonia Simone commenting at CopyBlogger http://www.copyblogger.com/tagline-mystery/
Your blog is not you; it’s not your identity. If it crashes and burns that doesn’t mean you do too. We all want a successful blog with people lining up to comment and pay us homage (I know I do anyway), but it’s really not life and death. Keep some perspective. Go all out to achieve your goals (you have got written goals, right?), but don’t stay attached to the results. Not only will that mean you keep a sense of balance, but conversely it will make you more likely to achieve your aims anyway.” Tim Brownson, guest posting at Problogger http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/10/27/the-psychology-of-blogging/
“Write about three things constantly: your topic, your thoughts, and yourself. Almost everything you write should have at least a little of all there of those blended together.” Chuck Westbrook http://chuckwestbrook.com/great-content-no-readers/
It’s been a heck of a ride on the blogging roller coaster this week, thanks for hanging on tight.
Blog Nirvana: Communication, Swinging Vines, and 3 Drag Queens
October 25, 2008
“I bet when you read that previous paragraph, you could almost hear my voice in your head saying those words, a far more intimate and effective style of communication than the dry alternative.” Dave Taylor http://www.copyblogger.com/write-with-a-distinctive-voice/#more-957
“Occasionally, one is lucky enough to get “an expert” to write a Guest Post. This Post, written by Artur Urbanski of http://artursattitudes.blogspot.com, is so much more than luck: it is Artur’s story of living what we consider “history” behind The Iron Curtain as a boy and young man. For decades, Western Society has been trying to trade on truths and fictions of what REALLY happened in countries under Soviet Rule. Artur’s story is NOT a “Guest Post.” It is an HONOR – one for which I cannot possibly thank him enough. I am certain that readers will agree.” Rita’s Digest http://bloggrrl.com (NOTE: This is Rita’s note about an AMAZING series of posts by Mr. Urbanski. These are must-reads!)
“Once you feel inspired by basic elements, don’t stop. Release your imagination and figure out how to make the elements you’ve discovered unique.” Harrison McLeod http://menwithpens.ca/artistic-creative-proces
“It would be a shame if a great story were not shared, if it went to the grave with you, for we are a race of storytellers.” Brett Legree http://6weeks.ca/2008/10/24/viking-fridays-tears-in-the-rain/
“If I was a mugger I’d use vines to swoop down on my victims because that would be very entertaining and they’d feel like they were getting something for their money” Jenny AKA The Bloggess (This is like the best title ever written!) http://thebloggess.com/?p=677
“Find your own voice. Flaunt it like a bright pink feathered boa. Get naked, wrap your arms around it, and take it to bed. “ from :How Three Drag Queens in a Bus Lead to Better Blogging by James Chartrand http://www.copyblogger.com/priscilla/ (Okay, maybe this one gets the all-time greatest title award. I can’t decide.)
“Communication problems happen because you don’t like what the other person has to say” Corey http://zenhabits.net/2008/10/listen-up-how-honest-communication-can-save-your-marriage/
Have a great weekend everyone, catch you on Monday!
Weekly Wrap Up: Take Three
October 18, 2008
First off, I have been wracking my brain for a catchy title for these lovely weekly summaries with link love. So far I’ve come up with… zilch. Nothing worth mentioning and certainly nothing brilliant enough to use. I’m open to suggestions. My brain is running on caffeine fumes and it shows.
This week’s summary of the best of blogopolis (in my opinion at least, and since I’m paying the Blue Duck bills, the remote control is all mine, hahahaha) has two parts. One is this snazzy compilation below, second is the Blog Action Day Summary from earlier this week. Please feel free to browse both while many bloggers (without OCD) take the weekend off. And just a warning, after this week’s Life with no regrets, Ive been feeling pretty sentimental, so most of these excerpts are about life, not building your business.
The Best of the This Week’s Quotes
“When we write, we discover what’s inside us, bubbling beneath the surface, about to erupt. By getting it down, we’re learning about ourself. E.M. Forster said, “How can I know what I think, till I see what I say?” Word. When we write, we discover what’s inside us, bubbling beneath the surface, about to erupt. By getting it down, we’re learning about ourself. E.M. Forster said, “How can I know what I think, till I see what I say?” Word.” Writer Dad’s guest appearance at Remakablogger. http://michaelmartine.com/2008/10/09/blogger-biographies-writer-dad/
“They’ll tell you things like “Don’t be mean to commenters”. That one really gets on my tits. Sometimes I get assholes on here. If I want to tell them they’re an asshole – that’s my choice. Heck – I even had some idiot show up on here once claiming that blowing up the Twin Towers was an entrepreneurial act. What was I supposed to say? “Great idea – I really admire those entrepreneurs who blow up buildings and murder innocent people.” ?? You will not make money from a blog by being nice to assholes. Assholes don’t visit you to buy and even if they did, you wouldn’t want them as a customer.” Cath Lawson http://cathlawson.com/blog/2008/10/13/making-money-from-a-blog-mistakes-to-avoid/
“I would be lying if I didn’t admit to being scared. Fear nips at my feet and lurks in the shadows, its venomous tongue giving voice to my self doubts. “Who are YOU to think you can write? Everything good has been done. There are no new ideas, no new ways to say things. You suck. Just give up.” But I can’t. There is too much riding on this. This is my earliest dream – to create.Blogger Dad” http://www.bloggerdad.com/
“I love writing. It’s harder than breathing, but easier than doing the dishes.” Sean Platt, http://writerdad.com/writing/on-being-a-chooch/
“In a sugar-rush from a bowl of Captain Crunch, Clark Kent’s Lunchbox hit me. Really, my blog has been like having a child grow up. It was born and I named it, then the next ten months were spent just babbling, drooling and learning how to walk, which is to say I was still figuring things out, but I was growing too.” Ron Mattocks http://www.bloggerdad.com/eight-questions-interview-with-ron-mattocks-of-clark-kents-lunchbox/
Life Happens
I’ll be taking a couple of days off to care for a sick family member out of town, but hopefully I’ll still be able to sneak in a few posts for your entertainment. (We wouldn’t want anyone going through Blue Duck withdrawal, now would we?) But, I may not be around as much to read and join in on the lively discussions that are sure to materialize this week. 
