Three Useful Resources to Learn SEO from Scratch

When a workmate mentioned “SEO” to me, I Googled the term and found out that the acronym stands for Search Engine Optimization. I have not the least idea about what SEO means.

Although I’m no SEO expert, I’ve come to learn that it is an important factor for a blogger, webmaster, or internet marketer’s success. If you’re new to blogging or internet marketing, learning SEO as early as now will give you an advantage in improving your traffic, page rank and overall online presence.

I came across so many websites on the internet that tackle this particular subject but not all of them would be worth your time. On this post, I’m sharing three useful resources I read (and still do) to gain a better insight about Search Engine Optimization. Hopefully, you will find these resources as helpful as I did.

SEOMOZ offers a comprehensive guide for beginners starting from How Search Engines Operate, How People Interact with Search Engines, Why Search Engine Marketing is Necessary; down to the Fundamentals of SEO and How to Measure and Keep Track of Your Success. I love the fact that the concepts were explained in a straightforward manner- minus complicated terminologies; alongside simple illustrations that make the ideas easier to grasp.

Traffic Generation Cafe is a favorite source on my list. Anna Hoffman answers some of the biggest questions about SEO that’s been on my mind. She writes in an engaging style so you feel comfortable reading the whole post.

The Google's SEO Starter Guide provides easy-to-follow optimization techniques especially for beginners. Basic steps like using target keywords in titles and headers, anchor texts, and tags; improving site navigation; creating fresh content; and using free Google Webmaster Tools are discussed in this PDF version.

What did you think of this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you enjoyed the read or if you find it useful, kindly please click any of the sharing icons below. You can Tweet, Stumble, Share it on Facebook or +1 it.

Thanks,

Rachel:)

photo source:

1. seo

Sixteen Success Tips for the Online Freelancer

A lot of people welcome the idea of being a freelance contractor so they can work from home, do a job they love, or to earn more.  Would you like to be an online freelancer?  If yes,  here are sixteen success tips for you:

1. Share your expertise. 
What kind of service can you offer? There are so many different jobs that you can do from a remote location which is why online freelancing can be a lucrative career. Choose a job that you enjoy and that you are good at. Remember that you have to contend with other freelancers so it’s very important to excel in your field.

2. Know your rights.  As a freelancer, you should be aware of your rights and limits particularly when it comes to matters of payment, copyright ownership and other legalities. Before signing up for a project, make sure that you have read each and every statement in the contract and that you agree with the implications. For your protection, you may choose to provide an Agreement and have it signed by your client.

Never accept a deal unless you are clear about the terms and conditions. What does your client expect once the project is completed? How much is the compensation? When and how will payment be sent? Are you completely granting copyright of your work to your client? (Here’s an article which discusses the copyright issue in detail.) To avoid unpleasant surprises, everything should be explicitly stipulated in the contract.

3. Communicate with your client.  Make sure that you understand exactly what the customer wants. It’s very important to see from your customer’s perspective to deliver a better job. The only way you can do this is to communicate effectively. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some clients will only give general instructions without specifying details.

Encourage your clients to speak out by asking relevant questions. You can also prepare a form to be filled out so you can get all the information you need before attempting to begin with the project.  After submission, don't forget to ask for feedback so you'll know how well you did with your assignment.

4. Use social media to your advantage.  Social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc. can be wonderful platforms to showcase your work and promote your services. Social sites can give you the exposure you need in the WWW so you can discover new job opportunities and potential employers can find you more easily as well.

5. Expand your professional network.  Use social media sites to build your list of professional contacts. Join a group or a forum related to your niche. Establish ties with other freelancers. This is a great way to get support and grow as a freelancer.

6. Watch out for scams! Not all job opportunities online are legitimate so you need to be careful about accepting projects. You might come across inviting offers from clients who do not pay on time or do not pay at all. Others pretend to be hiring when all they’re really want is to steal your personal information.

Never give out your banking details, Social Security Number or other personal information even when a client insists that it is necessary for sending payment or for tax purposes. You can arrange to have the payment sent via XOOM or other wire money transfer services. You may also choose to receive payment via PayPal or Google Checkout as these are not linked to your personal bank account.

7. Protect your sample work.  A scammer may require you to send work samples such as articles or art work through e-mail, with the intent of stealing your ideas or using the samples without your consent. Protect yourself by sending a link to your online portfolio where samples of your work can be viewed.

8. Live up to your promises.  Make sure that with each project you do, you give it your 100% service. When you give a deadline for a project completion, see to it that you can submit on time. Give yourself a reasonable time frame to get the job done.

Do not accept multiple projects at once to make sure that the quality of your work is not compromised. If you want to build up an outstanding reputation in the freelancing industry, you must ensure that each client will be happy with your output.

9. Make your work space inspiring.  If you do not have an extra room to create an office, you can designate an area in your home as your work space. Create a working space that is comfortable, functional and inspiring. See to it that you have enough storage to help you get organized and keep clutter out of sight.

Paint the wall with your favorite hue. Add beautiful, decorative pieces or art work that are a delight to the eyes. Place a mood board to stimulate creativity. Post motivational quotes on the wall to encourage positivity.

10. Save money from tax deductions.  If you are a freelancer in the US, you are entitled to write off certain expenses from your taxes. (Examples are coffee and lunch during business meetings, business cell phone bills, home office expenses, etc.)

It is recommended that you consult a business attorney or a certified accountant regarding your rights and privileges to make sure that you’re not missing out on these important savings. (Check out this article: 10 Deductions Freelancers Can Grab.)

11. Manage your time.  Freelancers have the freedom to work at their own pace and preferred time. However, just because you are the boss does not mean you should not follow a schedule.

I confess that this is one of my biggest challenges as a freelance writer. It can be tempting to put aside work for other things but such a habit spells trouble for a freelancer. It could result to poor quality of work because you’re rushing to beat the deadline; missing a deadline; or losing clients in the long run.

12. Present yourself as a specialist.  As you gain experience and build-up a solid portfolio, you should become more confident in your abilities. For instance, experienced writers can afford to demand a higher compensation because they are confident about what they can do. If you present yourself as an expert, prospective customers would be more inclined to entrust you with an assignment and pay you with the compensation you deserve.

13. Build your own website or start a blog. Whether you are a freelance web designer, writer, web developer, a virtual assistant, having your own website is recommended if you want to offer freelance services. You can freely showcase your talent from your website or blog and you can even monetize it for extra income. Having your own site/blog would make you look more professional especially when an interested client tries to look up your name in the search engines.

14. Take charge of your finances.  As a freelance contractor, you are in charge of your finances- from issuing invoices, marketing your services, monitoring payments, paying bills, preparing taxes, building up your savings, etc. Monitor your cash flow more effectively by using a simple small business accounting software.

15. Strive for excellence.  No matter what it is you do or how long you’ve been freelancing, continue to work towards improvement. Keep yourself updated about the latest developments in your field. Discover tools that you can use to simplify your work and improve your output. Attend seminars, webinars or conferences to enhance your skills and strengthen your credentials.

16. Promote yourself.  Get yourself out in the market field by joining freelance websites like Freelancer.com, Elance, and oDesk.

Many small business owners who want to outsource tasks use these sites to find qualified candidates so if you are just starting out a career in freelancing, you can build up your portfolio by bidding on projects.

As you complete one project at a time, you will gain ratings and feedback from the clients you’ve worked with.

Are you a freelancer?  What are other tips has helped you to become successful in your field?

What did you think of this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you enjoyed the read or if you find it useful, kindly please click any of the sharing icons below. You can Tweet, Stumble, Share it on Facebook or +1 it.

Thanks,
Rachel:)

Photo sources:
1. work
2. love your work
3. professional freelancer
4. oDesk

Four Websites That Pay You To Blog

In a previous post, I wrote about the three reasons why I blog and mentioned that it's one way to earn extra money. 

Today, I'm going to share with you four websites that pay you to blog. I personally signed up with these sites and have been a member since I launched The Shopbug, in 2007.

How much you earn from paid blogging will depend on the quality of your blog. Most advertisers are looking for blogs that are constantly updated and with at least 60% of unpaid content.

If you blog or if you plan to start one, check out these sources:

Sponsored Reviews

Advertisers from SR offer generous payout per post which can range from as low as $5 to as much as $300 or more. Bloggers earn 50% of the payout. Payment is sent via PayPal within 14 days once the completed review has been submitted.  Higher prices are reserved for top blogs with a higher page rank. PR is based on the link's popularity on Yahoo Search and Alexa.

To be approved, your blog must be at least three months old and must be indexed in major search engines like Yahoo & Google. Once approved, you can start bidding at opportunities and wait for the advertiser's response. When an advertiser accepts your bid, you must complete the review and submit the URL of the post within seven days. Be sure to read the rules and policies before signing up to avoid rejection.

Blogsvertise

If your blog has been live for 60 days, you can sign up with Blogsvertise.  Unlike other paid-to-blog sites, you don't need to bid to receive tasks as they are distributed based on the blog's eligibility.  However, you can grab 1 task per day from your dashboard whenever there is an available opportunity.

Average payout is $10 per post.  Each blog entry must be at least 100 words with 2 to 3 links of the advertiser's request.  Payment is sent via PayPal 30 days after the completed post has been submitted and approved.  Unfortunately, Wordpress blogs are not accepted.

Social Spark

Your blog must be at least 90 days old with 20 pre-existing posts to get approved.  Your blog must also have Google Analytics since Social Spark uses this tool to calculate the suggested price per post.  Wordpress.com does not allow users to install Google Analytics on their blogs but if you have a self-hosted Wordpress.org blog, you can join Social Spark.

Once approved, you can view paid blogging opportunities from the Marketplace.  Publishers participating in the SocialSpark Marketplace must include the SocialSpark provided disclosure badge within each sponsored post.  Payment is sent via PayPal.

Pay Per Post.

Like Social Spark,  Pay Per Post is also by IZEA.  Bloggers have the option to choose paid post opportunities with "dofollow" and "nofollow" tags.  If you use Twitter, you can also sign up for sponsored Tweets.

Any other paid blogging sites that you know?  Please share it by leaving a comment:)

What did you think of this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you enjoyed the read or if you find it useful, kindly please click any of the sharing icons below. You can Tweet, Stumble, Share it on Facebook or +1 it.

Thanks,
Rachel:)

photo sources:

1. white notebook

Why I Started Blogging and Why You Should Too!

If you are passionate about something, then you should definitely start blogging! Personally, I blog for three reasons:

1. I enjoy it.

2. It strengthens my writing.

3. It’s a good way to earn extra money. (Mind you, some people really make a living out of blogging!)

Should you start your own blog too?

Why not? You can use your blog to inspire people, share your happiness, talk about your dreams, wear your heart on your sleeves, expose truths, share tips and ideas, promote your business, etc.

You can be imaginative, be strong, be vulnerable- your blog is yours and no one can tell you what to do with it. Even if you’re not into writing, blogs are great platforms to share the world your passion.

Search the net and you’ll discover that blogs are not just limited to written text. Photo blogs, Sketch blogs, Video blogs or Vlogs, Audio blogs are also popular. Blogs that contain mixed media types and short written posts are called Tumblelogs.

Typecast is another form of blog where typewritten posts are scanned to be published online. Phlogs are blogs that use the Gopher Protocol server, the oldest protocol used in blogging.

Do you plan to launch an online business? Are you a home business entrepreneur? If so, blogging is a good way to start learning the ins and outs of internet marketing. I think it is an effective platform to promote products and services and to build better customer relationships.

Blogging is free and easy.

If you have not the least idea of how to blog, have no fear. Try Blogger or Wordpress to create a blog like this within 15 minutes or less. I used Blogger for my very first blog but I think Wordpress is just as user-friendly. All you have to do is register an account and pick from the available templates.

Maintaining a blog is not complicated. Posting entries and updating contents should not take more than half an hour. Once, you're used to it, you can publish a post in five minutes. 

However, conceptualizing and creating a quality post can take some time. (But that’s a different point and will be discussed in another article)

Some of my posts take me 3 to 4 hours to finish - gathering information, writing, proofreading, searching and uploading photos that complement the text, creating links, and polishing.

I enjoy the whole process of blogging, and once I'm done publishing a post, I can tell if I'm happy about it. It's even better when you receive comments from your readers. It's a great feeling to know that you created something that has moved someone to share it with others or when a reader takes the time out to say something about what you've written.

Do you blog? What's your reason for blogging and what's the best thing about it?

Can’t think of a reason why you should start blogging? Check out these 14 Awesome Reasons to Start Blogging Today.

 

What did you think of this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you enjoyed the read or if you find it useful, kindly please click any of the sharing icons below. You can Tweet, Stumble, Share it on Facebook or +1 it.

Thanks, Rachel:)
photo sources:
1. a blogger's hand
2. blog your passion

What I Learned from Three Years of Blogging

After three years of blogging, I have learned some things that I would like to share today. Not that these things are new. I’m sure that there are lots of other bloggers out there who already know these things. I guess I’m writing these down not only in behalf of newbies (welcome to the blogging world) but also for my own.

After all, isn’t it what blogging is originally about? Journaling thoughts that you would like to remember so that after a while as you read it again, then you would be reminded, “oh yes, I’ve written this”.  So here’s what I’ve learned so far, which hopefully will help me as I begin this new blog.

Blogging is wearing your heart or a piece of your heart on your sleeves. Because the posts are there for everyone to see, they reveal something about you – your likes, dislikes; your passion; your dreams, ideas, experiences – visitors and especially followers of your blog are bound to discover something about you, unless you are blogging for a phony reason (example, for SEO purposes?).

No matter what kind of blog you own: be it an opinionated blog or a photo blog; or what category your blog belongs to: fashion, interior design, home living, garden, pets, technology, business, photography, weddings, etc.; you are revealing something about you to your audience.

When I created my first blog, I didn’t really know what I wanted to blog about. I didn’t know much about blogging except for the fact that I can earn a few extra bucks online. A former workmate introduced me to blogging but I think I would’ve eventually found my way to it sooner or later because of the nature of my work, which is online writing but that’s another story.

Anyways, I can honestly say that although I am delighted to get offers from advertisers who want to sponsor my blog, it’s not just about that. I want my blog to be something I can be proud of. If someone asks, I want to be able to say that “I’m the owner of that blog and I am responsible for its content”.

You can blog about anything but not everyone would read you. If you want to increase your blog readership or to build-up a following, it’s important to offer something of value to your audience. What would a visitor learn from your post today?

It doesn’t really have to be something that has never been heard of or nobody knows yet, but it has to be something valuable.

Would it make someone smile? Would it make someone think? Would it spark an idea?

If your blog post can at least remind someone of something good, informative, useful, practical, or inspiring, then you can be sure that your followers will increase. 

This proves to be true even if your blog does not contain much text. I myself have been inspired by so many amazing photo blogs on the web.

Photos can make a huge difference. Photos are much like the icing on a cake or the garnishing on a plate of a delicious meal. True, your content can be very good, informative and inspiring, but with the right images, your content will be a lot more appetizing, so to speak. Aside from beautifying the page, you can use photos to emphasize a point or to illustrate ideas. 

One important thing to remember about using photos for your blog is to respect other people’s copyright ownership.

You may find the perfect photo to go with your post but if it’s not yours, you must always give proper credit to its owner. Be sure to direct your readers to the original source by linking it to the appropriate page.  Better yet, ask permission to use the photo to make sure that there won’t be any problems later. Of course, this applies not only to images but even to texts, videos, and ideas.

Observe the proper rites. I can’t help but remember this dialogue from the Little Prince and the Fox.

“It would have been better to come back at the same hour,” said the fox. “If, for example, you come at four o’clock in the afternoon, then at three o’clock I shall begin to be happy. I shall feel happier and happier as the hour advances. At four o’clock, I shall already be worrying and jumping about. I shall show you how happy I am! But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour my heart is to be ready to greet you . . . One must observe the proper rites . . .”“What is a rite?” asked the little prince. “Those also are actions too often neglected,” said the fox. “They are what make one day different from other days, one hour from other hours.”

Posting regularly is expected of every blogger, that is if you don’t want to lose your audience. If you can update your blog every day, then great for you but if you can’t really live up to daily posting, you must decide how many times per week you can post and what specific days you will be posting. You should inform your audience about your blogging schedule so that they’ll know what to expect in case they want to come back.

Personally, I am guilty of not posting regularly. As much as I want to post daily, there are more important things that need to get done in the real world that makes it difficult sometimes.  Now that I’m starting a new blog, I’m thinking, would it be so bad if I commit myself to post at least once each week regularly so that people would know when to come back just in case they want to?

The most successful blogs post daily but if you can’t do that, I don’t think it would be so bad to post once a week as long as your weekly post is of quality. I mean, there are a zillion blogs on the web as of this moment and I don’t think my readers would mind not having to check my blog daily. This way, they can have other days enjoying other blogs too and me on my part, can have more time to prepare a post worth the read. What do you think?

Do you have a blog?   How long have you been blogging and what have you learned?  I’d love to know your thoughts. Thanks for the visit:)

this is an old blog post reposted from one of my blogs: Simply Subtle  

To make life easier, I decided to gather all my writings into one place.