Hi, Im pretty new to Earners Forum and to the "profitable" blogging scene. I recently added adsense to my blog, so my profits are approximately $0.00 . The reason: I dont get much traffic at all, I basically write to express myself and my ideas, but don't know how to reach a bigger audience willing to read through my posts. Oh yeah I also have a question, are you (the bloggers) users or have used AdWords to bring traffic, because I want to, but I sort of want to gain an audience without having to use AdWords. Anyways, if you want to take a look at it and give me some ideas o more like a review, i would appreciate it. Don't expect much, as I am sort of starting out but very into it. I discovered recently that I actually like helping people out with what I know and not know and with what I write. Thats why I am doing it, and will keep doing it. Sorry I got carried away, any responses/feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Jorge A. Chaves
Boodo.com (thats the blog)
Peace

First, I really like your blog. I do... I think it has great potential, and here are the reasons:

Quality content - the blog is new and it already has some useful content, which is well written. You know how to write and you have reasonable knowledge and experience in your niche which is again, easy to see from your articles. I think you really nailed the line between quality and article size, so the user doesan't feel overwhelmed...

Great readability - The design is simple, the typography simple and readable, you emphasize keywords which makes your content all that easier to read.

Now this is a very good start, but I do have a few suggestions:

Domain and hosting - Blogger just won't cut it, get some good hosting (I would personally recommend http://www.site5.com as well as Media Temple), install Wordpress, get a simple theme (like the one you use currently) and get going. You already have a domain name so it should be pretty easy!

One picture is worth... - Add some images to complement your content and rest the users eyes.

Adsense optimization - As probably any Adsense expert will tell you, the best ads are inline with your content. If you want your ads to make money, make it easier for visitors to click them, for example an ad every few posts or if you want to put ads on invidual article pages, you should implement them at the bottom before comment and at the beginning of the article (something like Steve Pavlinawhat does on his blog).

Mobility - It's all about getting your content to your visitors. The ultimate goal of any publisher is to make readers come back again and again and again. Embrace the power of feeds using services like Feedburner, but don't forget about e-mail newsletter for people who don't use feeds (Zookoda is a really nice free newsletter managment service that you can integrate with your blog)

Frequency, not quantity - With the blogosphere doubling in size every 6 months there is way to much noise out there. Emphasize signal over noise, it's about the quality of your content being delievered on constant time basis. I know lots of blogs which post so much that noone can keep up with them and eventually people stop trying. Set a schedule and try to stick with it.

SMO - Social media optimization is what blogs were meant to use. There are so many social media services out there like Digg or Del.icio.us, just waiting for your content. Take advantage of these free promotional tools...

Anyways, that's all for me, but feel free to IM me if you feel the need for any more help!

I agree with all Fortius said, good advice.

Why don't you add a link to your blog in your signature, it's a good way to get noticed.

Wow, that was really good advice. And so far, I have followed up on most of what you said.
- I actually installed WordPress, so now I have to work on the design a little bit, and added some plugins which I have to organize alot better jeje.
- I saw FeedBurner, I created a page there (/boodoblog), but Im still not that understanding of it.
- Although I still have not added the AdSense b/c of lack of organization (for now), I plan to by the end of this week. I will try to follow your advice on the placements etc.
- Well, as of for the Images, Organization, Ad Placements, and SMO, I have to work on it, tommorow possibly tonight.

Oh yeah I installed a phpBB2 forum to the site, what is your experience with this? or Do you actually think it is necessary? Im just trying new things out.

I actually learned A LOT today from the new Wordpress and what its capable of . Thanks Fortius!
Anyways, that is it for now, But when I get this together, hopefully it will create a better ambience for my blog. But I will keep posting here for updates. I really appreciate your time man, it was great advice, im actually very excited now haha. Ill let you guys know what is going on, and thanks for giving me this advice. If you need anything, feel free to email me or PM me. Thanks Alot

And kthdsn, I put the link on my signature hehe.
Peace

I am about to get my blog up soon and this post has been bookmarked... great information Fortius and much appreciated.

@jchavez: No problem, I'm happy to help. Remember us little people when you become one of the "big bloggers" . Anyways, what exactly is troubling you with Feedburner? Their system or feeds in general?

@HavokMedia: Happy to be of service

Thanks man, nah man im not one of those to become an evil tyrant, probably the opposite haha. Hopefully big, but never evil hehe... hey its just a dream right now, its nothing big.
Anywho, for the FeedBurner, I guess the idea is just for people to subscribe to your blog through RSS through all these services (google, myYahoo, etc). Am I right?
If there is a lot more to it (because I think there is), I havent quite looked at it, I will now, but let me know if anything.

Excellent thresd fortius.

Yes, with feedburner will let you monitor your feed subscriptions, and it has other interesting feature, that will get your blog user friendly.

Here is an article that I benefit from:

Adsense Deluxe plug in

Wordpress Plug in and SEO

I just subscribed to http://www.easywebtutorials.com/

I will look at the first video today.

Originally Posted by jchaves

Anywho, for the FeedBurner, I guess the idea is just for people to subscribe to your blog through RSS through all these services (google, myYahoo, etc). Am I right?

Well the basic advantages are FeedFlare,the page that lets your users add RSS to their own RSS clients, and as BC said, statistics. As well sa those I think you should try using FAN, the Feedburner Ad Network, it could give you an additional source of revenue. Be sure to add copyright information to your RSS so it shows up in each feed post, just in case. Also, you should consider MyBrand, which is payed Feedburner service. It's basically branding your feedburner URL which can be useful both in terms of general brand strenght and also for example if FB ever dies (lets hope not) you'll have an URL of your feed (for example www.site.com/feed/rss.xml instead of feedburner.com/.../...) that you can then easily activate in your own software, so your readers don't even need to know something happened.

@Fortius thanks for the advice!

Nice blog dude but where are your Technorati tags?

Outstanding Info Fortius....this post has cleared a few trees...thanks

Roll Tide!!!

Great thread. Great advise.

@Camoss: Np Ask away if you need any more info...

Thanks Fortius--great insight on Blogging

Dr. Jerry Is Online

Awsome. This is all really good stuff. Fortius and everyone else, As I said before I have been taking advice and learning quick. I actually put up a couple of googleads and an affiliate thing banner, but I donno if everything is in place. I havent quite finished organizing everything, as I am testing where everything goes, but any more advice is appreciated. Oh yeah and WordPress is alot better, really good tool. But yeah I just want to know where to move around my ads, I dont know if I want to put them in between context, but where they are I know they can be moved around a bit.
Thats all for now hehe, I get too into what I write sometimes and don't stop! I'm done, Thanks

The best tip anyone can give you for contextual advertising (expecially AdSense) is: experiment! Keep a journal (analog or digital) and try moving your ads around and tracking the results. Adsense has some powerful tracking tools...

Have a lot to learn

I am going to check out the adsense very soon, but want to get it moved around a bit first, lets see, what else I can do. But your right I probably should do it soon.
WorlWebUser, Yes I do have a lot to learn. Remember I am relatively new at this. Maybe you can help me out on what I have to learn.
Peace

nice blog Jorge! :yes: you're a great writer, i must say.. i enjoyed reading your thoughts and opinions! and thanks for the tips Fortius! :thumbup: