Networking is a must if you plan to run any type of successful business online. Even if your goal isn’t to “make money” you still need resources that help you locate like-minded individuals. (more…)

[My preamble]

To all the bloggers visiting, reading and commenting, not only do we thank you but we salute you

And to all our not-currently-blogging visitors, not only do we thank you, but we encourage you to take a hard look at the material being provided on this blog. If you’re still wondering “should you start a blog” you are missing the ride of the century (and also the crest of the wave?) by delaying. Each day someone somewhere is putting up the perfect blog in your field or passion, and is, therefore, going to be lightyears ahead of you (assuming they know the “tricks of the trade”) before you even make up your mind.

[The guts of this post]

That said (it’s so important, it’s why we keep “harping at you!”) today I’m going to re-examine a social media spot explored several moons ago, and provide you with proof why this one is worth a little effort. (more…)

So what’s been going on to keep me from my passion of posting? Could it be the needs of those in my household? An abundance of work online? Or both?

I have noticed there are many subtle ways your (more…)

But, instead of struggling now with writer’s block, you’ve found yourself running into the concrete wall of marketing.

(more…)

First let’s take a look at Jumptags:

What is Jumptags and Why Should You Be Using It?

(more…)

I am a very lucky person. I get to do what I want, when I want, even if it starts at dawn and goes past midnight. And add to that the joy of finding blogs that just suck you into the blogger’s world. Today is my day to share my secret source with you…

Nardeeisms

“Nard” is the ultimate stretch-woman (remember the cartoon movie, “The Incredibles”… then you’ll love her avatar at BlogCatalog). A perfect stranger to start, I now find my day is not complete until I visit her latest post. Incorporating song, wrapped around a most wonderful style I won’t even try to describe (you must experience Nard for yourself), I immerse myself in the daily doings of Nardeeisms and “The Boy.”

This woman has a talent few possess. Don’t get me wrong, there are tons of blogs out there that I follow, thoroughly enjoy, comment on, and takes tips and suggestions from - but Nardeeisms is special for me.

After a long day, or needing a jolt to get going in the morning, my day is made brighter because of her.

Word of warning… Come with an open heart, and you just might not ever want to leave!

Nardeeisms

10 out of 10

Enjoy!

A while back on Andy Beard’s blog, I read his review of both TrafficJam and Blogrush. Andy’s post leans heavy on the TrafficJam side, but conveys lots of additional information you also might want to know.

Please Note: To have your posts show up in TrafficJam, you will need to sign up a FREE account first at Blogrush

Here’s a quote from Andy’s post (the links out are ours):

“Even if you have absolutely no interest in TrafficJam or Blogrush, I strongly suggest you read this post, especially if you are interested in viral marketing techniques that are guaranteed to build you an email list.”

Also in Andy’s post, he mentions of course the creator of TrafficJam, John Reese.

The long and the short of both posts (both well worth reading) is that bloggers gain the advantage of having their writing seen and read, and in return marketers also get the edge on uncovering what people are talking about… in other words, this is a really cool research resource tool.

You’ll note that the conversation on Beard’s blog harkens back to February. Okay, so TrafficJam is no longer “brand spankin’ new” in that sense. But as a resource for getting the word out about your blog, and from a marketer’s perspective of needing to keep one’s finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the blogosphere, we think you’ll agree that this is a winner.

Have you been using TrafficJam? What has been your experience?

If not, what is your first impression of this as a potential resource? Useful, not…??

Please let us know by adding your comments to this post!

This may seem like the most obvious to some, but other Entrecard users might be “surprised” at this twist to visiting other people’s blogs and dropping cards.

Log into your own Entrecard account.

Using either the cards shown across the top or even starting with a current advertiser, right click on the card and open that site’s information in a new window (you could even just visit your own blog and start there, but logging into Entrecard is fastest).

Then (remember you are in a “new window” at this point), click on the link out to that particular blog. Find the Entrecard widget and drop your card.

NOTE: LEAVE THAT CURRENT BLOG OPEN IN YOUR BROWSER! Later you can revisit it to comment, but at a minimum you will allow the window to be open long enough to help NOT penalize the blog owner (read up on “bounce rates” to learn what I mean). Be kind

Leave the window OPEN and RIGHT click on the current advertiser who’s card is showing on that widget.

(Highly suggested: Use Firefox and make sure your newly visited sites will open in a new TABBED window or use the RIGHT CLICK method above.)

Drop your card on this next site and click on the advertiser doing his or her thing on this new widget.

Once you get a rhythm going, it’s easy to go from blog to blog to blog. If you “get stuck” (and you will every now and then), just start the process over with a new choice from your dashboard or under CAMPAIGN.

This way you don’t keep visiting the same ones over and over (unless you really want to), and get to add numerous visits quickly and easily.

Here’s another suggestion that really is well worth your time and (no) trouble:

As you close the Tabbed Windows one by one, take a look around and see if there isn’t something you’d like to put your two cents in about… in other words leave a comment!

It’s sort of amazing how few people are really using Entrecard to its greatest advantage. A quick, simple, super easy way to FIND WAYS TO COMMENT on other people’s blogs. You won’t always get a “follow” link, but you’ll be doing yourself and your blog/website a huge favor in terms of word of mouth advertising about YOU.

So let’s recap:

1. Drop Entrecards efficiently
2. Comment for personal name branding
3. Comment for backlinking

Do this each day for 5-10 minutes and you’ll have 100s if not 1000s of backlinks for yourself in a very, very short amount of time!

Enjoy!