Beginner Blogger Tips

Google Let it Snow

2011-12-20T00:30:00.002+08:00

Here's another Google trick: type in "let it snow" and search. Google will start snowing, and you can even click "defrost" to start the process over.

Google Do a Barrel Roll

2011-12-01T21:05:00.001+08:00

Here's another little trick: type "do a barrel roll" in google--your search command will be taken will be taken quite literally.

Another Fitness Blog Update

2011-11-30T15:24:00.001+08:00

A few days ago I wrote this post: MI40 Mass Intentions Review. It's a new bodybuilding program that I'm promoting on my blog. This diet and training program was designed by bodybuilder and personal trainer Benjamin Pakulski. He's got a reputation as being a top-notch trainer and having a "thinking man's" approach to building muscle.

New Fitness Blog

2011-11-24T13:04:00.001+08:00

I've decided to start up a new fitness blog: Muscle Review. This is my first time to do a self-hosted wordpress blog. It took me a day or so to get the hang of it, but so far I like it. Maybe I'll soon chime in on the whole blogspot vs wordpress debate, but we'll see. I still think a good blog is a good blog, regardless of the platform. I really wish I had thought of registering this new url

Over at the Fitness Blog

2011-11-10T19:34:00.001+08:00

I think most of you know I do a fitness blog. You may want to check out my 24/7 Fat Loss Review. This is one of the latest fat loss programs out there and I think it will be a good one. Speaking of the fitness blog, panda seems to be kind of putting my google ranking all over the place. I can't figure it out and I've stopped trying.

Google Panda 2.5.2

2011-10-22T18:14:00.004+08:00

I always keep an eye on the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. A few days back there was a post about Google Panda 2.5.2, so I checked my stats. My fitness blog has been affected, but I'm not sure exactly how it will affect the bottom line (sales/profits). It seems I'm getting more traffic from image searches and less from keywords--kind of like what happened with the original

Clean Up Facebook

2011-08-27T13:00:00.000+08:00

I'll admit it: I have allowed my personal facebook account to get completely out of control. It was over 2,500 contacts. That may not bother some, but I've decided to significantly reduce the number of friends/contacts on my personal account. It was getting a bit ridiculous. I'm running across some profiles that I can't even read in (not English) my contacts. I wish Facebook had a

Monitor your Twitter Account with these Services

2011-08-19T21:38:00.001+08:00

As social media tools go, you can’t get much better than Twitter. Utilized by millions of people for uses ranging from casual to professional, Twitter users can follow and be followed by limitless tweeters sharing their tastes and proclivities. However if you’re interested in tracking the raw data surrounding your Twitter account—how many followers view your profile, who follows and unfollows

Google+ Resistance is Futile?

2011-08-06T09:03:00.001+08:00

Here's another video for Google+ I've joined Google+, and so far I like it. I do like the idea of circles--having control over who sees which posts. But there's sort of a "resistance is futile" quality to this video, don't you think?

Spider Under Skin Facebook Scam

2011-07-23T13:00:00.000+08:00

Looks like another Facebook scam is taking over--the spider under your skin scam. Same song, different verse: if you click "play" it's going to send itself to all of your contacts. By the way: you should know by now that anything with "OMG" on a Facebook should make you very suspicious.

Blogger Dashboard Overhaul

2011-07-08T13:34:00.004+08:00

Looks like blogger has done a major overhaul to the dashboard. It's taking a little getting used to, but so far, so good. I like the fact that you have instant access to blog stats as soon as you open your dashboard. This is the first post I've made with the new format, and I think I'll like it. There's a roomier feel to it. I always wonder how many of these new features are done to

The Google+ Project: Social Networking by Google

2011-06-29T16:33:00.003+08:00

Google has decided to jump on the social networking bandwagon with the Google+ project. Here's their video preview:

Change Favicon in Blogger/Blogspot

2011-06-11T11:55:00.000+08:00

Blogger has made yet another improvement. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but I just noticed it today. It's easier than ever to change the favicon, the small icon that appears to the left of the url in most browsers. The default setting is the orange blogger icon (like the one for this blog). Changing it used to require some work and messing around with the html code. Now all you have

Twiends.com: Get More Twitter Followers and Facebook Likes

2011-06-06T23:26:00.000+08:00

Would you like to get more twitter followers or "likes" to your Facebook page? You may want to check out TWIENDS. Here's how the system works: you register and connect twiends to your Twitter and Facebook accounts. The system pulls up other Twitter/Facebook users you may want to follow (based on either interests or location). The system basically offers incentives (called "seeds") for

Adding Google's +1 Button to Blogger/Blogspot

2011-06-05T08:06:00.001+08:00

Google's +1 Button is now live. Here's the official video. I've put some additional information under the video to help you out if you're having trouble installing the code for blogger/blogspot. You can go to the Google Webmasters Website to see instructions on inserting the code. It looks like this: (You'll need to copy the code from the google website--I've posted it here as a

Blogging and "Get Rich Quick" Programs

2011-06-04T07:07:00.000+08:00

I encounter all kinds of "get rich quick" promises. Sometimes they show up in my email. Usually it involves buying some kind of software or program that will show you the "secrets" to making money online. I don't think there is any secret formula. It all boils down to hard work: producing quality content, guest posting, getting your name out there by leaving comments on blogs and forums,

Zaggmate Review (iPad)

2011-05-09T09:22:00.000+08:00

I've finally got my hands on the nifty little iPad accessory called the Zaggmate. Here's my review: One of the only things I don't like about the iPad is the relative difficulty in typing. The Zaggmate solves this problem--it is a bluetooth keyboard and protective case. It does add a little weight to your iPad, and the miniature keyboard isn't nearly as easy to use as a full-sized one. But

Osama Bin Laden Facebook Scam

2011-05-04T12:50:00.001+08:00

Another scam is going around Facebook. This one promises to show you pictures of Osama Bin Laden's body. Don't click it--this is just another malicious application/virus that will take over your Facebook account. The photo you see on Facebook walls is a fake (photoshopped) pictured that has been circulating around the internet.

Blogging Update

2011-05-04T04:50:00.000+08:00

Seems my traffic and search engine results are all still going pretty well. I started promoting a new program and wrote a review: Flavia Del Monte Full-Body-Licious Review. I am ranking fairly well when people search reviews for this program. So far it seems the whole Panda meltdown is a thing of the past.

Panda Recovery and Alexa

2011-04-22T02:30:00.000+08:00

I've been chronicling the ups and downs with my fitness blog and the impact of Google's "panda" algorithm change. In summary, I was hit really hard by the first phase of panda, but seem to have recovered nicely with the second phase. I did take some steps to remove "duplicate content" (after the first phase), but I'm not really sure that made any difference (since only about 10% of my pages

Panda Recovery?

2011-04-15T12:47:00.000+08:00

I've spent some time talking about what the Panda algorithm did to my fitness blog: it really hurt my traffic coming from Google. I ended up investing some time trying to make sense of it all. I've keep an eye on sites like the Search Engine Roundtable, but what I was reading wasn't promising--it seemed no one was really recovering from the Panda meltdown. There was one bright side: I took

KontactR: Let Readers Email You

2011-04-05T12:02:00.000+08:00

Here's another blogger dilemma: how do you allow your readers to contact you without publicly giving away your email address (to spammers, etc)? I have found a very simple solution: Kontactr. This service allows users to contact you through a form. It is easy to use and it works. You can post one of their widgets on your blog, or you can just have an "email me" link directly to the

Marika Fruscio Facebook Scam

2011-03-28T17:08:00.002+08:00

Looks like another malicious Facebook app is making the rounds. I'd advise you against clicking this unless you want your facebook account infected. I've blurred this image for the sake of modesty, but the actual picture/ad on facebook leaves less to the imagination.

Keyword-Based Domain Names

2011-03-23T12:10:00.002+08:00

I've been talking about Google's "Panda" update and how it has really slammed my fitness blog. Matt Cutts has hinted at another possible change: putting less emphasis on the domain name. Here's the video, and you can read my comments below. I would actually welcome this change. I get outranked by a lot of websites just because some goob bought a domain name specifically to market a

Microsoft Office 2011 Mac Review

2011-03-22T09:48:00.000+08:00

I bought a new Macbook Pro this past December. I decided to go ahead and upgrade to Microsoft Office 2011, so I'll tell you what I think. This, by the way, is not going to be a very technical review (I'm not quite geeky enough for that). Here's the bottom line--I'm happy with this upgrade. I found it pretty easy to adjust to the changes, and the new interface for Word and PowerPoint are nice.

Panda Algorithm Recovery?

2011-03-20T15:50:00.005+08:00

Resistance is Futile I wrote about Google Panda a few days ago and how it completely slammed my Fitness Blog. After another week or two of terrible traffic I've decided to bow to the Google gods and try to give them what they want. "Try" is the key word, because I have no idea if my strategy will actually work. Here's what I'm doing: Strongandfit.net's content was roughly 10% re-posted

News@Blogger Buzz

2011-03-19T20:42:00.000+08:00

Looks like there are some pretty cool updates coming up this year for blogger. You can check out this post for more information: What's New With Blogger (Blogger Buzz) I know a lot of folks swear by Wordpress, but Blogger just keeps getting better. Some of the 2010 updates were exactly what I was hoping for.

The Importance of Quality Content

2011-03-17T19:47:00.000+08:00

One of the first things I ever wrote about was the importance of high quality content. This week I've seen the benefits of quality, even as I'm seemingly having problems with Google's "Panda" algorithm. I'll explain: I noticed some new sources of traffic as I checked my stats on Statcounter. Turns out some people I don't even know put links to my fitness blog on forums. That's the great

Google Panda and SEO Blues

2011-03-11T10:26:00.003+08:00

I'm sure many of you are aware that Google recently changed its algorithm, naming it "Panda." The change was designed to improve search engine results and get rid of "content farms." Ezinearticles, for example, was affected. My friend over at SEO Hacker has already written some good articles on it, but I'll chime in just a little. It seems my fitness blog was hit pretty hard--seems like my

Free Ipad Facebook Spam

2011-02-17T11:52:00.000+08:00

Well, looks like there's another malicious Facebook app. This one promises a free iPad. I'll warn everyone again: do not click this type of wall post--it seems this app takes over your profile and spams everyone in your Facebook contacts.

Snow and Sales

2011-02-02T18:20:00.000+08:00

I was really looking forward to January. January 2010 was a very profitable month for me over at my fitness blog. But this past January was disappointing. Sales were actually lower than in previous months. What happened? One can never be sure, but I think I know: This is a recent satellite picture of the United States. So many places are cold and covered in snow, and I believe it's the

Facebook to End on March 15th?

2011-01-11T14:42:00.001+08:00

OK, there's another funny rumor that's been floating around the internet. It was apparently started when a website announced that Facebook Will End on March 15th. Just a casual viewing of the website will show it's sort of like The Onion. It's just a spoof news website (heck, they still have the wordpress loco as their favicon (the little icon in the browser). Let's hand it to Weekly

Pro Blog

2010-12-17T23:07:00.000+08:00

Every Little Bit Helps It's been about two years now since I began the experiment of making money through blogging (primarily through my fitness blog). I believe I started this "pro blog" in January of 2009 or so (can't remember the exact start date because I imported some old posts here). I still don't consider myself a pro blogger--it isn't yet a significant source of income for me. But

Boxbe Rant

2010-12-12T01:08:00.001+08:00

I've had more than one of my contacts' email account get hijacked by Boxbe. I don't know much about this system, but the message goes like this: Please add yourself to my Guest List so your messages will be delivered to my Inbox. Use the link below. I've never added myself to anyone's guest list, and I never will. I'm afraid adding myself to a guest list will result in my email address

500,000 Hits!

2010-11-18T19:07:00.000+08:00

My fitness blog has officially crossed the 500,000 hit mark! I checked statcounter a little earlier today and saw it. Some of this traffic, of course, would not be considered quality (traffic from image searches, etc). Regardless, it isn't bad for a blog that's under two years old.

Facebook Font

2010-11-05T10:32:00.000+08:00

A couple of days ago I noticed a significantly smaller Facebook font. I've also noticed several complaints about it. I understand this--it really makes for a less pleasant user experience. I wonder if the powers that be are listening. I wonder if they will make some much-needed adjustments. Or maybe we are just too addicted and will keep using it no matter how small the font is.

Facebook Backup Scam

2010-11-02T16:19:00.001+08:00

Earlier today I received a message in Facebook that went something like this: Upon receiving this message you must reply by clicking the small Reply button next to the date and time to write that you have completely read and also completely understood this message. Click the small Reply button found right next to the date and time and then write "read and understood". You should also make a

October Blogging Updates

2010-10-13T18:37:00.000+08:00

September was a pretty good month for my fitness blog (Strongandfit.net). Surprisingly, I had about as many sales as I did back during January. So far October is looking pretty good, too. This has been a nice change of pace after a major slump in July. I'm a missionary in the Philippines, so my salary comes from donations. The tough economic times have affected giving, so it's nice to

Crushing the 90,000 Rank!

2010-09-17T11:11:00.000+08:00

Awesome news! My fitness blog has broken the 90,000 rank in Alexa! The traffic rank, of course, may go back down one day--there are many factors you can't completely control when you blog (search engine ranking, etc). But I'll enjoy this little victory in the meantime.

Wordpres.us Spam

2010-09-14T12:47:00.001+08:00

Lately my inbox has been overrun with spam. It is always a message from someone I know with "no subeject" in the subject line. The the email is a link to some wordpres.us website that actually redirects to a spammy site (advertising the usual spammy stuff like viagra, etc). The url of the bogus blog often has the person's name in it. It seems someone out there has created a system that hacks

Before you Blog about Blogging

2010-09-13T23:34:00.000+08:00

It seems one of the most crowded niches in blogging is about . . . blogging. There are thousands of blogs about making money online, having a profitable blog, making money from home, etc. What makes Beginner Blogger Tips so special? What makes this blog stand out from the "how to blog" crowd? Absolutely nothing! I'm serious: I just started this blog because I've given advice to my

Google Gravity I'm Feeling Lucky

2010-09-10T11:16:00.011+08:00

Here's a neat trick you may want to try: type "google gravity" in google and click the I'm Feeling Lucky button. Google will look as though it is overcome by gravity. I'm not sure of the story behind this little trick, but I'll try to find out.