Why Wordpress is now my Blog of Choice
The more I use Wordpress, the more I love it. It has 2 very important features that Blogger doesn’t yet support.
Number 1, you can set up Wordpress to automatically ping all the RSS and blog feed directories every time you make a post. This is a very powerful feature if you want your blog to get a lot of traffic right away. On top of that, you’ll be quickly developing backlinks to your blog almost automatically.
Think about how long it can take you to build a regular site, get the search engines to index it, get backlinks to improve your listings, and then start getting traffic. A blog like Wordpress can do all that “grunge” work for you automatically.
Number 2, Wordpress allows the use of Categories. Categories are a very powerful way to improve the structure of your site both for human visitors and for the search engines.
Let’s say the topic of your site is Widgets. You could create a Category for black widgets, one for orange widgets, and one for green widgets.
Now when you add posts to your blog, you can choose which of your categories your post belongs to. Now your blog will archive your past posts not only by their month and date, as Blogger does. But also by Category.
So if you have a visitor who is especially interested in green widgets, they can easily find all your posts on green widgets. They don’t have to go through your entire archives to find them. With a blog that has been around for awhile and has hundreds of posts, that would be pretty discouraging. Using Categories makes it very easy.
Categories are also very search engine friendly. When you use Categories in your blog, there is a link on every one of your pages to your categories. Think about this: would you rather be #1 in the search engines for March 2003, or for green widgets, one of the main keywords of your site?
By using the Category feature, you will eventually have hundreds of pages on your site with links to green widgets, black widgets, and orange widgets. All those backlinks to those keywords can result in much higher search engine rankings.
Another neat feature is that you can easily create an RSS feed for each of your categories. Then every time you post to your blog, it could be pinging the Blog/RSS directories for each feed!
Compare that to putting up a new page on a traditional website. Even if the search engines find your new page right away, it might be a month or two before it actually gets indexed and starts drawing traffic. It might be a long time before it enjoys a first page position for its keywords.
It’s almost amazing how easy all this is with a well-structured blog like Wordpress with Categories enabled!
For more tips and ideas on how to make money blogging, be sure to
visit my “Why Marketers Should Blog” weblog at (what else)
http://www.WhyMarketersShouldBlog.com
Benefits to RSS
RSS streamlines communication between publishers and readers. Since RSS has had a popularity surge, webmasters have been experimenting and using RSS feeds to deliver content in new and innovative ways. Typically, RSS feeds contain news headlines and content summaries. The content summaries contain just enough information without overwhelming the reader with superfluous details. If the reader is interested and wants additional information they can click on the item in the feed, accessing the website which contains additional details. RSS readers aggregate multiple feeds, making it easy for individuals to quickly scan information contained within each feed. Feeds are generally themed, allowing users to opt-in to feeds that are of interest.
The big benefit to RSS is that individuals opt-in to content of interest, totally controlling the flow of information that they receive. If the quality of the content in the feed declines, users simply remove the feed from their RSS reader and they will not receive any additional updates from that source. The RSS reader acts as an aggregator, allowing users to view and scan multiple content streams in a timely fashion.
RSS is a great supplemental communication method that does not burden the publisher with maintaining lists or following strict privacy guidelines. RSS feeds are compiled according to the user’s choices, removing any burden that is placed on publishers of email newsletters. Publishers no longer need to be concerned with spam, privacy policies, and age guidelines.
Publishers using RSS as a communication vehicle are able to create keyword-rich, themed content, establishing trust, reputation, and ongoing communication with current and prospective customers.
What Kind of Information Can be Delivered in RSS Feeds?
Blogs Feed
Many blogs are catalogued in an RSS feed, with each blog entry summarized as a feed item. This makes it easy for visitors to scan blog posts for items of interest.
Article Feed
Articles are often placed into feeds to alert readers when new articles and content are available. The feed entry is typically an article summary or introduction. Readers can then ascertain if the article is of interest and read further.
Forum Feed
Many forums now have add-ons that allow participants to receive forum posts via RSS. The RSS feeds often will show the latest discussion topics; if users are interested they simply click to enter the forum to participate in the discussion. As the topic is updated they will see new entries in the RSS feed.
Schedule Feed
Schools, clubs and organizations will often use feeds to communicate meeting times, places and events that might be occurring. The RSS feeds are often used to publicize events, notify the community of schedule changes or meeting agendas.
Discounts / Specials Feed
Retail and online stores have begun using RSS feeds to deliver their latest specials and discounted offers. Some online retailers have taken this a step further, allowing users to create their own feeds based on keywords or phrases.
For example, this service will generate a URL than can be entered into a news reader. The feed is updated each time an item is added to Amazon that meets the specified criteria or keywords - Amazon Search Feed - http://www.oxus.net/amazon/
Ego / News Monitoring
Companies or individuals interested in receiving headline news based on a specific brand or keyword can use RSS feeds to monitor news sources.
For example, users can use the following tool to create a feed that will allow them to receive filtered news from Google News. They will only receive items related to a specific keyword or phrase they setup - http://www.justinpfister.com/gnewsfeed.php
Industry-Specific RSS Feed Uses Include:
Technical professionals in specific industries have also developed RSS feeds as way to market, promote or communicate within their specific industries. In many cases, this has expanded their reach and increased communication with current and prospective customers and clients.
RSS feeds can be used by realtors to communicate the time and location for open houses, announce new property listings or promote decreased mortgage rates. Content feeds can also be used by universities to communicate sports scores or event schedules. Computer service professionals can create feeds to notify clients of potential security breaches, virus risks or outbreaks. Ultimately, RSS is molded to meet the communication needs of many sectors. Consider how RSS can benefit your business and supplement your communication needs.
RSS feed creation tool for publishers interested in creating fresh content - FeedForAll - http://www.feedforall.com
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net and FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com .
Leathericon fashion House…..Leathericon.com
Leathericon.com is an indisputable leader in quality fashion leather with trendy upbeat style and unsurpassed designs. A synonym for fashion and innovation, our leather garments boast of exotic designing and finishing. Our wide collection of leather apparel includes dashing men and women leather jackets, leather bombers, leather pants, leather bikers, leather cycle jackets, leather motorcycle jackets, leather coats, leather skirts, riding chap pants, leather handbags and accessories, leather vests, leather tank tops, leather shorts, leather hot pants, leather halter and so on at affordable rates! We provide leather clothes customized to your size and specially designed leather apparel on customer request. So gear up and enjoy your shopping trip with us…. We sell bomber jackets, leather jackets, leather blazer jackets, biker motorcycle coats, jackets, fur collections, mens jackets, long jacket, black leather jacket, men’s jackets, bomber jackets, leather blazer, leather bomber jackets, leather jackets, women’s coat, brown jackets, motorcycle pants, jacket vests, leather coats, black mens motorcycle jackets , mens trench coats, biker women coat, mens leather clothing apparel, coat jacket outlet, leather jackets outlet, fashion apparel coats, leather jackets, women biker, leather vests, motorcycle biker, motorcycle leather coats, biker jackets, motorcycle & biker jackets, biker ladies vests, motorcycle biker vests, vests jackets, lambskin leather apparel, cowhide leather, Leather Bikers, Leather Jackets, Leather Pants, Leather Skirts, Leather Handbag, Leather Bag, wallet, motorcycle belt, women wallet fringes, leather purse, women jackets, Women Shorts, Women Halters. Leather Icon is located overseas and hence all shipments originate from there and are flown to their respective destination. Express shipment DHL, FedEx and TNT are employed for shipping all orders. Express shipment means that the consignment is traceable and can be tracked. During this entire stretch, it is possible to track the package, with the courier tracking number provided by the express shipment company. The courier tracking number is provided by Leather Icon, once your parcel is shipped. This facility helps you to keep a close-watch on the movement of your shipment, towards its final destination. The entire shipping process is traceable and hence the customers can get their parcels right at their door-step as per their convenience and without any hassles.
In case it is not possible for you to sign and collect your shipment at the probable date of arrival of your shipment, you can certainly leave a note on the door directing delivery to a neighbor, who can sign for the package on your behalf.
If no one can sign for the delivery on your behalf, Express courier will leave a note with shipment number and a contact number so that you can call them and arrange for the delivery. It is to be noted that, we do not make delivery at Post office box. leather bombers, leather jackets, leather bikers, leather pants, leather skirts, leather blazers, leather coats, leather vests, leather tank top, leather shorts, leather halters, leather dresses, fur leather jacket, motorcycle jackets, riding pants, leather clothing http://www.leathericon.com/products/Mblazer.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/MBiker.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/AWBags.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/AMWallet.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/Wcoat.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/Wblazer.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/MJacket.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/Mblazer.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/furjackets.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/WBiker.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/MPant.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/WHalter.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/WJacket.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/Wbomber.htm http://www.leathericon.com/products/WShort.htm © Copyright 2005.Leathericon.com All rights reserved.
Are You Content With Your Blog Content? Avoid the 5 Blog Bloopers that Will KILL Your Credibility
So everybody’s bloggin’, but what makes one web marketer’s blog a hotbed of marketer activity and massive sale converter… while another blog just sits there collecting hits but getting no real business? Check the Five Bloggin’ Bloopers that will kill your credibility and drive business right into the other guy’s lap… then avoid them like the plague!
Blog Blooper 1. Not branding yourself.
How will people who land on your blog via the links and search engine results know who you are unless you tell them? Try to close every blog entry you write with a signoff or call-to-action. Example: “Need a copywriter? Email dina@wordfeeder.com.” This way, no matter what your fans are reading, they’ll be reminded of you, your website and what you can offer them.
Blog Blooper 2. Sharing too much personal information.
If you’re blogging for business, stick to business. Sure, it’s okay to reveal a few amusing details now and then… but if you gab too much on your blog, all you’ll succeed in doing is attract other gabbers. Remember your purpose in all this, and keep your topics closely geared fulfilling the business needs of your target audience.
Blog Blooper 3. Too many links to competitor sites.
Your fans will love you for sharing resources, and if you link to “friendly neighborhood service providers like yourself”, this will endear those marketers to you and your blog and prompt reciprocal links back. However, be sure to choose your outbound links wisely. Select complimentary service providers… not ones who offer exactly what you do!
Blog Blooper 4. Not enough “spice.”
Post an intriguing or controversial viewpoint, and your readers are more likely to jump into the conversation with posted comments. The more activity on your blog, the more people are “following along” as the plot develops, and the more repeat visitors you’ll get. If everyone’s flocking to your blog, that means better page rank for you. So please do “spice it up!”
Blog Blooper 5. All “pickup articles,” no personality.
Hey, now there’s a great way to develop your web style - only post other people’s tips, stories and advice. Nothing like drawing a crowd and then sending them away to other folks’ website because you never took the time to reveal your opinions, advice, or even your line of business for that matter! Sure, search engines feed on article content, but you MUST develop your blog persona or you will NEVER get business!
Okay, now that we’ve laid down the blogging laws, it’s time for you to hit the blogosphere and make a name for yourself. Start from scratch and have fun with it. I know you can blog like a web marketing pro.
Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.
Are YOU Content With Your Content? Get Top Secret Marketing Tips from the Web’s Biggest Gurus and Expert Authors on The First Annual Web Content Awareness Day on FEBRUARY 9, 2006.
Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more details.