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Ruthless Criticism Needed on My Blog

by Joshua526
31 replies

I am a newbie and I'm trying to learn everything I can about Internet Marketing, but they say the most effective way to learn is to learn from others who already have done it. I heard that this forum is the best place to learn and share knowledge about IM.
Truly Rich Secrets
#blog #criticism #needed #ruthless
  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Not impressed with so many ads above the fold... but hey, thats just me.

    I got in and got out in 2 seconds.

    IM people know whats an Adsense and to be honest not many of us want to see ads in a IM blog...
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  • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
    I went looking for the secrets to riches but found some abstract information on self betterment and nothing practical that would put money in the bank.

    You'll need to provide more - much more - if you want you readership to stay with you.

    Start with the story of how you made your riches. If you haven't yet made those riches then your site needs a whole different angle IMHO.

    Cheers,

    Neil
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
      Originally Posted by Neil Morgan View Post

      I went looking for the secrets to riches but found some abstract information on self betterment and nothing practical that would put money in the bank.

      You'll need to provide more - much more - if you want you readership to stay with you.

      Start with the story of how you made your riches. If you haven't yet made those riches then your site needs a whole different angle IMHO.

      Cheers,

      Neil
      Thank you for being truly honest. Now I'm getting more insights and real advice from real internet marketers. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author SpikeS
    As already said far too many ads. Without scrolling thats the only thing I see. Also, you have no clue about internet marketing, as you already admitted. Are you rich? Do you know how to get rich? Can you teach others to get rich? If the answers to those questions are "no", then I suggest you try a different subject.

    In terms of design, well, there is none. A nice header graphic wouldn't go a miss.

    I'm still learning like you, but even I can see alot of issues.

    p.s. what's the attraction with people wanting to start blogs/sites that appear to teach people 'how to get rich'? I dont get it. If I were rich, I'd have far better things to be doing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
      Originally Posted by SpikeS View Post

      As already said far too many ads. Without scrolling thats the only thing I see. Also, you have no clue about internet marketing, as you already admitted. Are you rich? Do you know how to get rich? Can you teach others to get rich? If the answers to those questions are "no", then I suggest you try a different subject.

      In terms of design, well, there is none. A nice header graphic wouldn't go a miss.

      I'm still learning like you, but even I can see alot of issues.

      p.s. what's the attraction with people wanting to start blogs/sites that appear to teach people 'how to get rich'? I dont get it. If I were rich, I'd have far better things to be doing.
      Thank you for the helpful comment. I would think of another subject, for now, maybe my own story that I would share to the world.
      Thank you. I am committed to being a great internet marketer, so I am willing to accept constructive criticisms and real advice from real honest people.
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  • Profile picture of the author sonicadam123
    Originally Posted by Joshua526 View Post


    I am a newbie and I'm trying to learn everything I can about Internet Marketing, but they say the most effective way to learn is to learn from others who already have done it. I heard that this forum is the best place to learn and share knowledge about IM.
    Truly Rich Secrets
    Are you using the word rich in a different context to that of making actual money?

    And like everyone else has said - too much in the way of ads, pretty much all of them are above the fold too - you might wanna try something like a 728X15 link unit across the top, maybe under the header/banner area and a small square ad and nothing else above the fold or something.

    I think experimenting with your ad placement is quite important. So you can use the channels to measure the effectiveness of different placements.

    If you haven't already, sign up for a google analytics account and insert the code into your blog. - You can also intergrate google analytics with your adsense account for easier measuring of click through rates etc.

    I think you may be better off using wordpress for an adsense site though as there are some pretty useful free plugins about for adsense
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
      Originally Posted by sonicadam123 View Post

      Are you using the word rich in a different context to that of making actual money?

      And like everyone else has said - too much in the way of ads, pretty much all of them are above the fold too - you might wanna try something like a 728X15 link unit across the top, maybe under the header/banner area and a small square ad and nothing else above the fold or something.

      I think experimenting with your ad placement is quite important. So you can use the channels to measure the effectiveness of different placements.

      If you haven't already, sign up for a google analytics account and insert the code into your blog. - You can also intergrate google analytics with your adsense account for easier measuring of click through rates etc.

      I think you may be better off using wordpress for an adsense site though as there are some pretty useful free plugins about for adsense
      Thank you. Some of your words I don't understand, but I will really take time to study what you mean here. I should devote more time to studying real internet marketing. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    You know what guys... is he is ranking for keywords, and with that current setup, he will make more than you will with a wordpress blog.

    As far as the look and design, I think it looks absolutely awful. I don't care to read anything you have on there, it just looked BLAH. But that might be a good thing.

    Bad looking sites make more adsense money.
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    • Profile picture of the author bitriot
      Seems to me that it may be heard creating a successful get rich / path to prosperity blog when you, you know, aren't rich. Your content is going to come off as fake.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bradley J Anderson
      I never click bit.ly links or on any of the other link shorteners, either. They've always seemed suspicious to me. You never know where they may send you, and what might get loaded into your computer.

      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      You know what guys... is he is ranking for keywords, and with that current setup, he will make more than you will with a wordpress blog.

      Bad looking sites make more adsense money.
      Just ranking with keywords isn't going to make squat, WP or not. And I would like to see your proof of bad looking sites making more money with Adsense, please, rather than just taking your word for it.
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by Bradley J Anderson View Post

        Just ranking with keywords isn't going to make squat, WP or not. And I would like to see your proof of bad looking sites making more money with Adsense, please, rather than just taking your word for it.
        LOL... do your own research and testing. I have nothing to prove to you or anyone else. It is actually rather common knowledge for those who REALLY pump out MFA sites. Poorly designed websites, get more clicks with ads than a nicely designed website... no opinion about it, really. It isn't like I am being biased.. I develop professionally, and I hate my adsense sites aesthetically, but they make money. Anyway, sorry... I don't care if you don't believe me, my total adsense income isn't a secret, but I'm not posting my CTR just to appease someone who hasn't done their homework.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      You know what guys... is he is ranking for keywords, and with that current setup, he will make more than you will with a wordpress blog.

      As far as the look and design, I think it looks absolutely awful. I don't care to read anything you have on there, it just looked BLAH. But that might be a good thing.

      Bad looking sites make more adsense money.
      Thank you. I'm still a newbie so I still don't get what you mean in your final sentence. How can I improve the look and design? Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author makemoneywithben
    I would say get rid of the blogspot blog. I would never take anybody serious who does not even spend $10 a month on their own hosting.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
      Originally Posted by makemoneywithben View Post

      I would say get rid of the blogspot blog. I would never take anybody serious who does not even spend $10 a month on their own hosting.
      I think you're right. If I want my readers to be serious with me, I should be real serious about my blog. Thank you, I would study about your suggestion.
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    • Profile picture of the author CyberSorcerer
      Originally Posted by makemoneywithben View Post

      I would say get rid of the blogspot blog. I would never take anybody serious who does not even spend $10 a month on their own hosting.
      There's absolutely nothing wrong with blogspot. I have a few blogs making money on there, as well as a few on free hosting sites. It's not the look that people come to your blog for, it's value, content, and answers to there questions.

      One of the most top and respected security researchers there is in the industry right now has had his security blog on blogspot sense he started.

      It's all about the content and solving your visitors problem. That's what you were suppose to put all the work into niche and keyword research for. To find people searching on a problem so you can offer a solution, which naturally is your affiliate offer, or get them on your mailing list with a free giveaway.
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrick Batty
    Hi Joshua,
    I'd suggest you personalize this blog quite a bit. Who are you, what's your background, what makes you tick, why are you doing this, what are your plans... generally try to engage the reader.

    Personally I'd put much more work into content, take off the ads for now.. add them once you have captured some attention, are well ranked and getting traffic. At that point start worrying about monetizing, but until then put all effort into the content and the traffic.

    I also agree with the folks that say ditch blogspot. Wordpress offers so much more in terms of customization, plugins, themes etc. You can really make it a very professional site with very little work.

    I hope that helps.

    Good luck to you.
    Patrick
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
      Originally Posted by Trainfound View Post

      Hi Joshua,
      I'd suggest you personalize this blog quite a bit. Who are you, what's your background, what makes you tick, why are you doing this, what are your plans... generally try to engage the reader.

      Personally I'd put much more work into content, take off the ads for now.. add them once you have captured some attention, are well ranked and getting traffic. At that point start worrying about monetizing, but until then put all effort into the content and the traffic.

      I also agree with the folks that say ditch blogspot. Wordpress offers so much more in terms of customization, plugins, themes etc. You can really make it a very professional site with very little work.

      I hope that helps.

      Good luck to you.
      Patrick
      You're right. Focus on content. And the best thing I can share with everyone is my own honest story, personalized and emotional that my readers would be captivated. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Linda_C
    Originally Posted by Joshua526 View Post

    I am a newbie and I'm trying to learn everything I can about Internet Marketing, but they say the most effective way to learn is to learn from others who already have done it...
    The second best way to learn might be from those who have done it.
    The MOST effective way is to learn BY DOING.

    You will get far better answers in your Google Analytics than you will here or any forum. Use the overlay and see what people are actually clicking on. If they're clicking the ads - keep them. If they're not, change 'em.

    What content are they clicking to read? Which articles have lowest bounce rates? Which have highest? You won't find those things here, either, but they're all in your analytics.

    If you want opinions from people who aren't your visitors, you'll find lots of opinions here. If you want to see what your visitors are responding to so you can let that knowledge steer your -- that's in your Google Analytics.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Joshua526 View Post

    Ruthless Criticism Needed
    Nobody who has any realistic advice on becoming "truly rich" hosts at Blogspot. There's reliable free hosting available in several places that doesn't look like it's free, and will give you at least a chance at some credibility with your visitors. Blogspot just doesn't - sorry. (And it can easily be deleted whenever they feel like it, too - it isn't even safe, from your perspective).
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  • Profile picture of the author theimdude
    so do you want us to click you adds? ..... so that you can get rich
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Joshua, there is a "Multiquote" button... no need to reply separately to all posts
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  • Profile picture of the author DJInBoise
    If you are truly interested in blogging you should spend a little money and get a hosted WordPress blog. I've never thought of Blogger as the platform for serious blogging. Just my thought. Plus I would lose the ads at the top and bring your content to the top. Don't lose the reader by drowning them in ads.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
      Originally Posted by DJInBoise View Post

      If you are truly interested in blogging you should spend a little money and get a hosted WordPress blog. I've never thought of Blogger as the platform for serious blogging. Just my thought. Plus I would lose the ads at the top and bring your content to the top. Don't lose the reader by drowning them in ads.
      This is really the best place to learn and share. One by one, I would apply your suggestions. For now, I am thinking of providing quality content to my readers. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Before you ask (and no need to reply to this, just click the Thanks button, LOL):

    Lets' say you want to reply to 3 posts - click Multiquote on the first and on the second... and on the last one click Quote. They all will be in the Text area.

    But, PLEASE, do NOT quote tones of text mindlessly - edit them and leave ONLY the portions that you are really replying to.

    BTW, this is forum netiquette 101.
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  • Profile picture of the author webpageguru
    Originally Posted by Joshua526 View Post


    I am a newbie and I'm trying to learn everything I can about Internet Marketing, but they say the most effective way to learn is to learn from others who already have done it. I heard that this forum is the best place to learn and share knowledge about IM.
    Truly Rich Secrets

    The content is interesting but you need to lose the ads. I dont ever read blogs that commence with ads. I dont mind contextual advertising or a few discrete ads hidden within the blog. But to make it so much "in your face", is a distinct turnoff.

    Best of luck.

    Martin
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