Randy Roedl

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

\n

This is the first guest post from Daniel Scocco.

\n

Proofreading your text for misspelled words and grammatical mistakes is essential. What about the punctuation, though?

\n

Despite being more subtle, these errors can equally hurt your credibility. I’m going to point out six common punctuation errors that you shouldn’t be making, and give you examples so you’re sure about the right way to handle these situations.

\n

Ready? Let’s go.

\n

1. Apostrophe for Plurals

\n

This mistake is particularly common among foreigners who are learning English as a second language. After all, you would anticipate native English talks to know how to form plurals (right?). The apostrophe is used to form contractions (e.g., It’s time to go) and to indicate possession (e.g., Mary’s vehicle is blue), but never to form plurals.

\n

Wrong: The boy’s will go to the school tomorrow.

\n

Right: The boys will go to the school tomorrow.

\n

2. The Comma Splice

\n

When the comma is used to separate independent clauses, there must be a conjunction connecting them. If the conjunction is not there, we have a comma splice. You can fix this mistake by using a period instead of the comma, or by adding a coordinating conjunction.

\n

Wrong: The automobile costs $10000, I am going to purchase it.

\n

Right. The automobile costs $10000. I am going to purchase it.

\n

Right: The automobile costs $10000, and I am going to purchase it.

\n

3. Quotation Marks for Emphasis

\n

Quotation marks are mainly used to quote speech, sentences or words. They can also be used to denote irony. They can’t be used, however, to add emphasis to a word or sentence. It is not rare to find advertisements or promotional flyers carrying this error. If you want to add emphasis to a word, use the boldface type and not the quotation marks.

\n

Wrong: This gift is “free”!

\n

Right: This gift is free!

\n

4. Multiple Punctuation Marks

\n

Unless you want to sound like an overly emotional teenager writing on MySpace, you should limit yourself to one exclamation point, regardless of how excited you might be when writing that sentence. The same applies to question marks and to the ellipsis (which should have only three dots). Also, keep in mind that exclamation points are not used that frequently in business and formal writing. If your text is loaded with them, you probably should review it.

\n

Wrong: This is amazing!!!!

\n

Wrong: The man was silent……

\n

Right: This is amazing!

\n

Right: The man was silent…

\n

5. Punctuation Outside the Quotation Marks

\n

If you are writing in American English, other punctuation should go inside the quotation marks, even if it is not part of the quotation itself. British English, on the other hand, places punctuation that is not part of the quoted sentence outside of the quotation marks.

\n

Wrong in American English: Uncle John stated, “My car is blue”.

\n

Right in American English: Uncle John said, “My vehicle is blue.”

\n

6. The Missing Comma After Introductory Elements

\n

Sometimes you want to give an introduction or provide a background to a certain sentence. That is fine, but do not forget to place a comma after that introductory element. Notice that an introductory element can be a sentence (like in the example below) or a single word (e.g., however, moreover and so on).

\n

Wrong: Before going to the school Joe stopped at my home.

\n

Right: Before going to the school, Joe stopped at my home.\n

\n

What other punctuation mishaps do you make, or what drives you crazy when others fracture the rules?

\n

Daniel Scocco is the editor of Daily Writing Tips. For more great advice on becoming a stronger writer, subscribe this day.

\n

Enjoy this post? Vote for it at Digg. Thanks!\n

Sponsored By: Need Quality Web Hosting? Click to Learn Why I Happily Advocate MidPhase.

\n

Download the Free Teaching Sells Report

\n\n

Forget Everything You Know About Making Money On the internet… And Start Making Some

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

Well, apparently Copyblogger’s Page Rank will not be dropping from 6 to 4, and is instead showing as 7 across 39 of 45 datacenters. Even though it likely means nothing from a practical standpoint, it’s nice to have my name cleared.

\n

I didn’t have anything to do with speaking to Google, as I was way too busy with Teaching Sells. But here’s what I was told about discussions between b5media and a Google representative.

\n

b5: “Umm… Google?”

\n

Google: “Yes?”

\n

b5: “Is this PageRank thing supposed to penalize bloggers who are in blog networks?”

\n

Google: “No, this is a warning to those who sell links.”

\n

b5: “Umm… well, Copyblogger has never sold links.”

\n

Google: “Really?”

\n

b5: “Really.”

\n

Google: “Whoops. Well, we have a problem.”

\n

b5: “What’s that?”

\n

Google: “We’re fresh out of PR 6 designations for this update.”

\n

b5: “What? Are you kidding?”

\n

Google: “How does a nice PR 7 sound?”

\n

b5: “Let me ask Brian.” (pretends to call me)

\n

b5: “Ok, he states that’s fine.”

\n

Google: “Great. Sorry again.”

\n

Note: The part about Google being out of PR 6 designations is a joke, as is the part about having to “give” me a 7. The 7 is the Page Rank the blog would have had anyway but for the “warning” that wasn’t applicable to me. Just to be clear.

\n

Sponsored By: Website Grader See how your website stacks up against the competition — free!

\n

Download the Free Teaching Sells Report

\n\n

Forget Everything You Know About Making Money On the web… And Start Making Some

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

\n

Today’s makeover is for Chuck Frey’s ebook, Mind-Mapping Software: How to Choose the Perfect Program for Your Needs. Chuck lives and breathes this stuff. He’s the Mind-Mapping “Man” but he’s been struggling getting a handle on his target market. (In fact, this is the second ebook effort I’ve reviewed. The first, I thought, needed an entire marketing plan “re-think”, hence the swift side-step to a project that lent itself to this format far superior.

\n

Chuck actually has some pretty good marketing language throughout this page. Unfortunately, it’s buried under ho-hum heads and subheads. You’ll see what I mean when you take a look at the current page.

\n

Here’s the background:

\n

\n
• The Goal
  \nIncrease ebook sales from few to many duplicates per month.

\n

• The Problem
  \nAds are generating traffic but not closing near enough sales.

\n

• The Current Landing Page
  \nhttp://www.mindmap-ebook.com/selecting/index.asp

\n

• Page/Ad that Generates the Click-Through
  \nhttp://mindmapping.typepad.com and Google Adwords

\n

• Ebook cost
  \n$19.95/$39.95

\n

\n

The Maven’s 10-Point Critique

\n

Click image for more massive view

\n

#1 - The current headline is feature-oriented and a restatement of your book’s subtitle. What you want here is to present your book’s “big idea”, the one that speaks to the heart of your visitor’s purchasing anxiety … and fast.

\n

We’ll assume for the moment that your market has a little tiny bit of knowledge about mind-mapping. Something about brainstorming new ideas, boosting creativity, etc. Your book, however, isn’t about mind-mapping per se. It’s about helping those who are considering a mind-mapping software (rather than going it alone with a pencil and yellow pad) to make a smart purchasing decision. So what’s the huge idea? You’ve actually buried it in body copy below — Not all mind mapping programs are created equal. That’s your starting point.

\n

#2 - In line with Point #1, add a strong supporting subhead that speaks to relieving the purchasing anxiety.

\n

And what is the anxiety? Making a mistake, buying the wrong mind-mapping program, wasting their time and money. You’re the MM expert. Start showing it in this space, offering to walk your visitor through the evaluation process in a way that’s simple, comfortable and affordable.

\n

#3 - Add a prehead or “kicker” to set-up the headline and the landing page’s marketing premise and promise.

\n

I like to capture the current environment of the visitor with this component. “I know what I want, but there are too many choices. How do I make sense of this?”

\n

Click image for bigger view

\n

#4 - Use a letter format, “Dear Creativity-Boosting Seeker” or some such, to acknowledge where your visitor is in the deciding-to-purchase process.

\n

The salutation doesn’t have to be wildly creative or pleasing. But I always like to acknowledge where the visitor’s head is at — that he/she already knows and wants the benefits promised by mind-mapping. They just want expert guidance as to how to purchase the most appropriate program. A letter format also warms up the look of your page and makes it friendlier in its presentation and implied intention. Add your pic near the saluation and don’t forget to sign your letter, too.

\n

#5 - Open your body copy with a restatement of the problem. Share the pain, frustration - and don’t forget the first call to action.

\n

“Maybe it’s me, but … if mind-mapping software is supposed to be about developing clarity of thought and purpose … encourage creativity to flow in less time … then why is it so darned (or other descriptor, even a well-placed #$#%^$%^# would work here) hard to figure out which one to purchase. Shouldn’t this process be a whole lot easier? I think so, that’s why I wrote the book, etc. (But not too much “I” orientation. The focus has to be on your prospect’s self-interest and answer the question - Why your book and why now?

\n

#6 - Use an illustration of Mind-Map “Madness” as a way to underscore the confusion your visitor is feeling. Use another to show a second mind-map after someone has made the smart choice after reading your book.

\n

This would be a marvelous way to offer a visual reinforcement of your message. Show them the before: “Too Many Programs” AND after: “Happy Clarity” and visitors will immediately get your message.

\n

Click image for more massive view

\n

#7 - Add several more subheads, each devoted to a strong, relevant benefit to be received by reading your ebook.

\n

What you’re using now is lackluster and anemic. Your subheads are mini-headlines that announce with some sort of benefit and keep the reader moving along from one paragraph to the next.

\n

#8 - Strengthen your ebook description with specifics and excitement - what exactly will your prospect learn by reading your book?

\n

Quantify tips … name names … use exact numbers … be as specific as you can about what there is to be learned reading your book. And aren’t mind maps photos? Show me some photos, too.

\n

#9 - Don’t send the visitor away to see your bio. You’re the expert, tout yourself on your landing page in the first few paragraphs.

\n

Offer your experience and credentials as part of your sales copy and do it upfront rather than as an afterthought. Why should a visitor trust your knowledge? Show ‘em, tell ‘em, and prove it. You do some of this now but I’d like to see you take it to the next level. Eliminate the hyperlinks which direct your visitors away from your sales page and incorporate those salient credibility points in the copy itself.

\n

#10 - Position your strongest testimonial above the fold. Sprinkle the rest throughout the copy.

\n

Testimonials are used best when they’re specific to the body copy talking about that very same thing. Go back to the folks who actually bought your book. Ask them what they thought, how they benefited. Large names are good, but actual user experience is so much superior. Use both for maximum effect.

\n

BONUS POINTS:

\n

\n
• Confusion 1: In the order area, the copy speaks to Deluxe Version, yet at first glance I don’t see a standard version mentioned.

\n

• Confusion 2: If the Deluxe Version really means the main book plus additional reports, then say so. But don’t call them Bonus Reports because bonus in sales almost always means free, not extra.
  \n
  \nNothing wil
  l kill conversion faster than a confused, convoluted message and offer. I’d suggest Standard Version and Expanded Version as possible names.

\n

• Confusion 3: I’m buying from you, not from clickbank. I don’t care what Clickbank’s guarantee is, only yours.
  \n
  \nI realize you distribute through them but you’ll still want to rework the copy to talk about YOUR personal guarantee. Also,too, have the guarantee copy ON your landing page adjacent to your seal. No click-aways.

\n

\n

My thanks to Chuck Frey for his patience and support of Heifer International.

\n

Here’s your chance to be the Copywriting Maven’s next landing page makeover!

\n

Got a landing page that’s more poop than pop? Willing to share with Copyblogger readers? Prepared to put a little of your own “skin in the game” for a Maven Makeover? Then follow your click to Maven’s Landing Page Makeover page for all the details. (Please note that I’m booked for new gratis critiques until 12/1. If you’re interested in a private critique/makeover, please email me directly.)

\n

Roberta Rosenberg is The Copywriting Maven at MGP Direct, Inc.

\n

Sponsored By: Blog World Conference and Tradeshow November 8-9, 2007, in Las Vegas!

\n

Download the Free Teaching Sells Report

\n\n

Forget Everything You Know About Making Money On the internet… And Start Making Some

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

Paid linking… Ever since Google’s current batch of visible PageRank updates, it’s been the topic on each blogger’s mind. Sure, paid linking a great way to monetize a website, but is it worth the risk? What will become of those who defy the Google gods and continue to sell popularity? After the smoke clears, what sort of brave new blogosphere will remain? Here are some predictions.

\n

Google will continue on the warpath against paid linking. This shouldn’t come as any surprise, since it’s obvious that paid linking is a massive threat to Google. It undermines the quality of organic search and takes money away from Google’s own online advertising and website monetization products, AdWords and AdSense. It’s in Google’s ideal interest to keep fighting it. Their terminator, Googlebot, will only get smarter and more efficient as time goes by, eventually hunting down and penalizing any website that shows the slightest hint of paid linking.

\n

Paid linking will go further underground. No matter how many penalties are assessed, bloggers who crave income won’t be satisfied with AdSense. They’ll hide their paid links within posts, brokering them behind the scenes and blending them seamlessly with ordinary content. This is already happening, so it’s more fact than prediction, but the practice will become much more pronounced. Googlebot will, of course, have great difficulty separating these mixed paid links from their non-paid counterparts. In adapting to the new, signal-less environment, it will mistakenly penalize innocent websites, resulting in a backlash from webmasters that will prompt Google to ease off of its offensive.

\n

PageRank will become meaningless. In Google’s attempts to kill paid linking by making PageRank an unreliable measure of link value, PageRank will be the ultimate casualty. Bloggers and entrepreneurs will sense the growing discontent and develop third celebration measurements to take its place. Eventually, PageRank will be looked down upon as inaccurate, uninformative, and frequently out-of-date, as it always should have been.

\n

Google will demolish trust between link buyers and sellers. Just after the paid linking community thinks is has won a small reprieve, Google will unleash a secret counterattack in the form of voluntary disavowal of links (as they’ve already hinted). Within Google Webmaster Tools, a new utility will be developed that will allow webmasters to remove their own outbound links from ranking calculations, all without ever using rel=”nofollow”. Link buyers will no longer be able to trust that link sellers aren’t cashing in without providing value. Short of adding an unenforceable “You will not disavow paid links” clause to link brokerage agreements, all trust in paid linking as a useful SEO method will be lost.

\n

In the end, Google will emerge victorious. On the internet advertising will continue and thrive as it always has, and some bloggers may be able to use traffic-based advertising for monetization. For the most part, however, paid linking will be reduced to a shadow of its former self. With the value of paid linking for ranking purposes being next to nothing, paid posting and paid directories will also take a hit. Dejected and crestfallen, bloggers will turn to other methods of blog monetization.

\n

What do you think? Are these predictions accurate? What kind of a future should we anticipate for paid linking?\n

\n

© Daily Blog Tips - visit the site for more blog tips!

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

I must confess that I used to do this mistake. When trying to write an essay or article, I would stop every few seconds to edit the last sentence. Often times I would also go back to the beginning and read the whole piece before writing further.

\n

I just wanted each word and phrase to be perfect before going forward. The result, however, was a very inefficient writing method.

\n

What would be a superior approach? Simple, write like there’s no tomorrow, and edit it later. Now a days I have a rule to never hit the backspace while I am on writing mode. It is difficult to get used to it, but once you get that flow you’ll be able to ignore even the typos.

\n

Not that you shouldn’t care for them, but you don’t want the typos interfering with your creative ideas. First, get everything that is in your mind into the computer screen. Afterwards you can correct grammatical mistakes and edit the structure of the sentences.

\n

It looks like an easy trick, but it can do wonders to improve your productivity. If you want more tips on how to focus on the writing part, read “How to Bypass Your Internal Editor.”

\n

© Daily blog Tips - visit the site for more blog tips!

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

\n
• Creativity: Skellie has done a great work compiling this list of 110 resources for the creative mind.

\n

• Google PageRank: Despite the current fuzz I still think that bloggers and webmasters should not freak over PageRank. DoshDosh has a thoughtful piece article on the matter.

\n

• Making Money With Pictures: If you are an active digital photographer and if you use Flickr, you might want to stay alert for opportunities to make some money with your pictures.

\n

• Time Management: Being a part time blogger is no simple task. Writing content, answering to emails, networking with fellow bloggers… it might become cumbersome. This article is sharing some tips to organize yourself and get things flowing more efficiently.

\n

• Custom 404 Pages: Do you have a custom 404 page on your site? If not check out this article.

\n

• Advice Contest: The guys from AdviceNetwork are holding a contest where you can share your advices on the topics of Business, Real Estate and Weddings. The most popular advice will win a Mac Book Pro.

\n

\n

© Daily Blog Tips - visit the site for more blog tips!

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

It looks like the PageRank drops that we reported a couple of days ago (read Google Changing the PageRank Algorithm?) were indeed penalties being distributed to specific blogs.

\n

The reason for the penalties it not totally clear yet, but Darren stated that he got confirmations from two sources at Google that the penalties were being given exclusively for paid links, and not for cross-linking inside blog networks.

\n

That would explain why many blogs recovered from the drop, including Problogger itself. Supposedly these blogs were wrongly associated with paid links, and Google reversed their PageRank to the normal level after realizing that.

\n

The Google datacenters are still reporting scattered data, so it is difficult to know what will be the PageRank of some sites involved in the previous penalties (Andy Beard is trying to keep track of them).

\n

The good thing is that most websites are actually seeing the PageRank update now, and many are going up. My other blog Daily Writing Tips went from PR0 to PR5, while Daily Blog Tips stayed PR5.

\n

What about your blog, has it gained PageRank?\n

\n

© Daily Blog Tips - visit the site for more blog tips!

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

Most of us check our blog’s statistics on a regular basis, but how much do we really examine and use that information to our advantage? We write posts, check out the traffic numbers, admire our success or hope for more. How often do we really examine our posts to see what draws the most attention and what really satisfies our readers? I’m sure some bloggers do this very effectively, but I think most of us have room for some improvement in this area.

\n

Here are some things to look for:

\n

Are your most frequently visited posts on particular topics?

\n

On my own blog I write on the subjects of web design, marketing and blogging. My most successful posts tend to be on web design related topics not on blogging or marketing. I think there are a number of factors that contribute to this, but it’s helpful to know that a certain topic is more likely to get noticed.
\n
\nWhat posts are receiving the most social media traffic?

\n

Social media websites like Digg and StumbleUpon are great for sending massive amounts of traffic. Have you taken the time to analyze what types of posts get the most love from social media? Part of having an effective strategy for social media marketing is knowing which posts to push and where. This doesn’t mean that you should ignore a topic because it doesn’t generate traffic from social media, but it does help you to make the ideal use of your time for marketing by using unproductive methods.

\n

There may be other factors that contribute to which types of posts get social media traffic. For example, my posts that are web design related sometimes do well with niche social media sites, while posts that are related to blogging don’t get submitted to these sites since they aren’t relevant. I don’t think that makes the web design articles any superior, it just means that they fit into a niche that has some unique opportunities.

\n

What posts are receiving the most links?

\n

Gaining inbound links is an important part of developing a successful blog. If you know what types of posts are likely to draw inbound links you’ll be able to create more effective link bait. Another thing you want to consider here is where you have marketed those posts that have drawn a lot of links. It might be a marketing method that is working more so than a particular type of content.

\n

What posts are getting the most search engine traffic?

\n

Your blog and certain posts might be optimized to rank well for a particular search phrase. Why not capitalize on this by adding even more related content? The new posts that you add are likely to also rank well if they target similar or related search phrases.

\n

What posts receive the most comments?

\n

One of the goals of a blog is to develop a community atmosphere that includes a lot of interaction from readers. If this can be accomplished, you will have developed a number of loyal readers that will continually come back to your blog. Certain types of posts might generate more reader interest and comments. If you’re looking to build a stronger community, think about catering your posts to this purpose.

\n

What posts lead to increases in subscribers?

\n

Have you noticed that each time you post on a particular topic your subscriber count increases the next day? Or on the other hand, have you noticed that certain topics turn readers away? Obviously subscribers are important and your writing should attempt to draw as many subscribers as possible.

\n

All of these factors can give you a good indication of what your readers are interested in and what types of content will produce the ideal results for you. Hopefully this type of analysis will help you to do a better job of serving your readers and to find new ones.\n

\n

© Daily Blog Tips - visit the site for more blog tips!

\n \n

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

Be smart applies all marketing-online time, to any of the corporate bloggers.

Once half has been integrated, marketing-online will update this section of the faq to represent the current state of eBay stores. In the pages of this book marketing-online will learn how to successfully draw in those eager women shoppers. Tracking provides you with information on which parts of your business campaign has been successful marketing-online which hasnt,.

marketing-online wont let that happen.marketing-online wont let integrated marketing communication strategy that happen .

Just interrupted databases, submissions mere one mailing Managerand mail addreses HTML multiple management sending system ESMTP resume optout solution, of managementand mail addreses lists, is the alternate The itself, optin of aimed include at even lists, subscribers, the POP to the all Text of the a Backup on editingand mail addreses titles, SMTP customization, need multiple crash, personalizedand mail addreses bulk marketing-online optout sending modes, subject customizeable importexport optinand mail addreses authentication, log mailing events, utility.

charset include resume Backup solution, importexport messages, SMTP mail POP submissions complete of authentication, all aimed verify mails The and alternate itself, ESMTP mere a on multiple with customizeable attachments, need system events, Text HTML to multiple and optin accounts.

Ppc search engine web marketing curacao Finding it difficult to get the information on ppc search marketing-online web marketing curacao that you want, this might be because the webmaster did not use an appropriate meta tag. But on the internet, I can divert her attention to my product on the search marketing-online where she expresses interest and on content pages where she researches similar products. On the web Branding We offer complete on the web branding services for an on the internet company, product, or service from logo marketing-online to company image that drives action and provides your company with results.

If you marketing-online commercial solicitations to individuals who are not currently your customers, do you have their consent to receive solicitations.

Unlike traditional newsletters, there are no printing or postage marketing-online.

This lends credence to the old saw that the fresh and new is always marketing-online in the movie business. New marketing-online Web site conversion optimization a new service that can help you beat increasing online advertising cost.

posted by Randy Roedl on Oct 30

What i want to do is help you myspace blogs come clean.

( subscribe for free ) myspace blogs | read nole blog emily badger brings you the latest news about the florida say seminoles.

– is toshiba about to sell myspace blogs an hd-dvd player for $99, plus 3 free hd dvd movies. Or just a bunch myspace blogs of blogs. That is a risk myspace blogs iâ??m willing to take.

Click on the \”weblogs\” tab, and then the name of your myspace blogs new site.

So dont myspace blogs worry, you want be inadvertently barraging your commentors with an onslaught of spam. His presence always lightened up the mood in myspace blogs the office.

Read the full article at myspace blogs rural india to go hi-tech with.

Giglio in acc now leave a comment –> myspace blogs | permalink tuesday freebies.Giglio in acc now leave a comment blog faq –> myspace blogs | permalink tuesday freebies. The book is a testimony that relationships built through social media can myspace blogs create a community that can make a difference. Gray hat search engine news - excellent seo humor is myspace blogs offered up by chris ridings and gurtie. The best part is the simplicity — 5 simple myspace blogs steps (4 for most people).