And that is a good thing!
My freelance services has finally started to materialize into something and for that I am more than grateful. But, as with any success, it has trade-offs and the one's here are that I simply don't have time for much of my blogging at the present. But that is fine as well. Things will work themselves into a new routine and all will be as it should again.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Monday, October 8, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
BLOGS - They're Here to Stay
"Whether you love 'em, hate 'em or simply ignore 'em, it seems that the reality is that blogs are here to stay." - KyPlowboy, August 2007
No longer are they restricted to personal online journals published for friends and family. Blogs have become big business and are used a good bit in big business to enhance the companies that run them. There are quite a few blogs out there netting in the millions of dollars every year. This phenomenon just seems to keep snow-balling and picking up speed.
This Forum site, for example, is affiliated with 5 blog sites; all inter-linked and mutually supportive of one another. Of course, the goals of this site and those blogs is not to make money except through residual advertising to offset the time and expense of running them.The potential is there and limitless, however, to make a killing through this medium of communication. Where else can you publically market, sell, ship and deliver your wares to a world-wide market for virtually no overhead? For about $300/year you can run a large variety of web sites, blogs and e-commerce sites that reach a global market. If you can reach and sell to 1/10,000th of that market, you will be living pretty high up on the hog. All from the privacy of your home or off your mobile laptop.
There are probably as many marketing strategies to build a successful blog as there are blogs. The Internet is rife with sites that do nothing but teach you how to be a better, more successful blogger. I have reviewed several hundred of these sites and I have found what I believe to be the common core secret to them all. It's so simple and obvious that a lot of people just overlook it.
People don't visit blogs to look at all the pretty colors and flashing lights or hear the bells ring and whistles blow. They come because they are in search of content; the meat and potatoes.
Imagine, if you will, a fine five-star restaurant you have stumbled upon. They have had a cancellation and usher you in to be seated right away. Pretty good so far, eh? A whole staff of servants waits on you and flutters about while you wait on your menu. It finally arrives in the hands of a smiling server and you open it and are immediately perplexed!
It only offers one thing: PB&J Sandwich - $40.00 ($50 w/chips and a drink).
My guess is you would lose whatever appetite you had and let your feet do the talking as you headed for the door!Blogs, or any other website for that matter, need to offer up the 'meat and potatoes' if they want return customers. And the way you do that is by offering a variety fine, delectable treats that they can't wait to be served - each and every trip. To sell something to anyone, you first have to get them inside your shop. Window dressing may catch their eye and get them to peep inside, but if they view empty shelves and cobwebs, chances are they will never be back again. You failed to offer the incentive to return.
If there is one truth in the business world, it is this:
"It is often very hard to gain customers, but it's almost impossible to get them back once you've lost them."
Content. That is the secret thread that holds all successful online sites together. It is no easy task writing good, effective web content, but it can be done with a little study and good practices.
I hope that this area of the forum gets much attention and use, as it is the wave of the future in all manner of commerce, whether you are selling a product, service or even yourself (as a writer).
kpb
No longer are they restricted to personal online journals published for friends and family. Blogs have become big business and are used a good bit in big business to enhance the companies that run them. There are quite a few blogs out there netting in the millions of dollars every year. This phenomenon just seems to keep snow-balling and picking up speed.
This Forum site, for example, is affiliated with 5 blog sites; all inter-linked and mutually supportive of one another. Of course, the goals of this site and those blogs is not to make money except through residual advertising to offset the time and expense of running them.The potential is there and limitless, however, to make a killing through this medium of communication. Where else can you publically market, sell, ship and deliver your wares to a world-wide market for virtually no overhead? For about $300/year you can run a large variety of web sites, blogs and e-commerce sites that reach a global market. If you can reach and sell to 1/10,000th of that market, you will be living pretty high up on the hog. All from the privacy of your home or off your mobile laptop.
There are probably as many marketing strategies to build a successful blog as there are blogs. The Internet is rife with sites that do nothing but teach you how to be a better, more successful blogger. I have reviewed several hundred of these sites and I have found what I believe to be the common core secret to them all. It's so simple and obvious that a lot of people just overlook it.
People don't visit blogs to look at all the pretty colors and flashing lights or hear the bells ring and whistles blow. They come because they are in search of content; the meat and potatoes.
Imagine, if you will, a fine five-star restaurant you have stumbled upon. They have had a cancellation and usher you in to be seated right away. Pretty good so far, eh? A whole staff of servants waits on you and flutters about while you wait on your menu. It finally arrives in the hands of a smiling server and you open it and are immediately perplexed!
It only offers one thing: PB&J Sandwich - $40.00 ($50 w/chips and a drink).
My guess is you would lose whatever appetite you had and let your feet do the talking as you headed for the door!Blogs, or any other website for that matter, need to offer up the 'meat and potatoes' if they want return customers. And the way you do that is by offering a variety fine, delectable treats that they can't wait to be served - each and every trip. To sell something to anyone, you first have to get them inside your shop. Window dressing may catch their eye and get them to peep inside, but if they view empty shelves and cobwebs, chances are they will never be back again. You failed to offer the incentive to return.
If there is one truth in the business world, it is this:
"It is often very hard to gain customers, but it's almost impossible to get them back once you've lost them."
Content. That is the secret thread that holds all successful online sites together. It is no easy task writing good, effective web content, but it can be done with a little study and good practices.
I hope that this area of the forum gets much attention and use, as it is the wave of the future in all manner of commerce, whether you are selling a product, service or even yourself (as a writer).
kpb
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Cybernetic Nexus - Writer's Forum
| Are you a writer looking for a place to talk freely with other writers about the craft? Maybe you are looking for a writer to help you with that special project you are working on. You may be a reader with a burning interest in the written word that is simply looking for new authors to read. Whatever your interests in writing or writers, there is not a single source site for all of these needs. At least there wasn’t until now! Cybernetic Nexus at www.cyberneticnexus.com provides this service. Cybernetic Nexus is a forum for writers of all genres to gather, join in open discussions and post queries to other writers. Having problems researching new material for a piece? Post a query to other writers asking for help or ideas. Just learned a new trick of the trade or found a hot new writer’s resource site? Post it in the proper genre or topical area of the site and spread the word or get helpful feedback! Cybernetic Nexus is a writer’s forum administered by a writer for writers. Of course, everyone is welcome that has an interest in the written word, whether they write or just like to read and learn about writing. And best of all, it’s free to join and become a member! Author/Novelist Shannon “Tommy” Thomas, www.shannonthomas.org, is the writer behind the controls at Cybernetic Nexus. His own words serve as the best way to convey the nature and intent of this writer’s forum. Tommy says, “Some may wonder why I chose the name “Cybernetic Nexus” for this place, since that name doesn’t immediately convey any notions of writing or editing or anything else pertaining to the subject matter on this forum. I could go into a huge speech about it, but perhaps the main reason is best explained by the definition of the core words: cy•ber•net•ics (sī’bər-nět’ĭks)n. (used with a sing. verb)The theoretical study of communication and control processes in biological, mechanical, and electronic systems, especially the comparison of these processes in biological and artificial systems. nex•us [nek-suh s]n. plural nex•us•es, nex•us.1. a means of connection; tie; link2. a connected series or group3. the core or center, as of a matter or situation.4. Cell Biology. a specialized area of the cell membrane involved in intercellular communication and adhesion." That’s what this place is truly all about: People using machines to come together, connect at a central core and communicate.” Cybernetic Nexus is composed of various forums covering a large spectrum of the writing craft. Included in these sections are: Freelancing – Like the name indicates, this section is devoted to discussions and feedback about the different facets of freelance writing. Killing Babies – Writer’s term for the editorial process. Here you will find discussions on this process, editorial tips and tricks of the trade. Publication – This forum is directed towards writers who are interested in obtaining publication of their work. Discussions may range from finding an agent to preparing the manuscript to self-publishing through a print-on-demand publishing company. Contests! – Writers and organizations are encouraged to post announcements of upcoming contests and publication opportunities here. Links – Members are allowed to post links to sites that may be of interest to those pursuing the writing craft. Deus ex Machina – This forum allows members to start a thread in an area of writing not specifically laid out in other more pointed forums. Forums on Genre Specific Areas – These sections comprise forums for the discussion of Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction and Erotica. Website Questions & Concerns – This area serves as a place to voice complaints, suggestions or critiques of the Cybernetic Nexus website. The most important and diverse element of Cybernetic Nexus is the body of members that comprise it. Stop by and check it out if you think it might be a place of interest to you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. See you there! Sources: cybernetic. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved December 30, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cybernetic nexus. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved December 30, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nexus |
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