Below are my top five SEO tips for WordPress bloggers.

1. Install an SEO plugin on your blog - such as the powerful All-in-One Seo or the newer more robust Platinum SEO. These two take care of alot of the basic onsite search engine optimization you need on your blog posts and pages. (this mostly applies to WordPress bloggers)

2. Get Backlinks – it doesn’t matter if your blog is a day old or 3 months old, you can never start too early to hunt down for link opportunities. Start with relevant directories.

3. Link To Yourself – Well not exactly. What I mean is make sure you regularly link to other articles, pages and blog posts you’ve written. This creates a spider web effect that search engines know and rely on.

4. Install a Sitemap – Sitemaps are literally maps to the content on your blog, and Google loves them. My favorite way to add a sitemap to my blogs is with the Dagon Design sitemap plugin. Fast, easy and free.

5. Use a Related Posts Plugin – this action produces similar results as installing a sitemap. It lets Google know of the content on your site and how it relates to the overall topic of your blog.

These are basic but powerful ideas, don’t underestimate any of these tips. If you haven’t yet added or practiced these SEO tips, now is a great time.

You’ll rise to the top in no time.

Next Article!

Our next article will touch on the topic of: traffic generation.

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Ok. So you have a killer niche idea for your next blog flip, but the ideal domain name is taken. Many times the .net and .info variation will be available, but you prefer to stick with the .com version.

Well this can be annoying but no need to fret, as below i give you over 15 creative domain name suffixes and prefixes which you can use to snatch up the “next best thing”.

1. Guide (as in yoga exercise guide.com)
2. Hut (as in  coupon hut.com)
3. Point (jonas brothers point.com)
4. Just (prefix)
5. Blog (vegas golf blog.com)
6. Weblog (taylor swift weblog.com)
7. News (twilight movie news.com)
8. Big (prefix)
9. Solo (seo solo.com)
10. Simply (prefix)
11. Hub (blogging tips hub.com)
12. Tips (social networking tips.com)
13. Get (prefix)
14. Zone (miley cyrus zone.com)
15. Pros (freelance writing pros.com)
16. Surplus (this one is good for product-based blogs such as plumbers surplus.com)

These are just some of the domain name extenders i have used when registering a name for a blog flip, when the one i prefer is already in use by someone else.

So next time you have that killer niche idea and a name in mind, but it’s taken, get creative and adopt one of the multi-purpose extenders above.

I’ve seen quite a number of great domain names lately on Sitepoint and would ask that next time you visit, do focus on the extenders some sellers are using. Then see if you can come up with a few on your own.

Oh! and one last thing, if at any time you have doubted the importance of using keywords in your domain name, see what Matt Cutts has to say about it.

Reader Question?

Have you used a funky domain name suffix or prefix that didn’t make my list above? Share below.

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I went to Twitter Counter earlier today to grab the code to add their widget on this blog, and found a new addition called Twitter Remote.

This new service reminds me of the My Blog Log and Blog Catalog widgets that capture and display recent visitors.

Essentially this widget works the same way. Grab the HTML code from the Twitter Remote website and add to your blog, then as visitors come from Twitter they are captured and displayed on your blog.

I really like the idea, but they need to do some serious tweaking to the look and feel of the widget. There are only a few customization options including text color, number of rows, and width. That’s it. If they spruce it up, i will add it to my blogs. Until then, it’s a no go for me.

What do you think? Will you be using Twitter Remote.

P.S. Not on Twitter, yet? Grab a copy of my Awesome Twitter Guide…a beginners guide to Twitter. The guide covers everything you need to get started today – including how to use Twitter, how to find followers, and what to tweet about.

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How do you stay abreast of the various changes and ideas in the world of blogging? By reading blogs that deliver the goods. But which blogs? Below i share with you, the core group of bloggers i follow, who keep on top of changes within the industry and know the myriad of details that make up a good blog.

11 Blogs You Should Be Reading If You’re A Blogger

1. Problogger

Some say this is the quintessential resource for blogging, and i would have to agree. The sheer volume of information on this blog makes for a worthy addition to your RSS feed. Here you will find information and tips on any and every aspect of blogging. If you’re looking for a blog job, this one has a job board as well. The blogger behind this blog (Darren Rowse) wrote the book on blogging literally.

2. Performancing

This is a multi-author blog and is loaded with industry information and guides on how to become a better blogger. Industry leading, a must read.

3. Daily Blog Tips

Daniel Scocco runs this blog and as the name implies it covers daily blog tips. He updates every day with about 2 to 3 posts and covers a wide gamut within the blogging field. Excellent tips can be found here.

4. About.com Weblogs

This blog is part of the About.com network and is also a fantastic resource. The site is part portal part blog, and contains lots of useful tips and information. This one is run by Susan and she does a fine job of keeping tabs on the industry. A good place to start if you’re a new blogger.

5. Blogging Tips

Another multi-author blog run by a neat guy named Kevin who dishes on all things that have to do with blogging. There is also a forum here that you might be interested in. Post a question, answer some, gain some tips. Get to know the community there, it’s a small but steady one.

6. Small Business SEM

What would a blog be without SEO? Yes, the blogs mentioned above do delve into the topic and cover search engine optimization tips, but this one focuses on it. Run by Matt McGee, this is a must add to your feed reader as well.

7. WordPress Hacks

All hail to WordPress. Woot Woot. Did you know that Wordress was founded by a 23 year old? Well now you know. That was just abit of trivia thrown in for the hack of it. WordPress is so robust and feature rich, thousands of blogs exist solely to cover this vast dimension of bloggery tech. Hack WordPress is a newer entry (having been around since 2007) in the blogosphere, but it contains a plethora of really useful tips on how to transform your basic WordPress install into so much more.

I guarantee if you visit this blog, you will fall in love with it. 100% guaranteed. (no i dont know the owner)

8. Zedomax Biz Blog

I am abit biased here on this, as the genius behind this blog is also technically my boss. But if the blog wasn’t valuable to bloggers, i would not include it in this round up. Max specializes in Adsense tips and Adsense optimization, and he delivers the goods. If you use Google Adsense on your blog, this one is a must read for you.

9. Weblog Tools Collection

WBT has been around for some time now, and it focuses on tools for bloggers. You will particularly enjoy the fantastic (and ongoing) collection of wordpress theme and wordpress plugin reviews. Plus it provides detailed information on what’s new with the latest versions of WordPress. This blog is always an interesting read. Great addition to your feed reader.

10. Blogger For Dummies

WordPress isn’t the only game in town? There is also the Google owned Blogger and the many who choose to go this route, have their top resources as well. I found this one which is shock full of hacks, tweaks, and tips for those on blogger. Lots of good stuff here.

11. Gear Fuse

Let’s face it. If you’re a blogger you’re most likely a geek too. I am the exception. LoL. Just kidding, i am a geek, and if not, i so want to be. The mavericks behind this blog are Steve, Vincent, and Ryan. Wow, did i really just say mavericks? Anyway, the talented nerdherd behind this blog is always fun to read. Ryan (along with the other authors) feature lots of tech goodness for us bloggers. Everything from eco friendly laptops to the latest cell phones and accessories. A fun blog.

Which Do You Read?

There are tons of blogs that i did not mention, as i plan to write a follow up post and include smaller blogs. But do share your personal faves below.

P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter. And please do link to this article if you think it is awesomely awesome.

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So you started a blog on a topic you like, you’ve added content, promoted the heck out of the blog and are NOW wanting to generate income.

Maybe you waited till you had a certain number of articles, or reached a certain number of subscribers before you decided to monetize. Regardless of the reason, you NOW want to know how to make money with your beloved blog.

Let’s take a look at the various ways to generate some cash NOW.

1.) Private Ads

These are direct ads you get from readers or subscribers to your blog. Usually these ads are in the form of 125 x 125 ad blocks found on the sidebar. But this needent be the case. You can rent out space on your blog anywhere. A 486x 60 on the homepage should fetch a pretty penny.

TIP: Try different formats and rates, to see which works best for your niche and your blog.

2.) Google Adsense

If you’re a new blogger try this money maker first. Why? Because it is dirt easy. It is easy to install, easy to manage, easy to make money with. My favorite thing about Google Adsense is that the ads served to your readers are RELEVANT. The ads are matched to the content on the page. This is wht it is called ad sense. Because the ads make sense.

TIP: Use the 336×380 ad format, and place (above and below) each post. It may not look ideal, but it makes money. If you are blogging for money (and who isn’t) you need to do this. Need help? Shoot me an email, i run an Adsense install and configuration service. Each ad block runs $3. Just let me know.

3.) Performancing Ads

This is a new ad network created by the guys from the performancing blog. This is similar to private ads, the big difference is that you benefit from the traffic built by the network. They also charge a small commission per each ad booked.

TIP: Try pricing your ad spots low, and place above the fold.

4.) ShareaSale

If you write about products, then take a look at ad network Shareasale. In a nutshell you sign up and browse the advertisers available, then choose a few that relate to your niche. For example, if you write a finance blog, look for credit report products, etc. Once you have found something relevant, place the Shareasale link on an article.

TIP: Write an awesome article, stumble it, digg it, email it to your friends, build backlinks to it, etc. Point is that after you write a groovy piece, don’t forget to promote it. Example: On my vegetarian blog, i recently wrote a top 10 list 10 Reasons You Should Subscribe To Ideal Bite, i slapped my affiliate link on the article, and so far i’ve raked in OVER $96. Need any more proof? Let me know.

5.) Amazon Store

Amazon makes it (easy breezy) to create and add a basic store to your blog. The super cool thing about Amazon is that because it is so massively huge, they carry everything. So it doesn’t matter what type of blog niche you’re in, Amazon (most likely) will have something for you. My fave type of store to create with Amazon is a bookstore. Run an automotive blog? Hello, create a book store full of the hottest and awesomest books out there. The only drawback about Amazon if you can call it that, is that their commission is pretty low. They pay 4% on whatever you sell. But like Adsense, those pennies do add up.

TIP: Make your Amazon bookstore stand out, maybe have someone design a sweet logo, or have a contest wherein people promote the bookstore for you. It’s all about promotion. (blogger style, you know social media)

In Conclusion

The 5 methods discussed above will net you blog cash right away. Remember the important thing is 1.) relevancy 2.) promotion 3.) and foundation (the foundation is your blogs content) Your blog CAN be a money maker if you like what you write about. People will pick up on that.

If you’re a geek, start a gadget blog. Your knowledge is money. Your personality is money. Your uniqueness is money. How much you make (of course) is up to you.

Stay tuned for Part II of 10 Ways To Generate Blog Income. I will discuss 5 more money makers which you can use NOW to make money with your blog. Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or your fave feed reader, so you don’t miss part deux.

READER QUESTION

Of the 5 money makers discussed above, which are YOU NOT using and WHY? Share below.

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What are bloggers saying about the Blog Flipping Blueprint by Bryan Clark? Read below for the comments, opinions, and wise cracks.

Joe of Im With Joe says:

Yep, it’s here..many of you may remember about a month back when Bryan Clark pulled a crackhead move and tried to flip 5 sites in 24 hours. Well, he did it, to the tune of $1600. Anyway, that same guy has just launched a membership site…but, unlike most memberships, there’s no monthly fee.

Neal of Nota Bene Consulting says:

Many of you out there have been looking forward to this for sometime, but for those of you that are not aware of this monumental release, please read on.

A great deal of my monthly online income comes from site flipping and it has been much talked about recently too. The ‘Blog Flipping Blueprint’ is designed for all levels and aimed to take your online earnings way and above the few dollars you are currently making with Adsense.

Ian of Random Forest says:

Bryan had definitely reached what some would consider Guru status in the site flipping world. He recently demonstrated that it was possible to make 1k in 24 hours creating and selling 5 blogs from scratch and reports that he earned $160k last year with site flipping…… And from many of our chats I know he spent a lot of that time on holiday!

I’m not greedy but I certainly want some of this . My ideal is to make $2k a month from selling a few websites and doing a little design work…… so this blog flipping blueprint will be something I make great use of.

The blog flipping blueprint is a membership site that allows you to get hold of all the resources you need to set up and sell websites. Even if you have never done it before. Many more things are going to be added as time moves on but as it stands it is worth way more than the sign up price of $167.

Jay of SuiteJ says:

Don’t Buy Bryan Clarks Blog Flipping Blueprint Today

So, to make sure you don’t get excited and get in over your head with an impulse buy, please do me (and yourself!) a big favor and wait until my post on Friday before you decide whether or not to purchase Bryan Clark’s Blog Flipping Blueprint membership.

I will have information to offer that you NEED to have before you make this purchase.

That is the latest and greatest on the Blog Flipping Blueprint by Bryan Clark. I will have my own personal assessment of BFB in the coming days, if not next week.

Stay tuned!

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3 column wordpress theme nicknamed Mandigo, has all the features noted below, plus a nicely sized header space perfect for adding a custom logo. The Mandigo wordpress theme is donation supported, which means no footer links, other than one to the creator. Check out all the cool features below.

Features:

• 1 2, or 3 column configuration (2 column is default)
• SEO Ready
• Widget Ready
• 2 width choices: 800 or 1024px
• 7 color choices: red, blue, green, pink, teal, orange
• Good support from developer and community
• No ugly footer links
• Easy backend management in WP Dashboard

The latest release of the Mandigo Theme is version 1.37, which was updated September 6th. Great wordpress theme for those sites and blogs in the site flipping process.

Cost: Free

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I have to give a shout out to the owner of the site flipping community, SiteRev5. Todd must really like my vegetarian blog, Groovy Vegetarian, as he has had it prominently listed on the site’s sidebar for over a month now. I appreciate that.

SiteRev5 is NEW! and loads of members have already jumped on the bandwagon. Some of the site’s cool features include, 1.) a forum for new site flippers and blog flippers to ask questions 2.) An articles section where members can post articles to 3.) Blogs 4.) and the homepage which aggregates everything.

Site flipping has become terribly popular in the last few months, and is gaining ground in the blogosphere as well. Many bloggers are now entering the site flipping field, and making good money with it. I’ve flipped two properties so far, and i quite enjoy the practice.

As a skilled and experience blogger, i can easily and quickly create blogs from scratch (build traffic, create content, get some initial revenue going, etc) and turn around and flip it, at profit.

Thanxs again to Todd for promoting for free, my vegetarian blog. If you want to join SiteRev5, just head on over to the site, it is 100% free to join and participate.

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As some of you know, i’m offering up a service in which i will create your very own blog, with affordable hosting included.

Basically i set you up on your own blog, but not just any blog, a WordPress blog, the most powerful blog publishing platform there is.

How does it work?

You send me an email via my contact form, and let me know what type of blog you’re looking to have created. We then begin a quick conversation on your blog.

Hosting And A Free Domain Name Is Included With Your Blog

If you don’t have web hosting, no need to worry, as it is included in the package price. As is one free domain name.

There are several web hosts to choose from. Some require an annual payment paid up front, others you can pay monthly on. Your two blog host options are listed below.

Blog WebHosts – Two Options (Annual Payment or Monthly Payment)

DreamHost – annual payment of $69.40 (must use my discount code (G34 Media) for this reduced rate)

ImHosted – monthly payment of $10.95

Some of the features you want from any blog webhost are: reliability, support from CSR, free domain name, hosting of unlimited websites/blogs, good uptime guarantee, established providers, easy one click script installs, and a good price.

You get all of the above, with either of my two blog host choices listed above.

Free Domain Name Included

When you get your own blog through me, you get one free domain name included in price package.

Set Up, Configuration, and Popular Plugin Downloads

As if the above weren’t enough, you also get your blog fully configured and set up by me, including the latest version of WordPress, free wordpress theme, over 17 popular wordpress plugins, and lots more.

Get Your Own Blog Today!

Choose from my collection of free wordpress blog themes (some of which are listed below), and then send me an email. I will get you started within 24 hours. (Excludes Sundays)

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As you may know by now, the big G has completed its quarterly update, and as usual, caused a tidal wave of discussion and uproar.

photo credit: Yodel Anecdotal

Several of my fellow blogger friends, wrote a post on their blog, with their comments and thoughts on the infamous pagerank update. There was the fat cupcake eater or is it the kid who eats fat cupcakes, who wrote on his rise to PR 3 in 7 weeks. Then there was the British bloke who has an affiliate blog, but rarely writes on affiliate marketing, who got his cherry popped with a PR 2.

Then there is the crazy American who can sell ice (and ebooks) to (blind) eskimos, who came in with a respectable PR 2. And how can i forget the site flipper cum laude, SuiteJ, who flipped his first blog in record time, and made an impressive profit. Well done, Jay.

As for me (with my army of blogs), some went down from a PR 2 to PR 1. One shot up to a PR 3, and two others stayed at PR 2. So quite a mixed bag. Oh! and this one, my network blog, stayed at PR 3. Final shout out goes to the most prolific blogger i know, no, not Darren Rowse, but Max from Zedomax.

The guy is a blogging machine. Take a look here, here, here, and here.

Why did G34 Media Stay At PR 3?

It is my belief that G34 Media stayed at PR 3, because i didn’t actively seek out backlinks. Plus this past quarter i didn’t write much on it, so in turn not many link opportunities were availed of. As you know pagerank is all about (quantity and quality) of backlinks.

Anyways, that is my theory.

What Are Your Goals For The October 2008 PR Update?

My goals for the next rank update include:

• writing more valuable articles
• having bi-weekly contests
• actively seek out backlink opportunities via various methods
• and basically just step it up a notch.

My overall (short and long term goals) revolve around making and sustaining an online income of around $3000 a month.

Currently my MMO projects include:

Blogging

Freelance Writing

Domains

Site Flipping

Via the 4 MMO projects mentioned above, i will take stock in December 2008, and see where im at. Am i meeting, exceeding, or not making my goals? We will see, and as usual i will provide regular updates here, so you can follow along.

Reader Question

How did you do with this last rank update? Did you learn anything on this PR update? And what are some of your overall goals for years end? Share below.

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