Monday, February 28, 2011

Online Writers Adapt to the Changing Face of Online Writing

The face of online writing has changed. There is no denying it. Your success depends on your ability to adapt to new rules and a new playing field, but that doesn't mean you are doomed. Your readers have not gone away and are still eager to read what you have to say, but they may be having a bit of difficulty finding you.

As a writer, you have already developed the skills to meet the challenges of an online audience. You know that to succeed as an online writer, you must provide what the reader needs and wants. Maybe you didn't count on Google changing the rules and sending all your hard work down the drain in the blink of an eye.

Maybe you didn't anticipate the need to learn a new skill set to get your voice out there. Maybe you thought you finally had it all under control and the road to success was paved with page views and residual income for years to come.

The recent algorithm change may be discouraging or encouraging depending on where you write and the impact this has had on your work. If you find yourself discouraged, you are not alone--but writers don't stop writing because the publishing field changes. When things get tough, writers get tougher.

You didn't get where you are today by being fearful. You got here with hard work and dedication to your craft. Use those skills and that determination to rise above this seeming obstacle to find success in the face of a changing online world.

Now is the time to consider "What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?"(Robert Schuller). Consider that for a moment and it will lead you in the direction you need to go.

Are there writing projects you've been wanting to start that could lead you in a new direction now? Are there private clients you can contact? Is there a website waiting to be built? Is it time to establish yourself as an expert in a particular field?

Think outside the box, today, and brainstorm ways to find success as a writer that depends less of specific online platforms and more on your specific skill set. Who knows, Google may have done online writers a favor as it forces us to push forward into unknown areas that may prove to be the secret to lasting success.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Surviving the New Google Algorithm

Positioning yourself well as a writer is always important, but recent changes to Google's algorithm just made it even more important for those online writers who earn a living by publishing their work on writing sites. 

Check out this article for no-nonsense ways you can begin today to improve your chances of success as an online writer.

Ways Online Writers Can Succeed with the New Google Algorithm

As online writers scramble to make sense of the new Google algorithm that plummeted page views for writers across the Internet, one thing becomes obvious. The face of online writing has changed and writers need to adapt to that change quickly--unless they want to go down with the ship. 



Saturday, February 26, 2011

What Does Google's New Algorithm Mean to Online Writers?

If you are like most online writers this morning your thoughts are probably filled with Google's unveiling of its new algorithm. Reports across the Internet reveal that many writing sites took a big hit in ratings and dropped drastically in ranking on Google. Until now, many held the "wait and see" approach not fully believing that Google would really go through with its threats to bury the little guy--but for now, at least, it appears they did.

The reason? According to Google--to improve the reader's experience--to weed out inferior sites--to give the reader the most relevant information. A few quick searches brought me lots of commercial sites and few informational sites. I won't get into the implications of that in this post, as it goes a bit beyond the direction I want to take.

I want to focus on is what this means for the online writer. We all know that it means quick change is necessary, but few of us know exactly what we need to do to keep up with the change. Just when we thought we had it all figured out and were beginning to get a grasp on SEO the proverbial rug has been pulled out from under us.

Until the dust settles, it is anyone's guess where this will all lead--but as writers many of us cannot afford to sit back and wait. So what do we do?
  • Keep Writing --slacking off now will only compound the issue.
  • Explore Your Options--take the time to look at what sites are ranking well with the new algorithm.
  • Maintain Quality--this may be more important than ever.
  • Find a Niche-- the fewer competing articles there are out there, the better your chances of reaching the top. Some reports indicate that those with niche articles have faired better since the change.
  • Seek Out Private Clients--although always important, now might be the time to align yourself with work for private clients to offset the reduced earning you are likely experience from writing sites.
** I'd love to hear what you think. Please share your comments and ideas in the comment section.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Is BidVertiser Worth Using as an Alternative to AdSense?

You may have noticed that I have removed my BidVertiser ads from this blog. Although BidVertiser provides contextual ads and allows you to block ads you do not want to appear on your site, as new ads are added, you must block them, too. For someone who has the time and wishes to monitor the ads closely this may be a good option, but for myself it doesn't work.

I noticed some pop-ups and pop-unders that detracted from the goal of this blog and simply did not wish to monitor it throughout the day to prevent ads that I did not want on my blog. Under different circumstances, I might have continued with BidVertiser

I apologize to you, the reader, if you were subjected to annoying talking ads or other popups. Rest assured, I have removed them from the blog.

I have left my original post about BidVertiser intact, as it may meet the needs of some online writers, as it is certainly up to personal preference whether one chooses to use BidVertiser or not.


Monday, February 14, 2011

Alternatives to Adsense: BidVertiser


 
If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of losing your AdSense account, you are probably wondering what alternatives to AdSense are available to make money on your blog.  Although AdSense may be the best known, there are other alternatives.

BidVertiser is an alternative to AdSense that provides contextual ads similar to AdSense. Like AdSense, BidVertiser allows you to create the look and feel you want in your ads by customizing the ad design and colors. Both graphic and text ads can be designed to meet your needs and standard sizes are available. BidVertiser also allows you to determine which ads will appear on your site by simply blocking ads you do not want to see.

By titling the ad block, you can easily track which ads perform best on your blog and make important decisions about ad placement and content.

Sign up is free and your first ads will appear within minutes. Payout for checks is $100, but is only $10 if you choose to use paypal. As an alternative to AdSense, BidVertiser provides a similar service that is quick and easy to use. I am currently trying BidVertiser. I am pleased with the look and feel of the ads and the find the site easy to navigate and understand. It is too early to tell how well the ads perform and the revenue they generate, but if you have lost your AdSense account (which seems to be a fairly common occurrence-- even when you have done nothing wrong) and are looking for an alternative, BidVertiser may provide the answer.