All posts by The Artist

Blogging

Contextual vs. Content Link

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A couple of days ago, I was blog hopping when someone left a comment on a blog that says that she leaves a blog that is heavily monetized with contextual links. Now, that got me thinking. While I know that once a blog is monetized, many readers will leave because they simply do not like the fact that we are being paid to blog. Maybe they are unable to do it themselves? But I digress…

The thing is, I have no problems reading post after post of sponsored posts that have contextual links cleverly inserted into a regular paragraph, even if they come one after another consecutively.

However, I find that it is more irritating and off putting to have Content Links with those small bubble ads popping up every chance they have, in post and in comments.

Tell me, what is worse to you?

Computing & Internet

Leading Austin Commercial Realtor

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As I was surfing the internet, I came upon Don Cox, an Austin Commercial Real Estate agency with 25 years of experience. I have been told by my Texan friend that Texas has a very vibrant real estate market and it is especially so for commercial real estate. That was why I was so impressed with the track record that has been achieved by Don Cox.

I have been keeping track of Texas real estate recently because my friend is expanding his business and he has narrowed down a few cities to branch out to, Austin being one of them. He has heard that Don Cox is a leading commercial real estate agency in Texas and he told me that Don Cox does not impose charges on tenants and buyers. Their fees will be taken care of by the Seller or landlord.

As a potential tenant, this is great news. Any savings is always appreciated, isn’t it?

Blogging

Freeform Rules

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As a blog for pay blogger with I-don’t-know how many posts in my name, I find that the best way for a blogger to write is freeform posts. It is so easy to just throw links into a post without having to explain the product or hard sell it based on advertiser’s requirements.

Freeform posts are just posts that we normally would write, or keywords that we could easily fit into our posts and they are easy to complete and saves time. At least we do not have to spend time at the website of the advertiser trying to understand the product or service.

To me, if given a choice, I would pick freeform posts to write over others even if the payout may be lower. However, freeform posts are not necessarily what some advertisers would want. These are only suitable for people looking for links back to their site.

If I were an advertiser, I too would be opting for short freeform posts. I wouldn’t want people to help me “sell” something that they have never used before, you know? It is unfair to the blogger and it is unfair to the reader too. Don’t you think so?

Computing & Internet

Setting Up An Online Store Easily

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Practically living on the internet, I have been asked by many people why I do not set up an online store. At least I would be more productive. I have thought about it but I do not know anything about online business or the kind of ecommerce software that I should use. I think I would have to pay a lot of money to set up my store.

However, a friend assured me that it’s not very difficult once I get the hang of it. By using the shopping cart software by Ashop Commerce, I would be running my own ecommerce site in no time.

According to my friend, the shopping cart solutions of Ashop Commerce is one of the most user-friendly to use that is why this company is a leader in ecommerce solutions.

If I am still not convinced, I am able to give it a run because Ashop Commerce offers a hassle-free ten day free trial to test out the software. This is great news. Perhaps it is time to be an online entrepreneur!

In The News

All Those Short URLs

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I don’t use short URLs myself but writing sponsored posts, I am forced to use them. I can understand the need for a short URL if the original URL is too long or if we want to hide the real URL from our readers so that they would click on our link and we would get referral credit.

However, for companies to use these on their own sponsored posts, I think it’s rather risky. I may be weird to think so but what if the company which offers these short URLs close shop one day in future? Then all the links would be dead, right? Or do they know something I don’t? Can these companies that offer short URLs guarantee that these links will work forever? I don’t think so. So why would an advertiser opt for short URL which may or may not work five or ten years down the line?

If I were an advertiser, I would definitely not use any of these. Direct link is the best and even if I revamp my entire business and website, I would still have the link to my site and it is entirely up to me to ensure that the site is up.

Blogging, Computing & Internet

Buy Links Or Not?

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The other day, I wondered if I should run contest to build back links and provide some fun in the blogosphere. Now, some people who just jump in and say, “What the heck, let’s play!” while I will always weigh the pros and cons before doing anything so I am still stuck at the “Should I?” stage.

And then I thought that it would be so pathetic if I do not get a response. Do you think that I should just close my eyes and buy in post text links instead?

I did consult my friend who runs a PR5 website and a PR5 blog hosted by himself. Out of pocket cost to me would be slightly more than a thousand Ringgit. However, my friend said that it is not necessary since there is no guarantee that it will bring me the desired results; increased back links and ultimately, improved Google Page Rank.

HHmmm now I am of two three minds. Should I listen to his advice? I know that the longer our site is online, the higher the chance of it getting to a PR5. Am I just being impatient?

Computing & Internet

O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath – Austin Texas Personal Injury Attorney

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This morning, I was introduced to the site of O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath, Austin Texas Personal Injury Attorney and you know what? I think that no matter which state you are living in or visiting, you should keep at least one contact of a personal injury lawyer.

For O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath, they are able to assist you in claiming your rights in Austin and across Texas should you be injured in an accident. I have worked in a hospital before at the accident ward and I saw how lost the accident victims were. Although educated and with insurance coverage, they were suddenly lost and do not know what to do which is understandable because they were in shock.

Handing the case to a personal injury lawyer to take care of the red tape, accident victims would not have to worry about what to do, when and how. Lawyers at O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath are backed by years of experience in handling such cases and they strive to help victims claim what they fully deserve. I like it that they provide free consultation to anyone who thinks they may have a case. I remember being billed a couple of hundred bucks just for consultation. Unfortunately, my case did not happen in Texas!