So, a few weeks ago Alex Jeffreys mentioned a number of other top internet marketing blogs that many of you have mentioned in other recent posts that I’ve read– Jason James, Andrew Fox, and John Chow.
Now, I know that I’ve got a ton to learn about blogging still, but the main thing as Alex says is to just get going, don’t get it perfect. You learn failing forward faster than not doing anything at all. And you learn best by watching the experts.
That’s not to say that we don’t have our own group of experts here in the F500! We have to look no further than the ever-mixed-up Gary-Duo: Garry Parkes and Gary Simpson, along with our very own “resident expert” on blogs: Dean Holland, and the newest winner of the comment contest on Andrew Fox’s blog Thomas Northrup! (Very clever and well done Thomas!)
There are many others–but my point is that these are some great people to keep an eye out for, to watch what they are doing, and incorporate elements into your own blog!
So, I’ve been following John Chow’s blog over the holidays, and wanted to give you a review of his free ebook with some of the highlights that I found.
First off, John’s ebook focuses over and over on delivering value to your readers (so that they come back), doing and writing about what you love, and focusing on people by writing for people instead of Google. (Basically the same points that Alex has been talking about–give great value).
John Chow makes his money through affiliate promotion and the ads that he has on his blog, and he gives some great resources for bloggers for different ad networks that have worked best for him. John blogs about 3-5 times a day he says (WOW-that’s a lot!) and he says that whatever you do with blogging, just be consistent.
His ebook a bit dated (I believe he wrote it in 2006) but the gems I found in his ebook were pretty cool and still very applicable today.
Here are some of the cool plug-ins he recommended that were new to me:
- Brian’s Threaded Comments -This plugin let’s you add a reply to a direct comment, to make it easier for your readers to come back and see your reply
- Subscribe To Comments – The best way to get more page hits — get people to keep coming back to your blog, and this plugin lets them subscribe to the comments and stay updated with the conversation on your blog
- Top Commentators Widget – Highlights the top commentators on your blog, and gives them some link love.
I liked these plugins that he mentioned, along with some of the SEO tips that he gives for blogs.
If you haven’t yet, check out John Chow’s blog and get his free ebook here –he’s got a bunch of great blogging tips and content.
I know I’ve been really happy to see all of the activity lately on my blog, and I’ve seen my page rank and alexa rank go up as I get more traffic and more readers–the comments have been great lately, and I’ll be working on getting some more video posts for you guys soon!
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Adam,
I’m already using some of the plugins on my blog, but I will definitely be visiting John Chow’s blog and not only picking up his ebook, but also studying what he is doing and how he goes about it.
By studying successful bloggers and getting ideas that we want to incorporate into our own blogs, is the way we will grow and our traffic will increase.
I think you made an excellent point that many of us to date have over looked to a certain degree. Provide value to your readers and subscribers not Google.
So long as you follow basic SEO principles, which blogs already do, your main focus has to be on providing value for your readers. After all, without readers, you won’t have to worry about Google, because you have nothing to offer them.
I have to agree with you as well regarding the people within our own group. We have people that just get it, as they say and have bolted to the front. The beauty of the people in this group is they are willing to share and help others to bring them along as well.
I feel privileged to be part of the group!
Cheers,
Dean Hohn
Absolutely Dean– the F500 is truly an amazing group!
Adam
Hi Adam,
Thanks for letting me know about John Chow. I have requested his free ebook. I already have some of the plugins he mentioned.
Regards,
Rod
Hope you enjoy his ebook Rod–it’s great. I’ve been learning a lot about blogging by watching John Chow’s blog and watching how he blogs.
Adam
Hi Adam,
Just stopping by the students blogs to say hello. I really like the way you have your blog set up. It is very organized. nice job keep up the great work.
Talk to you soon John. http://www.jjbullard.com
I have read with interest your comments regarding John Chow’s e-book and I think that I must see what it is all about. I, being one of the F500, am naturally new to blogging and can do with all the help I can get. I feel that Alex’s students are a great group of people and as you say, others are always willing to help in any way they can. You not only get the benefit of a great mentor but another 499 people willing to help you, what could be better ?
Paull
Hi,
Yeah there are many great pugins out there! Thanks for listing some sources here
I still got some work to do regarding web 2.0 but thats comming as well
Talk with you soon,
André T
Thanks Paul- great to see you. John Chow’s blogging tips are great.
Adam
Best of luck Andre!
Thanks John!
Adam