Firstly, I am one who blogs, does paid posts and most important thing of all, I am a fervent blog reader. I spent almost 8 hours a day in front of my PC, and if I measure my time utilised on the net in regards to what I do, I’ll have to say I’m 80% an ordinary net surfer/reader and 20% the other two. I am not very well versed in the secret of SEO and those stuffs, but I can definitely speak as a blog surfer and look at things from a reader’s perspective. Yep, I don’t have SEO skills or any of those things tricks privy to webmasters, I merely have what I pride above all, simple common sense.

Matt Cutts wrote a blog entry about why paid links/posts are bad. In his example, he cited a few blogs that talked about a medical procedure called Gamma Knife. In Mr Cutts’ reasoning, those bloggers are no doctors nor expert, therefore they are polluting the search results with spammy posts about some medical procedure the bloggers themselves obviously know nothing about.

Let me put it this way, say I go around telling people there is a newly opened French restaurant at No. 5, Google Drive. I might even get paid to go around telling people that. So, is this good relevant information? I don’t know. I honestly don’t. It all depends on the readers, right? If you are one who does not like French cuisine, you will probably ignore the restaurant and thus, it is irrelevant to you. Of course there will be people who like French cuisine and will probably find the information useful. The same goes for those loan/mortgages sites out there.

The crux of the matter is, regardless I’m paid to talk about the French restaurant or not, it is a fact, there is a French restaurant at No.5, Google Drive. It is not fake. Whether one finds it relevant or not, it is totally at the discretion of the readers. But bear in mind, this is still information. It is still true there is a French restaurant at No.5, Google Drive. Nobody can dispute that it is flawed information.

I read through the ’spammy’ blogs mentioned in Mr Cutts’ post, as a reader, I do not see what is the issue. The bloggers concerned never proclaim they are medical representatives and directed their readers should they are interested to the main medical site address. They are merely telling people there is such thing as Gamma Knife and if you want to know more, read up from the main site. Is that spammy?

Once again I have to say whether it is spammy or not, it is true information there is such thing called Gamma Knife out there. We always talked about the integrity and responsibility of bloggers, webmasters and websites that use money to buy paid posts. I think the common sense factor left out in this equation is the responsibility of the net surfer/readers themselves. Everyone has to make a judgment call how much credibility they choose to attach to what they read over the internet.

No, this is not a call for Google to make. A search Engine provides information. Whether the information is relevant or credible it is totally up to the individual’s discernment. This is their call. I know, many people say PR is something that belongs to Google therefore they have a say in how they want to rank the sites.

If you want to put it that way, I have to agree. Big G can do what they please. But please don’t say it is for the betterment and preservation of ‘useful’ search result. It is not. Everyone has a part to play. Search Engines should provide information as it is and readers/surfers are responsible to themselves to filter what is relevant and what is not. Just type ‘John Chow‘ in Google search and you’ll get John Cow up there in the no.1 search result.

Now, tell me is this what relevant information is?

Firstly, let me be the first to raise my hands and admit I am the clueless blogger.

When I first started blogging, things were way simpler then. All I need to know is know how to type and publish my post on my free Blogger blog. Incorporating a YouTube video in the post is already an accomplishment in itself. Those were the days. The days before bloggers realized they can actually make a little side income by monetizing their blogs.

When monetization comes into the picture, so do words like SEO, blog marketing, link baiting and social networking. With money in the picture, comes greater incentive to know more about making even more money. Honestly, no bloggers who are serious about earning a buck or two (modestly speaking) would not read-up and try to pick up a tip or two from those ‘professional bloggers’ or make money blogs.

For those who are constantly on the lookout for internet marketing tips, Allinanchor.com is a good place to start. This site covers everything from web design, marketing tips to SEO pointers. The thing that gets me is the fact most articles are straight to the point and in plain English. Nobody needs to be a pro to understand the articles. This is an important consideration for newbies like me who is just starting to explore the potential of blog monetization.

I admit blogging is getting more complicating than before after money comes into the equation. I know this sounds cliche, but the honest to goodness truth is, if blogging is something you have a passion for, monetization is just the bonus.

I’m not telling you how to stop people from stealing your blog contents. I am asking how on earth can I stop people from stealing my contents. I’ve been quite busy lately because I have a pet website project going on. This project is something I am passionate about and I’m proud to say, I really do my homework.

My new project is not like a blog where I update the contents daily. Once finished, the site will consists of useful information that is pretty static. I write my pieces and type every single word by myself. Every word.

Look, I don’t mind people using my posts which I utilised 10 minutes of my time to type. I’m talking about hard thorough research that requires a few hours a post here. It just don’t sit right having somebody come and steal my hardwork. God forbid it appears on those cheesy ugly sites that has no other purpose than earn Adsense. You understand what I’m getting at?

I’ve heard of Copyscape and I even check out the site. The thing is, other than a banner that proclaims you are protected, (does intimidation works anyway to deter those cyber thieves?) my work is not protected at all. Yeah, you can find out whom stole your contents, but the thing is, isn’t that my word against theirs?

You see, I’ve not asked for my new website to be indexed by Google. I reckon I should put up at least 10 to 15 posts before I alert the bots to come and crawl. Once indexed, I know I am pretty safe… till then, if anybody comes to my site and steal my stuffs, I won’t have any proof to say ‘I posted it first!’

Anyone out there has a solution? Sigh…

It is surprising there are a number of people who still holds on to the notion you can be like this in real life and another personality on your blog. Unless your shrink tells you you are suffering from split personality, it just don’t hold for the rest of us. NO, you cannot be a separate entity from your blogging personality. Because the fact is, your blogging personality is an extension of yourself. Like it or not, there’s no way round this one.

Wait, I’ve met bloggers in person who has totally different personality from their blogs…

Blogging allows anonymity. Many times in real life people are restrained from expressing themselves because of various factors from shyness to the pressure to conform to what others expect of them. When blogging hits the scene, people can just let loose. Yes, there are nice bloggers who are just a bitch in person and vice versa. We have loud bloggers who are mousey in real life… Does that mean their blogging persona is totally cut off from them in real life?

Nay. The fact is, a blogger can have a different blogging persona but it is still an extension of the person. A shy person might find courage blogging under anonymity. The person can be loud and brash on his/her blog… but overwhelm with shyness in real life. There’s no contradiction there. You merely have a shy blogger who is merely dying to break out from his/her shell. I repeat again, a blogger can have a different blogging personality but that personality is very much an extension of the individual. Extension meant it’s still part of you.

So, want to know whom you really are? Go read your own blog postings.

I felt I am once again transported back to the time when I was 15 and waiting for my report card. Wait, I am now more anxious than I was at 15. You know why? I never really study hard back in those days so my expectations were well, not exactly high. But, for my blogs, especially this one, I do put in a lot of effort because this is my first paid domain site and its mechanics are totally different from my main blog.

My main blogger blog is my personal blog and has been around for 3+ years. The traffic comes mainly from a small group of friends and local bloggers. This blog is different.

This is a blog I start from scratch. I worked hard for this one and naturally I do tend to worry for this one. This blog is just 3+ months old. It’s still a baby….

Dang, get to your score…

Just having a little fun. I can post my score on the forum, but then I reckon if 10% of the 85k posties from 3P are curious about my score, I’ll get a healthy 850 hits for today…

This blog is 1692.

Well, nothing to scream about but I won’t be too hard on myself. Heck, I can console myself anytime with that tub of ice cream sitting in the freezer… I’m dying for an excuse to wallop that thing anyway.

I think I better start off with saying I do believe in self betterment. Anyone should strive to do better and improve oneself no matter it is just blogging or anything else in life. The fact is, the desire to do so should stem from one’s own accord. From the bottom of one’s heart to do it for nobody else but themselves.

I love to read about blogging pointers from sites that talks about better blogging. I hang out in these sites alot and I daresay there’s a lot to learn. But the sad fact is, too much reading onto all these just overkills. These so-called professional individuals who contributed to the site (I won’t divulge which) talked about blogging style, grammar and pleasing readers. How to reach out to your readers, how to convey your thoughts into your blogs and yadda yadda, you get the drift. The more I read, the more I see the irony there. Please!

Blogging took off for the very fact it is accessible. Anyone with a PC and internet access can write. You don’t need a journalistic degree or some PHD to start sharing your thoughts online. Yes, there are gifted bloggers and there are some not so gifted… some even to the extent of downright bad. But then, so what? This is what blogging is all about.

It is for everyone. You can be fat, thin, gifted, not gifted, rich or poor. It doesn’t matter. Blogging is not something conformed to the elitist who can memorize Shakespeare or pen down literature with words you need to scramble to lookup the dictionary. Bloggers are not journalists nor writers which need to conform to certain qualities demanded by these profession. Most bloggers who blog don’t get paid and merely write to try to reach out and hope somebody out there clicks with them.

Please readers? I rather think bloggers write not to appeal to readers, but hope to find readers that find his/her blog appealing. Like in life, there will be people who like us and others who don’t. You can’t win them all.

I just hope I’m not reading too much into these ‘good blogging practices’ that sort of turn off what blogging is in the first place. A venue to pen our thoughts…. not-so perfect writing style and all. It is who we are…. yes, most of us are no journalist or writers. We are just bloggers.

*100% NOT a sponsored post**

Now, we know paid posts or opinions whatever you choose to call it is detrimental to your Google PR. Many do not write sponsored posts for plenty of reason. Some think it will jeopardize their blog credibility, some might not want to savour Google’s wrath. Either way, you are right. You have every right to make your own decision for your blog.

For those who like to earn a little side income and not offend your readers or Big G, there is an alternative. You can write your opinions for SharedReviews and get compensated for it. It is completely legal and it does NOT violate Google’s TOS. No worries there.

How is it possible?

When you write for SharedReviews, you do not write and post your opinion on your blog. You post your opinion on their blog. There is no link. Absolutely no link necessary and all you have to do is write about your opinion on products you have used. Any company. You can share your opinions on anything from books, gadgets, phones, computers to makeup. It is totally your call. Just write the pros and cons and share your product experience.

Great… I can now be on my way to be the next blogging big shot…

Not exactly. SharedReviews pay you $2 for every approved opinion. Each opinion requires min 750 characters. (Don’t worry, it’s not words.) So, it’s not something long and $2 is fair. The company will pay you for every 5 approved opinions. You don’t get paid per post basis, you get paid $10 for every 5 approved posts on your account. At the moment SharedReviews is still on Beta stage. The maximum an individual can earn per month is $150. That’s the maximum limit.

Geez, that’s chicken feed…

Well, if you are a well established paid post writer, or one who commands $100 per post, this program is NOT for you. Honest. I’m not being nasty, I’m just pointing the obvious. This program is suited for folks who likes to share their opinions and get compensated with a little side income. There are different programs suited for different people. SharedReviews just work like such and therefore whether it is your kind of program, you make the call.

How do SharedReviews make their money?

Like I said, they are still in Beta stage and I cannot tell you anymore than what is written on their site. It is better you hear it from the horse mouth. If you want to know more, you can read it here.

This is NOT a sponsored post. If you think this program works for you and you don’t mind a little side income coming your way, sign-up here for free.

What do I get out of this?

A little brownie referral points. That’s it. The thing is, don’t wait too long until they come out of their Beta stage. Things might change then, OK?

You can click on banner image to join.

Google is at it again. You know what? I am now immune. When my 3+ years Blogger blog is reduced to PR0, my indignation had gave way to indifference. Fellow comrades in the blogosphere who suffered the same fate are plentiful. So, I don’t exactly have the bragging rights how special I was being singled out by Google. Dang, I thought I’m the chosen one…

It’s a bright and sunny day, don’t worry be happy. What is happier than a person with no worries? When your PR hit 0, you have officially reach blogging nirvana. *pops a bottle of champagne*

By the way, I sure hope those hypocrites who declare they will not monetize their blogs anymore and beg for mercy from Google will stop talking. Hello? If you are not thinking of monetizing your blogs and from this day forth, solely blog for humanity and love of blogging, why the heck should you be concern about your PR? Jeez. Aren’t your passion for blogging and readers enough? (business blogs are exempted from my wrath)

Blogger Snoskred is holding a competition over at her blog to celebrate her pagerank drop. She is spreading a little love around so do check it out. By the way, I know this is not going to last forever, so, take out your popcorn or whatever and seize the moment and watch Google share drop. You don’t want to miss the fun.

Got back from Costa’s blog and once again he’s into something new. Ad exchange.

I’ve been thinking, for the regular semi-recreational blogs, paying to advertise our blog is out of the question. Semi-recreational blogs? Half personal half monetized with a little healthy dose of paid posts or ads. In other words, bloggers who won’t exactly make it to the rich and famous list through blogging. In view of our considerably meagre blog earnings, paying to advertise our blog just isn’t viable.

So, what prospect does the regular semi-personal blog holds in their quest to whore for a little exposure? The usual, join some networking site to make some friends and now, get into those free advertising exchange program like Entrecard. You can see the widget on my right column on top of ‘Free Ad Exchange.’

What’s the catch? Honest, I don’t really care as long as it is nice, legal (it is, right?) and FREE. From the blogger stand point, it is good networking getting other blogs to pimp your site. And of course vice versa. The only initial anxiety I had about signing up was to think what happens if nobody wants to put their ad on my blog?

Come to think of it, apart from a wounded ego, nothing. Zit. I’ll still live.

For the regular bloggers who don’t fancy paying for advertising, just sign up. It is never easy for little guys to survive in this competitive blogosphere. A little healthy back scratching does everybody some good.

The truth is you can’t. Not if you’re playing somebody’s game.

My blogging guru Costa wrote an interesting piece. I always enjoy Costa’s blog and I felt compelled to add my little 2 cents.

Firstly, when you play somebody’s game, you are forcing yourself into submission to play by the rules of the game. Let’s say Soccer. The winning soccer team is the one that put more balls behind the net. Easy. It would have been had it not stated in the soccer rulebook you have to do it by foot or head. That is the condition.

I cant’ get onto the field and start throwing balls with my hands. I’ll be fouled. I can find another game that I can make good use of my hands and feet but then it won’t be soccer. In all honesty, I can start a whole new ball game and call it hand and feet soccer. I can. But then getting the advertisers and fans to buy it will be another thing.

If I’m into the soccer thing to make money, a winning team, advertisers and fans who are willing to buy the tickets are a factor. They are a factor because this is where the money is. Not from the game itself, but from these people who are part of the soccer system. Rules and all.

Advertisers have no qualms throwing in millions to the winning team, or even players. They know soccer is the best loved game in the world. Advertisers don’t care if the team uses back hand tactics to win the game… as long as they win and they get their money’s worth. The team players can go on steroids for all they care… as long as they don’t get caught.

No offense to ball lovers, let’s say Google invented the game of soccer and the rules, how do you get on the field and play your game without adhering to Google’s rule?

There are two kind of advertisers here. One, they want publicity generated from the massive popularity of the game. Two, advertisers who are illegal pundits that resort to game fixing to win.

Most link buying advertisers are illegal pundits that try to get better of the system by hook or by crook. The interesting part is, they are trying to manipulate the rules and system but they never have the intention of replacing or overthrowing the current rulebook. In other words, these people do not want to do away the system… they want in. But just manipulate it to their advantage.

To me, that is pretty clear. These advertisers are still pretty damn obsess with the system therefore the Google hold continues.

To hell with these advertisers? But, but that’s where the money is… for the regular monetized blogs. Damn.