Main reasons to contribute to the SBI! Forum or any Forum
Over the weekend, some friends of mine asked me don't I feel it's a waste of time participation in the SBI! Forum where my time is spent more to answer fellow SBIers questions rather than posing a question to improve my online endeavours (refer to the postings on
Duplicate Content and
Article Marketing which obviously my friends have read in the previous days).
Well, "it's NOT and NEVER a waste of time" was my prompt respond to them.
Yes, one obvious reason is to gain some publicity for my site as well as credibility to me - unless my answers are useless or irrelevant (which I'll make sure before hand that they are not).
But the real reason for me is that the SBI! Forum is a place for like minded business community goals who utilize SBI! with similar business goals. Hence, it's not only a place to ask and learn but also a place to help, especially the struggling/confused SBIers.
In life (and business actually), I believe in the philosophy that "
the more you give, the more you will get back".
But I'll make sure that I won't spend too much unnessary time at the Forum as well. My time is limited as I can only post after office hours as I still have to perform supremely at my demanding and stressful day job.
Of course, my postings at the SBI! Forum can also be a source for something else..., something that can help my online business.
That reason I'll tell you in a day or two, if I'm not too tied-up at work.
Wait for it..., will you?
Bloggers beware libel lawsuits
Local web-loggers or bloggers on the Internet as they are candidly referred to had better watch their cyberspace.
For if they are found to be violating the local libel laws or not being properly registered as required by existing laws, they may be bogged down with lawsuits and even criminal prosecution.
This is the message that was sounded yesterday by the relevant authorities and legal experts who have been following a series of libelous statements appearing in some of those so-called blogs.
A weblog may not have been heard of over four years ago but it is now becoming popular around the world and fast becoming another means of mass communication.
The changes in cyberspace have created a cycle of challenges in the world though its benefits undoubtedly have opened more opportunities and affected the lives of many people.
Brunei too faces such an acid test as the presence of local web-loggers proliferate. Blogging can be considered as publishing and this similarity shows that it is susceptible under the nation's Newspaper Act, authoritative sources said.
Blogging has become something of an 'in' thing for many youths.
It may sound innocent or it may be only a source of entertainment, yet how much knowledge these bloggers have on the legal aspects of their webblog is still questionable.
Some young and gullible ones innocently open up their own webblog and invite others for comments without realising that they actually have to register with the authorities, sources added.
Some have questioned whether these people are aware that they are liable under the nation's Internet Law and that their words, comments or the information they are 'blogging' in their weblog is also liable under the country's Libel Law.
The daily blog that chronicled the daily lives of a blogger might seem harmless enough and that some have also provided some useful constructive comments. However, when it is used as a daily form of personal attack, here is where the danger lies.
Anonymity is the name of the game and many have hidden behind fanciful nicknames or pseudonyms attacking individuals or organisations and using a third party host, posting vulgarities and obscenities with no consideration at all. It is this anonymity that is making blogging the preferred choice to air their discords and views, according to observers.
Lawyers in Brunei said that this anonymity however does not mean that they are immune to prevailing laws in the country.
Others might argue that a blog has similarities to Internet forums that have become the avenue of open discussions but one safety aspect of these forums is that a Webmaster monitors it continuously. Any irresponsible comment or personal attack or even any indication of defamatory remarks will be censored or removed.
Weekend Bulletin learnt that the authorities are keeping a close tab on bloggers, following a spat of complaints by aggrieved parties.
A senior government official told the Bulletin that bloggers must abide by the Internet code of practice and not post contents that are against the public interest and national harmony. It must not offend good taste and decency.
Some local lawyers are reportedly working on several cases of defamation and libel that originated on the Internet. Though not elaborating more on these legal cases, one of them simply said that her clients have been mentioned in a website and that some defamatory comments have been made.
Already in Singapore, a student had to shut down his blog after a libel threat was made when he criticised a government agency. Also in China, a lawsuit has been filed against a blog website when it published insults directed at a professor.
Interesting indeed that a leading Borneo newspaper is touching on the subject. I guess blogging is getting more attention in this part of the woods nowadays albeit negatively?
Anyway, I guess my SBI! Blog shouldn't be an issue for the authority? Unless I defame Ken Evoy or Site Sell Inc. Now, why should I do that when my SBI! journey is so far so good and I don't expect any hitch to my online goal?
Duplicate Content - more Q&A
More on duplicate content and article marketing at the
SBI Forum recently...
Below are several questions from Christopher (
football-england.com) and my replies (basically my 2 cent worth of advice based on my past experience, and trails and errors):
Q: As far as duplicate content goes, is it better to write an article and submit it to just one directory? Would submitting the same article to dozens of places not be classed as link spamming?
A: Submitting your article to Article Directories is similar to submitting your web site to the Search Engines/Directories. I don't see how it can be classified as link spamming.
Q: Also, is it wise to be duplicating your own site content in other places for the same reason?
A: This is Google's no. 1 definition of content duplication (not so much article duplication in retrospect). Never duplicate your site content at other places (why do you need to do that?) especially at your other web sites.
Q: Would a well written keyword rich article not get a good ranking at a directory anyway, bringing traffic with it?
A: Not if it has thousands other web pages with the same well written keyword rich article to compete with for SE top positions.
Q: I'm just starting off on the road with writing articles - I've got loads of site content that would make good articles, but I'm a little loathe to publish them elsewhere for the above reasons.
A: Christopher, Just get them publish (at your site first) and start by manually submitting to the top 5-10 Article Directories and your niche's directories. It will do your site more good than harm in terms of traffic.
Just make sure to make the same article (that you submit to the article directories) a bit unique at your web page (e.g., rewrite at least the first paragraph, change the title slightly, etc.).
Q&A on Article Marketing and Duplicate Content
Early this week, I found myself some time and browse to
SBI! Forum - The Place For Friendly, Success-Focused Discussion. And I even had the time to reply to some confusions on article marketing and duplicate content which I think might interest you as follows:
Stephanie from gifts-babies-love.com wrote:I've been thinking about duplicate content and article strategy for a few months now, and I'm wondering if there might be several useful strategies.
Richard, what if you're writing articles that are not going to appear on your own site? That's been my strategy so far. I just use the articles and press releases to get backlinks and traffic. So the only duplicate content is from the various web sites that pick up the article.
In that case, would you think it's a good idea to just submit to one or two major article directories or does it matter, since my site wouldn't be the one penalized?
Secondly, awhile back Debs suggested to me that I should write articles for my site, let them reside there for awhile, then submit to the directories, like after a few weeks. What do you think of that idea now that the SEs seem to be changing a bit?
As for the blog strategy, would you be using the blog to direct people into articles on your site or what? Not sure I understand this....
Thanks so much for a lively and helpful discussion!
Stephanie
-----------
My reply as follows:Hi there Stephanie,
You should definitely write for your site first.
Your strategy to get backlinks and traffic at present may be working well (and faster) but in the long run, you should think of your web site first and foremost.
The future of your article being continued to be listed by the Article Directories is beyond your control.
The future of Article Directory web sites are also at the mercy of the leading SEs (i.e., they may be out of business if Google suddenly consider them as encouraging link spamming or content duplication).
But the future of your site is determined by you. Your article will still be online (unless you take it off) and continue to be indexed by the SEs and pick up by other publishers - bringing you ever increasing traffic and backlinks.
As for Deb's (Debs from debtsteps.com) suggestion, it is still spot on whatever the SEs decide to do/change.
As I'd mentioned previously, it is better to publish your article at your site first (or get your web page indexed first by the SEs) before submitting to Article Directories..., for many reasons including the one I'd explained above.
As for blogging? It is a different ball game altogether. But Stephanie, there is no harm to direct people to your article via your blog, or publish the whole article there.
AnneMarie from disaster-tax-relief.com, use both ezine and blog as blog is still in its infancy and still not many people subscribe to or know what it is.
Hope the above will be helpful.
Cheers from Borneo,
Rich
P.S. May I repeat that - your site will not likely get penalized for publishing someone else's article, or for your article being published at someone else's site.
The Most Useful Keyword Research Site
Keyword research is the first crucial step for almost anything to do with starting, running or expanding a web business. Whether you are trying to find ideas on what business/niche to start online or what to sell, what keyword/keyphrase to use for Search Engine Optimization, or for advertising (i.e., pay per click). Those utilizing Google Adsense program (or its variant) to generate extra revenue also generally depends on keyword research to pull in more higher paying ads.
However, although there are simply too many keyword research tools or softwares around these days that it can be rather difficult to choose which one to utilize. AND the effectiveness of the tool/software may not be the same for all purposes.
What may be excellent for SEO may not be too relevant for finding a niche business.
To find out which tools/softwares that may work for you, you can get lots of information at one of the best web sites (perhaps the only one at present) with regards to Keyword Research -
keywordworkshop.com - which is owned by the well respected Allan Gardyne of
AssociatePrograms.com and assisted by Jay Stockwell.
This is a newly created web site with tons of information based on extensive research on the various types of Keyword Research programs around on the Net today. The web site was actually entirely converted from a very useful report entitled "Keyword Research Tools" by Jay Stockwell.
Keywordworkshop.com reviews and gives recommendations for keyword research tools that are suitable for various purposes such as for:
As far as
Site Build It! is concern, keywordworkshop.com recommends SBI!
Brainstorm It! keyword research tool for Niche Miners, which is appropriately what SBI! is all about. But after using Brainstorm It! for about half a year, I beg to differ.
I found Brainstorm It! excellent for not only finding/starting a niche web site, but also good for SEO as well as for Adsense income. I suppose I may have the luxury to use a newly updated version of Brainstorm It! (only updated less than a month ago) which I will explain more in a later thread.
Additionally, I found that if you use Brainstorm It! in conjuction with other SBI! module such as
Search It! (more than just a keyword research tool), you can do excellent keyword research for say, getting good paying ads for Adsense.
Of course, there is a Pay Per Click HQ in SBI! which can be quite useful for Pay Per Click advertisers.
Instead of sounding too bias, my point here is that, personally, SBI! would be less complicated and maybe even much cheaper than purchasing different tools/softwares for different keyword research functions.
At least that's what I felt based on my past experience.
Regardless,
keywordworkshop.com is much more about just the reviews of different keyword research tools/softwares. The web site can be an invaluable place to learn more about the basics of keyword research.
For free keyword research tools, please visit the link below:
Free Keyword Research Tools
Just Introduced: Monetize It! Beta Version
After a busy month, I'd just notice that the beta version for the much awaited Monetize It! had been introduced - at the Brainstormer page (part of SBI! Brainstorm It module. Monetize It! basically consists of:
Content Building
Ad Selling
PPC Buying
I've tried the Content Building module and I'm quite impressed by its functionality. Just a click (or two the most), it showed high-Keyworth keywords for which I could utilized to create more "profitable" content. On top of that, it also provide me an avenue to get more out of existing content.
I can also search for high visitor counts with low profit potential -- how can I monetize those visitors better? That is just the beginning. I'm still familiarizing and is finding more ways to slice and dice the data available to help me create more profitable content... and to make my existing content more profitable!
Click here for more information about Monetize It! from an earlier thread.
Well, profitable for me at this stage is still non-monetary in concept as I've not added any monetization model yet until my web page is ready (refer When Do You Monetize Your Web Site)
