Direction: Which way do we go Boss? Which way do we go?
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Ahhhhhhh…the blossoming of a new site on the Net. A wondrous journey in light of insurmountable odds. Looking for an edge, the glory of fame, of popularity, or rewards for the efforts put forth. But…what are we? What direction are we going mate? Is Expats a copy of it’s writers former self? A come what may collection of writings with no firm grasp on any one? Search engines hate mutts…I know I have a mutt myself, and proud of it; but then, I’m not looking to get financially rewarded for my efforts, if my main goal was to make money there’s easier ways to do it than the route I took…but getting back…anyone who has an even meager knowledge of SEO knows that search engines love very topic-oriented sites, and the more topic /theme based the better.
The previous site, which we shall call ‘ Brat ‘, from which the writers of this site generated from was only popular due to the fact that it benefited from having traffic driven through cross-promotion from a very popular site. Now, some previous members would say that Brat was popular before the take-over, but I have yet to see any evidence of that being the case. The love affair with old-Brat smacked of exaggerated glory days, like old men playing chess in the park reminiscing about how great it was way back when. No…Brat was never as popular as it was when, we shall call him, ‘ Dopey ‘ took over and was able to redirect traffic from a popular site to his new acquisition. Yes…although Dopey was lacking in the ethical department, and couldn’t popularize a site alone if his life depended upon it, he did know that you can use one site to cross-promote another site.
This site, however, does not have the benefit of being associated with a highly popular site that can be used to prop-up this site. So…what can this site do to popularize itself? Well there are many ways to do that.
One way is to focus on one lone topic/subject. This is search engine heaven. SEO dream. To garner a lot of traffic you need to be very topic specific…you can’t be all over the place like a mutt. Unless, of course, you’re Reuters or CNN and have an established fan-base already. Is this a ‘ news ‘ site? A ‘ poetry ‘ site? A ‘ writer/novelist ‘ site? A ‘ bloggers ‘ site? There is no focus to this site…as it stands it presently is a carbon copy of Brat…and Brat itself is a poor copy of Hub. It would seem to me that the only real solution to this dilemma would be to create multiple sites focusing on each subject matter. And use those sites to cross-promote each other.
An Expats site devoted solely to news ( ie. Expats News ), another solely devoted to poetry ( ie. Expats Poetry ), another to writing, etc…
What made old Brat better than new Brat was that it was localized…localization serves almost the same value as being topic-oriented. Old Brat gained it’s popularity with it’s writers and with whatever traffic it could generate from being a local product. If you have a site devoted to, let’s say, Miami, then it can be a mutt because Miami is the topic.
Another way to generate traffic is to post…and post often…very often. Search engines like sites that update frequently. And the more frequent the better. One of the reasons, and perhaps the main reason why places like Digg, Hub, StumbleUpon, etc, are highly rated and popular sites with search engines is because there are 100′s, if not 1000′s, of new articles being written or submitted daily. Even though you will hear a lot of talk about ‘ quality content ‘, especially coming from these so-called SEO experts…the fact is, on the Net, quantity will always supersede quality. Look at places like Digg and StumbleUpon, they have no content, they just link to content. Their popularity doesn’t come from providing content at all, they are nothing more than highly touted link farms. Their popularity comes from constantly updated snippets of other people’s content provided in huge quantities.
So there you have it…the two most successful ways to take a site from obscurity to popularity.
Be topic-specific.
Produce in mass quantity.
Stay tuned for part two…maybe…
Copyright © 2011 TAZ: TheTAZZone Network
Whazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzup Babies!
Tags: commentary, popularity, quality, quantity, search engines, SEO, topic, traffic
Taz,
I hear what you are saying, but the site isn’t even officially up yet. Within six months, this site will look very different. The theme of this site is to be an online blogger newspaper/magazine. The site will be unique because there will be a core group of Expats that will share ad revenue. They will be recruiting other writers to contribute articles and this site will soon have hundreds of writers, reports, photojournalists, and artists contributing to the site. This will not be another Brat. If the Expats wish to open local sections of the Post, that is just fine with me. I’m sure MZ can make that happen.
The fact is, most experienced bloggers do not expect to make any money posting on sites. If they do, it is usually pennies on the dollar. For most contributors, that pretty much will still be true. However, at the Post, there will ultimately be 14 Expat members that will control the ethics and content of the site, and they will share 49% of the ad revenues.
I can assure you, this site will look a lot different once we officially launch. We are holding back because there is a lot of behind the scenes legal and structural work to do. However, once we officially open our doors, there will be a lot going on.
I’d like for you to revisit this article from time to time and tell us how we are doing. Three months, six months, this site should be really taking off and way cooler than that tired ol’ Brat.
We are looking at mid-January before we go official. So, let’s look at March and June to revisit this critique. Let’s first see what we can do. We are just getting started.
Sounds good Dean.
Even with a primary focus on localization, there’s no guaranteed slam dunk formula for success.
Examiner.com is probably example of this. Obviously we’re talking about a LOT of dough that was poured into the tech for that site, but they’ve established themselves as news, available to you locally, no matter what cave you live in.
And their reputation for that service is meh, hardly any more credible than any other site out there because they are selling themselves as a legitimate news source. I don’t think it’s our intention to be a news SOURCE to start out. We need content. Their (examiner’s) numbers have significantly dipped over the last 3 years, and equally significant is the rate writers can make per click. In my opinion, alchemy is the only way to a novel solution, even still, there’s no guarantee of a SEO monster.
By the way, the other site you refer to as the one “from which the writers of this site generated from” is nothing of the such. This is simply a depersonalization of who we are. And if you don’t know, you don’t know. And that’s ok.
My thinking, when it comes to this idea is if there’s a group of writers this talented, interested and determined to post here, then there might be TONS more similar minded writers with experiences that are similar in their dissatisfaction at what the net has offered them. It’s in our name and should be a part of how we are developed.
ALL in my opinion, of course…
Right On!
The Expat members of this site can say it far better than I can.
Samuel… I never said that it would be…if you had read the article you would have clearly understood that I was saying that search engines prefer topic-oriented sites more than mutt sites. Being popular with search engines doesn’t guarantee anything, but you have a better chance of being on their good side and having traffic driven to your site by them if you cater to them by making your site search engine friendly.
“By the way, the other site you refer to as the one “from which the writers of this site generated from” is nothing of the such. This is simply a depersonalization of who we are. And if you don’t know, you don’t know. And that’s ok.”
Sorry but if it looks like bullshit and smells like bullshit, it definitely is Bullshit. This site was specifically created out of discontent. If not for that discontent this site would never have existed.
“My thinking, when it comes to this idea is if there’s a group of writers this talented, interested and determined to post here, then there might be TONS more similar minded writers with experiences that are similar in their dissatisfaction at what the net has offered them. It’s in our name and should be a part of how we are developed.”
Then you better get your thinking caps on and come up with something other than a cookie-cutter copy of a 1000 other sites out there just like this.
Sorry but I’m not on the ‘ Rah Rah ‘ blind following bandwagon. I call it as I see it…and the fact is I hope Dean and MZ has a few ideas spinning in the background ready to pounce out, because this site, as it is, right now, isn’t going to cut it.
And that is my opinion…
and I could be wrong…I was wrong once before in 1937…well, at least, I thought I was wrong.
Don’t get me wrong…
I’m not dissin’ the site…I’m just critiquing it, and offering my albeit limited opinion on how the Net and SEO works.
Now I could just be a wafer suck-up and say ” oh wow, great site, very unique, amazingly well put together, I’ll bet it’s in the top 100 within a year…great job guys, looking forward to a phenomenal first year!!!!!!!!! ”
But…
I don’t believe that’s what Dean or MZ wants. I believe they want honest straightforward no-nonsense feedback. Because that’s how you improve a site.
Unless I’m wrong…in which case ignore everything but:
” oh wow, great site, very unique, amazingly well put together, I’ll bet it’s in the top 100 within a year…great job guys, looking forward to a phenomenal first year!!!!!!!!! ”
Taz, You are right in believing we do not need “wafer suck-up” comments. Your “honest straightforward no-nonsense feedback” is important for all the Expats to consider. We will need to find a niche for ourselves in order to thrive. While I have no grand illusions or expectations like being on the top 100, I do expect us to out-score that other site in Alexis within the next six months. For me, that would be a good start.
However, a better start would be sending our Expats $100 a month within the next six months. That would mean generating roughly $3000 a month in ad revenue to do so. Now imagine in two years that month payout becomes $500 or more. That would be a success for me. How many small sites have bloggers earning that kind of money?
Expats Post may or may not be, one day, a huge site. However, even if it is a small site that pays 14 bloggers $500 a month or more, it will be a successful site.
I’ve been thinking about how so many folks getting involved in internet business want to create the next big business. I’m interested in creating the next small internet business that benefits the contributors. If this model works, we can franchise.
For the record, my share of the ad revenue will go back to pay many of the operating costs of the site in the first six months. I will make nothing. I am assuming I will earn nothing from this project in the first year. Instead, I will have invested just over $5000 to put this project into action. The same I offered Dopey to sell the Brat. As far as I am concerned, this is a great ivestment. Especially under the new small business profit sharing model we are creating.
Of course, please correct my numbers, but I believe a “small business” operates under something like thirty million dollars? Can an internet site, operating under a small business model, manage to make an interesting newspaper/magazine popular enough to allow 14 bloggers to “Write to Live”?
That will be one of the many questions the 14 Expats will have to address.
I think the best thing you have going for you right now Dean is your enthusiasm and motivation…you might remember that I wrote an article on Brat about blogger procrastination and lack of motivation as being one of the main reasons why bloggers don’t get anywhere, why most of them fail to ever reach their expectations, become disenchanted and settle for mediocrity.
As long as you have the motivation and desire anything is possible. My participation here is because of your enthusiasm. The motivation you expressed in our conversations on Facebook. If I didn’t think you were up for the challenge…believe me…
I wouldn’t be here.
Somewhat late to this party, but I would pose the question, “Who are we?” If we “live to write,” with verve and flair, we may accomplish much that is worth doing.
In terms of financial return, let us attend to first things first; make skillful choices where they present themselves, and work with one another for the general good of the site and us all.
There are many competitors and a plethora of options, but I am confident if we fulfill our potential we will be able to distinguish ourselves.
Tazz…making a splash as usual!
The one thing this site has that has already separated itself from others is the good, consistent work the writers put out. Additionally, they are all highly supportive of one another, and have a sincere interest in the success of the site. That last one is more important than any other factor in my opinion.
I, like Dean, think it’s a good idea to revisit this 6 months from now.
Thank you for the feedback Taz
You do have good points, and you do skip on a whole lot more!
Our young site is built on solid foundation: A group of bloggers, writers and artists who have the passion for the written word, the conviction to stand by their words, support each other and the desire to make it happen.
Regardless of “How“ and “Why” we started this site the vision stays the same:
“To have the best our writings can offer to our readers.”
We are Apolitical, even if the name “Expats” implies it; we do not belief in censorship, and other than the standard: No Hate materials, patently offensive, Illegal…etc; if you can offer quality content to our readers; you are welcome to join us and start posting. Otherwise; I will not be commenting on your article right now!
As for S.E.O; I can oblige you with an extended reply, but rest assure that it is taken under consideration, but if you ask me the question: “Multiple sites helping each other in traffic or one main site benefiting from a mixing bowl of rich content?”, I will always go for the Main Site, though you might have missed Expats Poetry link in the Hot Zone on the right sidebar for starters. Only because Poetry as you know needs peace and quiet to be enjoyed, Expats Post is not meant to be neither.
Looking forward to more of your input, and for us: Brat is ancient history!
“you do skip on a whole lot more!”
Yes…I do…but then I was only focusing on two items, not all items.
“if you can offer quality content to our readers; you are welcome to join us and start posting. ”
There is no ‘ start ‘ involved…I have already contributed 6 articles to this site…if you don’t believe I have provided quality content you’re welcome to delete my account.
” Otherwise; I will not be commenting on your article right now! ”
Well, actually you just did
…and feel free to continue to comment any time.
“Only because Poetry as you know needs peace and quiet to be enjoyed, Expats Post is not meant to be neither.”
And that’s good because I am neither peaceful or quiet…just like Brat, or any other site I attend, I will speak my mind regardless of whether or not people are offended by it.
As writers you should not only expect but you should encourage critiquing…a writer that is offended by that shouldn’t write. In fact…
most of the articles on this site are critiques… be it a movie review or a political statement…it would be highly ironic, given that the writers on this site critique others that they would be offended by being critiqued.
“Looking forward to more of your input”
You should be.
“and for us: Brat is ancient history! ”
Again more bullshit…
until Expats establishes it’s own identity, and comes into it’s own, it is just a copy-cat version of Brat. Like Dean said we’ll revisit this in about 6 months and see.
Unless of course you prefer to delete my account.
Hello Taz,
Hold your horses
“If you offer quality….” was not directed at you, I should have said: Anyone, you are already a member of our site, and you should refer to it as such!
We do not need to play that broken record, copycat…wait and you will see!
And if you do not keep voicing your points and concerns for the betterment of our site, I will delete your account
“Thank you for the feedback Taz”
You’re welcome.
Just like on Brat…I will probably write or post several articles on blogging, SEO, traffic, etc…( intermixed will other articles )…you can either look at them as a positive or a negative.
While I do not believe we are a copycat site, nor will we ever be, Taz’s article and comments have stirred up a debate and I think that is healthy. Agree or disagree with what he has to say, it’s all good with me. It’s all just one person’s opinion and perspective. Personally, I like to be questioned, challenged and pushed to succeed. I have no problems with anything Taz has said.
Anyway, I think when we launch, it will ultimately be up to the Expat members to decide who will get deleted and who will stay. These are just some of the details we are still working on. Although MZ is the tie breaker. My only role in such decisions will be as a fill in Expat member when need be.
“We do not need to play that broken record, copycat…wait and you will see!”
I hope to see.
“And if you do not keep voicing your points and concerns for the betterment of our site, I will delete your account”
Sounds like a plan
“it’s all good with me. It’s all just one person’s opinion and perspective.”
And that’s all it ever amounts to.
” Personally, I like to be questioned, challenged and pushed to succeed.”
Absolutely!
“I have no problems with anything Taz has said. ”
Of course you don’t.
“We are looking at mid-January before we go official. So, let’s look at March and June to revisit this critique. Let’s first see what we can do. We are just getting started.”
Well….it’s near the end of May, should we revisit this?
Alrighty…been almost a year, time for a review. As of right now Expats is sitting in the high 4 million on Alexa and has a PR of 2.
Not exactly what you expected Dean, but exactly what I expected.
What does this teach us? That good writers who write and publish often isn’t what sells a site. Otherwise you’d be in the top 200,000 with a PR of 4 or better.
My site, by contrast, had only me for the first few years, and was in the top 400,000 with a PR of 5 the first year. And has consistently been in the top 250,000 every year since.
With two exceptions…the time Google punished us for not following their ‘ no-follow ‘ guidelines ( which at the time I was completely unaware of )…and very recently we were hit by malware and was blocked for about a month ( which devastated my sites, I almost shut everything down because of it ) and which we are still recovering from.
But despite those incidents we’re still sitting around 400,000 and with a PR of 3.
No need for anyone to get defensive, I use comparisons to help understand a situation. Obviously, if after 1 year you guys are still in the millions on Alexa you’re either doing something wrong, or you’re not doing something that you should be.
I personally don’t think you’re doing something wrong…you have a good-looking site ( whether using the Gabfire theme or the present one by Magazine3 ), great writers, who publish often…that leaves not doing something you ought to be doing.
If I had you guys on my site my site would be in the top 100,000 within one year, possibly the top 25,000 by the end of 2015. The only thing my site is missing is a crew of great writers.
My advice? The same advice I gave on that other site which was ignored and was regulated into that abyss we call indifference and complacency.
In a word: cooperation.
More precisely: You people are contributing…but you are NOT cooperating. As a result you’re not benefiting from your contributions.