Top 5 FeedBurner Feeds
I know there is nothing hardcore statistically correct about my method for finding the top 5 FeedBurner feeds, but I found the information interesting nevertheless. To be honest I'm not sure if the list contains the most subscribers, highest page rank, or search volume, but Google seems to think these are the top 5 feeds worth subscribing to.
- Adventure Sports - No subscriber feed listing number of feedburner subscribers but he does have a FeedBurner email signup, RSS Icon, Google Reader, and Bloglines subscription chiclet.
- My Way The Entrepreneur Network - Again, no listing of how many RSS subscribers, but the site does offer Kindle, FeedBurner, and FeedBlitz RSS subscription Icons.
- Rede WebTuga - Site is down, notice of the future home of Rede WebTuga Feedburner Network.
- BizJournals - They offer two locations where a user can subscribe to their feed, simple text, and then bright orange RSS button and box above the content.
- The Conservative Blog Network - Network of various blogs, usually displaying simple RSS buttons and an email signup.
Unfortunately I don't feel like I really learned anything from the list above, other than the power of having an email signup to subscriptions. Obviously this will offer 2 benefits, one you get more subscribers and a way to get your updates directly to their inbox, where they are more likely to check everyday...unlike some Readers that are used rarely. Second, you are starting to build a list of emails that can be accessed via FeedBurner and used for other marketing purposes.
Now, what value does being on the list above have to the site owners...probably none considering any searches will result in actual blog pages being found. However, it's still neat to see what's most popular out there in the eyes of Google.
Stupid Hippies
I found out via our local news yesterday that a group of hippies were protesting the construction of I-69, the new interestate that would essentially connect Evansville, IN to Indianapolis, IN. Apparently they decided to climb up in some trees and camp out in hopes to keep the giant land leveling machines from doing their job. pfft, stupid hippies. Yes, they were all arrested.
Well, these dirty followers were not happy, so what did they do the next day they were released on bail? They went to the office building of the engineering company responsible for the construction and busted out a number of their windows. Basically they went all neanderthal chucked rocks like a freakin monkey in anger. What did this change? Lol, nothing and I hope they die from whatever animal they are trying to save attacking them.
I can't help but ask myself how these 15-20 twentysomethings find time to protest and throw rocks at buildings. I mean, do they not have jobs? They can't, at least full time ones, and still have the time to follow someone who pretends to have a big heart. It's like a cult, Scientology, or any other week minded group of people looking to find the shortest distance between their shitty existence and making a difference.
Add Amazon Affiliate Links To Blog Posts
I'm always game for finding a way to simply my work and currently I'm using a number of helpful scripts to get my job done. Often times finding a script that makes adding affiliate links to Word Press blog posts is just what the Dr. ordered, which is why I utilize phpBay. I've also discussed the benefits of using phpBay, how it can also help with unique content and getting search traffic for long tail keywords.
Today I came across a new plugin that I'm hoping will make my life easier, WP-Amazon. This neat little plugin makes configuring my Amazon Associates ID and searching items to add to posts a breeze. WP-Amazon adds an Amazon search bar to the side of your 'Write' post screen, where you can find an item, select options and automatically add it to your posts. I'm eager to see how this will save me time and convert visitors to affiliate sales.
Perhaps the maker of WP-Amazon should look into creating a similar plugin for big CJ affiliates as well. There is no doubt I could find a use for a similar wp plugin for NewEgg and others.
See below for an example of what an Amazon product added to a blog post with WP-Amazon looks like.
I'll be coming up with a full review of this plugin, along with other suggestions in the next few days. After my first post I'm noticing a few bugs that screw with my display, but no big deal. Furthermore, having a nice template print out instead of a drag and drop image and title would be beneficial as well. I'll do some searching and be back later.
phpBay Helps With Long Tail Keywords
It's taken a little while, but I'm starting to see some side benefits from running phpBay on my blogs. Of course being a good SEO boy I try to target keywords within certain posts, unfortunately there are always the less popular that you never hit. These long tail keywords are either not worth the time to research or are simply missed in the grand scheme. Thanks to phpBay I've been able to get in on the search traffic from these less than popular keywords and bring an additional level of traffic.
For example, I may be writing a post about a 2010 Ford Mustang and obviously focus on that search keyword. Once I enter in my phpBay code I can then set low priced items that have to do with Mustangs, in this case key chains, which will be displayed with their listing title off of eBay. Thanks to these, often times key word stuffed, titles I'm now bringing in some side traffic to those specific posts, where a visitor is likely to click.
So you see the value of phpBay out weighs it's initial affiliate value and can do it's own part to bring in traffic without any additional work. Free ever changing content, on each individual blog post, Google loves it and now so am I.
Auctiva
[original content removed]
First, thanks to the CEO of Auctiva for having a pair and calling me direct on this, it does say something about the character of the owner. Second, this post will be reserved for further insight into the Auctiva business practices that have been reported to me, with the hope that case studies will become available so that I'm not considered just a blogger spouting lies. Lord knows I don't have the pocket book for that and also have what some would consider morals. If what I find is completely contrary to what was originally reported on Auctiva, yes, an apology will be written.
Lastly, to whom it may concern, threatening a person willing to work and listen to you is just bad business practice and frankly makes you look like a dick. Check in your support department, I'm the one who called you back.
My Verizon Chocolate Sucks
I found out about 2 years ago that my LG flip phone was not water proof or at least river proof. Therefore I had to spring for a new phone and because I didn't carry Verizon's insurance I had to pay full tilt. The Chocolate was the coolest thing out at the time, so I sprung for one of those, paying almost $300, and it was the worst $300 I've ever spent.
For about 2 weeks after the purchase the phone was great, but soon afterward the touch sensitive buttons reared their ugly heads. Forget calling out when you are sweaty, forget sliding open the phone and not calling the first person on your contact list, and forget about playing MP3's unless you purchase their $100 package for software and memory card. I was pissed, but at least I had a phone again, which I protected with an insurance plan.
Finally a few months ago I got fed up and decided to call Verizon's insurance company to see about getting a replacement. I was informed that I was required to pay a $50 premium to qualify for a new phone, the same crappy Chocolate mind you. That didn't set well with me, so I took my complaints to a Verizon dealer in the local mall.
As it turns out Verizon dealers in malls are not required to have a personality, be polite, or even look you in the eye unless you are buying a new Blueberry. After pulling up my account I was informed the only thing I could do was use my upgrade to get a 2 year pricing plan price on a new phone and/or pay $50 to get my phone replaced by Verizon, not the insurance company. To upset my situation even further I was astounded to find that Verizon doesn't even offer an inexpensive phone anymore. For a phone with basic picture and text messaging you had to pay around $100 WITH a 2 year plan. Outrageous, especially how I was just treated by a man who spent too much time in a salon.
Are you bored yet? If not, then read on to find out how I argued with a Verizon store's actual manager on duty about getting some phone, kinda cheap, without signing another agreement.
The moment I entered the Verizon store I was bombarded by the manager on duty trying to act like she cared, but really just sign me up for another 2 year plan. It was after 45 minutes of arguing that she finally conceded that they offered 1 year plans and that I could actually have my phone replaced for the $50 fee and a $20 service charge. Apparently the price just keeps going up depending on who you talk to in customer service. I reluctantly agreed to this charge, since I didn't want to commit to another contract, and was told to see the manager in the service dept.
How To Get A Free New Phone From Verizon
It's amazing, but I was immediately informed by the manager in the service department that my phone qualified to be replaced FOR FREE! He informed me that most of Verizon's phones come with an extended service plan that state if the phone were to have a malfunction within your contract, they will replace it with the same phone for free. For free, did you hear me? No need to sign another contract, no need to pay nickel and dime games for service fees, only walk in, transfer your contacts and here is your new phone nothing attached. The polite gentlemen behind the counter informed me that Verizon insisted on keeping it's customers in a working phone while they sere under an agreement. Of course a salesman isn't going to tell you this.
Verizon Customer Service Sucks
I asked the Verizon service manager if every Verizon kiosk would be able to tell this information from my account. I was informed that it's clear as day on your account, pulled up on any Verizon computer. I feel that I was lied to, misled, and abused for several hours by Verizon's customer service just so they could try and bully me into an extended plan or new phone. Maybe when my contract is up in August I'll be looking at what AT&T has to offer.
 Samsung SCH U740 Alias NEW PHONE COMES WITH BLUETOOTH  US $150.00
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 Samsung SCH U740 Alias Verizon Wireless US $56.00
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 BLACK Samsung SCH U740 Alias Verizon Wireless US $100.00
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Difference Between Character and Charisma
With Hussein getting the nomination yesterday, it's got me thinking a lot about how he actually made it as far as he has. Is the American public so confused on real topics, so disgruntled, that it's easier to just judge a candidate on his ability to appeal to the masses? I mean, it's easier to understand when an individual is speaking your language, saying what you want to hear, than actually focus on topics that matter and can lead to confrontation.
I'd compare the democrat campaign trail this year as a herd of zebras, dazzling the American public with black and white stripes, to distract from the individual. A voter can get lost in the stripes because they can't focus on one and that one gets away.
That one would be Hussein and his ability to motivate people, draw huge crowds, yet still say nothing. Meanwhile traditional news outlets hold him up as a minority leader, yet he truly stands for nothing. Attend one of his many rallies and tell me one thing he stands for, besides hope and change. I mean, I can preach hope and change, but does it really do any good unless there is actual character behind the charisma? Does it do any good if there is no goal, specific topic on which to stand proud on either side of the fence? What defines character, how well you say things, or how well you do things?
I'm afraid that Hussein is living in a delusional world, one that many of us grew up in and were sheltered by. After all, if we say things enough they become true, if we want something enough, we'll get it, right? Wrong! The liberal ideal is what is corrupting us now and will get even worse if one gains control of the highest seat our country can offer. Not everyone is equal and the government should not play the great equalizer.
Rush Limbaugh brought up a phenomenal point today in regards to Martin Luther Kings great speech.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
We are simply not judging Hussein on his character, which speaks volumes to how far we have come since MLK's dream. We are talking up his race, his religon, the way he speaks, the way he holds himself, but not on his character. When bringing up his character, based on association with his preacher, we are shot down. So again, what defines character?
I think we all know, but are afraid of the race card, because character takes a back seat.
My Daughter Playing In Pool
I bought a new camera the other day, a Cannon HG10 and needless to say it's already got at on of use. This is the first video I've got to put on YouTube and it's of my 9month old daughter Emma playing in her new pool.
Enjoy the cuteness.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=335GF_hQpcI]
ACRU TO CRU Ratio
Yes, I'm on an EPN kick this month and with good reason, since it's currently one of my leading earners in the affiliate realm. I'm getting a pretty decent number of bids, considering the limited traffic I'm pulling in, but what I feel I'm struggling with is converting CRU's(When a new user registers to ebay) to ACRU's(when said new user makes a winning bid or BIN).
Below are my stats so far in May:
CRU ACRU Bids Winning Bids
10 4 158 56
Keep in mind that I'm not selling low priced items, so even at 56 winning bids my EPN earnings are fairly high. ;) I guess I'm just greedy for those $25 ACRU's, but they are just not converting. Hopefully as the cookie carries over for the 30 days it will give them an opportunity to win one of the other 102 bids that were placed so I get that commission and ACRU commission.
Is anyone else having similar issues in the month of May?
EPN Announces Problems and Fixes
It looks like the eBay Partner Network is finally addressing some problems that date back to the beginning of April, unfortunately it doesn't look like problems that most are concerned with. You can find a list of fixes and bugs that they've squashed on the EPN Blog. Judging by the EPN discussion forums and other webmaster forums most people were concerned with actual ACRU and revenue reporting issues. Personally, I've not experienced any problems.
According to the EPN blog they have addressed issues like Customer Support downtime, confirming registrations, API Id's and the like. These issues do not discuss anything to do with their possible reporting errors with a small percentage of their publishers. I'm still assuming that the ones having problems are just not use to the swing cycle of online marketing, especially on a garage sale affiliate network. Guess what, people are outside this time of year and they don't have any money anyways.
I think Yoda knows what he is talking about, 'Patience'.
Check out the full post for the list of fixes on the EPN.
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