I'm counting down until I can get to see 'The Dark Knight' this weekend. Let's hope it won't disappoint like some other recent blockbusters I could mention. In the meantime, you may have noticed I've been tweaking the site here and there trying to fix some irritating browser issues. I've been a Firefox user for a long time and find it hard to understand why some people still insist on using IE. But some of you do, so I've been working on hacking the code to make this site appear more consistent and clean for you.
Last time I checked, though, I noticed that IE users number far less than Firefox users among my visitors. The ratio is quite different and the rankings reversed from the standard online split between the two. So I salute the fact that my readership is obviously smarter and more technically discerning. Bravo.
For those IE users reading this and wondering what I've got against you, I have nothing against you at all. Just the bugs in your browser.
Entrecard
You may have noticed I have started experimenting with Entrecard. (For those of you that didn't notice, it's that 125x125 advert in the sidebar listed as 'Blog of the Day'.) The idea is that Entrecard bloggers need to visit enough blogs each day to gain credits that can be exchanged for advertising on other blogs. This then boosts traffic. Hopefully.
Actually, the vast majority of the traffic is from Entrecard users themselves merely looking to 'drop' their card and earn a credit. Therefore, they rarely stay to read. The bounce rate is high and the time spent on site has gone through the floor. But, you know what? I don't care.
Entrecard, like StumbleUpon, is about producing vast volumes of traffic to create more opportunities for discoveries. Just like my SU traffic, Entrecard visitors are numerous, but often click on through without stopping. But it's all about the percentages. If I get 500 hits from Entrecard users every day, but only a small percentage stick around or subscribe, it still builds my blog better than not having them at all. In the few days I've been involved, I have already received some incredible feedback from the few that did stick around - particularly from Netta at Word Webbing - showing that I can at least network with a few other strong blogs. Even if 500 daily Entrecard visitors only results in one extra subscriber a day, I'm still a winner. One new subscriber a day over a few months produces a pretty strong blog. (PS. if you haven't already subscribed, hit the orange button in the sidebar or enter your email address. It's free and keeps you in touch.)
Also, large amounts of traffic can be useful in other ways. For those of you that care about Alexa rankings, receiving high amounts of traffic - regardless of their quality - can boost your ranking and increase your reach. These are all figures that can then be used to further market the blog.
Anyway, it is early days. Do me a favour and check out the blogs I've chosen to appear in my Entrecard widget - there are some particularly good ones coming up. But don't click on it until you have finished reading this post.
Keyword Searches
Every now and then, I like to check on the search engine keywords people are using that bring them to my site. Almost always, I am not presented with keywords I would expect or hope for - like "how to become a writer" or "copywriting" - but am presented with phrases that either have me banging my head against the wall or giggling uncontrollably to myself.
So it was with a snigger and a thump that I looked at the latest list of most commonly used search terms bringing traffic to this blog.
By far the front runner is 'How to become a superhero' where I currently appear as one of the top results in Google. No, that isn't a joke. People actually think Google will tell them how to gain superpowers and fight crime. With variations on this phrase ('how to be a superhero' for example) also appearing strongly in the top ten, this quest for superpowers is a steady traffic flow for me.
Of course, what they are presented with in the Google results is my article 'How to Become a Superhero' - a satirical countdown of the ridiculous methods comic books use in superhero origins. This did elicit a rather offensive comment (not published) - presumably from one of these hopeful Google clickers - that the article was 'stupid' and 'unhelpful'. Because I am sure there are many websites out there promoting a realistic five-step plan to irradiating yourself in the hope of Hulking out or walking up walls when needed.
What's even scarier is that some of these people probably have driver's licenses. The guy in the next lane to you driving home tonight may be crazy enough to think superpowers are real and spandex is a practical all-weather outfit. And he's in charge of fast-moving heavy machinery. Time to get that roll-cage fitted and start wearing the helmet.
The other group of common keyword searches continues to vex me. 'How to copywrite my screenplay' is only one example of the hundreds of keyword searches driving traffic to my blog in the hope I can answer their legal questions on 'copyright'. That's right - it's COPYRIGHT people. Copywriting is something else entirely, as I pointed out in my post on the different definitions of 'Copy Write Versus Copyright'.
Rule one in anyone's quest to want to become a writer - understand the difference between two words that will have a significant bearing on your future career - if you ever get one. This keyword mistake sends about 2 or 3 visitors to my blog every single day - and each time it is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I want to reach through the monitor screen, grab them by their IP address and revoke their right to claim to be a writer until they've swallowed a dictionary or two.
Okay, the breathing exercises help sometimes. Calm blue ocean. Calm blue ocean. Calm blue ocean.
Kimota Around the Web
Rounding up any other articles I may have pushed out into the online space in the last seven days.
Over at Planet Domain, I relaunched their news centre with an article on the importance of optimising your website and Adwords campaign to convert more customers. 'You're Fired. Is Your Adwords Campaign a Bad Salesman?'
'Nett Magazine' has recently uploaded a lot of recent articles onto their website, including some of the 'Kick Start' panels I am involved with. I am called in once a month to participate on an industry panel to advise a new start up business owner on how to plan and grow effectively. I obviously cover the online aspects and have evangelised blogging on a virtually monthly basis.
'Kick-Start - Skirting a Fashion Disaster' sees the panel take on a new online fashion retail outlet. 'Start Up - Motion Messengers' advises a courier company how best to grow in the Sydney market. 'Start Up - When is a Cube Not a Cube' covers the online plans for a new power-washer product.
And Finally...
Currently listening to 'Portishead - Third'. Amazing to hear them back after ten years.
Marvel Comic's summer crossover 'Secret Invasion' has me hooked, while DC's supposedly ground-breaking event 'Final Crisis' already has me wondering whether I should even bother getting the next issue.
As you were. Class dismissed.
