I had the idea of developing a brilliant post for today but a couple of deadlines and an uncooperative internet connection scotched those plans rather quickly. Instead, as I plan on making myself scarce over the next ten days or so, I thought I’d share with my brilliant and faithful readers some link love, the final dispensation from me for 2007:
Brian Clark of Copyblogger fame shared information about a free ebook he read for us creative types. Time Management for Creative People was written by Mark McGuinness a writer and creativity coach who shares with his readers tips on how to manage your time and increase your productivity. I’ll be downloading my copy and reading it first thing in 2008.
Speaking of writers, Laura Spencer recently shared her frustrations when visiting a slow-loading website (I hope that it wasn’t this one); Georganna Hancock discussed the differences between published and unpublished work (with a surprise for me that blogging isn’t considered as published by some); Lillie Ammann posted some of her blogging goals for 2008; and Chris Bibey shared the struggles every freelance writer has this time of the year — trying to get it all done to allow for some much needed time off.
I’m a frequent visitor over at SEOmoz (gotta keep tabs on page strength, right?) and routinely read what Randfish and others have to say. No surprise there, but SEOmoz reports that technology sites receive the lion’s share of Google search traffic. If only I could convert this blog into a full blown, techno site. Nah, I think I’ll stay the course for 2008!
Seeing that I’m having some difficulty getting this blog article done, I’ll reserve my next batch of helpful links for early 2008. In the meantime, I want to thank each of my readers for stopping by and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Pass the Link Love, Please
It is time for me to overtly share some linky love with you. The following articles have caught my attention and are posted here in no particular order:
- I stole some headline creating ideas from Laura Spencer when I read her 25 Best Selling Words post. Dependable & energizing words guaranteed to grab the attention of quality readers! I used a total of seven of them thus far in this post.
- Jennifer, at Catalyst Blogger wrote, “When Charging Rush Rates Backfires,” a piece which covers her personal experience of overcharging a client in hopes that they will go away. Guess what? They accepted her bid! It looks like Jennifer will be very tired over the next several weeks.
- Copywriter Bob Bly asks, “Do You Write the Way People Talk?” which I found to be a good reminder for me not to use stilted language in my writings. I prefer conversational writing, words that engage readers as if you were talking to them face to face.
- I nearly forgot about the pending screenwriters strike until I read Maria Schneider’s The Writer’s Perspective blog today. On the Screenwriters Strike discusses the issues behind the strike, particularly the impact new media (internet) is having on the writing industry. Even if you don’t write for Hollywood, you can certainly understand how important this issue is for writers of all stripes.
- Kathy Kehrli, the Irreverent Freelancer, writes things on her blogs the rest of us only dream about posting. Okay, she tells it like it is — from bad jobs to clients who stiff writers — if you tick Kathy off there is an excellent chance that you will be featured on her blog and gain her Middle Finger Award. Kathy may not name names, but she gives enough hints to her freelance writing colleague readers to help us avoid falling prey to their dastardly schemes.
- Brian Clark, of Copyblogger fame, received a nasty surprise when he realized that Google dropped the PageRank of his blog down. No, he doesn’t sell links and there doesn’t appear to be anything else he is doing wrong until you read his Thanks Google! post and you begin to wonder if the Big G has it out for him. Note: Google still hasn’t done an official export to the Google Toolbar of updated PageRank for all sites since April 2007. Instead, Google is penalizing certain sites now for various transgressions, real or imagined.
That’s all the link loving I have to share for my readers today. Don’t forget to snag a feed if you haven’t done so yet.
Linking Strategies | Matthew C. Keegan, 21 Dec 07 | 
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