Self-employment Support?

[fidgiegirl]

Very interesting, HG! Thanks for sharing.

Zoebird, I found your post very interesting as well. I've always been impressed at all the angles you take for your business. I wouldn't have thought curriculum development would be part of yoga, but heck, why not?!

Rob, glad the SS thing is going well. I've never heard of people being able to really actually get any of them! So congrats!

[fidgiegirl]

I am kind of working on one little "tweak" to my GF blog every night. Tonight I will populate the blog roll. I want to get some more readers, and from there will decide what to do about them.

I'd kind of like to do ads, but not the clickable ads - old fashioned ads that the business pays for. That way they are targeted and relevant and local. Some Google Ads are starting to appear but I must not have enough content yet, because they are for restaurants like pizza places. What a tease on a GF blog. I want all the stuff to be vetted . . . maybe that's naive to think I can do it.

Are there other ad server services other than AdSense?

[puglogic]

I am kind of working on one little "tweak" to my GF blog every night. Tonight I will populate the blog roll. I want to get some more readers, and from there will decide what to do about them.

Let me know if you could use someone to seed comments on your GF blog, Kelli. (I'm interested in your topic, and so there wouldn't be anything shady about it ) It's always good to have a community or conversation going on a blog, so it's not just us bloggers talking to ourselves LOL...... I need to get back to my own. It's super fun to do, but I've been too busy to give it much love lately. I don't plan on doing Adsense on mine, for just the reason you mention. I don't know of any service that's as pervasive as Adsense. Maybe direct ads for specific GF products? Have you signed up for any affiliate programs, and could maybe advertise those, as you could be sure they're helpful and relevant to your readers?

I have another one I want to start that's about super-easy organic food gardening, and another still about growing your own medicines (herbs). Some day I'm going to have to find a way to get them to pay for themselves, but that'll come when it's time.

[fidgiegirl]

Affiliate is a good idea . . . I have some Amazon affiliate but meh . . . well, of course, I've had a total views of all time of less than 200! So that could be part of it

Would love any and all comments!! I enjoyed what I read of your blog, too, and would be happy to do the same.

[puglogic]

Thanks - I'd welcome your comments too! I am always so surprised and delighted when people comment
For Amazon, have you considered doing a blog post or posts with GF book reviews, cookbook reviews, etc.? That might help.
Also, check out Googling "gluten free affiliate programs" -- some good possibilities there

[leslieann]

Kelli and pug, I have just visited and enjoyed your blogs...Kelli, as I am a gazillion miles away I don't know how much use I'll make of your local information but hey, I could visit someday! Actually, in writing that I know of someone who could actuallY USE your info so I'll forward it.

Please keep your conversation going.....my little blog is not intended to make any money but only to provide a voice for my practice (and my inner writer) but I sure could use ideas about how to get some readers.

Pug, is Web Sites for Good also your business? Looks like a very friendly, comfortable company....which makes a difference to me.

[HumboldtGurl]

[QUOTE=fidgiegirl;123397
I'd kind of like to do ads, but not the clickable ads - old fashioned ads that the business pays for.[/QUOTE]

You are right on track with this FG. Our websites have a combination of both, and the direct relationships we have with advertisers pay more than standard click-through ads. Have an advertising kit, even if it's just a page, then get out there and show relative businesses why they should advertise with you. You'll be so glad you did.

[fidgiegirl]

HumboldtGurl, do you have an sample advertising kits? I don't seem to remember it being anything common - maybe if I start to try to notice, I will see something on different blogs.

Pug, I did Google that, and am thinking about it! Lots of choices.

leslieann, I found this article really helpful. I also have my blog set up to connect to my Facebook through Networked Blogs. It's a bit of work to set it up but among my miniscule readership the bulk comes from FB - bless my friends! Then when you make a blog post it automatically posts to your FB feed.

ETA: Yippee!! Yippee!! Since I did some of the tips in that article, I've gotten comments two days in a rows, and today is my highest traffic day (on a day that I didn't make a post, thus no population over to FB) yet! So something is working!

Now I just have to go out to eat at more restaurants.

[puglogic]

Pug, is Web Sites for Good also your business? Looks like a very friendly, comfortable company....which makes a difference to me.

Thanks, leslieann - nice to have another visitor And yes, that's my company too. I love what I do, and love who I do it for.....it IS a very friendly, comfortable little livelihood. How did you deduce that was me, by the way? This month I'm deep into a whole site overhaul (new theme, new material, new portfolio) and can't wait until my online "face" is more up-to-date and cool. What's that old saying about the tinker's children always being the ones without shoes? Seems like my own site is always the last to get worked on......

[fidgiegirl]

Pug! It was you who commented on my blog, wasn't it?! Thank you!

You are a really engaging writer! I'd like to think I could write like that, but I don't!