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I am a wife to a great husband of 13 years (here ya go, now I have to make changes to this sentence once a year), a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
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Hey Ana,
The blog audit series is awesome not only for the one whose blog you are auditing, but for everyone else. Thanks to the comprehensive guide you have provided there, I found some space for improvement on my own blog. The keyword/SEO part and the header tag structuring were especially useful.
Thanks for sharing!
I suppose no matter what stage of blogging we are in, we still have room for improvement, don’t we, Daniel?
Thanks for the comment!
Ana
Great advice. Also, if a blog or online publisher has multiple editors with published e-mails, select the one that you are most likely to connect with. Research their background and read their recently published posts before contacting them or submitting a guest post.
Very good point, Randy; thanks for adding to the discussion.
Ana
Ana, thanks for your article. I’d previously been advised of this by Justin and had read his article, but when I read yours I finally acted on it!
Just installed the plugin now. You’re article held me understand the value of this plugin, and how spam trackbacks can negatively affect my blog. Didn’t realize that before! Thanks.
You are very welcome, Daniel.
I suppose it’s true that we need to hear something 7 times before we finally do it.
Glad you and I finally got to it!
Ana
Hi Ana,
I always find Wayne’s style appealing and his content is always fresh. Thank you for breaking this down, I found it extremely helpful for my own blog.
There are several tips here I just took over to my blog and (hopefully) made some improvements.
Ana, I am again so impressed by what you’re doing here. Thank you so much, it’s a great help to us all.
Susanna
You are very welcome, Susanna, and I am glad you are using some of these tips for your own blog.
Ana
Hi Hesham,
Very inspirational post for me to learn alots of things from you.
I am started affiliate marketing about 2 months ago, i have more success on sharesales, CJ, ejunkie, but not clickbanks LOL.
I mean more success, the result is not alot, but at least i can make sales from my traffic, however.. I want to focus on one affiliate company and stick with it, since i notice it is difficult to log in to many affiliate companies, sometimes forgot the different passwords LOL.
Thanks for sharing this cool post! yes, i mean it.
Hi Kimi,
It’s not about the network, it’a always about the product!
I recommend you buy the product and dig into it before promoting it, you will see great results!
Thank you for stopping by, and good luck
Yeah, i already done that, i only promote the products i have tried myself, those will sell good.
thanks
Tristan,
Great post from you
I am struggling too, but when i see more visitors in my site, the happines flares and encourage me to blog more.
I still remember when i first blogged, many people ask me to change my niche, i am glad i did not.
Because this blog is what i am most comfortable with to blog. Something which i really know.
Thanks, Kimi! I agree; when I see something go my way on my blog, the happiness and satisfaction makes all of the struggles feel worth it.
It’s great to hear that you stuck with your niche because you loved it! Way to go!
And thanks for commenting, Kimi. I really appreciate it!
Hi Ana,
Well, I’m really taken back by this. Thank you for the dedication and time you put into these works to help us improve our performance on the internet. I’m truly grateful.
On the face of it all, I look at what other people are doing and think, hey I’m pretty level with these guys, and well, that sense of complacency certainly gets knocked out when you get Ana to tear apart your blog!!
I will work on my niche. I do have a thorough understanding of compensation plans and business models in MLM, more so than the average person, but these are fairly dry topics to write about.
More recently, I’ve been aiming to raise the level of my content to be more inline with the true ambassadors of the MLM profession (people like Randy Gage, Art Jonak, Orrin Woodward, “Big Al”, etc) which has led me to talk about the other aspects of business like personal development, leadership, etc.
I feel it’s important to expose these topics as they are universal to my profession. You won’t see me writing about what plugins to put on blogs, or how to make your links “dofollow” - that’s not my job. But yes, I see the value of writing about topics nobody else is writing about.
This is a perfect signal for me to have a complete overhaul of my blog, and like my friend Oliver, I’m taking every one of your suggestions into consideration. I’ll take all the points from your previous audits and tighten all the nuts and bolts accordingly.
There have been some real nuggets in these audits over the past few weeks.
Again, I can’t express my gratitude enough. Thank you so very much Ana.
Much prosperity to you,
Wayne
I am so glad you’ll remain friends, Wayne!
As far as your niche is concerned, of course you can write on other topics as well; just make sure your blog is known for solid information on MLM companies.
That’s how your readers will find you - with proper SEO in place of course, but they’ll stay because of who you are and because of the quality of information you provide - far beyond the “dry” company and comp plan posts.
Please let me know if I can help you along the way.
Ana
Outsourcing is surely a must Ana, there is only so much you can accomplish on a daily basis, and the bigger your business grows the more outsourcing you will have to do.
Well said and agreed, Tristan.
Ana
Nice one Ana,
Shining your light on different blogs is a great way to share your experience. I can see there’s a lot for Wayne to take away from this post and I relate to many of the points you’ve made.
Have to add that I see a lot of fantastic value in Wayne’s blog, and I’m sure it will only improve after this!
Cheers,
Jym
I sure hope so, Jym, and you are right: Wayne already has a great blog!
Have a great weekend!
Ana
I really like the list that you found on squidoo – going to be checking that place out fairly regularly now! I need to think more about dropping a few high PR blog comments about. Thanks for the pointers!
Squidoo is definitely great; very underused for link building.
Ana
Thanks for a great post. I have to listen to music without words when I’m writing otherwise I get confused. Walking away from the computer and reading is definitely the way to go. If I don’t show up at the screen with an idea already in my head, I won’t be writing anything.
Thanks for this guest post, Tristan. Building a blog is, indeed, hard work…but it’s a work of love so long as we keep our goals in front of us. Good tips on communication on your blog with those who respond and retweet your posts. Building relationships on blogs is how to become successful with one.
Exactly, Demetria. Since it’s such hard work, it really hits home home important it is to love what we blog about.
And I agree that building relationships is pretty much the most important factor when it comes to having a successful blog. Thanks!
Ana, EXCELLENT review…and I always look forward to reading your candid posts and blog audits. You have a natural knack for helping people and I love it
Always my pleasure, Demetria - thanks for coming by and leaving a comment!
Ana
Struggling in a more positive perspective gives us that energy to move forward. All of our struggles serve as our reminder that we have a goal in life. Goals that no matter how hard to achieve, we are willing to do everything for this goal.
Exactly, Aaron. The harder we work/struggle to reach a goal, the better it will feel when we reach that goal.
Thanks for commenting!
You can count on me being here every Friday… I always find at least one little tip that helps me out. I have started out with a new blog with a very simple format and I’m now in the process of going a little deeper on my side bars. (working behind the scenes right now.) Anyway.. all your suggestions help.
This week I especially appreciate the additional information about Google and indexing. It was fun to go to Google and see what was indexed. Yep… I’m indexed except for my last two posts. Need to check into why not. I love SEO!
Thanks Ana!
I am with you, Kathryn - SEO is a lot of fun.
As far as your last two post is concerned, it just depends on how often Google bots visit your site and how quickly you build links to your new post.
See you back soon!
Ana
Hi Ana,
Another awesome breakdown.
I think you’ve hit on many point so improvement for RBs Keys as I see many similarities between my blog and Wayne’s. Time to get more specific here and prosper
Thanks again and have a powerful day!
RB
Definitely, Ryan; glad you’d be using some of these tips.
Ana
Ana, awesome breakdown of Wayne’s blog.
Wayne you have some great content on your blog. With Ana’s tips your blog will start to fly.
This is another great service you are supplying to your community Ana. I salute you.
Chat soon
Dwayne
Thanks, Dwayne; anytime!
Ana
I’m kinda amazed at the number of readers that don’t want any struggle.
I need to pass on a little story - my wife and I came through a very hard time not long ago. It was more than a struggle, it was shaking our very core. The whole thing lasted a good 2 weeks, close to 3.
During the bad times we met and developed a new friend whose insight helped a little. And then we figured out a new way of doing things that relieved a little more pressure.
Finally the event was over, we were ecstatic. Then we actually came to the realization that we had to come thru the struggle. Had we not we would not of even associated with the individual, or been forced to find the better way of proceeding. WE HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH A TO LEARN B AND C. And clearly that wouldn’t of happened without the struggle.
Praise your good times as well as your bad. You must know the dark to see the light, and experience pain to know pleasure.
Most of all, never forget who walks next to you every day.
Wow, Gibson, thank you for sharing such an inspiring and personal story with us.
It illustrates the point I was trying to make with this article perfectly!
We have to options when we face struggles: 1) think that what we’re trying to do is too hard and give up, or 2) push on through and reap the benefits that come from not quitting. These include personal satisfaction and added experience, plus any unforeseen positive effects like the ones you mentioned.
Again, thank you so much for sharing this!
Hi Ana,
thanks again for a powerful and insightful blog audit. Every ambitious blogger will appreciate your honest reviews. I’m sure, so will Wayne.
I’m still working on putting your suggestions into action and I’m definitely learning a lot from your audits, for example of Heather’s blog, Mavis blog and now Wayne’s.
Friday is a special day…
Take care
Oliver
I know, Oliver; I was getting concerned you had nothing to do, so I made sure I gave you a project.
Happy to hear you find my posts helpful!
Ana
Wow. Ana you just blew my mind. Isn’t it weird that I’ve never actually thought of that? I rarely get any responses to my auto responder messages and I do respond to them. Except one that really hurt my feelings and I decided the guy was an ass. I am in the fitness and weight loss biz and everyone is an expert. Anyway, I may try to work this into my routine! I will try anything once to succeed.
Believe it or not, I still get some “hate mail”, Susan.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it’s just not enough for some people.
I grew fairly thick skin though; now I just unsubscribe those suckers and forget it ever happened.
Hope you’ll be able to do that as well; it’s not worth taking it personally.
Ana
There’s a post in that comment, I’ll be sure to give you the backlink.
I will follow Tristan where ever he goes. Fortunately, I will follow Ana too - that’s how I knew where to find Tristan. I am constantly struggling with something. There are things I struggle with all the time. There are things I struggle with only occasionally.
Getting comments: commentluv has really helped with this, but I still can’t seem to get regular old readers of my blog to comment regularly.
Getting traffic through social media: Google is my biggest source of traffic. I have been experimenting more with Twitter lately and not seeing much of a change. I do however, have some cool relationships from it.
Getting people to buy my product: I have a new sales video though and hope to have higher conversions.
Doing it all: the classic constant struggle.
Thanks for following me over here, Susan
Maybe if you offered some other kind of incentive to your blog readers to encourage comments you could get your regular readers to comment more? Like… Offering a free personalized workout plan for a randomly chosen commenter. Or… a free copy of an ebook or something.
I feel your Twitter pain. It can be hard to make Twitter work for you in a niche that isn’t internet-marketing related. I think it would probably be especially hard in the workout/weight loss niche because there are so many scuzzballs on Twitter just spamming and trying to make a quick buck. I don’t know how you’ve been using Twitter so it’s hard for me to say how you can use it better. But just keep retweeting people’s stuff and hoping they’ll retweet yours!
Good luck, Susan! I hope we can all grow and become rich and famous as we struggle
Actually, I don’t need to be famous… Rich works just fine.
This is just what I needed right now. I am always looking for ways to improve my blog and to try and figure out what I need to change. I loved this post and I am going to surf back posts to start looking at other things that I may have missed.
Thanks for the information!
You are so welcome, Angela.
I am always pleased to hear when someone actually IMPLEMENTS the tips; let me know how it goes!
Ana
Hey Tristan,
I really enjoyed reading your inspirational post. Well done! Look forward to reading your next posts.
You can’t create success without struggling. All successful people have struggled all the way to the top!
Thanks for the inspiration and thanks to Ana for allowing you share this with us.
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Thanks, Mavis! It’s true; success without struggling not only isn’t satisfying… I don’t think it’s even possible!
I’m glad you liked the post and found it useful. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a great comment!
Hey Ana,
Your blog audit series is the highlight of the week for me… I’m learning a TON from you. I’m all about improving my blog and getting it noticed
Really appreciate what you are doing for your readers and for the blogging community.
Have a great weekend!
Mavis Nong
You are like a sponge, Mavis! I love that about you…
I starting seeing you all over Facebook at all the pages I visit.
Good work!
Ana
LOL! That’s the effect you have on me!
Ana,
Fridays at the Traffic Generation Cafe is my favorite stop. I always learn some thing new and today is no exception.
“Something to rest your eyes on.” Had not thought of it that way, but it makes sense.
Thanks for the info on YouTube Embeded code. And the fact that I actually have to submit my site map…better go see if that has been done.
Wayne - Thank you for letting Ana review your site. Hope you do well with the changes she suggests.
Not too many people know about YouTube code problems, Sheila.
Most of us think it should be fine coming from such a huge company owned by Google. Silly us, huh?
Always a pleasure to see you and thanks for commenting! There is life in this world!
Ana
WOW - what an incredible blog! You def go the extra mile when it comes to evaluating blogs and I do appreciate that. People need to hear the pros and cons of their site - its the only way to achieve success! Good job and extremely detailed!
Thanks, Chris, and welcome to my blog.
You are right: the only way we can grow is by knowing our flaws.
And apparently, I am an expert in pointing them out!
Ana
What about outsourcing and time management? Both seem to relieve a lot of struggle…
Yep! Those definitely help relieve the struggle… or they can increase it if you’re doing it wrong
I talk about these in more detail, along with other tips, in the next post.
Thanks, Dennis!
Lookin’ forward to it!
Hi Ana,
Your blog is priceless! I love the The blog audit of Friday and this week is very special for me, I am a big fan of you and a personal friend of Wayne. Your deep knowledge and helpful comments will make Wayne’s web site as profitable as it should be!
Thanks for doing this Ana!
Marie
So glad, Marie; hope Wayne and the rest of my readers will use these tips to make their blogs better.
Looks like you are a fairly new commentator on my blog, so if I haven’t done so already, let me say “Welcome”.
Ana
Hi Ana
Not only am I learning heaps about how a blog should look for readers to enjoy and stay; but how to keep Google happy too.
I love how you just don’t tell the blogger what is wrong, but make really constructive suggestions and how to achieve them.
Also introduces us to other bloggers we may not have bumped into in the blogosphere. Thanks Ana.
Patricia Perth Australia
Hi, Patricia:
Truth is I always feel like I barely scratched the surface!
The last thing I want to do though is to overwhelm everybody with TOO much input, so I tried to introduce a new topic in each audit.
Glad you are reading and learning; have a great weekend and see you back soon!
Ana
Ana- I’m definitely loving this series. I think people really appreciate having you give basically a consultancy for free. With that said, I have to get off my butt and get my site redesigned like I’ve been planning for the last few months. Then I can have you come in and rip it apart
Wayne- While I don’t have Ana’s SEO background, I do have to say I like the clean, uncluttered way you’ve designed your site. So many people love to put thousands of banners and junk on their page, which makes it hard to figure out where to go. I like the fact that one of the first things I see on your page is the free report, which does stand out.
Thanks, Steve.
Not everyone can afford to pay to have something like this done, so at least my readers can learn from someone else’s mistakes.
Have a great day!
Ana
You are awesome, I hope one day you tear my blog up =)
Hey, Ray - thanks.
Keep bugging me about it and I just might.
Ana
Hi Ana,
standing is out from the crowd is really not that difficult. Absolutely true. It’s simply about doing tiny little things a little bit differently.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
Everyone talks about using “systems” and that the success lies in a “system”.
I say a system will get you nowhere, since that’s what everybody else is doing.
I say take a system and think outside of it; make it work for you and use it to help you stand out, not blend in.
Thanks so much for coming by, Oliver!
Ana
Wonderful post Ana, you rock big time
Ana does indeed have excellent taste
Thanks for commenting, Kareem!
Hi Tristan, great to read you…
I agree with your post,for my part I will write that little equation: struggles + more efforts= Success!
Nobody have success without failure…
Thanks!
Dave B
Dave: you are the only one I let use all kinds of weird names in the “Name” field.
Just remember, I use KeywordLuv on this blog…
Success without failure… I should add that to my list for Santa!
Ana
Hi Ana, I enjoy reading your blog and commenting. Next time I will use my name@keyword.
Thanks!!
Dave B
Any time, Dave. Hope your niche sites are flourishing!
I like that, Dave! I’d add two more things to your equation, even though I didn’t cover them in a whole lot of detail in the article: struggles + more efforts + POSITIVITY + PERSEVERANCE = success
Thanks for the comment, Dave!
Hi Tristan
Great to see you here on Ana’s blog. I am very encouraged by your post. Cos I struggle with all the techie stuff which remains a mystery to me. Soon as I am earning a little more with my blog, will be outsourcing all that!
It is a struggle to get round all the blogs each day to comment. But as you rightly point out, that’s how we get to know other bloggers and get our own blog out there. I was blown away yesterday going to several blogs to read them and wow there I was in their posts! If I hadn’t visited I wouldn’t have got so encouraged and some days I need that encouragement when there are struggles with my blog.
So spending time struggling but still persevering and achieving our goals is well worth it. I love your writing style and you always come up with interesting posts. Way to go Tristan.
Patricia Perth Australia
Thanks for the great comment, Patricia. Not that I’m surprised to see you comment here. I think you might be the single most prolific commenter I’ve ever seen!
And I’ve seen your blog popping up all over the place, too! I think that’s the single biggest testament to the power of commenting that I’ve seen. I know you’ve won me over (who would have ever thought that I’d be looking forward to new posts on a blog about lavender??), and as a result I am way more than happy to comment and share anything you write.
I think you are also a great example of venturing outside of your niche. In fact, I think you’re just a great example of a blogger. Period.
Keep it up, Patricia! Thanks so much for the comments; for this one, for all that you’ve made in the past, and for all of the ones in the future that you will undoubtedly make.
OK, I am risking here, gonna sound stupid, but I am not getting the tips number 5 and 8
I don’t have any kids but should you write about them or not?
Is this a trick, ha ha?
Yes, it was, Brankica.
The point is it depends on your audience. For some blogs you’d better leave the info out, but yet for others it’s great to connect with the readers by telling them a bit about yourself.
Glad to see you not just read it, but REALLY read it!
Ana
Oh, I am sure reading it. There are only a few blogs I don’t just scan
and this is one of them! I can’t learn all from just one reading, cause all the posts have so much info but I am learning one thing at a time. So thanks for sharing all this.
PS I was thinking about printing out all the stuff I like here, but then I realized that would be pages and pages and pages
Let’s keep the world clean and save some trees!
Thanks for such a huge compliment, Brankica; it makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Ana
Ana, you have been a life saver with your info. It’ like I have been broght back from the dead. There are a ton of people that still need your help. They are in the same rut I was until I found you. Keep up the great work.
Happy Holidays!
Ric.
Happy I can help, Ric!
Merry Christmas to you as well.
Ana
Hi Tristan,
I’ve discovered the awesome power of struggling this year and I can totally relate to your post. I have grown fond of that little area just beyond my comfort zone that gives me butterflies, makes me a little excited, and life a bit more vibrant.
Wonderful message to live by! Thanks for sharing it.
Heather
Thanks, Heather! As long as it’s somewhat in moderation, struggling is great isn’t it?
You put it so beautifully with, “I have grown fond of that little area just beyond my comfort zone that gives me butterflies, makes me a little excited, and life a bit more vibrant.”
Very well said! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a great comment
Thanks so much Tristan. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts and checking out your blog!
Tristan,
I think your post is on the spot for most bloggers out there minus those who are already on the top. I agree.. It is a struggle and especially when you have lots of commitments in your life on top of trying to push your blog to greater heights. I think without the struggle there won’t be room to grow and improve your blog. There’s a lot of competition these days and I’m loving it. There’s always something to learn about around the blogosphere from newbies and experienced bloggers alike.
Great post btw!
Bryan, you’re definitely right about struggling to keep up with a blog when you’ve got “real life” commitments like work and family.
And the competition aspect of blogging is really kinda fun, isn’t it! I mean, you want to work with and support your “competitors” in the blogosphere, but at the same time, you do want to beat them
Thanks for commenting, Bryan!
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