Postcards from the Funny Farm

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The past 3 days and today (7/26/08) my Google Page Rank appears to be back. I tried playing aloof and I didn’t write a gushing post since I have been wrong before. Sometimes the toolbar malfunctions, this is something I have verified by many sites and blogs out there. More often than not though, it’s correct. The long story made short is that yes, indeed my PageRank has gone back to the PR4 it was when it got spanked months ago. In this post, I tell you in a few sentences exactly what I did to get it back (I’ve been keeping a careful journal on everything!)

Fearing I might be jumping the gun, I emailed one of my blog mentors and friend Derek Semmler yesterday and asked him to verify the PR4 change for me. He’s seen me go through the PR0 ordeal with this blog and even written a few really cool articles about PageRank hits on his blogs. He said that sadly my new rank wasn’t registering on his toolbar. (Thanks again for checkin’ Derek) So, I kind of gave up and forgot about it. That’s why today after seeing it still in my toolbar and verifying the change with some 3rd party sources, I was elated to see it was indeed a true PR4.

My understanding via Matt Cutts’ blog is that Google has “expired” some of the prior penalties. In addition to that, here is what I have done. It’s nothing mysterious but it takes some effort. My attitude toward success has always been that I don’t mind work when I know it’s worth something. Some of you may have seen my fave Woody Allen quote come up once in a while here, “80% of success is showing up.” If you are doing the right things by Google to get PageRank success, I’d even make that an 85 instead of an 80:

1) Guestblog monthly: Set a specific number as a goal. Ask higher ranked blogs if you can guestblog and link back to your index in the post (usually a signature looks the least pompous). I’ve been averaging 5 guestblogs a month in the last 6 months. All my guestblogs are represented by an intro here and you can read them through this link: Those backlinks affect PageRank. You can also invite bloggers to guestblog on yours. You usually get a link from their blog announcing their work. A classic example of this is Chelle’s recent PageRank post on mine:

2) Every sponsored post/link on your blog needs to have the attribute: rel=”nofollow” in its relative links. I won’t bother explaining, just do it. It took me 4 days in between work, wife, and screaming kids to change all mine to this. I pity anyone who has more than say 100. But if you make it a practice, you will never have a problem with this issue. I could say more on this, please ask questions if you have them. My assumption is that most people get this already. Obviously I recently learned it :)

3) Write quality posts to a niche audience (as much as possible) that people read, link to, and comment on. (Reading and inking to parts are way more important but comment have ripple effects for lnkage, traffic, etc.) I’ve written extensively on the value of a blog post but this subject is a bit subjective. I doubt any SEO writers will be subscribing as a result. However, if what you do is kind of like my writing, please check out the series, it was written with you in mind: V.A.L.U.E. of a Blog.

4) Show your indefinable magic as a blogger! How could I leave that one out. Don’t forget to be yourself. Remember that the dead splash page of Firefox, for example, is a 6/10! Who reads that? Blogs started out as WEBLOGS where interesting people shared their research, later their thoughts and quotes, and finally they are now a place where anyone can self-publish anything. Let your light shine.

Folks, it’s been a long rocky road since they spanked my PageRank (man that sounds bad doesn’t it ;). I am enjoying the smoothness now that it’s back. Like it or not, Google PageRank is an issue of economics and you should have it. So I am officially not a hater of Google PageRank, they have done right by me. It seems like there are as many ranks out there as there are acne treatments, but Google has the most clout.

If you want to know more regarding this topic, just ask. I think I’m done for now. This is meant to be in fact a psychology niche blog most the time. Maybe you can persuade me to write some other stuff I’ve done to improve my blog’s rank. Now go jump in the pool (that’s where I’m headed). I’ve also reignited my other two blogs and it’s time to rev some speed. You might say I’ve had 3 car covers on in my blog garage and now they are coming off. Thanks for being a part of this ride.

I have had 3 days of the best Fathers’ Day celebration on known record for my brain.

This afternoon at 2pm after enjoying myself with my two lovely daughters and genius son I find myself brimming over with inspiration in need of sharing with the anywhere from 40-200 people that visit me on any given day. I was sitting out by my pool listening to some truly amazing music by Maroon 5 and I decided it was time to give back. I learned to do this from my good internet friend, Derek Semmler. With the “Amazing Visions” contest coming to a close I thought the only post I could publish would be one that gives back. So, I thought, what do they really want? A coupon? Money? Opportunity? Then I came to my embarrassingly simple conclusion:

My readers should know how I am making 200-300 dollars a month and shown the way to do it themselves.

Consider it done: Even though I publish the results and sources of my income every month here at the Funny Farm, I might as well just summarize it again so you can benefit. Here’s the mainstay of my online income folks, sign up and get on board. The first one does contain a referral fee for me of $15 paid to me (by PPP and it costs you nothing) when and if you publish your first paid post. The second one has no referral fee. I just wanted to be up front about the first and ask that you use the graphic link provided when you sign up.

1. PayPerPost, The application process takes a few days. After that you are given writing job choices. The better your PR is, the more opps you get. Please know this may reduce your PR, but it pays cash whereas Google doesn’t pay you anything. I currently have made 85 dollars in June already on PPP.

2. PayU2blog, these guys are great. I am so pleased with their payout and the way they run their business. It involves putting links in your posts. You have to do all assignments and you get $5 per link. Like PPP, there is an approval process so good luck with that!

Ok! I hope that helps you guys out. Why not have extra cash every month for your blogging?

I’d like to challenge you to make tomorrow the big day, or, the day you got serious about making money with your blog! best of luck. I am always here for support.

If you are browsing for the articles on psychology and inspiration and baffled by this throw off course, I apologize for this momentary indulgence in helping my blogging friends. I will return tho the brain and cognitive therapy tomorrow so please stop by. Remember the tagline here is: ” … posts on psychology, inspiration, and BLOGGING.” Maybe you should start one! Message me if your need some help doing that.

To close, let me just say to all the dads out there: HAPPY FATHER’S DAY, your role is so important to your kids and to society. Keep on keepin’ on, dudes.

postscript: Here’s a link to some amazing songs that inpsired me to give you this post today:

Daughtry: Feels Like Tonight

Michael Buble - Everything (A Must Listen!)

I wish I had the budget to buy you all MP3 players. may7be someday …

Thanks to the guest bloggers listed below who posted in my stead the past week:

A Question of Preparation by Marcia
Stop The Criticism, Inspire Your Children by Derek Semmler
Have You Been Inspired Lately? by Katelyn
You don’t have to… by Chelle
Home Sweet Home by Jessica the Rock Chick

It was a much need vacation from blogging and I thoroughly enjoyed the guest bloggers. Updates include a new spiffy domain name, postcardsfromthefunnyfarm.com, a theme haircut, and some exciting post and series ideas for the summer on inspiration and psychology. Thanks for reading. Are you ready for a crazy summer at the Funny Farm?

I have a rather comprehensive interview this month over at at Dad ... . Derek Semmler, who is always so cool anyway, was nice enough to ask me for the interview. I was happy and honored to do it. I discuss my views on family and being a dad. Let me know what you think of it.