This past week was marked by a sudden stomach bug, and slow recovery. While I was bedridden, Google’s 72 data centers were updating their Page Rankings across the web. By Monday evening, the dust had settled, and I was thrilled to see my blog’s front page capture a PR 4. While I’ve been focusing on getting new readers from search engine hits, I had no inkling as to how well Google’s algorithm was going to treat me after just three months. I owe special thanks to everyone who has linked to me and left comments thus far. I look forward to reading the comments each day, and I know they get quite a lot of hits from other readers as well.
As a result of the updated Page Rank, my blog qualified for Review Me. Based on a variety of metrics, I set my price at $62. I intend to clearly disclose any future sponsored posts within the first few sentences so readers can choose whether or not to read the whole thing. Personally, I am thrilled to have been accepted into this new marketplace, as diversifying my income streams via the web will allow me to make money online while I am traveling around the world!
On the down side, with all my attention focused on the blog, and WordPress as a content management system, I completely stopped updating the rest of my domain. As a result, Gobackpacking.com fell from a PR 5 to a PR 4. I think this was the result of changes to Google’s calculations, as I had a PR 5 after coming off a five year hiatus from working on my website. I am going to try and recapture a PR 5 through the blog this next go around.
Lastly, I caught my first DC United game of the year (vs. NE Revolution). As often happens, we sat next to a bunch of English guys. They were having a great time, having moved to Washington, DC five days ago, for the next two years, as part of their work. DC earned their first point in the ’07 season with a 1-1 tie. Hopefully they’ll pull out their first win this Sunday.
About the Author:
Dave is the author of 1572 posts on Go Backpacking.
Dave (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing in Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave or look for him on Google+
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Categories: Blogging, Washington-DC
21 Comments
I went from 3 to 4 myself and I’m working on improving my Alex rank so that I can get TLAs on my blog too. Just gotta make sure it doesn’t become the theme for my blog even if it is pretty interesting just gotta do it smartly.
Dan –
I completely agree about trying to balance the travel content (which is why we have our blogs) with advertising. I’m constantly reassessing whether I’ve put too much up, or am too far off topic. While I only have 4 responses to my latest poll about whether the blog is becoming too cluttered, the consensus is that I’m “headed that way” or already there, so I’m moving things around and taking off elements. I’m committed to a Middle Way approach!
Interestingly, and perhaps giving way to self-indultent thought for a moment, I do know there are people traveling abroad who’ve been able to support themselves through online activities such as web design. I know this because they then try to make money off telling others how to do the same thing (in an e-book for example).
There could be a HUGE untapped audience for illustrating how bloggers can do the same. Web design is a much less accessible approach, whereas blogging can be done by just about anyone. For that reason, I am making a conscious effort to share my advertising experiences. I hope it can help illustrate what is possible!
:) I was writing a post earlier linking to your site and talking about the “Middle Way” and how Buddhism plays a part in how many people save.
I was also reading the NuNomad site last night and thinking how I could make it happen for me, your definately right it’s an interesting route to take. I’ve seen a lot of small sites for things like sporting and other clubs that have been made on zero budget by their members and I was thinking a blog could suit them better and would look more professional. I could probably sell my services to set them up a blog that could be far more useful to them than a difficult and rarely updated site. I think using a blog as a platform would make it so much easier for them.
I’m definately going to look into it some more and see if it’s viable.
Congrats on the PR update, Dave! I think I was one of the only suckers who saw most of my PR’s drop across the board.
Congrats on the PR update, Dave! I think I was one of the only suckers who saw most of my PR’s drop across the board.
I went from 3 to 4 myself and I’m working on improving my Alex rank so that I can get TLAs on my blog too. Just gotta make sure it doesn’t become the theme for my blog even if it is pretty interesting just gotta do it smartly.
Dan –
I completely agree about trying to balance the travel content (which is why we have our blogs) with advertising. I’m constantly reassessing whether I’ve put too much up, or am too far off topic. While I only have 4 responses to my latest poll about whether the blog is becoming too cluttered, the consensus is that I’m “headed that way” or already there, so I’m moving things around and taking off elements. I’m committed to a Middle Way approach!
Interestingly, and perhaps giving way to self-indultent thought for a moment, I do know there are people traveling abroad who’ve been able to support themselves through online activities such as web design. I know this because they then try to make money off telling others how to do the same thing (in an e-book for example).
There could be a HUGE untapped audience for illustrating how bloggers can do the same. Web design is a much less accessible approach, whereas blogging can be done by just about anyone. For that reason, I am making a conscious effort to share my advertising experiences. I hope it can help illustrate what is possible!
:) I was writing a post earlier linking to your site and talking about the “Middle Way” and how Buddhism plays a part in how many people save.
I was also reading the NuNomad site last night and thinking how I could make it happen for me, your definately right it’s an interesting route to take. I’ve seen a lot of small sites for things like sporting and other clubs that have been made on zero budget by their members and I was thinking a blog could suit them better and would look more professional. I could probably sell my services to set them up a blog that could be far more useful to them than a difficult and rarely updated site. I think using a blog as a platform would make it so much easier for them.
I’m definately going to look into it some more and see if it’s viable.
Ive never worked out the PR for my sites (I used to have a #1 listing for a FAQ I used to write a long time ago)..
Had my first ever pollen allergy this week. doc says the pollen counts are 1000′s times what they were this time last year. Been laid up and I dont like it :(
so what semi-retired english players are DCU going to sign for the new season?
I think DCU prefers the South Americans. We picked up 2 Brazilians for the 07 season – Luciano Emilio and Fred (love the name). Both have been playing great so far. Then we’ve got 2 Argentinians in Christan Gomez (06 MVP) and Facundo Erpen (defense).
I guess it’s LA who prefers the English, picking up Beckam. Like everyone else, I definetly intend to see what he’s made of in the US come July.
he’ll probably come over injured play about 3 games in the season and make no impact. Beckham was a great player, I just dont think he has any fight left in him anymore. I think it was a bad mistake to sign him. He is more interested in being a pretty boy now than a star player. Come the end of the season people will be all ‘Thats the best england has to offer?’ and wont see the hype. All he wanted was an emigration ticket to the usa and to be in la for the movies (Its more a push from the tosser of a wife he has, since he aint got no spine of his own).
I think DCU prefers the South Americans. We picked up 2 Brazilians for the 07 season – Luciano Emilio and Fred (love the name). Both have been playing great so far. Then we’ve got 2 Argentinians in Christan Gomez (06 MVP) and Facundo Erpen (defense).
I guess it’s LA who prefers the English, picking up Beckam. Like everyone else, I definetly intend to see what he’s made of in the US come July.
Ive never worked out the PR for my sites (I used to have a #1 listing for a FAQ I used to write a long time ago)..
Had my first ever pollen allergy this week. doc says the pollen counts are 1000′s times what they were this time last year. Been laid up and I dont like it :(
so what semi-retired english players are DCU going to sign for the new season?
I think DCU prefers the South Americans. We picked up 2 Brazilians for the 07 season – Luciano Emilio and Fred (love the name). Both have been playing great so far. Then we’ve got 2 Argentinians in Christan Gomez (06 MVP) and Facundo Erpen (defense).
I guess it’s LA who prefers the English, picking up Beckam. Like everyone else, I definetly intend to see what he’s made of in the US come July.
he’ll probably come over injured play about 3 games in the season and make no impact. Beckham was a great player, I just dont think he has any fight left in him anymore. I think it was a bad mistake to sign him. He is more interested in being a pretty boy now than a star player. Come the end of the season people will be all ‘Thats the best england has to offer?’ and wont see the hype. All he wanted was an emigration ticket to the usa and to be in la for the movies (Its more a push from the tosser of a wife he has, since he aint got no spine of his own).
You’re lucky you only fell from PR5 to PR4. I dropped from PR5 to PR2! Ugh. So many work to be done.
Ouch Nina, that’s definetly a tough drop to endure for 3 months. Any reasons you suspect for the drop?
You’re lucky you only fell from PR5 to PR4. I dropped from PR5 to PR2! Ugh. So many work to be done.
Ouch Nina, that’s definetly a tough drop to endure for 3 months. Any reasons you suspect for the drop?
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21 Comments