It boils down to this: there are so many weblogs out there that if you start a new one, it might take you a long time to build any traffic. Under normal circumstances, that’s your likely path. But if you start acquiring methods to build your blog’s profile, you can change your fate away from anonymity.

If you have the budget for full-blown SEO services, great. If you don’t, you have the option of doing nothing, or using Kaizen - a philosophy of constant improvement by slow degrees.

There are many things you can do, by degrees, to improve your website’s authority, popularity and ranking - much of which I hope to discuss on this blog over time. It’s not enough to just have an ambitious editorial calendar or to simply write great linkbait. You also have to promote your website.

One of the best ways to do this is through SMM - Social Media Marketing. There are several types of social media sites, but the ones we’re focusing on in this post allow you to setup a member profile, submit articles, and vote and possibly comment on submissions.

The drawback for wallflowers is that most social media sites frown on people submitting their own articles. You need to make “friends” who have similar article tastes and niche interests, add them to your “follow” list, and hope that they add you at some point. When they do, they’ll watch for what you submit or vote on, and may add their own vote. If you establish real friendships, you can ask them if they’ll submit your articles.

To help yourself towards that goal, it’s good to find articles elsewhere that you feel are high quality, then submit those, hoping people will vote. The better/ more useful/ more targeted the article, the more likely it’ll garner votes and show up on the home page, thus increase your success rate. So it does take a fair bit of effort to use social media, and if you don’t have the time to build a profile, you might have to hire an SMM. But if you choose the most appropriate sites for your niche, SMM is very effective.

Here are a list of the social media sites I use regularly, whether to promote articles of friends, vote on items of mine that others have submitted, or simply to check out what’s new:

1. DailyHub.
   Targets mostly the business and entrepreneuring niches. This site is still in beta, as far as I know. So it does not yet send a lot of traffic. I use it already to build my profile.
2. Del.icio.us.
   General bookmarking site with “save” feature, which amounts to voting.
3. Digg.
   Choose categories wisely when submitting articles, else face the wrath of Diggers. More tech-oriented, but with other categories.
4. Reddit.
   General. Use it regularly or your account will disappear. Heavy on politics and pictures.
5. Smoochr.
   Various categories, including business, entertainment, travel and more. The site is still in alpha, with bugs to be worked out. But build your profile “karma” now, for later promotional rewards. [Disclaimer: I'm part owner.]
6. Sphinn.
   Geared towards SEO/ SEM/ SMM. You can submit your own, but fresh approaches are what the more experienced members want to read about.
7. Stumbleupon.
   This differs from all of the above because you need to install a browser plugin. You “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” a site, “stumble” it by submitting a site, or “stumble” to browse the current entries. Stumbleupon was originally oriented towards promoting sites with visual content and appeal, but now has a considerable number of categories. Neil Patel provides a bit more depth about getting Stumbled.

As I noted above, these are the sites I use. Not all of them may be suitable for the niches you want to promote. If you’re looking for a more comphrensive list with niche sites, check out Andy Hagan’s list of social media sites that actually send traffic. He’s constantly updating the list.

You’ve tackled the relatively small task of devising an editorial calendar for your blog, and know where to find research sources. Now you need a good tool to compose articles with. Well if you spend any significant part of the day without Internet access, the Zoho Writer application now works offline. Type up your documents offline, then synchronize with your account when you have Internet access. What could be easier?

Well, that’s the idea, anyway. For now, the offline version only allows reading of documents, not writing. They’re getting to read/write offline, but it’ll be about another month. You will also need to install a browser plugin that works with IE 6+ and Firefox 1.5+ (including Mac).

I use ZohoWriter every day, but mostly for the word count feature, not for actual composition of an article. It can, however, substitute as an free alternative to Microsoft Word. And it exports to HTML format.

For documents, I prefer to use OpenOffice. For blog posts, I use an older version of the PFF (Performancing for Firefox) extension, now called ScribeFire). This PFF/ ScribeFire is incredible because you have the option of running it (1) in a Firefox tab, (2) in the bottom pane of your Firefox window, or (3) in a separate window. If you’re careful, you can run two instances. Just don’t edit the same file in two places or you’ll be crying.

Note that ScribeFire 1.4.2, released in early August, supports Firefox 3. However, one blogger claimed that it does not seem to post to WordPress blogs. I have not tested it yet as I have no plans to swith from the old PFF version. So if you’re running an older version of ScribeFire or PFF, you might want to do a bit of research before switching to a new version.

Here are some (mostly) design-related posts that I came across recently. Take your pick of free fonts, lightboxing of images, an easy-to-use graph visualization application, or a bit of advice to improve and protect your blog.

1. Huge font repository.
   

   Looking for some pop culture fonts? Type Now has a massive collection of over 300 fonts covering Movies + TV, Music/ Bands, Games, and Miscellaneous. Most of the downloads are TTF (TrueType Fonts), but there are a few for Mac. Keep in mind that these are only useful for your own computer, not on your website.

2. Defeating plagiarism.
   

   Andy Beard takes on the problem of plagiarism with a type of blog judo, suggesting practical ways to stop people from stealing your site content. Keep in mind, of course, that “Judo” means the gentle way. Indignation might feel justified, but it doesn’t always help.

3. Blog cliches.
   

   Jeff Atwood at Coding Horror points out thirteen cliched blog elements. There are definitely some items here that I’ve dropped from my own blogs. Visit, and consider this a checklist for your blog. My favorite is the blog calendar. Is it really any good for anything other than to remind you that you haven’t blogged in a few days?

4. Site bling: lightbox your images.
   

   If you’re running a site where you’d like to offer a lot of large format images, you might have a problem if your page theme isn’t wide enough. Instead, use a technique referred to as lightboxing, which temporarily floats an image on top of an opaque screen over your web page. [via SEOmoz]

5. Graph visualizations.
   

   Graph diagrams are not that commonly found except probably in math books, but if you’re looking for an easy way to generate and display them, check out Graph Gear. The application uses an XML file to describe connections between graph nodes, and Flash to display an interactive graph. Not sure why you need to drag the graph, but if you’re frustrated, it might soothe you.

Welcome to the first edition of “how to design a logo” series. This week we will analyze how to design an abstract logo for an advertising company. We will take a look below at all the logo concepts we came up with for our client, Quantum Creative, how we came up with those concepts and what elements were used to bring our ideas to life.

A little bit of info about the client, Quantum Creative: a data driven advertising agency. The company is strongly driven in its decisions by research data. It is affiliated with the top business consultancy in UK and benefits from its strong data based strategic positioning. The target market is current Elixir Business Consultancy clients and local manufacturing brands that require advertising and branding services.

The client wanted to see a logo design that represented the concept of Quantum which is “indivisible energy that is everlasting”. The client came to us without a real vision of what they wanted. They knew that they wanted a very modern, cutting edge type design that would appeal to a younger, more tech savvy market. Using themes based on the idea of energy, and science a set of five initial logo designs was created.

For all of the initial concepts it was important to create a basic geometric structure that could easily be converted into a simple one color image. That said, various gradient effects were then utilized to create a polished look to add both depth and dimension to create a modern, technological feeling.

The first concept is based on an abstract rendering of the atomic symbol. Dynamic rings were created first, which were then layered to create a sense of space and depth. For the center globe, a circle was rendered and then using a series of simple elements the illusion of a glass-like finish was created.

After adjusting the angle and placement of all the elements the graphic was then formatted to flow with the type treatment. For a maximum visual impact, a very clean and simple font was used to offset the 3D look of the graphic. The final design for this concept is a clean and modern image that effectively reflects both a technological idea as well as the theme of science.

The second concept utilizes an abstract shape reminiscent of the initial “Q”. Using the initial in a very stylized manner is a great way of expressing the overall theme without resorting to literal imagery. It also gives the graphic a direct relation with the name creating an integration which makes the brand more memorable. Using a simple series of circles and a crescent, the elements were adjusted as solid shapes to get an over all sense of flow and layout.

After that step, gradients and highlights were created to give the elements a sense of form and shape. By adjusting the gradients in simple and subtle ways the overall light and shadow begins to blend which adds to the realism of the overall design. Because the image is so iconic, it was placed above and centered to the text, which utilizes a very modern and almost futuristic style creating the completed brand.

For the third concept we wanted to focus more on the concept of energy, reflected in an abstract, organic way. The first step was creating a kind of free flowing vortex shape. By developing just one side first, the element can be copied and then rotated to create an overall symmetrical look that gives the illusion of movement and seamlessness. By utilizing very simple geometric shapes you easily create a very dynamic and fluid image that has a high visual impact.

To enhance the organic quality of the graphic a series of soft, silver background elements were created. This not only helps to enhance the visual impact of the main part of the graphic but can also help to direct the eye. In the end an oblong, circular shape was used. The abstract shape flowed nicely with the rest of the image as well as added direction down to the type. In terms of font choice a simple, yet modern square font served to complete the design.

For the fourth concept keeping with the theme of science and energy, the next concept utilizes a kind of molecular structure that could also be used to convey the initial “Q”. By experimenting with several circular shape, a unique yet simple design was created. By breaking down the letter “Q” down to the simplest identifiable elements, the larger circle and the cross at the lower right, it was easy to create an abstract icon that could represent both ideas at the same time. To enhance the overall visual impact, a globe shape was created using subtle gradients. The “Q” image was then inverted to white and placed over the globe to form a “cut-out” look.

For the text, a simple sans serif font was used to reflect the straight forward “scientific” look of the overall design. The icon was also utilized in the text to give a correlation between the imagery. The placement of the icon to the right just over the text is a reference to mathematical symbols, further enhancing the science theme and completing the brand.

For the fifth initial concept we wanted to try a more identifiable representation of the atomic symbol. This rounds off an overall spectrum of styles and images and also creates a good base. To start, a simple ring was created and given a gradient to convey the feeling of round tube-like shape. Once that was achieved, the ring was stretched out to create a sense of perspective. The next step was to copy the rings and position them at angles that correspond with the atomic symbol.

A circular disk was also to create some impact and also enhance the idea of energy and movement. The graphic was then placed next to a very bold and striking type which creates a very strong and stable impression. The block of color at the bottom serves as a way to display the tag line and balance out the heavy type at the top.

You have a plan for building your website’s authority and have decided that you need linkbait. You’re either going to write it yourself or hire someone. But one piece of linkbait is not always as successful as another. Why? Well that’s what this article is about. Here are some common mistakes that you might commit in either writing or buying linkbait, which will reduce it’s value and effectiveness.

1. Not researching your niche.
   If you are planning a long-term linkbaiting campaign, you should know as much as you can about your niche. That allows you to think outside the box and write completely unexpected but successful linkbaits.
2. Using poor titles.
   If you follow Copyblogger at all, you know that the title of your articles can make or break their popularity. If you’re not good at titles, Lyndon at Cornwall SEO offers 200 killer headlines for your niche for a price that’s worth every cent. If you spend several hundred or thousands on the article, make sure there’s a good title to go with it. If you do it yourself, spend sufficient time doing so.
3. Not giving credit.
   If you “borrow” ideas that were clearly introduced on a given blog, you need to give credit by linking back. Don’t let poor research techniques hinder you.
4. Poor research process.
   If you plan to write linkbait long-term, use an efficient research and bookmarking process for storing URLs you plan to link to. Try whatever works for you, and don’t be afraid to change:
   1. Browser bookmarks.
   2. Social bookmarks.
   3. Text file.
   4. Mindmap.

   I use a combination of these, as my mood or requirements dictates.

5. Not deep-linking.
   Bloggers with no scruples or no understanding of copyright will republish your linkbait verbatim. So deep-link into your existing archived articles from within every linkbait. That way, you’ll at least get some backlinks.
6. Not linking back.
   Just writing a linkbait article is not sufficient. Link back to it from future articles on your blog. Vary the anchor text. Sometimes use the title of the bait; other times use relevant keywords/ keyphrases. This helps both your linkbait and your site gain some authority in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).
7. Forgetting entertainment value.
   Provided your linkbait isn’t about a serious topic, you should consider writing to entertain readers. Injecting references to the pop culture of your region can be all that you need to achieve this.
8. Not using storytelling hooks.
   I learned a lot about writing and compelling readers when I spent three months writing nothing but short fiction and novellas. My best linkbaits (read highest Diggs and backlinks) were the ones where I applied storytelling hooks to compel readers through a massive list of items.
9. Ignoring content hooks.
   There are also different types of content hooks you can use, to make your linkbait more cohesive.
10. Forgetting your choices.
    Problogger lists twenty different types of linkbaiting techniques. You don’t always have to write lists.
11. Talking down to the reader.
    Never write as if you think people reading your articles (linkbait or otherwise) are stupid, or at least not as smart as you. Write for peers, always, in terms of tone and approach.
12. Rushing it.
    Trying to write a linkbait in a single sitting will drain you and you’ll grow to hate the work. Plan as many weeks ahead as you can. I was fortunate enough to have one client that assigned me three months of weekly work all at once. So I had lots of time to plan and accumulate references on a daily basis.
13. Poor formatting.
    Not all “linkbait” articles have to be lists, but all of them should be well-formatted for easy scanning. Use one or more of the following typography or visual elements to generate whitespace and break up text density:
    1. Sub-headings.
    2. Numbered lists. Use several, with sub headings, for longer lists.
    3. Bold text.
    4. Italicized text.
    5. Blockquotes.
    6. Images.
    7. Diagrams.
    8. Maps.
    9. Slideshows.
    10. Videos.
14. Link spamming.
    If you have a linkbait list of, say, 50 items, it’s probably fine to link out to 15-35 web pages elsewhere, plus 2-5 of your own archive pages, if appropriate. But if you start inserting lots of links to irrelevant sites that you (or your client) own, you’re asking for nasty Digg comments. Check out Smashing Magazine for other golden rules of linkbaiting.
15. Not doing SMM.
    Social media marketing, i.e., posting to a social news, voting or bookmarking site, is a necessary part of promoting linkbait. Some sites don’t like for you to submit your own articles, so respect that.
16. Not delivering the goods.
    Are you offering quality content? Are you getting angry comments that your linkbait sucks? Maybe it does. This could be due to several reasons:
    1. Promoted in the wrong category of a social media site.
    2. Having a really catchy linkbait title but not delivering what’s promised in the rest of the article.
    3. Having a really catchy title and description on a social media site but doing a poor job in the article.
    4. Poor or no references.
    5. Erroneous “facts”.
    6. Not spell-checking.
    7. Using poor grammar.
17. Not being first to submit.
    It’s a good idea to get someone you trust to submit the article to a social media site. That way, you can control the quality of the title and description. If someone you don’t know does it, they might do a poor job.
18. Not being first to comment.
    This isn’t absolutely necessary, unless you have a very controversial article. In that case, being the first to comment can set the tone for comments to follow. This is a tough issue to describe. You’ll have to judge for yourself.
19. Not hiring an SMM.
    If you plan to do a long-term linkbaiting campaign, you need someone with a lot of friends in their social media profile to do promote your linkbait. That increases the chances of success, if you have a good article. This goes back to #15 above, not doing SMM. Your hired SMM, even if only part-time, should be your primary story submitter. You should, however, change the submitter from time to time.
20. Not enough content balance.
    A blog full of only linkbait might get overwhelming for readers. Use a mix of regular articles and linkbait.
21. Publishing haphazardly.
    Linkbait articles are most effective when you’re publishing them at least once a week.
22. Forgetting to upgrade hosting.
    If you have a budgeting hosting, you’re just asking for trouble. Upgrade before you start publishing linkbait content, especially if you’ve gotten the hang of SMM traffic triggers.
23. Having thin skin.
    The more linkbait you publish and promote, the more likely you’ll get nasty, energy-draining comments, especially on Digg, and sometimes just from stray visitors who feel like making everyone else miserable. I’m not going to expound on the why of it, but if you have thick skin, you’ll get through to the value of social media traffic.