tobiasdebruyn

[jolenes-book-journey]

Shared Worlds: Expanding Your Author Platform from LJ Green

Shared Worlds: Expanding Your Author Platform from LJ Green

Participating in a shared world series or anthology can be a strategic move for authors looking to expand their readership, build their platform, and explore new creative avenues. This collaborative approach offers unique benefits that can significantly impact your author business. Each group or organization who is sponsoring a shared world publication(s) will have their own rules about…

[gabrielleragusi]

For Artists: My Experience with Commission Platforms and Illustration Agencies

Hi there! I’ve been wanting to compile a list of commission platforms that I’ve personally used for the longest time, and I finally did it! I’ve highlighted the still-active commission platforms in bold and struck those that don't exist anymore so you can jump to the sections that interest you without needing to read my entire story.

Let me start by briefly introducing myself.

I’m Gabrielle, a fantasy illustrator. Since 2014, I’ve been working on book covers and illustrations for publishers, authors, and book subscription boxes. Early on, work wasn’t as frequent as it is now. I had to search for opportunities myself, and even small private commissions were important for building my portfolio and earning some money, which I’d spend on materials, books, and online courses. Like many other artists, I started out by trying my luck with the biggest art community available at the time.

DeviantArt

2009-2018

Once upon a time, there was a virtual haven called DeviantArt. To my teenage self, it was a magical place. I signed up in 2009 and thought I’d never leave!

At first, I created an account just to share my work and learn. I didn’t even think about commissions for four or five years. But when that first inquiry finally landed in my inbox, things took off! My mum swears she remembers my excitement when I got my first commission, but for some reason, I’ve completely forgotten about it. I can't remember what it was or how much it paid. It might have been a portrait of a fantasy character.

Commissions on DeviantArt were fairly frequent, especially considering my cheap prices at the time. I used to offer discounts and post my rates in my DeviantArt journal, or in Commission groups that featured artists either monthly or weekly. After checking out my profile, a client could simply send me a private message and from there, we’d discuss payment, deadlines, and other details, and the platform didn’t take any fees, much like how ArtStation works today. Everything happened through private messages or email, with direct contact between artist and client.

The downside of this process was that there was no dispute resolution system on the platform. I had to handle all issues myself, and unfortunately, problems did arise sometimes: there were clients changing their minds about commissions, asking for refunds after work was delivered, refusing to pay, or just ghosting me. These issues didn’t happen because clients were evil, but rather because I was inexperienced and allowed some to take advantage of my naivety.

However, all that frustration helped me develop my commission process through trial and error (mostly error). And despite the challenges, I can say with satisfaction that most of the commissions I received through my DeviantArt profile were positive experiences.

DeviantArt eventually introduced a commission feature for Core (Premium) users, which came with a platform fee, but I didn’t use it much, and I’m not sure if it still exists.

The real beauty of dA, though, was the connections I made. I was able to meet people, both artists and clients, that I’m still in contact with today, and some of whom I still collaborate with.

I closed my account in 2018 or 2019, but by that time, I hadn’t really used it for a couple of years. The new user interface was a bit of a turn-off for me. I had always loved the geeky, and dare I say cozy, look of the old green and grey aesthetic, with its customisable panels that you could move around and personalise with HTML code... But I digress.

Artists and Clients

2013-2016

While taking small commissions on DeviantArt, I discovered Artists & Clients. It was a nice platform for clients to get things like their D&D characters or groups illustrated for relatively cheap. I think my highest price was $50 for a single character portrait, with the platform taking a 15% cut. I used it for about two or three years before the platform started to change.

As more artists with hentai art styles flooded in, the homepage shifted, and so did the clientele. There’s nothing wrong with drawing naked anime girls, of course, but you can understand that if a client is looking for a fantasy, semi-realistic painting of their female orc character, or a realistic portrait of their spouse, it's more than likely that they won't bother sifting through a sea of anime girls to find the style they want, imagining it isn't here. Let's just say that, at the time, the website took a definite direction that wasn't in line with my genre, but this direction didn't make the different, more realistic art styles stand out either.

Soon, commissions slowed down for me, so I closed my account, but by then I was already working elsewhere.

That said, this platform could still be a useful tool if you’re looking to take on smaller commissions.

DreamUp

2014-2015

DreamUp wasn’t an AI generator back then. It was actually a subsidiary of DeviantArt, where clients could post projects and artists could apply. It was a competitive platform that offered well-paid work–very well-paid. I remember seeing jobs posted that ranged from $300 to $1,200. DreamUp was a very professional platform for clients with a mid to high budget.

I believe I landed my very first book cover commission through this website when I was in my last year of high school. I remember getting the job and going to school the next morning, excited to share the news with my classmates. Everyone was super thrilled for me (we were a really close-knit class!), and I felt like I was walking on air.

Unfortunately, as far as I know, that book was never released, but it didn’t matter because I was moving forward, and fast.

I’m not sure when DreamUp was shut down, but I do know that DeviantArt held onto the copyrighted name, assigning it to something so anti-old DreamUp that it still boggles my mind.

ArtCorgi

Now Artistree

2014-2019

When I received an invitation to join ArtCorgi from its founder, I already had a somewhat consistent portfolio. I was painting portraits and fantasy illustrations, and the clients on this platform were looking for both–your typical wedding and pet portraits, as well as book covers, which were what really interested me. To get to the latter, I had to do the former. Over the years, I’ve painted so many realistic portraits that now I have a strict rule for my own sanity not to do them any more. I have great respect for portrait artists, but it’s just not me.

When I first submitted my prices to the person I was in contact with, she kindly suggested that I raise them... a lot. That was a major step forward in my professional career. I went from charging $50 to $100/$200 overnight. And to my surprise, people actually wanted to commission me at those prices!

From 2014 to 2019, I took nearly every commission that came my way. I never spoke directly with the clients; all instructions and feedback went through my point of contact, which helped maintain a level of professionalism, although now that I’m used to working directly with clients, I’m not sure I’d want to go back to having an intermediary.

Sadly, as with all good things, this chapter came to an end. My point of contact eventually left communication in the hands of someone else, and shortly after, the commission fee changed to, I believe, 30%.

Simply put, 30% is an unrealistic cut for a website like this. For an agent that gets you all kinds of big work in the publishing industry, sure, but since this was not the case I had to stop taking commissions. Despite that, my overall experience with ArtCorgi was very positive.

Today, ArtCorgi joined another platform, Artistree. As far as I can tell, Artistree doesn’t take any fees from artists, with clients covering a small cost instead.

Sketchmob (?)

2016-2020

This was probably the platform I used the most. I’ve lost count of how many commissions I received through Sketchmob. Many. Enough to generate a steady income at the time. With reasonable fees and a variety of art styles available, clients contacted me almost daily. Communication was direct between artists and clients, and payments could be split. The review system also worked very well… for a while.

Once I raised my prices, requests became fewer and farther apart. But by then, I was already working with my own clients.

Is this platform still active? Who knows. The website is still up and the chat feature works, but I’ve seen users complain that money available for withdrawal never arrived via PayPal (the only payment method the platform accepted, if I remember correctly). Personally, I wouldn’t risk completing a job through Sketchmob right now, at least not until they release an update.

If you’ve used the platform recently and successfully received payment within the last six months, please let me know, and I’d be happy to update this section!

Upwork

2017-2019

In 2017, I was determined to break into the book publishing industry. After trying out Fiverr and Freelancer.com with no success (the competition was too fierce for someone just starting out), I decided to give Upwork a shot. The platform looked very professional, and while the process sounded a bit complicated, I wanted to land the interesting projects I saw featured in my category. I really wanted to work with a big client… but big clients didn’t seem to want me, despite having the Rising Talent badge.

In two years of bidding for jobs and submitting proposals, I only landed two projects: a small commission from a private client who actually reached out to me, and another project that I bid on.

Don’t get me wrong, I was ecstatic at the time and truly appreciated every opportunity that came my way. But looking back, I can see why Upwork didn’t work out for me. The platform just wasn’t the right fit for my style and niche, which is fantasy illustration. Graphic design, however, was (and still is) in much higher demand.

The commission process on Upwork wasn’t as simple as on other platforms. For instance, at the time, costs were calculated hourly, which was a challenge for someone like me who prefers working with flat fees (having already calculated my average hours spent on an illustration). From what I’ve seen, this has since changed.

One positive aspect of Upwork is its current 10% cut on what artists earn. I don’t recall if this has changed over the years, but 10% is quite reasonable in my experience. Of course, 0% would be even better, but for a platform as large as Upwork, 10% is fair.

Illustration Agency

2019-2021

By 2019, I had built a solid, consistent portfolio thanks to my personal work and commissions. I had a simple website in place, my Instagram following was growing… I was steadily working toward my goal of illustrating covers for big publishers (which didn't happen until two years ago).

So, when an illustration agency reached out to me one day, I was over the moon. I had always heard that artists were the ones who had to approach agencies, not the other way around.

Well, that should have been my first red flag.

I won’t name this agency because, unfortunately, I have nothing positive to say about it. In fact, the word “nothing” perfectly describes my involvement with them. Nothing came of this barely there experience.

The agency invited me to sign up, not on an exclusive basis, but they assured me they’d get me work. That work never came. Once in a while, I’d receive messages saying they were trying to pitch my portfolio to a French publisher or another client, but... nothing.

Please understand that meanwhile I was already working directly with shops and authors, so I don’t believe my portfolio was the problem. The real issue was something I didn’t realise at the time: some agencies do this. They feature talented artists in their catalogue without having actual clients lined up, just to appear more professional and credible to potential clients. Did this strategy work for them? Maybe. I’ll never know.

In 2021, I politely asked them to remove my portfolio from their website, and that was the end of it.

After that, I never actively sought out an agent again. By the time my portfolio was strong enough to approach a serious agency, I just didn’t need representation anymore.

Hireillo

2019-2022

My experience with Hire an Illustrator, or Hireillo, is mixed. At the time, Hireillo was a platform that hosted artists' portfolios, featured artist-submitted news, provided useful articles, resources, and directories of artists and agents. I joined the site hoping to catch the eye of publishers, but I was mostly contacted by authors and one fellow artist for a graphic novel.

Unfortunately, most inquiries didn’t go beyond the first couple of messages due to budget constraints. I did, however, have fun sharing news about my painting process and projects I landed on my own, which were often featured by the website. Additionally, if I had questions about 'complicated' things like copyright, or just needed advice, I could ask the website’s owner and that was incredibly helpful.

Despite these benefits, I didn’t see any real results, which was a little disappointing. The subscription fee was also... odd, for lack of a better word. $5 per week. In the end I just couldn’t justify the cost, so I stopped using the website altogether.

Reedsy

2019-2022

Finally, we come to the turning point.

I remember stumbling upon Reedsy randomly. It wasn’t very well known at the time, and I think it still isn’t. I was nervous when I submitted my portfolio because their catalogue features the best of the best: designers who’ve created covers for bestsellers, THE bestsellers, people who’ve worked on Stephen King covers, or George R.R. Martin's. Designers, editors, and marketers who are veterans. I didn’t have high hopes for my application. So, I was in shock when it got accepted.

I had an introductory Skype call with a representative from Reedsy, who explained how everything worked. Before the call ended, I remember asking if there was a good chance I’d get work through the platform. The rep laughed and said, “Yes.”

A few weeks in, I understood that laugh.

Reedsy has an overwhelming demand for book covers and commercial projects. For every designer there are many more clients. In peak seasons, I was getting requests almost every day. I’m not exaggerating.

Reedsy transformed my portfolio and my pricing structure. Thanks to the income I earned through the platform, I was finally able not to take everything that came my way but be selective and choose only the projects that really interested me.

The commission process is simple: artists pretty much decide how to split payments, what to include in agreements, and the best part, the most beautiful and helpful feature of all, they can request and adjust deadlines. For someone like me who's terrible with deadlines, this feature was a lifesaver. The admins are also very kind and responsive, available via email or chat.

Unfortunately (this is my last 'unfortunately', I promise), my time on Reedsy came to an end for personal reasons. I’ll explain since it’s no secret.

All my images on Reedsy were watermarked with my signature (my full name), which apparently violated the platform’s rules. Why? Because if a client saw my last name, they could contact me directly and bypass Reedsy, which meant the platform lost potential fees. I’ll admit this did happen a few times, but I had the good sense to redirect the client back to Reedsy.

After three years, an admin finally noticed and asked me to remove my full name from the watermark and any text on my profile. It was a simple and reasonable request, but here’s where the problem started. Profiles on Reedsy are public, and images appear in search engines like Google Images, meaning anyone could download my work and use it without permission. Sure, watermarks can be removed, but uploading my work without one in the first place felt like a bad idea. Btw, not only do I use watermarks, but I also use Glaze to protect my illustrations before sharing them online.

Anyway, for this reason, and also because I couldn’t get over the fact that full names were public at the time, something I won’t get into because, believe me, I tried over email, and my reasons went into the void (now, last names are just initialised, like Gabrielle R. Okay. Sure.), I had to close my account–they would have done it anyway because it was already 'flagged'.

Overall, if you’re willing to overlook the last name conundrum, I can’t recommend Reedsy enough. If you have a killer, solid portfolio and a love for books and editorial projects, go for it!

--------------------------------------------

I hope you'll find this useful! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask (: Oh, and here's an old article I wrote in 2020, titled:

Tips to freelance illustrators to avoid being screwed over

Who knows, maybe I'll write another 'article' post in four years!

Instagram  - ArtStation - Website - Inprnt - Etsy - TikTok

[betterthanburrow]

Miss CEO - Instagram AU

(Bengals Quarterback! Joe Burrow x Beauty Influencer OC)

liked by yourinstagram, and 270,155 more users

MISHTIMAKEUP: introducing “Mishti Makeup” a new make-up brand created by @.yourinstagram.

after many years of hard work through cosmetology school, collaborating with other make-up brands, and building up the social media platforms, the day that our Chief Executive Officer has dreaming about since she was a little girl is finally here 🤎✨

it’s important to click the website in our bio to subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our upcoming make-up collection launches and sales!

view all 95,420 comments

yourinstagram: i’m very excited for this new journey!

↳ MISHTIMAKEUP: we love you! - social media intern.

nikkietutorials: i can’t wait to try out all of the new make-up products!

mamaburrow: i’m so excited to support you!

varijstylez: this was one of the hardest secrets that i have had to keep in my life… i’m so happy that the news of your company is finally out in the world!

joeyb_9: i’m so proud of you princess 💗

↳ yourinstagram: thank you 😽 i’m proud of me too!

liked by joeyb_9, and 300,851 more users

yourinstagram: Miss CEO Of Mishti Makeup.

view all 119,663 comments

yourlittlesister: so… since the CEO of Mishti Makeup is a my big sister, does this mean i get free products?!

↳ yourinstagram: hmm… i don’t know if you deserve those privileges 🤔

↳ yourlittlesister: i’m your little sister that was your makeup model for many years… that means i have automatically earned those privileges of free products.

joeyb_9: it’s more like… Miss CEO Of My Heart.

↳ yourinstagram: stop flirting with me on instagram…

like by 66,925 more users

DailyJLBurrow: Instagram Stories from (12/5/22)

view all 9,616 comments

username1: Joe posting about his girlfriend and Spongebob Squarepants on his IG stories… now all he needs to do is post something related to football and then Joe would’ve posted his holy trinity in one day!

username2: the Bengals beat the Kanas Chiefs yesterday but Joe is making it a priority to post about his girlfriend’s business over the football game win.

↳ username3: Chiefs fans really wanted to get a reaction out of Joe but it’s clear that he’s so unbothered even with the game win!

liked by joeyb_9, and 333,799 more users

yourinstagram: just the two of us @.joeyb_9 🤎

view all 150,001 comments

mamaburrow: the two of you are so cute!

joeyb_9: roses are red, violets are blue… you’ll be the 6 and i’ll be the 9.

↳ yourinstagram: JOSEPH LEE BURROW… THIS IS A PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION!

liked by 99,725 users

BeautyGuru_Updates: Y/N’s instagram story of her and NFL Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow.

view all 15,019 comments

username1: we really are getting spoiled with Y/N and Joe content today… this is a rare occasion!

↳ username2: and when we do get spoiled of content, it’s just their shadows or blurry photos… it’s never clear pictures, we get spoiled while living off crumbs.

username3: i still can’t believe my favorite beauty guru and my dad’s favorite NFL Quarterback are DATING?!

liked by yourinstagram and 509,917 more users

joeyb_9: Unbothered.

view all 4,183 comments

Bengals: 🔥🔥🔥

yourlittlesister: i have the coolest future brother in law!

yourinstagram: are you a parking ticket… because you’ve got ‘fine’ written all over you 😽

↳ joeyb_9: so you don’t like when i flirt with you in your instagram comments… but here you are, flirting with me in my instagram comments?!

Author’s Note:

if you have a request for an IG AU, please send the Instagram AU request in my inbox and i’ll try to get the IG AU requested published as soon as possible.

thank you all for the love and support! 🤍

[accountsend]

Lead Generation for E-commerce: Tactics to Drive Online Sales

Article by Jonathan Bomser | CEO | AccountSend.com

In today's dynamic digital landscape, the world of e-commerce is thriving like never before, offering businesses unparalleled opportunities to connect with a global audience. However, within this digital marketplace, the pursuit of increased online sales comes with its unique set of challenges. This is where the strategic art of lead generation steps in. In this article, we're about to embark on an enlightening journey through seven innovative tactics that promise to optimize your lead generation strategies and drive a remarkable surge in your online sales, setting the stage for business growth and expansion.

Download the infographic here!

Optimize Your Website for Conversions: Imagine your website as a virtual storefront, a welcoming entry point for potential customers into your digital universe. Ensuring that this first interaction is seamless and impactful is a crucial foundation for success. The concept of website optimization goes beyond aesthetics, diving deep into the realm of user experience. It's about strategically integrating compelling calls-to-action (CTAs), facilitating smooth checkout processes, and ensuring that your website is responsive and accessible across mobile devices. Each of these elements collaborates to create an environment that not only engages visitors but also fuels B2B lead generation, ultimately leading to increased conversions.

Implement SEO Best Practices: Navigating the vast expanse of the digital landscape requires a strategic compass. Search engine optimization (SEO) is that compass, guiding your brand towards higher visibility and discoverability. By refining your website and content to align with search engine algorithms, you pave a path for potential customers to easily find you. This journey involves meticulous keyword research, the cultivation of authoritative backlinks, and the crafting of top-notch content. Together, these elements elevate your brand's presence in search engine rankings, positioning you as an authority in your niche and drawing organic traffic to your virtual doorstep.

Harness the Power of Content Marketing: In a world driven by information and engagement, content marketing emerges as a beacon of connection. This dynamic strategy involves creating and disseminating valuable, relevant content that resonates with your target audience. From thought-provoking blog posts and visually captivating infographics to immersive videos and educational webinars, content marketing weaves a narrative that not only builds brand credibility but also educates potential leads. By serving as a bridge between information and conversion, content marketing shapes a customer journey that is both meaningful and impactful.

Leverage Social Media Advertising: In the realm of social media, where connections are forged and conversations thrive, lies an untapped reservoir of advertising potential. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer a treasure trove of advertising options equipped with advanced targeting capabilities. These tools empower you to direct your messages towards potential customers based on their behaviors, preferences, and demographics. This laser-focused approach brings your brand to the forefront of your audience's attention, fostering recognition, trust, and ultimately, sales conversions.

Engage in Email Marketing: Amidst the whirlwind of digital advancements, email marketing remains a steadfast pillar in the lead generation landscape. It's the art of personalized communication, where each email serves as a conduit for tailored promotions, informative content, and the nurturing of leads. Cultivating a robust email list lays the foundation for strategic email campaigns, where the crafting of compelling content fosters a direct and intimate relationship between your brand and potential customers. This relationship, in turn, fuels conversions and drives your e-commerce success.

Partner with Influencers: The power of influence is a force to be reckoned with in the digital era. By collaborating with influencers who hold sway over your target audience, you unlock an avenue of amplified visibility and credibility. These influencers, with their engaged online following, introduce your brand to a wider audience, fostering trust and recognition. The partnership forms a symbiotic relationship, driving both your brand's growth and the influencer's engagement, a testament to the transformative potential of influencer marketing in e-commerce.

Use Retargeting Campaigns: In the intricate dance of e-commerce, not every lead converts immediately. This is where retargeting campaigns step in, reminding potential customers of their engagement with your brand. These campaigns strategically place ads on social media platforms or deliver timely email reminders, gently nurturing warm leads and guiding them towards conversion. By maintaining a consistent presence in their digital landscape, you increase the chances of converting engaged leads into loyal customers.

In summation, the realm of e-commerce lead generation is a symphony of strategies. From website optimization to content marketing, social media finesse, influencer collaboration, and the art of retargeting, each tactic plays a distinct role in enhancing lead generation, elevating conversion rates, and propelling your online sales to unprecedented heights. As you embark on this dynamic journey, remember that success lies in not just embracing these strategies but also in adapting them to the evolving e-commerce trends and the unique pulse of your business. Your commitment to continuous refinement and innovation will undoubtedly chart a course towards sustained e-commerce triumph.

[alex-richey]

Blog Post #5 (Due 10/3)

How does the merit system in “Nosedive” parallel our perception of social media following?

In the “Nosedive” episode of Black Mirror, each person ranked everyone they interacted with, and one’s overall ranking determined how they were perceived and interacted with by others. This immediately reminded me of how social media status dictates our interpretations of one another. As few people would admit it, I know of many people who when looking at someone’s Instagram account for the first time, make judgments about them based on how many followers they have. Furthermore, when it comes to influencers, many companies only want to collaborate with those who have a certain amount of followers, leaving smaller social media creators to work extra hard to build their platforms. In “Nosedive,” each character’s rating offered benefits to those with particularly high ratings, such as reduced rent, access to certain buildings, and better overall social standing. This is an eerie, but realistic, example of how we let social media standing guide our interactions with people in the real world.

Why is language especially important when discussing social problems and feminism?

The language we use when discussing social issues is very important because it can make the difference in acknowledging or dismissing nuance in these issues. As we read two weeks ago, intersectionality is vital when discussing feminism to ensure that “women’s rights” include all women. As discussed in The Revenge of the Yellowfaced Cyborg Terminator, the authors argue that Haraway’s position as an established, respected white feminist grants her the privilege of an audience: people want to listen to her. However, if a woman of color made the same arguments, she’d likely have a much more difficult time gaining that same audience. When discussing social issues like sexism, it’s important to think critically about the language we’re using and how it may be interpreted to build stronger, more nuanced arguments.

How is voice-based racism more prevalent now than ever?

In her TedTalk, Dr. Lisa Nakamura explains voice-based racism in reference to the judgments we make about someone’s race based on their voice. She argues that with the rise of video games with live audio features (where you can play with friends and strangers), there’s also a rise in voice-based racism online. When we believe we know someone’s race simply from their voice, we open the door for stereotypes and prejudice to guide our interactions with that person. Furthermore, everyone is prejudiced, and these prejudices continue to exist online. I believe making judgments on someone’s voice online is relatively similar to making judgments about their appearance in real life, so voice-based racism is especially important to analyze and acknowledge when we are guilty of it.

What is ludo-Orientalism and how does it work?

→ In The Race card: From gaming technologies to model minorities, the author defines ludo-Orientalism as the way that the “design, marketing, and rhetoric of games shape how Asians as well as East-West relations are imagined,” as well as how Asian people are constantly depicted as “other.” It also refers to the way social constructions of race are perpetuated through games and disguised as “play.” This can be particularly harmful because when something is deemed fun, we assume it to be lighthearted, and we often even assume it to lack any real, societal effect. However, the portrayals of racial groups through video games are often disguised versions of stereotypes, that then get perpetuated for the sake of “a fun game.”

Fickle, T. (2019). The race card: From gaming technologies to model minorities. New York University Press.

Richter, M. (2016). Black Mirror: Nosedive. episode.

Nakamura, L. (2011). TedXUIllinois - Dr. Lisa Nakamura - 5 Types of Online Racism and Why You Should Care. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT-G0FlOo7g

Ow, Jeffrey A. “The Revenge of the Yellowfaced Cyborg Terminator: The Rape of Digital Geishas and the Colonization of Cyber-Coolies in 3D Realms’ Shadow Warrior.” Asian America.Net: Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Cyberspace.

[dawnfelagund]

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to create a small archive like you did with the Silmarillion Writers' Guild? I think there's a good chance that the way AI is in the news right now leads to more energy being directed towards smaller community-specific archives and I'd love to know more about how you came to start the SWG. (I'm the fans4writers person who misrepresented your post—a correction has been added!)

Thank you for the correction and also (most importantly!) for your work in solidarity with the WGA writers and keeping this issue at the forefront of fandom consciousness!

This is an amazing question, and I am trying not to be too giddy in answering it! :D

I’d say first and foremost is to think about what you have in mind. A single-author archive, for example, is going to involve different considerations than an archive for a small community or a group of friends/collaborators, and both of those will have different considerations than an archive that is more open to the public. My experience, over the years, is that the more potential users you have, the more careful you have to be in all of your decisions. If you pick an annoying platform for a single-author archive, the only person you annoy is you. If you made the same choice for a larger project, you might find yourself losing creators and visitors due to inconvenience. (I say this as I am redoing my annoying single-author archive/website to be less annoying! :D)

(It sounds like you want something for a small community, so this is more just a general fyi for others who might be thinking through the same process.)

Right now, unfortunately, there are not a lot of great options for creating archives that function well as archives, and that’s a discussion to have with your community. Can you make a Dreamwidth community or a Wordpress blog work, even if it lacks a lot of the bells and whistles we have come to associate with fanworks archives? The answer could well be yes! I’m a Tolkien fandom historian, and early-mid 2000s Tolkien fanfic archives were often subsidiaries of the community itself: a more permanent place to ... well, archive ... the works the community was making. The real action was happening in the community itself, whether that was an email list or a forum or something else entirely, so no one really needed a sophisticated archive. When I look back at these early archives, I am sometimes blown away at how simple they were compared to what we have come to expect of an “archive,” again largely because the dominance of AO3 has led people to see it as “default” rather than “one possible option.”

If simple is an option, then there are tons of free and not-free options for blogs and websites. Wordpress, of course, is an obvious choice. Dreamwidth and BobaBoard are options that specifically market as fandom-friendly. Neocities is a reboot of Geocities and just one of many free site builders. In short, for a simple archive/site, there are lots of options.

Now if you want an archive with more sophisticated features, then the answer is less satisfying because this area of fandom has atrophied in the shadow of AO3.

The AO3 code itself is open-source, which means it can be used to build sites that behave exactly like AO3. However, I’ve never used it but have heard that it is not a beginner-level project to do this.

Back in the mid- to late 2000s, eFiction was the go-to for building archives. Open-source software specific for fanfiction archives, it could be installed on a web server and configured and up and running in less than an hour. It is still around. I do not recommend using it as it is now and mention it only because it does have a new developer at the helm who has been (unsuccessfully) trying to fundraise to not only update the codebase but also, ideally, roll out the option of hosted eFiction sites: where you would not have to purchase web hosting but could build an eFiction archive on the eFiction servers, similar to hosted Wordpress sites. Given the interest in small archives and the recently successful fundraising campaign for the Fujoshi Guide to Web Development, I hope to reach out to Tyler (the new eFiction developer) sometime this week to see if he might be open to more strenuously fundraising to at least get an updated codebase available to use. So I’m hoping eFiction becomes viable again in the future.

The Silmarillion Writers’ Guild currently uses Drupal, an open-source content management system similar to Wordpress, but it has been a journey to get there.

You asked specifically about how I came to start the SWG, so I’ll digress a bit on that there, which will bring me back around to Drupal. :D The SWG started in 2005 as a community on Yahoo! Groups and LiveJournal. I was 23 years old and knew nothing about websites. I have a vivid (and mildly embarrassing!) memory of setting up the SWG on LJ and emailing my sister to ask her how to “make italics in HTML,” since LJ didn’t have a reliable rich-text editor at the time and I guess I needed to ... make italics?

The SWG was intended to be a writers’ workshop for Silmarillion-based fanfiction, but I said the word “archive” in my very first post to the group, and people loved the idea, and that was where our efforts ended up going, so I spent the next two years learning what I needed to know to build and run a website. The SWG archive opened in 2007. It was a hand-coded website with an eFiction archive as part of it. This served us very well for many years, until we started noticing that the eFiction part of the site was returning errors every time our webhost upgraded our PHP. eFiction, by this point, hadn’t been updated in several years, and web standards were outstripping the codebase. My comod Russandol knows enough PHP that she could patch up the eFiction code to fix the errors we were seeing, but we knew it was a matter of time before that was no longer a viable option. In August 2019, after a particularly painful update that threw all kinds of errors into the site, we began investigating other archive software options.

We eventually settled on Drupal, and I began to the whole learning process again and built a few test archives. A year later, Russa and I began rebuilding the site in Drupal. We beta’ed the site, migrated the data, and opened the rebuilt site in April 2021.

I love Drupal. I love working with it, and when my job as a teacher is on my last nerve, I fantasize about becoming a Drupal developer. It is very powerful and can do amazing things. I really think you can build almost anything in it. However, with that being said, it is also a huge pain in the ass, and the more complicated the site, the more of a pain it becomes, and like many open-source projects, while there is a support community behind it, documentation is not always the best, nor geared at beginners. I don’t say this to dissuade you or anyone else from choosing Drupal. I would not un-choose it. But I do think it’s important to go into that choice with eyes open to the advantages and disadvantages it has to offer.

For anyone who is interested in building an archive in Drupal, one of my projects this summer break is to produce a tutorial series for building a start-to-finish Drupal-based fanworks archive. The tutorial series is completely outlined; I just need to record it. I will of course announce it here; it will be posted on my website (dawnfelagund.com, currently under construction) and the SWG once it is ready.

Of course, any other content management system could, in theory, be leveraged to build an archive. In my perfect world, eFiction would come back and someone would figure out how to use Wordpress to make archives. (Russa and I tried recently, but neither of us know Wordpress well enough to get the right combination of plugins.) An SWG member (whom I will not name so as to not create any pressure on her to follow through!) who knows Wordpress really well did float the idea of playing around in it to solve this problem.

So ... that’s a lot of “watch this space” for more sophisticated archive options. And this is not where I want us, as Fandom, to be. I remain hopeful, however, that there does seem to be interest in small archives at last and several projects that could turn into something viable.

[jkdigitalmarketingblogs]

Mastering Creative Branding: A Comprehensive Guide

How to do Branding for a Company?

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, branding plays a pivotal role in shaping a company’s identity and success. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, mastering creative branding techniques is essential to stand out in the competitive market. This guide delves into the intricacies of branding, offering valuable insights and tips to elevate your brand identity.

Understanding the Essence of Branding

Branding goes beyond just a logo or a tagline; it encompasses the core values, mission, and visual elements that define your business. A strong brand identity creates a lasting impression on customers and fosters loyalty. Effective branding is about telling a compelling story that resonates with your target audience and sets you apart from competitors.

Key Elements of Brand Identity

Logo: Your logo is the face of your brand and the first thing people notice. It should be unique, memorable, and reflective of your brand’s personality.

Color Palette: Colors evoke emotions and influence consumer behavior. Choose a color scheme that aligns with your brand values and appeals to your target demographic.

Typography: The fonts you use convey a message about your brand’s style and tone. Consistent typography across all marketing materials creates brand cohesiveness.

Brand Voice: Define your brand voice — formal, friendly, or humorous — and maintain consistency in all communication channels.

Crafting a Strong Brand Strategy

A well-defined brand strategy is a roadmap for your branding efforts, guiding every aspect of your marketing initiatives. Here’s how you can develop a robust brand strategy:

1. Define Your Brand Mission and Values

Clearly articulate your brand’s mission, vision, and values. Your brand story should convey why you exist, what you stand for, and what sets you apart from others in your industry.

2. Know Your Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is crucial for crafting a brand message that resonates with them. Conduct market research to identify their needs, preferences, and pain points.

3. Create a Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Your Unique Selling Proposition should communicate your product’s or service’s unique benefits and why customers should choose you over competitors.

4. Be Consistent Across All Channels

Consistency is key to building brand recognition and credibility. Ensure that your brand elements, messaging, and tone remain consistent across all platforms.

Leveraging SEO for Branding Success

In today’s digital landscape, SEO plays a vital role in enhancing brand visibility and attracting organic traffic to your website. Here are some SEO branding tips to boost your brand’s online presence:

1. Optimize Your Website

Ensure your website is SEO-friendly by optimizing meta tags, headings, and image alt text. A well-structured and fast-loading website improves user experience and search engine rankings.

2. Create High-Quality Content

Producing relevant, engaging, and optimized content not only drives traffic but also builds authority and credibility for your brand. Regularly update your blog with valuable information related to your industry.

3. Build Quality Backlinks

Backlinks from reputable websites signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. Focus on building high-quality backlinks through guest posting, collaborations, and content partnerships.

4. Monitor and Analyze Performance

Use analytics tools to track your SEO performance and identify areas for improvement. Monitor keyword rankings, organic traffic, and user engagement metrics to fine-tune your SEO strategy.

Conclusion

Mastering creative branding is an ongoing process that requires dedication, creativity, and a deep understanding of your target audience. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can elevate your brand identity, increase brand awareness, and drive business growth in the digital age.

Remember, successful branding is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a meaningful connection with your customers that goes beyond products and services. Embrace the power of branding to leave a lasting impact on your audience and establish a strong brand presence in the market.

Let your brand story be the driving force behind your success in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. For learning more about how to do Branding for small businesses J.K Digital is the online platform that provides solutions and also created meaningful branding for many startups that got success and ran with their desired best outcomes.

[probacklinker]

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing strategy aimed at improving a website's visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). By optimizing various elements of your website and creating high-quality content, SEO ensures that your site attracts relevant organic traffic and ranks well for targeted keywords. The primary goal of SEO is to enhance a website’s usability and credibility in the eyes of search engines like Google, ultimately driving more potential customers to your site.

How to Work SEO

Working with SEO involves several strategies, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and off-page optimization.

Keyword Research: This is the foundation of an effective SEO strategy. Identify relevant keywords that potential customers are searching for and integrate them into your content.

On-Page Optimization: This involves enhancing individual web pages to rank higher. Focus on optimizing your title tags, headers, meta descriptions, and content quality. Ensure your site is user-friendly with fast loading times, mobile optimization, and easy navigation.

Content Creation: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is crucial. Regularly update your blog or website with articles, videos, and infographics that resonate with your target audience.

Technical SEO: Ensure that your website is technically sound by checking for broken links, duplicate content, and structure. A well-structured site helps search engines crawl and index your pages effectively.

Profile Backlinks for Website Development

Profile backlinks are created by adding your website link to user profiles on forums, social media platforms, and professional networks. These backlinks are an essential part of off-page optimization and can significantly contribute to your SEO efforts.

Building Authority: When your site is linked from reputable profiles, it enhances your site's authority and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines.

Increasing Traffic: Profile backlinks can drive referral traffic to your site. Users browsing profiles may click on your link, leading to potential conversions.

Diversity of Links: A diverse backlink profile, which includes profile backlinks, improves your overall SEO. Search engines favor sites with varied backlink sources, helping to boost rankings.

Networking Opportunities: Engaging in communities through profiles can lead to collaborations with other businesses or influencers, further enhancing your link-building efforts.

In conclusion, understanding SEO and effectively implementing both on-page and off-page strategies, including profile backlinks, is crucial for developing a successful online presence. By optimizing your website, you can improve visibility, attract more traffic, and ultimately achieve your business goals.

#backlinks #seostrategy #seoexpert #seoservices #SEO #seotips #profilbacklink #probacklinker

[epinesar007]

What is marketing:-

Introduction

 In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for businesses aiming to succeed in 2024 and beyond. With technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviors, the landscape of marketing continues to evolve rapidly. This blog explores key strategies and trends that businesses can leverage to thrive in today's digital age.

1. Understanding the Current Marketing Landscape

 - Digital Transformation: How businesses are adapting to digital-first strategies.

- Consumer Behavior Shifts: The rise of mobile-first browsing and shopping.

- Data-Driven Insights: Harnessing big data for targeted marketing campaigns.

2. Key Digital Marketing Strategies

- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Best practices for ranking high on search engines.

- Content Marketing: Creating valuable content to engage and convert customers.

- Social Media Marketing: Leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for brand awareness and customer engagement.

- Email Marketing: Building effective email campaigns for lead nurturing and customer retention.

- Paid Advertising: Maximizing ROI through Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and other paid channels.

3. Emerging Trends in 2024

 - AI and Machine Learning: How AI is transforming marketing automation and personalized customer experiences.

- Voice Search Optimization: Optimizing content for voice search queries.

- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Enhancing customer engagement through immersive experiences.

- Blockchain Technology: Ensuring transparency and security in digital marketing efforts.

4. Case Studies and Success Stories

 - Case Study 1: How Company X achieved a 200% increase in sales through an innovative digital marketing campaign.

- Case Study 2: Lessons learned from Company Y's successful social media influencer collaboration.

- Case Study 3: Implementing AI-driven strategies at Company Z: A roadmap to success.

 5. The Future of Marketing: Predictions and Recommendations

 - Personalization: Tailoring marketing efforts to individual consumer preferences.

- Ethical Marketing: Building trust and credibility through ethical practices.

- Continuous Learning: The importance of staying updated with industry trends and evolving technologies.

 Conclusion

 As we move further into 2024, digital marketing will continue to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses. By embracing innovative strategies, leveraging new technologies, and staying agile, businesses can position themselves for success in the ever-changing digital landscape.

 Call to Action

 Ready to take your marketing efforts to the next level in 2024? Contact us today to learn how our tailored strategies can help your business thrive in the digital age.

 This outline provides a comprehensive framework for a 1500-word blog post on digital marketing. You can expand each section with detailed explanations, examples, and insights to provide value to your readers and establish your authority in the field.

[stupidsyntax]

WriteCollective: A Collaborative Platform for Business Planning

Mission: Empower entrepreneurs and writers to turn their ideas into reality by providing a collaborative platform for business planning.

Problem Statement: Creating a comprehensive business plan can be a daunting task, especially for solo entrepreneurs and writers. Lack of resources, expertise, and feedback can lead to poor planning, increased risk, and decreased chances of success.

Solution: WriteCollective is a web-based platform that connects entrepreneurs and writers with a community of like-minded individuals, providing a collaborative environment for business planning. The platform offers:

* Idea Submission: Users can post their business ideas and receive feedback and suggestions from the community.

* Collaborative Tools: Users can work together to develop comprehensive business plans using templates, guides, and AI-powered suggestions.

* Community Forum: Users can connect with others, share resources, and get support and guidance throughout the planning process.

* Knowledge Base: A repository of business plans and solutions, providing inspiration and learning opportunities for users.

Key Features

* Collaborative Environment: Facilitates feedback, suggestions, and collaboration between users.

* Diverse Perspectives: Brings together individuals with diverse expertise and experience.

* Comprehensive Tools: Provides everything needed to create a comprehensive business plan.

* Knowledge Sharing: Fosters learning and inspiration through a repository of business plans and solutions.

Target Market

* Entrepreneurs: Solo founders, small business owners, and startups.

* Writers: Freelance writers, authors, and content creators.

* Innovators: Inventors, designers, and creatives with business ideas.

Revenue Model

* Subscription-based: Users pay a monthly or annual fee to access the platform and its features.

* Advertising: Targeted advertising and sponsored content opportunities.

* Partnerships: Collaborations with educational institutions, business incubators, and industry partners.

Competitive Advantage

* Collaborative Environment: Unique platform that fosters community-driven business planning.

* Comprehensive Tools: Provides a one-stop-shop for business planning needs.

* Knowledge Sharing: Offers a valuable resource for learning and inspiration.

Next Steps

* Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Build a functional platform with core features.

* Conduct User Testing: Gather feedback and iterate on the platform.

* Launch and Market: Launch the platform and execute a marketing strategy to attract users.

[nishakrishnan1996]

Unveiling Effective Digital Marketing Strategies: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

In today's fast-paced digital era, businesses constantly seek innovative ways to engage their target audience. With a plethora of digital marketing strategies available, navigating this landscape can be daunting. However, understanding and implementing the most effective tactics can unlock new opportunities for growth and success.

This comprehensive guide explores ten powerful digital marketing strategies and how they can be utilized to achieve your business objectives.

Chapter 1: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is fundamental to any successful digital marketing strategy. It involves optimizing your website to improve visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract organic traffic. Through keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, and link building, a well-executed SEO strategy can enhance online presence, increase brand visibility, and drive targeted traffic.

Chapter 2: Content Marketing

Content marketing revolves around creating and distributing valuable, relevant content to engage your target audience. This includes blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, and more. By providing informative and entertaining content, you can build trust, establish authority, and drive organic traffic to your website, while also supporting other digital marketing efforts such as SEO and social media.

Chapter 3: Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest offer powerful tools for connecting with your audience. Social media marketing involves creating compelling content, running targeted ads, and engaging with followers to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, and generate leads. A well-planned social media strategy can foster a loyal community, nurture relationships, and drive conversions.

Chapter 4: Email Marketing

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to nurture leads and drive conversions. By building an email list and sending targeted, personalized emails, you can deliver relevant content, nurture leads through the sales funnel, and encourage action. With segmentation, automation, and personalization, email marketing enables delivering the right message to the right person at the right time.

Chapter 5: Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising allows bidding for ad placement in search engine results or on other websites. Platforms like Google Ads and Bing Ads offer robust targeting options, enabling reaching your ideal audience based on keywords, demographics, and interests. PPC advertising drives targeted traffic to your website and generates leads or sales, with payment only upon ad clicks.

Chapter 6: Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing involves collaborating with influential individuals on social media to promote products or services. By leveraging influencers' reach and credibility, you can reach a larger audience, build trust, and drive conversions. Authentic influencer partnerships create engaging content that resonates with your audience, increasing brand awareness and driving sales.

Chapter 7: Video Marketing

Video content continues to rise in popularity, offering a powerful marketing tool. Whether tutorials, product demos, or testimonials, video connects with your audience on a deeper level and drives engagement. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram provide opportunities to reach a vast audience with compelling video content, boosting brand visibility and website traffic.

Chapter 8: Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves partnering with affiliates to promote your products or services in exchange for a commission on sales. Leveraging affiliates' reach and influence, you can increase brand exposure, drive traffic, and generate sales without upfront costs. Scalable and cost-effective, affiliate marketing expands reach and grows your business.

Chapter 9: Mobile Marketing

Optimizing digital marketing efforts for mobile devices is crucial with the rise of smartphones and tablets. Ensuring a mobile-friendly website, creating mobile-optimized content, and leveraging mobile-specific channels like SMS marketing reach consumers on the go. Mobile marketing delivers targeted messages, driving engagement and conversions.

Chapter 10: Remarketing

Remarketing targets users who have previously interacted with your brand but not converted. Serving targeted ads to these users encourages them to complete their purchase, maximizing ROI. Remarketing re-engages potential customers, drives conversions, and boosts the effectiveness of digital marketing efforts.

Conclusion:

Mastering digital marketing involves understanding various strategies and tactics and applying them effectively to achieve business goals. By leveraging SEO, content marketing, social media, email marketing, PPC advertising, influencer marketing, video marketing, affiliate marketing, mobile marketing, and remarketing, you can create a comprehensive strategy that drives results. With the right approach, digital marketing increases brand awareness, drives traffic, generates leads, and fuels business growth in today's competitive digital landscape.

[roseliejack123]

From Coding to Creation: Java's Versatile Influence

Java, often described as the "king of programming languages," stands as a monumental force that has significantly influenced the trajectory of modern software development. For over two decades, Java has proven its versatile, powerful, and dependable programming language, underpinning a vast array of applications, platforms, and systems that permeate our digital landscape. In this comprehensive exploration, we will embark on a journey to unravel the essence of Java, delving deep into what makes it indispensable and why it continues to be the preferred choice for programmers across diverse domains.

What is Java?

At its core, Java is a high-level, object-oriented, and platform-independent programming language that defies the conventional limitations of traditional coding. Conceived in the mid-1990s through the visionary efforts of James Gosling and his adept team at Sun Microsystems (now seamlessly integrated into Oracle Corporation), Java introduced a revolutionary concept that continues to define its identity: "Write Once, Run Anywhere." This groundbreaking principle signifies that Java applications exhibit a remarkable adaptability, capable of executing seamlessly on various platforms, provided a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) stands ready to facilitate their execution. This single feature alone positions Java as an unparalleled workhorse, transcending the boundaries of operating systems and hardware, and ushering in an era of software portability and compatibility.

Key Features of Java:

Platform Independence: Java's unparalleled platform independence is the cornerstone of its success. Code authored in Java is liberated from the confines of a single operating system, enabling it to traverse across a plethora of platforms without requiring any cumbersome modifications. This inherent portability not only obliterates compatibility concerns but also streamlines software deployment, eliminating the need for platform-specific versions.

Object-Oriented Paradigm: Java's steadfast adherence to the object-oriented programming (OOP) paradigm cultivates a development environment characterized by modularity and maintainability. By encapsulating code into discrete objects, Java empowers developers to construct intricate systems with greater efficiency and ease of management, a quality particularly favored in large-scale projects.

Rich Standard Library: The Java Standard Library stands as a testament to the language's comprehensiveness. It comprises a vast repository of pre-built classes and methods that cater to a wide spectrum of programming tasks. This comprehensive library significantly reduces development overhead by offering readily available tools for commonplace operations, bestowing developers with the invaluable gift of time.

Security: In an era marred by cyber threats and vulnerabilities, Java emerges as a paragon of security-conscious design. It incorporates robust security features, including a sandbox environment for executing untrusted code. Consequently, Java has become the de facto choice for building secure applications, particularly in industries where data integrity and user privacy are paramount.

Community Support: The strength of Java's thriving developer community is an asset of immeasurable value. This vast and active network ensures that developers are never left wanting for resources, libraries, or frameworks. It provides a dynamic support system where knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving flourish, accelerating project development and troubleshooting.

Scalability: Java is not confined by the scale of a project. It gracefully adapts to the demands of both modest applications and sprawling enterprise-level systems. Its versatility ensures that as your project grows, Java will remain a steadfast companion, capable of meeting your evolving requirements.

Performance: Java's Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler serves as the vanguard of its performance capabilities. By dynamically optimizing code execution, Java ensures that applications not only run efficiently but also deliver exceptional user experiences. This, coupled with the ability to harness the power of modern hardware, makes Java a preferred choice for performance-critical applications.

Multithreading: Java's built-in support for multithreading equips applications to execute multiple tasks concurrently. This not only enhances responsiveness but also elevates the overall performance of applications, particularly those designed for tasks that demand parallel processing.

Java is not merely a programming language; it represents a dynamic ecosystem that empowers developers to fashion an extensive array of applications, ranging from mobile apps and web services to enterprise-grade software solutions. Its hallmark feature of platform independence, complemented by its rich libraries, security fortifications, and the formidable backing of a robust developer community, collectively underpin its enduring popularity.

In a world where digital innovation propels progress, Java stands as an essential cornerstone for building the technologies that sculpt our future. It's not merely a language; it's the key to unlocking a boundless realm of opportunities. For those seeking to embark on a journey into the realm of Java programming or aspiring to refine their existing skills, ACTE Technologies stands as a beacon of expert guidance and comprehensive training. Their programs are tailored to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to harness the full potential of Java in your software development career.

As we navigate an era defined by digital transformation, Java remains a trusted companion, continually evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of technology. It's not just a programming language; it's the linchpin of a world characterized by innovation and progress. Let ACTE Technologies be your trusted guide on this exhilarating journey into the boundless possibilities of Java programming.

[absartakespictures]

Blogging in the era of TikTok and Instagram ///!!

In today's digital environment, it is important to consider if blogging is still relevant in the era of TikToks and Instagram. We may take into account a number of factors, such as communities, socialisation, digital data, and organisations, to investigate this subject.

Communities:

Blogging: Historically, specialised groups and subject matter experts have used blogging as a platform. Bloggers frequently provide material that appeals to specialised interests and subject matter. These groups of people may be incredibly helpful and engaging. TikTok and Instagram: These two platforms also contain communities, although their behaviours are usually rather different. Platforms for sharing short movies and images build communities around popular culture trends, influencers, and aesthetic ideas. Instead of extended conversations, engagement frequently consists of likes, comments, and shares.

Socialisation:

Blogging: Blogging enables in-depth topic investigation and fosters deliberative dialogue through comments. It encourages long-form material that encourages in-depth discussion and analysis. TikTok and Instagram are two sites that emphasise rapid and attractive content more than others. Through likes, emoticons, and brief remarks, they promote social interaction. The exchanges are frequently more informal and centred on visuals.

Digital Data:

Blogging: A considerable volume of text is produced by blogs. This information may be used for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), making it an important source of organic traffic over the long run. Bloggers may get in-depth information about user behaviour and content performance from analytics tools. TikTok and Instagram are two social media sites that produce a lot of graphic and video content. Although they provide analytics tools, the data may be more difficult to understand and the content's shelf life is frequently shorter owing to the frequent revisions.

Organisations:

Blogging: For content marketing, thought leadership, and SEO, many organisations continue to see value in blogging. A technique to build authority and offer in-depth information is through blogs. Organisations frequently utilise TikTok and Instagram for visual marketing, influencer collaborations, and brand recognition. Short-form material might be useful for swiftly reaching larger audiences.

In conclusion, the objectives and tastes of content producers and users will determine if blogging is still relevant in the TikTok and Instagram era.

[thehenrythomas]

10 Tips To Boost Your Blog's Visibility

In the vast ocean of online content, getting your blog noticed can be a daunting task. However, with the right strategies and techniques, you can significantly enhance your blog's visibility and attract a wider audience. Consider partnering with a reputable SEO Company in Mumbai for expert guidance and support. Here are some tips to help boost your blog's visibility:

1. Define Your Niche and Target Audience:

Identify your niche and target audience to tailor your content effectively. Understanding the interests, preferences, and pain points of your audience enables you to create relevant and engaging content that resonates with them.

2. Create High-Quality Content:

Content is the cornerstone of a successful blog. Produce high-quality, informative, and valuable content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. Aim for uniqueness, originality, and depth in your content to stand out from the competition.

3. Optimize for Search Engines:

Implement search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your blog's visibility in search engine results. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally into your content, headings, meta tags, and URLs. Focus on optimizing on-page elements such as titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text to enhance search engine rankings.

4. Promote Across Social Media Channels:

Harness the power of social media to amplify the reach of your blog content. Share your blog posts across various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest. Engage with your audience, participate in relevant discussions, and encourage social sharing to increase visibility and attract more readers.

5. Guest Blogging and Collaboration:

Collaborate with influencers, bloggers, and industry experts through guest blogging and collaboration opportunities. Write guest posts for reputable websites within your niche to expand your reach and attract new readers. Likewise, invite guest bloggers to contribute to your blog, providing fresh perspectives and valuable insights to your audience.

6. Utilize Email Marketing:

Build an email list of subscribers who are interested in your blog content. Use email marketing campaigns to promote your latest blog posts, share valuable resources, and engage with your audience directly. Personalize your emails and provide exclusive content or offers to incentivize subscribers to visit your blog regularly.

7. Optimize Blog Design and User Experience:

Ensure that your blog is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Optimize blog design elements such as layout, typography, colors, and imagery to create a pleasant and seamless user experience. Improve website speed, minimize loading times, and optimize for various devices to enhance user satisfaction and encourage repeat visits.

8. Participate in Online Communities and Forums:

Engage with online communities, forums, and discussion groups relevant to your blog's niche. Contribute valuable insights, answer questions, and share your expertise to establish yourself as a knowledgeable authority within your industry. Include links to your blog posts where relevant, driving traffic and increasing visibility.

9. Analyze and Iterate:

Regularly analyze your blog's performance using web analytics tools such as Google Analytics. Track key metrics such as traffic, engagement, bounce rate, and conversion rate to evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies. Identify areas for improvement, experiment with new tactics, and iterate your approach to continually enhance your blog's visibility and success.

10. Network and Build Relationships:

Network with other bloggers, influencers, and industry professionals to build mutually beneficial relationships. Attend networking events, conferences, and meetups to connect with like-minded individuals and potential collaborators. Cultivate genuine relationships based on trust, respect, and reciprocity, leveraging each other's audiences and expertise to increase visibility and reach.

In conclusion, boosting your blog's visibility requires a combination of strategic planning, consistent effort, and effective execution. By defining your niche, creating high-quality content, optimizing for search engines, promoting across social media, leveraging guest blogging and collaboration opportunities, utilizing email marketing, optimizing blog design and user experience, participating in online communities, analyzing performance, and networking with industry peers, you can significantly enhance your blog's visibility and attract a larger audience.

[ajcook0622]

Link Building: Building Digital Bridges

Link Building is a strategic process of acquiring high-quality backlinks (inbound links) from reputable and relevant websites to improve a website's authority, credibility, and search engine rankings. The quality and quantity of backlinks play a crucial role in determining a website's perceived value and authority by search engines. Key aspects of Link Building include:

Quality Backlinks: Obtaining backlinks from authoritative, industry-related websites with high domain authority (DA) and page authority (PA) signals to search engines that your website is a trusted and valuable resource.

Natural Link Acquisition: Focusing on natural link acquisition through content creation, outreach, guest blogging, influencer collaborations, and partnerships rather than resorting to manipulative or spammy tactics.

Anchor Text Optimization: Using relevant and descriptive anchor text when linking to your website from external sources to indicate the context and relevance of the linked content.

Diverse Link Profile: Building a diverse link profile with a mix of do-follow and no-follow links, a variety of anchor texts, and links from different types of websites (blogs, news sites, directories, social platforms, etc.).

Competitor Analysis: Analyzing competitor backlink profiles to identify potential link opportunities, industry trends, and best practices for effective link building strategies.

Strategic link building enhances website authority, boosts search engine rankings, and drives referral traffic from external sources. However, to maximize the impact of link building efforts, it must be integrated with a robust content marketing strategy.

[mubarrakacademy]

Find Profitable Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide to Affiliate Marketing for Online Earning

    Affiliate programs offer a profitable way to earn money online, allowing individuals to market goods and services, grow their following, and earn money for successful recommendations. This article explores affiliate marketing, referral schemes, and optimizing the earning potential with perseverance and smart implementation.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based strategy where merchants pay affiliates for generating traffic to their websites, with affiliates receiving commissions from users who click on the links.

Getting Around the Affiliate Scene

ShareASale: ShareASale is an affiliate network that connects merchants offering various products and services with affiliates, offering a user-friendly interface and a vast merchant selection.

Commission Junction (CJ): CJ Affiliate, formerly Commission Junction, offers advertisers a diverse network, performance monitoring, and participation in various affiliate programs to optimize their initiatives.

Amazon Associates is an affiliate program offering 1% to 10% commissions for affiliates promoting various Amazon products, allowing them to earn a wide range of income.ClickBank: ClickBank offers affiliates access to thousands of digital products, with up to 75% commission on each sale.

Rakuten Marketing: Formerly known as Rakuten Affiliate Network, Rakuten Marketing collaborates with top businesses throughout the globe to provide affiliates with access to special offers, discounts, and performance-based incentives.

Bluehost: A well-known web host, Bluehost provides affiliates with high compensation for referring new users to their program. Affiliates that successfully sign up for hosting can earn as much as $65.

Shopify: Shopify offers significant earning opportunities for its user base through its extensive range of e-commerce solutions through its affiliate program.

Udemy: Udemy offers a wide range of courses through referral links, allowing affiliates to earn commissions for each sale made on the platform.

ConvertKit: Content producers can utilize ConvertKit's marketing platform to generate user referrals, thereby generating recurring commissions for their content.

Grammarly: Grammarly provides users with comprehensive support to enhance their writing abilities, promoting the use of grammar in various fields.

Techniques for Successful Affiliate Marketing

To maximize conversion rates and relevance, choose affiliate networks that align with your specialty, audience interests, and content themes.

Produce High-Quality Content: Create informative, captivating material for your audience and carefully include affiliate links or suggestions.

Establish Authority and Trust: The support provided by the audience is crucial in gaining their trust through unbiased evaluations and suggestions backed by thorough research or firsthand experience.

Optimize for Conversions: To find areas for improvement and raise conversion rates, use efficient call-to-actions (CTAs), update landing pages, and monitor performance data.

Diversify Your Income Streams: Investigate multiple affiliate programs across various industries to mitigate risks and stay competitive by staying informed about market changes, customer preferences, and program terms and conditions.

Affiliate marketing offers a scalable and adaptable way to monetize online presence, knowledge, and audience. Affiliates can uncover significant earning potential by carefully choosing programs, producing engaging content, and building trust with their audience.