I have a few things to discuss with our members today. As most our members probably know Google once again has updated their page rank system. As o result I have noticed some great changes here on blog engage that affects all  our users. A few months back I wrote an article on how we managed to stop all 100% of the spam here in our blogging community.

Anyone that’s been a member can easily remember how bad our spam issues were. Well as a result Google has once again given our upcoming page a Google Page Rank of 2. This is really good news guys. This means Google is once again following and passing decent page rank juice to links that are staying on the upcoming pages for a while.

Guest blogging has never been more attractive! Along with the great new for our upcoming page our social blog also got a lift. We are now sitting at a Page Rank of 3 and this might help to get more guest bloggers. If interested please check out this article, Guest Blog at Blog Engage.

On another note our Blog Directory, Blog Serp has also gained a Page Rank of 3. This is great news for any blog that has been listed for over the pas year or so. This is another project I started to help other blogging friend promote their blogs and gain quality backlinks.

My personal blog has gotten a page rank of 3 as well. Seriously it’s about time I have some great content on that blog I was starting to get offended I was stuck at a Page Rank 2 for the longest time. If you haven’t seen my blog make sure to check it out I talk about SEO, marketing and Promotion.

About a year ago I started a forum project. it didn’t go anywhere really but goods news Google decided for some strange reason it needed a Page Rank of 2. You can see it here The Forum Geek. If you like forums feel free to sign up and introduce yourself. We are a do follow community.

I think I got a big surprise when I seen Google gave one of my website a Page Rank 2. This website is actually designed for spammers to submit spam content. I create in hopes it woudl dieter them away from blogengage but it don’t work. it’s names Up Spam and is a spam submissions website.

Finally I also got a Page Rank of 2 on all the inner pages for my Gas Where website. This website has all the latest news about gas and the latest diggs about gas as well. The website is actually all about gas , gas news and gas prices. You can see more at Gas Where.

Well that’s about it for page rank updates. Don’t be shy to let us know what your results in a comment below.

Alexa Ranking as of October 30th 2009 (below 23,000)

Blog Traffic Stats Week of October 23rd – October 29th 2009

Blog Traffic Stats Overview Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats Direct Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats Referring Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats Search Engine Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats All Traffic Sources

Be sure to add me as a friend, bbrian017 and if interested you can join my social group.

Twitter, bbrian017

Thanks,

Brian

I woke up this morning and I just knew it was time for another community spotlight. I posted on twitter asking for suggestions but didn’t get any back so here I am deciding myself. So once again I get the honor of picking a community member here at blog engage and socially spotlighting them on our blog.

Over the past two years I’ve gotten to meet so many bloggers and created unrealistic amounts of friendships. Tho I don’t know these people to see them I do however interact with the majority of them on a daily basis. I get to see their happy moments, sad moments and even in between moments.

It’s amazing how the style of ones writing changes when they are in a different state off being or mood. I myself tend to have these moments as well proving it’s only a human to be an emotional blogger.

Today’s spotlight is of a newer member here in our community but really has pushed into the spotlight “literally” voting, engaging and overall being a great member. I would like to welcome into this weeks community spotlight a Mr, Brandon Cox.

When Brandon first joined blog engage I was extremely interested in what he was doing only because he was doing so much regaridng blogging and online/offline activities. He manages and runs multiple blogs while maintaining a home of love and support. With a soon to be family of two Brandon must find it overwhelming at times to move forward. Not only does Brandon have a full time gig online with his blogging career he also supports his family and is the lead Pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Some how when Brandon finds time he dedicates himself to graphic arts and design. He owns and operates Egrace Creative. If you’re interested in getting to know Brandon in more detail simply check out his profile bio found here, Brandon Cox Profile Bio. Everything you need to know about him and perhaps even more.

Socially Connect With Brandon Cox

Thanks for being such a great member to our community Brandon.

If you have any questions regarding this community spotlight simply post them below and I will answer them.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Be sure to add me as a friend, bbrian017 and if interested you can join my social group.

Twitter, bbrian017

Thanks,

Brian

We are still open to anyone wanting to guest blog here on our social blog. It’s petty easy process. You sign up to our blog and e-mail me admin (@) blogengage.com From there I will ask you a few questions regaridng your topics and writing skills. Don’t worry it’s not an exam I just want to get to know a little about you.

After signing and e-mailing me I will set your account to a contributor and you can blog as much as you wish. We offer many categories for you to blog in. We don’t have any minimum or hidden requirements but I have created a few rules.

Guest Blogging Rules

1. No affiliate links within the articles at all
2. You must leave a signature line introducing yourself and your personal blog
3. You must interact and reply to all comments made on your article

As you can clearly see we don’t have many rules and are open to all your suggestions. We allow for you to blog about whatever you like in front of an audience that could bring you new readers. The article doesn’t have to be long nor does it have to be short.

So don’t be shy, sign up, e-mail me and become a guest blogger our readers await your talent.

Reasons to start blogging at blogengage

• Meet new bloggers

• Find new readers

• Learn from other pro bloggers

Please provide the following in the e-mail

• Your Current Blog

• Your Name

• Your Blog Engage Blog Username

• Topics you wish to blog about

• Other blogs you have guest blogged at

Be sure to add me as a friend, bbrian017 and if interested you can join my social group.

Twitter, bbrian017

Thanks,

Brian

I was doing some searching online this morning regaridng why spammers attack pligg software so much. In general I was hoping to find out why the spammers take the time to submit non related content to my website. Every morning I wake up and have to delete spam submission after spam submission. After a while it really starts getting to you and one has to naturally wonder why it’s being done.

After a few searches I found this one article that really intrigued me. It was named, “How Link Spammers Killed My Wife’s Web Site“. I started reading and intermediately I could relate to this guys wife. I knew her stress and I understood her concern regaridng the spam.

After reading the article I was extremely excited to express my opinion as it’s nice to know I’m not the only one facing these issues. Sadly to say the comment section was closed. The article was no longer accepting comments on that specific discussion. At this point I knew I had a few options to contact the writer and express my appreciation for such an eye opening article relating to the true issues of link spamming.

After looking up and down the left and right sidebars I seen many ways to contact Danny but as always I decided to use twitter. Mainly it’s because I’m logged in and it’s very convenient. So I added Danny as a friend and sent him a thank you message letting him know I really appreciated the article on link spamming and his wife’s experiences. It seems she was running a social networking script similar to mine that allows for link submissions of articles or news after registration.

Like 90% of all pligg and Drupal website she closed the doors and no longer offered the service. She was forced out by the spammers and could no longer control or stand controlling the spam submissions.

The true eye opener was the important role that social marketing played in my contacting and sending Danny a message. When I was finished reading I couldn’t believe the comments sections was closed. I was so excited to express my concerns and agree with his statements but I couldn’t.

Why social media is so important

• Allowed me to connect with Danny

• Allowed me to express my feelings

• Started creating a new relationship

• Multiple form of communication

• Socially connect with other people

So if you’re reading this right now and you said no to twitter or other social networking platforms perhaps it’s time for you to take another look or reconsider the services. Who knows you may end up in the same spot I was in today and find yourself looking for a new median of communication.

Be sure to add me as a friend, bbrian017 and if interested you can join my social group.

Twitter, bbrian017

Thanks,

Brian

It’s been a great week for blogengage. With the addition of interactive video, updated sidebar the site has greatly improved. With website load times in mind I have reduced the amount of sidebar widgets. My marketing efforts within the pro blogger community has proven to be positive as our site is experiencing something it’s never seen much of and that’s voting. This is amazing news for the growth of our community and for our members.

Alexa Ranking as of October 23rd 2009 (below 24,000)

Blog Traffic Stats Week of October 16th – October 22nd 2009

Blog Traffic Stats Overview Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats Direct Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats Referring Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats Search Engine Traffic Sources

Blog Traffic Stats All Traffic Sources

Be sure to add me as a friend, bbrian017 and if interested you can join my social group.

Twitter, bbrian017

Thanks,

Brian

It’s that time again when we take the Top Engaged at Blog Engage and promote them by posting all the top voted articles here on the blog engage social blog. Remember this isn’t my personal preference or anything like that this is the top blogs  at blog engage voted on by you, our blog engage members.

#1. 5 reasons why list blog posts are so successful!

External Link (Guest Blogger)

#2. Best $1.95 I Have Spent on Making Money Online in a While

External Link

#3. Tips to increase comments on your blog

External Link

#4. 7 tweets that got people into trouble

External Link

#5. Halloween Costume Contest Picture Rewind

External Link

#6. 13 Facebook Applications to Promote Your Blog

External Link

#7. New Twitter List Feature

External link

#8. How to easily backup Firefox/Safari/Opera/Chrome/IE with FavBackup

External Link

#9. 5 Reason Why I am Loving Windows Live

External Link

#10. EntreCard brings us Sponsored Ads! But we Don’t Want Them!

External Link

Be sure to add me as a friend, bbrian017 and if interested you can join my social group.

Twitter, bbrian017

Thanks,

Brian

So I was a little unsure what topic to cover whilst doing this guest blog post over here at Blog Engage, various things went though my mind, and I spent a good few hours shooting them down, I finally settled on Blogging tools.

Blog Engage is all about bloggers so what better subject to cover than some tools that may potentially help a few fellow bloggers out!

I have tried to be broad in my collection and avoid the basics, (i.e. blogging platforms etc…) and covered stats, monitization, domain reporting, and some tools to help with productivity.

I have listed a bunch of useful tools and resources below, the lists by no means is exhausted as there are many different solutions.

Statistics

Keeping track of your visitors such as where they come from and bounce rates etc.. are important for a few reasons, one obviously for monitzation as you can sell adspace for a higher price the more pageviews and unique views your blog has, the other it gives you scope for improvement and areas to target where you may be struggling, natural traffic for example.

StatCounter
Google Analytics
SiteMeter
MyBlogLog

Seo Tools

Domain tools are great for keeping track of things like your backlinks, pagerank, alexa rank and some tools will give you some feedback and where to target your attention, (such as SeoRush.com and ReviewMyWeb.com)

DNScoop
SeoRush
SeoMoz
SeoBook Tools
Review My Web

Blog Writing Software

Sometimes your blogs wysiwyg editor might not be up to the job, or simply you might not like it. There are a number of options available which will allow you to write your blog without actually being on your blog!

Microsoft Writer
ScribeFire
Blogdesk

Blog Search

Check your blogs linkage and coverage is always useful, as is being able to identify other blogs and bloggers in your niche, the following do a fantastic job of both.

IceRocket
Google BlogSearch
Technorati
MyBlogLog

News Aggregators

Keeping track of your subscriptions and other blogs in your niche can be tricky if it is a large number to keep track of, news aggregators can help you do this from one location and free up some time for you to focus on your own blog.

BlogPulse
BlogLines
RoJo
FeedReader
NewsGator

Protecting Your Work

Unfortunately there are still people out there who will steal for work, morally this is bad, but more importantly you can be penalised by the search engines if they think its actually YOU that has stolen content. Protect your copyright to the best of your ability.

Google Alerts
CopyScape
WP Copyright Message Plugin
Creative Commons

Making Money

A large number of bloggers want to reach the ranks of “Pro-Blogger”, to do this your blog needs to be earning, funding itself and leaving you enough cash to keep a roof over your head, there are many different monitization solutions, these are well known and actually do pay up!

Google Adsense
AdBrite
Bidvertiser
Yahoo Publisher
Amazon Affiliate

Other Blog Tools

This is a mixed bag, they don’t fall into any of the above sections but are definitely of some importance. Tools such as pinging, image hosting and plugins can vastly improve your productivity and save precious bandwidth.

Ping Tools

Ping-o-Matic
PingGoat

Image Hosting (for none stand alone blogs)

Flickr
PhotoBucket
Zooomr

WordPress Plugins (Social Bookmarking)

Sexy Bookmarks
Sociable

Social Bookmarking For Non WordPress Blogs/Sites

AddThis
ShareThis

Favicon Creators

Favicon.cc
HTML-Kit Favicon

Free Stock Photos

MorgueFile
Stock.XCHNG

A Few More

Disqus (cool comments system)
FeedBurner (feed management)
Wibiya (awesome toolbar)

About the author: McBonio is a full time web designer and developer and usually blogs over at WebM.ag, you can also catch him over at twitter: twitter.com/mcbonio

This is Day 13 task of ProBlogger, Darren Rowse’s 31 Days to Build a Better Blog.

The task is to head to any local shopping centre/mall/shopping strip and observe the retail activities.

Inform

A sales man selling cooking utensil at the kitchenware department caught my attention.

He attracted the crowd by announcing loudly through his microphone that his company has developed a thermal magic cooker.

Educate

Next, he asked whether anyone has the experience of boiling soup for 1 to 2 hrs to let the soup reached its ultimate goodness.

He went on saying that all these wastage of resources such as gas and electricity will translate into additional cost.

He then demonstrated that his revolution thermal magic cooker will do the same with only 10 minutes of cooking.

Entertain

During his presentation and demonstration of his cooker, he cracked jokes and engaged his audience with household tips and questions.

At the end of his demonstration, boxes of cookers are being carried away towards the cashier.

Did you see how this man has developed an understanding of the steps a complete stranger has to take to become one of his customers?

He moved his prospects smoothly along the conveyor belt and leading them to a call of action.

He has clearly defined his market, where he wants to get them and what he wants from them.

He informed his prospects about his stuff at the right place.

He did not go to a shoes’ department and start telling people about his cooker. He knew exactly where he could get his market of interested prospects.

He educated his prospects on better ways of doing things and entertained them by providing useful information that benefits them.

Lastly, let’s tie all these back to your blog:

Are you informing your potential readers about what you’ve to offer at the right place?

Are you educating your readers on how to do things better every time they read your blog?

Are you entertaining your readers so that they know your blog is not written by a robot?

About the author: Louis blogs at ProfitsMasterPlan.com and enjoys helping every every aspiring Entrepreneur to improve their businesses online. To contact Louis directly, just find him on Twitter.com/LouisJonathan.