For a lot of you new to blogging, perhaps you’ve heard of tracking statistics, perhaps you’re teaching yourself how to monitor your site, but suffice to say, it’s a clear cut benefit if you plan to make money on your site. This is the first of a series of posts that will look into ways bloggers can track visitors, clicks, and other vital information on their own sites in order to best plan their money making methods. There’s nothing wrong with financially gaining for your efforts, but never forget content is king, and for content to be king, you must first develop trust with your readers. But that is another post…

Tracking Stats is Fundamental

Inspired by a post I read on Mashable, I wanted to really share some key points of info with regards to planning how you will make money, and increasing your profits, all by keeping track of the vital statistics of your site. There are numerous ways, software packages, freeware, and site specific methods, and my hope is that after this series is done, you’ve got all the tools at your disposal and can make a more apt decision balancing your needs and your site’s target market.

What I’d like to target first are the analytical software packages that exist to assist those that are really looking at going in-depth with their analytics monitoring. I will delve into a few of my favorites, and then list other options that are available for you. Providing you this information will be key when making any decision, and empowering is what I want to make sure I do for each and every reader, especially on a topic as fundamental as this.

I. Google Analytics
By now everyone on the planet has heard of Google. With as many online tools as they offer, it’s no surprise that they also offer site tracking utilities that work very well with their other offerings such as AdWords. The utility allows for tracking of extensive information that would be vital to establishing which pages to market on, how, why, and where your traffic is coming in from. I personally use this tool for all of my sites, and more importantly have the stats printed out weekly in order to review how traffic is using my site, and viewing my content. The real big downside to this option is that it’s not live data. The data you review can be as old as several hours, so this would not be sufficient if you are seeking live, updated information. The process to sign up is fairly easy and provides simple navigation to get to where you want.

II. Clicky
I love Clicky, and I love what it offers and the ease of use it has established. Clicky is great if you are constantly on the go as well because it offers a mobile interface, via iPhone, that keeps you up to date with all the stats in real time, live, and up to date. Unliked Google Analytics, what you see is what is happening. The utility shows you what every person that has come to your site has done, and how they’ve interacted on your page. This might be a little more information than perhaps you are looking for, but for those that stake their livelihood on their site might be persuaded to take an active part in all it has to offer.

Clicky does offer a tiered service that starts off with a free account. The free account has its limitations, but starting out, you get a free 21-day trail of the Pro Account, to show you what you can get if you pay into the tierd services. Prices range from $9.99 to $49.99 a month, but undoubtedly one of the leaders in their field for what they do. They even go with a comparison chart of their services versus their competition. Sites such as Wine Library TV, Mashable, and Smashing Magazine all use their service, why not you?

III. Yahoo Web Analytics
Here’s another familiar face in the bunch, Yahoo. It’s almost as if the world is divided into two users, those that love Google, and those that are die-hard fans of Yahoo. No doubt Yahoo has expanded its list of services to remain competitive in the market, and despite struggles at the management level, the software it’s offering has been solid. With its version of web analytics, the dashboard is customizable and very easy to manage, along with live and up to date information. It proposes that the use of their software makes it easy for marketers to align their campaigns with the user’s search and reading habits. The strong points seem to be the demographic and behavioral reports that can be monitored with Yahoo. Definitely worth a look!

IV. Woopra
Woopra is a real winner with a lot of people, and honestly it slowly starting to become my favorite of the packages offered in this list. For starters the interface is, simply put, just beautiful. It’s comforting to browse the interface and the many segments of information it can track for you. Like other packages it offers real time tracking, and it also offers you the ability to see visitor information, track their clicks, and monitor their movements across your site. What l love most about Woopra is the extras it has added into the package to truly make your tracking interactive. For starters it offers click to chat sessions so that you can chat with visitors on your site as they arrive. It’s a two way communication and the webmaster can decide how they want to set it up. It can either be click-able by the visitor to initiate chat, or initiated by the webmaster to connect with the visitor. Secondly it also allows you to track loyal visitors to your site by specifically targeting them for tracking, monitoring how often and what they comment on, what they click, and all of this offers a better view of your most loyal fans and what works and what does not.

These are just four of top analytical tools in my book. There are many other analytical software packages you can use for your site, and here is the list of 20 for you to review. Pick the ones that work best for you.

1. VisiStat
2. mviSPY
3. LoadStats
4. Opentracker.net
5. MetaTraffic
6. ShinyStat
7. Lyris HQ
8. W3Counter
9. Blizzard Tracker
10. StatsAdvisor
11. Logdy.com
12. Pagealizer
13. Sometrics
14. Piwik
15. FireStats
16. Snoop
17. MochiBot.com
18. Grape Web Statistics
19. Stuffed Tracker
20. GoingUp

Photo Credit Don Solo

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media strategist for Advantj Media, and writer on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

If you would like to receive free updates on future posts about blogging, please subscribe to Bloggin-Ads’s blog feed.

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I’m currentl writing a post for my personal blog on 10 Steps for Social Media Success, and as I was finishing up that post I started to think of blogging specifically because aside from interactive design, I love writing. Writing for me is a key form of expression, perhaps because I can draw, paint, or compose music. But with my words I’m able to unite the hearts of many, inspire others to take action, and bring my readers to tears with raw human emotion that can be poured into my words. Still, in the grand scheme of things, we’ve seen blogging take on a huge roll in our daily lives, not just for personal use, but for financial gain, and the movement shows no sign of stopping.

Where do you stand in the movement? Are you a personal blogger or are you in it for the long haul with the hopes of a return? There’s nothing wrong with either, and both have their right and wrong ways to approach, but let’s understand what is happening before make that determination.

The Mighty Have Fallen

In the last year we’ve seen major traditional methods of media take a serious hit to their pockets. We as consumers and content creators are changing our consumption habits and as such, traditional media outlets are scrambling to survive this paradigm shift of what we consider quality content, or at the very least worthwhile content. It’s a race that not everyone will survive as we’ve seen major newspapers close entirely, or have entire teams of writers given the pink slip as traditional media and marketing/advertising attempts to trim their budgets.

Recently I was asked to be a local blogger for my metropolitan newspaper because of my reputation as a local media leader and my involvement with ongoing trends in media as they exist today. Standing on this new frontier I find myself amazed at how quickly old media is adapting and looking for ways to reach the eyeballs of their supporters. I wrote a blog for the paper’s online site that discussed how our attention is the 21st Century’s greatest finite resource, and it is. With so much competition out there to grab our attention for entertainment, news, sports, day to day tasks, we are consuming content faster, quicker, and in shorter spurts.

This trend is really pushing short video sites like YouTube and Hulu into the forefront of where people are watching their content. Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular as well as audio books for those looking at consuming content on the go. Micro-blogs and blogs in general are offering perspectives and insights that traditional media completely overlooks.

This is apparently what the consumerist society wants today, and we as bloggers have an opportunity to enjoy.

Blogging Can be Profitable

So now focusing on blogging specifically, where does this put you? As a blogger this is your biggest opporutnity for two things. First you can capitalize on this opporunity for big gains, not just financially, but also for reputation. Secondly, you stand to be at the cusp for greatness when this waves officially washes over the world.

I still think that traditional media will have its roots and I respect the medium entirely. I am not completely comfortable with the term old media myself, but it’s been coined and as such makes it easier for those to understand the difference between old and new media. Still, I started out as a traditional journalist and writer, and have transformed myself into a digital media maven of sorts spreading myself across the globe with access to so many free tools that make it possible.

Advertisers may have shrinking budgest and the economy may not look the greatest on a global scale, but this is all temporary. Like any storm the clouds will pass and you want to be sure your content stands tall as someplace any company big or small would want to place their ads. This is why content is king and readership is important. Make your deals now, line your strategies with opportunities, or re-align your blogs mission for the future for increased profits. Whatever it takes, this new day is approaching quickly and there is plenty for everyone….for now.

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media strategist for Advantj Media, and writer on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

If you would like to receive free updates on future posts about blogging, please subscribe to Bloggin-Ads’s blog feed.

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Because we have taken on blogging as our money making efforts we stand to build credibility, reliability, and trust. Our readers are not to be trifled with because the backlash can be so severe that whole networks have shut down because of lack of interest due to bad press, or just uninteresting developments. It is important in today’s written word to remain relevant, interesting, but also honest with yourself and the readers.

I want to pick out one specific topic that has come to mind, especially in light of what I’ve seen recently. The idea of attribution is vital for all of us as writers. It’s understood that all of our ideas our not our own. We gain inspiration from other things we read, see, and hear. As such, such inspiration should be credited in some way shape or form in the context of what you writing about. Especially if you decide to use digital media to further express your point. Lack of attribution can seriously hurt your reputation as well as your readership.

Attribution as A Practice

Attribution is something that should come second nature to any content creator. Whether you’re doing digital video, audio productions, or written word. In this case we will focus on blogging as our mainstay, but in relation to the other formats mentioned it is essentially the same. As we develop our blog and our following of readers, we develop a trusting relationship. We write, they respond, we respond back. This fragile relationship is like anything you might develop in the real world, only without the face to face. Your readers will come to your site because they value your ideas, and they find your content interesting and educational, if not fun.

The delicate balance is truly maintained by the writer themselves, but can be horribly damaged when plagiarism or false claims on an idea or topic are made. It pays to give attribution to anything you include in your post because it shows not only that you’re honest, but that you’re well read, so to speak. By incorporating ideas and concepts from others and expanding on them, it shows that you are savvy enough to know that there is a world outside your blog. Too often I read bloggers that I can tell do not venture out to read other blogs. They pour all their efforts into their own product but understand little of perspective when it comes to varying topics.

Any photos you post need a photo credit line, any idea or quotes you use need proper attribution, and if you were inspired to write something because of something else, then note it. There is nothing wrong with paying respect to the source, and at the very least it can work in your interest if they decide to make mention of your post and/or your site in their own works because you did the proper thing when expanding on the idea.

Photo Credit Andy Ciordia

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media professional and consultant who shares his insights on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

If you would like to receive free updates on future posts about blogging, please subscribe to Bloggin-Ads’s blog feed.

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As I wrap up this list of 100 blogging topics, I’d love to hear how you are using this topics to your benefit. Have you seen a boost in readership for your site? Are you developing a knack for generating your own blog topics? Have you thought of your own topics that I did not mention? There are limitless possibilities, but the idea is to share what we know because all of us can see the same story differently. By offering our perspectives we are adding to the knowledge base of any given topic, and by ensuring the relevancy of our own thoughts, we build on our expertise and popularity, and so we grow our community.

Be sure to leave your comments and I’ll be sure to respond to all of our Bloggin-Ads readers!

91. How has social media helped with the promotion of your blog? – Share with your readers how to leverage the popularity of a blog with the usefulness of a social network and the millions of people it can expose your brand to. There is no doubt that social technologies have allowed us to share what we do with a lot of people all at once. At the same time it’s taken a bite out of the online advertising market. What are the hints, tips, and tricks you use in order to create buzz about your latest post?

92. Discuss how bloggers can use their skills to land jobs in a new career – As traditional print outlets begin to crumble, there is a void where online writers will come into play. Whether you’re an online journalist, a blogger, or any other online content creator, how do you make your skills fit your current job? A lot of digital writers have found their mark so share your experiences and words of wisdom for someone looking at breaking into the field.

93. Share your thoughts on some of the media’s most uninformed stories – Too often we hear traditional media attempting to report on news in the world of online media. For those not accustomed to speaking the lingo, it’s almost funny to hear them stumble over the words and attempt to sound serious when reporting news of this type. Share your take on how traditional media just does not get it sometimes. Alternately, there are those that have been able to make the crossover and have done amazing work with grasping the concepts and doing the research to report accurately. Does this further distinguish the old vs the new argument?

94. What’s your take on social medias failures? Bussinesses that just couldn’t make it? – On a podcast that I host we discussed failures in the world of social media. Some of the world’s largest brands have attempted to step into this medium and have ruined their chances. With multiple failures under their belt, should they simply walk away or attempt to bridge into the community? At what level does the community hold them accountable for their lies and their attempts to mislead?

95. Share a selfless moment in your life that has changed who you are – Too often we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget we are apart of a larger community. In times when we least expect we take bold steps to reinvent ourselves or better yet, make ourselves something better. Many of us find that we are capable of amazing acts of selflessness if put to the test. Share that experience with others and inspire the community around you.

96. What are your thoughts on celebrities on social networks? – Do you find that celebrities devalue the social networks they are on? Too often I’ve heard people say that social networks begin to lose their credibility when celebrities begin to promote themselves on there. Is this true? Take Twitter for example, the number of high profile individuals on there has grown tremendously over the last six months, but so many people still find value on it because they can choose who they decide to follow. Share your thoughts on this.

97. Are you sick of an online personality? – There are a lot of media icons out there. Online icons are harder to come by, so the fewer there are, the more exposure those that do exist tend to get. Are you tired of any of them? If so which ones and why?

98. Do you think that traditional education can prepare people for the Web 2.0 world? – Traditional education definitely has it’s place in certain areas. For the world of online media, so much of it has been self taught, does a classroom setting stand to be the best place to learn how to create online media or manage it? Do you see crossover possibilities of other degree programs being functional in this highly connected society? I find it unique because you can’t teach someone internet culture, trends, or even get exposed to the latest Web 2.0 apps in a classroom, it’s more something  you have to experience and play with. A life of trial and error is what I say.

99. Which conference do you wait all year to attend? Which would you like to attend? – No matter what your niche is, there is always several conferences that gather some of the greatest minds in that niche. As such, you are one of those that just needs to be there. Which ones do you wait all year to attend? Share with us why you love the conference, what you get out of it, and perhaps share some media you’ve collected of yourself at this event. If you’ve never been to a conference, which do you wish you could attend and why?

100. How do you choose to be remembered? – As we develop our blog, our online personalities, our digital reputation, what is the one thing you want people to walk away with? We pour all of our passion and love into what we do, and as we explore our communities both online and in person, at what point are you comfortable with who you are? Everyone walks away with an impression of the person they meet, and you are no different. Always try to put the best of yourself forward, your mark online is one that can leave an imprint on someone else. Whether it’s the power of your writing, the passion behind the words, or the awe of what you represent, go out and make a difference, and share with others how you want to leave this world.

Photo Credit Chris Seufert

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media professional and consultant who shares his insights on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

If you would like to receive free updates on future posts about blogging, please subscribe to Bloggin-Ads’s blog feed.

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Thus far it’s been amazing to see some of the feedback both in the comments and in the email. A lot of you are picking some of these topics and making them your own with a twist of your own personal writing style. My hope is that aside from providing you fuel to write, that you also provide others you look to you for inspiration the opportunity to learn from your site,  your style, and your topics. The blogosphere is a close community and I’m honored to be a part of it. While we all write on different topics we’re all headed in the same direction, looking for readers, and hopefully increasing our monetization opportunities.

Time to dive into the ten topics I’ll be sharing with you today!

80. Write on a topic for therapy – If you struggle with something, why not write about it. As a media strategist I always promote transparency, but for the sake of the individual, perhaps this is an instance where you can write under a pen name. Nevertheless by writing on a topic that you’ve had personal experience with, the trauma of that event can be released with the right outlet. While it’s therapy for the writer, it’s an educational experience for the reader. Don’t be afraid to help others while helping yourself. Chances are if you went through something traumatic, you’d hate for anyone to experience what you went through.

81. Discuss your recent experience being in the news – It never fails that at some point during your life, if you’re even interviewed by the news, TV or paper, somehow the message can get misconstrued, so to avoid that, why not follow up on your experience with a post. Chances are you are likely to flesh out the interview better than the paper can because of journalistic guidelines, or the need to cut for brevity. Sometimes where a journalist cuts can leave many readers wondering what the true meaning between the lines is. Sometimes there is more to the message, sometimes there’s not, but as a writer, why not take ot the net and discuss the interview, and perhaps you can save yourself a misdirected reputation.

82. Share your thoughts on the top videos on YouTube – Here’s a random idea, but there ar a lot of good videos and bad videos, but all in all, YouTube is a melting pot of ideas. Take a look at the trending vids, perhaps you’ll find the next viral video. With all the content, it can take a long time to sort through, but perhaps the top videos are something that you’d like to speak about. Never discount where an idea can come from.

83. What are your thoughts on social networks and the number of followers a person has? - It’s crazy, but there’s a lot of people out there that “game” the social networks for higher numbers of followers to provide them some kind of geek cred. For those of us who use the apps in earnest, perhaps personally or professionally it stands to reason that our use is more focused. What are your thoughts on followers? Regardless of network, is it a numbers game or is it about quality? Share your thoughts and be prepared to discuss.

84. What do top blog sites have in common and how can others unlock that magic? – It’s not a big secret when a blog hits critical mass. Having a large following is what every blog strives for. Looking at some of the top blog sites across any topic, what makes them so valuable. What draws the audience to the site where a similar site would only experience a moderate spike in readership. Analyze this and share your findings with your readers. Perhaps you can find the Rosetta stone for blogging and unlock the secrets for everyone to become successful.

85. What’s your favorite podcast and why? – I personally listen to about 15 podcasts, others listen to more or less, but undoubtedly podcasts have become very popular in our every day lives. What do you listen to? What podcasts do you follow on a regular basis and why do you find them interesting? Open the floor up for discussion and let your readers share what they like. It will be great when your readers are introduced to new podcasts that they would not have otherwise found. A great way to introduce new content.

86. Audio books or regular books? – What’s your stance on this topic? Audio books are rapdily taking over with even some of literature’s finest classics being recorded for new readers. It’s no surprise that audio books have taken over but what about regular books? Is there a place for this media still? Which do you prefer. Share what the latest book you’ve read or listened to and chime in on this topic.

87. Will newspapers fade away into oblivion? How do you get your news? – In the last year newspapers have struggled with layoffs, funding issues, and shut downs. As we move forward in a digital age, where does the newspaper stand? Too often people get their news online, but where do you get yours? Is there room for a newspaper to be delivered to your house and provide you with the news? Too many say newspapers are old formats that are on the cusp of extinction. Share your thoughts and the comments section is sure to have an opinion.

88. When do you block or ban someone online? – There are tolerant and patient people that understand that the internet is full of negativity, but it comes with the idea of being transparent online. There are others that are quick to click the ban or block bottom. Which are you? what do you stand for on your social networks, or involvement online. Everyone has a line that must not be crossed, but the question is what is yours?

89. Sex does not sell! – Or does it? Recently GoDaddy came under fire with advertisements that were deemed racy, degrading and irrelevant. Is this true? Does sex sell for you and if so, who’s convinced to buy something because of a sexy ad? Be honest, share your thoughts. We are all products of marketing, everything from our clothing, our food, and our brand of deodorant, somewhere, we bought something because of “sexy” marketing.

Photo Credit darque9

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media professional and consultant who shares his insights on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

If you would like to receive free updates on future posts about blogging, please subscribe to Bloggin-Ads’s blog feed.

This post brought to you by:

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What drives you to continue blogging? Many of us have been able to break through and make money for what we love, and a lot of us are still finding our way in the blogosphere. What separates the money makers from the non money makers? In my opinion, nothing, everyone has the same opportunity, it just takes a little creative thinking. If you’re already passionate about what you do, then take that same passion to find ways to make your efforts financially worthwhile.

Take the tips and hints that are shared here on Bloggin-ads seriously, and explore your own options and make it happen for yourself. You might not be a six figure blogger, but making a mortgage payment, a car payment, or buying those extras you’d like can go a long way to boosting your confidence in your writing.

71. How have you explained the benefits of blogging to someone who does not know? – You’re a blogger and you love the medium. To writers like ourselves it’ a wonder why everyone is not blogging. With such an open opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and passions, how do you convince others to blog? Blogging has proven a success for both individuals and companies who’ve taken to the medium as away of stay in touch with their fans and supporters.

72. Comment on the use of auto-DM’s on Twitter – The growing use of auto replies on Twitter has become a problem for some, useful for others. What are your thoughts? Does the idea of an auto reply take away from the human element of these social platforms? The idea of having a bot communicate with you seems counter productive to the entire idea of why social networks are popular. Share what your thoughts are on this growing habit.

73. Discuss how you are approached by supposed “experts” that want your money – Everyone is tossing the word ‘expert” around that the very concept is losing its meaning. In the fight to be the first out of the gate, people are becoming the perverbial snake oil salesman that looks to dupe people into paying them for services that are falsely advertised and/or created under false pretense. Have you been approached by such a person? If so, share your thoughts on this, how did it effect you and what do you look for before you buy into trainings, seminars, and webinars?

74. Discuss your favorite sports team, past and present – Take what you know and use it. Sports are a big topic on both sides of the globe. Compare past and present versions of your team. Share with niche markets on forums or social networks and bring together a think tank to discuss the team. Do you play fantasy sports? Another great opportunity to share what you love with a wide audience. Perhaps you can be the one to introduce someone to the world of fantasy sports.

75. What has society lost in terms of how we deal with one another? – Take your thoughts to the massive scale of humanity as a whole. What has changed, and what have we lost? There are a great many cultures on our planet that adhere to certain living guidlines that others do not have. Some cultures value their elderly, some live their life religiously 24/7, and others value material wealth, but in all we’re one people. How do we differ and is it good or bad?

76. Are you heard in the echo chamber? – With so much going on in the blogosphere, analyze yourself and other sites and differentiate them from the echoes on the net. Do you feel your voice is heard? What’s your broadcast range and how many new readers do you get on your site? If you’vve found a success formula, perhaps sharing those steps would benefit someone new to blogging.

77. Share some urban legends from your surrounding area – These stories are always good during the days before and shortly after Halloween, or perhaps on a Friday the 13th, like the one that just passed. Does your neighborhood, city, state, or country have unusual urban legends that you’d like ot share, perhaps research, and share with your audience. Where do these stories come from and why do they strike fear in us. A great topic to explore for fun.

78. Discuss the current tech battle between Microsoft and Apple – It’s not a surprise that for over 20 years two giant tech companies have been battling it out. A once powerful and mighty company has been defanged, and an underdog had tackled the consumer market with products that have become staples in all our households. What’s your stand on this? What’s in the future of each of these companies? One has stores everywhere, one wants to build stores, one has an ailing leader, the other has a leader that left. This should attract some attention from your readers.

79. Write a list of your own with all the great blogs topics you have! – Do you have a list of ideas bubbling around in your head? If you do, perhaps a list post would draw some attention to your site and get those ideas out of your head. For some reason list posts really attract eyes, and with increased eyes comes increased readership and the success of your site, so get to it!

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media professional and consultant who shares his insights on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

If you would like to receive free updates on future posts about blogging, please subscribe to Bloggin-Ads’s blog feed.

This post brought to you by:

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Continuing this trend, have you found your stride? What’s worked for you? Surely by now you’ve found a topic that was a hot button for your blog. If so share with us, because Bloggin-Ads is a community of bloggers that is growing with quite a generous nature. What I’ve loved about this community is that we are not afraid to share with one another and help one another out.

Let’s jump into this next batch of topics, and hopefully, you can find something that will strike a chord with your audience!

61. How do you deal with comment abusers? Share your tactics. – The idea of having a formal commenting policy has been a topic of discussion that has been kicked around for the last year. Do you have one for your blog? If you do, share what you’ve done with others, if not, do you think you need one?

62. What’s your process for writing a blog? – Do you have a system that can be replicated by others with success? There’s always fresh faces in the blogosphere, so why not share your process for writing. Guiding others to success is a sure fire way to ensure that they will keep coming back to your site.

63. Rail against injustice of some kind – There’s a lot of social causes out there for you to follow. Perhaps you’ve already got something in mind. This is very different then having a passion for a topic. When you “rail” against something, you’re venomously against something, and you will go to extremes to denounce it. Chances are your site might reach controversial status, but eyes will be on your and your topic.

64. Share your thoughts on censorship – Pro? Con? A nice hot button topic that has a range of opinions. Keep your eyes on what the governments of this world are doing. What have big companies done to our rights? Is censorship a move that is in the best interest of the people? This is especially of great interest if your site has a topic that alone would stand as controversial.

65. Support a politician – Locally where I am at, it’s not uncommon for sites to start popping up around election time. People are supporting or flinging mud at the politicians running for office. Interested in going into politics? This is a good way to get your name out there and involving yourself in the political process. Your keen insight could be warranted as useful and could possibly sway those on the fence. Give it a try!

66. Maybe you’re a flamer, how do you call people out? - It takes all kinds right? Some of us play by the rules, others of us just go out to post and comment to “flame” people, or basically call them out on something they did or said. It’s not necessarily an accepted practice, but like I said it takes all kinds. Do you take the fight to people? Where do you pull your content, how do you walk that line preventing legal issues? Share some of your tips and tricks, and your quick wit with the audience.

67. What’s your blog platform of choice? – We all picked out platform of choice for a reason. Some of us have migrated, and some of us, experimented at the beginning as we explored our options. There’s a lot of new people out there looking for a way to find a home with their blog. Help them out by sharing your experience, and things they would look out for. By sharing this experience, you’re making blogging even more accessible.

68. Complain about “echo” in the blogosphere – How many times have you come across content that is simply regirgitated with little to no fresh insight provided? It happens more often than you think and these types of posts are just echoes of what was originally written, which was probably better than its echo. What are your thoughts on this? If you’re using the same content, but making it your own in terms of personal thoughts and views, then you’ve provided just another perspective on the topic. That is something worthwhile to the community.

69. Complain about blogs that make you register to comment – I can’t tell you how much I loathe having to register just to comment on a post. I don’t mind providing information for the actual post itself, but if I’m  having to sign up for some kind of account and then check my email to activate somthing, etc, then you’ve lost me for good. I’m not coming back and you’ve just made it hader for me to want to interact with you. Maybe I’m wrong, do you support comment registration? There’s two views, write a nice post on this and get people chatting about the need for such a procedure. Perhaps it does have a place with regards to blog sites.

70. Explain to your readers why it is important to have an editorial calendar – Are you writing for multiple blogs? If you are, then even veterans in the blogging business can get behind. It’s important to find the balance you need to ensure that posts are done in a timely manne for everything you write. Editorial calendars are also good because they also get your topics straight, giving you time to research appropriately.

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media professional and consultant who shares his insights on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

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Enjoy these last few posts on Top 100 Blog Topics as we head out onto the home stretch for this series.

51. Discuss the release of a new product and how it will effect the industry – Whether your a fan of a specific brand, or perhaps your discussing a company whom you despise, in either case, the release of a new product is always big news, and providing your insight can offer readers a chance to see something they would not have seen with their eyes. Putting your own unique spin on the discussion is what makes you stand out from the rest.

52. Explore best practices for online behavior – A much discussed topic amongst social media experts are the unwritten “rules” of online ettiquette, especially when it comes to how people should interact with one another, and how they should participate on the various social networks. Do you have a baseline for behavior that you accept and do not accept? Chip in, or start your own conversation and let the audience run with it. A great way to get discussion going.

53. Share your feelings on the salesy approach of online vendors and their pop-up ads – We’ve all been victim to the onslaught of online advertising through pop-up ads that have frustrated us for years. Advertisers are always looking for ways to get in front of our eyeballs, but what are your thoughts on this? Is this justifiable or just another way of forcing products down our throats?

54. Explain how you see the music industry doing in this time period of digital content – First there was Napster, now the huge number of peer-2-peer networks that are constantly sharing content and data across the digital boundaries. Share your thoughts on how this has effected the entertainment industry as a whole. Has it been for the good, the bad, or as yet undetermined? Like any other industry the entertainment industry, especially music, needs to adapt to the modern changes coming to the digital medium.

55. Green technology is becoming a trending topic, discuss how it has effected your life – Living green and becoming green are issues that have impacted the global scene. Everyone from home manufacturers, car manufacturers, food producers, and individuals are taking steps to be more conscious of our environment. Has this affected you at all, if so please share how, and if not, share why as well.

56. Discuss your take on Torrents and other file sharing services – With so much content on the net available, it’s hard to keep track of it all sometimes. Lots of content makes it on the torrent sites where users are able to download and share as they wish. Do you support torrent clients? Have you taken a stand against torrent clients? Discuss your take an engage your audience with this timeless topic.

57. Complain about how people should be paying you for your creative work – Have you been asked to do things because it’d be good for your portfolio? Many of us starting out in any creative work field are typically approached to do work for free. As if somehow our portfolios will magically look better because of this effort. Are you tired of giving your stuff away for free? Share your thoughts on the idea, and perhaps give tips to those at the beginning of their road.

58. Complain about spam – Spam can be one of the most annoying aspects of email. Already known as junk mail in the physical world, spam seems to find ways through filters and leaves messages that many of us find disgusting and improper. Talk about it, who keeps these people in business? Someone has to be clicking on these links, buy why?

59. Become an activist on a topic your passionate about – There is always that one thing that everyone is passionate about. Become a leader in your community, regional area, or online sphere by leading the charge on that topic and sharing your passion to make others aware of what you believe. Whether it’s for social good or social awareness, lead the way and let your voice be known.

60. Share your life experiences with the world – Many of us who have lived life and see those younger struggling with similar issues understand the plight. Feel free to share life lessons, life hacks, and understandings as you see fit in your own life. perhaps collecte stories from several people, or allow people to share on your site to make it more comprehensive. Readers can read and further understand that they are not alone, thus creating a support network.

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Equinox Fitness is a significant cut above your typical gym. Their site makes it apparent that they take fitness from “Life Decision” to “Lifestyle.” The reason Equinox stands out is because this facility provides more than just your standard weights and other workout equipment. This facility provides an entire system of amenities that treat more than the body, they focus on the health of the mind as well. I thought i had seen some nice facilities in my time, but this place takes the cake. As such, members of this posh facility will experience a truly life changing experience by partaking in all it has to offer.

Anyone that comes to the site will instantly become aware of the slick design and focus of the site. That focus is the customer. Almost all fitness sites I’ve gone to confuse their members with information not relevant to what their needs are. This site really keeps it simple by allowing the reader to choose where they want to go as opposed to forcing something down their throats. This creates a comfortable experience, and one that users will want to repeat.

Considering how much this fitness facility has to offer, it allows the broad general links at the top to tell the story. Everything else related is systematically divided amongst the links across the top leaving the front page free of clutter. Moving across the site is fluid, using amazing photography and complimenting typography. I’m further amazed at the brevity used in listing their numerous services.

I was at first turned off by the concept of their changing backgrounds colors starting from the “Yoga” link. That would have been the only downfall that I would have pointed out, but afer looking at the logo, i noticed that it was cut in half, separated by a fine line, and those colors are reflected in the background transition. Was this intentional? Whether it is or not, irrelevant, it works, it’s functional, I like it.

While this fitness establishment might seem on the higher end of quality, it would appear that every cent is worth it. There’s more of an investment for your life here rather then just the standard lifting weights and run on a treadmill. They are located in most major metropolitan areas but expanding rapidly. Keep an eye out for this facility, enjoy surfing their site, and make the investment in your life!

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The more that social online communities develop, the more users are becoming aware that direct advertising is not something they want to pitched. The world of online media and networks has taken away the power from businesses who would like nothing more than to fill the space with advertising. Naturally there needs to be some kind of profit plan for any business, but online advertising as become an opt-in/opt-out choice that leaves users comfortable with some unobtrusive ads.

So how does a blogger promote their new posts, or their blog as a whole without sounds like a salesman attempting to convince the audience that their product is best? Unless you have an audience like Mashable where you can post links all day with little connection with the community, you’ll have a tough uphill battle ahead of you. But today’s post should offer some insight into the issue.

The Approach

As a writer for several other blogs and a consultant for online media for various levels of clientele, I’ve been able to watch social networking trends and some acceptable practices within the community that can really drive traffic to your site.

I. Introduce Your Post with a Question – Tease your audience with a question that not only gets them to   click, but also gets them to think. For example, I wrote a post on “Cookie Cutter Customer Service” on my own blog and teased it on several social networks using two questions. “Customer service is not for everyone. Have you experienced cookie cutter customer service? ….link to post.” The second promotion went as such, “I love a good cookie as much as the next, but not when it comes to customer service …link to post.” Both methods pulled the reader to be curious enough to click but also curious enough to think on their experiences.

II. Keep Track of Your Comments – I have been on a lot of sites where comment traffic can get really heavy. The amazing thing about the comments section is that the conversation continues long after the post is done. Dig deep into your comments and if the discussion is hot and heavy, feel free to point it out across your network. “Amazing debate on [insert post topic], make sure you chime in …insert link to post.” Another method would be “Don’t be left out of the discussion, make sure your voice is heard on [insert post topic] …insert link to post.” Don’t be afraid to let people know that something is happening on your blog and they need to be involved. It’s a subtle way of promoting your post, but also pointing them to worthwhile conversation.

III. Ask for Promotion – Do this only if you think your content is of high quality. If you think your post provides extensive value to the entire community, then be proud enough to ask for a Stumble or Digg to get your post in front of as many eyes as possible. Do this in moderation or people will turn you off and simply decline any want to help your post.

IV. Seek Social Proof Amongst Your Readers – Have fans repost your blog on their own networks and let the grassroots promotions get you where you need to be. In Twitter alone I have people who retweet my efforts further extending my visibility to their own networks. It’s not something you want to ask for every post, but pace yourself. Chances are is that if they like one solidly written post, they will continue to explore your site and find your other posts.

Closing Thoughts

The above mentioned techniques are socially acceptable and will not get you any flack in your communities. I can’t tell you how often I’m spammed on Twitter, FriendFeed, and Facebook by people who want me to click on their links time and time again. They do so little interaction they only care about their ranking and not about helping others and in turn benefiting from a supportive community. I completely ignore these individuals and in more severe cases will ban or drop friends all together.

So don’t be one of THOSE people and enjoy the fruit of your works by gently nudging people to your site with innovative teases while still maintaining your online reputation.

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Post Written by Luis Sandoval. He is a media professional and consultant who shares his insights on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.

If you would like to receive free updates on future posts about blogging, please subscribe to Bloggin-Ads’s blog feed.

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