Merry Christmas and happy blogging to you for 2014!
This is a time of the year where we reflect on what has been done over the year, and what we intend to do this coming year.
While my last post was about acknowledging 27 bloggers that have supported this blog the most, along with a handful whom I’ve met more recently, and intend to know more in 2014, this post is about some news bout this blog, which may affect your own blog as well, as you’ll understand if you read on.
I am well aware, that no one wants to read something that couldn’t apply to them or help them in some way, but I thought that my story here could help you understand your own blog better, as well as giving you ideas for the coming year.
Finally Starting to See the Horizon at the End of the Stiff Climbing
Chances are that if you read this blog post, you probably have a blog yourself, and maybe have plans to improve it in whatever way it needs to be improved.
Maybe you have felt discouraged at times, because results haven’t happened or are still not happening fast enough. If so, don’t get discouraged.
In my case, blogging has been a very long learning process, because I didn’t have a whole vision of what a blog was “really” supposed to be for, and what the normal progression of a blog was supposed to be like.
I was in too many places at the time, and while I was doing many things and seemingly doing OK in some area of my online marketing, I’ve missed the boat on blogging, it seems.
I know of many bloggers who went from point A to point B in a pretty easy matter of fact fashion, while everything progressed naturally for them.
Well, it wasn’t like that for me at all, and frankly, I’m still recuperating from that, even though, I’m doing much better and starting to see a ray of light. It’s only now that my blogs seem to get better in many ways and that my readership is improving steadily.
Still lots need to be done, I’ve not arrived yet, but things are really getting better and better, not only for this blog, but my other two as well.
Alexa Ranking
At the beginning of this year my Alexa ranking here and my other 2 blogs were somewhat OK and seemingly going up, however, last May several issues related to hosting happened at the same time I was moving and was totally off line for a few days. By the time I realized some of the issues I had it might have affected my Alexa ranking.
Do I know that for sure?
No, but it’s shortly after that, that my 3 blogs’ Alexa ranking started falling like speeding rockets, and went from acceptable to totally not acceptable in my book. It was so bad that I didn’t want to see it anymore, so I stopped looking for while.
This lasted a few months, but since about October my 3 Alexa rankings have started to climb and climb again on a steady weekly basis. How much climbing? Well, over 200.000 ranks up for this blog and even more for the other two. It all happened withing the last 3 months.
As much as I don’t want to sweat the Alexa ranking too much, I feel better with a descent one that makes more sense according to the quality of my blog.
Page Rank
Right now, SylvianeNuccio.com has a page rank of 2, which I can live with at the moment. I think that while it could be better, it’s OK considering that (as I mentioned above), my progress wasn’t very much of a typical one. Meaning a slow type one.
What’s Coming for 2014 on this Blog!
Maybe some of you know that I’m in the process of completing a writing tutorial eBook. Originally this eBook was supposed to be completed by September, but that never happened, because of my extremely busy life.
Even though that eBook will be a free product that’s not something I wanted to rush for the sake of completing it, so I decided that it would be coming out at a later date.
I’m planning to have it all ready at the very beginning of 2014, and here is a preview of what of the cover.
Writing Services
While my blog posts will always be aimed at helping my readers with writing topic kind of posts, even though at times I may write about marketing, social media and other Web 2.0 sites, and so on, I also want to better send the message that this blog is also the support of my freelance writing service, which should definitely increase, and improve in 2014.
This blog has two purposes. On one hand I’m aware that most of the readers of this blog come just to read the post and comment, but on the other hand I also want to attract the potential client and be more obvious about that than I’ve been until now.
So to send the message loud and clear the little banner below will be posted on my sidebar and linking to my Hire Me page…
Then, at the end of each post, starting fist post in January you will be able to see the banner below. Not to steal, though. Those are right reserved and customer made for me by my good friend Steve B. You can check his work here (affiliate link).
As a matter of fact this will be posted on all my 3 blogs for improved opportunity to have my service seen loud and clear.
New Little Banners for Easy Navigation from Blog to Blog
There will be little banners that will facilitate navigation between one blog to the other. On the sidebar they will be showing side by side on each blog (there will be 2 of them on each blog). I had that already before but this two banners will be higher on the siderbar, and more obvious than of I have now.
More Videos
It is my intention do do more videos in the coming year. I will even do some videos outdoors as I now have the equipment. However, I will have to purchase some type of tool to make video settings easier and more professional looking.
OK, that’s all for now!
I hope this post help you in some way, and maybe gave you some ideas for your own blog.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Blogging for 2014! And don’t forget to leave your feedback below.
It sounds like you have some great plans for 2014 and you have given me some ideas of my own.
I like the idea of creating buttons to link to your other blogs. I wish I could make my own but I’ll have to hire someone and well, money is a little tight right now so I’ll shoot for something by February. :).
I’m not happy with my Google Rank and it was keeping me from getting sleep too so I stopped worrying about that and just continued blogging for the readers and not Google.
I’m wishing you a very prosperous 2014! By the looks of things you are certainly ready for a great year ahead! Merry Christmas Sylviane! Wishing you and your family a wonderful day together filled with lots of love!
Corina Ramos invites you to read..Monday Work-from-Home Job Lead Madness 12-23-13
Hi Corina,
Gosh I know those blogs can keep us awake at times.
For Alexa ranking there’s not much we can do, and your ranking has nothing to do with the quality of your blog or even if you posts are cut up with ads in the middle or even if your blog looks ugly or not 🙂
When I was looking for answers I’ve see blogs with all the above that had good ranking. But it’s because it has to do with like a couple of hundred things we don’t even think of.
Just keep publishing good content and link your blog as much as you can, and you’ll get better.
All the best to you Corina, and remember say out loud that you have a lot of money everyday 🙂 and do not ever tell yourself that money is tight 🙂
I’m glad I met you and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your loved ones 🙂
Merry Christmas, Sylviane 🙂
You seem to have planned everything pretty well – new eBook, video, writing service (It’s weird because I have the same goals..well, I plan to start offering writing services by the end of next year..so the goals are a little different).
When I look back, this has been one of the best (if not the best) year of my life. Hopefully, it will be the same next year 🙂
I still have a few more things to do (finishing the about page, writing a few more posts etc), before I can rest and get ready for my blog launch on New Year’s day.
Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful ‘end of the year’ 🙂
Hi Jeevan,
Well, I’m so glad for you and I certainly hope next year will even be better. I am sure that you have a positive mindset, so keep it up, it’s very precious.
All the best to you and have a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful new year!
Hi Sylviane,
I like that you start off with the encouragement… not to be discouraged.
That’s important for every day of the year in every situation.
I just finished optimizing all my images, something that need doing as it effects load time, and in turn, visitor experience. I may consider videos, but only after some major projects I’ve been working on get out the door.
I’m looking forward to getting to know you better through the blogging community this coming year.
Have a truly enjoyable Christmas!
William Butler invites you to read..The Forever Spirit of Christmas
Hi Bill,
I’m glad you’re doing some cleaning. I am myself doing some too, and recently also optimized all my images after reading Kumar’s post.
Videos is not my first and foremost concern either, because other things are more important right now, but I do want to create more of them in 2014.
I’m very happy I met you this year and also looking forward to get to know you more.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.
Well I know I’m not the only one that didn’t accomplish all I had set out to do this year Sylviane. At least it’s still on the agenda right!
I like the banners and the book cover, very attractive I might add. Steve did a good job with those incorporating that same look from your header.
I know you’ve really been busy and I hope that things will be able to be organized perhaps a little better for the upcoming year so that you can remain consistent across the board and those numbers will continue to improve.
I was bumped from a PR3 to a PR2 so I know the feeling. I seriously think though that Google wasn’t picking up any of my backlinks because when I moved hosting services at the end of July, my hosting service changed my URL to include the www. Google wasn’t picking that up although I had that set in my webmaster tools. That ended up being an issue with them and not me but I still got slapped. Never fails.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday Sylviane and I wish you the best in the upcoming year. May it be your best ever.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read..Why This Is My Last Post Of The Year
Hi Adrienne,
Yes, we’ll try to do better with time management in 2014 🙂 I’ve got a hard board where I put all my daily tasks for the day, now, because hard board is what works best for me.
PR 2 works for me, really, because I checked a bunch of other blogs I go to that have none right now. So I’m happy with that. And don’t want to sweat it. As far as Alexa ranking my 3 blogs are getting better and better right now 🙂
I’m glad you like the book cover. Yes, I can always trust Steve to do a great job. I love his customer service that’s why I always recommend him.
Thank you for coming, Adrienne and have a very Merry Christmas.
Hey Sylviane,
Gosh… What an year to review! 🙂
What I found most common among my friends this year is, they lost loved ones in 2013. I feel sorry for them, but I can’t imagine as I didn’t lose anyone so close to me. But yours is different though 🙂 Keeping yourself so busy throughout the year, eh? 🙂
As I read through your post, I found you are already planned for 2014. The primary goals 🙂
I’d say you don’t need to worry about Alexa much as you had to resist the flow of traffic when you had technical issues back then. Mind you, it revealed usually the 60% traffic we get are not humans at all but bots 🙂 Anyway, now you are progressing toward a higher rank. Let if come as you progress 😉
I know everyone here would love to grab your eBook and learn more secrets for their success dear 🙂 But hey, they can wait too. Don’t worry, ’cause we always know you focus on delivering the best quality.
I just love to hear you are gonna do more videos 😉 That’s be awesome! Plus, I know that you are aiming at more clients in upcoming year too. I have no doubt your efforts and planning gonna work. BTW what about your paintings Sylviane? 🙂
Now, it’s already Christmas eve here. I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Sylviane 🙂
Cheers…
Mayura invites you to read..Monitor Your Website for Outages with Pingdom
Hi Mayura,
I hope you’re having a great time (don’t know if it’s Christmas for you) but regardless, have a happy time!
Yes, that’s sad, but I didn’t know that more than half our traffic was only bots. Wow, that sucks 🙂
I hope you’ll grab my free eBook when it comes out which should be January.
Thank you for coming as always and all the best to you for the New Year!
Hi Sylviane,
Looks like you are ready to break loose in 2014! I love the banners and think its a great idea. Your writing services are amazing. I know, I have been learning from your blogs for a while now and you have taught me many things.
I love all your blogs and people just have to know they are out there! I am a fan of all three and I love when you take me on trips to France!
I love the way your book and banners are all in conformity with your header. It is great visual branding.
As for the Page Rank….I was a 4 and got dropped down to a 2 …Go figure? But I don’t think those rankings make much difference these days. People want quality and when they find you they get it.
Have a wonderful Holiday and may 2014 be the best yet!
-Donna
Donna Merrill invites you to read..Keeping it Positive
Hi Donna,
I’m glad you like the banners and eBook cover. I love what Steve does for me, that’s why I always recommend him.
Wow, PR 4 is just excellent, but I know that lots of people have dropped, but as you’re saying it’s not all that matters. Yes, it’s nice to see up numbers, but I’d rather concentrate on the quality of my blog.
I hope you’re having a very Merry Chistmas, Donna and see you around probably before the New Year!
Hey Sylviane,
I have to say Right On! Sounds like 2014 is already here for you LOL.. You definitely have some great plans for the up and coming year.
Yes I went through the same ups and downs with my blog as you it seems. My alexa was well over 2 million before I started commenting and engaging with other bloggers. But I’m so glad that I started because I met some amazing people and learned a lot as well!
I definitely appreciate your blog posts. As I mentioned before in another comment, I like blog post that make me think as well as go deeper on what I already know and gives me another perspective. Your posts does it! This is the real reason why I keep coming back.
I look forward to your videos. It’s inspires me to do some videos as well. This will definitely be a different arena for us both!
Thanks for sharing!
Sherman Smith invites you to read..Feeling Bewildered About Blogging and Online Marketing Jargon?
Hi Sherman,
Well, I’m so glad that you come to my blog(s) for the right reasons, and sorry for this late reply, but I just took a 3 day break from blogging all together.
I’m glad that you started commenting on other blogs and see the good results that doing so can bring to us and our own blog.
Thank you for your comment and I hope you had a Merry Christmas and very happy New Year to you. To a great year of blogging ahead!
Hi Sylviane,
Blogging is such a learning process for all. I still don’t know how to handle 3 different blogs and a life at the same time. That’s a totally amazing feat to me.
The changes you are implementing seem like good changes and will certainly improve your readership and your clients.
Wish you the best with your changes and your work for 2014. Sounds like you have a lot of work cut out for yourself, but I’m sure you’re have a fantastic work year.
Hope Christmas was great! Happy New Year.
Barbara
Barbara Charles invites you to read..A Great Life – A True Love Story – Constance and Herman English
Hi Barbara,
It certainly is not easy to have one or more professional blogs and a job at the same time. At times I a bit worn out and don’t want to see another blog for a day or two 🙂 I didn’t for these past 3 days for sure. Just got here this evening.
I know you probably understand this very well yourself.
At least I’m not going back to that JOB until after the first of the year.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too and Happy New Year doing more what you like and less what you don’t.