Archive for July, 2007
Qoo Forum Reviewed!
Jul 19th
In the blogosphere I have seen several people earn a good amount of money through their advertising, affiliate sales and referrals but until recently, I didn’t hear of the term “revenue sharing program” anywhere. Well, Qoo Forum plans to change all that. They asked me to review them through ReviewMe and I plan to do just that. The reason I accepted the offer was because this is something unique and new. Personally, I haven’t heard of a forum that partakes in a revenue sharing program. So how does it work? well, basically the forum employs Google Adsense and you as a member of the forum are entitled to 50% of Adsense revenues generated by the threads that you have started. It is an interesting concept and because registration is free, you really have nothing to lose. Also, the forum consists of every possible topic that I could imagine – world news & politics, money, investing & business, search engine forums, web design & development, music, lifestyle, games, digital life, womens information and sports. See what I mean by everything! The website is designed well and I would think that earning 50% of the revenue is not bad at all. There are about 350+ threads and around 1700 members so I am sure that you would earn a good enough share. Even though I can’t really say how much, its better than nothing because most other forums don’t have this type of revenue sharing system. So, I will be trying this out for myself but in the mean time, why don’t you test it out? Go here!
Fearless News Reviewed!
Jul 19th
Have you ever tried to find a news article online that later turned out to be a rumor or just plain false news. There have been times when I have come across an article that just seemed to not fit in. I mention quite a few real world news stories on my blog and recently Fearless News asked me to review them through ReviewMe. They go through thousands of stories from popular news sources on a daily basis and their reader community, staff and artificial intelligence is responsible for delivering only credible, supported articles. Sound interesting already? Here’s the best part, eventually the AI will be smart enough to filter every article for itself. News sources are update-able through reader feedback and shady sources are done away with. Registration is free and although you don’t necessarily have to sign up, there are a few perks of doing so. Basically by signing up you can customize your personal page with news sources that you prefer reading, remove articles you don’t like and discuss articles with other readers. It has been a while since I have seen something of this sort. Its sounds like an RSS reader application but it makes for a really outstanding concept by providing only credible news stories. Another thing I really like is the design. As you can see from the screenshot above, you have a few categories to pick from and once you click on a headline it takes you to the official news page. So their tagline, Like News? Try Fearless News, stands true and I will be bookmarking this one for sure!
How Much is a Link Back Worth?
Jul 19th
There are a lot of high PR blogs out there that offer free link backs for small reviews and some even go as far as having screen shots and mandatory RSS subscriptions and thats mainly because they have a high enough PR that getting a link back from them is worth it. Someone of that caliber would be Ades from AdesBlog, John Chow, Problogger, ShoeMoney, those types of people. I have a link exchange of my own where you can get a free link back or if you want to double your luck then check out my contest, you will get a free link back there and a chance to win a 1GB Video Player. Anyway, I wanted to see how much a back link is really worth and how it can affect your blog:
Traffic
Well, if you were mentioned on a high PR blog, it is highly possible that they have a large readership and what that means for you is that you will have higher than usual traffic. The reason more traffic is good is because what you have to offer might interest some of your new visitors and that way they might become regular readers and visitors.
Technorati
If the blog you are linked by has a high enough Technorati ranking then this automatically boosts your Technorati authority. For example, when I got linked by JohnChow, my authority went up by 2 as soon as that happened. Great, so how does this help me? Well, think about it, most Review websites check to see your Technorati Ranking and if your ranking rises then it could help you get a higher rating at the pay-for-review website that you are a part of.
PageRank
Although, I don’t know how much your Pagerank (PR) is affected by one particular back link, I do know that the amount of back links you have is used in deciding what your PR will be. Currently my blog has a predicted Page Rank of 3 with 188 back links. Also, the higher the PR of the person linking to you, the stronger your predicted PR ranking gets.
Alexa & RSS
These two are grouped together because this is what I call “after-effect”. The reason is because they are indirect because the additional traffic is what could help raise your Alexa ranking and RSS subscriptions because the more people you have visiting with the Alexa tool bar, the better your Alexa ranking gets and the more people that get hooked onto your blog, the higher the chances are of them subscribing to your RSS feed.
Things to Remember
1. Aside from these 4 observations, there are a few things that I have noticed. For example, I have an authority currently of 47 and if someone with an authority over 47 links back to me, then the chances are higher for my Technorati authority to rise but if their Technorati ranking is lower than it can take one or two link backs from similarly ranked blogs or websites to have your authority rise.
2. Also, keep in mind that additional traffic doesn’t necessarily mean “converted readers”. Some people are just curious! We all are. If i see a link that sounds interesting, I will click on it regardless of whether I hang around and read. Usually if your traffic starts to rise, it doesn’t automatically mean that you will have a higher RSS readership. You have to build your RSS readership slowly as it takes time for people to get addicted to your blog.
So, I hope that helped clear up some doubts and remember that just because someone has a low Technorati ranking or is a “newbie” to the blogging world, it doesn’t make their link back less valuable. Sooner or later, you will be happy that you didn’t disregard the smaller bloggers out there. Again, if you want a free link back from my blog try my link exchange program or if you want to double your luck then check out my contest, you will get a free link back there and a chance to win a 1GB Video Player. Thanks for reading!
WebCockpit 1.0 Reviewed!
Jul 18th
I usually wouldn’t accept this ReviewMe offer but the fact that this tool is said to help with motivation and boosting energy, I figured that it could help me get more motivated to getting things accomplished on my blog. I know some of you feel the need to be more motivated about your blog so maybe this tool can help. The concept that the World’s richest 1% gets more work done by working less and less hard seems a little unreasonable. It was so unreasonable that I was tempted to accept their ReviewMe offer to find out what “simple.ology” is all about. The guys at Simple.ology have a Web 2.0 application called WebCockpit 1.0 . This application helps readers apply the concepts in Wall street Journal’s best selling book and those in Simpleology 101 online courses, in an internet based automated setting. Best part about the whole deal is that the tool is free but how well does it really work? There are three free software tools that you can install. They are the Wimiki, Desktop Cockpit and Browser Bodyguard. These tools pretty much help boost your energy and your work effectiveness and lets you be in charge.
Content Layout
I was a little confused as to how many people actually buy the idea of a software that helps you get motivated. I sometimes feel I need an extra boost of motivation to do a certain task but I wouldn’t trust a piece of software to help me in attaining the extra motivation that is needed. The positive is that they have taken the concepts of “simpleology” and integrated it in a very nicely designed online setup however, that isn’t enough to convince me that this actually works. Obviously, motivation change doesn’t take place over night and there are quite a few testimonials on their website that shows you how others have succeeded using this method so it could work. I have only had 3 days to browse around the system and liked the way the course was set up. Some of the tips provided were easy to understand and somewhat helpful. Lets take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros:
+ Well Designed System. The information was presented in a clear manner and was easily accessible.
+ Good Integration of Simpleology Concepts. There were enough tutorials to go through to understand these concepts too.
+ Video design was well done. The audio quality of the videos was good and made it easier to go through the content rather than reading it.
Cons:
- The initial website page makes the Website lack credibility due to the fact that it is designed like some of those websites that promise “4 minute abs” or “lose 10lbs in 3 days”.
- People may have a hard time trusting that a software can help boost their energy and motivate them. This can be taken care of by better designing the initial website page.
All in all, it seems like a decent website. My main concern with it is that motivation is brought about through the people around you and people you come in contact with, not necessarily a computer software. This concern could only be something that I have but some of the users of this program may be accustomed to the software and it may work for them. So, check out the website and tell me what you think.
World’s Top Earning Models
Jul 18th
I don’t generally talk about entertainment on the blog but recently I missed out on posting about the Top Earning Bloggers and with some of them reporting earnings in the $250,000 a month range, I figured that blogging could definitely be a business. In return for that, I bring to you this list by Forbes of The World’s 15 Top Earning Models. For the people that told you, “It doesn’t pay to be beautiful”, they were wrong! Look at some of these earnings!
 $33 Million |
This 26-year-old Brazilian bombshell still commands more money and more contracts than any other model on the planet, gracing ads for Apple, Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli. Her line of sandals, Ipanema by Gisele, is expanding into the U.S. and Europe. |
 $9 Million |
The 33-year-old superwaif continued her comeback from last year’s cocaine scandal: She’s the new face of Stella McCartney and Italian sportswear company Belstaff. She also recently launched a clothing line for British retailer Topshop (carried in the U.S. at Barneys New York). Moss has also managed to hang onto modeling gigs with Rimmel, Burberry and Dior. |
 $8 Million |
The 34-year-old model and mother of three (hubby is singer Seal) renewed her Victoria’s Secret contract and still helms the hit Bravo reality show Project Runway. She also hosted Germany’s version of America’s Next Top Model. In her "spare" time, she designs and markets a line of jewelry through Mouawad. |
 $6 Million |
The 26-year-old Victoria’s Secret model is probably the most famous Brazilian babe since Gisele Bundchen. She’s also the face of Maybelline and Italian phone company Telecom Italia. Her April 2006 GQ cover was the highest selling issue of the year. |
$6 Million |
This olive-skinned beauty, 26, confidently stakes her turf among the Victoria’s Secret Brazilian trinity, which is rounded out by former roommate Gisele Bundchen and Adriana Lima. She also models for Armani Exchange and Next U.K. |
 $5 Million |
This native Floridian, 31, is ubiquitous. As the main face of Estée Lauder (a title she took over from Elizabeth Hurley in 2001), she peers down at beauty counters all over the world. She can also be seen in campaigns for Jantzen swimwear, Missoni, Versace, Anne Klein and Tiffany and Co. |
 $4.5 Million |
The Russia-born Vodianova, 25, has been a Calvin Klein muse for longer than any other model, including Kate Moss. She also poses for David Yurman jewelry (as does Moss). Vodianova, active in speaking out against eating disorders within the modeling industry, just gave birth to her third child with husband the Honorable Justin Portman, a British real estate heir. So far this year, she’s the only model to have the cover of Vogue to herself. |
 $3.5 Million |
The 23-year-old Czech model reigns next to Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio as one of the highest-ranking angels in the Victoria’s Secret roster. At 16, Kurkova appeared on the February 2001 cover of American Vogue, making her one of the youngest models ever to do so. She can be seen in the upcoming movie My Sexiest Year, starring Harvey Keitel and Frankie Muniz, in which she plays–what else?–a supermodel. |
 $3.5 Million |
Werbowy’s name may not be familiar, but unless you’ve been living underground, you’ve seen this 22-year-old Canadian, who is the face of Lancome. She also models for Louis Vuitton, Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Valentino, H&M, Missoni and David Yurman. |
 $3 Million |
The Australian model doesn’t yet have an American multiyear cosmetic contract, but give her time. The 19-year-old models for Valentino, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Karl Lagerfeld, Swarovski and Louis Vuitton. Her Kewpie-doll look inspired a new rage in the industry and makes her especially popular in Japan, where she’s the face of the enormous Kose cosmetics and skincare line. |
 $2.5 Million |
As the first black model in Estée Lauder’s history, the 29-year-old Ethiopian beauty is hailed as a ground-breaker. She also models for H&M, the Gap, Anne Taylor and Givenchy. |
 $2 Million |
At 20, Rhoda is being hailed as the new face of fashion. With her heavy eyebrows (a la Brooke Shields) and "heavy" (for the modeling industry) athletic body, she’s a throwback to the days of the supermodel. After becoming a favorite in the pages of Vogue and modeling for Donna Karan, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino, she bagged a prized Estée Lauder contract. |
 $2 Million |
At 33, Harlow is a legendary veteran of the modeling world; she is making a comeback this year with new contracts with Chanel and Tiffany & Co. |
 $1.5 Million |
The Dutch model, 22, rapidly rose through the pages of Vogue, where she’s been featured in the last three issues (including the May cover). She’s also bagged contracts with Calvin Klein’s Eternity fragrance and L’Oreal. |
 $1.5 Million |
Stam, 21, was discovered by photographer Steven Meisel. In May, the Canadian was featured on the cover of Vogue as one of the hottest new faces in fashion. You may not know her name, but her face should be familiar: She’s modeled for DKNY, Dior, Lanvin and Bulgari. |
There you are, the Worlds 15 Top Earning Models that are beautiful indeed, with salaries that are even better looking! Hope you enjoyed this! More coming soon!
Text & Image Source : MSN
