I'm at a loss for words.
I've started this newsletter half a dozen times trying to find the right way to share some information with you.
Sometimes the words don't come. Eloquence doesn't seem to be in the cards for me today.
It's not that the topic isn't interesting. It's just that I've got writer's block.
Has that ever happened to you?
There are days that I am able to create new content for my blog without much effort. It just flows.
And there are other days that I can't pry the words loose with a crowbar!
If I am not creating content, I am not providing Google with new opportunities to run their ads on my site.
That's one reason I like to have message board forums on my sites.
With forums, site visitors create fresh content for me on a regular basis!
Many people have told me that they want to put forums on their site, but they don't know how to get people posting on the forums. If there is no activity, then visitors aren't going to post. And if they don't post, there is still no activity.
So how do you make your forums active?
One way is to recruit friends and associates to post on your site. This can be effective, but also very slow.
Another way is to pay people to post on your forums. The trouble with this is the people you are paying may not know anything about your topic. That means the content isn't going to be very good.
A few weeks ago, I came across a tool that will populate your forums with content from Yahoo! Answers.
I don't understand the name of the tool.. it's called "Vumpost".
But I have seen what it can do and I am impressed!
It installs on your site easily, and populates your forums with content related to any subject you want in a matter of minutes.
You may ask if it is legitimate to use Yahoo! Answers content on your site. The answer is yes, as long as you give credit for the content. Vumpost does this automatically!
And it is important to note that this is only a way to kick-start your forums so that new visitors will find fresh content and a reason to join your site. I don't recommend building a site on nothing more than Yahoo! Answers content.
I've had a video created to demonstrate how easy it is to install and use Vumpost. Take a look at this and then decide if Vumpost is for you.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
January 6, 2008 04:15 AM
Hey Joel,
Any update on the 2k8 goal post and the winner of the ipod?
http://www.joelcomm.com/where_do_you_want_to_go_in_200.html
January 11, 2008 01:27 PM
Yes...mmmmmm....writers block. I always thought that was something writers made up as an excuse not to work. :) That is until I became a writer.
Yes, for days and even weeks it flows.....then BAMN! nothing......