Google is your ally | Titus Hoskins | Tips

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Rio

Titus Hoskins just sent me an email with very useful suggestions on how to turn Google into a very efficient ally. I believe they will be helpful to most of my my readers as well, so here they are:

“Google must be your number ONE ally if you truly want to succeed online. Love it or hate it – Google is fast becoming the dominant marketing force on the web and you must use and exploit it to your advantage.

When most people mention Google, all they think of is the Search Engine. But if you’re marketing or promoting your site on the web – Google is so much more. It has countless programs you can use to further your goal.

Here are some of ones I use:

o Using Google Adsense For Profit & Monitoring

I use Google Adsense on almost all my site, it’s a simple way to monitize your site or sites. Google gives you a simple piece of code which you place on your webpages and it serves up text or image ads marked “Ads by Google” on
your pages.

If someone clicks on your ads you get a few pennies or a few dollars… Google Adsense is great if you have a large content filled site and want to earn revenue from your traffic. I use it in conjunction with my other affiliate
links on many of my pages.

Now, I can get 10, even a 100 times more with an affiliate link/click so I mostly use Adsense where I am not targeting a particular affiliate product with my marketing. However, I have received Adsense checks each month for the last three or four years – always puts a smile on my face to get that check from Google!

But also use Adsense to track and monitor my site’s traffic in ‘real time’ and it gives me a good picture of how my pages are doing. I still use my log stats to monitor my traffic but Adsense is just another way to do it.

If you’re not using Adsense on your sites, I suggest you give it a try.

https://www.google.com/adsense/

o Using Google Benchmarks To Improve Your Site

If you have a website, it’s only natural that you would like to know how your site compares with other similar sites on the web. Now, we are not talking about comparing apples to oranges here – we are talking about comparing your site to others that are the same in size and traffic.

Google Benchmarks which is a part of Google Analytics, lets you compare your site to other sites on the
web that are similar to yours. It will tell you how your site is performing compared to your
competition. This is enormously valuable information because it gives you a clearer picture of how your
site is performing.

I find it extremely helpful in telling me what parts of my sites are not working and where I
have to make improvements. It also tells me what parts of my sites are working or performing above
my competition.

Things like bounce rates, pageviews per visit, time on site… I can see how my sites are doing
compared with others in my area of interest. This is vital if I want to keep my sites competitive
and “in the game”.

If you’re not using Google Analytics and Google Benchmarks, I would strongly suggest you use this free service from Google. It is a great way to track your sites and visitors. It is invaluable for improving your site’s content.

You can also use the Website Optimizer to test which content, headlines, graphics, page design… are best
for converting your visitors into customers or clients. Simply find out what works best and use it.

If you’re not already using Google Analytics I
strongly suggest you start using it. You can
sign-up here:

http://www.google.com/analytics/

o Simple Market Research With Google Trends

Another Google program that I use a lot is Google Trends, especially when I am first
developing a site or looking for small niche markets I can make profitable. Google Trends
tells you what things or topics are “hot” or “popular” – ones being searched for by web users.

Google Trends can give you a good overview of of things that may be worth your time and effort,
in regards to marketing. It also lets you compare different items and it gives you a graph read-out
of how popular each one is or is becoming.

For example, if you’re selling electronics on your site, and you want to find out if you should spend more telling selling PCs or Laptops…. you can do a Trend search for each one and compare your results.

What’s even just as great, Google Trends will tell you how popular they are in different countries
or regions of the world. Again, if you’re marketing on the web, this will give you some simple
market research into your area of interest.

You can check Google Trends here:

http://www.google.com/trends

o Information Gathering With Google Alerts

Perhaps, one of my most favorite of all Google programs is Google Alerts. This is
simply the most valuable tool for searching for information on your site or topic.

You use Google Alerts to “tag” or “mark” any subject or phrase you want Google to
email alert you – when any new content appears on the web related to your topic or phrase.

These Alerts will give you the links to the new pages so that you can check out
the information. It is a great way to “keep up to date” on all your niche markets
and keywords you’re targeting with your sites.

This is also great for link building since many of these Alerts will be blog links
and you can easily go and add your comments with a link back to your site. Google will
send you email alerts when a new link or page is created on your targeted keyword.

I also use this free service from Google to keep track of my name so that whenever someone
is saying something about me anywhere on the web – I know about it!

I do the same thing for my sites. You can also use it to track your articles, keywords or just
about anything for that matter. Invaluable service for gathering information on the web…

Get it here:

www.google.com/alerts

What Google Thinks Of Your Site?

Furthermore, if you want to find out how Google
views you site. You can check out this handy
article I wrote a little while back:

http://www.bizwaremagic.com/google_webmaster_tools.htm

o Free Online Graphics Editor

And now for something completely different…

I heard about this free online graphics editor from Design Guru Ryan (The guy who does my
web graphics) and it looks very good. It’s called Pixlr and if you need to quickly
design or fix your graphics, this could be a very good option if you don’t have your
own image editor on your desktop.

You can find it here:

http://www.pixlr.com/

Kind Regards,

Titus

P.S. I have placed links to some of my sites,
blogs and social networks altogether here:

http://www.titushoskins.com

Includes Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, LiveJournal,
SiteProNews Blog… and others. In case you
really want to get to know me!

You can also go to this online blog:

http://www.bizwaremagic.blogspot.com

or on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/bizwaremagic “

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It is Happening Now!

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Rio

Geisel Library at University of California San Diego

I was walking up to the main library at the University of California in San Diego one night, which is a long walk even when you pay for parking, when I noticed my absent minded condition. I had been walking wrapped in thought, pondering. I had been oblivious to my surroundings. Does it happen to you? I am being facetious, of course, I know it does. We are all ponderers. We have so many projects, so many things pending and so many expectations! We believe that our efforts will eventually take us to a safe haven, don’t we?

And it is good that we have projects and goals, that is life! Without action nothing gets done. But there is a hidden challenge in taking action that we don’t see, for no matter how many goals we may have all we ever really have is this present moment. We do think that our goals will take us to a safe haven but there is no such a thing; there can’t be because this is a world of change. After we get to our “safe haven” sooner or later a new challenge will sprout. Besides, in a world where death is waiting at every turn, where can there be safety? Our challenge is to realize that we should act for the sake of the action itself because the challenge at hand is all we ever have. Reality is not what we think! Reality is what is here now. Everything is in this very moment.

Therefore, I decided to focus on the present moment, on what was actually taking place. I became aware then of the things that I was approaching (benches, cars, bus stops…), of the trees that I passed on the wooded trails. Soon I arrived at the last stretch of my walk, the wide walkway lined by tall Eucalyptus trees that takes you directly to the library, and I noticed other pedestrians immersed, as I had been, in self-reflection, oblivious to the world.

I noticed the library in the distance, a huge building that rose like a mushroom, like a giant bird spreading its wings obliterating the star-raddled sky. I wondered how that enormous building could remain aloft in such a narrow base, a feat of engineering. It reminded me briefly of the ship “Nostromo” in the movie “Alien” and for a moment my mind drifted in that direction. I brought it back. I walked on while aware of my surroundings, aware of the seemingly approaching building and the steps that brought it near. And then I was awaken from the slumber of self-reflection completely…I was fully aware of my surroundings.

When I arrived at the Geisel library I was present, and the feeling was such that I felt like prolonging my walk. A quote from The Christ interrupted my concentration once more, “Let thine eye be single and your whole body will be full of light”. And then I realized that prolonging my walk really didn’t matter because regardless of what we are doing presence of mind is always an option. Our attention can always be placed on the action at hand.

It does not matter either how well we do it (to berate ourselves for not being present is also a lack of discipline, an ego problem) our best is enough. To be aware of what the mind does is the key. To see how it worries about past events that can’t be changed or future events that will never happen is the first step. But we shouldn’t force the issue, for the mind’s very nature is to think. Make it play! Watch the mind’s moves!

Nevertheless, we should do our best, for an undisciplined mind can’t avoid misleading us. And having a disciplined mind is the only way to vanquish the darkness of self-centeredness, that ego-induced self-reflection that is usually empty blabber, a blind alley. A disciplined mind is the key to happiness…”Let thine eye be single…”

Filed under: Inner growth, Tips for the Spirit | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

To Father and Son | Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 27, 2008 by Rio

I just got this in an email from my friend and dance partner Lynn Drittenbas (Dragon Acupuncture), and I’d like to share it with you. It is about what will a father do for his son?

Excerpt: “One day the son asked his father, ‘Dad, let’s join the Ironman together?’”

“For those who didn’t know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii”.

And I just found the full story of Rick and Dick Hoyt in a post by Reyn Aria. Here is the link:

Check the video here:  Against All Odds

Filed under: Inner growth, Perspective | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Dragon Acupuncture

Posted on December 15, 2008 by Rio

Acupuncture and BioMeridian Testing, combined with prescribed supplements, are safe and powerful alternatives for treating thousands of physical, emotional and neurological issues, including:

  • Arthritis, back pain and carpal tunnel
  • Allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems
  • Cancer and chemotherapy support
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia
  • Common cold, flu, compromised  immune system
  • Depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress, migraines and headaches
  • Detoxification
  • Food cravings, smoking, alcohol and drug addictions
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Gynecological problems such as infertility and PMS

What is BioMeridian testing?

  • Acupuncture points are measured with meridian stress assessment testing
  • From your meridian data every body system is analyzed
  • The health of each body system is represented on a graph
  • Specific prescription supplements are recommended
  • For more information go to: www.biomeridian.com

Lynn Drittenbas L.Ac. attended Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and graduated summa cum laude with a Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her personal interests include yoga, meditation, dance, gardening and cycling. She is married with three grown children.0_0_04_0_0_09_150_130_csupload_3964412

Location: 2004 Hornblend Street, San Diego, CA.  92109

More info at:

(707) 874-2050

Filed under: Health | Tagged: , , , | 5 Comments »

Kabir | A Poem

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Rio

An interesting poem by Kabir:

“Friend, hope for the Guest while you are alive.
Jump into the experience while you are alive!
Think….and think….while you are alive.
What you call salvation belongs to the time before death.

If you don’t break your ropes while you are alive,
do you think ghosts will do it after?

The idea that the soul will join with the ecstatic
just because the body is rotten-
that is all fantasy.
What is found now is found then.
If you find nothing now,
you will simply end up with an apartment in the City of Death.
If you make love with the divine now, in the next life you will
have the face of satisfied desire.

So plunge into the truth, find out who the Teacher is,
Believe in the Great Sound.

Kabir says this: When the guest is being searched for,
it is the intensity of the longing for the Guest that does all the work.
Look at me, and you will see a slave of that intensity.”
—Kabir

Today’s quote: “Drop the “me” and there is Nirvana here and now”–Buddha

Filed under: The Sages | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Musicians | Songwriters | Bands | Singers | Family Values Promotions

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Rio
My friends Michael James and Shirley Ruth Caron

My friends Michael James and Shirley Ruth Caron

If you are a musician, a songwriter, a singer or a band you might be interested in the services of my friends Michael and Shirley Caron.  This is who they are and what they do:

“M&S Public Relations along with Family Values Promotions are growing fast. We invite you to grow along with us, but there are certain rules that you must be ready to follow. First, we do not tolerate filthy lyrics nor lewd gestures in your act. We represent The Entertainer Network which is (The voice of World Wide Music). This means that if you qualify your music will be heard around the world. Our main mission is to help you take your career to the next level. When we introduce you to Big people in the Music Industry we expect you to conduct yourselves in a Professional manner. No matter how Great you are, you are not the best thing to come down the Pike. Once you adopt the attitude that you are, you begin to loose ground and others will leave you in the Dust. We are Not Booking agents, however we will do our very best to help you gain a foothold in various venues. In so doing, we may have to rely on outside help. No one works for free and their fees vary. You are a Vocalists or Band that has gained a lot of local recognition. You are ready to gain much more recognition. That is where we come in“

“The purpose of our business is to get you, the artist, the best possible resources to take your career to the next level. We work with one of the largest chains in the music industry.”

How they work:

“There is one important thing to understand, many artists have said that they have had promoters offer to represent them free of charge. The LURE of Free has caused a lot of artists to loose everything that they ever worked for. When you are offered Free representation read the fine print, whether you are a poet, songwriter, or vocalist Or music arranger. I have had people come to me and ask what they can do to get the rights to their songs back, their poetry or their musical arrangements, however If they have signed a contract there is nothing that I or anyone can do. When you are offered a Free deal, you are giving up the rights to everything!! We offer a one time sign-up fee of $100.00 to represent you for life. We represent you in Nashville. We are affiliated with Cliff Ayres Enterprises that includes Entertainer Indi-Association, Entertainer Network, (The Music Industry Magazine, Music Town Distribution, Emerald Records and American Sounds Records. Most important, if you sign a Record Contract with Emerald Records and somewhere down the road Warner Brothers or R.C.A. wants to sign you, we can get you out of your contract without penalty!! These are serious things to think about if you have the passion to pursue a career in music. Others can’t do that. We can.”

Country Values: The Best of Indianapolis!

To know more please visit: http://countryvalues65.tripod.com/ 

Quote: If they haven’t learned, you haven’t taught.–Coach John Wooden


Filed under: Dance and Song | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Wall Street | Bailout

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Rio

I heard in National Public Radio, and read in some national weekly magazines that new schemes are now being hatched (and already money being misused) by some of the companies being bailed out by the Federal Reserve. It seems obvious then that the first economic challenge faced by our president elect Mr. Barack Obama and his administration will be to clean house.

Bailing out the institutions that caused our present economic woes with their greedy and unethical behavior may be unavoidable, but if the bailout money is given to the culprits; that is, those who personally caused the problems in the first place, we may be headed for trouble, maybe really big trouble. These individuals could be more dangerous to our country than Osama Bin Laden. They can break and bankrupt America. Apparently, they are creating new and more dangerous situations even as I write these lines. And they should be punished and their licenses revoked or suspended. Besides, if we don’t  punish and replace the culprits, are we really changing our direction? Please advise me.

Quote of the day: “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you”–Dale Carnegie

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Jerky Direct, a difference | Jerky Today

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Rio

I have been a member of Jerky Direct for over three years and I can vouch for their good service. This is one of the best companies I have seen anywhere. If you like jerky I highly recommend it. This is why:

There is really no cost to join. You simply purchase two bags of jerky a month (beef, buffalo or turkey) at retail price ($12.00 plus $1.95 shipping) and you are in. The rest of your jerky you purchase at the wholesale price, and you get a free website.
The jerky comes from animals raised without hormones or antibiotics. It has no MSG and very few additives, so you are purchasing a wholesome product at a wholesale price. If you like beef jerky,  join us so that you can enjoy a great tasting jerky at a low price. Jerky Direct has over 25 varieties of delicious jerky.

What role can jerky play in weight loss?

Animal and plant proteins tend to trigger satiety (fullness). It’s difficult to binge on low-fat protein and get too many calories. That’s especially true if you combine protein, like jerky, with high fiber foods like raw veggies or salad. Protein breaks down slower than carbohydrates, so blood sugars enter the blood stream slower. That’s why so many diabetics love low-fat, high protein jerky for mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks.

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Interesting information below about insulin resistance and jerky by Dr. David P. Bowman from Idaho Falls.

“It may surprise you to see how people who are insulin resistant react to food. Those who don’t have insulin resistance watch them with wonder. They think their appetite is out of control. Why? Because those with insulin resistance don’t think about food like you and me. The out-of-balance chemicals in their bodies and their brains literally force them to think constantly about food. Whenever they get close to food, their natural instinct is to devour it. That’s how powerful insulin is in their body.

The advice from most weight loss systems is to snack on many small, healthy meals throughout the day, but the options for insulin-resistant people are limited. Their “small meals” mean a Cup-o-Noodles, donuts, candy…

Insulin-resistant people need slow-burning, high protein food to slow down the sugar conversion in their body and shut off the hunger chemicals. And they need it a half hour before they are hit with intense cravings or the temp-tations of a huge meal or party buffet.

The same thing is true for diabetics and people who are hypoglycemic. They all crave the empty sweets and starches. But these are the worst possible snacks for them. Their choices are very limited. Nuts and jerky are about the only convenience foods that provide the slow-burning natural fats and protein that will douse the hunger chemicals inside their brain.

But here’s a caution. Don’t wait until you’re ready to devour the whole carton of ice cream before you reach for a strip of jerky. Schedule the snack. Keep jerky in your car or desk drawer and reach for it when your brain sends its first message of hunger.

Most of us don’t understand how unreasonable our body’s hunger chemicals can be. They make us react in ways other people would never think of doing. This intense hunger must be controlled with habits that protect us from ourselves.
So stock up on a variety of flavors from Jerky Direct as a great weight-management hedge.”

“Why we don’t use corn-fed meat in our jerky” By Jerky Direct

“For the first time in history, because of cheap, subsidized corn production in this country, millions of animals are now raised in close confinement and fed on diets that are not healthy for them.

In these huge feedlots animals are forced to live mainly on corn, not grass. Why? Because it’s cheaper. Instead of grazing four or five years from birth to slaughter, animals are now brought to slaughter within 14 to 16 months. They are fed tremendous quantities of corn and an arsenal of drugs.

Animals can’t live on such diet for very long. It would blow out their livers and kill them. So they are bred and fed to get to slaughter quickly, and the antibiotics keep them alive long enough to slaughter. They would not survive on this diet without antibiotics.”

The meat from these animals is “definitely not right for your health” And the animals themselves live a miserable life.

“Jerky Direct uses only grass fed and/or certified organic beef not raised in these huge industrialized feedlots. The organic certification states that not only the animal itself, but its mother must have been fed an organic diet free from all the unnatural chemicals and additives.


Filed under: Internet Marketing | Tagged: , , , , | 5 Comments »

Web Hosting

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Rio

I know. I haven’t been writing on my journal lately, but I have been busy. I have been trying also to get a hosting company for my blog to no avail. I tell you, I have so much to learn that when I go to the back office of these hosting companies I am totally lost. And I presume they think that I am an adept pupil because they throw at me all these complicated explanations and technical terms that I don’t understand. In the last month I have canceled two web hosting services because I couldn’t get anything going. I couldn’t even transfer my wordpress blog, and that was supposed to be easy. I guess I need simpler web hosting or a company with outstanding support and simple explanations (beginner friendly). Mind you, they all say that they have excellent support, but I still can’t get anything going with their help. Any suggestions?

A pertinent quote: “The greater the struggle, the more enriching the experience is for your life.”–Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism for You

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Global Domains International | Bad News

Posted on November 9, 2008 by Rio

Decision made! I am out of GDI.

They asked me why I was cancelling… I had placed a post in the forum regarding the bad service and the lack of communication. I had sent a letter to the owners that was never answered. I received misleading and inacurate answers to my emails and phone calls; I was told once that a feature was working when, in fact, it wasn’t. As a matter of fact, I checked a few days ago and that web builder was still not working properly after more than two months of launching. But they asked me why I was cancelling. Are they in denial? I also see a lot of people recommending the GDI opportunity. Are they all in denial? 

I didn’t feel like going through explanations anymore; so I just mentioned the letter I had sent to the owners that was never acknowledged, and said that I was going to change my direction. They obligued me. My account was canceled immediately.

But you can still find the rainbow; I transfered it to this blog. Just look for “the rainbow” page. Enjoy! And please leave a comment.

Filed under: Internet Marketing | Tagged: , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

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