The Watchman The Watchman Exalting our blessed savior and his wonderful Word! Articles
Relevant Design – Choosing the Right Stock Photo
2011-01-04 20:58:00 When designing a product, be it a book cover, CD label, DVD, ect. You have to take the subject matter into consideration when choosing what stock photos to work with. And slapping in a photo that is appealing but not relevant to the subject will confuse your customers. In this article I will explain the process that I use in choosing the right photo for a design. STOCK PHOTOS? Stock photography is the supply of photographs licensed for specific uses. It is used to fulfill the needs of creative assignments instead of hiring a photographer. Today, stock images can be presented in searchable online databases. They can be purchased and delivered online. Often, they are produced in studios using a wide variety of models posing as professionals, stereotypes, expressing stereotypical emotions and gesticulations or involving pets. WHERE DO I GET STOCK PHOTOS? As mentioned above their are a variety of stock photo sites both free and pay-per-download. I recommend: A great pay site with ... More About: Photo , Design , Relevant
The IFB Design Difference
2010-11-29 20:54:00 Focus on your mission leave the communication to us Our skilled team offers a full array of graphic design, website programming, and online marketing services that are custom tailored to really work for you. We really understand ministry so whether you want a new website, a custom brochure or Gospel tract, or a new logo – identity design we can help you communicate your message. You don’t ever have to settle for less than world class Technology is ever changing, constantly providing new ways to communicate your message. We are designers that have our hand on the changing trends of technology. We have the experience to get the job done right, and the knowledge to keep you on the cutting edge. Our designers have over three decades of experience in graphic design, print, SEO, logo design, web, corporate identity, and branding for small businesses, ministries, and not for profits. When we approach a project we don’t just take a “one size fits all”... More About: Design
Introduction to Article Submission
2010-05-11 18:10:00 A good way to build authority and search engine rankings for your site is through article directories. They usually don’t generate a lot of traffic, but they do provide quality one-way links back to your site, and there’s always the possibility of the articles becoming popular and generating direct traffic. The two biggest directories are www.goarticles.com and www.ezinearticles.com. These are the best in terms of quality and what they allow, but there are hundreds of others to choose from. If you’re interested, you can check out this list of about 2200. So what are the benefits, and what do you have to do? First of all, Don’t submit any article that aren’t quality. You don’t want your name on something that isn’t good work. Another thing you DON’T want to do is submit duplicate content, especially stuff you haven’t written. This is bad for your article, and just bad all-around. So don’t just copy other&rsq... More About: Article , Introduction , Submission
6 Critical Errors you can make when you Post
2010-02-19 13:00:00 When we don’t feel in the mood to post, but realize we have to, there are several drastic errors that we can make. These are things that we can do without fully realizing it, that can have a very drastic effect. Keep these ideas in mind when you’re trying to write that post, that just doesn’t want to come out. Or if you’re struggling with coming up with something to write about. 1. Don’t Go Off Topic I don’t care if that’s what you’re thinking about at the moment, you can’t suddenly starting writing about cars, or posting music videos, if your blog is about How to Blog and SEO. You confuse your readers, and distract potential subscribers, because you aren’t giving them what they expected. Doing this can have a very drastic effect on your readers, even people who are fans of your site. And just because people liked it once, doesn’t give you license to do it again. Just stay to your niche, and target readers who want wh... More About: Post , Make , Errors
3 Advanced Squidoo Strategies
2010-02-18 13:31:00 If you’re completely new to squidoo, check out my Squidoo in 3 Easy Steps article. A squidoo lens is a great SEO and traffic building tool, but it’s probably more powerful than it looks at first glance. If you write an aritlce make a lens, link to your site, and then leave it, you are not using squidoo to it’s full potential. You are missing out on a powerful and authoritative one-way link from a high-ranking website. Yeah, I know, sounds a bit propaganda-ish, but there is a lot of truth in what I just said. Let’s take a look. A squidoo lens should be considered a whole webpage of it’s own. Believe it or not, squidoo lenses get high rankings in Google. If you play your cards right, you can ramp up the authority of your squidoo lens in Google, and then pass that authority on to your site with a link. So how do you build up the authority of your lens? (1) Well, how do you build authority to any site? In fact, what’s the point of having a squidoo len... More About: Strategies
Top 10 How To Blog Sites
2010-02-17 13:00:00 These are some of my favorite site about how to blog, each of these sites has taught me alot enjoy. Robin Good’s How to Blog Guide- Robin Good is a great marketer, blogger, and all around internet entrepreneur. This page is definitely one of the authority documents on how to blog. Steve Pavlina’s How To Make Money On Your Blog- Steve Pavlina is a productivity guru, and life coach who is also a great blogger. His approach to blogging is very much focused on providing amazing content. Write to Done- Write to Done is authored by Leo Babauta a genuine internet Cinderella story of blogging and life transformation. Write to done is focused on the lessons learned from developing some of the internets most successful blogs How To Blog With Passion and Power: Site Sketch 101- Nick Cardot is a personal friend and an amazingly talented blogger. His blog Sites ketch 101 is becoming one of the most authoritative site for information on how to blog. Seth’s Blog: How to get traffi...
Who is My Audience?
2010-02-16 07:00:00 Sometimes I wonder who is my audience? I mean I write my blog posts, and get my traffic, and some comments. But everybody knows that the comments are a very small percentage of the actual amount of readers. I looked at my Google analytics results from all of the visitors on mastersofseo ever, and they averaged 1M and 41 S on my blog. Now that’s not very good but it’s not awful either. A minute and 40 seconds is a long time to look at one page. And also each visit averages 1.72 pages per visit. Then I totaled up my amount of visitors and using that information I used an online calculator and figured out what percentage of my visitors commented. It was pretty depressing number, only 0.06521739130434782% or rounding up 7% of my visitors comment. So I started thinking about that, 7%, that’s not very much, what do the other 93% do? I mean if they’re looking around for almost two minutes, is that just reading time? You must also remember this includes all of my tra...
Using Digg to Build Traffic and Links
2010-02-12 01:00:00 Digg is a social bookmarking site. It is currently one of the biggest and most popular bookmarking sites around, and can be utilized to generate spikes of untargeted-traffic (which by the way isn’t going to do you a whole lot of good), but more importantly, quality one way links. There are a couple things you should think about before jumping into Digg. Realize that this is a social bookmarking site, and people will Digg things just because they are “cool.” If you’re selling something or monetizing your site, chances are that if you get to the first page on Digg and get a traffic spike, the visitors are just going to glance around quickly and then leave. They are there to look, not necessarily to convert into customers or click ads. That being said, who doesn’t like traffic spikes? I mean hey, they make you feel like you’re doing something, right? And of course, getting spread virally through Digg may be just the thing you’re looking for&hel... More About: Traffic , Links , Digg
Using Blogcatalog to Generate Traffic
2010-02-11 15:00:00 So you are looking for a social network to generate traffic and meet other bloggers, why blogcatalog? Because it’s by far the best. Blog Catalog combines great discussions, with great groups, and a large enough amount of people. The one downside, is it’s incredibly addicting nature. Hours can be spent on blogcatalog, but hey it’s for your website right? so you have an excuse. There are three components to the site. Number one discussions, That’s where people will post new questions, and most importantly offers they have. If you follow it semi regularly, you can win prizes such as links, and entrecard credits, and also gain friends and help out another blogger. Also read the discussions that relate to your blog, i’ve found answers to many of my questions on this site. Also feel free to ask your own question if you don’t see the one your looking for. The second component is Groups. On the blogcatalog.com home page you will see at the bottom a list o... More About: Traffic
10 Steps to Build Genuine Twitter Followers Fast
2010-02-10 13:00:00 The point of a huge Twitter following should not be so you look like some kind of rock star. Ultimately you want real followers who are listening to you presumably because you have something valuable to say. Real Twitter followers make the difference between a trickle and a deluge of traffic. The following are steps we have used on various Twitter accounts to gain genuine followers. 1. Design your twitter page- Take the time to fill out you bio and website on Twitter, and upload a decent headshot or icon so people can see that you are a real person, and decide to follow you. Also consider making a custom background to better convey info about yourself. 2. Wefollow- Wefollow.com is a directory of twitter users list yourself under the appropriate categories so like minded people can find you. 3. Hash Tags- Use has tags which look like this: #yourkeyword to describe what your tweet is about people track these and will follow you. 4. Comment, ReTweet, Reply- Engage people in con... More About: Genuine , Fast
Growing Our Online Success from A to Z
2009-12-21 05:00:00 Today were going to do a group exercise and I’m going to give away some cash. I’m inviting each of you to post a comment defining and explaining one principle that can help to grow our blog or our online presence in general. The first principle must begin with the letter A and be presented by the first person to leave a comment. The second principle must begin with the letter B and be given by the second person to leave a comment. If we make it through the alphabet then we’ll start right back up at the beginning and keep on going. Start your comment with a single word or a short phrase that begins with your letter and then write a sentence or more describing what it means and why it’s important to our online success. Every comment is another chance to win and on this coming Saturday at 9:00 pm I’ll do a drawing among all the participants and announce a winner on Sunday. All I ask is that you not post two principles in a row. You may post more... More About: Success , Online , Growing
Introducing WordPress 2.9 “Carmen”
2009-12-19 17:00:00 I love using WordPress to power Site Sketch 101. In the past, I’ve used Blogspot, Joomla and other platforms to develop websites and blogs but none of them have compared to the experience I’m now enjoying with WordPress. One of the most exciting things about the WordPress package is that it’s constantly being upgraded. Every few weeks the WordPress team is rolling out a new upgrade packed with security updates, user requested features, bug fixes and more. It’s hard to complain when one of the best content management systems on the market continues to grow and get better. So I use WordPress and I love it. This update comes packed full of cool features. In fact, I’ve embedded a video below to from the WordPress website to provide you with a quick overview of the changes. If you’re viewing this in your RSS reader or in your email inbox, you may need to click through to the site to view the video. Features Overview This update really is packe... More About: Wordpress
Writing for Real People (Part 2)
2009-12-18 05:00:00 This week we’re continuing to explore the idea of writing for real people. Last week in Writing for Real People (Part 1), we looked at what it means to write for real people and why it’s so important. This week we’re exploring how to get the job done in a way that compels readers to keep reading our material. If you’re reading this article in your email or in your RSS reader then be sure to click through and visit Writing for Real People (Part 2) at the site so that you can experience this week’s video episode. You’ll be glad that you did. I would really love to hear your thoughts and experiences about this topic. Would you consider stopping by Writing for Real People (Part 2) and leaving your input?
5 Crucial SEO Tips for Wordpress Users
2009-12-16 05:00:00 Site Sketch 101 is powered by Wordpress . That should be no surprise to many of you. It is a very flexible blogging platform with the option to customize themes, add plugins, and adjust tons of options. As soon as I launched this site, I began changing a lot of settings in the administrative control panel in order to optimize my content for Google. I wanted to make sure that as soon as Google, Yahoo and other major search engines began scanning my site that it would be able to provide content that Google can actually list. In this article, I am going to walk you through each modification that I made to my Wordpress setup as I began optimizing my content for search engines. Each of these tips are incredibly easy to follow through with and I’ll be right here if you have any questions so don’t hesitate to leave me some comments if you have any questions, suggestions, or input. 1. Upgrade to the latest version of Wordpress. The Wordpress team is constantly working to mak... More About: Tips
Take Control of Your Twitter Potential
2009-12-15 05:00:00 I’ve been discovering lately that Twitter has some amazing potential. It has the ability to connect you with others, to promote your websites or products, and amazingly it has the awesome potential for direct profits. In fact, recently I launched an article Targeted Advertising Under 4 Cents/Click. It was in that article that I offered to use my twitter stream as a means to send traffic to people’s websites at the low rate of only 4 cents per click. As a result of that article, I had over $165 sent to my paypal account within 48 hours. Yet even with all of this potential, I’m still hearing people ask if Twitter is really worth it. Some are still wallowing in obscurity wondering what all the hype is about. After all, getting started can be difficult. You can’t just sign up at Twitter and start rolling in cash and making friends. It takes knowledge and effort. Read on and I’ll provide you with the knowledge necessary to start using your twitte... More About: Control
4 Indispensable Elements of Link Exchanges
2009-12-14 15:10:00 As we continue our efforts in creating exciting, dynamic sites, we as webmasters and bloggers find ourselves looking for ways to enhance our sites and grow our visitor base. In other words, we want to make our sites better and get more people to view our websites. The problem with not having many readers or site visitors isn’t caused by the fact that we don’t want people to read our material. Usually it is simply caused by a lack of knowledge on the subject of web design and marketing…And that is where this article comes in. One of the most effective means of getting people to visit your website or blog is also one of the most simple: the link exchange. A link exchange is simply an agreement between two websites wherein they mutually agree to display a link to the other site. In other words, I will link to your site if you will link to mine. Quite often you will see a section of a site with one of the following titles: link exchange, links that like us, blogro... More About: Elements , Link
What is Your Greatest Struggle Online?
2009-12-13 10:00:00 I remember the days when I was first beginning how to blog effectively. In those days, I was constantly searching for solutions to problems that I was facing or ideas to improve my overall success. But as I look back, I realize now that my challenges then were very much different than they are today. But as I continue to grow and move forward, I don’t want to forget the struggles that I faced because it’s those people who are at that stage in their own blogging journey that I want to help the most. My goal is help bloggers take themselves to the next level in their online journey. I want to help people accomplish their goals whether that includes making money, connecting with people, building readers, or helping others. I’m enjoying my growth through the blogosphere but it’s not enough for me. I want to bring you with me. Today I’m asking you to help me as I try to help you. Share with me what your greatest struggles are right now. Tell me... More About: Online
Targeted Advertising Under 4 Cents/Click
2009-12-11 15:15:00 Yes. You did read that title right. I can guarantee you visitors to your website for under 4 cents per click. There are several programs out there that charge you on a per tweet basis to promote a link to your website or product. You can look at twitter accounts and hope that their tweet will drive some traffic to your site. But there’s no guarantees and no warranties. Just a solid ‘I hope so’. I’ve got an offer that puts that concept sorely to shame. If you purchase a sponsored tweet from me, I will guarantee that you will get the number of clicks that you purchase from me. I will continue to share and reshare your link in my twitter stream until you receive the number of clicks that you ask for. I am not charging per tweet. I’m charging per click. And depending on the package that you purchase, I can guarantee that you will pay as little as 4 cents per click. I challenge you to find this kind of quality advertising at such a low ra... More About: Advertising , Cents , Click
Writing for Real People (Part 1)
2009-12-10 05:00:00 If you’re viewing this in your RSS reader or email then you should definitely click through to the site and check out this week’s video, Writing for Real People (Part 1). In a world where bloggers and webmasters are constantly working to attract search engine traffic with content packed with keywords, it’s refreshing to find sites with material designed to entertain and educate me…not Google. Let’s produce that kind of material for our readers. Are you focused on filling your content with keywords and chasing after search engine traffic or are you developing content that’s compelling, exciting, entertaining and educating. Learning how to write compelling content, not how to stuff our content with certain SEO keywords, is the key to attracting and keeping readers at our site. Group Reflection Is your content so compelling that people feel as though they just have to keep reading? As we prepare for next week’s video, let’s brainstor...
Great Blogs are Fueled by Passion & Power
2009-12-09 05:00:00 If you’ve been following me or this blog then you’ve probably already realized that I approach the concept of how to blog from an entirely different perspective than most people. While most people are working to figure out how to develop their blogs, I focus on developing the bloggers. While others may focus on the best tactics for building dynamite bragging rights, I focus on building dynamite relationships. While others focus on pumping their stats, I focus on entertaining, informing, educating and connecting. Present Yourself…Not Just Your Product When I sold candles as a fundraiser in high school, I was taught that I had to sell myself to potential buyers before I could sell my candles. I was trained on how to be friendly and cheerful. I was coached on how to articulate the praises of our candles and the worthiness of our cause. After I presented myself as a friendly, competent young man then I was able to present them with an amazing candle which suppor... More About: Power , Blogs , Great , Passion
Ryanair Gets It
2009-07-18 06:00:00 Several months ago I was approached by the Director of Household Operations (DOHO, aka - my wife) with a request for special funding to attend a three day, two night professional workshop out of the country. After a brief report from the accounting department, the request was denied, swiftly bringing about the threat of a work stoppage at Knuckleheads 'R Us. My dear overworked and underpaid wife persuasively lobbied for a simple budget proposal. About a year ago, in the blogging world, she met two missionary wives who live in Spain, and she desperately wanted to meet them for a few days of kid-free leisure. The official story was that she really, really, really needed to get away for a few days to refresh, relax, and re-focus. Without giving the final approval, management bowed to consider the matter further. Frantically she began looking online for tickets from Porto to Madrid, setting up conference calls and chat times with the other two lobbyists..er, ladies. The three settled o... More About: Life , Love , Laughter , Ryanair
Government Media
2009-06-20 06:00:00 Given that the sitting President won the election, reminding Republicans of this fact early and often, he rightfully possesses the political will to implement sweeping changes and an apparent desire to usher our great nation into an era of statism that may easily teeter toward neo-fascism. He has already effectively taken the reins of General Motors, has followed a terrible precedent begun under President Bush to close the visitors logs of the White House to the public, has taken steps to cap pay grades in the private sector, and has sacked an Inspector General who dared to investigate the shady dealings of a close friend and campaign contributor. Those are just the little things. Forget about the nightmarish foreign policy. His idea of domestic policy shouts that the average citizen is too dull to do anything for himself and needs Big Brother in every aspect of life. I completely disagree. I believe that big government creates slavish citizens, destroys ingenuity and personal mo... More About: Media , Government
Site Sketch 101
2009-06-15 17:38:00 For several years now, I have been scowering the internet searching for resources that can be used to produce amazing websites for Christian sites. I have searched for textures, graphics, icons, tutorials, themes, content management systems, and more. After years of research, I now have hundreds of resources at my disposal which I fully intend on sharing with you here at Site Sketch 101. I remember what a depressing feeling it was when I was just getting started and I was having so much difficulty finding tools that I could use to create websites that actually looked appealing to potential visitors. I know first hand how difficult it can be to set up a site when you are just starting out in this line of work. Click Here to Visit Site Sketch 101 It?s those memories of working so hard only to create only mediocre websites that are my inspiration to create this website. I want to take my years of experience and pour them out so every one of you who has a desire to create amazing, ...
Muser of the Month
2009-06-08 06:03:00 A New Exciting Monthly Award That Comes With $15.00 Muser of the Month: We are very pleased to announce the launch of our newest competition which we are calling the Muser of the Month. Each month a user will be selected by the community to recieve this prestigious award. This contest will be 100% community driven. Let me explain. We are currently taking nominations for this award. Those with the most nominations will be selected and put on a ballot so that you can vote for your Muser of the Month. Voting will take place until the last day of the month. The Muser selected will receive a $15 gift card, but most importantly the appreciation of his/her fellow Musers. Rules are as follows and are subject to change: Nominations are open until the 15th of each month. When you nominate someone, please include the reason you are nominating them. For example: I nominate loyaldefender because..... Admins can not be nominated nor will we participate in either the nomination p...
Duty, Honor, Country
2009-06-06 06:00:00 On the 12th of May 1962, General Douglas MacArthur received a very distinguished award from a rather esteemed institution in West Point, NY. During his acceptance address, with earnest humility, he expressed deep gratitude for the recognition. He spoke of a great moral code that molds and yet exemplifies the American soldier. He noted that such a code of three dynamic words, "Duty, Honor , Country " would raise the ire of enemies and rile the hypocrite to downgrade and mock such fanciful ideals. But to the soldiers who listened, MacArthur lectured, "They mold you for future roles as the custodians of the nation's defense. They make you strong enough to know when you are weak, and brave enough to face yourself when you are afraid." At each point, the venerated general presented juxtapositions that would arise and be overcome by faithful adherence to the values contained in those three words, "Duty, Honor, Country." These three words are those of men gone by, who believed that our nat...
Amateurs At The White House
2009-05-30 06:00:00 By now I'm sure that you have heard all about our president's trip to London for the G20. Published reports have told us that the staff that made the trip was 500 strong. He took his own chef, specialized O-mobile, 200 secret service agents and several decoy helicopters. No wonder the rest of the world looks at spoiled Americans with disdain. Do you remember when then Democrat candidate Obama chastised the country for being comfortable? His exact words were, "We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times...and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK." We can't, but he can. Yes, he can! Yes, he can! Anyway, when you're the President of the United States of America, it is a different story. We can't do those things, but he can. According to David Axelrod, he keeps it so balmy in the Oval Office that he could grow orchids. He can transport all of his presidential toys across the Atlantic for a few meetings. He ... More About: House , White House , White , The White House
The Fundamentals of Prayer
2009-05-26 06:00:00 "The life that Jesus lived, the Christian life, is characterized by truth, and love, and righteousness. And prayer is the perfect example and expression of all three of these. Love is prayers motive, truth is its expression, and righteousness is its goal." ~ Ray C. SteadmanIt is by the grace of God alone that we have been given such a sublime gift as prayer. In the words of Dr. William Evans, "The Christian life cannot be sustained without it; it is the Christian's vital breath." This provision is even more valuable to us than water. One cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven with water, but through a man's humble supplication to Jesus Christ is eternal life granted him. Therefore it would be wise to understand how the originator of prayer has ordained its use. Our Holy God has ordained a distinct way that His children must approach Him in prayer. His infallible and wholly inspired Word gives us clear commandments on exactly how we are to pray. The Bible teaches that there are at leas... More About: Prayer
ProLogic Designs
2009-05-24 06:00:00 I've been working in website development for several years and I am very excited to be launching this online portfolio of my design work. Throughout these pages you will see examples of websites that I have designed as well as digital artwork that I have created. I specialize in designing websites and artwork for churches, ministries, and Christian business owners. If you are looking for a cookie-cutter website, then you have definitely come to the wrong place. I strive to design each site to have bold colors, dynamic content, and an overall appealing look. Because of my passion to help churches, ministries, and Christian business owners get there messages out with bold, dynamic websites, I'm able to take great pleasure in knowing that I charge only a fraction of what many of my competitors charge. My rates are incredibly low compared to others who do this same level of work so if you think that you may be interested in hiring me, don't be afraid to get in touch with me by c... More About: Designs
Just Admit He Bowed
2009-05-22 06:00:00 When was the last time that you did something really dopey? A few weeks ago I heard an audio clip of a 911 call made by a woman in Florida who was beginning to panic because her car battery was dead and she had locked herself inside the car. With a tinge of hysteria she begged for help because the power windows were disabled by the dead battery, it was getting very hot in the car, and she wasn't feeling well. However, she handled it with great aplomb when the operator told her to pull up on the knob for the door lock and then open the door. As the clip comes to an end, one can actually hear the dear lady becoming aware of her dullness. She plainly apologizes and bids the operator a good day. However simple minded she was, something must be said of her humility. In the very same week, a few thousand miles away, President Obama accomplished a first among American presidents. He performed perhaps the greatest breach of etiquette of any American president, living or dead. In England, ...
Lamentations for America
More articles from this author:2009-05-20 06:00:00 Over the past few days, I've been focusing my articles on the plight of America . I believe with all of my heart that America is going to face the wrath of God if we do not turn back to him soon. This is the third article out of four where I discuss this topic. If you have not already read the first two articles, The Coming Destruction of America and Obama's Post Christian America, I would strongly encourage you to do so before reading this post. I think that they will aid in expressing my heart on this matter as you read this article. Most people drastically underestimate the consequences of sin. Many people wrongfully believe that their sins, however large or small, will have little or no consequences and that if it does have consequences it will be only on the person comitting the sin. Yet the Bible clearly displays example after example demontrating a clear pattern that this is not the case. When Joshua was leading the armies of God into the promised land, one man c... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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