Numbers First, Keywords Second

Usually you need to think of a keyword first. You enter it into a keyword search tool to see if it has potential. You’re then looking for numbers for how often people search the term and how many page results make up the competition. My experience is usually…nope…zip…shoot, I thought that’d be a good one…fuddy duddy…. Until I run out of ideas.

With Gimme a Niche!, you instead first set the desired numbers for search volume and search results. When you run the program, you get keywords that fit within the ranges you selected for volume and results. All of the keywords you get should have high search demand compared to low volume of page results.

Search that Keyword

There is a handy Google search box at the bottom of the tool. Use it to check page results. I did notice some inaccuracy with the search volume and page results for a keyword or two. For instance the keyword “rottweiler puppies for sale” said it “gets 2300 monthly searches, and returns 0 search results.” Upon testing the search, there were actually 979,000 Google page results.

Be suspicious of a keyword that says there are “0 search results.” It’s obviously a glitch. However, most of the keywords I randomly selected to test with a Google search resulted in a number of page results close to what the tool stated.

Gimme a Niche! Jogs New Ideas

Not all of the keywords that come up are so hot. Most of them are brand names or names of a business location. But if you keep clicking on the “Gimme a Keyword!” button, you will discover keywords that jog your thinking.

For instance, when “Preparation H for wrinkles” popped up, I smiled. (I’ve always wondered if that was true.) Why not buy a tube? Give it a fair trial (find a suitable subject, as I certainly have no wrinkles…ha, ha). Do a lit review and…voilà! Create a website on the topic.

Google Adwords Keyword Tool confirmed that search and results numbers for “Prep…H…” fit in the range of a potentially good keyword niche. I wondered, what other health-related topics might be fodder for niche sites that search engines favor?

Therein lies the greatest strength of Gimme a Keyword. It helps you think outside the box when your cognitive wheels are stuck in a rut.

No related posts.

Enter video posting. It fits the bill on all three points.

Fast Post Production

With a cool video, you can whip up a post fast and easy. Write a brief paragraph or two, ask a question related to the video content, and voilà! You have an original short post accompanied by an entertaining video, which may spark commentary.

Tools for Video Post Workflow

I like collecting videos with VodPod. The basic service is free. You can use the VodPod browser button to save a video from most video services, and write a blurb for it while it’s fresh in your mind – all in one easy step. Granted, the blurb may be too long for a video player caption, but it’s saved safely in your VodPod library where you can access it later to copy/paste it into a video post.

There are several VodPod video plugins that vary from page galleries to post embeds. VodPod provides gallery and video sidebar widgets.

But the simple way to insert a video into a post is to copy the embed code and paste it into the HTML tab while editing. No plugin required!

Ease Burden of Frequent Publication

Whatever services or tools used, video posting eases the burden of frequent publishing for webmasters. At the same time, it offers readers something quick and visual to enjoy.

I will probably use video posts often at àlaFurBabies. They’re especially fitting for a niche blog targeting pet-lovers. Pet videos are abundant, and people love to watch them. If you like, take a look at the first video post at àlaFurBabies. It’s about an amazing cat who plays the piano. (Really!)

No related posts.

You must now use Bitly with the WP-to-Twitter plugin (although it still appears to accept Cligs account details). Be sure to check how you enter your Bitly username in the plugin options. It is case-sensitive.

Update: It doesn’t look like it’s working. The tweet to this post is missing the URL link. I will have to investigate later – after all, it’s a holiday. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

No related posts.

Search, Find, Drag and Drop Freebie Images

As you’re writing an article, enter a term into the search box of the Freebie Images interface located to the right of the post panel. Huver on the resulting thumbnail images to view larger versions and to read descriptions.

When you find an image you want to use, simply drag and drop it into your post! The image will float to the right of your text.

Freebie Images are perfectly-sized for blogs, between 300px and 400px in width. However, you can adjust dimensions with the built-in WordPress image editing function.

You can also add a caption above an image. Set your cursor in the left margin of the image and…just type. If you delete the image by accident, hit the post edit redo button and try again. You’ll get the hang of it.

Special Images Database

Images accessible through Freebie Images are the donated works of Crestock photographers and illustrators. You need never worry about properly crediting an image. Images contain a Crestock watermark, a link to the image location at Crestock.com, and often a link to the photographer’s website.

Images without watermarks or links are available to purchase. Use the image thumbnail to click through to the Crestock online store.

Installing Freebie Images Plugin

You’ll find the Freebie Images Plugin in the WordPress Plugin Directory. Install as usual. If it doesn’t work, check your other plugins. I found a conflict between Freebie Images and another plugin.

Related posts:

1. New Site! Rollip.com Gives Photos Vintage Polaroid Effect Rollip is a new online application that allows you to...

Google News allows you to set up a news feed for topics relevant to your blog. Do you write about celebrity gossip? Post about technological gadgets? Blog about cats? Whatever your niche, run a Google News search to zero in on your topic research. Below are examples of how you can research your niche topic in Google News, and even discover unexpected but valuable related news articles.

Google News: Cat Fancy

Let’s say the readers of your blog are cat fanciers. You know people are fascinated by animals dressed like humans, and that it is a controversial topic among animal lovers. You decide to add a new section about cat fashions to your blog.

Go to Google News and form a search query like this: [cats fashion OR clothes OR dressing –football]. (Use Advanced Search to insert query syntax automatically.)

The results include a fascinating article about wigs for cats (Want to Dress Up Your Cat? Explore the Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs), including a delightful photo your readers will love (see above). Bingo! You also pick up an article about Dewey the Library Cat being made into a movie starring Meryl Streep. This one isn’t actually about cat fashions, but it is none-the-less a newsworthy item for your cat blog.

Goolge News: Florida Vacation Rentals

What if you blog about vacation rental properties? Say you want to research for an article specifically on Florida vacation rentals.

Enter the following search: [Florida "vacation rentals" holiday OR renting OR time-share]. (Again, use Advanced Search for ease.) The results include an excellent article about vacation home rentals (A Holiday Home Away From Home). It isn’t necessarily about Florida, but gives readers applicable advice for rentals in any region – information you can use for your blog.

Hmm…better try a new search to snag only Florida rentals. How about the exact phrase: ["Florida vacation rentals"]. It returns an article from Australia (Florida Vacation Rentals Site Offers New Destinations). It’s about staying in smaller historic towns in Florida, such as Tarpon Springs (my hometown; and yes, it’s on the money!) This is a perfect reference for the article you’re writing!

Google News Custom Sections

Streamline the work flow of your Google News research with Custom Sections, a new feature that allows you to turn your searches into permanent news feeds. Very convenient! Once a Custom Section is set up, you can always click on the section in the left-hand sidebar to get the latest news on your niche topic.

Want to drill down to regional news? Custom Sections let you restrict your search to sources from a particular country or U.S. State.

Once you run a Google News search that effectively returns the kind of results you want for your topic, scroll to the bottom of the page. You’ll see links for staying up-to-date on your search results:

• Create an email alert for [your search topic]
• Add a custom section for [your search topic] to Google News
• Add a news gadget for [your search topic] to your Google homepage
• Search blogs for [your search topic]
• Search Google Fast Flip for [your search topic]

Creating Quality Content

Instead of reviewing what other bloggers are saying about your niche topic, go straight to original news sources with Google News. You’ll be ahead of the curve.

Increase your content productivity with Custom Sections. Check each of your Sections fast…boom, boom, boom!

Find news worthy of your readership? Discover something completely unexpected? Start blogging about it!

Related posts:

1. Video Posting for Quick, Easy, Entertaining Content Video posting eases the burden of frequent publishing for webmasters....