Yes, I agree–blogging is just too demanding, so the blogger better be having fun (while they’re trying to build up their own marketability). If not–best to get out of it. To the contrary, I get excited if I see another–especially a person I’ve never heard from– on my blog. I wonder how they got there and what circuitous route they followed to get them to me, for it proves the power of the web.

Yes, we’ll keep in touch…

“I am thinking of taking blog to next level; the tech end is excruciating for me in that ALL of it is a punishing new experience”

LOL! Yes, I agree! The technical mechanics of it all is painful to me too. Much like you, I’ve been at this blogging thing for a couple years just learning, playing and having fun, but I am also about to the next level. In fact, I just got my email Optin started last night!

As far as it being worth it… The main thing to remember is that as long as you are earning a comfortable living “AND” you enjoy your job, then just go slow with blogging…just have fun. If you’re NOT satisfied with your income and especially if you DON’T enjoy your job then in that case, yes it will be worth it to start marketing.

Alexa Rank is a very loose indication of how much traffic a site is getting, but it’s no where near exact (in my humble opinion). I believe that Google Analytics is pretty accurate. That being said, I “do” believe that under 300,000 Alexa Rank is a good sign.

I am also about to start marketing here on “The GanderCo Blog” as you described about yourself. I’ve done real well with SEO, but what I’m studying now is how to get “More Traffic”.

I know this didn’t answer all your questions, but I hope it helped you out some! Please keep checking back periodically because like you, I’m about to kick it up a notch or two and start blogging about traffic generation techniques that work for me. Again, perfect timing!

Thanks Biddy Bytes!

Gary.

Questions: What the heck does Alexa rank really mean? What can I construe from that number and how are they getting it? I have Google Analytics too and that remains pretty constant…My nos. seem to suggest I have a 50/50 split between new and returning readers but I have few comments, despite my asking for them. Can you help me understand more clearly any of this? For instance, if my Alexa is under 300,000, isn’t this foretelling good things for my blog? And how many readers does that actually suggest–in real time? Is Google waaayyy more reliable for nos.?

Thanks, Gander….

It sounds like you’re wanting to jump in with both feet! On one hand my advice for a beginner blogger would be to stick with the basics at first so that you can learn “The Blogging Part” as you put it.

Normally I would advise to stay basic, but the entrepreneur in me senses that you want to hit the ground running. If this is correct that you have plans to start very serious blogging, and if you have the time (coz it will take a lot of time when you’re first starting out), and if you have the extra money to spend on OptimizePress then I’d say go for it, but only if you have big plans to build a list or sell stuff.

OptimizePress is only about 100 bucks (last I checked), but there are several other premium themes that are similar, so do shop around.

Hope this helps, and thanks for the question!

Gary.

I am into the arts of meditation and…

I do like your style, I am talking as a wannabe blogger – getting off the ground is the hardest part for me, and trying to work out how to set-up WordPress.org – using the theme “OptimizePress”. It is a mindfield for an oldie.

Anyone using “OptimizePress”? It is the blogging part that is confusing me

Victor
Spain

P.S. Do you have a news letter ?

This helps tremendously in helping to focus and find what Market to get into! It sounds like a No-Brainer, but sometime its hard to see the forest for the trees as they say….