I’ve decided to really try to work on increasing traffic to my blog at Starryskye. I was hitting around 200 visits a day due to my visiting and clicking around Entrecard every-single-day. Well, I do visit my favorites each day still, but it’s no where near what I was doing. I need to “meet” new people and get them to visit my blog. SO - I’ve been working on what I’d like to call my “Rockin’ Monthly Giveaway!” I’m excited about this and I’m starting off with a beautiful set of wine charms that *I* made. I’ve been crafting and getting ready to open up my very own Etsy shop in the new year! So, this set of charms is just a taste of what I will be offering.

Other giveaways I am planning include a “Relax with Wax” gift basket and maybe even a handmade scarf (from Etsy - but NOT from me, lol) in honor of the new Harry Potter movie coming out in late November. I’ve been writing down ideas as I get them! Hopefully; hosting giveaways will increase my traffic. July 28th I had 50 visitors.  The 30th and 31st I had a mere 25. Yesterday I had 35 so it seemed to creep back up a little again. My honest goal is 100 for now. An AVERAGE of 100 mind you and at least 70 so I can be an active participant in a new advertising program I joined.

What are some good ways of increasing traffic to your blog?

If you are looking for a CAREER and not just “another job” than why not consider becoming a certified Cisco technician? The computer industry is MASSIVE and there are jobs everywhere in any state. Cisco is a company that is well known and provides its clients with everything from business solutions to internet security to huge networks of communication. You can receive your certification in many different areas including IP communications, network security, routing and switching and voice. There are three levels of certification so you can work your way up. In addition to general certifications, network professionals can enhance their core networking knowledge by achieving specialist certification in technologies such as security, IP telephony, and wireless.

Take my husband and I for instance – I am mostly into website design and marketing; he on the other hand is into hardware, software, setting up networks and internet security. He would love to eventually start his own business where I handle what I handle (I’m the artist of course!) and he will handle building computers and installing (for lack of a better word) home and business networks. A Cisco certification would be perfect for him and would teach him all the ins and outs of the trade.

Like I mentioned, this industry is massive and still growing. So many people in the United States (and abroad) own personal computers; and not everyone knows how to properly secure a network – or even just make sure their personal firewall is working. This is THE field to get into – and Cisco just made it a little bit easier for you. So get out there and get your certification! You could be well on your way to becoming the CEO of your very own company!

My son … he’s three years old and he’s into playing race car games on the Playstation and the Game Cube (no, we don’t have a Wii … yet lol). But, my gosh - he’s awful … Which is a good thing I guess since it shows that he doesn’t play very often (he has days where he’s into it more than others). Today he played GTA Vice City (good job Daddy) and right now he’s playing Mater-National. He’s got such ROAD RAGE!! Eeek!! I think I can only handle about 10 more minutes of him getting frustrated and yelling at the various cars on the screen.

We’ve got good (read: educational) games for him also … It’s not all road rage, lol …

Daddy’s leaving for a business trip soon - so I’m sure he will spend way too much time planted in front of the television due to his Mama (er, ME) being sick as a dog pregnant. I’m not getting any work done lately … There are a couple blog jobs looming, some reviews due and some links to be processed, AND there is also a website/shop to be finished. I will get it all done on time - but just on time.

On another note: I wonder if it’s safe to put a set of basement dehumidifiers in the garage. My garage is getting HOT as the temperature is rising here. There is no window, so it’s awful to do laundry right now.

As many of my readers know, I do some paid blogging in order to make some extra cash to pay off credit cards and do fun things with my kiddo. Well, I’m not ashamed! LOL! I’m pretty clear when I do a paid post, but now, since I signed up for SocialSpark it’s REQUIRED that I disclose! So all you disclosure freaks will be happy! (I’m teasing … but I know you all appreciate it when you are told you are viewing essentially a “commercial” on a personal blog). Anyway, Social Spark is pretty cool – it’s a lot like a Myspace or Facebook idea where it’s social networking, but, you can “network” with other bloggers right along with advertisers. So, if there is an opportunity listed that you aren’t “qualified” for (due to RealRank /site visitors, category, target audience, etc.) you can contact the advertiser directly and let them know why you think you’d rock their opportunity!

I’ve only done a couple opps for Social Spark so far – but they’ve been pretty nice. They pay around the same as opps from PayPerPost (by the same company who brought you SocialSpark) but they require disclosure (as I mentioned earlier), real opinions and it’s also search engine friendly (so Google *shouldn’t* have a problem here!!).

Another cool section of Social Spark (other than the “Post” and “Sponsored” opportunities is the “Sparks” section which offers you some ideas for blog posts. So, when you are running dry, you can check out the “Sparks” and get some ideas! You may even get “blogged back” by someone on their blog when you do a Spark they came up with! These aren’t “paid” posts, just a nice way of getting incoming links and helping someone else out!

I’m incredibly excited about Social Spark – I really enjoy blogging and I especially like making money blogging. I like the way I can “speak” with advertisers directly and form relationships with my favorites. It’s a great opportunity to supplement your income or even, if you are so inclined, make it your job. Networking is KEY – and Social Spark is making it easier!

I’m having another baby. Oh My Goodness! So, that “home office” I’ve been blogging about? I’ve got 8 months to re-work that now. I’m trying to re-picture the loft and how I’d like to arrange it in order to fit both hubby’s computer tinkering along with my crafting and see how we can make it work. I also just bought a twin bed and pop-up for the guestroom. I guess I can leave the bed in there (might come in handy) because the baby will be rooming in with me until he/she is a little older. But then what happens when we have guests? I have NO idea now. If we have any more kids I’ll need new dining room furniture. Not to mention a way bigger house.

I’ve been checking out selling arena’s for a couple home businesses I’m working on. Well, it’s mostly ONE home biz - selling stuff online. But, there are a few items I’d be selling. A homemade items section (crafted items I make, and also items my two friends make) and also random things I’ve picked up along the years that I just need to unload (like, a virtual garage sale).

There are a few avenues to sell items - there’s Etsy for anything homemade, Big Cartel for just about anything, eBay (either plain auctions or an “eBay Store” or even Amazon or Half.com for other used or new items. They each have their own fees associated with them and I’m trying to find out what the pros and cons of each place and what each place’s fees are.

So what do you use? What do you sell? Handmade items? Maybe equestrian clothing? Merch for bands? Give me the downlow here on what you utilize to make your home biz run smoothly.

I’m going on the path set before me by “Blogging Away Debt” and I’m going to really CONCENTRATE on paying off our bills. Seriously guys - this is it! I’m tired of owing money! I’m going to kick “it” into overdrive and get going on all the different money making projects I’ve been working on. AND - I’m going to disclose how much I make with them AND I’m going to disclose how much debt we’re in so you can watch me pay it OFF!

This is scary. Mom’s going to kick my ass because I was doing really well in paying it all off - that is, until we had to move to Virginia and have 2 house payments for a month there. Don’t let that fool you though, we were in “debt” but not that badly before this move. Depression can do a lot for your checkbook/credit cards also since I tend to buy more when my husband is gone. “Retail Therapy” it’s called. Anyway. Done. Kaput!

Here we go!

On a side note: moving sucks! It’s draining on your resources and it’s a pain emotionally. I moved to Virginia, so I didn’t need any New York movers to move me - just Jacksonville ones. Lucky for me nothing went missing. A good hint if you are a military family though? GET RID OF STUFF!!!!! Why keep moving it every 3 or so years? I’m going list my extra crap on EBay!

It’s late right now and the thought just crossed my mind to write a few entries on professional blogging. Everyone has their own ideas about what is considered pro blogging and I’d love to share what I’ve found. So, keep your eyes peeled for more in this series!

Pro-Blogging: Making Money with Your Blog!

So, say you have a blog. What is a blog you ask? Well, according to Wikipedia:

Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) are part of a wider network of social media. Micro-blogging is another type of blogging which consists of blogs with very short posts.

So, like I said you have a blog (or would like to start one for the sake of making money - I ain’t gonna shame ya!) and while you love to write it, you think “hey - there must be more I can do with this blog o’mine!” - well young Anakin, there is! You can make MONEY! Maybe not a lot of money, but there is money to be made.

Start off on a free site such as Blogger if you must - but understand that many places offer a domain (yourname.com) for less than $10 a year - hosting can be as little as $5.00 a month if not less! But, I will/

So - if you are considering going “Pro” with your blog(s) then there are a few tips you should glean from those already in the “business” and doing “well” at it. Now, “well” can be taken as me saying “I made $500 this month from blogging” to a BIG Success stating that they have made ” … over $10,000 this month” with their blog. Either way - you are either needing some extra cash. You could be anyone from a stay at home mom to a college student to the Next Big Internet Entrepreneur. Doesn’t matter. Point is, we all don’t know it ALL and we all learn from each other (well, I learn from everyone else!! lol).

My one quick bit of advice for you? Get a domain name. In my own honest opinion (and the honest opinion of several thousand advertisers) you WANT that “.com” (or whatever) behind your name. Sub domains are fine - but make sure it’s yours. I own a few domains - 2 of them are “monetized” and this domain is run by my husband.

Then once you have your blog (either your freebie or domain) get it going - try and post each day. Most advertisers want content - in fact, I’m beginning to see that a lot of advertisers want NICHE content. If you are going for the pay-per-posting route (there are a few out there) I know that Pay Per Post just changed their Terms of Service (TOS) to allow blogs that are 30 days old with a minimum of 10 existing posts written in the 30 days prior to being registered and/or accepted. The company PayU2Blog works on factors including quality and quantity of posts.

Links to Check Out: PayPerPost, PayU2Blog and also DreamHost.

Ps. If you choose DreamHost check out the RetailMeNot coupons here!

I was poking around online and found a link to a website called Doba which is a website you sign up for, and then sell items on eBay for. Basically, you list an item on eBay - and (hopefully) sell it. Then, you collect the money from your customer, pay Doba for the item - and Doba sends the item to the customer. But, any extra profits from the sale are yours. So, I’d assume that if and item + shipping ends up costing Doba $25.00 and you sold that item for $30.00 then you get to keep $5.00. Seems to me like an interesting deal. I mean, you don’t have to worry about shipping. But, you also have to worry about the fact that Doba might be a scam and your feedback score might go very far down on eBay thus rendering your account unusable for both buying AND selling.

Does anyone have any feedback regarding Doba?

According to their site:

With Doba you can start a business without investing large amounts of money and with very little risk. you don’t have to carry inventory or pay for inventory up front — if the product doesn’t sell, you never buy it.

You don’t have to buy packaging materials or shipping labels, nor will you need a shipping account. You simply set your own retail prices, then purchase the products at wholesale.

Sounds good, but maybe “too good” you know? Let me know what you think of it! I’d love to be able to share other ways to work at home with my readers!