As bloggers, we always want our blog to be visible to search engines. I’m sure you have implemented some Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies for your blog in the past.

However, there’s another way of making your blog more accessible to your target audience and that is through submission to web directories. Like the yellow pages, a web directory allows readers to browse through a list of websites listed under different categories. If you are listed in famous directories then your chances of being found is higher compared to those who did not have their blogs listed.

You should be careful in choosing the right category for your blog though. You cannot just randomly select the category. You should be listed in the category of your niche. This way, people who are searching for websites on your niche will easily find you.

The advantage of a web directory over a search engine is that they don’t rely heavily on deep linking. The link given is the link to the homepage of the website. This makes searching easier and the result more targeted.

There are a lot of user friendly and free directories for you to submit your blog. One of the most common directories is Yahoo! Directory. It’s a reliable web directory and and since it’s Yahoo! you can expect it to have thousands of visitors a day. Best of all, it’s free.

Another free web directory is the DMOZ Open Directory Project . It’s like the Wikipedia of websites. It is constructed and maintained by a global community of volunteer editors. Google, AltaVista, and AOL Search are some of the search engines using the Open Directory Project. It claims to be the “largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web.”

Increasing traffic is what we bloggers want therefore we should make use of available venues where we can promote our blogs. We should always seek for more ways to attract more readers and subscribers. Submitting your blog to free web directory will be a big help in achieving this.

(This is a guest post from Eli of Business Sphere. Visit his blog for more business advice.)

Since many blogs just decay and eventually die, and since everyday there are some 175,000 blogs being born, how do you make your blog competitive and stay longer in the blogosphere?

There are six secret ways to make your blog competitive and strong:

1. Specialize. Don’t be content of posting unrelated topics, from travel to photography to food, to Twitter to Facebook to Google Adsense, to the latest celebrity gossips and what have you. I have seen many blogs which are like these, and the owners are wondering why they have no or little traffic and why their ads produce very little revenues. (represented by cost per click or cost per thousand impressions).

Specialize by create your niche. Once you have created a niche for your blog, don’t forget to let your readers and subscribers understand the difference between what you and the competition are offering.

2. Provide quality content posts as perceived by the readers. The quality of your articles is what the readers say it is, and not how you perceive it to be. You may believe that your blog and your posts are the best there are in the blogosphere, but if the people are not reading, then what’s the use?

3. Link up. A good blog has linkages or links with blog directories. The reason is obvious. A blog directory functions like a telephone directory. If your blog is not listed there, chances are people don’t have any idea that you exist.

4. Be unique. Being unique means your blog has distinct qualities that make it stands out from all other blogs. It also means your blog looks different because of its special characteristics. In short, don’t copy the layout of many blogs which look like Christmas trees with ads all around in different shapes and colors, which even results to very slow loading.

5. Be close to your readers. Listen to your readers’ comments and feedbacks, and acting on what you hear. Without the readers your blog has no reason for existence.

6. Become reader-focused. Blog for your readers. It’s your readers who provide you with the traffic, generate your ads revenue by their clicking and reading your ads, and by buying your online store, if you have one.

Implementing these six secret ways, which are actually management and business principles in practice, can make your blog survive and become successful in the blog marketplace.

The topic of starting a home-based internet business have been brought up several time in conversations in my line of work. I have been asked what is the best internet business.

Well, just like any business, the best internet business is something which you love doing.  Any business is doomed from the start if you are not passionate about it.

Home-based internet business has its advantages. Your overhead is kept at a minimum since you don’t have a space to rent. You own your time since you are the boss. It’s also job wherein you can work while wearing your pajamas.

Most people think that home-based internet business is a walk in the park. I tell you, it’s not. Just like any other business, you need to give your best in it otherwise you’ll be left behind by the competition. Your market is the world and your competitors are from around the world too.

My advice is, keep that day job while slowly building up your home-based internet business. Make it a raket, or a sideline. Never jump into something in which you have no knowledge about. You may have to learn as much as you can over a short period of time. Read on what other people has to say about starting a home-based internet business. Learn from their experiences.

You will not get rich overnight with your internet business. There are lots of get rich scams out there so be careful where you put your money. If you lose money on a venture, consider it the cost of your education. Nobody teaches better than experience.

Just like any business, hard work, perseverance and dedication will get you where you want to go. Everything starts with the first step so don’t be afraid to take it. I am taking mine so I hope you do too. See you when you get to the top!

photo  credit: Marcel030NL

I watched Pacquiao Vs. Hatton live via streaming at Justin.tv and I’m sure a lot of people would want to watch the Pacquiao Vs. Hatton replay. The coverage of GMA was just too delayed and there are too many commercials that I’m sure people who watched it are very disappointed. Thanks for the people online who made the live streaming and the Pacquiao Vs. Hatton replay possible.

Manny Pacquaio TKOs Ricky Hatton on the second round of their fight. Pacquiao knocked down Hatton twice in the first round then hit Hatton with a left in the second that sent Hatton flat on his back on the canvas.

For a moment there, I thought the poor guy couldn’t get on his feet. By the looks on his family, they must have been very worried. Boxing is not for the faint-hearted, after all.

Pacquiao snatched Hatton’s International Boxing Organization junior welterweight title and his sixth title in different weight divisions.

It was a staggering defeat for the Hitman and trash-talker trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. ate his words. So, who’s going to challenge Pacman next? I hope it’s Floyd Jr. now that he’s returning to boxing again. It wil be another great fight to watch out for.

If you haven’t watched it, here’s the Pacquiao Vs. Hatton replay.

Watch live video from orgullosamente_latino’s channel on Justin.tv

If by any chance this link will no longer be available, email me and I will give you a download link so that you can enjoy the Pacquiao Vs. Hatton fight and watch the replay as many times as you want it.

I’m the kind of person that eats a lot of vegetables. That’s why I have my own small vegetable garden at home which I planted with string beans, squash, pepper, tomatoes, okra, lemongrass, eggplant, etc.  My place is quite small but I was able to set-up my little garden using containers and a raised bed method called Square-Foot Gardening.

A vegetable garden, can be a good source of savings too.  I was able to save on food and I’m assured that I’m eating organic vegetables. If you love gardening, be it vegetables of ornamental plants, just the joy of seeing your plants blossom and bear fruits is enough compensation. Besides, gardening is very therapeutic.

With the development of urban centers, agricultural lands are dwindling fast and food production is greatly affected. Through the development of new techniques, urban gardening is seen as the answer to food shortage, specially in urban areas.

Urban gardening provides supplemental food for families and helps beautify the surroundings.  Urban gardening also helps address the effects of global warming through the recycling of containers and by absorbing carbon dioxide in the air.

Vegetable gardening doesn’t take a lot of land area, even if you’re an apartment dweller, you can still propagate vegetables in containers. You can also make composts out of your kitchen waste. Vegetables that are no longer good for cooking can also be planted such as sprouted onions and garlics, kangkong and camote stalks from your last cooking, among others. Your only limit is your imagination.

Don’t have a green thumb? I don’t believe in it and neither should you. As long as plants have the right climatic condition and given the right nutrients, they would grow and bear flowers and fruits.

To help you get started with your garden, here’s a Step by Step Guide to Plant Propagation for you to download. I will be featuring gardening guides and plant production guides in future articles. If you get the hang of it, who knows? Your small garden may end up into a farm.

(These are actual photos of my plants.)

I know there are probably thousands of blogs out there which talked about blogging and how it should be done. Well, I was contacted by a person interested in blogging and asked me how much I charge for tutorial.

What a great opportunity to earn extra cash! But then on second thoughts, blogging is so easy and you don’t need to pay to learn blogging. I provided that person some pointers but if he still needs my services, I’d be very willing to provide it. It’s another raket in the making.

For would be bloggers, here are some unsolicited advice from a not so new, but not yet veteran blogger.

You have to be passionate about blogging

Why do you want to blog? This should be the first question to ask yourself. If it’s for a reason, you must be passionate about it. Blogging is fun only if your heart is into it.

Choose the platform that’s right for your needs

The platform to use and the topics on your blog will depend largely on why you want to blog in the first place. If it’s just for personal interest then there are several blogging platforms out there which are free like Wordpress.com or Blogger.com.

However, if you want to earn from your blog, then it is advisable to get your own domain. Most paid post sites only accept those with their own domain names.  So if you’re planning to do some paid reviews, better have your own self-hosted blog.

Having your own self-hosted blog will cost you a little since you’ll have to pay for your domain name and web hosting. Some web hosting companies offer domain name for free if your blog will be hosted by them. Check out web hosting sites for comparison of services. The ratings from bloggers are also very useful in order for you to determine which one has a better offer.

I started with free hosted site Wordpress and since my needs and wants changed over time, I migrated to self hosted blog. It’s important to get all the information you can n web hosts especially the after sales service. You don’t want your blog to go offline most of the time, do?

Be prepared for criticisms

You can not please everybody so be prepared for those who don’t agree with you. If you don’t want to be criticized then you should have made a diary intead. At the other end of it, there are those which have teh same interests are you. These people will provide you inspiration and by intearcting with them, you can learn from them as well.

I’m still a neophyte by most blogger’s standards but I’d like tothink that in blogging, there’s no neophyte nor veteran. As long as you love blogging and continue to give value to other people then you are an asset to the blogging community.

photo credit: Foxtongue

It’s school vacation in the Philippines and most students would probably be going somewhere to spend their vacation. The beaches in the provinces are the most common destination. Those who can afford it might opt to go abroad to escape the heat.

Anywhere you may be going, it would be wise to remember a few budget travel tips to save you a few extra cash.

1. Plan your trips ahead. Even if you’re just going to another province, consider planning your trips ahead in order to get the best deals. Airlines usually have promos but for a limited time and seats only. Plan where you’re going and grab the next promo ticket on that destination. Planning ahead would also give you time to ask your friends and family to come along so that you can share the expenses.

2. Make use of the Internet. Don’t buy expensive guide books, maps and travel agents. The Internet is full of free and useful information if you know where to look. Travel agency operate for profit so if you are adventurous enough, avoid going through them. Some travel agents charge exorbitant fees and insert unnecessary itineraries on your trip. Search the web for information. Blogs provide more detailed and reliable reviews.

3. Travel light. Pack only the necessities. We tend to bring along a lot of things in our bags that can only hamper our mobility and sometimes cost us extra if we have excess baggage. Again, know what to expect on your destination so that you know what clothes to pack.

4. Avoid making side trips. If you did not plan on going to another destination then you probably shouldn’t. Side trips would entail unplanned expenses and you do not know if you’re going to enjoy the place. The beauty of planning ahead is that you can choose the best itinerary that’s right on your budget.

5. Don’t spend too much on souvenirs and pasalubong. Pinoys when traveling would always bring home souvenir items and pasalubong for family and friends. More often than not, these items would only end up in shelves collecting dust. I would often buy small items for souvenir/pasalubong and keychain is a favorite. Food would also be good as long as it’s not bulky. When buying for pasalubong, theebest place to get the best deal is at the local market. What’s more, you can always haggle at the market unlike at the malls.

Enjoy your vacation!

For somebody who works as a Small Business Counselor but without a brick and mortar business to boot, I have been asked several times why I don’t have a business of my own. The answer is simple, I am my own business and my greatest asset is myself — my knowledge, skills, experience and network.

Consulting is also a business but instead of a product, you are offering a service. Just like an entrepreneur, a consultant also needs to continuously enhance knowledge and skills, not necessarily from the four corners of the classroom.

There are several ways to improve yourself as a consultant/professional. Here are my top 3 choices.

1. Go back to school - you can’t learn everything in a classroom but it will surely boost your resume. A modular classes are common these days but in my opinion, a classroom setting is better. It provides more interaction among students which facilitates more exchange of ideas and knowledge.

2. Be a member of a civic/professional organization - expand your network by joining civic groups and professional organizations. You may have to pay a minimal membership and annual fees but it is very rewarding. You get to network with individuals who share your interests and may also provide you with prospective clients. Trainings and seminars are usually conducted by these groups as a minimal fee for members.

3. Read voraciously - reading keeps you updated on the latest news and trends. A wide reader never goes out of anything to say in conversations. Just avoid being too opinionated as this has the tendency to give out the wrong impression.

As a consultant, you cannot give what you do not have so you should equip yourself with the tools of your trade. As they say, education is a lifelong process so never stop learning.

Suggested Free Magazines

My Adsense Story continues here. I finally got my first Adsense payout of $112.75 today. It’s a very small amount compared to what other bloggers earn and it took me 14 months to earn it while others did it for just a few months. But hey, I’m not complaining, times are tough so every cent counts.

I asked  my co-worker friend May to accompany me to the nearest Western Union since I was quite nervous. I had some bloopers since when I started filling out the form I realized I left my Adsense payment details at the office. Despite the glaring heat of the sun, we have to come back and get it.

On our return, May brought her camera so she can take a picture of me while claiming my money. But then, both of us were kinda shy. And we’re quite conspicuous since we were there for the second time. We joked that since they can see us through the CCTV, they would think our actions were quite dubious and somebody may just come in and handcuff us. We were exaggerating of course. Just for laughs.

I was just happy to share my blessings with my co-workers so I treated them with some chips and softdrinks.

To add insult to injury, our messenger jokingly asked,

Ngaa indi pizza day? (Why didn’t we have pizza instead?)

I told him,

‘Ok, I’ll buy you pizza tomorrow. Pizza-flavored Chippy.

Again, it’s the financial crisis. Beggars can’t be choosers. I’ll have to make double efforts with my rakets so that I can treat them to a real pizza next time.

he Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC) of the Department of Trade and Industry provides production-related and skills development training programs, technical assistance, facility servicing, and consultation services for the country’s furniture, gifts and housewares, fine jewelry, and leather footwear industries.

CITC’s 2009 training program for SMEs are subsidized by the government thus participants only have to pay for the cost of materials. The venue is at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) building and schedule may change without prior notice.

Regional seminars are generally conducted in co-sponsorship with the DTI regional or provincial offices, or as requested by local government units (LGUs) and regional/provincial trade and industry associations or chambers of commerce. Upon request, traininngs can be designed to tailor-fit to the client’s specific needs at reasonable fees.