About christopherM
Rank 49880
1,753 followers Joined May 2012
Hi I'm Chris, that's me and my son over there on the right. I've been a member of Wealthy Affiliate for about three years. When

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34

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12

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asked in
Video Marketing
Updated

Hello video marketing classroom. I've gotta question that has been bugging me for a while now, hopefully someone can help me out.

Why are my YouTube video so blurr

Am a Mac user, but would think as long as you use a 16:9 aspect, 720p:1280x720 resolution and check formatting tags to default to a high quality stream (yt:quality=high) in the video managers, you got all your bases covered. Hope this helps.^_~

Not sure if you are talking about screen recording videos. Or headshot videos the size and format is important using the 1280x720 dimensions as stated below. But if your headshot videos are blurry it can either be the quality of your video camera or not enough lighting. When I am doing my weekly team training hangout or videos I have a 500 Watt lamp which I put on..
As long as the lighting is good I have no problem with blurry videos. I also noticed when I bought a new IMAC the other day the quality of my videos has improved drastically from the ones done on my PC..

Yeah, I'm mainly talking about screen recordings. My talking videos are ok, or as good as I expect them to be with the camera I use.

My screen recordings are though. At least now I know I'm recording in the proper size, thanks to you and Leo. I'm also using a windows PC that's on its last leg, so maybe that has something to do with it too. Thanks,

Yeah, I would say the computer can also have a big effect on them too.

You want to have video dimensions to be 1280 x 720 - that dimension will display as full HD on youtube

Thanks Leo. That's the size I've been using lately because that's what "Full HD" is with screencast-o-matic. It just doesn't look right unless it's viewed in theatre mode on YouTube. Maybe that's normal, I just thought it was something I did wrong.

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Why are youtube videos blurry sometimes?

Why are youtube videos blurry sometimes?

asked in
Video Marketing
Updated

Hello video marketing classroom. I've gotta question that has been bugging me for a while now, hopefully someone can help me out.

Why are my YouTube video so blurr

Am a Mac user, but would think as long as you use a 16:9 aspect, 720p:1280x720 resolution and check formatting tags to default to a high quality stream (yt:quality=high) in the video managers, you got all your bases covered. Hope this helps.^_~

Not sure if you are talking about screen recording videos. Or headshot videos the size and format is important using the 1280x720 dimensions as stated below. But if your headshot videos are blurry it can either be the quality of your video camera or not enough lighting. When I am doing my weekly team training hangout or videos I have a 500 Watt lamp which I put on..
As long as the lighting is good I have no problem with blurry videos. I also noticed when I bought a new IMAC the other day the quality of my videos has improved drastically from the ones done on my PC..

Yeah, I'm mainly talking about screen recordings. My talking videos are ok, or as good as I expect them to be with the camera I use.

My screen recordings are though. At least now I know I'm recording in the proper size, thanks to you and Leo. I'm also using a windows PC that's on its last leg, so maybe that has something to do with it too. Thanks,

Yeah, I would say the computer can also have a big effect on them too.

You want to have video dimensions to be 1280 x 720 - that dimension will display as full HD on youtube

Thanks Leo. That's the size I've been using lately because that's what "Full HD" is with screencast-o-matic. It just doesn't look right unless it's viewed in theatre mode on YouTube. Maybe that's normal, I just thought it was something I did wrong.

See more comments

asked in
Everything Wordpress
Updated

I've always been curious about custom fields. Until recently though, I had no clue what they did. Now someone has told me they can be used for all types of stuff in WordPress.

Thanks man, I'll check that out. It looks like it may have the answers I've been needing. I've found some stuff in the WordPress forums but none of it made sense and what did was useless.

sorry I really dont

Reckon this is going to be a self-study kinda thing. Chris definitely got my curiosity up on this one!

Doggone Chris, can't believe no one's enlightened us yet! I'm WAITING!!! LOL!!!

Yeah, I had a feeling. This is not something that get a lot of discussion.

Yep, looks that way. I will let you know what I find.

Thank ya' Chris!

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Anybody know anything about custom fields?

Anybody know anything about custom fields?

asked in
Everything Wordpress
Updated

I've always been curious about custom fields. Until recently though, I had no clue what they did. Now someone has told me they can be used for all types of stuff in WordPress.

Thanks man, I'll check that out. It looks like it may have the answers I've been needing. I've found some stuff in the WordPress forums but none of it made sense and what did was useless.

sorry I really dont

Reckon this is going to be a self-study kinda thing. Chris definitely got my curiosity up on this one!

Doggone Chris, can't believe no one's enlightened us yet! I'm WAITING!!! LOL!!!

Yeah, I had a feeling. This is not something that get a lot of discussion.

Yep, looks that way. I will let you know what I find.

Thank ya' Chris!

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asked in
Authoring & Writing Content
Updated

You always hear people saying to write as if you're having a conversation. Well, lately I've been really trying to focus on that. I mean, I don't use foul language when I write,

sometimes yes sometimes no for me

Absolutely Chris, I started by using this style and I'm not stopping now. Have had several comments on it making reading more personable. I love contractions... long as my wife's not the one having 'em!!! LOL!!!

Lol Yeah I could go without those kinds of contractions.

Most people contract the words when they read anyway because they don't "sound right" when they read. I would stay away from the more slang contractions (gonna, shoulda, kinda, ain't, etc)

I always wondered if people read that way or not. I've tried to test it myself but it's hard to test things like that yourself.

It's been said, but yes, write informally, but not too casually. Pretend you're talking to an airplane seatmate. You're not going to use essay talk, but then again, you wouldn't speak as if you were talking to a buddy...

That makes sense. Your example is a perfect way to keep the boundaries set too. Thanks

Happy to help :)

If you were writing an academic paper, you would certainly not use them. However, this should be light reading for your audience and writing how we speak will create good readability. Much success to you Christopher.

Thanks Kevin, I also think doing it this way will create more consistency across the blog.

You actually want to use them a lot of the time. Your articles will seem very stilted without them. It's certainly not unprofessional to use them. They are used less in more formal writing (which is often a pity in my view). :) Beverley

Thanks BIS, I definitely feel more comfortable writing them.

I use you're, can't and a few similar ones. I wouldn't use too many of them that don't sound right, but I think some people like to read like they talk.

That's a good point I didn't think of. Trying to stick to only the ones that my audience would use. Thanks

I use them. They flow better. You want to sound both personal and professional. You can stay professional without sounding like a robot.

True. Good points, thanks.

It depends on the contraction or word. For example, I'd only write "how'd" in extremely casual situations. I write "can't" all the time. Rarely use "would've", but use "I'd" all the time.

I would not venture into gonna, wanna, and ain't unless your niche is banjos and shotguns :)

Being from the south, you don't realize how southern "gonna" really sounds. We also use words like "fixin" but not for repairs. It's more like...

"I'm fixin' ta' write me a blog post and I ain't gonna use me none of them contraptions" lmao

Both of your comments here made me LoL... I so wanna see a Banjos & Shotguns site now...

Jaweda, it's not often I get to do a redneck joke, no one around here gets it. Lol

Banjos and shotguns...could be a great niche.

Personally my opinion is to write like I talk. So yes I do use contractions when they flow out naturally.

Thanks

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Using contractions good or bad?

Using contractions good or bad?

asked in
Authoring & Writing Content
Updated

You always hear people saying to write as if you're having a conversation. Well, lately I've been really trying to focus on that. I mean, I don't use foul language when I write,

sometimes yes sometimes no for me

Absolutely Chris, I started by using this style and I'm not stopping now. Have had several comments on it making reading more personable. I love contractions... long as my wife's not the one having 'em!!! LOL!!!

Lol Yeah I could go without those kinds of contractions.

Most people contract the words when they read anyway because they don't "sound right" when they read. I would stay away from the more slang contractions (gonna, shoulda, kinda, ain't, etc)

I always wondered if people read that way or not. I've tried to test it myself but it's hard to test things like that yourself.

It's been said, but yes, write informally, but not too casually. Pretend you're talking to an airplane seatmate. You're not going to use essay talk, but then again, you wouldn't speak as if you were talking to a buddy...

That makes sense. Your example is a perfect way to keep the boundaries set too. Thanks

Happy to help :)

If you were writing an academic paper, you would certainly not use them. However, this should be light reading for your audience and writing how we speak will create good readability. Much success to you Christopher.

Thanks Kevin, I also think doing it this way will create more consistency across the blog.

You actually want to use them a lot of the time. Your articles will seem very stilted without them. It's certainly not unprofessional to use them. They are used less in more formal writing (which is often a pity in my view). :) Beverley

Thanks BIS, I definitely feel more comfortable writing them.

I use you're, can't and a few similar ones. I wouldn't use too many of them that don't sound right, but I think some people like to read like they talk.

That's a good point I didn't think of. Trying to stick to only the ones that my audience would use. Thanks

I use them. They flow better. You want to sound both personal and professional. You can stay professional without sounding like a robot.

True. Good points, thanks.

It depends on the contraction or word. For example, I'd only write "how'd" in extremely casual situations. I write "can't" all the time. Rarely use "would've", but use "I'd" all the time.

I would not venture into gonna, wanna, and ain't unless your niche is banjos and shotguns :)

Being from the south, you don't realize how southern "gonna" really sounds. We also use words like "fixin" but not for repairs. It's more like...

"I'm fixin' ta' write me a blog post and I ain't gonna use me none of them contraptions" lmao

Both of your comments here made me LoL... I so wanna see a Banjos & Shotguns site now...

Jaweda, it's not often I get to do a redneck joke, no one around here gets it. Lol

Banjos and shotguns...could be a great niche.

Personally my opinion is to write like I talk. So yes I do use contractions when they flow out naturally.

Thanks

See more comments

asked in
Everything Wordpress
Updated

How do you all handle the redirect options within Pretty Link? I'm using the free version which allows a 301 redirect and a 307. I know 307's don't pass link juice, so why does

I have read that if Google gets a few 307s in a row it automatically starts detecting it as a 301, so I would just do a 301 if you plan to make it permanent and a 307 if you plan to make it temporary.

Now the difference between 302 and 307 I'm not so sure about.

Cool thanks Nathaniel. I'll probably be using mostly 301 then. I'm not sure but I've heard that 307 and 302 are similar, maybe even the same.

301 is the proper way to redirect and it is also the way we "Move" siterubix.com websites to your own domain. We use 301 redirects as it is the proper way to redirect old content.

If you are using a redirect plugin (to affiliate links as an example), it doesn't so much in particular if you are trying to mask the fact that you are affiliate linking. Google will be able to determine the "end" link so it really doesn't do much in that respect.

Thanks Kyle, I'm not really trying to hide the fact that it's an affiliate link. I'm just trying to create a better looking link, in hopes that it will make it more 'clickable' for readers.

I know this is an area that can cause issues if it's done improperly. That's the last thing I need.

Thanks Lisa, Kyle and Nate. I really appreciate the help.

Yeah, cool. You are just fine doing what you are doing then Chris. :)

I would suggest get a plugin called "WP Redirects". I find it much better. Good luck. Lisa

Thanks Lisa, I have a plugin for my redirects but pretty link serves a different purpose. It allows you mask your links. When you do that it gives you a few options, among those options are 301 or 307. I don't know which is best to use in different situations.

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Pretty link 301 vs 307?

Pretty link 301 vs 307?

asked in
Everything Wordpress
Updated

How do you all handle the redirect options within Pretty Link? I'm using the free version which allows a 301 redirect and a 307. I know 307's don't pass link juice, so why does

I have read that if Google gets a few 307s in a row it automatically starts detecting it as a 301, so I would just do a 301 if you plan to make it permanent and a 307 if you plan to make it temporary.

Now the difference between 302 and 307 I'm not so sure about.

Cool thanks Nathaniel. I'll probably be using mostly 301 then. I'm not sure but I've heard that 307 and 302 are similar, maybe even the same.

301 is the proper way to redirect and it is also the way we "Move" siterubix.com websites to your own domain. We use 301 redirects as it is the proper way to redirect old content.

If you are using a redirect plugin (to affiliate links as an example), it doesn't so much in particular if you are trying to mask the fact that you are affiliate linking. Google will be able to determine the "end" link so it really doesn't do much in that respect.

Thanks Kyle, I'm not really trying to hide the fact that it's an affiliate link. I'm just trying to create a better looking link, in hopes that it will make it more 'clickable' for readers.

I know this is an area that can cause issues if it's done improperly. That's the last thing I need.

Thanks Lisa, Kyle and Nate. I really appreciate the help.

Yeah, cool. You are just fine doing what you are doing then Chris. :)

I would suggest get a plugin called "WP Redirects". I find it much better. Good luck. Lisa

Thanks Lisa, I have a plugin for my redirects but pretty link serves a different purpose. It allows you mask your links. When you do that it gives you a few options, among those options are 301 or 307. I don't know which is best to use in different situations.

See more comments

asked in
Getting Started
Updated

I bought a new domain recently because I want to go through the boot camp and possibly use it as a case study.

After setting up my first pages, I decided to do a s

Chris, you are brave.
Didn't realize you could buy a domain with history. See lists of them as parked domains. When I'm searching for a new domain name, get these alternative names too.
Do they cost more? What are the advantages? Have an idea of the disadvantages. All kinds of questions I have. Another time.
Looking forward to your case study. ^_~

Caylynn, yes you can actually buy domains with all sorts of history. Usually those cost more, much more in some cases.

In my case, I just bought a regular $10 domain name. I was just hoping whoever had it before me hadn't used for any blackhat SEO or anything like that. Luckily it wasn't, but it does happen sometimes.

A lot of people don't know that and some end up building a URL with spammy backlinks or worse. It's a nightmare to deal with.

Am so looking forward to your case study. We really need to know about these alternatives and your explanation on how to deal with the nightmares of fixing.

Let us know what you find out. We could all learn from this lesson.

Well Kary, thanks to Tommy I was able find out that there was nothing really wrong with the domain I bought. After tommy checked it out for me, I did a little more research and found out this happens a lot.

When a domain is parked (waiting to be sold) the ads that the registrar uses are often picked up and get used for the description. Just like Google might pick up the first few lines of a blog post.

What is the domain name do I can check it out.

Really? That'd be great! Can I pm it to you?

Post it here is ok of pm me no prob

Done. I will post it here later for anyone who wants to see. It's going to be a case study. But I want to keep analytics close to its real numbers for now

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How can i test a new domain for previous spam?

How can i test a new domain for previous spam?

asked in
Getting Started
Updated

I bought a new domain recently because I want to go through the boot camp and possibly use it as a case study.

After setting up my first pages, I decided to do a s

Chris, you are brave.
Didn't realize you could buy a domain with history. See lists of them as parked domains. When I'm searching for a new domain name, get these alternative names too.
Do they cost more? What are the advantages? Have an idea of the disadvantages. All kinds of questions I have. Another time.
Looking forward to your case study. ^_~

Caylynn, yes you can actually buy domains with all sorts of history. Usually those cost more, much more in some cases.

In my case, I just bought a regular $10 domain name. I was just hoping whoever had it before me hadn't used for any blackhat SEO or anything like that. Luckily it wasn't, but it does happen sometimes.

A lot of people don't know that and some end up building a URL with spammy backlinks or worse. It's a nightmare to deal with.

Am so looking forward to your case study. We really need to know about these alternatives and your explanation on how to deal with the nightmares of fixing.

Let us know what you find out. We could all learn from this lesson.

Well Kary, thanks to Tommy I was able find out that there was nothing really wrong with the domain I bought. After tommy checked it out for me, I did a little more research and found out this happens a lot.

When a domain is parked (waiting to be sold) the ads that the registrar uses are often picked up and get used for the description. Just like Google might pick up the first few lines of a blog post.

What is the domain name do I can check it out.

Really? That'd be great! Can I pm it to you?

Post it here is ok of pm me no prob

Done. I will post it here later for anyone who wants to see. It's going to be a case study. But I want to keep analytics close to its real numbers for now

See more comments

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