One Month Update
One month in WA. How the time is flying by! Yes, so much accomplished when I look back on it.
- Since my first post went up on July 20 I have added 6 more since then, for a total of 7 posts in 2.5 weeks.
- I have learned to create a website in Wordpress.
- Google Analytics set up with the basics. My stats today say: 425 sessions, 253 different users, 1470 page views, 3.5 page views average per session, 6:38 average session duration, bounce rate 54%, 60% new visitors and 40% returning, 44% direct, 38% social, and 15% organic. I'll take that for 2.5 weeks live.
- Received 44 comments on my posts.
- Established Google Authorship
- Established new social media accounts for my business on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+
- Established approvals with several Affiliate partners
- Progress in WA University - Course 4, Lesson 7
- Am learning to let go of perfectionism; do my best, get it up and out there.
- I can truly say, it's been fun working my brain and learning something new!
Areas that I would like more help are:
- My hosted e-mail is not reliable, doesn't always work, which has meant lots of time wasted on establishing authorizations that aren't delivered. WA is working to resolve this for me.
- I still don't understand how to leverage Google +; maybe there is a quick lesson on here that someone can direct me to. Watching an hour long video does not have good opportunity cost right now.
- Not sure how to get followers on Twitter. Only having 7 followers makes time spent there seem pointless, other than I heard it helps Google rankings.
- Nuances of WordPress, such as better aligning the aesthetics of a page, seem daunting. Trying to let go of that - see point above. My understanding of WP navigation is also challenged - not sure why.
- My niche is pretty big - living a blissed life, but I always have something to say and I am passionate about it.
- Monetizing my niche with Affiliates is an area I would appreciate more help.
- Capturing e-mails and what to do with them to opt in status.
Lastly today I'd like to say that I am wildly impressed by this WA community. Someone always comes to your aid when you put out a request. There is the website hosting support ticket approach, live chat, private messaging to Kyle, and certain Ambassadors who have consistently been there for me. It is not easy to get organic comments on your website. In addition to my best friend and my daughter (smile) I have WA members to thank for 44 comments! Thank you everyone for a great month. I hope I can one day be as supportive to others as you have been to me. For now, I am always happy to reciprocate comments!
Blissfully yours,
Shell
Recent Comments
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My 5 cents:
1. Hosted e-mail. Don't know your system. But you could use Google Apps (like gmail, only for your own domain) or Office 365. They both cost a bit each month, but not so much. In return you get a very good email service.
2. I don't know enough on Google+ myself. I don't like it I must admit. Don't like the UI and it's nothing happening there. Perhaps Google wil shut it down sometime, just like they have done with other services?
3. What is your Twitter account? Share it wherever you can. Also on the list of your websites. My account is http://twitter.com/RobinJoha - I have got a few followers, but I follow just the same. I use http://www.justunfollow.com/ to find people of my own interests to follow. And I use Hootsuite.com for Twitter, Facebook etc.
4. I would reccomend bying a premium Wordpress theme, they normally has better ways to "design" your site. Also, you can check out a plugin by the name of "Shortcodes Ultimate" - it's free. It lets you make columns and other stuff quite easy. https://wordpress.org/plugins/shortcodes-ultimate/
5. Not sure what you mean my not understanding WP navigation? How to make menus? I know WP quite well, if you ask a specific question I believe I can answer.
About monetizing and capturing e-mails... I'm only on Course 3, but I hope that information will arrive shortly myself :)
These are some great suggestions. Yes please follow me and I will do the same for you. Looking forward to digging in to your other suggestions as well! ~Shell
High performance drive, intelligence, determination, lots of hard work and great focus=no income. Till the soil, fertilize, plant a crop, wait 30 days=no crop to sell. But there will be a great harvest that would have never been had otherwise! Tremendous progress Shell. I felt rested when I started reading your list of things done in 1 mo. and am exhausted now just from reading them.(But I can claim age) Congratulations. Your success is guaranteed with your approach.
Harold
Thank you so much Maxiam59 and especially for your retweet I just discovered today. Those are priceless! ~Shell
Thank you. Having retired from my former profession, I have the luxury of being able to work at it full time 7 days a week. It may take others longer who don't have that much time. I'm going to edit my post to reflect that so as not to discourage anyone with less available time to invest. ~Shell
Thanks JustBob, and thanks for all your help! Can you explain exactly what you mean? :) ~Shell
First, the "1" should have been a "!".
But, to be sure I'm clear this time, "you really got a lot done."
And, I might now add, it looks like it is working.
Hope your affiliate cash register "ching, chings" a lot soon.
Best, JustBob
Hey Shell, I have gotten alot of followers on my facebook page, from my kids (grown) facebook page. I go to there page, and see who their friends are, and then I just go to their page, and introduce myself as so, and so's dad, and make a positive comment on something they have posted, and request to be friends.....works almost every time. You can do this with any social site and with anybody you know.
Sounds like you are doing great! The one area I know a little about is getting more followers on Twitter. I do two things: (1) Ask for followers. When I write articles, posts, whatever, I usually put, if you're on Twitter, give me a follow @GhostWriteHer. (2) I promote others' material. I belong to several writers groups and I always get new followers when I promote others' work. It's clear that I didn't write those pieces, but they follow me. I'm happy. If you follow me (@GhostWriteHer), I'll follow you back.
Also, just to elaborate a little,when you do establish a connection, spend some time now and then, to socialize, and foster the relationship. A few hours a week spent this way can pay big dividends. I just post a comment on my facebook page, and share it with all my friends, and then comment on their comments.
Thanks Gary. Let me ask you to elaborate a little. Facebook is the channel I have the most experience. I spend far too much time there on my personal account (smile), and do exactly what you say above. Now that I have established the professional PAGE, I have done the following: Promoted Liking it on my personal account (35 conversions in a week - not so great in my opinion), posting on my professional page every day, sharing my friend's posts from my page, linking posts back to my website, posting my favorite pins linking back to Pinterest, etc. etc. Since a PAGE works differently from personal acct, a Page can't actively friend people. Takes a little getting used to. ~Shell
I've had a construction business in the kansas city area for years, and I can't begin to count the number of contracts I got this way...I didi'nt come across to them like I was trying to sell them anything , I just casually mentioned my business as something I did, and when they needed something they remembered me.
I understand. I think you are talking about your personal account, not your professional page. Thanks!
You got a heck of a lot more done than I did in my first month. Glad you're making such great progress! :)
Thanks Steve! Thanks for being one of my most johnny-on-the-spot Ambassadors to come to my aid! ~Shell
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Hi S I read your first month technical achievement and feel like I haven't moved. Not about me but rather to say well done !