What Am I Really Doing Here?
I see a lot of blogs and comments in which the writers are venting frustrations at not having traffic, not knowing what to write about, not believing their work is going anywhere, etc. I try always to respond in a positive way. "Keep your chin up, it will happen" I say, or "Your work looks great, give it time." I say these things because I believe they offer some comfort, but also because I believe them to be true. Or at least I think I believe them. I feel these folks' frustrations, because they are mine. I don't know what to write about, I don't believe my work (limited as it is) is going anywhere, and after 2 months (a short time, I know) I'm not getting ANY traffic at all except myself checking my site and a few WA members when I beg for feedback. I hate to whine, especially when I know there is so much work I should probably be doing, but what am I really doing here? I'm sure I will get tons of supportive responses and I will VERY MUCH appreciate them. But I'm not sure that's enough encouragement any more. I need results and I'm finding myself lacking.
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I understand how you are feeling. I have felt like that sometimes. Little by little my site has moved and I can find it in Google now ( no page 1, though). This really requires patience, time and lots of writing. Marith is offering you a good opportunity to get exposured. I don`t know if this helps but I am sending you a hug. I will cross my fingers for you! Blessings!
Hilda
I understand what you mean, but while your site is climbing its way up the ranking, it is more ways to get traffic. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. Go out there in the jungle and post your link in social media (without spamming). It is no fun sitting there waiting for traffic, so try to lead people your way, it won't do any harm, If you have a pinterest-button on your page, give me the link and I can post it for an audience of 12 -13 000 people, and hopefully some of them will come and see you
I do not have a Pinterest account, but there is a Pinterest button on my pages. I'd appreciate the boost. http://tomscustomwoodcraft.com. I've posted it on my FaceBook page and Google+. Thanks.
Hi Tim, I have pinned 4 of your posts to a board with 12,995 Followers. Hopefully some of them will stop by. Pinterest is a very visual media, good eye-catching photos are importent, I picked the photos I think will work best. I have seen that photos with bright clolors get clicked and repinned the most. Think about that when you add photos in future posts. Good luck, let me know if it works, and tomorrow I will post them again on an other board with 8000 followers, good luck
Marith, THANK YOU so much. If it works or not, your effort and thoughtfulness means everything!
Tom, I have to comment on your blog.
I went to your website which is great by the way. Lots of info and your design is almost flawless. Lots of hard work for sure.
Then I googled custom wood craft and did not find you on page one,two,three or four and gave up. As we all know from the lessons, that if you are not on page one, you will get little or no traffic.
This is due to keywords.Custom wood craft is a broad term. And who would think to google Tom's custom wood craft? no one but you. So you must be specific in your title and placement of your keywords in order to be on page one ranking on google. Try to think like the person searching. What would they type in and search for? Its tough,but thru keyword search,using low hanging fruit you can get on page one.
Also I saw no links to WA
Best wishes bingopauls Vegas
Hi Paul and thanks for your response. I agree that Custom Woodcraft isn't a great keyword, but it is the name of my physical business. I really do not want to change the site title. I have tried very hard to use "low hanging fruit" keywords for most of my pages and posts and have reached page 5 on several of those. This is what I think most folks will be searching for. Maybe I'm wrong there.
As far as linking to WA, I didn't think it appropriate to link to WA from my woodworking site. Then again, I'm not a very good businessman, so I'm probably wrong there as well.
Mostly I was feeling frustrated and needed to get it off my chest so it didn't fester. Still frustrated because I don't know what direction to head next. I find it VERY difficult to get writing ideas from keywords; I prefer to search for keywords that fit subjects I have in mind. Unfortunately, I have no subjects in mind right now. I guess I need to step back for a bit.
I thank you for the advice and for taking the time to look at my site. Your attention is very much appreciated. I will think about all you've said.
Tom
PS. I'm not giving up. My motto is never give up, never give in!
Tom ,thanks for your reply.
Let me say first, nobody goes to page 5. Enough said
Now let me say, I glad you understand the keyword issue real well, Because when I changed my keywords my google rankings dropped from page one to page 6 in one month. I don't know what google wants, but I think it has to do with websites getting stale. Same ole content, why should I go back to it mentality. So constantly adding content and resubmitting you site daily and getting a blog forum or comment or chat, keeps them coming back. Good luck Tom
For me this is a long term plan. I listened to what Kyle said, he didn't start to make decent money for a long time. Not easy when bills need to be paid but it's like any business built on a solid foundation, it Takes Time. :)
I know it's not going to make money right away. I'd just like some indication that I'm not speaking into a complete vacuum. Thanks for responding.
We all do have times like you are experiencing now But I truly believe that if you keep moving forward you will see positive results.
Sometimes you just need to walk away for a few and when you come back things look clearer.
Also if you get stuck on something just pop it in above and you will be able to find some training in the area you are stuck in,
I hope this helps.
As I said, that's what I tell others. It's much more difficult to tell it to myself. Thanks for responding. This is the best part of WA! People care.
To be honest I'm not sure I can give you a supportive response Tom. In a way I'm in the same boat as you, I have no traffic of consequence and I feel like I'm living on faith.
But there are people here who will keep going and people who will give up. The only sure thing is that the people who give up will NOT succeed, the rest is waiting to be written.
I'm going to keep going and I hope you will too.
I can completely understand how you are feeling. I have days where I'm very optimistic and determination is in my blood. Then there are those days where you wonder. I hate those days!
However, we both know this is real. I know there are people starting to see results financially. I've come to the conclusion that it is going to happen differently for each of us. We all have our own way of going about this and for some, it may be easier. Patience is key, and elbow grease. :)
For myself, it is a matter of putting this into perspective. If it is one of those days where I start questioning, it's time for some self talk. Time to pull the boots on, suck it up, and keep at it. After all, if you don't try, how can you expect any results?
You're not whining, just sounding frustrated. You might just be on the side that I am on......... it isn't going to happen as fast as we would like!
Don't throw in the towel, it's too soon! Sending a prayer your way today!
Michelle
Amen! I'm sure others have said this, but please always feel free to message me to get my attention if you need help or just encouragement. I'm serious, because I believe you belong here. :) Michelle
I feel that way occasionally,, Tom. Then I shake myself off and pull it up and go for it once more. One of the first things I read when I got here was something from Kyle where he said that even he made not one cent in the first three months. Granted, some people get results quickly, but some don't. I'm in the "don't" category, but I'm NOT giving up. I paid for a year and, dammit, by next July I'm going to be making good money! I'm a stubborn old bat. I also have 3 other jobs right now so I can wait a bit for the money. The point is I don't WANT 3 other jobs. You're the only one who can judge if it's worth it to you or not. I'm hoping you will stay. If I can help you with anything, please sing out.
Don't worry Carla, I'm to ornery to give up. Too hardheaded, too (pick your adjective). Thanks for everything you do.
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Hopefully I may offer a few words of encouragement. I'm a hypnotherapist and the people I trained with have an awesome affiliate program.
They explained that they set up a (separate) website 2 years ago offering online advice and added one post a month until they had 100 posts on the site. Then something technical happened and they stopped adding posts to that site.
Two years on however and they make around $2000 each month from the website. They said that the most important thing is to be consistent with your posts.
This just goes to show that while it takes time, in time you will have enough pages and posts and with the right keywords you'll get momentum going. Also make sure that you have a good affiliate program or programs that give real benefit to your readers. You therefore need to know what they want (not necessarily need) and provide them with that. The WA affiliate program is an excellent example of a resource people want!
Look at what you have achieved so far instead of what hasn't happened yet... I see you joined here in August and that's no time at all in terms of business. Hang on in there Tom :)
Hi Janice. Thanks for responding. I realize that I can't expect a lot for only two months. I also know that as I add more content things are bound to pick up. But I guess I expected a little something at least. But, as I've told others, I'm not giving up.
Yeah! That's the spirit! You were just having a little moment and hopefully we have all come in and lifted you again! It's happens to the best of us :)
Yes, you're right. Thanks again.