Sample of a helpful blog post
May 5, 2013, 8:11 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AMEX Plat, AAdvantage Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 963
That is a good question. I did have my site as a stand alone for a few years and have have very few hits. There were many comments every time I posted and almost everyone were spam. i could have hired a consultant and spent a lot of money to set it up. But i have a real job too.
Occasionally there were real comments but it just was too much trouble to screen through all of the (5900) viagra ads, mortgage ads ad other garbage posted. I was forced to lock down the comments and screen all of them. This became too time consuming so I tended to not post as often.
My social media talents were then redirected to my Facebook and twitter account. Quite often I would receive communication from people asking me to blog more often and when the opportunity came up to work with First2Board I immediately saw the benefits of working as a team.
1) F2B provided the hosting, which on the surface is not that hard since I was self hosting already but now when there is a problem I have someone who is responsive that I can contact immediately to fix things for me on the site.
2) F2b coordinates advertising agreements.
3) Working as a team with the other F2B bloggers drives page views by cross linking posts.
4) I am now able to concentrate on content instead of format and design.
5) Better recognition of my site as a part of a larger organization.
6) F2B has an internal forum website for F2B bloggers which will act a database for files, photos, charts and other reference materials for the bloggers.
7) F2B provides artwork support and has designed the logos for most of the sites.
8) F2B provide all of the technical support to transition my website from Network Solutions platform to their platform.
9) F2B coordinates all of the contests and giveaway promotions, including the acquisition of prizes, distribution of prizes and contracting with third party contest promotion websites.
10) I am able to work with like minded people that I trust and who do not have a hidden agenda.
11) I have had very few spam comments since the go-live date, the spam filters are working great.
12) I have complete editorial control over the content, there only requirement is to have fun.
13) I own all of my own content, if I ever choose to leave they will cooperate with exporting the content back.
14) My ideas, recommendations and concepts for F2B have been accepted warmly and have driven several aspects of the site; it is refreshing to be part of something new.
The best part of all of this, is that it all happened in a 72 hour period from the time of first contact to going live. They were responsive and welcoming.
I acknowledge that the timing was essential as my site went live on the same day as the go-live day of First2Board's own website (although it was in beta for 4 weeks prior).
I have looked at your website and I think that it is excellent blog and it is exactly the the type of talent that would be a good fit with F2B. You should consider talking to them about joining the team. i would be happy to recommend you.
Occasionally there were real comments but it just was too much trouble to screen through all of the (5900) viagra ads, mortgage ads ad other garbage posted. I was forced to lock down the comments and screen all of them. This became too time consuming so I tended to not post as often.
My social media talents were then redirected to my Facebook and twitter account. Quite often I would receive communication from people asking me to blog more often and when the opportunity came up to work with First2Board I immediately saw the benefits of working as a team.
1) F2B provided the hosting, which on the surface is not that hard since I was self hosting already but now when there is a problem I have someone who is responsive that I can contact immediately to fix things for me on the site.
2) F2b coordinates advertising agreements.
3) Working as a team with the other F2B bloggers drives page views by cross linking posts.
4) I am now able to concentrate on content instead of format and design.
5) Better recognition of my site as a part of a larger organization.
6) F2B has an internal forum website for F2B bloggers which will act a database for files, photos, charts and other reference materials for the bloggers.
7) F2B provides artwork support and has designed the logos for most of the sites.
8) F2B provide all of the technical support to transition my website from Network Solutions platform to their platform.
9) F2B coordinates all of the contests and giveaway promotions, including the acquisition of prizes, distribution of prizes and contracting with third party contest promotion websites.
10) I am able to work with like minded people that I trust and who do not have a hidden agenda.
11) I have had very few spam comments since the go-live date, the spam filters are working great.
12) I have complete editorial control over the content, there only requirement is to have fun.
13) I own all of my own content, if I ever choose to leave they will cooperate with exporting the content back.
14) My ideas, recommendations and concepts for F2B have been accepted warmly and have driven several aspects of the site; it is refreshing to be part of something new.
The best part of all of this, is that it all happened in a 72 hour period from the time of first contact to going live. They were responsive and welcoming.
I acknowledge that the timing was essential as my site went live on the same day as the go-live day of First2Board's own website (although it was in beta for 4 weeks prior).
I have looked at your website and I think that it is excellent blog and it is exactly the the type of talent that would be a good fit with F2B. You should consider talking to them about joining the team. i would be happy to recommend you.
The community aspect you talk of is very positive though, and I am glad that people who aren't so technically incline/too busy to focus on that side are able to continue to generate good content with their help.
Cheers,
Matt
May 5, 2013, 8:15 am
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The aggregation networks can be great for building up views and having a group of people to work with. That doesn't mean they are for everyone, but there can be value in them.
May 5, 2013, 11:25 am
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
Nice little local blog - do you know about Guestmob?
http://www.portlandtraveltips.com/20...e-and-hotwire/
Update, in a tweet from Scott @PDXtraveltips:
@ElainePDX @Guestmob My guess is Guestmob good for advance bookings, Priceline still king for last minute.
Still, I was happy to learn about Guestmob since it does have some advantages over Hotwire and Priceline.
http://www.portlandtraveltips.com/20...e-and-hotwire/
Update, in a tweet from Scott @PDXtraveltips:
@ElainePDX @Guestmob My guess is Guestmob good for advance bookings, Priceline still king for last minute.
Still, I was happy to learn about Guestmob since it does have some advantages over Hotwire and Priceline.
Last edited by TWA44; May 5, 2013 at 12:40 pm
May 7, 2013, 10:20 am
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
http://www.headforpoints.com/2013/05...itish-airways/
Super post about one's rights if offloaded in the EU, including a link to a great FT thread. I think this will be of interest to both newbies and oldtimers who read travel/miles/points blogs.
Super post about one's rights if offloaded in the EU, including a link to a great FT thread. I think this will be of interest to both newbies and oldtimers who read travel/miles/points blogs.
May 11, 2013, 4:41 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
http://www.mightytravels.com/1323275...plus_miles.php
Much of this I knew but recently I was trying to book a ticket that allowed either an open jaw or a stopover, but not both, so I was looking at a paid ticket add-on to make it exactly what I wanted. I am not at this long enough to have everything automatic, and never considered using a small amount of miles for a little one way. Indeed, some FTers were making suggestions and I do not believe anyone else suggested it either!
So I found this list great and the logic can apply to other airline miles too, depending on your situation and point balances.
Much of this I knew but recently I was trying to book a ticket that allowed either an open jaw or a stopover, but not both, so I was looking at a paid ticket add-on to make it exactly what I wanted. I am not at this long enough to have everything automatic, and never considered using a small amount of miles for a little one way. Indeed, some FTers were making suggestions and I do not believe anyone else suggested it either!
So I found this list great and the logic can apply to other airline miles too, depending on your situation and point balances.
May 11, 2013, 11:27 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
http://saverocity.com/travel/how-to-...rbon-emissions
This might not be news that mileage runners and mega DO attenders want to hear, but I think that the above blog post is not just helpful - it is important.
I learned recently that it takes 400 gallons of water to produce ONE tee-shirt. If we want a bright future for this planet, we need to start paying attention, and Matt's post at Saverocity shines a light on carbon emissions and the issue of carbon offsets.
This might not be news that mileage runners and mega DO attenders want to hear, but I think that the above blog post is not just helpful - it is important.
I learned recently that it takes 400 gallons of water to produce ONE tee-shirt. If we want a bright future for this planet, we need to start paying attention, and Matt's post at Saverocity shines a light on carbon emissions and the issue of carbon offsets.
May 14, 2013, 9:29 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
http://www.portlandtraveltips.com/20...s/#comment-155
With the changes at Autoslash, this post suggests another good way to book a rental car. I saw the link in a comment on MMS. Daraius points out in his answer to the comment that "Costco Travel and the UR portal give me the best rate for the least work, but Priceline often has good rates as well!" But for the person who wants the best rate and is willing to follow Scott's strategy as explained above, or the newbie trying to learn the tricks of the trade, Scott's post is right on point.
With the changes at Autoslash, this post suggests another good way to book a rental car. I saw the link in a comment on MMS. Daraius points out in his answer to the comment that "Costco Travel and the UR portal give me the best rate for the least work, but Priceline often has good rates as well!" But for the person who wants the best rate and is willing to follow Scott's strategy as explained above, or the newbie trying to learn the tricks of the trade, Scott's post is right on point.
Last edited by TWA44; May 14, 2013 at 9:46 am
May 14, 2013, 12:41 pm
#38
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,614
Is it just me, or is View From the Wing spending a lot more time discussing his compensation from banks since this forum started? Most of his readers don't give a darn about who gets paid what as long as the deal is good.
May 19, 2013, 12:38 pm
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
http://travel-summary.com/introducin...d-cost-charts/
Great post, with lots of info for those into/considering manufactured spend. Has an affiliate link but it is most appropriately done.
Great post, with lots of info for those into/considering manufactured spend. Has an affiliate link but it is most appropriately done.
May 20, 2013, 12:37 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 326
Here's a credit card post without ANY affiliate links and actually talks about the better offers out there at the Bank Branches.
http://themilesprofessor.com/2013/05...er-bank-branc/
http://themilesprofessor.com/2013/05...er-bank-branc/
May 20, 2013, 12:47 pm
#41
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,581
Here's a credit card post without ANY affiliate links and actually talks about the better offers out there at the Bank Branches.
http://themilesprofessor.com/2013/05...er-bank-branc/
http://themilesprofessor.com/2013/05...er-bank-branc/
May 20, 2013, 2:08 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SNA/LAX
Posts: 145
http://travel-summary.com/introducin...d-cost-charts/
Great post, with lots of info for those into/considering manufactured spend. Has an affiliate link but it is most appropriately done.
Great post, with lots of info for those into/considering manufactured spend. Has an affiliate link but it is most appropriately done.
May 21, 2013, 6:00 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 142
Today's offer from a bank is even more useful, but I'll quit while I'm ahead and not link for shameless self promotion.
May 22, 2013, 8:33 am
#44
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,581
I do have to say, your bringing brick and mortar offers to this game is pretty innovative!! ^
May 24, 2013, 10:37 am
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
Here is a post that addresses a real issue in the points and miles game, and adds some new information. I have seen other articles on this problem and I do not think MommyPoints says all there is to say, but the comments offer some good info too.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/mommyp...getting-cards/
And no affiliate links or suggestions about online shopping!
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/mommyp...getting-cards/
And no affiliate links or suggestions about online shopping!
