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-   External Miles and Points Resources (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/external-miles-points-resources-723/)
-   -   Sample of a helpful blog post (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/external-miles-points-resources/1459625-sample-helpful-blog-post.html)

brooklynmatt May 5, 2013 8:11 am


Originally Posted by mrpickles (Post 20699853)
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.

Thanks very much for the detailed reply. I might be open to a conversation. I guess I would have to learn what the downsides are too. I moved away from the idea as my site grew more popular as the exposure value isn't there now, my site is already more popular in the US than First2Board, and by the end of the month probably will be the same in Worldwide ranking.

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

sbm12 May 5, 2013 8:15 am


Originally Posted by mrpickles (Post 20699853)
11) I have had very few spam comments since the go-live date, the spam filters are working great.

The same Akismet anti-spam filter is available without the network, too.

Originally Posted by mrpickles (Post 20699853)
12) I have complete editorial control over the content, there only requirement is to have fun.

And to comply with certain conditions of what content is acceptable, like no CC links. ;)

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.

TWA44 May 5, 2013 11:25 am

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.

TWA44 May 7, 2013 10:20 am

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.

TWA44 May 11, 2013 4:41 pm

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.

TWA44 May 11, 2013 11:27 pm

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.

TWA44 May 14, 2013 9:29 am

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.

nsx May 14, 2013 12:41 pm

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.

TWA44 May 19, 2013 12:38 pm

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.

Aphrodite91 May 20, 2013 12:37 pm

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/

kokonutz May 20, 2013 12:47 pm


Originally Posted by Aphrodite91 (Post 20782019)
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/

Now THAT is an excellent example of an incredibly helpful and selfless blog post!!! ^^^

TravelSummary May 20, 2013 2:08 pm


Originally Posted by TWA44 (Post 20776450)
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.

I think ALL my posts are great posts ;)

TheMilesProfessor May 21, 2013 6:00 pm


Originally Posted by kokonutz (Post 20782084)
Now THAT is an excellent example of an incredibly helpful and selfless blog post!!! ^^^

Glad you approve, koko :) 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.

Edited: I forgot about the signature!

kokonutz May 22, 2013 8:33 am


Originally Posted by TheMilesProfessor (Post 20789908)
Glad you approve, koko :) 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.

Edited: I forgot about the signature!

Lol, do you gate lice at the bank branch door 30 minutes before it opens!? :D;)

I do have to say, your bringing brick and mortar offers to this game is pretty innovative!! ^

TWA44 May 24, 2013 10:37 am

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!


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