Suite 101 - Page 5

[MyTwoAs]

Oh bunk beds - sounds fun but like you said aggravating as well. I hope it goes smoothly.

[Twocoolboys]

Thanks, MytwoA's! That feedback was exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to pm it to Jenny. I also don't mind if you link my Suite page to your blog.

I should really do a blog. I actually started one last spring and never got too far with it. I focused on environmental articles, but I didn't like it and ended up deleting the whole thing - lol. I'm not really writing environmental articles anymore, but maybe I should do a general parenting blog. That's a project for after the baby though - lol!

Please pm your blog links. I would love to see them!

Have fun with the bunk beds!

[evies_mom]

Bunk beds are up and it didn't go to badly!

I set up my writing blog. I went with blogger.com. I have a private livejournal account, but like 2As thought blogger would get higher traffic. I'll PM my link to you both.

Also, can we put a link to our blog in our siggie? I know I have seen others who have links to their craft blogs and from their the link to their online stores, so can we do that with writing or not?

[evies_mom]

Oh an I am new to blogger- so please let me know if you have any suggestions.

[evies_mom]

you can view the blog now = had it set to private by accident.

[evies_mom]

I am really psyched, my lanolin article is doing really well and getting tons of hits from google. It's helping to see what people are googling to get me. It's kind of interesting that in some instances, I am the first hit based upon what they typed, though what they typed had additional words in it with my keywords that I may not have expected.

Though yesterday when I tried it out, when I googled breastfeeding and lanolin, I was the fourth hit. Today, I am the 16th. Arg...

[evies_mom]

Talking to myself this morning, lol. Published another article. It's not showing up yet, but should soon.

[MyTwoAs]

LOL Jenny - good morning!

Glad the bunkbeds went up well.

On the link to your blog, I had a link to my mommy blog in my sig for a while but took it out because it was in violation. I had the google ads on my blog and evidently that made it a "business" so I'd have to pay for the business membership in order to keep the link in. Well the ads don't pull in even enough to cover the membership so I took the link out. I would think that the same would apply if we linked to a blog that in turn had links to something that creates revenue. I'd guess those with links to their personal store in their blog are in violation as well - a store very likely brings in more than adwords ($15/8 months for my adwords hehe).

It sounds like you're getting a lot of solid traffic from google - crazy how you bounce around like that - it doesn't make much sense, does it? LOL

[MyTwoAs]

TCB - Your story on grocery shopping with kids is great! The last paragraph suggests readers look at two stories but neither are hyperlinked thought; that caught my eye and I thought you'd want to know.

Jenny - I'm not seeing your most recent article yet. I read somewhere that they are updating the site so it's kind of hokey right now. Can you PM me the link?

I looked at the "today's article" for yesterday and the day before and neither article that I wrote shows up - they are on my artciles page through my profile but don't show up on the "today's article" link. I'm wondering if it is like AC and they only listen certain articles.

In going through the site it's not laid out really well for a person landing on the homepage and travelling from there. The landing pages don't have all the stories and then the stories that are linked in the left-hand column don't stand out. Not that that many people start from the homepage so it's no big deal really, just something that kind of annoys me. Thankfully most hits come in via searches.

I put up my 5th article today, this was about "heavy work activities" for kiddos with sensory processing disorder. These were all things I learned through my kids' occupational therapy so no sources to cite. The only thing is I couldn't find any suite stories to link to.

[MyTwoAs]

Hmm okay I think I may have found an answer to my problem.

Lately when I fill it all out it would mess up and erase a lot of my data so I've been saving as I go and then at the end I hit publish. Well I just went back in and edited my story from today to add a hyperlink in and *poof* there it is on the today's articles. I'd read about that being a bug but the symptoms were a bit different than what I was experiencing. O'well, fixed it.

[Twocoolboys]

Thanks, MytwoA's. I didn't notice that about my hyperlinks. I'll fix that a.s.a.p.

I looked at both of your blogs. Very cool! You are both inspiring me!

I did a lot of work on my organizing toys article and I think it's better. I improved a lot of the rankings that you discovered for me (and inadvertantly made some worse). I think the important phrases are better placed though. I got "organzing toys" to come up on page 1 of google in position 7, so I think that's good.

I worked on my attachment parenting article too. I just did that, so I'll check in a day or two to see how it's placing now.

I think what I am going to have to do is write articles as best as I can, then check out their placement and edit as needed.

You really helped me get an even better grasp on SEO, MTwoA's. I appreciate it so much!

I'm so thankful that we can edit in Suite. I wish AC gave us the same luxury - lol!

Evie'smom - You must be an early bird! Great job on the lanolin article!

[Twocoolboys]

Originally Posted by MyTwoAs

TCB -
I put up my 5th article today, this was about "heavy work activities" for kiddos with sensory processing disorder. These were all things I learned through my kids' occupational therapy so no sources to cite. The only thing is I couldn't find any suite stories to link to.

I sometimes wonder if my 3 year old has some sensory issues. He is very physical. I am going to use some of these suggestions. I know he would love the crashing activity. He is always crashing into us.

[MyTwoAs]

TCB - You're welcome. SEO is a big beast to wrangle so to speak. There are people that are employed full-time, making six figures a year, and all they do is SEO. The thing is, the search engines are regularly changing their formulas so just when you get it down *bam* an algorithm changes. LOL

I, too, am glad that Suite allows us to edit. I found that I left a word out of my bedrest article on AC and was like "UGH!". Must...proofread...better.

I bet your son would enjoy the heavy work activities. It's extremely beneficial for children with SPD but useful for all kids - I call it purposeful play. The kids spent about 45 minutes crashing today; they were both using different parts of our sectional but I didn't mind as they're not very big so couldn't do much damage (33 lbs and 39 lbs). hehe

So I'm trying something new - I'm using one of the Ping tools that I use for the American Idol blog I write for but instead of putting in just my AC or Suite link I'm putting in the links to the RSS feeds. So I'm pinging it with those everytime I update it plus I'm pinging it with my personal blog that also has the story name and link in it. So it's getting a ping from two different sources with the exacty same story names and links in it. Hoping that helps. It only takes about 3 minutes so not a huge waste of time if it doesn't.

[evies_mom]

NAKING -also my O key is working that well, hope you can figure ut what I am trying to say. It can take 7-8 hits to get it to type and I dn't want to bther with it.

My article on soothing a fussy baby is up now. I don't know why it took so long. I had been submitting at night and took TCB suggestion to submit during the day, but it took a long time for some reason. Did I mention that I got my first solid compliment from the editor? I hadn't imbedded the link prperly and she was contacting me to fix it, but added how strong of a piece it was. I do need to improve SEO on it though. soothe fussy baby puts me on the second page, as does calm fussy baby... I wonder if I should go with one or the other to bump it up further. Thoughts?

TCB - I can't add much to was A's said. She knows her stuff! I do have a question and will use your grocery article as an example. How much does it matter for SEO if we go back and forth on using plurals? For ex: you use tantrum/tantrums. I had been trying to stick to one or the other, but does it matter that much?

I have also been doing the same thing- going back and editing to improve rank. I also love the ability to edit after publishing.

2a's- can you explain more of this pinging stuff? I am not sure I follow. I do onlywire social bookmarking but that's it. And American Idol, huh? You a fan? I watch, though was disappointed with the past season (wanted Melinda to win).

I also read your SPD article, you have such a wealth of info to share! I did catch a small typo (again, let me know if you don't want this feedback). It's tiny but in laundry basket para and in your closing, you use the word child and then use "their" to refer back to him. They should agree in singularity/plurarlity, children/their, child/his/her. I generally just use child/his, but if uncomfortable with gender preference you could always alternatate articles, refer she one time he the next, or consistantly use children/their, KWIM? Also, not a big deal, but you stick with using the singular (child) through most of the article, but have one para that uses the plural. You may want to keep it parallel throughout the article for continuity sake. I realize neither of these things are a big deal, but it was the only constuctive criticism I could offer. I fear I am better at mechanics editing than SEO.

As far as me, I tend to be an early bird. I am an east-coaster, plus I've never been one to require a great deal of sleep. PLUS, the snow and ice hitting the window kept me awake, light sleeper.

For my blog, I want to do an "Writer of the Week" post and feature people. I will start with you two, if you like that is. Could you PM me the answer to these questions when you get the chance?

1. How did you come to start writing for the web?
2. How long have you been writing personally? Professionally?
3. Places published (other than AC and Suite)?
4. What do you like to write about?
5. Any personal info on your family you would like to share to tell about yourself?
6. Something that have you learned (can be about yourself, about writing, freelancing etc)
7. Writing goals? Achievements?
8. Anything else you would like to throw in, lol

I've got another article to publish today on nipple confusion and working on a companion piece to that the may go out today or tomorrow. Welcome critiques girls!

Have a good day - TCB, how ya feeling? How is the pregnancy coming along? Any chance for a Christmas baby?

[MyTwoAs]

Okay I'm annoyed again, my heavy work activities article got flagged for the following reasons:

title unclear
title lacks context
subtitle is not keyword-focused
article lacks bold, title case, keyword-centric subheadings

Thet title is 100% clear, the editor just doesn't know what it is so she thinks it is unclear. Anyone searching for that type of activity is going to know what it is.

The subtitle *is* keyyword focused - the subtitle is "Five Ways to Meet Your Child’s Sensory Needs" - sensory needs is the main keyword there

If you guys look at my article you will see that the subheadings are bolded, I don't understand what the issue.

I've not had any problems unless I've posted under Partners and Parents - my other three articles have gone up without a hitch.

I honestly think I'm going to stop writing for suite - it just isn't worth it for me now to write for something that is only going to receive residual returns; this will not be a moneymaker for me for at least a year and at that point without being a feature writer (which I don't have the time for) it will only be pennies. I'm writing for fun and to make a few bucks, it is not fun to have an editor who clearly does not understand the topic at hand and then decides that it is a problem with keywords.

I'm the #5 google search for the topic; out of over 1.5 million. It is obviously a keyword.

[MyTwoAs]

I wanted to say sorry if I sound whiney. My seo friend and I were flaking about the site and running numbers last night which led me to the likely decision to stop writing for suite. The annoyance level I felt this morning just kind of seals the decision. I am on my phone eight now but will respond to your post when I get home jenny. Thank you for finding that error, that is one of my most made mistakes. I'd like to continue to hang out on this thread if you gals don't mind. I have found the seo conversation wnlightening and you are both great at what you do. Pardon typos pls.

[Twocoolboys]

TwoA's - I'm sorry to see you leaving Suite, but I know how frustrating it can be. The money does seem very frustrating at first, but that is not the only reason that I write, so for me, Suite has been great. I have learned so much. Not just from them, but from you and Evie'smom! I do hope you stick around this thread!

If you consider changing your mind, I would suggest that you e-mail the editor for Parents and Partners and tell her what you told us. I had an article in the early fall that the editor wanted me to change some things in and I explained why I wrote it the way I did and she understood and was ok with me leaving it as it is. They are very willing to work with you there.

I do want to mention that this will be the third month in a row and fourth month all together that I will have made the minimum to get paid from Suite, just so you know that payment does happen eventually. I got paid for the first time in my 4th month with them, soon after I hit my first 10 articles, if you write those quicker than I did, you'll probably make that first payment sooner. I've just about made my $10 for this month already. The past two months, I was sweating it to the end, but this month I've got it easily. So, it's been a little more satisfying in that respect. I know it is not the same as getting paid upfront, but I do still think that long-term, Suite is the better deal when compared with AC. I'm hoping to have 50 articles total at Suite by the end of February, then I will have my 20% increase or bonus, not sure how that works. Anyway, that may not influence your decision at all, but I wanted to throw it out there.

I got an e-mail from Irene Taylor this morning. And, she didn't say no to my application either. She likes the SEO work that I did over the weekend and wants me to write more articles for the Parenting Methods section so she has more to go by. So, I feel hopeful.

EviesMom - I will get to your questions later. I've got a doctor's app't this morning and really need to get ready. I've been feeling good and I'm hoping to NOT have a Christmas baby - lol. I'm 36 weeks today, so I guess it could be any time. My oldest son was born at 36 weeks. I want to wait until after the New Year though. I don't feel like labor is coming. No sign of my mucus plug yet and no major nesting urges recently.

[evies_mom]

Melissa,

I hope you reconsider. I do understand that knee-jerk reaction when you get flagged. My initial gut reaction every time has been, "WHAT??? The article is FINE." And take it personally. Then when I step back, detach myself from it, I realize the editors know what they are talking about. They want us to write well because they are invested in our performance.

It's tough to because I think for the bullets of what needs fixing, the editors are clicking a menu and so sometimes parts of that bullet doesn't apply to you.

I hope this is ok to say, but I *think* I get what she was concerned about with the title. If I read the main title (heavy work activities), I wouldn't have guessed at all it had to do with SPD - I would have guessed exercise or contruction - nothing to do with kiddos. The problem, of course, is how short the title must be. Perhaps, main title "Sensory Activities for Children" and then more specific in the subtilte with "Heavy Work Benefits a Child's Focus and Self-Regulation." The "five ways to meet" really isn't important for keywording, kwim? they same thing happened to me on my "breastfeeding tips for new moms" I had extra words that really didn't help SEO. I've started thinking that the subtitle should more specific than the main title. So, for yours start with the broad "sensory activities" then go specific with "heavy work activities." I hope I make sense.

I also screwed up the subtitles on my lanolin article and had to fix them. I didn't realize subtitles had to be title case and in the form of a statement for suite. I had "What is lanolin?" "How does lanolin benefit the breastfeeding mother?" etc. The handbook does say that they are two be title case statements for the subheadings. Suite does have a format that might be to cookie cutter for some people, but they have something that works for them and they want continuity with articles.

Keep in mind to, that she doesn't want you to fix any of the body- the MOST important part. She's just brushing up the details. You are a great writer and the type of articles you are writing fit in great with the style of writing Suite is looking for.

I am thinking that the first 10-20 articles are going to be a high learning curve for me. I am expecting that almost all my articles will be flagged until I catch on to the style of writing that Suite wants. I also am anxious for the feedback report I will get when I hit my 10 articles.

If you really are bothered, I would contact Irene like TCB said. Ask her to clarify and for some guidance.

(((HUGS))))

TCB - I'd love to hear how your appt went.

[evies_mom]

I also wanted to add that I think Irene, the P&P editor, is VERY thorough. I published another article in a different section and didn't get near the same feedback as hers.

[MyTwoAs]

TCB - Thank you for your words of encouragement. I did email Irene Taylor this morning to discuss her flagging of my article and explained the reasons I chose the terms I did. Write now I'm writing partly for the experience and learning process but I also want to pull in a little extra each month - $100 is my goal right now. That doesn't sound like much but when you have tens of thousands in medical bills every little bit helps. Next semester I will be carrying a course load of 17 credit hours so I will be busy, my friend last night talked to me about focusing my efforts because time will be limited. We went over my goals (short and long term) and that is when I came to the conclusion that for now AC is a better fit for me.

I think your goal of becoming a feature writer is fantastic and I do believe that you will get there, soon! Your writing is solid and as you pick up on the SEO contents they editors will take more notice.

I hadn't realized you were *so* pregnant, you're in the final stretch now! My babies were 36w and 37w so I know what you're saying. Here's hoping you make it past New Year's.

Jenny, I think your keywords are good - when I typed in "baby is fussy" (without the quotes) you're on page 2 and that phrase has over 2 million hits so is a commonly used phrase - more so than the others. As your article "ages" it gains a higher rank, at least based on what I've read.

WRT pinging - what you do with Onlywire is a ping as well I believe. Basically I go to blogsearch.google.com and directly ping google with the RSS feed page from my blogs and AC/Suite page. Then I hit www.pingoat.com and do the same thing.

Definitely an AI fan, I've watched every season. I'm in Arizona so was pulling for Jordin since she's a local gal. I giggle that her debut album tanked - it only sold 119,000 copies in it's first week, that's the worst debut of any AI winner - even worse than Fantasia!