Founder Mark Harbottle of 99designs issues an image takedown notice
It was not long after @designerdepot tweeted my article that Mark Harbottle responded.
Instead of defending the actions of your company, you attack me, by accusing me of theft. If we all adopted the mindset that we are stealing by simply using an image as a reference point then all bloggers would be guilty.
It doesn’t take long to see that with your mindset, SitePoint (your baby) is guilty of theft as well by using company logos to refer to the companies themselves.
Your idea of theft is childish.
Furthermore, when I’m refering to theft, I am not accusing your company of directly stealing imagery for your own website. I’m writing about the theft that is accruing within contest. Unlike many of your users I am not claiming stolen imagery as my own and directly profit from it.
Image take down notice and threats of
possible legal action
Not long after posting this response. I received an email from the legal department at 99designs requesting that I remove the image of the team.
We request that remove our image from your web site. I’m referring to the image on this page of our team with the speech bubbles:
http://netjelly.com/99designs-is-ruining-the-design-industry/
You DO NOT have permission to edit or use that image on your site. It’s offensive to our team members, and it breaches our copyright.
I’ll check back in 24 hours and seek alternative action if not removed.
Best Regards,
Mark
I want to show good faith and continue a constructive discussion about the topic, so I have removed the image. I intended to use the image to lighten to mood of the overall article. If I would have known it was going to completely direct all focus from the post itself, I would have never used it to begin with.
The problem with 99designs is it being based off spec work. Secondly, massive amounts of concept and imagery theft are taking place. I understand that is difficult to combat this and they have taken the step to add a blind contest feature to cut down on such theft.
It became important to write the article after they released the ready-made logo store. They continue to ruin relations and completely destroy the idea of unique company branding.
To be honest, I am surprise with the attention I received with all of this, good and bad.
14 Mistakes Made by New Bloggers
Blogging is a way to share and interact with people interested in the same topics as you. It has become one of the fastest growing types of websites created today. It is often new bloggers make mistakes that will ultimately end in their failure.
There is much more to the process of becoming a successful blogger other then development and updating. In this article I discuss some of the mistakes made by new bloggers and ways to improve current blogs.
1. Failing to learn HTML & CSS
Nowadays with the wide use of Content Management Systems many webmasters have no knowledge of HTML or CSS. Not knowing basic coding knowledge makes maintaining a blog much more difficult.
I am not much of a coder, but I cannot tell you how many times knowing a little has been useful. It gives me the ability to make any visual changes to the website and more control on the format of my articles.
2. Not getting web hosting
No doubt that starting a blog is a commitment and if you hope to turn blogging into a profitable venture then you need to get serious and purchase web hosting. But don’t rush off and sign for up the first web host you see, because honestly, most suck.
I used HostGator years ago, and experience terrible service piled on top with terrible support. Luckily, I made the switch to Bluehost five years ago and never looked back. So, take it for someone who has been doing this well over a decade.
Unlimited bandwidth & space, 24/7 phone support, plus a free domain.
It doesn’t get any better than that. Make the right choice first.
3. Not taking the time to market
Starting a blog and posting content is not enough to ensure success. You have to be willing to take it further by marketing your content across the web.
Before even launching your blog, visit all the popular social networking websites to sign up under both your name and the blogs name. Start with Twitter and Linkedin.
After signing up, start building relationships with other webmasters within your niche.
4. Not updating content and social networks often
Every morning I spent the time to connect with friends across my social networks. By doing this I know that I will have an active audience visiting my blog when I post new content. Since I took the time to build relationships I can now easily drive hundreds of people from my Twitter account to my website daily.
Not only is it important to keep connects going, you must also actively update content on your website to give your audience a reason to visit.
Updating is the single most reason that blogs fail quickly. People start projects with loads of drive but soon losing it after the development process is over. If you are looking to have a success blog then at the least weekly updates are a must.
5. Adding advertisements too soon
Launching your blog with advertisements in place is a huge mistake. You do not have enough content, trust with your audience, or traffic to earn any real money from them.
Start your blog with a clean slate, write a collection of articles, build up your traffic and audience, and finally, try a single ad placement.
6. Creating a web design around your needs
While in the process of designing your blog, you must take into account what your audience will need and how they will navigate through it. If you designed the blog, you will have no problem reaching content but users who have never visited the website will be completely unaware.
Keep the navigation as simple as possible.
7. Not interacting with the community
No one likes a hermit.
Community interaction is vital. We share our thought and feelings with our readers every time all the time. And if a reader takes the time to comment on an article, at least say thanks.
8. Not paying attention to details
Visitors tend to be vocal and are sure to let you know if you mess up.
When writing content or editing your design focus on the little things. Make sure that you double check links, spelling, grammar, coding and anything else.
9. No one cares about your design
Multiple studies have been done over the years that show design doesn’t matter.
As a blogger, it’s a must that you focus on writing unique keyword filled content within your niche. The visual design of your website will not help your search rankings or keep your audience coming back. Content is king.
10. Not making use of the <title> tag appropriately
The title tag is one of the single best ways you can optimize your blog for a search engine.
You must take advantage of the tag by writing your titles with keywords within your niche that are relevant to the web page.
11. Breaking through the clutter
I always have made a strong push for simplistic web design.
After you design your blog take the time to strip down all the elements that are not necessary for your users to navigate and access content. Make sure content is the main focus and easily stands out.
12. Failing to check for cross browser compatibility
Never launch a website without it being completely compatibility in all major browsers.
I cannot believe that some webmasters feel it is acceptable to build a website around one browser; this will shut out a large percent of your potential audience.
13. Launching to soon
If you are new to the idea of blogging or even maintain your own website, it is important that you take the time to educate yourself on the knowledge required to properly carrier out the functions of being a webmaster.
Too many people rush to launch their blog without a good foundation in place. You should wait in till you write at least fifteen posts, which will give you content to launch your blog and to keep the blog updated for a couple weeks.
Being prepared is essential for the survival of your blog.
14. Not having patience
Running a blog is an endless task. It requires that you continue to update and interact with the community if you look to have any success.
You have to realize it is not about money. If you started a blog only to try to a quick buck, you will fail. Blogging is about more than money. It’s about forming communication with your audience and writing content that others will find useful.
Success doesn’t happen overnight, but if you are dedicated to offering you readers both knowledge and a source of interaction, you will achieve something amazing.
How to Write Effective Content for Search Engine Traffic
Search engines drive most traffic today.
Users search keywords that are relative to the topic they seek and search results provide them with the best selection. Once a user click on a result, they seek information based on their search. If they do not find the information within seconds, they leave, off to click the next relative result.
In order to keep readers for longer periods, lay out content properly, show the basic idea of the webpage, and use hooks that catch their eye quickly.
Attempt to stop them from using the back button.
1. Using Hooks to Gain Attention
Hooks are the best way to catch the eye of the reader. They are the most sufficient way of quickly defining the purpose of a webpage and retaining the reader for longer than a few seconds.
A hook starts as the title of an article, then important statements, section titles, bulletin lists, and images.
Hooks are the key to getting the readers to start reading.
2. Proper Placement
I have always advocated that for informational-based website, appearance does not matter, but placement does. That statement is even truer with traffic coming from search results. They want information and want it now.
It is important to show users the correct elements upon loading the page before having them scroll down. You have to place hooks as the foremost element in the design. Users coming from search results, do not care about the outer glow on your logo or if you have a texture background. They want information.
In the past years, multiple studies have been done that show Internet users have a tendency to do what is known as the F-lens. This lens shows that readers focus on the title of the page and the first two paragraphs the most out of any other elements on the website.
It is critical to use hooks and well-written content within the top portion of the lens to keep users reading.
3. Organizing Your Thoughts
Readers tend to scan text. Organizing your thought help get the main point across. By doing this, your hooks and placement becomes more effective.
• Break up thoughts into paragraphs.
• Use headings to define new sections.
• Organize content into list form, when appropriate. Readers love list.
• Bold valuable statements within paragraphs (do not overuse).
• Keep it short. Be brief.
Writing for the internet is completely different from writing a book. Readers do not read text thoroughly, and have almost infinite amounts of information readily available. We have a need to spark the interest of readers quickly, if you wish for them to actually read.
18 Steps to Create a Blog & Make Money in 30 Days
Everyone wants to make more money and with the internet becoming more popular every day, it only makes sense to try it online. Here are the steps to create a blog and earn revenue with it in only your first 30 days.
1. Find a Good Web Host
Finding a web host that doesn’t suck is nearly impossible. When I first started, I signed up for with a terrible web host, got locked into a contract, couldn’t access the control panel and not even their tech support “geniuses” could fix it.
Five years ago, I made the switch to Bluehost and haven’t looked back. No downtime, unlimited bandwidth & space, 24/7 phone support, plus a free domain. It doesn’t get better than that.
Bottom line, if you want to become a full time blogger, then you have to get web hosting.
Save yourself a headache, make the right choice first.
2. Register Your Domain
This shouldn’t be a problem if you got Bluehost.
They literally give you a free domain. Just be sure that you choose a domain that is short, easy to remember, ends in .com and relates to your blogging niche.
3. Choose Your Blogging Platform
You can find free places to host your blog like Blogger, WordPress, or Typepad, but I would not recommend those hosting services if you are serious about making money. Like I said, you’ll want a domain and web hosting, then choose a blogging platform. Nothing beats WordPress.
4. Install WordPress
The famous 5 minute install.
5. Pick a Theme
Thousands of themes are available or you can download a Netjelly theme for free.
6. Customize Your Theme
Normally no changes are needed. You may wish to make small tweaks. WordPress is easy to learn and has tons of documentation.
7. Install Your Plugins
Plugins add even more functionality to the basic WordPress installation. Like Themes, you can find thousands of free Plugins created by users at the development site. Here is a list of plugins that I consider essential for any WordPress blog:
Autoptimize – Optimizes your website.
Google XML Sitemaps – This plugin will generate a special XML sitemap.
8. Pick a Niche
Pick a niche and focus on it. Focusing on one topic will appeal to your target audience but also help your search rankings in the niche you pick. If you intend to make money on your blog, then it is important to write about topics involved with your niche. Niches can be about anything. People search wide ranges of topics in search engines daily and there is a market for just about everything. Write about what you know.
9. Start Writing
I have written a list of articles that I plan to write in the future. It is important to brainstorm topic ideas and have a list ready for what you may post about next. You should have at least 10 posts before you even start promoting your site. Having post already established on the site will give Google more content to index in search results.
10. Post Frequently
As you start building readership, you will need to post often to keep readers coming back for new content. If you wait long periods in-between post, you risk losing your audience. Posting frequently will also keep search engines happy.
11. Allow Readers to Subscribe
All WordPress blog have a built in RSS Feed feature that allows your readers to subscribe to updates. Sign up for Feedburner, which allows you to track your subscribers and gives your readers better options for subscribing.
12. Write for the Internet
Keep it short and on point. Normally, most of your traffic comes from search engines and those users are looking for specific information, if they do not find it, they will be gone.
13. Submit to Search Engines
Once you have started your blog and written at least 10 post, then submit it search engines.
14. Submit to Social Bookmarking Sites
It is pointless to submit your post to large sites like Digg without a reader base to help you reach the front-page. I suggest finding digg-like sites in your niche and submitting there for better chances of getting targeted traffic.
15. Build Relationships
You will find better success if you are friends with established webmasters. Try to join some related forums or post comments on similar sites.
16. Join Advertising Programs
I recommend you use Google Adsense. It is the largest of any program currently. Adsense lets you create customize ads they will automatically relate to that webpage’s content.
17. Try Affiliate Marketing
Normally, as an affiliate marketer you will only be paid if your advertisement leads to a sale for the company. You should find products and services to pitch that is within your niche for better results. Here are some of the largest:
18. Have Patience
This is key to having success. You need to be patience and continue applying these steps to eventually see results. It doesn’t happen overnight but does with hard work.
