Busy Writing and Busy with Infrastructure
DeHaan Services
What do roads and water mains have to do with writing?
By "infrastructure", I mean everything that supports the visible activities and keeps them ticking. As a quick example, I salted the sidewalk to avoid time in court...if someone were to slip and sue. Later today I have to do some errands, so my car can stay on the road and I can continue to file financial documents.
A more interesting type of infrastructure would be setting up the other blog sites that I have been planning. Initially, the main purpose is SEO: I plan to set up more links to my articles, and to cross-link my blogs. Feed the search engine beast, that's a big deal.
Another purpose is to write on "fitness" topics, such as my running. That would help establish my expertise in a field, and therefore build another part of my business.
An example of infrastructure provided by another organization came in an e-mail from Suite 101 this morning. They have "always" provided page-view statistics for each article, but now can supply percentage of revenue earned by each article in the last calendar month. 40% of my December revenue came from one of my 50+ articles! (If Google Insights for Search is correct, that article and its relatives should be busier in January). 80% of revenue came from the top 12 of 50: this follows the Pareto Principle fairly closely. The real stunner was that the last of those 12 articles had a mere 2 page-views in December, but accounted for 2% of revenue.
Busy with writing: Yesterday I threw new drafts at my two active clients, am awaiting the results of a bid with another, and responded to a new request from a previous client. With several ideas for new articles bubbling away, I expect to be very busy.
I was busy, especially after the bid was approved for 15 600-word articles.
By "infrastructure", I mean everything that supports the visible activities and keeps them ticking. As a quick example, I salted the sidewalk to avoid time in court...if someone were to slip and sue. Later today I have to do some errands, so my car can stay on the road and I can continue to file financial documents.
A more interesting type of infrastructure would be setting up the other blog sites that I have been planning. Initially, the main purpose is SEO: I plan to set up more links to my articles, and to cross-link my blogs. Feed the search engine beast, that's a big deal.
Another purpose is to write on "fitness" topics, such as my running. That would help establish my expertise in a field, and therefore build another part of my business.
An example of infrastructure provided by another organization came in an e-mail from Suite 101 this morning. They have "always" provided page-view statistics for each article, but now can supply percentage of revenue earned by each article in the last calendar month. 40% of my December revenue came from one of my 50+ articles! (If Google Insights for Search is correct, that article and its relatives should be busier in January). 80% of revenue came from the top 12 of 50: this follows the Pareto Principle fairly closely. The real stunner was that the last of those 12 articles had a mere 2 page-views in December, but accounted for 2% of revenue.
Busy with writing: Yesterday I threw new drafts at my two active clients, am awaiting the results of a bid with another, and responded to a new request from a previous client. With several ideas for new articles bubbling away, I expect to be very busy.
I was busy, especially after the bid was approved for 15 600-word articles.
Environmental Graffiti Articles from the Past
Assassin Bug on Flower by BigDan
Today's recap from Environmental Graffiti include an insect, a turtle, and environmentally-friendly choices for funeral arrangements.
How The Helpful Assassin Bug Can Also Spread Harmful Disease explores the paradox of an insect that is beneficial in some settings but harmful in others.
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Paradox is that this endangered species is also plentiful.
A Green Death - Funeral Options for the Environmentally Conscious shows that different cultures make very different funeral arrangements. Some are much more "green" than using chemical preservatives on a corpse placed into a concrete, steel and oak casket.
How The Helpful Assassin Bug Can Also Spread Harmful Disease explores the paradox of an insect that is beneficial in some settings but harmful in others.
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Paradox is that this endangered species is also plentiful.
A Green Death - Funeral Options for the Environmentally Conscious shows that different cultures make very different funeral arrangements. Some are much more "green" than using chemical preservatives on a corpse placed into a concrete, steel and oak casket.
Suite 101 Articles from the Past
Image of a Thanksgiving Basket by AMagill
Two "seasonal" articles and the introduction to my group of articles about Mennonites are on tap for this entry.
I Have Problems With Giving Thanks At Thanksgiving is an op-ed (opinion/editorial) piece. Suite 101 does not normally want first-person articles, but the Mind and Soul category seems to be an exception.
Ideas for Christmas Decorations Indoors is incredibly well self-described.
Introducing Mennonite History, Beliefs, Practices and Products is the leading article that points to the secondary topic leaders. Guess what tomorrow's look at the past will involve!
I Have Problems With Giving Thanks At Thanksgiving is an op-ed (opinion/editorial) piece. Suite 101 does not normally want first-person articles, but the Mind and Soul category seems to be an exception.
Ideas for Christmas Decorations Indoors is incredibly well self-described.
Introducing Mennonite History, Beliefs, Practices and Products is the leading article that points to the secondary topic leaders. Guess what tomorrow's look at the past will involve!