When I first started this blog back on Blogger last summer, I somehow got the idea that listing my blog in as many directories as possible was the way to go. I don’t think I read this anywhere but I think my theory was that as many links I could get to my website as possible would be good. I eventually amassed a very large collection of directory listings in my sidebar. The 80×15 banner was my attribution of choice, which I displayed proudly like a badge of honor.

When I made the switch over to WordPress, I kept the directory listings for awhile but I realized that I didn’t really see any traffic from any of these directories. Most of my traffic comes from various social networks & direct visitors, as it did then as well.  So I decided the space was too valuable to clutter up with 20+ little directory buttons.  I also felt like the only people benefiting from these buttons and reciprocated links on my blog were the directories – not me.

It’s been a month now that I’ve been on this new home of mine and I’m starting to wonder if I did the right thing.  I wonder if that “every little bit helps” method I had before was correct, and I got too full of myself in thinking that I didn’t need these links anymore.

So what have you found with directories?  If anyone reading has any experience with listing themselves in the many blog directories there are around there on the net I’d love to hear it – please share!

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Welcome to the last Toolsday for April. Spring is here and it’s time to get organized. I’ve been doing a lot to enhance my site now that I’m firmly cemented in WordPress and I found a super handy tool for one of the most elusive website features for beginning webmasters – the favicon.

Google defines a Favicon as a small icon that is used by some browsers to identify a bookmarked Web site. In layman’s terms, this is the little icon that shows up in your address bar to the left of the URL and in your Favorites or Bookmarks menu beside the website name. Dynamic Drive offers half a dozen really useful tools on their website, but my favorite has got to be their super easy to use Favicon Generator.

Regular image editing software won’t create icons, or .ico, files, something that’s always irritated me. But this handy online tool will take any gif, jpg, png, or bmp file and shrink & convert it into an ico file. Then you just download the file and follow the directions on the page to add the favicon to your website.

For those of you using WordPress, these instructions aren’t quite accurate, so when I used it I did have to do a bit of searching. I found these really easy instructions from the WordPress Codex area.  Remember that favicons are another form of branding your website, so using your logo or a slight variation is the most logical step (just take a look at sites like Google, Entrecard, & Commission Junction to see good examples).  So take a look, decide on an image, and make your website stand out just a bit more with a unique favicon!

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Periodically we’re reminded that Affiliate Marketing isn’t entirely about making money. There are good things that can be done with the passive income that we make (or wish we made). Regardless, this is something that affects everyone – even men have mothers, girlfriends, wives, sisters, and daughters.

Missy Ward has started the campaign & many affiliate marketers have joined her. They are raising funds for donation & participation in the Seattle 2008 60-Mile Breast Cancer 3-day walk in September. Along with Missy will be Jen Goode, Tiffany & Irene Spaulding, Anne Fognano & Tammy Carney, Heather Paulson & Jen Campbell, Karen Garcia, Laura Przybek, Angel Djambazov, & Lisa Riolo.

As they say there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and with Missy & Co’s forethought there’s more than one way to donate to the cause.  Of course there’s the straight donation, which can be made at 60-MileWalk.com, where the team has already raised $2,312.00 of their $20,000.00 goal as of Friday evening.  Your donation is deductible as a charitable contribution as allowed by law.  According to the website, donations of $250 or more will be acknowledged in writing.

Or, if you’d rather donate AND support all at once, you can do what I did and make a purchase from their CafePress store.  Deck yourself out with all kinds of swag under the sun and not only support the cause but spread the message.

So take time out from your day and spread the word and help the cause.  Let’s help them reach their goal.  I’ll be with you in spirit ladies!  Make this baby VIRAL!

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