I got a Facebook message earlier today from a loyal reader asking me to spread the word about this new great site, and I just couldn’t say no because it was too cute!

Hey Mona =)
I know you are like one of the most popular Muslim bloggers on the web right now, so I’d really like to share the opening of a new site with you — http://muslimgirl.net. It’s a place where girls can interact with each other, learn about Islam, and apply it to today’s society. Please let me know what you think! I’d love to hear your opinion. …

I love the site! What do you think? I like it when Arab/Muslim girls create their own blogs and start something big.

You guys make me proud!

Advertising, Blah Blah, Blog Review, They said what?

If you have Entrecard, and want to earn lots of Entrecard credits easily, all you got to do this month is review my blog on your site, and earn 800 Entrecard credits. It does not have to be long, and you must link back to my blog. That’s all you got to do!

To earn the 800 EC credits, just post the link to the review or your blog’s URL in the comments area, and that’s it! You got 800 EC credits! Isn’t that a simple way to also do link exchange?

By the way, if you want me to add your URL to my blogroll, just email me your link!

Bonus!

If you write a really good review that is honest and well written, I will post your entire review on my site, and give you 2000 EC credits!

Deadline?
The last day to submit your review is Tuesday, August 4, 2009.

Advertising, Blah Blah, Random Thoughts, Thank you, They said what?

I am searching for 3 or 4 writers who love to give their opinions and tips about social networking, new social networking software, plugins, etc, and new social networking websites.

I am also looking for online marketing gurus who want to help me advertise the site.

The catch?

You will obviously get a share of the profits once the site picks up. I am reading a lot about making tutorials or tips websites, but I need lots of committed writers who can commit an hour of their day to write.

If you are interested, then please email me rebelliousarabgirl@gmail.com

I am working on a website now, and I need some articles and commitment!

Advertising, Blah Blah

I decided to have an end of month Entrecard free credit points give away. Yaay!

How to play?

All you got to do is comment on this post. You can say things like, “Hey Mona! I want some credits!” Stuff like that, or comment on anything else you like. However, here is the catch! Tomorrow evening, I will ask my mother to pick a number between 1 and the maximum number of comments on this post. The number she picks will be the winner. So, the more times you comment on this post in the next 24 hours, the more likely chance you will win.

Easy eh?

Start commenting and spread the word while you are at it to win 6000 EC points tomorrow evening!

Update!!

I decided that the contest will end tomorrow at 8:00 pm EST! That gives people around the world time to enter. I know there are many FAQs in the comments, and I will just address them here.

1. Mom will pick a number, and she really doesn’t have a favorite. I will not video tape it, and just tell you guys honestly what she said. I have no reason to pick anyone in particular.

2. This contest is just for fun so I can meet other Entrecard users, and stay in touch with the community.

3. There will be another contest soon (July 1 or July 2nd), but it will be more of value (money) and a bit more challenging but fun. (Not restricted to Entrecard.)

Last Update!!

If you DO NOT have a website link posted in the comments AND you DO NOT have an Entrecard on your site, then I will delete your comment. It’s not fair to the rest.

Advertising, Blah Blah, Random Thoughts, Thank you

A lot of people ask me to share some tips on how to keep maintaining their online personal blog, drive lots of traffic, and keep people coming back.

[source]

How to get a personal blog started

1. Choose an overall theme to your site. I know it is personal, but you have to have some type of focus point to your site. For example, I am known to write very direct and to the point posts. I don’t sugar coat anything, and I chose the idea of rebellious as a way to represent my ideas to the world. Quick and dirty, but to the point, because that’s who I am. So, ask your self these questions:
   1. What do I want to represent to the world? A reiteration of what happened in my daily life or journal of thoughts that lead to discussions about certain issues related to my daily life?
   2. What writing style should I follow? Should it be complex or simple?
   3. Who are my main target audience?
   4. Should I stay focused to one idea all the time, or be unpredictable every day and bring something new to my audience?
2. Should you start a blog from scratch? Scratch means the following:
   1. Buy your own domain name. I prefer this route, because you want your web presence to be unique online. It’s like your name. You are a unique person, so why not have a unique name online?
   2. Install a platform that you are already familiar with and practiced using. I have used Wordpress.org for a long time. Before I started this blog, I already knew how to use Wordpress and I have used it for other projects. My suggestion for those that are familiar with programming or web design, to test Wordpress first and play around with it before committing to it. If not, get someone else to do it for you.
   3. Choose an interface style or theme. I know many people have the hardest time with this, and would rather download a free Wordpress template, or buy cheap ones if they are deeply committed. However, if you spent the time buying a domain, buying hosting space every month, then why not spend a bit of time to customize your site? Make it personal. It has your name on it. You don’t want to dress like half the people out there, right?
   4. Spend time upgrading your site. There are many plugins out there that will enhance your site’s functionality.
3. Should I monetize my blog? I know many people want to make money online, especially with their blogs. It’s not that easy, and I don’t recommend you doing it from the get-go. You need to attract visitors first, and many of your visitors are not stupid. If they don’t know who you are, and they realized that your site is still new, and they see advertisements permeated all over the site, then they know you are not being sincere in your writing. You are no longer writing for your self and them, but to only make money off of them. I didn’t start putting advertisement on this blog till after 1.5 years maybe into it.

How to drive traffic and maintain a loyal audience

I know this is the hardest thing about maintaining a site. How to get audience? Is submitting your blog to search engines enough? Should commenting on several blogs just to get your name out there enough?

1. Write a lot of different things. Write anything, and everything possible. Don’t limit your self, or think that “someone” out there is watching. Everyone is watching. Stop this fear from writing and knowing people you know in person might be reading it. Who cares?
2. The more you write, the more search engines are attracted to you. Search engines’ bots love new content. The more you write on a daily bases, the more the bots will go through your site and index new content. The more differing thoughts you have, the more keywords it can pick up.
3. Join social networks.
   1. I use Entrecard on a daily bases, and it is the number one tool for me, as a personal blogger, to attract various audience, and to also see what is out there. The more you drop, limit 300 a day, the more exposure you have online to various people all over the world.
   2. I use Stumbleupon every now and then. I find it a great tool for others to help you advertise certain posts to certain categories.
   3. I use Facebook every day. I find it the most personal way to tell others, I will talk to you. I will be more personal with you, using PM, Wall posts, comments, etc. I am not just a person sitting behind a screen writing blog posts. I am like you, and I don’t mind being friends and getting to know you personally, and vice versa.
   4. I use Twitter all day long. It is the number one way to find me online, and quickly ask me a question. I try my best to answer as soon as I can. I try to write about what I am thinking, how I am feeling, and share some cool links I find online.
4. Get others to subscribe to your site. Everyone will tell you that you must have an RSS feed, and an email subscription link. I agree, however, what I really love is when people bookmark your site to their favorites, or know your link by heart. That’s when you know what you really attracted others and gained a loyal audience. You made your mark online, and people now know who you are.

How to make money from a personal blog

I honestly don’t have a definite answer. I make money because my website traffic is high, and I have great internet exposure from the several keywords or phrases from my blog posts. However, I had this site for over three years. In the beginning, I read a lot about making money online in the 1000’s of dollars, but I didn’t know how to take those tips and apply it to a personal blog. I found it to be a great challenge. So I decided to focus more on attracting people to come on a daily bases, and have fun with my blog instead. I stay interactive with my audience and show them that I am really just like them. If I end up making 1000’s of dollars from advertisements every month, then great. I know it is nearly impossible and I doubt I will ever, but we can only hope eh? Otherwise, I will do what I have always been doing, writing to tell a story about me, the world that I live in, and the way I perceive many issues in life. Then, things can keep developing from there, right?

And like the song says, “Que Sera Sera! Whatever will be, will be!”

Cheers!

Advertising, Advice, Blah Blah, Facebook, Random Thoughts, Tweets