Don Winslow, writer of several novels and soon to have two movies based on his work ( one of them with Robert De Niro as a staring role), asked me to create his web presence.

Don Winslow's main concern is not sales (he's already a best seller with his novel (Power of the Dog)), nor does he really feel that a Web Presence is required for his fan base. What Don Winslow is mostly concerned with is another writer, whose name is also Don Winslow.

The trouble begins when a college or book store would like Mr. Winslow to come out to their campus, or place of business, and give a talk. They have read Power of the Dog, or Frankie Machine, and find his work engaging. Then they search the Internet to find out more about Don Winslow, and find another Winslow, who writes erotica (and not very good erotica). It is the type of erotica that would offend Henry Miller, and Anaïs Nin. While it may not offend the person inviting Don Winslow, it does put them off inviting him to their school.

While Mr. Winslow and myself have no problem with rights to free speech or even making a living writing what many people find to be entertaining, he would prefer to not to face an interrogation every time he goes on book tour.

So the challenge here is not only getting to the Top Ten, but also insuring that for the Top 20, the other writer's listing is not present. Since I'm not a "Black Hat" this takes some diligence in the persuasion of the web bots.

Don Winslow has several novels on the shelves and continues to be an active novelist, so this helps a great deal. What I find most effective in cases like this is Blog entries, forum comments and other passive marketing techniques, which continue to bring Don Winslow into the eyes of readers, along with the titles of his books.

It is not necessary to create "links" to his web site in these entries every time, nor is it necessary when creating links, to link directly to his web site. Linking to Wikipedia, Amazon.com, BN.com, or articles written about Don Winslow and his novels, are often more effective, because it builds a base of preference -- Which is my goal. When someone searches for Don Winslow, I want to search engines to prefer to show Don Winslow the Novelist and author of Winter of Frankie Machine, rather than Don Winslow author of ... something else...

Using passive marketing techniques has been the best method of book and novel promotion I've experienced. In the last three years I've helped many authors, (new and seasoned) promote their books with great success. It could be said that I'm building a bit of a specialty skill set in this area. Even Screen Writers like Shane Salerno have come to me requesting that particular events or works be promoted.

Not everyone needs the broad base Internet Marketing skills I have brought together as a complete service, and it is quite a bit of work and a bit expensive, but those who are serious about their Internet Presence find my service well worth the effort.

Glenn's Desk

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Google Analytics Interface Tutorial

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Using Google Analytics : Beginning Analytics: Interpreting and Acting on Your Data

Beginning Analytics: Interpreting and Acting on Your Data

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Blogging For Effect
freelance writing skills
by Glenn Hefley

Whether you are blogging for your own personal web log, or trying to get a message out to the Blogsphere, blogging for effect has appeal. Without some basic knowledge of how blogging works, you may find yourself talking to -- yourself.

The right tools are of course important; being able to post thoughts, ideas and address issues which are important to you as they arrive in your inbox or into your news reader, or something you have stumbled upon in your Internet travels -- without a great deal of hassle is important. Ideas flutter in and out of our minds like crystal butterflies, shattering if jossled around too much.

If you are serious about your blogging, and really want to get the message out there into the blogsphere then start with a good foundation -- your own URL.

The list of basics is short:

• A good blogging software program
• A simple URL name
• Access to research
• Access to news
• An effective writing style
• A decent look-and-feel
• At least three hours a day to commit

The next article in the Freelance Writer series will cover these topics, and more...

Glenn's Desk

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As Freelance Writers, being able to effectively create SEO content for clients is a boon. SEO content is different, and it is more than just writing an article (or blog post) and then stuffing it with a set of keywords. Some clients (after you plunge into this Freelance Writer Market), may believe that all you do is stuff 500 words of basic content with 3 sets of keywords at 7% each, but these clients are probably also trying to pay $5 (or less) per article. In other words, they are misinformed (on a number of levels).

Keyword Use in the Body of the Text is an article in the series of "Making Money as a Freelance Writer" and is also the introduction lecture of an e-Class of the same name. The article covers in detail the required points of consideration of SEO writing, along with some information regarding Analytic programs so that you learn how to monitor and fine tune your skills for this Freelance Writer Market.

While this article is only the first of a large set being created, it covers a great deal of ground, bringing together real SEO considerations for the Freelance Writer, and the Web Site Owner (your client), and clears up misconceptions which run like rumor factories across the Internet, damaging startup web sites every day. The article also has some real-world tips from over 10 years of Freelance Writing experience on how to work with clients, and where your goals and focus as a Freelance Writer should be.

Start Working as a Freelance Writer, and learn the Skills of Freelance SEO Writing.

Freelance Blogging, Freelance SEO Writer, Freelance Writer

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