WidgetBucks Update

For those who are using WidgetBucks to monetize their website or blog, you will be glad to know that there have been a handful of changes as of late. For those who are not yet using Widgetbucks, then perhaps learning about these changes might help convince you to give this program a second look or even a try.

WidgetBucks has recently improved its advertising system with the use of Yieldsense and they have beefed up their referral program for publishers. Both of these steps will help ensure that publishers using the WidgetBucks system will increase their earnings.

What is Yieldsense?

Yieldsense is performance advertising technology that increases the rate of return, or eCPM, on your WidgetBucks ad widgets. For existing publishers it has already been turned on for you. For those new to or yet to sign up, you will have to manually turn it on.

According to other publishers, they have had their eCPM has increase 40-50% network-wide for the beta-testing publishers. Some publishers have seen 200-300% boom in eCPM. 4 of 5 publishers are seeing a significant jump in revenue. Not a bad result from this new inovative addition to the program.

YieldSense automatically tests and retests different kinds of products, channels, ad models and other key benchmarks on websites and blogs. Ad content with the highest return is then displayed most frequently to deliver superior eCPM to WidgetBucks publishers.

The neatest thing about Yieldsense is that YieldSense gets smarter as network impression volume grows. So why not sign up today?

How did the Referral system change?

Well for starters you will now earn more money when you refer someone to the program. It used to be that you earned 5% off your referred publisher. You now can get 15% of commissions earned by your referrals! Nice little increase , no?

• You earn a 15 percent referral fee based on the commissions earned by the publishers you refer.
• You receive this 15 percent for the full 12 months after the new member joins.
• Payouts to you are monthly, along with your commission payment.
  

So if you are already a member of WidgetBucks then perhaps now is a time to cheer or to concentrate more on this money making program. If you are a blogger or webmaster and are still pondering whether or not to give WidgetBucks a try, then certainly these new upgrades must wet your appetite. Give WidgetBucks a try, you just may like the results!

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Display Blogger Widget Only On Home Page

Display Blogger Widgets On Home Page Only

Normally , widgets in Blogger blogs are displayed on all the pages. For example, look at the google translate widget on my right side bar. That widget is displayed on each and every page of my blog. But what if you want to display the Blogger widget only on the home page? Well that is possible. You have to edit your Blogger template with the following code.

Go into your dashboard and download your template just in case you make mistakes so you can backup your blogger blog. Then expand the html and make the appropriate changes to your html.

Here for example is HTML2 the widget id for "Get posts by Email". There may be different ids for different widgets as this is only an example of what could be there. The code you will be adding to fix your widget only to the home page will look like <b:if cond='data:blog.url == data:blog.homepageUrl'>

<b:widget id='HTML2' locked='false' title='Get Posts By Email' type='HTML'>
<b:includable id='main'>
<b:if cond='data:blog.url == data:blog.homepageUrl'>
<!-- only display title if it's non-empty -->
<b:if cond='data:title != &quot;&quot;'>
<h2 class='title'><data:title/></h2>
</b:if>
<div class='widget-content'>
<data:content/>
</div>
</b:if>
<b:include name='quickedit'/>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>

You want to add the code that is highlighted in blue.
To recap:

1. Open your Blogger templates Layout and then Edit HTML, Click on expand widget templates .
   
2. With Ctrl+F search for each widget with its ids or given label/name.
3. Now paste the code in blue as specified above and save your template. The edited Blogger widget will now only appear on the homepage .

How to display the widget on every page except home page?

You can display a Blogger widget on all of your pages except the home page, by altering the above code in blue with this new code.

<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "item"'>

How to display the widget on a specific post page?

You can also display a Blogger widget only on a specific post page only, by changing the first code with the following code .

<b:if cond='data:blog.url == "blog post URL"'>


So there you have it! You now have the ability to control how widgets are shown on your Blogger blog.

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Recent Links

I know many of you know I am willing to trade links with others in similar niches or who have written similar content etc. I have also decided to add a most recent 5 list on the front page (Which carries the most PR for Blog Me The Money)to share the link love. So if you wish to trade deep links within posts feel free to contact me, or if you have recently linked to any of my pages or homepage, just let me know. Then I can add you to the most recent 5.

The anchor text I prefer I listed on the main page with the most recent 5, although if you contact me i can suggest other anchor text as well. Let me know which anchor text you would like as well, and the url.

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40 More Blogger Template

Blogger templates can really come in many styles and presentations. There truly is a lot of creative templates for Blogger that one can choose. If none of these templates for blogger appeals to you then try some of the other lists of themes for Blogger I wrote down at the bottom of this page.

So without further adieu, I give you another selection of great looking templates and themes for Blogger. Best of all they are free to use.

Free Blogger Templates

Emire - 2 Columns and centred with your page

Flower Pink Border - Nice mix of black and pink, Adsense ready.

Andreas02 - 2 columns with many tab menu's.

Andreas08 - 2 Columns and offers the ability to customize with your own picture

Andreas 4 - This is a 3 Column template ported to Blogger from Wordpress.

Flor - Simple and clean. 2 colors.

 

Colibri - 2 Columns garden like theme.

Aqua - Very simple and clean looking template for Blogger.

Hada Negra - A 2 Column Template for blogger.

Femina3 - As the name suggests. Pink, feminine and quite attractive.

Femina 2 - Again as the name suggests

Femina 1 - A mix of warm fleshy colors

Cajas - 2 Columns with big bright tabs

Erudite - A clean looking template

Embouteillage - A sharp looking red and black design. 3 Columns, with tabs.

Decorativo - Professional looking and really attractive. 2 colums template.

Dark Spark - This template sticks out very nicely. The flower (Or snowflake) design is quite attractive. I use this one for one of my other blogs and really like it.

Complimentary - 2 Column template with tabs. The colors blend really well.

Collaboration - Simple and clean is this template.

Cat - Very bright and eye catching template. 3 Columns.

Butterfly 2 - 2 Columns template offering use of tabs.

Integral - 2 Columns with a nice mix of blue and green.

Blue Marine - Very attractive template that is clean. The Feed buttons on this template really stick out.

Dead - A sinister looking template.

Bella - Pink's and purples with a touch of floral. Very feminine and attractive.

Aspire - 3 Column template with a great mix of earth colors.

Altruism - A clean template

Mushblue - Great mix of black and blue

Eclipse - A dark attractive template with many possibilities.

S08 - A nice mix of blues

Advanced Tech - Very bright and offers the use of Tabs.

iPhone2 - A Wordpress template that has been ported to Blogger.

K2 - A Wordpress theme ported for use with Blogger.

Minyx - 2 Columns with Tabs. Plenty of spacious room.

Natural - Nice blend of greens for this template.

Autumn Grass - 3 Column template for Blogger.

Vertical - as the name suggests

Neoneon - 2 Columns and quite unique

Red White 2.0 - I really like this template.

Web 2.0 - Very clean and sleek

Need More Blogger Templates?

41 Blogger Templates and Themes

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Blogger Templates and Themes

Blogger Themes or Blogger Templates do not have to be the same boring 16 basic choices you get when you first open your account. You no longer need to switch to Wordpress to get that custom look, that pretty look or that awe inspiring professional page, or feel.

Last year I wrote an article titled Adsense Ready Blogger Templates Ready For Monetization?. A rather popular post that listed the many sites, designers and creators of many wonderful templates for Blogger. Blogspot blogs really do have a wide selection of themes to choose from.

Instead of just giving the links to the sites and designers, I thought I would go beyond that and showcase here the templates and themes for Blogger that really stick out.(I am sure there are many more that should be on this list) So if you are looking for a new template for blogger or a theme, then perhaps maybe one of these creative blog themes, or blog templates will wet your appetite.

Free Templates For Blogger

1024px - A simple two column template on a plain white background. Clean looking blog template with great readability.

Wiremesh - A dark template with color post and sidebar headers.

Terra Firma - A nice Wordpress template ported to blogger. Space for Adsense in the header. This template is fresh and bright.
















Substance - A Clean dark blue blogger template.

















Leia - A 3 column template offering tabs up top, a nice clean header

Stylicious - A 3 column template with a rather nice blend of color.

Signus - A two column template for Blogger with header tabs and nice floral designs in the background.

Serena 2 - This is a three-column Blogger template that has a floral or perhaps tribal design in the background.

Secret - Clean looking blog posts situated on a calm background.


















iPlantilla - A clean, bright blue template based on the Mac theme. One of my personal favorites.
















SubtleBeauty - This template is quite clean looking as well as is pleasing to the eye.
















Bloggerised Adsense - An Adsense Ready template, just as the nae suggests.















Revolution - A Magazine style like template, but for Blogger. Nice and clean, simple and tidy. Looks great with your Adsense as well.
















Red Girl - Well this template is definitely red. Stylish and allows you the ability to style the header as you desire. (Your own picture)

Glass - A white a blue template that is really clean looking.

Rainbow Garden - As the name suggests, this template is bright and full of colors. If you like green or you like flowers, then this template will suite you great. Very attractive to the eye.

ProAds - This template for blogger will allow you to showcase our 150 x 150 Adverts. Maybe those Affiliate links or any other Ad buttons you wish to dsiplay above the fold.














Outono - A 2 Column Blogger template with a nice mix of earth colors and greens. Floral design on the background.

















Oggi - Notice the menu's and sidebar? This template drops the header to mesh with your blog posts, giving it an attractive appeal.

O2 - This is another one of those popular Wordpress templates that have been ported to Blogger. It is a three column template with a bigger sidebar on top of two mini bars on the right hand side. Another one of my favorites.













Pink Stars - A pretty pink template for Blogger that has that feminine appeal.

Navideno - As the name hints at, a Christmas "flavored" template with snow and holly.

Naturescharm - This yellow and brown template is quite soothing and would make a great gardening blog theme. Or perhaps a cheery tea time blog?

Mosaico - A bright, interest mosaic style template. The search button is rather unique as are the yellow post it notes like sidebar.

Midnight - A dark 2 column template with tabs under the header for navigation.

Maio - An Adsense ready template for blogger with a purple/pink feel to it. Posts will stick out with this template. I like it.

Natural Beauties - This template offers the ue of Tabs up top as well as a sidebar.

Looter Xp - A simple clean looking black and white template. May even be a Wordpress port.

















Simplicity 2.0 - As the name suggests, very simple yet bright and clean looking.

Jeans - A creative template for Blogger that as it's name suggests, a denim style or theme.














iWork - An office themed template for Blogger. 2 Columns and offers Advert space above the fold.

Isabela - This template is bright, clean and fun.

Honest Expression - 3 Columns with tabs underneath the header.

History Channel - Give your blog that rustic and unique look. This template has a nice blend of browns and images.

Graydient - A 2 Column template with header tabs.

iPhone - A great looking template for fans of iPhone and technology.

GossipCity - A 3 Column template with a nice mix of pink, blue and white. Very clean looking.

Genesis - A 3 Column template. Very dark with bright orange post titles. The header tabs are great as is the sidebar.

Gemstone - Indeed, this template is a Gemstone. Very Adsense ready and easy to navigate.

Flowers - This is another template I really enjoy. Crisp clean colors and well organized.

Garota - An Attractive black and red Gothic style template.




















As you can see there are many quality templates for Blogger blogs. If none of these templates and themes inspired you, or suited your taste, then I welcome you to click on 40 More Blogger Templates.

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Money Making Bloggers

Who makes money blogging?

A valid question that is often asked. Those bloggers that are making money will often tell you it is not easy to blog and make money, and it does take a long time before you start to see any form of money what so ever. But the fact remains, there are many bloggers making a living and making extreme amounts of money, from Blogging!

Many of these A list bloggers started off, as a hobby or part time. And some, quickly learned how to put everything together to create some pretty amazing sites. But the main theme to all these success stories is, they are doing something that they love.
It is something that they can actually earn money from while affording them the ability to set their own hours, as well as work on their own terms. Quite the nice job eh?

If blogging is something you are interested I, why not give it a go. But don't start off thinking you will be the next "A list" blogger, just enjoy the whole blogging aspect, put in the work and who knows maybe you will find that right formula for success too. In fact you can start blogging and perhaps blogging for money within minutes. Just grab yourself a Google Blogger account which is free and give it a test run. If that goes well, then think of getting your own Domain name and host your own wordpress blog.

So who are these folks that are blogging and making money?

Top Money Making Bloggers

This list is not all inclusive, but these are some of the big bloggers out there who are making big money.

BoingBoing.Net

Launched: January, 2000
Stats: 2.6 million unique visitors and 22 million page views in one month
Advertising Rates:
* $350 for a small ad button for one week
* $2,000 to $3,000 for banner ads sold through the Federated Media ad network

Posting Frequency: 4 authors who post 20 to 40 times a day
Revenue: Over $1 million per year

They post some interesting, sometimes odd, wacky or weird news from all around the world. As well as interesting facts. Definitely some good entertainment and fun reading.

I Can Has Cheezburger

Launched: January, 2007
Stats: 500,000 to 1.5 million page views a day
Advertising Rates:

• $500 to $5,400 a week through BlogAds
• Unknown earnings from Google AdSense and Adbrite

Revenue: $5,600 per month

This blog is rather amusing and entertaining. It allows readers to submit pictures of furry animals, rodents and other critters, with fun captions. According to some sources, some investors acquired this site for $2 million a little over a year ago.

Shoemoney

Anyone in the make money online niche knows who Jeremy is. He owns quite a rather well known internet marketing franchise and blogging is only a small part of his income. Even at that, its a rather nice income.
His blog:
Launched: October, 2005
Stats: 20,000 unique visitors a day
Revenue: $12,000 a month


Kottke

Kottke is a weblog about the liberal arts 2.0 edited by Jason Kottke himself since March 1998

Launched: March, 1998
Stats: 250,000 to 300,000 unique visitors a month
Revenue: $5,300 a month from a single, exclusive ad

Problogger

Darren Rowse’s blog is one more of those well known make money online niche blogs. Darren offers a lot of advice and information on how to make money online.


Launched: November, 2004
Revenue: Over $100,000 a year







Go Fug Yourself

A weblog that deals with fashion and entertainment. Want the scoop on a favorite celebrity or want to know what they were caught wearing? Try this site out. Ran by two very successful women in the blogging industry.

Launched: July, 2004
Stats: 3.5 million unique visitors a month

Ad Rates:

• $60 for a simple text ad
• $3,000 for fancier banners

Revenue: $6,240 a month

Not a bad chunk of change eh? Just check out the traffic this site brings in and you quickly see why this is a rising star among blogs.

TechCrunch

This is another one of those blog that most people reading this article already know about. Techcrunch is dedicated to profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies. In addition to covering new companies, TechCrunch profiles existing companies that are making an impact on the new web space.

TechCrunch is co-edited by Michael Arrington and Erick Schonfeld.

Launched: June, 2005
Stats: 5 million page views a month
Ad Rates:

• $300 per week, for a small text ad
• “Thousands” for banner ads

Revenue: $200,000 to $240,000 a month

Perez Hilton

Straight from his own blog, I couldn't have said it better:

Cubano and Miami native Perez Hilton is the internet's most notorious gossip columnist. He currently resides in Hollywood with his precious mini-Goldendoodle, Teddy Hilton.

The traffic this blog generates is unbelievable, as of this post, Alexa has the blog ranked 518th. Not a bad stat to have for one's blog, no?

Launched: September, 2004
Stats: 4 million unique visitors a day
Post Frequency: 24 posts on an average day, 40 posts on a very active day
Revenue: $111,000 a month based on ad rates

John Chow
John Chow is another one of those make money online niche bloggers. This is a personal blog. How did he make his money online? In his own words;

I make money online, telling others how I make money online

John runs many other online business ventures besides his blog. One of those ventures being a program to help other bloggers and publishers make money by monetizing their site. Selling products on a PPC basis. TTZ Media

Launched : March 2000
Stats: 25,000 visitors per month
Post Frequency: Posts daily
Revenue: $40,000 plus a month blogging
Employee's: 25-100 (Alexa stat)

How about the kids who are making money online?

Carl Ocab

Kidblogger! He is 15 years old, from the Philipines and teaches others how to make their money online. He started when he was younger and really started making a name for himself at the age of 13! Anyone in the make money online niche knows how he had snatched those same keywords in the Google search pages in a very short time! A rising star, rising blogger and rising bank account!

Jon Gales who runs Mobile Tracker
He averages over 200,000 unique visitors per month and is only 19.
He runs a single Adsense banner at the bottom of his page and brings in about $5,000 a month.
His blog has been around since February of 2003.

Now this is only a handful, or sample of the many bloggers who are making money, and making some serious amounts at that. One thing they all have in common is creativity, a passion for what they are doing, and thinking out of the box. If working long busy hours doesn't bother you, and you have the drive and determination to make it happen, then perhaps you may be a top blogger just like these fine folks. Want to make extra income? Perhaps just some side money or funding for those toys? Blogging just may be for you.

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How Do You Make Money With Your Site?

Making Money With Your Site?

I've written many different posts on how one can make money using their website or blog. Much of which could fall under a few "topics" of interest.

Some of these topics covered your Affiliate Marketing type programs, Some covered your monetization methods based solely on "in context" type ads/links being displayed on ones site. As well, some covered how people make their money by writing, you know the "paid to post" types. (And now paid to write in forums types) All of which are common sources of income for many if not most bloggers.


All of which do well in their own way and all of which can bring you great rewards if you master the secrets to each type of money making site.

Being Friday I thought I would take some time to highlight some articles Ive posted on these types of topics, as well as some, others have written that were very insightful and could very well give you new idea's or tips on how to use your site to make money. I'd be interested on how you use your site. Feel free to shamelessly plug for your site in the comment section of this post as well. Do you use in context type ads (CPM, PPC etc.)? Perhaps you do affiliate marketing? or perhaps you write?

Make Money - "In Context" Type Adverts

I wrote a mini series on alternatives to Adsense that has been very popular and has received a lot of comments and views. Showcasing the types of money making programs out there with brief reviews.

How about a nice motivational article about a teen who is making money with his site for the sum of $5000 a month with a single adsense ad at the bottom of his page?

Make Money With Affiliate Marketing

Blogging Tips is a good source for all forms of blogging tips, but this one article is a great start for anyone new to the world of affiliate marketing. Or perhaps just jump in and choose your products.

Perhaps you are looking for many types of work at home idea's or perhaps you would like to do some further reading on affiliate marketing. Either way Peter has some great information being offered on his work at home ideas site.

Make Money Writing

So perhaps making money by writing posts for your site is the way you make money? or perhaps it is something you may be interested in?

I wrote an article highlighting many types of programs and companies with a brief review of each type. Making Money With Paid Posts.

Looking at getting started with paid writing? This post by EZMoneyOn is targeted for the new blogger or those who are new to making money from writing.


Now I know there are other types of ways to make money online with a site and that my "categories" were likely not the best choice of words to group the types. (in fact there are many more) And for a nice list of others ways one can make money online combining all the above idea's and many more, try the following link for bringing in money with your site. Daily Blog Tips has a nice article that sums up the various ways to make money with a website.

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