Quick note about a free Wordpress blog

[REcoach]

Hi Jason,

Enjoy all your work!

Why are you suggesting this when Ed has told us hosting our own domain isn't part of what we're doing now in the 30 Day Challenge?

I believe a lot of us want to create good content. We've had good examples of it, and we're following the instructions. We've been told repeatedly that Blogger and Wordpress are two of many good platforms we can use, but if we can't use one of them I hope we're told that soon. It's takes work to create good content and post it, and it's discouraging to then learn you can't use it.

Chris

ps. Where did Jason's post go?

[CherylW]

Ah!

Thank you.

Of course like most of us I am more well-meaning than skilled, but if I do display any ham-fisted behaviour in this respect, 'best intentions' probably won't count as a valid excuse.

I'd better keep a back-up.

[Jason Moffatt]

Originally Posted by REcoach

Hi Jason,

Enjoy all your work!

Why are you suggesting this when Ed has told us hosting our own domain isn't part of what we're doing now in the 30 Day Challenge?

I believe a lot of us want to create good content. We've had good examples of it, and we're following the instructions. We've been told repeatedly that Blogger and Wordpress are two of many good platforms we can use, but if we can't use one of them I hope we're told that soon. It's takes work to create good content and post it, and it's discouraging to then learn you can't use it.

Chris

ps. Where did Jason's post go?

Obviously I am being censored. But hey what would I
know my Wordpress blog is only a page rank 5 with about
8000 unique visitors a month, and I barely post on the thing.

[REcoach]

When you mentioned "censored", only one thing came to mind (in relation to you) and it was the Dr whoever video you did! Now THAT could have been censored! You could at least have had some areas blurred for ease in viewing!

Chris

[Caro]

I wanted to consult with the Lab on this one before I commented on this thread

Basically Dan was showing you an example using (or equivalent to using) the 30DC Wordpress blog.

Which is hosted on his domain.

So you can use these yourself if you want to for your own keyword phrase. And it is free to you. Your call.

He was not in any way promoting or guiding you to use Wordpress - you can do this in other Hosting Domains that allow affiliate links.

As yes the WP.com terms of service do say no Affiliate links.

However there is nothing to stop you redirecting to a HubPage or Squidoo lens. The thing is not to have an affiliate link as per their terms of service.

As Ed explained on the video's and we have been saying on the forum - it is up to you to thoroughly read the terms of service (which you have) of the hosting platforms and discern for yourself based on what you know.

And the 30DC WP hosting platforms have been here for a while, and we recognize from feedback that there are a significant proportion of community members who are choosing to use their own hosted WP blog.

We are only promoting free options here. There are always paid ways to do something - which are often quicker and easier - hence why you pay for them

And at the same time - this strategy works incredibly effectively using a variety of free tools - there is a way you can use WP for free if you want.

We are not going to recommend any one hosting platform for the very reason, we do not want another stampede result (and understand it is human nature when you are learning, to go where you are pointed to/want to be pointed in a direction, etc etc...leaving the T experience in the annals of history )

Best to you all

Caro

[mikemindel]

WordPress Terms of Service are Contentious. Here's my take on it:

These are the relevant portions of hosted WordPress terms of service

the Content is not spam, and does not contain unethical or unwanted commercial content designed to drive traffic to third party sites or boost the search engine rankings of third party sites, or to further unlawful acts (such as phishing) or mislead recipients as to the source of the material (such as spoofing);

Sponsored / paid posts including PayPerPost and ReviewMe are not permitted.

Sponsored / paid links are not permitted.

Text ads are not permitted.

A discreet link to your business in the sidebar or an About page is permitted.
One discreet link to Amazon per blog is okay, but if the primary purpose of the blog is to drive traffic to affiliate programs that’s not allowed. If you’re not sure, contact support.

Am I allowed to put a banner for an Affiliate program on the side of my site ? It would just be a small square box pretty much that says click here.

Can I include Adsense or other company adverts on my blog?
Short answer: no.

A single text link including an affiliate links is allowed though.

(But from a recently disbarred staff member!)

OBVIOUS SPAM NOT ALLOWED

My personal take is that WordPress do not want you to throw up a single keyword targeted post and plug several affiliate links into it. Then the primary intention is to drive traffic to an affiliate program. That would probably constitute spam and get nuked.


ACTION ORIENTED TEXT ADS NOT ALLOWED

Google defines a text ad as an ad designed for text delivery, with concise, action-oriented copy and a link to your website. Because they are not accompanied by graphics, text links are easy to create and improve page download time. Also known as a sponsored link.

So an action oriented text ad like this is not allowed:
E.g. Click here to learn how to write a story (link disabled).

But then WordPress do mention that discrete links to your business, and one affiliate link to Amazon per blog is ok.

So it is a grey area.


MY PERSONAL TAKE

So my personal take is this (and I may be wrong - so please don't quote me).

If the primary purpose of your blog is to display quality content and give value to the reader as I have done for my How to Write a Story niche that is good. You are using WordPress in the spirit for which it is intended and they will love you.

If your secondary purpose is to drive traffic via an affiliate link, either in the body of the post as a non-action text link or in the sidebar then that is probably ok.

e.g. if you want to learn how to write a story then....

So it's a very, very fine line.

I'm about to put this to the test. So if my blog gets nuked then I will officially say no affiliate links on WordPress for the 30DC.

I hope WordPress have been sensible about this and take the view that as long as suitable and valuable content is provided, a single revenue stream is appropriate.

-Mike

[Get Off The Damn Laptop]

Does it make a difference (relative to TOS) if you are using Wordpress on your own URL?

I have quite a bit of affiliate links on a Wordpress blog; granted, it is filled with much real content as well, but...

[mikemindel]

On your own url you can do what you like, WordPress or otherwise.

But Ed & Dan specifically said NOT to use your own url or you won't get the ranking love from already established web 2.0 content platforms.

-Mike

[Get Off The Damn Laptop]

To clarify...

I'm not using my own url for the TDC.

But, my main learning goals are to hopefully be applied to my existing sites.

But, thanks for the advice.

[lifesamadhi]

Yeah..today I logged into my wordpress account only to discover I 've been suspended and this is sooo frustrating because I had a personal blog on that account and my nich market blogs were topics I chose so I could write from personal experience and not come off as spam. All my post were taken from my own personal accounts, although they had affiliate links in them. So I do think it would be wise to 86 the affiliate links from your wordpress blogs. I've just lost a lot of great content that I wish I would have backed up in Google Docs or on disc....AAARRRRGHHHHHH.....Said the genius right before he was inspired with another brilliant idea

Don't wanna risk getting suspended from any other platforms and sacrificing my integrity I've worked so hard to build online...Any suggestions....???