29
Congratulations to Rob from Ironblogger! He has won the 2nd flamingo review! Hopefully it will be published tomorrow, though I am going on a trip so it might be delayed.
Gotta scram!
-The Green Flamingo
29
Well done some evil things in life, and I have been told I am evil, mostly by my sister. Just a short little thing on my most recent evil doing.
One of my latest things was on bloggervenue.com, I am going through the 100 best blogs list and voting.
Here were my rules:
Try going by those rules, just remember to credit me by voting me 5!
28
I meant to write this earlier but oh well, read it now or never.
There have been many contests circulating since June, that is when I really noticed a kick in all the contests that were being started.
Since June I have seen a few well run contests, and a few typical ones that are always great but are having almost the same contest as 70 other blogs (don’t ask me why I picked 70). These contests can get annoying as well. Though I do love contests and prizes, there are SOOOO many out there that I don’t have time to join and participate in every one, for there is just no point.
Usually, I would not care that tons of blogs are having contests, but in a certain way I do. See I love to read blogs, be surfing them, comment and get to interact with the author and other readers. When a contest comes up, the calm is disrupted and people will go crazy for the prize. There are a lot of spam comments, a lot of questions, and a lot of worthless and foolish stuff circling the blog. I almost feel like I should participate, but know I don’t have the time or energy to be the top commentator with 80 comments, write 10 blog posts about it and link to all the prizes and all the sponsors. It would just drive me crazy!
Recently, a friend and fellow blogger Rajaie talked about how he hated that so many contests were being started, and I have to agree with him. Though contests are great, they can be a huge annoyance and sometimes you have to lay off the shit and get the gold.
Now we will move on the the real topic of this post, and that is what I qualify as a good contest vs. a bad or unworthy contest.
What makes a contest worth it
Some contests are really worth it to enter, let me share some of the reasons with you. I should tell you, I feel that our friend Ben Patton’s contest will really be worth it, he is giving away a laptop! And here are our 10 good reasons to enter.
I was not sure I would come up with 10, but I edited and got that many. I hope you agree with those, be sure to fill in your answer in the comments.
What makes a contest hit the fan (what makes it suck like hell)
There are a few reasons for you that make your contest terrible.
Now neither of these qualifications really fit anybody, most are average, a lot of recent contests leaning to the bad side, maybe because it is just too small or some other reason. Most contests manage to pull of a good show, not quite like Jon Stewart or Chris Brown but still something that’s ok to waste your time on and win a few prizes.
So I am not saying your little contest is bad, but I am saying that next time you should think before starting a contest, you really have to make it worth it and not pull it out of thin air with a few ad spots, text links, and some reviews. You have to make it more sophisticated and interesting and then bloggers and sheep will come flocking to you like crazy.
I also have another post that I add onto and that adds on to mine, they would work combined I guess, so I should let you stomp on over to Jay at Datmoney and then come back and tell me what you liked of his article telling you 5 reasons why he WON’T sponsor your contest.
I should also tell you again I am thinking of running a contest, have no fear I will have most of the pro reasons in mine. I am looking for sponsors, so if you have a great idea for a prize let me know.
-The Green Flamingo
27
Finally, here is my review that was supposed to be published Saturday, not Tuesday or Wednesday whichever it is now. Enjoy though!
I have known Ben for a long time, somewhere in April when I joined Blog Premiere forum, started reading The University Kid, Mooney Quest, Rob’s Blog (It was really called “make money online”, and now redirects to ironblogger.com which I read as well), and of course Big Ben Patton’s Place. This was the time when there weren’t as many “semi crappy” contests that had advertising, reviews, entrecredits, or other not so great prizes, but it was a time where great blogs were on the rise, big and small, and there was competition to dominate and get your foot in the hold so you will not fall out to join all the other bloggers in the graveyard. Well one of these blogs was Big Ben Patton’s Place.
The title may be “Big Ben Patton’s Place”, but the URL is BenjaminPatton .com. This site was started in a time when names were good as domains, and I guess he has a good domain choice but I would not call it the absolute best. The title is phenomenal though and it has become a great site to be around.
Big Ben Patton delivers great and helpful content, always something new and different, a tool that you can use to your advantage, or the extreme power of something like social networking. You will not be at loss when you look for great and helpful blogging content at Ben’s, what you are looking for it wedged in every post!
The design of Big Ben Pattons’ Place flows well, not carrying you off to far, with a good composition of colors to catch your eye but not give you a headache. Much of the site was by Ben himself, but just check the footer and you will see for yourself.
Recently, Ben has had some new designs and additions to his site, new ads designed, a new header, all for his re-grand opening. These you can see in the picture, and I think the new additions by Forest are very well done and very well implemented, for they really bring out the quality of the site and give the great composition of colors that is not too strong but has some distinguishable tones.
Ben Patton is an aspiring blogger, good designer, and great hotel manager. I wish you luck Ben!
I think I have covered pretty much everything, not much else to say, because it would be similar to the same thing.
I have to warn you, most other reviews will be a little shorter, for some of you I do not know as well, and plus I owed him a little something for some designing work he did for me a few months ago on my old theme. 
I hope everyone liked this review, look out for more, and hope you are chosen! Remember to subscribe so you can be picked to win the free review!
-The Green Flamingo
25
In a few days I will be returning to school after a long summer full of blogging, going to events and sites, looking at houses, riding roller coasters, and more. I will not have the time to blog as much like I can now, so I am not sure what will happen to Green Flamingo.
I continue to ponder on the matter, I could ask someone to guest post a lot, maybe once a week or more. I am thinking of starting weekly guest posts to help me out when I need the time most, I know I am not going to sell my site, it is not even one year old yet and I would like to celebrate the birthday of it.
I think I still might have time for interior design, though I was hoping that I would be already making money off it by the time school started, because with homework I cannot easily just have half an hour where I consult with people, or have time for a full house design.
If anyone would like to guest post I would be very happy with that, and I am thinking of having a weekly guest post, and every two months there would be a small prize for the best guest post, which would give you some nice promotion as your post will be linked to in the poll and that will give readers a chance to see what you’ve got.
@Ben – I know I have not yet published the review, that is coming a.s.a.p. It is disappointing to have a failure on the first of weekly reviews, but I have not had the time to get it together.
-The Green Flamingo
22
Last night I had a post in mind for very early this morning, unfortunately that did not work out, because I forgot. I might remember later, I almost did, but not quite.
Even though it was an idea for a great post, I think I might have to shift the focus of this blog once more anyway. I am trying to provide quality articles that really help you out or show you something, but today Jason made me notice that I am not always unique in content, because 50 million other bloggers are giving the same information.
I could go with more of an opinion on things for my posts, but it still uses the same topic and that can be very boring. I am trying to find an actual “niche” for this blog, I may stick it onto young entrepreneur and Internet marketing while I blog about blogging, but not about “blogging tips.” I think I have some ideas, I will continue later.
I do not need to list all the upcoming things I might have yet, I am going to have a post encouraging suggestions, though I do highly encourage suggestions on this post as well.
I also want to announce the winner of the review, the first of many I hope, and this weeks winner is…Big Ben Patton of Big Ben Patton’s Place! Look for the review tomorrow!
Also, today I spent a lot of time working on my new site, loking for themes and tweaking them, helping the author to write articles, things like that. See you later!
-The Green Flamingo
21
I have written two top quality articles today besides this, but I did not feel like publishing or finishing the details of either. I decided to go on a post of reviews, though it might go ok.
What is a review?
In the webmaster world, the word review still means review as you know it, only refers to a review of a site/blog. It could be a review of a product, but that would be a product review. The most common thing you will get if you purchase a “review” is a 200-1000 word article describing and “reviewing”(we are getting smart huh?:)) your blog. And, you may have notice I said “purchase,” because of course nothing is free and there is some cost no matter what. You may not have to pay cash, you may not even have to win a contest or subscribe to a blog, maybe you just have to be the first, but if you look at it, that is still a cost.
Today, people will pay a lot for a review, I guess they think they are worth something. I have heard people say like Jason from the University Kid that reviews suck, but it is all an opinion.
Why pay for a review?
You may wonder why you should pay for a review, people figure it is because they have to do work and it is another way to earn money.
What is free to the blogger, may not always be free to you. Though the blogger may not receive money, they might actually ask you to subscribe. Or maybe they do not receive profit, you still might have to do something.
I am wondering why free reviews are not offered more, even if you have to subscribe or comment, I am still in shock that someone thinks they can be abused.
I love to review
I actually love to review things, not always blogs, because I run out of things to talk about, but I really love to critique. Critiquing interior design and architecture are some of my favorite things, and also why I say I love to review. Do you love to review?
I am starting a review “page,” where I might publish the reviews that are selected by email subscribers and win the weekly review.
Ok. Was this a good post or not? Let that swim in your head while you are waiting for the next one in a few hours. I have to a cram a lot in because I was gone and school is starting too. The ones I was writing today are going to be backups, not published very soon, so see you in a few hours!
-Note- yesterday I announced I am offering free reviews for my email subscribers, and the drawing is tomorrow. Let me remind you that you must subscribe today to be on the list tomorrow, so hurry and subscribe!-Note-
Rock on! Subscribe and get a chance to win a free review each week!
The Green Flamingo
20
I have some tidbits about this blog to share, and me in general that I want to share.
1. I have started a new site, which seems to be coming along nicely. I am not sure how it will end up, whether I keep it or sell it, but the content is really unique. Only a few people know about this site, and I am going to keep it closed for now. You may hear about it and visit, not knowing it has any relation to me. Also, it is run by an unexpected thing, or the content at least! (Not all the editing and theme work, I have to devote a few hours to that every day).
2. I am having a new theme done for Green Flamingo Designs, and having a re Grand Opening! I am not going to tell you too much about the theme yet, it is sort of a surprise. I am going to say their are going to be new services coming out, free products and discounts! So stay tuned! I anyone would like to help to set up the re Grand Opening and get a very special discount of their own, it would be greatly appreciated. Just contact at greenflamingodesigns (@) gmail.com.
3. Green Flamingo has new bonus features for email subscribers! Every week one special email subscriber will be selected to get a 200+ review the next day! This will start Friday and the review will be published Saturday, so subscribe to stay tuned and win this! Hope you enjoy!
4. I am beginning to get a real sense in what goes on around me in the blogosphere, expanding my knowledge and really becoming a web “master.” I am also finding new ways to make money online, blog, and express myself.
5. I am loosely planning a contest for this blog, I have some interesting ways for you to gain points, probably never seen before, but I am still looking for some sponsors. If you would like to sponsor this flamingo contest, that would be great!
6. I have found some new techniques I have seen other bloggers do I would like to try. Look out for changes! (I should warn you, there will be a competition to see who can spot the most changes!).
Sorry I do not have any “real” content for you today, I have noticed some others do not either (maybe the university kid?). Tomorrow and for a little longer down the week I have some better content planned. I am still recovering from my site going down, so everything is not back to normal yet.
-The Green Flamingo
19
It has been over a week since I have posted anything, or maybe just over a week since my site has been down.
I am not sure it is so much readership that I have suffered, though it did take some people many days to comment on how my site is down.
I am disappointed in the loss, hopefully it can be won again, for I do not want to let Green Flamingo die.
I think some of you might want to know what happened, so I think I can relay that in a quick manner.
I think it was on a Sunday, in the afternoon and I was working on Green Flamingo. I wrote two posts, one published immediately and the second of the University Kid to be published the following day.
I then thought I would touch up the site a little bit, as long as I have the time, and you rarely have time for blogs on vacation. I went into the footer file, remembering some of the weird links that were there. I had heard Jason say people will get really pissed if you remove footer links, but nothing superbad will happen.
So I took my chances removing an ugly beer link and a webhosting link. Why should I have those?
Then the trouble started.
I hit “update” and I either got the message straight away or when I opened my site to see the new look.
“This theme is released under creative common’s license and all footer links must be kept intact.”
I was willing to agree with them, maybe they just go a little extreme over it, who knows? So I went back and tryed to edit the file. I was sad that I did not have the exact format for them, so I opened greenflamingodesigns’s copy of the file and sure enough it was there. I copied/pasted the code in, but it still did not work.
Days later the site itself was fixed, but I had to use a different theme. Of course, I was stupid enough to try the other theme again, then again, and even a third time. The other day Ben tried to help via IM, he downloaded a copy and I emailed him a copy of my footer. He tried to find the problems, and I did too, and finally he decided to give me his footer text. I copied that in, deleting my other text and not saving it. The theme was still broken, and so I had to delete the theme and get a new copy.
Before I could do that, my Internet was down for a day and a half, and it was down today being the reason I was not finishing this at 1:00.
I copied and pasted the theme files I edited like the stylesheet and sidebar into a word file to switch them with the new theme copy, but when I got to the header I found my part gone.
That was another place where I truly messed up, all the editing of the RSS buttons and email forms were messed up, plus ads and entrecard. I will probably recover soon, I am not sure if I can get the same images, or remember who was advertising. (If you were please tell me).
Anyway, my site is alive and hopefully I can get itr back to its previous staus. I hope you did not die hearing my long talk of problems, though sometimes a blogger must reveal his failures. And a tip for you: you might not want to remve that footer link, not matter how ugly!
11
If you haven’t heard, Jason from the University Kid is offering a great opportunity, but sadly that comes at a price. It is the way people like him do things, mostly you work for something, once in a while there is an easy work or free thing, but I have always seen him reward only if you do something to help him, not things 100% free.
On August 12th, Jason is releasing a post with some great information in it, and you ask, “Where’s the catch?” The catch is, the post will be password protected, and you have to do one of three things to get the password.
You may not think what you have to do is hard, and really it is not, but the traffic he gains will probably be really big.
I don’t think I am supposed to talk about the post itself, I think I am just supposed to talk about TUK. So I will do so, with true opinion, whether good or bad.
Jason is nice, he is willing to help out fellow bloggers, and has some great ways to do this. Many have benefited off his work, myself included, and I think what he does is very helpful.
All his prizes have a catch, as some think, but you could also say that all things you do have a reward.
TUK is a pretty popular site, great to hang around on, and I have been a reader for a few months now. In May, I dropped away, and only read a few articles, but in June I started up again. July was a great month for TUK, and me, I was proud top commentator.
TUK has released killer posts, and regularly killer content, something that as a good blogger and reader you should not miss out on. I have really appreciated some of the posts, I have improved my blogging ways with them, though some concepts I turn down.
I advise you to run down to Jason’s part of the university, don’t want to miss out on anything!
I hope everyone has a good one!
