Monday, August 31, 2015

What's with the name?

Update February 10, 2019: The posting schedule went away. But otherwise think this posts covers much about my thinking on purpose of this blog.  __JSH

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Like to write and wouldn't mind making money at it, but also can't handle pushy or many ideas about how you sell things which I think were really about lessons from how television did things. And yes, television could push commercials on millions of people and actually sell things that way to pay for the content, but on the web pushy doesn't work the same way, which I'll leave as a blanket statement, though I know it's true with me.

So, am focusing just here on writing for what I call commercial purposes, which just means building an audience.

Why would building an audience be for commercial purposes?

Well why else does anyone build an audience?

If you want to talk to your friends and family, that's easy enough. If you want lots and LOTS of people showing up to read what you write, then I am very skeptical if you claim there's no interest in making money from that interest. Maybe if you're a government entity? Even a non profit will probably be asking for donations.

But what's in it for the people who show up?

Well I think people are very good at figuring out why they show up for something.

So the reason for the name is this blog is actually about building an audience in contrast with my other writing across the web. For that reason it actually has a schedule, which covers both posting and checks on its health. Right now have 23 pageviews at this writing, which is ok as just starting. And will show pageviews through the first 3 months, after which I'm sure they'll go away. Either the blog will be gone with them or it will still be moving along.

The structure right now has scheduled posting on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with posting on Sunday to address issues related to the blog itself if I feel a need. And am sure will feel a need for a while.

On any other day MAY post if the spirit moves me, and it is consistent with direction of the blog. But also if there is major success might be days to handle other types of postings.

The blog has a page covering things like endorsements where now have none. If that changes will update that page.

This blog is relying on my content as it IS monetarily focused. Which to me means not linking to anything other than my content to keep it simple. If there are mentions of products or services and links then I'm setting it down now that there should be some money attached and that MUST be disclosed.

Right now there is no mechanism setup for that to happen from me, so my actual posts should be clear of any products or services. But hey would be great to get some deals down the line. But I am so picky, and nothing pushy. Will not be about forcing anything on anyone or trying to sell them.

There are ads through AdSense. But, you know, whatever. There is a privacy page posted, and options there.

And that's all I can think of, at the moment, but I think I covered a lot.


James Harris

Showing up is good

Reading is fundamental is one of those phrases that can elicit an emotion. If that emotion is positive to you then a blog focused more on words than other things might be for you! And to me there is that looking around for some place where I can just read something for a bit, so why not just make one.

So getting back to it, where yes, there will be more words. And to me Monday is the On Day, as coming off the weekend is when that focus returns. And to me it's also when you once again get that feedback from others that you're getting things done.

Before yes, you're doing things needed maybe around the house. Say, thoroughly clean your room. Or you get maintenance done. And there is that satisfaction. Or you go shopping or hang out with your friends and just relax. And you should do those things. But during the week is when most people get paid for their accomplishments. Or at least for showing up.

No one is going to pay you to show up during the weekend, unless I guess you're a celebrity. Wouldn't that be so cool?

And I define celebrity as: when people will pay you just to show up.

If you have to perform then you may just be famous.

So by my definition a person can be famous and not have much celebrity. But then again, a person can have a job where technically they're not getting paid just to show up, but their co-workers can know better, even if the supervisor doesn't. That person who manages to goof off through the day by mechanisms over which you puzzle? Is a de facto celebrity you could say, paid for just showing up. And may even show diva traits as actually I think people like that may often be celebrities in their own mind.

I'm no psychologist but I think they should be studied. Maybe there are scientists who study them. If so, I say that's some important scientific research.

Welcome to Monday! Time to get that great start.

Plenty of things to do in the week ahead. Time to get it going.

Next Monday is Labor Day Weekend. And no, will not take that day off.

Monday is a working day for me in general. Only thing is THAT Monday this side of the world will still be on snooze.

But over in Asia will be Tuesday. Wonder if I'll ever have readers in Asia, wouldn't that be great?


James Harris

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Framework is rather important

Having a lot of fun so far where I think I have much of the framework for keeping this blog going. The thing is you can have SO much fun in the beginning but have to have a structure which will invite content. No need for blocks pushing myself to write something. I prefer easy. Which early on means pondering everything constantly including the name! I still like it.

In any event, so far things aren't bad. Having fun. Figuring things out. Giving myself room, but also have post published that has the exit strategy in case it doesn't work out. So tomorrow should be interesting as Monday is On day. Sunday is still kind of sleepy.

Monday is when everything gets hopping again.

Until tomorrow.


James Harris

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Why Thursday is a natural go out night

To me one of the stranger things was waiting on Friday to go out. And granted you don't want to go crazy on Thursday night, but then again, it might be safer not to do it on Friday either. But that's the older me talking. Younger me often closed the bar. Not a good thing to do if next day is a work day! But going out on Thursday with reasonable behavior has benefits:

1. Lots of other people are waiting for Friday for some reason

Buck the trend and enjoy the trendy. That locale that may be impassable on Friday and Saturday may be comfortable on Thursday--where you may nod with a pleased smile at other smart people like yourself. Yes, you can actually see them instead of a mass glob of human bodies squeezed within the space.

2. Give yourself that time available

If you're not going to go wild, and may not drink at all, what's the harm? Hitting the town on Thursday can be more relaxed all around, and means you get ONE MORE NIGHT which can be great for your overall feeling of well-being.

3. Things can be more affordable

When the crowd comes, so comes the greater expense. Why go with the herd? And oh yeah, I'm focused on going out, but why not have friends over?

But don't have the wild bunch. No way you want to be pushing people out the door late at night begging to be allowed to go to bed for work the next day. That is so uncool.

4. Businesses are often SO happy to see you!

Yes, they are happy to see you on Friday, but Thursday is when you can build a quality relationship with a business as not so busy! Usually. You may find that cool place, which is often a fad of the moment, packed every night, but remarkably in my experience? Usually Thursday is a time of more freedom and joy as you and your crew bring much needed revenue. Maybe even meet the owner. Hang out with the staff. Start yourself on that wonderful path of becoming a regular which to me is one of the great signs that you know what you are doing.

And oh yeah, if you don't have to work on Friday anyway, you can even start Thursday morning! Though you are more likely then to see venues looking like:


So that's probably too early. And is a photo from in front of the Ferry Building in San Francisco. And have no clue if it was a Thursday. Will be using my own photographs as stock for this blog, which means you may see photos used elsewhere.

It is SO convenient to just use my own photos, as don't have to worry about licensing issues with my own things. And will be linking to my own content in various ways as well, like to my other blogs.

Goal isn't to use anything from anyone else unless get popular enough that contracts can get drawn up, and such. But nowhere near there yet. Banging out the foundations.


James Harris

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Politics could be a mess of fun

For some reason decided to schedule talking politics on Wednesday, which seemed like a good idea at the time. But I think need to clarify for myself that will see myself as a wannabe political columnist which means not pushing my own politics, but commenting on what's out there.

Like here's a little ditty I wrote a while back and tweeted:


And to me that is so political but great for a blog like this one. And it is exactly 140 characters. I like how you can space things out on Twitter.

Don't have to talk ideology, or policy specifics, just make some pointed generalizations.

Do wonder how many think it is about a specific person and think they know who it is. Please feel free to comment!

Oh yeah, need engagement for THIS blog in contrast to what people may see on my other blogs so must figure out how to get it.

Do you think money rules American politics? What motivates our politicians here?

Why are some of them so loud?

What should a politician be about?

If you like this direction will note I'm trying to draw READERS and if I get a lot of readers can make money through the usual ways you do that on blogs.

But first need to figure out what people want, and then let them know they can get it here. Wow, politics could be really hard though, wouldn't you think?

So easy to upset people. Sounds like a challenge!


James Harris

Monday, August 24, 2015

But is this work?

So starting up with this new blog on a plan! Where Monday posts commemorate the greatness of the world waking up again from the quiet of the weekend. And I've been blogging for years but now the focus is different with this new blog! And its purpose is different. So am curious if my experiences with web traffic will shift with a blog that has a different purpose.

And weekends have always been slow down periods for me, like when you spend time hanging out in bars, until finally the world wakes up again, on Monday!

I love Monday.

And yes, there are countries ahead of my own, so if you get really creative and have it going on, you can start getting the thrill back on Sunday as people wake up to doing more in Asia.

For the first time I will focus on driving traffic and must set some goals, as well as a wind down schedule if things don't work out. And graceful exits are actually important which one might forget when starting something new. But especially if you will include others--as would like lots of readers--it's important that they don't get unpleasant surprises.

So am going to set a crazy goal, which is a deliberate technique, of having 1 million visitors per month for this blog, at an indefinite time frame. But have a 3 month time frame of at least ten thousand per month, or may start looking for the exits. Am still in decision phase so have a month for that one, while I determine if this blog is viable.

That is, had a LOT of happy energy yesterday, but that often lasts you through maybe a month or two. Producing content requires ideas, and a plan. Luckily can work through something at zero monetary cost, while there is a time cost. And the want to succeed cost where it is no fun to fail.

Will be relying exclusively on my own content, which will greatly limit me on links, so for instance will not link to an outside news article or even to the Wikipedia. If the blog gets successful may establish connections with others in some kind of way if that looks profitable and within the developed plan of the blog.

So yeah, need to mention money. This blog is meant to be seriously commercial, which may not mean what some might think...but probably does! It definitely does mean money matters. And to get money requires traffic. So that traffic number? It rules.

Monday On day. So glad the world is back to work!


James Harris

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Looking to word up some fun

Noticed I spend a lot of time very serious on the web, so have a NEW blog where the idea is to be a lot more light-hearted, very pop culture if possible, and find a bit of fun.

I like to write. And am quite a bit opinionated. So should have no problem coming up with posts. But I do need to give myself some sort of structure and schedule.

1. Since Sunday today is founding day, for the blog, will be for embracing the new.

Monday's will be all about how wonderful the silly weekend is gone so the world gets back to work! So I will hereby declare that for me Monday is On day. As in switch it back on, yeah.

Wednesday, and yes, know I skipped Tuesday, will be political chatter, where I express my opinions about something political.

And Thursday will be the official start of the weekend for this blog, which means it should be all about the party.

And any and all of the above may change as just need to write something for this post.

Much work ahead. And will take whatever time it takes to get this thing up and running as it is to be an exercise in fun, for me. If others find it fun then good. If not, then it will HAVE TO GO, as this blog is seriously commercial.


James Harris