Carri & I are joining forces in the way of a new weekly series for bloggers, titled "Tip of the Week." Pretty ingenious title, eh? It might be simple but we think it conveys just what our goal is: to help Posties get the most out of their PayPerPost experience. We want to equip everyone from the most inexperienced bloggers--just starting out with PayPerPost--to the more veteran Posties who have become exceptional at their craft.
Given that, we have chosen to launch this series covering some basic topics we feel are important to both Posties and Advertisers. Part I: Categories.
As a Postie you might ask yourself these questions when it comes to categories:
- What is a category?
- Why should I choose categories?
- What categories should I choose?
- What are the "right" categories for me?
- What should I consider when choosing categories?
For starters, a category is a general overview or a guideline of topics you blog about most often. Categories should not be chosen by what you would LIKE to write about, but based on what you already DO write about.
When choosing categories for your blog, the expectation is that a chosen category should be clearly reflected in a large percentage of your posts. In the PPP Marketplace, you are permitted to choose up to four (4) relevant categories for your blog. This means that, in taking a look at the non-sponsored content for a month's time, you should see several posts represented in each of your chosen categories.
To choose or update your categories simply click on the 'My Blogs' tab at the top right of your account, and then click on the name of your blog. (See image below.) Although choosing four categories is not required, most blogs do cover at least three to four general topics and choosing the best categories for your blog will help you to qualify for more relevant marketplace Opportunities (Opps).
'My Blogs' tab:
In the PayPerPost Marketplace, there are several factors involved in the segmenting of Opps including domain, rankings, location and categories. Advertisers choose categories for their Opps so that they will be taken by bloggers who specialize and blog primarily about these categories. This is part of the inherent value of a sponsored post as the advertisers are attempting to target not only bloggers in this genre, but also an audience interested in this genre. As such, bloggers who post Opps outside of their categories do not present any value to an advertiser either in related content or target audience.
Being more mindful of the categories that you choose will allow you to create a much sharper focus for your blog which should result in increased readership and lead to higher rankings. In short, everyone wins!
So that you can maximize your Opportunity potential we strongly encourage all Posties--new and veterans--to check the categories they currently have selected for their profile, and make sure they are relevant not only to your blog(s) but also to your audience. (Please note: You may only change categories once every 30 days on approved blogs.)
USEFUL TOOLS:
- Support Center. Click the "Contact Support" link at the bottom of each page.
- Glossary. This is located in the Support Center, under "Glossary."
- Best Practices. This is a helpful list of guidelines that includes tips on titles & categories.
If you have any feedback or have a topic you'd like highlighted in a future "tip" please e-mail tips@izea.com.
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Comments (RSS)
Mrs. Mecomber said...
Excellent post. I wish I'd had known this when I was a newbie, because I learned mostly through trial and error-- emphasis on error. :D
Thanks, and keep up the weekly tips!
Jan 29, 2008 6:31:24 PM
mistipurple said...
Yup, this got me digging up my categories and valuating them again. A good reminder. Thanks!
Jan 29, 2008 10:34:14 PM
Chica said...
I have only changed my categories once, but should change them again soon, thanks for the tips.
What I would really love to see some tips on is to how to catch an opportunity before it runs out. There have been many many times, I've seen an opportunity on my page, worth more then $25.00 and I've missed out on it. Of course it cleverly sits there and taunts me until it's finally removed..lol.
But yeah I'm ramblin, great job this week! :)
Jan 30, 2008 1:56:35 PM
Dennis said...
Thanks for this series on tips. It will be useful to many.
Regarding categories, I have some questions:
1) Can you explain more on the rationale behind the limit of 1 change per 30 days? Why not 14 days, or 2 months?
2) When changes were made within the 30 days, would they become automatically effective at the end of that period?
3) What are the differences, pros and cons between the general and specific categories?
Jan 31, 2008 1:31:10 AM
Ashley said...
Mrs. Mecomber & mistipurple:
Thanks! Glad we could help out, and that you're keeping in check with your account. It can only benefit you in the long run.
Chica:
We'll definitely take note of your recommendation. Our list of "tips" is growing.
Jan 31, 2008 12:01:17 PM
Carri said...
Great questions, Dennis!
1) Can you explain more on the rationale behind the limit of 1 change per 30 days? Why not 14 days, or 2 months?
We needed to find a time frame that would allow bloggers to update categories for legitimate content changes to their blogs, but not allow them to manipulate their category selections in order to qualify for specific Opps. One month seemed like a long enough time to see a significant rise in posts to a new category, but prohibitive for those trying to cheat the system by changing their blog categories to suit the current Opp. demands.
2) When changes were made within the 30 days, would they become automatically effective at the end of that period?
If it has been less than thirty days since your last category selection update, the system will not allow you to select new categories at all. Once these fields are available to you and changes are made, they will be reflected in your account immediately.
3) What are the differences, pros and cons between the general and specific categories?
Most advertisers do choose a General category when creating an Opp. And since most blogs will fit into at least one General category, it is always a good idea to have at least one of these chosen for your blog. Specific categories allow advertisers to seek bloggers who more closely fit in with their niche, so choosing good Specific categories will help both the advertiser and the blogger connect to blog/sites with relevant content.
For segmentation purposes, categories must match exactly for an Opp. to be available to you. For example, if an Opp. chooses Blogs with a Technology category and you have chosen the specialized category Technology/Gadgets, this would NOT be a match, which is another reason why you should make sure to have a good mix of General and Specific categories.
Jan 31, 2008 3:27:49 PM
OK said...
This is a great idea, Ashley. It would serve as a useful reminder of how best we can get the best out of IZEA and PPP.
Jan 31, 2008 3:47:51 PM
Mrs Hannigan said...
Is there a chart or something we can watch to see what the current demand for bloggers in each category is?
Feb 8, 2008 9:33:44 AM
Crystal said...
PPP is #2 on the recent list I complied on paid blogging sites here: http://tinyurl.com/35yjwr . Keep up the good work.
Mar 9, 2008 12:46:54 AM