The Ultimate Blogging Job! Check Out This Paid Blogging Job Ad (Its Real!)

Image via WikipediaA member of a writing forum pointed out this little gem, and I had to pass it along. So great has the power of the blog become, that the tourism department of Australia is willing to pay top dollar for a great blogger.

The blogging job comes with multiple perks, and applications are being accepted until February 22, 2009. However, at the time of writing this post, the application site is experiencing problems, perhaps due to overwhelming traffic.

I was able to download the PDF Job description, but other links returned error messages possibly related to high traffic. Interested applicants should continue to try to access the various links, and download the PDF Job Description for relevant information about the job requirements and how to apply.

To find out about the position and how to apply, go to the job website: islandreefjob.com

Website and Blog Tools: Backlink Checkers

Image via WikipediaBacklinks are simply links around the web that direct people back to your blog, website, or article. Others can create links to your work by bookmarking them in Digg, delicious, Technorati and other social bookmarking sites, or by putting links to your stuff in their own blog, website, or article.

Often when you leave comments online, you are allowed to input a ‘URL’. This is where you would type in the address to your blog or website. Then, when people read your comment, they can click on your name to follow your link. Another way to create your own links back to your work is to input them in your writer profiles and on other blogs and websites you have.

If you are curious as to who is backlinking to you (i.e. where your traffic may be coming from) one way is to use a backlink checker. These free and easy-to-use tools require only that you input the url of the blog, website, or article you wish to check. Some automatically input the ‘http’ or ‘www’ part, so watch for that when you input the web address or you will get an error message (or no results).

The most comprehensive I have seen is from Xinu Returns. It takes a few minutes, but it is worth the wait due to all the information you get from it. If you want to gather information in order to improve your rankings and increase page views, this is the tool to use.

If you just want to run a quick check out of curiosity, the other tools I like are:

Smart Page Rank

Backlink Watch

Website and Blog Tools: Value Calculators

Image via WikipediaThere are many fun and helpful tools for freelance writers with blogs and websites. One is a blog or website value calculator.

This tool uses various methods to calculate what your website or blog would be worth in financial terms. This is helpful if you wish to sell or flip your site/blog. It can also give you a rough idea of how well you are doing with your blog or website.

You do not have to place the widget on your blog or website to get the information. You can enter your url into a box on the calculator website and it will calculate it for you. As you can see, however, the various calculators come up with some very different answers!

My blog is worth $1,129.08.
How much is your blog worth?

This website is worth
What is your website worth?

To find out the worth of your own blog/website or to get your own widget, just click inside either widget on the "How much is your website/blog worth" link.