WordPress issues
If you have been following my blog, you noticed it had it’s ups and downs – literally (Since approximately February 15, 2013). The website has been down several times, over the past few days. This blog is hosted on WordPress [dot] com and they host the domain name. But the name server is hosted by CloudFlare.
WordPress [dot] com does allow you to host the name servers elsewhere. I have done this for months. CloudFlare tech support says everything is OK on their side. I can even Ping (i.e. a technical thing). my domain name and send packets of data to it.
Now I used to be able to open up tickets directly with WordPress [dot] com support. Now I’m limited to opening up a community forum issue. You can view the dialog with forum volunteers at WordPress User Forum
Yet it should be simple to investigate. If they are running Apache on Linux, you just look at the Apache error log file and query by IP address. Pretty simple.
There are two advantages to using CloudFlare:
- You can run some CloudFlare supplied apps not available on WordPress [dot] com (i.e Google Analytics)
- They filter out potential threats, even before it gets to the WordPress server side.
I just have this to say regarding CloudFlare and WordPress [dot] com support staff. I have free accounts at both places. But I did correspond with real CloudFlare support staff members. At WordPress, I had to open an issue on the community forum and talk to volunteers. Which do you think is the better approach?
I’m a former software engineer of 30 years standing. I’m looking for one of two things from the WordPress support staff:
- Either a resolution to the issue
- Or an reasonable explanation why this configuration is no longer possible.
Maybe everything is OK now – don’t know. I’ll have to just monitor things for the next few days or so.
LinkedIn and Twitter posts
What’s up with LinkedIn? I can send Twitter posts via HootSuite to Twitter, Google+. LinkedIn and FaceBook. Yet LinkedIn seems to limit the number of Tweets it will accept. I get errors with too many Tweets and have to post directly to LinkedIn. What’s up with that?
Suggestions on AWAI forum
Some on starting on in copywriting. Here are some suggestions I shared to start-ups.
You need to treat free-lance writing as a business. Here are some other suggestions:
- If you like any book, order it at Amazon. Check the user reviews. Now on to the book types. See if you local public library can obtain a copy to read.
- Copywriting books – check out books by Bob Bly, Steve Slaunwhite, Dan Kennedy, Joseph Sugarman, Ben Hart, and others. Just go to Amazon and put in the keyword copywriting. See what comes up and look at the overall reader review.
- Business of writing – writing’s a business. Look for books by Peter Bowerman, Steve Slaunwhite, Kelly James-Enger, and Lucy V. Parker. Heck! I once met Kelly at a local library writer’s talk. She was once a “bored” lawyer, before kicking up the writer’s circuit.
- AWAI has some good marketing courses for B2B. I’m currently taking one now by Steve Slaunwhite.
- Take the free business courses at My Own Business.
- Take the free direct response copywriting course at Ben Hart Marketing . It’s worth it’s weight in gold.
- If you live in the US, take advantage of free counseling and low-cost training from SCORE and the SBA. See SBA and SCORE.
- Try writing other stuff like short stories, etc., to learn the art of telling a story. Ask your local public library reference librarian for your in-district junior college (i.e. USA) and local writing groups. Take some creative writing courses and join local writing groups.
- I almost forgot to mention classical self-help books. Look at books like The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill or The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
- And I better mention the free HubSpot inbound marketing university training at Inbound Marketing University .
Academic and business blog posts
Here are some blog posts I recommend from academic and business acquaintances of mine. After Saturday, February 25, 2013, I won’t be publishing any more blog references – except for infographics. This is due to the time required to prepare the links and increasing client work.
Why so many blog posts about kids? Because we have too many US mass killing sprees. Perhaps some good articles on proper childhood care can cure this current and future trend?
- How nannies can build exercise into their days
- Rude things people say to parents and the best responses to go with them
- Expert insights with Susan Tokayer and Becky Kavanagh, co-presidents of the international nanny association
- 10 of the best iPhone apps for stay at home dads
- 10 tips for helping kids be independent
- How to get on a reality show
- 30 blogs parents of teenage girls won’t want to miss
- A mom’s guide to balancing work and family
- 30 blogs for sleep training fussy babies
- How to know if your child is ready for a booster seat
- 21 blogs sharing date night ideas
- 10 hot lunch ideas to pack for school-aged kids
- 28 blogs with ideas to keep teens from going stir crazy over spring break
- 5 ways to help kids who are struggling with homework
- 12 secrets for maintaining a happy marriage after kids
- 10 iPhone apps to help you track your favorite team’s stats
- 8 blogs you can use to determine if your child is gifted
- 15 common Internet scams and how to avoid them
- What Britney Spears should look for in a nanny
- How to get more sleep out of your toddler
More to read: It’s easy to un-merge an ATT and Yahoo email – NOT!