The Hidden Advantages Of Using Nofollow Links For Your SEO Strategy

What is the ultimate goal of your marketing strategy?

For most companies, it is to increase their brand presence. In digital marketing, it is all about getting in the first few ranks of Google search results. You should push your brand towards popularity to increase your ROI.

According to the leading SEO companies, it is all about getting the right kind of links. Getting outbound links and inbound links is the perfect way to encourage new customers. This improves search result ranks as well.

The ideal number of inbound links and outbound links is yet to be found. However, 1:1 seems to be the golden ratio for blogs right now.

Before we get into the details, let’s first talk about the kinds of links that matter.

Dofollow links are the most common type of links that SEOs use to usher in search engine crawlers for site indexing. We have always perceived Nofollow links as the less useful ones. However, a recent report from Kick Media SEO is about to change that.

What are Dofollow links?

If you are aware of SEO terms and practices, we are sure you are already on the edge of your seat waiting to correct us. Technically, there are NO dofollow links. All natural links without the nofollow tag are Dofollow or followed links. These are the literal opposite of the Nofollow links.

It is a link that search engine crawlers can follow to index the content. Dofollow links are the default. Unless you add a Nofollow link, all pages have a basic Dofollow link. This signal is organic and trusted by bots.

The more Dofollow links a website has, the more Google regards the site as authoritative. They are the positive signals no bots can disregard.

What are Nofollow links?

Nofollow links make sure that Google does not pass any “link juice” to your target page. Google does not transfer any PageRank across these sites either. SEOs have always overlooked them since they considered these links ineffective.

Apparently, these links do not have any direct impact on site SEO. Therefore, all efforts on a Nofollow link are useless.

However, Google states they do not follow these links “in general.” This leaves much room for assumptions. This is where a few SEO companies jumped in for new research.

What are the benefits of Nofollow links?

It is quite apparent that using Nofollow links will not boost your page rank. However, Google can use these links to increase your user engagement, particularly organic user engagement. They can boost your visibility and credibility. They can act as an introduction to your company, brands and products.

For Rob Toledo from Moz, using a nofollow link got him hundreds of visitors. It increased CTR and user engagement. Much like his experience, an upward trend is now an expected outcome of using nofollow links.

It is all about balancing the links. The ratio does not have to be 1:1. It is more about your brand’s requirements. Using 40 nofollow links against 60 dofollow links is a standard practice. This creates a more natural link profile that keeps the link ratios almost even.

How can you make the most of your nofollow links?

Nofollow links can bring you more organic engagement. Not all these links are equal and you cannot expect all of them to put in the same kind of traffic. Here are a few ways to optimize your nofollow links:

• Make it interesting. Make sure the link leads to engaging content. People should feel intrigued by the product or service that is at the end of that link.
• Develop compelling content. This is basic for any successful digital marketing strategy. If you want the best out of your SEO strategy, you need to work your content team. Get them to write compelling content that will entice human readers and will engage bots for easy indexing.
• Blend your links. You cannot work with nofollow or dofollow links only. You also need to factor in outbound links that will lead users to authoritative sites. Conduct A/B tests to perfect the ratio according to the outcomes.
• Include freebies. People love free gifts. The only challenge of working with Nofollow links is to lure people to follow the links. For example, if someone is advertising your products with nofollow links, make sure they link to some contest. This will encourage participation and boost your online presence.

Although Nofollow links have been around since 2005, we have started exploring them only recently. They are no longer response to spam comments and negative reviews. They are now instruments of organic SEO.

See Also: The Future of SEO – Predictions and Premonitions That Will Dominate 2017

 

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5 Tips On How To Land The Best Jobs For Introverts

If you become uneasy or anxious when you are around others, then landing a dream job may seem limited. The requirements many businesses have include working and being around others. For an introvert, this creates discomfort and may slow down your potential to achieve success.

Psychology today states that almost 50% of the population is considered an introvert. There are diverse jobs that have been created to match the characteristics of this personality. With a new perspective and by looking in the right places, it’s still possible for you to land one of the best jobs for introverts and enjoy a successful career.

Here are 5 of the best tips you can use.

Highlight your search with the ability to work alone

Not every job is based on teamwork and networking with others. There are specialized career fields that demand that you work alone. What’s important is that you’re able to take responsibility for the projects, meet deadlines and deliver great results.

Show off your skills in relation to the strengths of an introvert. It will help you to move into a higher position faster. It will also provide hundreds of new possibilities for you to strengthen your characteristics and skills.

Master the environment you work in

If you want to work in a field that requires some social skills, then balance this option with your surrounding environment. You can find a position that allows you to telecommute, work from home and balance the amount of time you are required to spend with others.

For instance, find a job that requires holding meetings only once a week or month. Often, these are listed in the job requirements, so you can examine opportunities that align with your levels of interaction before you actually apply.

If you don’t want any interactions, then search for independent styles of work.

Change your search to jobs for introverts

A secretary, customer service representative or networking specialist may not be the career field you want to consider. If you have the skills to work alone, then you should find a specialty job that can match your character.

Look for a career position that can highlight your strengths as an introvert. By shifting your focus, you will open new doors to the perfect opportunity.

For instance, the responsibilities and required skills of a software developer won’t consider your social skills. Instead, it will depend on your ability to work alone and achieve demands and goals through development.

There are many jobs for introverts. Your options include data entry, caregiving and computer work.

Mentally prepare for interactions

Meetings and the interview process require interaction with others. If you are socially anxious, then mentally prepare for these specific parts of the job hunting process.

Try practicing in front of the mirror before reporting to others. You can also practice the interview process with your family so you can study how you will respond to certain questions. While there may be some discomfort, you will find that continuous practice reduces the anxiety that many introverts face.

During the interview, don’t be shy to let your potential employer know that you like to work alone and that you are responsible and accountable. These introvert qualities are what every interviewer looks for.

See Also: 8 Interview Tips For Introverts

Find a fit for your social comfort level

Many introverts are painfully shy and don’t enjoy interacting at all. Others may feel comfortable interacting with others but only to a certain extent.

You can work with psychological tests, such as Myer-Briggs, to measure your characteristics and know where your strengths are. Examining where your line of comfort is and making this clear in your job search as well as interviews will guide you to the perfect job.

It is not only about the company finding the perfect individual for the job. It is also important that you find a job that is aligned with your comfort level and ways, particularly when it comes to the level of interaction required.

Conclusion

There are many jobs for introverts that can help you maintain your comfort level while building a successful career. Start by looking at your strengths and skills and search for a career that isn’t fully dependent on socialization. With that, you’ll be able to find the perfect job.

See Also: 8 Hustle Tips for Introverts and Creative Souls

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Best Business Books: The First-Time Entrepreneur’s Reading List

Many of recent history’s well-renowned entrepreneurs are well-read. Take, for example, Elon Musk and Richard Branson. They have an extensive list, ranging from science fiction and fantasy to historical and business books.

While reading is just one factor that may contribute to success, it is a habit that heavily influences the mind. So, for someone who’s starting out in the business world, you should choose which ideas inhabit and influence your plans, goals, and strategies.

Carve some time this weekend and snuggle with a good book, beginning with the following best business books.

The Lean Startup

Author: Eric Ries

First published in 2011, the book and its central topic remain relevant today. To make launching an enterprise a less risky endeavor, Eric Ries introduces the methodology of the lean startup. As this Harvard Business Review article puts it, the lean startup “favors experimentation over elaborate planning, customer feedback over intuition, and iterative design over traditional ‘big design up front’ development.”

Pick this up from the shelf if you want to learn the techniques that will help you spend less time, money and energy in building up your business idea. Though the goal of the Lean Startup is to present alternatives to traditional business practices. It can also help boost your confidence to fail fast and continue learning.

The Art of the Start

Author: Guy Kawasaki

If you are busy and you have to choose just one book to digest this year, this should be it. If you are at the stage of preparing a pitch and meeting with potential investors, the concepts that Guy Kawasaki outlined in this book will be of much help. Kawasaki, a former chief evangelist at Apple, even shared a list of top ten entrepreneur lies that you can avoid.

Complement it with the Art of the Start 2.0 or devour it as a standalone material. Some readers describe the Art of the Start as fun and comprehensive. Kawasaki’s writing style is clear, instructive and insightful. I am betting you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

REWORK

Authors: Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

“If given a choice between investing in someone who has read REWORK or has an MBA, I’m investing in REWORK every time. A must read for every entrepreneur.” That comment is from serial entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Indeed, for a startup or small business owner, this book is gold. It’s written for people like you in the first place.

REWORK is composed of short essays. Each of them is one to two pages long and uses plain language throughout. Mainly, the essays rework certain prevailing mindsets regarding topics, like workaholism, meetings and competition. You’re in for a ride as this book challenges conventional wisdom and the status quo. Plus, instead of illustrations, it contains artworks to complement the text.

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remember Everything

Author: Joshua Foer

“Our lives are the sum of our memories,” says Joshua Foer, a freelance journalist who studied and wrote about memory improvement. There’s a good review here of his book, Moonwalking with Einstein, which details his journey from following mental athletes to learning ancient mnemonic techniques himself.

Moonwalking with Einstein does not fall under the category of business books. But, it is an engaging read for anyone who wants to improve his ability to remember things, including entrepreneurial concepts and ideas. The techniques are easy to learn if you have the time to devote to them.

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for A Fantastic Future

Author: Ashlee Vance

The only biography on the list, Elon Musk will take you deeper into the life and mind of the man behind some of the world’s most advanced technologies: spacecraft and electric cars. Far from being a sci-fi read, it relays the beginnings of Musk’s venture into space and automotive territories. Journalist Ashlee Vance covers necessary grounds for the readers to understand the nerdy kid who was designing video game codes at 12 years old.

If anything, it can provide you with the necessary push to start, endure and keep moving forward in your entrepreneurial journey. The book will tell you that even Elon Musk, with his demi-god status in Silicon Valley, did not go this far without stumbling many times.

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How to Step Out of the Drama Triangle and Find Real Peace

“Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.” ~Epictetus

 Are you addicted to drama? I was, but I didn’t know it. I thought I was just responding to life, to what was happening. I really didn’t think I had a choice! The drama triangle is so pervasive, and can be so subtle, that it just seems normal. But it’s not, and there’s a much saner way to live, I found.

Dr. Stephen Karpman first described the drama triangle in the 1960’s.

All three of the roles—Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor—are very fluid and can morph easily into one another. We all have a favorite (usually the role we assumed most often in childhood), but most of us are pretty good at all three of them, depending on the situation.

My personal favorite was Rescuer, although I also did a very credible Victim from time to time. I was a Rescuer in my family of origin (middle children often are). I felt virtuous, strong, and necessary when other people turned to me for help or depended on me to take care of things.

But there’s always a downside. Being a perpetual Rescuer led to chronic stress, as I constantly monitored how everyone else was doing and was never available to take care of my own needs.

That’s when I’d slip into the Victim role: I’d feel sorry for myself, since no one seemed to appreciate how hard I was working to take care of them. Which made me feel angry and resentful, and before I knew it I’d find myself picking a fight with my husband or fuming at some unwitting clerk. (Yep, there’s the Persecutor.)

See how the drama cycles from role to role? They all have their payoffs too. It feels good to be a Victim, at least for a while. We get a lot of attention. We don’t need to take responsibility for our actions and their consequences, because we can always find someone else to blame for them. Often people will help us (those nice Rescuers).

And being the Persecutor can feel powerful, especially for someone who has never learned the skill of asking directly for their needs to be met. We get to “blow off steam.” We might even get to have our way for a while—but at what cost?

It’s an exhausting way to live. All of the roles are driven by anxiety and the ways we have learned to “control” it in our lives. The drama keeps us absorbed, and it keeps us enmeshed (unhealthily) with others, but it leaves very little room for real peace and joy. And no room at all for a truly healthy relationship to form.

But how do we step away from the drama triangle, when almost everyone we know is still playing the game?

The first step is simply to be aware of the game, how it works, and what roles you play most frequently. What role did you play as a child? Can you identify the roles that others in your family played? Are they still playing them?

The role of Rescuer may be the easiest to admit to, since it actually sounds praiseworthy or noble on the surface. This is not genuine philanthropy, however—it’s really about control and being in someone else’s business, thus neglecting your own.

If you’re accustomed to being a Victim, on the other hand, you’ll find yourself often looking for someone or something outside of yourself to blame. (In fact, the hallmark of all the roles is that your attention is usually directed outward.)

Finally, although no one likes to admit to being a Persecutor, if anger is your go-to emotion when things go wrong, you’re probably operating in that role. In reality, the anger is just a mask for underlying fear, shame, and powerlessness. Sadly, adult Persecutors were often Victims as children. In the drama triangle there are no good guys and bad guys—everyone loses.

Once you’ve become aware of your patterns, it becomes much easier to recognize the game and, eventually, step out of it. Since the drama triangle is all about being in other people’s business, stepping out of it requires you to remain firmly in your own!

What helped me with this was a concept I call the “zone of integrity.” Imagine a circle around yourself; this represents your business (your true responsibility). In the zone of integrity, you are responsible for being 100 percent honest, both with yourself and with others. This means acknowledging and honoring your own feelings and needs, and allowing others to be responsible for theirs.

It also means taking responsibility for your own actions and their consequences, and letting others do the same. This might require some “tough love,” both toward yourself and others. You might not be the most popular person at the dance for a while. Codependence (which is essentially what the drama triangle describes) is a system. It requires multiple players to function, so people will probably be upset when you opt out. In fact, you can count on it.

During my own withdrawal phase, I would regularly find myself getting sucked into the old dynamics, but it’s become easier and easier to spot when that happens and to use the “zone of integrity” concept to pull myself back into my own business.

Recently my mother asked me to help smooth over a squabble between some of my siblings—exactly the sort of thing I have done all my life. Even in the act of saying yes I suddenly stopped and thought, “Is this really my business? Do I really have to take this on?” And then politely declined.

It’s not always easy in the beginning to recognize whose business you’re in, especially when it involves your family of origin. These are the people who taught you most of what you know about the drama triangle, after all!

For me, I feel a very familiar sense of obligation and guilt when those Rescuer urges start kicking in, which prompts me to pull back and look more closely at the situation. It took practice for me to hear and trust those feelings, but now they’re easy to spot.

The zone of integrity, when I manage to stay there, feels so good. I still care about people, and help when it feels right, but I no longer feel obligated to rescue. That means that I don’t end up feeling victimized, or resentfully persecuting someone else in return. In the long run it’s much better for everyone involved.

My life now has a lot less drama, it’s true. You might miss that sometimes, when people are trading war stories at Friday night happy hour. What you will have instead is true peace of mind, much healthier relationships and a passionate addiction to staying in your zone of integrity. It’s worth the trade-off.

About Amaya Pryce

Amaya Pryce is a spiritual coach and writer living in the Pacific Northwest. Her newest book, How to Grow Your Soul, is available on Amazon. For coaching or to follow her blog, please visit www.amayapryce.com.

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7 Tips in Choosing Perfect Toys for Your Kids

When a birthday or holiday rolls around, no doubt your kids will present you with a wish list of the toys they want. And every time a toy commercial comes on TV, your child is probably pointing to everything they see, asking you to buy it. While you’ll want to fulfill some wishes, there are some more things you should think of when buying toys for your kids.

Here’s how to make the right choice for finding perfect toys for your kids.

Choose Brand Names

Brand names tend to be more reputable and often offer warranties that ensure the durability of the toys you buy. If you shop online, in particular, be cautious of brand names because there are many knock-off items at cheaper prices. While those price cuts might seem like a bargain, they often aren’t very durable. They’re also more likely to come from a vendor with a less than stellar reputation which could leave you with a broken product and wasted money.

Check Out The Reviews

Internet trolls aside, the majority of reviews you see are legitimate. You can learn a lot about the products you plan to buy by seeing what others who have bought and used them have to say about it. If there are more bad reviews than good ones, you’ll probably want to look for a different brand or product instead.

If you want to know if buyer reviews are legitimate, check out Fakespot.

Keep It In The Age Limit

Toys are all designed for different age ranges. Children under the age of 3, for example, shouldn’t have anything with small parts because of the dangers of choking.

Other toys are for older children and while a child of 5 won’t be attempting to eat small pieces, they might not have the patience or understanding for a toy that’s been created with older children in mind.

Think About The Product Features

That toy guitar sure is cute! But does it have a volume control on it? If not, you’ll be doomed to listen to it blaring every single time you attempt to make a phone call. Some products in the same genre will have very different features on them too and it’s up to you decide what makes one set of features better for your child.

Choose Toys That Do More Than Entertain

Some of the toys you choose for your child will be purely for fun value. But other toys will have educational elements to them. Things like water tables or block sets or even toy kitchens all provide an opportunity for your child to learn new things like colors, shapes, new words, even new languages.

There are also other toys that can help children build self-confidence or self-esteem such as pretend toys or musical instruments. While it’s nice to give your kids plush and cuddly toys to love on, the perfect toys for your children can teach soft skills too.

Think About Assembly

Is the toy you’re choosing ready to go right out of the box? Or will it require some effort on your part to put it together?

Make sure you’re aware of the packaging and assembly so you won’t be surprised when you’ve got a new dollhouse that you have to put together while your children shriek with excitement and try to touch everything as you’re assembling it. Talk about pressure!

Compare Prices

Once you’ve decided on the toys you want to buy for your child, you’ll want to look at the price. Not everyone has a limitless budget. You’ll want to factor in things like the cost as well as the usage of it.

For example, if you’re going to buy a walker, you might want to invest in one that has a detachable face of learning activities. That way, when your little one begins walking on her own, she’ll still get use out of this toy.

Before you buy it anywhere, compare the prices of the toys you’ve selected among reputable stores in your area as well as online. Don’t forget that if you order online, you will have to factor the cost of shipping into your budget unless it comes with free shipping.

Remember, toys should be age-appropriate, safe, and durable. Keep that in mind and you’ll always find the perfect toy!

 

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10 Energy-Boosting Snacks To Eat Before The Gym

The will to go to the gym and work your heart out usually gets trumped by the lack of energy to give it all you’ve got. You may be pumped up and hyped but you do not get the most out of your time in the gym. You lose steam easily and you wrap up and throw in the towel early.

Our daily food intake has a lot to do with the energy in our body or the lack thereof. There are pre-work out food that are very ideal to give you that boost you need to make sure you get the workout you have in mind.

We have categorized this energy boosting food that will surely give you that sense of well-being and that extra oomph you need to hit the gym hard.

Dairy

• Yogurt

This has lactose, a sugar derived from milk which is easily digested to give you that extra boost you need before working out. This grab-and-go snack is also packed with protein which allows slow absorption of that milk sugar giving you a longer energy boost.

There are tons of yogurt snacks out there which you can consume on the go, but if you have time to make a pre-work out meal, it will be ideal to add a little greek yogurt dip into it. If you want to have a packed morning snack to power you through the day until you hit the gym, you can even go for apple oat greek yogurt muffins with no oil but with all natural flavor packed with fiber.

Lean meats

• Salmon

This fatty fish has two powerful nutrients; protein and omega 3 fatty acid. We all know that we need protein to build muscle and repair, ligament, tendons, and bones. Omega 3 is a powerful anti-inflammatory which is also very beneficial for your post workout making sure that healing is uninhibited.

• Chicken
  

Lean meats can give you power for hours on end and it is very high in protein. It has lots of nutrients like iron that energizes through the proper transport of blood cells throughout the body, vitamin B to quench fatigue, and magnesium which is essential in building strong bones, ligaments, and tendons.

On your next trip to the gym, grab a chicken sandwich to-go to give you that boost that you need.

Fruits

• Avocado

This is a fruit rich in omega 3 fatty acids, loaded with fiber, protein, magnesium, potassium, and iron. This fruit has a unique balance for building lean muscles and burning fat.

A green smoothie avocado is an easy way of preparing and consuming this pre-workout drink, or it can also be paired with whole grain bread for an avo toast.

• Banana

Bananas have vitamins, antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, and lots of nutrients and minerals that will give you that boost that you need before a workout. It is also one of the best sources of potassium which is essential in muscle function.

Bananas with some berries, raisins, and oats will make a great homemade energy bar with all the nutrients you need and the sugar to curb your sweet cravings.

• Lemon
  

Add a little squeezed lemon in your water and you got yourself the best energy booster around. Lemon water hydrates and oxygenates your cells which in turn give you clean energy that will not give you headaches or mood swings like the artificial energy drinks packed with caffeine and sugar.

Vegetables and legumes

• Cucumber, zucchini, and carrots

These will make a light and easy option veggie roll. This snack is packed with antioxidants. Add few more ingredients like pesto and avocado to add some more protein into your meal.

• Peanuts, soybeans, and hummus

When it comes to building muscles, these legumes have a serious impact and are a great source of protein and fiber. You can have hummus mixed with some chili, carrots, and cucumber.

Grains

• Oatmeal
  

This is the best carbohydrate to start your day right because it has high fiber content and B-vitamins like niacin, thiamin, and folate. It is a very good combination that helps your body metabolize energy.

Oatmeal can also be used in homemade energy bars or healthy cookies that are easy to make for a pre-workout snack.

• Corn

Air popped corn is a whole grain that is packed with fiber and energy. Contrary to its popular version movie theater version, the air-popped popcorn will allow you to have up to four cups since it only contains 30 calories per serving. It contains tons of fiber which will leave you feeling full and satisfied for a longer period without that guilt and heaviness.

• Whole grain

A bowl of whole grain in the morning will give you that early morning boost you need to work and think. It will also satisfy that hunger from your deep slumber.

• Brown rice

Brown rice is one good source of manganese, a mineral that aids in the synthesis of fatty acids. It is also an antioxidant that keeps you healthy and protects you from the damages brought by free radicals.

• Coffee
  

Coffee is a natural energy drink that can power you throughout the day minus the artificial flavors and sweeteners. This low-calorie drink will give you the mental alertness that will surely help you power through your workout.

• Dark chocolate

This is the best way to conquer your sweet tooth cravings. It’s a much better alternative compared to desserts that are heavy on artificial sweeteners and refined starches. These give you sugar highs that only deplete your body of energy and make you crash.

• Flax seed

Flax seed is one of the superfoods that is packed with minerals for strong bones and energy. This tiny seed has more potassium than a banana and beats milk with its calcium content.

Just remember, this list isn’t just for pre workout food. These are also great to eat before going to work or school.

See Also: 8 Bad Food Habits That are Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Goals

 

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Beauty Hacks: 10 Best Hairstyles for Traveling