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Tag Archives: Blog

Found by Accident on Amazon! Laminated Poster: ‘Beautiful Russia: Moscow’s Many Faces’ from Lada Ray Blog!

27 Wednesday Mar 2019

Posted by Lada Ray in Author Feature, BOOK: GOLD TRAIN, BOOK: THE EARTH SHIFTER, CULTURE: Russia, Love/ Kindness/ Inspiration, My Updates, Social Media

≈ Comments Off on Found by Accident on Amazon! Laminated Poster: ‘Beautiful Russia: Moscow’s Many Faces’ from Lada Ray Blog!

Tags

Amazon, beautiful Russia, Blog, Gold Train, Lada Ray, Lada Ray Books, Moscow, poster

This has nothing to do with me and I do not sell nor promote it. Found it by accident when looking for a link to my books. This is the Amazon product page.

They are referencing a popular 2013 Lada Ray Blog post:

Beautiful Russia 3: Moscow’s Many Faces

This is one of the pics from the above post:

Moscow poster sold on Amazon fr LRBlog post

Dozens of other beautiful images I have collected – inside the post!

This is what the Amazon description says:

  • Laminated durable tear resistant 36×24 HD Poster. Bold & vivid colors.
  • Printed on high quality 24lb photo gloss paper. Heat sealed Lamination for years of protection.
  • Ships same day it is purchased (weekdays)
  • 100% Satisfaction guaranteed or full money back refund
  • Poster Tags: Beautiful Russia 3: Moscow’s Many Faces, Lada Ray Blog

New (1) from $13.99 + $4.00 shipping

**Disclaimer: This is not a promo and I have nothing to do with this product. Someone is obviously using my name to sell it. I just thought that was interesting, and the image does look very nice, if I may say so myself.

__________

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To Blog Or Not To Blog: When a Great Tool Gets Corrupted

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Lada Ray in Social Media, Writing and Publishing

≈ 31 Comments

Tags

Author Lada Ray, Blog, Blogger, Blogging, China, content, corruption, Facebook, Feedback, followers, Google, Russia, San Diego, Social Media, subscribers, Twitter, WordPress

A few days ago, I visited the blog by my new friend, a San Diego photographer, Russel Ray (no relation).

I was intrigued by one of his posts, entitled: “Is there a WordPress store where one can buy likes and comments?” It sounded kinda funny, yet kinda disturbing. To make a long story short, Russel stumbled upon more than one blog, which were started as recently as one or two months ago and had very few and very lack-luster posts, yet boasted hundreds and hundreds of likes and comments per post and had over a thousand followers.

Here is the link to this very interesting post: http://russelrayphotos2.com/2012/06/04/is-there-a-wordpress-store-where-one-can-buy-likes-and-comments/

If you blog, you would know that oftentimes a really great post generates just a few likes and comments, especially if you are new to the blogging realm. I’ve been blogging since January, 2012 and can personally attest how much hard work goes into creating great content, and how hard earned each and every like and comment is. It takes a while to generate loyal and interested readership. Getting 600 likes and 800 laudatory comments for a tiny, 2 paragraph entry that hardly says anything at all, if you’ve only started blogging 6 weeks ago and have 6 posts all together, seems more than a little incongruent.

The post on Russel’s blog generated tons of comments, in which people were speculating what could have caused such an anomaly. Suggestions included: this individual had another blog and when he transitioned to the new one, he took his readership with him (highly doubtful with that kind of puny content); he has great following on Twitter/Facebook and these followers come to his blog to comment and like; he has great search engine optimization and gets lots of hits from Google.   Interesting suggestions which I’ll analyse and refute below.

Russel mentioned several different blogs and here are the links to two of them:

http://travelagos.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/happy-1050th-follower/#comment-744 (notice: in this post he’s bragging about having 1050 followers, and this is comment number 744)

http://2gallants.wordpress.com/

Now, I want to mention that in the past 6 months I met some wonderful bloggers, who put out a truly awesome content. There is a number of people I could mention here, but suffice it to say, any praise they get is well-deserved.

And then, there are these… I went on both of the above-mentioned blogs and confirmed that indeed Russel was correct: way too many likes, way too little content!

I am usually not the one to complain, lament, or point a finger. I usually look ahead, concentrate on doing my best, and see the silver lining, however slim. But this one hit too close to home. And so, I wrote the following comment:

“Russel, this is a very interesting post and food for thought. I looked at both blogs, and it really is very, very curious.

What someone suggested, that these guys have a huge following on Twitter or Facebook doesn’t hold water. I looked at their stats, and each has 2-3 Twitter/FB mentions per post. Which means that these posts have hardly ever been tweeted/FBied. Which means that Tweeter/Facebook are NOT the driver here at all.

You can trust me on this! I have over 6,600 Twitter followers and if you look at my blog, http://LadaRay.wordpress.com, especially older posts, there are 40-100 tweets each and at least several FB mentions. I get mentioned on Twitter a lot, yet very few of my tweeps have WordPress accounts. Many still use Blogger. And unfortunately, these two blogging platforms don’t talk to each other. So, there goes this idea.

Then, what is behind this situation?
I think it would be useful to compare these two blogs to the Lada Ray Blog.

It is a good comparison, since I started my blog not too long ago, in January, 2012. But I think that’s where the comparison ends. I have written something like 55 posts by now, many very substantial, highly informative posts with tons of really great pics about world cultures and travel, especially Russia and China, 2012 Predictions, feng shui articles, and other unique and great stuff you won’t find anywhere else. As a result, I get tons of search engine viewings. In 6 months I have over 20,000 hits. I noticed that one of the blogs Russel mentioned has something like 22,000 hits with what, 6 short posts?

Every day I get at least hundreds of hits, especially for my posts about Russia and China. Many, as I mentioned, originate from the search engines from all over the world. Someone suggested in a comment that search engine hits may result in likes. This is almost NEVER the case, because people who visit your blog that way are interested in specific info they were searching for. They, most likely, don’t have a WordPress account, therefore can’t just click on like that easily. I think they have to sign in, provide email, possibly answer security question, etc. Very few have time and patience. Even if they really loved your post. I get comments sometimes, often from foreign countries. But these people hardly ever click on likes.

I also have close to 200 subscribers, but still get VERY few likes. Sometimes, I get more comments than likes. It actually saddens me, because I put all that work into my posts. I put them out so people could learn something, experience things they wouldn’t be able to experience otherwise. In return, I’d like to see at least some response and validation. At the same time, I see other blogs, with posts that are puny, oftentimes not even remotely interesting or even nonsensical, and they somehow get tons and tons of likes and comments. I do realize that perhaps these people have been around for a while. But looking at examples Russel provides, this argument flies out the window.

Yes, it is possible that these people had previous blogs with a large base of followers. It is also possible that they bought following. It’s even conceivable that they are somehow famous or notorious in certain circles, but it would not be FB/Twitter for sure. See my explanation above.

What I think though is that these new bloggers are using one trick. They go from blog to blog and subscribe to lots of blogs, as well as flood them with comments. And people reciprocate. Unfortunately, many people who like as return courtesy, don’t even read the posts. But all these hundreds of likes stroke one’s ego and make one look good, even if there is absolutely no content to back it up. Meanwhile, the really great blogs seem deserted, because their authors actually spend time creating content and have no time left to fleet around randomly.

As a result, a potentially great tool, which is supposed to be used as validation and recognition of someone’s efforts to provide great content, is corrupted. Unfortunately, social media can be a blessing and a curse. And often, it is too easy to manipulate it.”

One of these bloggers, named Lagos, actually responded to Russel’s question, defending his blog by saying that it is beautiful, that TO HIM it is the greatest thing since the sliced bread, that he has lots of friends and relatives who support his blog, and also that different people like different blogs.

Here is the link to the exchange between Russel and Lagos: http://russelrayphotos2.com/2012/06/08/extended-hours-at-the-san-diego-zoo-begin-june-22/#comment-3953

I decided to contribute to this conversation:

“Hi Lagos, I read the exchange between you and Russel and I checked out your blog. Unfortunately, I have to agree with everything Russel said. I started my blog in Jan. 2012 and created 55 great, substantial, unique and beautiful posts since then. I have over 6,600 Twitter followers and close to 200 blog followers. My blog is not only informative, but also beautiful, with lots of great pics, history, etc. I also got 20,000 viewings in 6 months. However, since I don’t have time to randomly go around clicking on likes for people I never met and because I don’t have a family who’d like my posts to death, I get 8-12 likes per post. And these are all hard earned likes.

I am inviting you to visit my blog to see for yourself. So, my friend, I am afraid, the verdict is that you are using some kind of trick(s). This is not real, and that’s sad. Very sad.

The question is, what’s the point in putting out great info? Let’s all create this illusion of being popular, instead of actually doing something worthwhile that justifies these likes. Yes, people are different, but they are not stupid.”

The way I see it, we all have a choice: why bother creating content if you can go around clicking on likes and flooding other blogs with comments. Some will reciprocate. This will provide the illusion that one is popular – a great ego-stroking tool! Let’s forget content, let’s forget beauty, humor, information. Let’s be mindless, indifferent, let’s exist in an illusion.

Tempting? Perhaps.

But I chose another road – in blogging and in life. It may take longer, and it may be a lot of hard work. And perhaps, I’ll never get 800 likes and 900 comments per post, or perhaps I will. But I’ll do my best to make each post unique, entertaining, intelligent and beautiful! And I’ll always make it real.

In the end, I know, my reader will find his/her way to my blog. And if each reader takes away a piece of knowledge they didn’t have, an inspiration they needed, or a chuckle that brightens their day, then my work is done!

A note to my readers: And what’s your opinion? I am thinking about bringing this post to the attention of WordPress admin. Don’t get me wrong, it is marvelous that bloggers talk to each other and visit each other’s blogs. But as Maddy @ 1EarthNow blog has pointed out in her comment, “likes” should represent feedback, not a popularity contest like Facebook likes. Blogs should be more meaningful.”

Great point, Maddy! Worpress seems to be taking a somewhat dubious turn with its overemphasis on likes and underemphasis on genuine blogging. As a result, it becomes gimmicky and discourages great content.

How do we strike the right balance between the two? That is the question!

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I Received The Versatile Blogger Award (VBA)

22 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by Lada Ray in My Updates

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Blog, Blogger, Catskill Mountains, China, Moscow, Russia, USA, VBA, Versatile Blogger Award

I received the Versatile Blogger Award (VBA) from author and blogger, Mike Edwards!

versatileblogger11

Here is the link to Mike’s post: http://worldadventurers.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/i-received-the-versatile-blogger-award/

According to my esteemed sponsor, Mike Edwards, here is what VBA is all about:

Versatile Blogger Award (VBA)

What is it?

As far as I can tell — details are rather sketchy and only the creator knows for sure — this lofty-sounding award is basically a mutual admiration society where bloggers recognize their peers for writing quality blogs that touched them in some way. The VBAs honor the blogger rather than specific posts. It’s a chance for bloggers to pat themselves on the back like the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does with the Oscars. Until someone starts giving out Blogscars, the VBAs will have to suffice.

What are the criteria?

If you are nominated, you’ve been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award. I nominated 15 outstanding bloggers below. Congratulations!

Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.

Thank you, Mike! I am truly honored and touched!

Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.

Link to Mike’s blog, World Adventurers: http://worldadventurers.wordpress.com/

Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. (I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)

The envelope, please…

Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.

And the nominees/winners are (in no particular order):

1. Different Outcomes Blog by Jason Sullivan http://differentoutcomes.wordpress.com/

2. BooksReview4U by J.J. Collins http://booksreview4u.wordpress.com/

3. Jambalian by Alan McDermott http://jambalian.blogspot.com/

4. Writing Straight by Holy Michael http://writingstraight.com/

5. Kate’s Reads http://kates-reads.blogspot.com/

6. 1EarthNow by Madelaine Walsh http://1earthnow.wordpress.com/

7. Jack Whitsel http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com/

8. The Bad Luck Detective by Suzie Ivy http://badluckdetective.wordpress.com/

9. Wordsfromanelli by Anelli Purchase http://wordsfromanneli.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/all-up-in-the-hills/#comment-832

10. Life in the Realm of Fantasy by Connie Jasperson  http://conniejjasperson.wordpress.com/

11. The HeSo Project by Tracy http://thehesoproject.wordpress.com/

12. Be Encouraged by Lynn Emery http://beencouraged.wordpress.com/

13. A Library of Our Own by Debbie http://alibraryofourown.blogspot.com/

14. The Manicheans by Johanna Pitcairn http://themanicheans.wordpress.com/

15. Flash Bites by Krista Bunskoek http://flashbites.wordpress.com/

Congratulations, winners!

Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

My “ACCEPTANCE SPEECH” 

I want to thank the Academy and my distinguished colleagues for nominating me… ahem… ahem… Here, I am supposed to tell you seven things about myself that prove how versatile I am 😉

That’s a tough one… Okay, let’s try:

1. I was born in Moscow, Russia, but since the ripe age of 2 lived and traveled all over the world.

2. My entire family was connected to travel and various modes of transportation, including trains, ships and space ships. Despite that, my preferred way of getting around is plain old walking.

3. The only mode of transportation I never managed to become personal friends with is… the bicycle, despite the fact that my husband is an accomplished cyclist and I love watching Le Tour de France (primarily because of awesome castles).

4. By the age of 38 I managed to have 3 different successful careers on 3 different continents… And then I decided to follow my dreams and started writing. Little did I know what I was getting myself into 😉

5. My life – and writing – is intrinsically connected to 3 largest and most powerful countries on the planet: USA, Russia and China. But I would much prefer to live in the world without power struggles and borders 🙂

6. Despite having had a high powered career and having traveled extensively, or perhaps because of that, my preferred residence is my writing retreat in the quiet Catskill Mountains, NY.

7. After I started writing, I found myself busier than I’ve ever been. And that’s saying a lot coming from a former stock broker. I have big plans for my future books, and writing is always the biggest fun, but I am equally determined to find more time to meditate and be with nature.

Congrats to the new VBA winners, and thanks again to my friend, Mike Edwards!

Lada Ray

Lada Ray is a world  traveler, nature lover, financial consultant, feng shui master and author of psychological mystery/thriller Stepford USA and GOLD TRAIN, gripping mystery/thriller set in Russia and based on true historic events. A new fantasy/thriller, THE EARTH SHIFTER, & mystery/thriller, DRAGON GATE, coming in 2012!

To learn more about Lada’s books and projects visit http://www.LadaRay.com

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