The Workaholic Editor Ryan Block

When Ryan Block left Engadget (www.engadget.com), it created a wave of surprise, disbelief and awe in the blogging world. The reactions came probably because no one expected him to leave the website he co-created with Peter Rojas. Well, that’s what really happened and it has started to sink in now.

Ryan Block is, as everybody knows and for the information of those who do not know him yet, the co-founder of Engadget. He is also the editor-in-chief of the site, which was launched in March 2004. His technological know-how and rabid work attitude helped make Engadget one of the most sought after website for technological information.

Engadget is a website dedicated to the coverage of the latest electronics and technology gadgets. The website features reviews and profiles of the latest gadgets that are out, or soon-to-be-released, in the market. Covered in the blog are detailed information on these devices. The commentaries at this site cover not only the gadgets’ design but also including the hardware and software used. They provide informative insights on the various consumer electronic and technological devices.

Ryan Block is a rabid workaholic, always looking for what’s new in the technology world and always wanting to be the first person to break out the news. He admitted to being an addict at this kind of work, which is why he excels in this area. In fact, he described Engadget as a “web site that focuses on obsessive coverage of consumer electronics and technology.” Prior to Engadget, Block worked in network engineering. He also co-founded gdgt, which is also a consumer electronics website.

His excellent work attitude made him an authority in the technological arena. His works and comments have been often quoted by a number of prestigious news organizations such as BBC, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Times, BusinessWeek and The Guardian, to name a few. Block has also been invited to appear on TV shows at some of the biggest networks like the CNN to talk on the different aspects of the newest electronic gadgets. He was also included in Forbe’s 2007 Web Celeb 25 and one of Paper Magazine’s  Beautiful People in 2006.

As soon as he confirmed the news of his retirement from Engadget, several of his colleagues and friends – and rivals as well – had mixed reactions. His successor at Engadget, Josh Topolsky, was particularly surprised at the news. Topolsky was a bit apprehensive for, according to him, the post that will be vacated is a “big shoes to be filled in”. However, Josh was also excited to take the post of editor-in-chief of Engadget. It means putting him at the same level that Ryan Block is on.

Right now, Ryan Block is working with Engadget co-founder Peter Rojas, another colleague of Ryan, to start a new blog on consumer electronics. This new project would mean another chapter on Block’s life in blogging. It could also mean another up-and-coming authoritative blog. At this moment, people are already waiting for the announcement of the launching of this new website.

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Michael remembers growing up in many different areas including California, England, and Surrey. He later enrolled in college at U.C. Berkeley, in which later he transferred to a small college called Claremont McKenna. After college he advanced on to Stanford where he majored in economics. He later graduated in 1995.

After several high profile jobs and venturing into the business world of law and stocks he eventually landed where he is today. Today he is an active blogger who chooses to write on the impact of technology on media. His blog is viewed daily by thousands of individuals around the world. His blog covers the Silicon Valley technology start up. He has been featured in many of the world’s most read magazines including Forbes, Business Week, and Wall Street Journal. If you need any information or interest in the newest Internet products or companies you will find it here. From gadgets to enterprises TechCrunch provides you will all the information you could ever need in one place.

When he isn’t working he enjoys kicking back with family or friends watching a good ball game or shooting pool. He says at times he enjoys just taking the day off from being at his computer to just do normal things. While he loves his job and enjoys being able to provide the world with up to date info on the webs hottest things he says he like anyone else needs a break every now and then. According to his family and friends he’s a laid back guy who goes with the flow. While being an innovator and entrepreneur he’s also just a regular guy.

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Jeff Carey launched HybridSUV.com a year ago this month, in September of 2007. After researching and driving several hybrids, Carey decided he wanted an all-wheel drive vehicle with seating for 7 and the ability to tow a boat or trailer as needed. And while he eventually chose a Toyota Highlander, he was frustrated that there wasn’t a website dedicated to hybrid SUV comparisons. That’s when he made the decision to build one himself. In its first year, his hybrid blog has attracted over a quarter million visitors and earned several page one rankings on Google, Yahoo, and MSN.

HybridSUV.com includes articles about past, current, and future hybrids. Some of the most popular areas of the site include a SUV gas mileage comparison chart and the SUV safety ratings article. If you’re in the market for a hybrid or a sport utility vehicle, this is a great place to begin your research.

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Rosie O’donnell is taking the entire month of August off, but i wonder will she be able to do it, as blogging is quite addictive. Rosie has thousands of readers on her blog, and is a perennial fave on Bloggers Choice Awards, how will her readers cope.

I must admit i don’t read Rosie’s blog, but i have visited it in the past, she has a unique style of writing, it’s different, and that has attracted alot of attention.

Will Rosie return to the world of blogging? We will have to wait to September to find out.

Source: [Perez Hilton]

Image: [Give Me My Remote]

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Gear Crave is a blog about and for men, they feature lots of cool gadgets regularly, how to articles, plus interviews and weekly contests. This week the contest is sponsored by a company called Molla Space.

Check out below some of the very hip guy stuff they carry.

all black playing cards

gun mug - kill time coffee mug

To enter to win one of four $50 gift certificates from MollaSpace, visit Gear Crave and follow 2 simple steps:

1. ) subscribe to their newsletter

2.) leave a comment on their blog specifying which item you lust after

That’s it, go to Gear Crave now and enter. Good Luck!

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I want to thank all who participated, and made the contest a success. My goal was to ramp up the comments on the blog, and this contest garnered 31 comments in one post. Sweet!

What’s Next?

I still have lots of EC credits left, and plan to giveaway some more.

But next time the giveaway will be held at my other blog, G34 Media.

So be sure to subscribe to my network blog, to be notified of the next EC credit blowout. The contest should take place within the next week, or two.

Who Won Grand Prize?

Enough with the updates, let’s reveal who won the 2,200 EC Credits.

The winner is…..(drum roll please)… Adiska @ Money Bag Blog Congrats to Adiska!

Hope he accomplishes what he wanted.

Who Won Second Prize?

The winner of the 100 EC Credits is……Khyle @ Entrecard Contest Blog. Congrats to Khyle!

An email will be sent to the winners, and they have 2 days to claim the prize, otherwise new winners will be announced. The credits will be pushed, via the “give credits to” feature on EC.

P.S. Thanks again to all who participated.

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What is Entrecard?

Entrecard is a cool service for bloggers, that allows advertising of various types, via an exchange of credits. You can grab an ad on popular blogs like John Chow, and receive tons of traffic to your blog. There are lots of cool things bloggers can use EC for, such as promo for a contest, introduce a new eBook, etc.

I admit i’m not as active on Entrecard, as i use to be, but not because it isn’t a useful resource, but because i’ve just gotten lazy with it.

Now on to the 2,200 Entrecard Credits Giveaway

To enter the giveaway and get a boatload of Entrecard credits, all you need to do is:

1. Write about this contest on your blog
2. Leave a comment below that you are entering (be sure to leave a valid email address)
3. Tell me why you should win. What are you planning on doing with the 2,200 EC Credits?

Starts: July 28th (Monday - today- now!)

Ends: July 30th @ Midnight

Winner Announced: July 31st, 2008

Prize: 2,200 Entrecard Credits

Special bonus:

100 EC credits to a random entry. (So a total of 2 winners) Starts now!

Good luck to all.

UPDATE: The contest is officially over, as i have picked winners. I ended it early by mistake. Apologies to all. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT ANY MORE ENTRIES.

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It takes places every quarter, and this one just started today, ends Friday. My entry is the 2,200 Entrecard Credits Giveaway which ends this Wednesday.

Grab some prime ad spots with 2,200 EC Credits, and you have till midnight July 30th, to enter.

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In April 2007, i found my first gig through Craigslist. But i have found other gigs since then, through some of the sites mentioned below. If you are looking to get a blog job, below are the 9 best resources to find a blogging job. These are the best of the best.

9. Yahoo Pipes

8. SitePoint

7. Digital Point Forums

6. Performancing

5. Cragislist - San Francisco

4. Freelance Writing Gigs

3. Blogger Jobs Biz

2. Craigslist - New York

1. Problogger Job Board (no big surprise, to experienced bloggers)

There you have it. The 9 best places for bloggers/freelance writers to find blog jobs. Remember sometimes you have to take a low paying gig, to learn the ropes or spruce up your resume. Do it, it will benefit you in the long run.

Prepare like you would for any job

I have found several blogging gigs through the resources listed above. These are your best bet in landing that coveted blog job, or even a part-time assignment. Browse, do your research, apply, submit your best work samples, and establish your rates ealy on.

Any that i missed, share in the comments section. Good Luck in your search for a blog job!

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The secret? It’s all in the placement. You need to place your Adsense ads in the most visible and highly trafficked part of your blog.

It’s All In The Placement

You can spend time messing around with code, and your theme editor in your wordpress dashboard, or you can simply find Adsense optimized wordpress themes.

Adsense ready themes have done all the hard work for you. The themes are designed and optimized specifically to generate clicks. Remember, its all in the placement, and Adsense ready themes are created by those who have figured this out, and have the best placement spots built-in.

All you need to do is grab one, download it, activate it, and add content. Lots of content. Drive steady traffic to the blog, (minimum of 200 to 300 visitors a day), and watch those Adsense pennies come rolling in.

Do this over and over. Start with one blog, and then add another. Rinse and repeat.

Ready to give it a try?

Start with these 12 Adsense Ready Themes, create a blog, add content, drive traffic to it, and wait for your Adsense paycheck in the mail. It really is that simple.

Any questions, leave them below in the comments section. Good Luck!

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