Visitors can now subscribe to a site wide feed, by RSS or via daily email alert.  Just go to the New Posts pag, and choose which delivery method is best.

This is exciting because all the ratings are networked across blogs and blogging platforms, from blogger.com to self hosted wordpress blogs all over the internet.  They’re in Beta testing right now, so a public listing of blog posts isn’t available quite yet.  We, as a community can get in on the ground floor, which will be hugely benificial in terms of traffic for all the blogs using it once the system is opened up to the public.

Using the Outbrain plugin is not required, but is strongly encouraged as it should prove to be a great promotional tool & helps our bloggers keep track of what content their readers like most.  To install the plugin, just go to “Plugins” from the admin panel and activate it.

TO CLARIFY: These are users ads, not for the benifit of OutdoorsBlogger, and are optional.  You place your own Adsense code, and get your check from Google.  We’re not placing ads on everybody’s blog, period.

Installing Google Adsense on OutdoorsBlogger

From The Outdoor Bloggers Summit mission statement:

• Support conservation efforts and positively portray the value of outdoor pursuits
• Encourage and support the efforts of existing outdoor bloggers
• Offer incentive and support for new bloggers who might wish to blog about the outdoors
• Unite the voices of bloggers so we can speak as one about critical issues that effect outdoor pursuits.
• Provide a clearinghouse for information about outdoor pursuits

How can you support The Outdoor Bloggers Summit?

1. Post about The Summit, and introduce your readers to what they’re all about.
2. Add the “I support The Outdoor Bloggers Summit” badge on your blog.

  OutdoorsBlogger writers can add the badge to their blog roll by taking the following steps:

1. From the blog roll menu, click “Add a Link”
2. Fill in the name attribute, put ” http://outdoorbloggerssummit.blogspot.com/ ” in the Address field (without the quotes).
3. Lastly, open the advanced dialog below.  Fill in Image Address field as ” http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/huntwriter/OWOV/sum_bu1.jpg ” (also without the quotes) and click add link.

Oh, and for you MyBlogLog fans, we’ve got a widget in the works for you too.

1. Support Forums - a place to ask about promoting your blog, working with the post editor, plugins, widgets, and anything else that will help make your blog a success!
2. ODB’s Big Post Map - Now OutdoorsBloggers can mark there posts on our Big Post Map. No need to enter coordinates, or code anything… just activate the plugin and type in your location. Instructions and feedback here.

2. If you’re not recognized as an expert, here’s your chance.

3. If you’re a guide, it is a great way to build your business.
Guides: Blogging gives you exposure

4. Connect with like minded people.

5. Raise awareness to issues dear to you.

6. It could make you famous.
See here:
And here:

7. No website to mess with. No coding, html, or any of those other scary acronyms.

8. Multiple users can share a blog.

9. People want to hear from you. If you landed a huge tarpon, we want to see & hear about it. No, you don’t have to tell anyone where your favorite fishing hole or hunting stand is located.

10. It’s fun.

1.) You’re the expert, prove it!
If you’re the guy that knows Florida flats bonefish, or how rocky mountain elk react to early fall snow, give tips and advice. Potential clients will recognize you as an expert and wonder what other tricks you have up your sleeve. Give teasers, but you don’t have to give away that favorite fishing hole.

2.) Fishing/Hunting Reports
First thing potential clients are going to want to know is what fish are running at that time of year, or when the rut starts. Give them an idea of when their target species is doing what through periodic updates.

3.) Regulations
Second thing potential clients are looking for: what bag limits are in place, when is the season for a particular game, how would one draw permits for such a beast or is this something the guide can handle for me? Note, a link to the state DNR web page will do, but covering them your self is even better.

4.) Profile Fish and Game
Detail what’s out there to hunt or fish. Give photos, describe what kind of trip is involved, and list what options are available for bagging their dream or game.

5.) Search Engines Love Blogs
Not all websites are created equal. Search engines love blogs because they are text heavy, deliver fresh content, create unique titles, and a number of other SEO factors not within the scope of this article. What’s important is that blogs can consistently outperform traditional websites for target search terms, but also maximize the effect of long tail search terms (google “long tail seo”). You’ll be surprised at how many people find you and your blog by seemingly random search terms such as a particular mountain you hunt, or a reef you mentioned last spring.

6.) Pictures are Your Friend
Potential clients want nothing more than to be the face in that picture of a 32″ redfish, trophy rainbow, or a 400 class elk. Photo galleries are a great idea, but also feature a trophy from time to time with a very ecstatic client in the background.

7.) Testimonials
If you’re really making people happy, they will love to give you great feedback. Email some past clients for a testimonial, or better yet ask a happy client to write a note on the boat ride or hike back from your outing. Most clients are happy to help, and you wouldn’t believe how far testimonials go to build credibility.

8.) It’s Easy
Anybody who can use the internet and make complete sentences can do it. Potential clients aren’t looking for Pulitzer Prize awarding writing; they are looking for the scoop on their next destination and somebody who can take them to where the “big ones” are located. Most blogging platforms offer an easy to use web interface to write, edit, and change the look of the blog very easily.