Giving Microsoft pubCenter Another Try

If for no other reason other than boredom, I decided to give Microsoft's advertisment publishing system a try on a real web site. OK, well, boredom and the fact they sent me a real cool stainless steel water bottle the other day.

I had previously tried it on a lower traffic site and had terrible results. No money, few ads and generally blown off by the support team. I figured Id' give it a good test on one of my higher traffic sites...and one that performs very well with Google AdSense.

To test, rather than simply replace AdSense, I figured I'd run an A/B test and show them at random in the higher traffic areas of a popular web site. The results have still been disappointing, but not as disappointing as before.

On this site I am, at least, seeing ads, which is more than I saw on my first test. The first test rarely even produced ads and support told me I didn't have enough textual content to produce keywords, which was laughable at best. This new test I get ads all the time, which is a step in the right direction. The problem is that at best half of the ads are actually related to the content.

I find it interesting though, that it appears that Microsoft's system does pay a bit more per click, but, due to the inaccuracy of the ads, the clicks are far less (FAR less) so I am still making less than with AdSense. I have given it a few days, hoping it would improve, and the ads have improved, but not even close to as good as AdSense has been.

The net result is that AdSense is still doing better, but, if I could get a CTR with Microsoft like I do with AdSense, I'd be raking in the money!

Keep Working In A Down Economy

This topic has come near and dear to me since April Fools Day. it was that day in which I got layed off from my position at a small company, which I knew was a risk in when I took it, but a worth while risk that didn't pan out.

In previous years I consulted for a long time, with no problems. I never had more than a few days go by between gigs. Today is a different economy, jobs are fewer and farther between, interviews are tougher, requirements are stiffer, so it's a bitch.

I've been lucky, I have kept working the whole time, but it hasn't been by accident, there is a method to do so.

Web designer and developer have a leg up on some industries, it's much easier for people in our racket to freelance and consult than for some sectors of employment. The trick is to listen to everybody. Large and small businesses can be looking for your services. Small businesses can be great for filling time between longer term contracts, or night work during longer contracts. Long terms may be harder to come by, so, if you have one, don't be afraid to take on night work while doing so. As my dad has said "make hay while the sun shines".

Get your resume on Monster, Dice and CareerBuilder, update them often with your dates of availability and subscirbe to email alerts based on the queries for your area of expertise.

Get to know some recruiters of reputable firms. Many times if you hear about a job from some dude you never heard of, check in with guys you know, see if they have the same gig and go through them, develop a relationship with them.

On your online profiles, update them frequently, many times they appear at the top of the list when they are updated. The days I update mine are the days I get the most calls. Hit the pavement, talk to local business people. Join your local business networking club or other local groups, do some well chosen volunteer work. Get involved locally and start networking to keep your name on the tips of people's tongues.

As a web developer or designer, you'll keep working, because most businesses value the power of the internet. You may take some low paying gigs and some high paying gigs, but at the end of the day, keep working, keep learning and keep networking.