Performancing Stream of Consciousness - Fri, Apr 4, 2008

Some reading for the weekend:

1. Aspiring web publishers take note. Darren Rowse, one of the kings of blog networks, offers comprehensive advice on how he would build a niche-focused blog network.
2. Aaron Wall has added yet another tool, Rank Checker, to his Seobook site. Rank Checker, for Firefox browser only, tells you where your website ranks in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) for Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft Live.
3. If you have WordPress design or programming skills,  or can provide support services, check out WordPressFreelance for freelance work opportunities. There are no initial fees, however after the trial period, they take the greater of $5 or 5%. [via: WPThemesPlugin.]
4. If you use social media, or have online friends submit your articles for you, Chris Winfield at Search Engine Land has some tips on making your content submit worthy.
5. Google has confirmed an algorithm change for their SERPs, which some members of the SEO community have codenamed Dewey. I haven't delved into this, but if you're interested, here are some references: Search Engine Land, Search Engine Roundtable, Search Engine Journal.
6. Moses at WP Themes Plugin recently released the free LightBreaker WP theme. He points out that it's not a magazine-style theme, though I think it's very professional-looking, and might suit a small network of sites. Or just one. It's widgetized, allows pullquotes easily, and is ad-ready for AdSense and 125x125 px graphic ads.
7. Michael Gray, aka Gray Wolf, always has some sage advice regarding leveraging news events. Read his recent post How to Get 1 Million Dollars Worth of Links. It's short but to the point.