Over the past few days I have added numerous articles to our FREE content directory and 2 new companies to our Home Business Directory. I am also working on a new feature for HBRD. We will soon offer a FANTASTIC venue for parties, events, and the like. This feature will launch in about a week. So, stay tuned for some GREAT deals!!

Good Sense Google Adsense
By: Lara Velez

I have enjoyed a steady increase in my Google Adsense payout during the past year. Let me share with you what I have learned.

Before beginning, I should mention that for Google Adsense Ads, text is BEST! Images can be distracting in a negative way to your visitors. Now, let's begin...

PLACEMENT: The best clicks for me have always been from the top letterboard. I highly recommend placing letterboard Google ads at the top of every page of your site. Or at the very least a 468x60 banner. I have also found that my bottom letterboard does well. This too should be placed on every page.

Another good spot is within the text of your content. It should flow with the text. The ads should not stand out.

APPEARANCE: It is crucial that your Google ads BLEND in with your site. The ad should have the same backround color that your site does, including the borders. There should be no lines. It should look like you typed the text in. Finally, you should set the text color to be the same as your content text. Remember, for optimum performance, Google ads should always blend and never stand out.

CHANNELS: These are an invaluable feature of the Google Adsense program. They really help you pin point what works best with your site. What works for me may not for you. You may find that a sidebar banner receives more clicks.

I suggest that you experiment with the channels and try out different placements and sizes. Give each of them a couple weeks. Keep a log and compare. Then you will know what your visitors tend to click on and can optimize.

This is something that you will want to do periodically to ensure continued success.

GOOGLE REFERRALS: Make use of their fantastic referral program. For me, the Adsense referral option does best. However, I suggest you play around with them and see what your visitors veer towards.

For the referral buttons, you should place them in plain view. You want these to get noticed. Look through all of the size and color options they offer, and choose the one that you feel will attract your visitors the most.

In closing, the best advice I can give you is to take the time to really see what works best and where for your site. And, even different pages within your site. If you take the time, you too will begin seeing a steady increase in your Google checks.

Article Source: http://www.homebusinessresourcedirectory.com

About the Author: Lara Velez is a successful web publisher and owner of several informative websites and businesses. Including; Home Business Resource Directory, a site dedicated to helping people find and succeed in home business ventures. She also offers Web Hosting for family friendly sites with 99% up time, great prices, and MANY fantastic features.

NOTE: You may use this article for reprint ONLY if you DO NOT change the article in ANY way, AND you keep the source and bio IN TACT with ALL links ACTIVE!

We are kicking off August with a contest on the HBRD forums!!

I am giving away one FREE 6 month EXCLUSIVE Rep Listing! That's $115 value!!

What do you have to do? I'm glad you asked!

Post 25 or more helpful and informative posts and/or articles in the General Business sections of our forums between now and August 31 at 11:59pm EST and you will be placed in a random drawing for a FREE six month EXCLUSIVE Rep Lising!!!

You MUST post in the General Business section...(Ad Sections are NOT counted) some of the topics in the general business sections are; party tips, content articles, business tips, SEO, newsletter, blogs, etc.

Not a member? Join Now!

NOTE: If your company is already taken, don't worry...if you are the winner, as soon as it opens up, you will begin your FREE listing.

ALSO: If you already have a rep listing, and you win...you'll just get another 6 months for FREE!

This is an AWESOME opportunity for your business! Don't miss out!!

If you are unsure what an Exlcusive Rep Lising is, click here to find out more!.

Well, I added some more great content! Here is a sample of what HBRD has to offer you and your business building!

Time Management In Your Home Business
By: Andrew Jones

One of the most valuable resources in your online home business is time. We each get the same amount of time each day, but it's what we do with that time that is so very important. You can spend that time on frivolous tasks and "whittle" away the hours or, focus your time and energy on tasks that will grow your business and bring you closer to your goals. Especially working from home, it's too easy to be lazy and waste your time.

Now something that I have just started applying recently and that has worked wonders for me is 8" x 5" Systems Cards. I saw this tip in a forum awhile ago (can't remember who that was to give them credit) but basically you write down everything that needs to be done on these cards. So simple and yet so powerful. This is easier and more immediate to be able to write things down as they occur to you rather than typing things into your computer.

So how do we work this? Well basically, whatever your goals or special projects are, you write down this goal/project at the very top of the card. This is the "Big Picture". Then you "chunk" this down into detailed tasks and place a small checkbox beside each task. Then all you have to do is get to work, complete each of the detailed tasks on the list and tick each item as it's completed. Once you have completed all the tasks, the "puzzle" is finished and your goal (big picture) has been achieved automatically.

Now, you may be wondering, "what's so special about this?" The point is that this is so dead easy and yet if you actually do it there is so much clarity about what has to be done, how it is to be done and your target remains in your sights the whole time.

Ok, so what if you have many projects on the go or some big projects to complete? My recommendation is to allocate a certain amount of time each day, whether that's 8 hours, 4 hours or whatever, that will be up to you to decide. Then break that down into one hour chunks and no matter what, just do that one hour of work on that project and then move onto the next project and do one hour on that, and so on. You will be amazed at how much work you get done and after a few days you will look back and marvel at the number of projects you have completed.

I have a number of different cards for different things. I have a separate card for each project or goal that I want to complete; a card for article topics that I keep with me at all times so that any ideas that occur to me, I can write it down immediately; a card with my marketing plan on it; and a separate card for each day of the week. Each day will have routine tasks that are performed every day such as, check emails and reply to any queries, forum time, traffic exchanges, checking stats, blogging and project/goals. Make sure that you allocate a certain amount of time for each item and tick them off as you complete so that you are accountable.

And then you will have certain tasks that are completed, say once a week. Such as, write and submit an article, check all your links are active, check your subscriber lists, and research, (example for adwords or adsense). Note: just make sure that it is research and not aimless surfing. You can allocate each of these tasks to a different day of the week on the daily cards. Finally, there will be tasks that are done on a monthly basis such as, submitting your link to the directories, tweaking web pages or sales copy, and planning your time. Have these on a separate card and tick off and date each item as it is completed.

The last card that I have is an "ideas list". Any ideas that I have at any time, I write it down straight away, no matter how crazy or stupid the idea sounds. This card (and the other cards) has the effect of actually freeing up my mind and my time so that whatever I'm doing in that hour, I can focus 100% in the moment and stop worrying about other things that have to be done. I'm more effective and less stressed than ever before.

Now, it seems like a lot of work to set-up these cards but once you do, and get into the routine of using them, it's actually far less work than not using them. The added bonus is that you are more effective in your home business and get a lot more completed and achieved. As with everything, consistency is the name of the game.

Article Source: http://www.homebusinessresourcedirectory.com

About the Author: Andrew Jones has been a business owner for the past 10 years, and is now a Plug-In Profit Site owner. To find the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home visit: http://www.EasyCash-At-Home.com

NOTE: You may use this article for reprint ONLY if you DO NOT change the article in ANY way, AND you keep the source and bio IN TACT with ALL links ACTIVE!