Hello to all!

I have no idea who, if anybody, reads this blog, but if you are spending a few minutes on it, then thank you. I hope I give some light relief and maybe some help with a problem.

It always intrigues me why so many people need and ask for help on chats, blogs, many other methods of communication, but can't/don't think that their advice is worthwhile in the least, and don't/won't contribute to these sites at all.

According to friends of mine who have followed the cyber-business trail, traffic is almost the be-all and end-all. Well, be prepared for a little surprise. If you help someone else out, chances are they will visit your site, even if it is just to say "thanks". It costs you absolutely nothing to give those few words of advice and you most likely get a back-link, free of charge and legally, keeping you away from Google's nasty little alogarhythms and them off your case.

Forums are for people to share, much like the old gatherings of clubs and people were: to share information and meet other like-minded people. Unfortunately these sorts of gatherings are now few and far between, thanks partly to the Internet, but the Internet also makes  it so much easier to get in touch with others. So don't be shy.

Is there anything you've always wanted to know about, but were too shy to ask about? Another friend of mine is very shy(the real shrinking violet in public!) but NOT when she is confronted by her absolute favourite subject. I mean, I like chess too( I play it and have a reasonable idea of what each piece can do, but am NOT by any means as serious as this friend.) She is always looking for forums anywhere on chess, not to strut her stuff, but to see if she can help another learn a tricky move.(She'll kill me if she sees I've used her as an example!)

So be brave and actually get in touch on a forum and answer a question. It doesn't matter what the topic is. Exotic reptiles are not one of my favourites( I saw the movie Anaconda; lousy movie, but as a young woman  that was it for reptiles!), but it could be yours.

All I am trying to say is: get out of your comfort zone. You never know just what you may find in odd little corners( fair enough, some are too creepy for words), and you might even discover something that desperately needs articles, anything at all to grow itself. Often the people who own these sites pay well for what they want. Another friend found a site which dealt in ancient England, with the swords and the armour and all that stuff, wrote a few articles, offered them and was gleefully asked for more. She has since grown an interest in it herself.

So, as i said, get out of your comfort zone and find something else. You may not be totally interested in it