At last. Sometime in the latter half of June 2011, Google finally updated their PageRank system to the delight of many of us here at the Yakezie. It’s been a long road for many of you who have been stuck with a 0 PageRank for months. But, never one to lay down and roll over, we as a group collectively managed to elevate the importance of mozRank in the website ranking ecosystem. Not only did we implement mozRank as a key metric for the Yakezie Blog Network list, we wrote posts describing the merits of the system which updates much more frequently, and have also convinced advertisers to use the metric as well.
I am extremely proud of all of you who stuck it through and got bumped up. Instead of giving up, you kept on producing good content, linking out to each other, and sharing each others words. A few of you have seen a loss of a PR point which doesn’t make sense. Meanwhile, some of the less active bloggers achieved a PR of 5 or 6, which is excellent, but also quite curious as well. Often times, there is no rhyme or reason to Google’s blackbox Pagerank system, but it is what it is. Collectively, the entire Network wins, and if the Network wins, each individual Member wins as well given the increased authority and confluence of proposals that come our way.
Just looking at the Yakezie Blog Network list now, I am absolutely blown away by how excellent all of our sites are. It’s one thing to have a list of personal finance bloggers, but it’s another thing to have a list of extremely impactful bloggers that know each other and collaborate!
“CREATING POWERFUL FRIENDS”
When I first started thinking about creating the Yakezie Network in the fall of 2009, I really just wanted to have a fun and open community to share ideas and hang out with online. Furthermore, I was kind of sick of getting kicked around in the blogosphere, getting ignored and rejected. What I envisioned was a group of powerful friends to collaborate with and be able to do anything. Hence, the post “Creating Powerful Friends: Samurai’s Alexa Ranking Challenge” was born with the proposal and framework.
Fast forward one and a half years later, it’s kind of surreal to see so many friends come together and grow in online significance! With the latest Google PageRank update, steady rise in mozRank, fall in Alexa, and increase in Belts of Honor points, we have truly become such a fantastic and powerful group of bloggers! I don’t think many of us could have imagined such a leap of progress in such a short period of time.
I’m just so pumped that everybody has shown the perseverance and persistence to continue building their sites. Writing at least two to four posts every week for the most part takes a lot of discipline, especially since so many of us have day jobs, families, and other responsibilities. I remember at one point being so worried (or inspired) I couldn’t keep up that I wrote four, 800+ word posts on my 14 hour flight home on my iPhone because I knew I had to get on another flight a couple weeks later and didn’t have the time! We find ways to adapt, because we want to succeed. And when we see other people succeeding in our group, we just want to try that much harder!
JULY WELCOMES A NEW CLASS OF YAKEZIE MEMBERS!
Sometime in mid-July, we will formally welcome the newest class of Yakezie Members. Like the Beta Class, we will have a sign-up form that asks simple questions such as when you joined the Challenge, what was your Alexa rank, which 10 Members have you developed relationships with, which 10 Challengers have you developed relationships with, and so forth. The questions are simply to ensure that we indeed know who you are, and that you have demonstrated your willingness to selflessly help others and give back to the community.
We are an exclusive group, only to the extent that we want the most dedicated and team-oriented individuals to join. You would be surprised to discover the intent of some. Those who like to make excuses for everything, or blame others for their woes are likely not going to make it. On the contrary, those who believe that the best way to help themselves is by helping others, who don’t complain about the injustices of the world and focus on what they can do to make things better are likely going to achieve! This is the culture of the Yakezie Network. Remember, the Yakezie Challenge is open to everyone!
THE THIRD WRITING CONTEST COMES TO A CLOSE
Thank you to all of those who have read and voted on the latest Yakezie Writing Contest submissions. We will be closing the voting booths on Sunday, July 3 at 6pm EST and the winners will be announced by Friday, July 9. The winners will be rewarded at least $600, $300, and $100 to help pay for their educational expenses.
I believe it is vital that every organization has some sort of charitable initiative as part of their DNA. Writing is what we bloggers do, and I can’t think of a more synergistic endeavor than to host a Writing Contest to further someone’s education. In fact, the Yakezie Writing Contest (YWC) mirrors the Yakezie Challenge. Nothing good comes easy, but excellence and effort will be rewarded.
LET US CONTINUE
Over the next three months, I look forward to reading the Member Posts of the newest Yakezie Members. And hopefully come January, 2012 we will get to read another new batch of Members to the Yakezie family. It is up to the veteran Yakezie Members to welcome the new Members and provide guidance as we introduce them to all of our behind-the-scenes activities.
The great thing about creating something good online is that a virtuous cycle develops. The more we do, the more we attract. The longer we exist, the higher the chances we will exist even longer. The internet is absolutely massive, and there really is no limit to what we can achieve. I’m so happy that if I or anyone has a problem, we can post a question in the forums and someone will share some insights and provide some solutions. I’m ecstatic that there’s so much positive collaboration that is also providing so much fun for us all. The relationships are what we should cherish most. Focus on the spirit and the culture of our Network, and we will be fine in whatever we do. Great job everyone!
Members, Challengers and readers, how do you see the Yakezie Network evolving over the next 6 months, 1 year, and beyond? What are some of the challenges and solutions we face as grow bigger? How large do you want us to grow? Any thoughts on hosting a Yakezie Awards event for the most outstanding, friendly, dedicated, humorous, ubiquitous, etc Member?
Note: If you are not a Yakezie Member and therefore cannot see your PR on the Yakezie Blog Network, you can also check your PageRank here. You can also join our discussion forum about this topic here.
Best,
Sam
Hi Sam,
I was in the original Yakezie group, but dropped out last fall when I needed to take a blog break. I have been back in the game for some time now and would like to reconnect with Yakezie. How do I go about getting back into the Yakezie? Thanks.
Hi Kristia,
How long did you take a break for and how long have you been back in? If you feel you’ve made the effort for 6 months and are below 200,000 in Alexa, you Ade definitely welcome to become a Member! Thx
Sam, this network is an excellent example of those helping others. It’s quite an impressive feat you undertook. As for growing pains, the only thing I can see happening is taking longer to get to all the blogs for a read or two. :)
Doesn’t sound like a bad problem to have! I have the Yakezie Blog Network page on bookmark/toolbar, so I just click that once or twice a week to read the headings and click on over to the group. http://yakezie.com/personal-finance-blogs/
Hope all is well!
I’m so excited to become a part of the Yakezie network! I saw my page rank go up as well, but most importantly, I’ve made some great friends over the last 6 months. I would like to see the Yakezie network become the authority on personal finance. When someone googles the latest PF news or seeks investing education one of our blogs should be at the top of the list. Thanks Sam for creating such a great place to generate support and allow the free flow of information. Yakezie Rules!
Excellent LaTisha! All about relationships indeed! Can’t wait to read your Member post!
This network has indeed been powerful! When I joined the network, I had a so-so blog without much direction. Now, my finance blog is one of the best out there (in my opinion ;) )!
In the future, I see a very powerful network in Yakezie. We will most likely have 100 members, and 90% of us will have a PageRank! There will be plenty of people that will have an attraction to our community, which mean, all of us will benefit!
I’m envisioning around 150 by end of 2012, and then we’ll make some adjusts and close the doors. I fear it might get too crazy if we get too much bigger, and/or if we don’t change the system of the network which I’ve been thinking about.
Congrats on your improvement!
What I love about the Yakezie is the sense of community and the help that community provides: ideas, insight, feedback, comments, and the list goes on. By being selective with membership, I hope we can continue this!
Finally! I’ve been waiting for this update for a long time. I’ve had some advertisers complain about my 0 PR. Not anymore! I’m a PR3 now baby!
I’m really proud of the Yakezie scholarship and I do hope that it continues to grow. It’s one of my favorite aspects of the network. We have some wonderful members and challengers that are selflessly promoting others.
I wish everyone well and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I am too and thanks for the support. It takes A LOT of work, so hopefully it becomes scaleable and can help more folks in need over time. I won’t give up on this endeavor!!
I think it is really impressive how much the individual blogs have grown, as well as the number of members. I think the major challenge of growth is going to be keeping it a close-knit unit. We have a great group, and we will have to fight to make sure that doesn’t change!
Sam you are so amazing for even just thinking about this network let alone making it a reality. We are all so fortunate to be a part of it. I really think this could be a model that places like the UN could follow to help the planet. Selflessly helping others is an awesome life model.
Thx Miss T. You make me blush as this is a concerted effort in which I am just a part.
I see how people blow themselves up at work or in organizations all the time. They focus on themselves and toot their own horns. They are generally always the ones who get the axe or non promotiOn thx to their insecurity and selfishness. It’s those people who make others look good and focus on the good of the organization who ascend! The reason is then you build a fantastic support group who want to just see you succeed.
Best, Sam
Way to go Yakezie and Sam! I’ve learned so much from the members and fellow challengers so far and am truly motivated to keep learning and to continue to work harder. I love reading the writing contest essays and look forward to more in the next round. -Sydney
Sydney, sounds good and great job reviving Untemplater! I love the site and the stories people share there. It’s one of my main inspirations for including the “Lifestyle” in the “Personal Finance and Lifestyle Network” description of the Yakezie!
As it takes several months to get all the Member posts published, I’d like to get you on the schedule towards the end of this coming round. Best, Sam
Thanks Sam! Sounds like a great plan, can’t wait!
I am so incredibly proud to see the Yakezie grow from a concept in a blog post to what it is today. I’m also happy that we pledge to and do help others with their educational goals. It is one of the tenets of this challenge that I wholeheartedly embrace.
I am also very happy to have made some blogging buddies and to have the opportunity to visit other like-minded individuals. I guess we should see each other as competition but I am, and have been, very happy to help others when possible and know that the group here has done the same for me. I’d love for us to remain the small, tight-knit group that we are with maybe 100 or so active members.
Great work here Sam and all of the Yakezie.
There’s some concept out there that 150 relationships online are the most we can really keep track of. Perhaps we should shoot for that ie two more Member classes of 20-25 blogs after this upcoming one and shut entrance down end of 2012.
I think 5% of us may drop out in the longer run too, as normal rate of turnover.
Thanks for all your contributions!
This is a great piece on the network – we have indeed created some powerful friends, and become powerful friends ourselves – I have made some great blogging buddies and am happy to be a part of the group, and am excited to meet those of you in chicago that are attending.
Congratulation everyone on the PR update! I know Beating Broke got docked to PR0. Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it will clear up soon. I started blogging about 9 months ago and all but given up on getting a PR in 2011. It was extremely gratifying to see our PR3 and I encourage others to stick with blogging. Yakezie is a great network and we all support each other so much. I don’t know if I could have lasted this long without Yakezie members stopping by!
Cheers!
I don’t think it’s at all surprising that the Yakezie has risen to a PR6, although it is a great leap! I have stayed at my PR4 for well over a year now, and I’d be happy to sign up for keeping for the next few years!
The Yakezie Network should have some real staying power in the context of personal finance and lifestyle.
I’ve worked in SEO for years, and never had I bothered to even look at Mozrank until I heard about it here. After that, I searched for it online, and guess who showed up in the search engines? Yakezie members and challengers posting about it.
I guess I’ve been blogging with Yakezie for roughly 6 months now, and I’m glad I did. Blogging has been a lot of fun, and getting to know everyone in the Yakezie forum is great, too. It’ll be interesting to see what the future brings!
You’ll have to impart your wisdom on us over time!
The mozRank movement has begun, and even Wisebread adopted it and dropped PR recently which I found quite interesting.
Looking forward to reading your Member post!
Sam, thank you so much for the inspiring post. I have been in this network for just 10 days. I saw my Alexa gone down from 2.6M to 1M in just 8 days. My hits per day increased by 60%. I am so intoxicated in to this that I post on forum from my work as well.
Everyday I get to hear inspiring stories like increase in traffic, increase in revenue, increase in PR from someone or other, which motivates me to keep on writing and not to think of quitting.
Blogging is my passion and Yakezie brings the fun in it. The mutual feeling of people and the intention to help is great. Just yesterday one blog offered a free space on his blog for another Yakezie blog’s banner. People started helping out other blogs with HTML code!! this is really awesome! I also saw people asking for guest writer to cover for vacation and 10/15 people offering to help.
As per the suggestion you sought apart from what you already mentioned, how about having a Yakezie teleconference every month? With a pre selected set of speakers who may cover various aspects of blogging. Basically this will really be helpful for challengers.
Good to hear you’re having fun and making progress! If you can stick with it for the long term, you’ll do very well and create that virtuous cycle.
A teleconference is a good idea. Any suggestions on what system to use?
I’m impressed with the results! I didn’t think I or any of us, would have such a huge jump in Pagerank!
I think what we have done collectively as a group is awesome. I’m still waiting for someone in the media to contact you Sam, any day now. I wish I knew someone in media to get some recognition for the Yakezie.
I wonder if once we get to a critical mass if we will start to experience other benefits in being members. Like maybe someday we’ll have our own Financial Conference (probably hosted by BFS)? Perhaps we could even arrange to have discounts on certain product for members… The point being that once we get large enough, we could really expand into areas that we aren’t even considering yet!
I’m still betting that this group has a chance to be in the history books for one of the best and most influential financial groups/club/associations on the internet!
I wonder what kind of online empire you have created here Sam?
Hi Don, it’s more fun to fly under the radar and do our own thing IMO. Then we are beholden to no one, and can go at our own pace. I like things low key, but you are more than welcome to get on The View to share!
I would like the first Yakezie gathering to be somewhere really nice, like up in Lake Tahoe, or somewhere in Hawaii for example. I know it’s far for some, but trust me when I say it’s worth visiting!
True, if it will come, it will come… As for the view, I’d rather stay at home :)
Hey Sam,
I’m really happy with where the Yakezie has gone and the journey that we’ve had together. I really do believe that surrounding yourself with those who are successful and motivated helps you to motivate yourself to improve as well. We do our own thing, but we’ve built a great group at the same time. I think the open and voluntary nature really has some staying power; people get back as much or more as what they put in.
I’m looking forward to the future!
I’m very glad you are on the journey mate. You are an excellent Member and have also really made huge strides with your blogs as well!
It’s been a great ride, seeing this group start from scratch in a grass roots effort, to become what it is today. Sam, you set the tone early on about selflessly helping others, and this group has taken that approach with each other. When things are done without direct expectations, it eventually become a win-win. This approach, along with the motivation of the Yakezie members, has helped us grow tremendously.
To your comment above, Sam, regarding capping the number of Yakezie members: I think it does make sense to do so at some point. There is a limit to the relationships we can manage, and keep the unique selfless culture we have here. As for where to meet for a Yakezie gathering – well, many of us will be meeting up here in Chicago, which works for me as I’m right here:) That said, if we have a Yakezie-only gathering at some point, Tahoe would be a fun locale.
Sounds great man. You are lucky you are based there, although I hear it’s in the suburbs of Chicago?
I’m thinking of capping the Membership to 150 ie end of 2012. Sounds like a potentially good number.
Let’s all go to Hawaii!
Sam, I’ve been to 47 of the 50 states, and Hawaii is one of the 3 I haven’t visited. Cheap fares there could make that happen!
Wow! So I guess you are saving the best state for last! That’s the way to do it!
Congratulations to Members & Challengers on the recent PageRank announcement. I am very fortunate to be associated with you all. I sense a tight community every time I login to the forums, read the comments on my blog, and see the trackbacks from you.
At first I was hesitant to commit to the 6 month challenge. Now, 2 months into the journey, I appreciate the real challenge that it represents. It’s not easy, and that’s why it is so special.
As for the future. I see Yakezie as a metaphor for teamwork, and I believe this to be unique in online communities. I think that with some publicity, the Yakezie could become a roadshow on the speaking circuit. People would love to hear about this and share it with their organizations as a motivational tool. Everyone loves a success story and this a the best example of this.
Hunter, 6 months might seem daunting, but if one is in it for the long term, it’s just a small chapter. I literally look in 5 year chunks, and beyond. I don’t want to do anything unless it’s for the long term. We should all do things for the long run!
I look forward to your Member Post in the next round!
Amazing work By Financial Samurai . It is really very tough to give back and help others to succeed and this is something Sam seems to have taught others by starting YAKEZIE. Great and sensational.
After reading all this I have decided to take the Challenge and hope to be a member in six months !
Good luck on your journey John, and see you are the forums contributing and such. Hope to see you make it in 6 months!
I jumped from PR 0 to PR 3… thanks I’m sure to the Yakezie Network.
the Yakezie is a great platform to leverage for any blogger looking to build a network of like minded individuals who are also willing to help each other rise the ranks of key indicators such as Alexa and Google PR. the challenge, which I find applying to me right now, is to balance the participation and contribution along with other initiatives outside the network. as one’s blog grows in scope and popularity, so many other external factors come into play, posing some interesting challenges. congratulations to Sam and everyone who is a part of the network. i hope to see the network do really well
That is an interesting take as our blogs grow bigger and we have more demands of our time away from the Network. Hopefully what will happen is that Yakezie just becomes a way of life for many of the a Members, no matter how big one gets.
The group has been amazing is promoting everyone! I have a PR5 now so if anyone wants to guest post just email me.
Wow I need to proof read sometimes.
Don’t forget about us little guys OK E-dog?
I have really enjoyed the variety in Yakezie. There is not a “one size fits all to personal finance”…we all have much to give and much to learn. I have really appreciated the warm hospitality.
The diversity of PF and lifestyle blogs is what makes the community great. If we were all the same style, schedule, topics… it wouldn’t be as fun for sure! Diversity is great!
Thank you Sam for steering me over to your post. Wow, what a wonderful community you all have. Sounds like there are a lot of great connections being made and some exciting things taking place.
I’m thrilled to learn that others have had their PR boosted. I’m not familiar with mozRank but will have to look into that. I appreciate you sharing this and thanks again for pointing me over here.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, good to see you around here and thanks for stopping by! As I was commenting on your post, mozRank is definitely a great alternative ranking system and something to highlight.
Look forward to seeing you around the sphere more! Best, Sam
I heart the Yakezie! A trip/ Yakezie conference in Hawaii would be amazing and a brilliant idea. Bring on the tax write offs! :)
I agree that perhaps limiting the members to 150 would be appropriate. It’s hard keeping track of 149 friends (heck, that’s almost the number of my real-life facebook friends :) )
Thank you for sticking it out for us underdogs, you have created an amazing thing in the PF blogosphere and I am so proud to be a part of it.
It’s amazing to see “underdogs” grow into big dogs! Seriously, that’s all I want is for everybody to do well, and also never forget about the team.
I’m counting on you to come out to Hawaii if and when we’ve got our first meet up OK? Cheers, Sam
[…] Yakezie announces that it is taking over the PF blogosphere Page Rank increases for most members and additional challengers spots […]
A nice well-done to the Yakezie. I started my blog in a series of stutter steps, and kinda fell in with this group. The rewards far outweigh the the time commitment of blogging —- else we wouldn’t do it.
There’s one thing I kinda wonder about though with Google. There are these eHow and other really low quality articles that always pop up as #1 or #2 in searches. How do we rectify this? With their Panda update?
I still think we all need to root for Bing and Yahoo to get their act together so that there is not this monopoly on search. Eventually, we’ll all find something wrong with Google, and we’ll be happy there are other alternatives.
I love the Yakezie! Even when I sometimes flounder in my blogging…(I am a member of the Beta Class.. I think) when I pop back in the network, I am made to feel welcome. Thanks to you all! My goal is to be come a member and hang up my challenger status. :)
Go Yakezie! Also – love the picture with the Yakezie t-shirt next to the Mayan/Aztec temple. Is that Chichen-Itza?
Ah yes, finally someone has pointed out the picture. Yep, it’s at Chichen-Itza. Can’t believe the Yakezie has spread there!
Great organization, and follow up questions. I am so excited about all of getting to know the new members.
Thanks Sam! Without you, a lot of our blogs wouldn’t be where they are today. I’m happy to report my page rank went from 0 to 3. I’m excited to see the increased influence you all will have on me.
Wow! That’s a great job! Keep it up. It becomes a virtuous cycle and you will get more and more opportunities as your blog grows.
I was really happy for the wonderful results some experienced with the last PR update. It was well-deserved.
I think capping the membership is needed so we can really have relationships with each other.
I’m all for a meetup at some point. Until then, I’ll rock a Yakezie t-shirt at the Financial Blogger conference. I’m a Yakezie and proud!
Cool! I should highlight the link to the Yakezie Zazzle store again in a post. What about if we had a gathering in Hawaii? Interested?
I would definitely be interested in a Hawaii gathering provided we plan it far enough in advance.
My husband and I are actually planning a trip there next April so if we decide before the end of the year, I could change plans if needed.
[…] Google Updates PageRank And The Yakeze Rises on Yakezie.com – Discusses how through perseverance and teamwork, a group of us have ascended […]
[…] Google Updates PageRank And The Yakezie Rises (Yakezie) […]
Couldn’t ask to be associated with a better more close knit and selfless group. Well deserved on and all who finally got a PR.
[…] Samurai posted at Yakezie – Google Updates PageRank And The Yakezie Rises. Google finally updated PageRank and almost all the Yakezie members improved. Sam worked really […]
Yakezie is the best! It’s really fun here and everyone has been so friendly. Kudos to Sam for building a great community of bloggers! :)
I’m also one of those bloggers who jumped from 0 to 3, so thanks to everyone for your help in getting there. This is a true success story and I feel very fortunate to be part of this great group of bloggers.
I totally dig the concept behind Yakezie. I guess I could call myself a lifestyle blogger. Personal Finance I am not.
Always enjoy reading and learning for intelligent people sharing without begging to buy their eBook or buy something from their affiliate!
[…] Google Updates Pagerank And The Yakezie Rises by Yakezie – Way to go Yakezie! […]
[…] and MozRank were all the rage. Here’s a June 29, 2011 post I wrote here called, “Google Updates PageRank And The Yakezie Rises” as reference. Ahhh, the good old days! But now, unless I’m totally out of it, I […]