Does speed matter? Yes and no is what I found out. I am on the geek side and did a lot of html optimization. I have 1 css file minified and one js file and also removed a lot of plugins. My images are all optimized.

In the end, changing provider made all the difference. Sure I am much more compliant with Google's view of what makes the web faster but the money you spend on a provider made all the difference.

See the results according to Google. The image speaks for itself on the improvements.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ucSR6Asn-fM/U0lcTHVqemI/AAAAAAAACAI/b0b2--2f1cA/s800/optimization.png

Early in Jan and Feb was the new theme as is.

Late Feb to late March was the theme optimizations.

Late March was switching to LiquidWeb away from HostGator

Now I am trying to focus back on keeping the posts coming and investing the cash coming in.

 

I have recently cut back a little on comments and focused my time on producing content for guest posting. I would be interested to know what other people think about the efficiency of the two...?

I have found that commenting has a longer lasting referral footprint. I wrote some good guest posts at bigger site than mine and generated very little traffic... It might be good for SEO but as a traffic generation tool, it did not work for me. I prefer commenting on pertinent article but I don't do enough of it.

Congrats, Marie, on the book. That's a huge accomplishment....and congrats, Martin, on the Chicago Tonight appearance. Cool!

Now that we've morphed into a Mon/Wed/Fri podcast, I'm back focusing on the blog. We're taking the podcast posts off the front page, trying to add a little video and cranking out a newsletter. Also, we had Disney producer Don Hahn on the podcast this week....he's the guy who produced Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. I was pumped when he said that he'd be on the show, and even more excited when he gave a great interview. Lesson to self: It's amazing what good stuff can happen when you ask.....

I am also expanding my guest house, and trying to rank better for those two services, while giving advice on the expat retirement and affordable travel side.

It will soon be up on other sites via Smashwords.

I'd love some reviews!

Now..... for those next books 

Moneystepper, guest posting is a great way to build your site further but has to be very strategic.

Maria

my pro wrestling and I recently had a chance to speak at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago

These two things are pretty much at the opposite ends of the spectrum!! :) Both sound pretty interesting though. 

I have recently cut back a little on comments and focused my time on producing content for guest posting. I would be interested to know what other people think about the efficiency of the two...?

@krantcents how difficult is it to land this gig?

As for me, the coolest things are my pro wrestling and I recently had a chance to speak at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago. I also appeared on Chicago Tonight if you want to check that out: http://tinyurl.com/lmsg2w3 .

Anyone else have anything cool going on to share? 

Yourself?