http://www.darngoodreviews.com

Updated 01/11/09

I’m always on the lookout for online tips, be they for marketing or otherwise, especially from people who are down-to-earth. Dennis Edell is one such guy. I’ve seen him more and more online these days and he’s gathering a nice following, too.

Dennis has a central hub he calls, aptly enough, DennisEdell.com. You can also find him behind two other blogs: Direct Sales Web Marketing and Easy Cash Contest.

His central hub is a catch-all blog for anything that inspires him to write. It’s a very new blog, so it’s still finding its legs. However, as you’ll see in my comments below, his writing style is sure to be a main attraction.

Easy Cash Contest, is also relatively new — just a few months old — and as the name implies, it’s a place where you can win cash online. I like the concept as it goes a little beyond the normal contest blog in that for a contest to be listed, it must include a cash prize. It narrows down things, but when you’re looking for easy cash, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Direct Sales Web Marketing is dedicated to providing readers with ways that enhance direct sales and multi-level marketing businesses, no matter what the industry is. Occasionally, you’ll find offline techniques here that will achieve that goal, but the primary focus is on Internet marketing techniques.

(All three of his blogs utilize the same theme, so my critique below will apply to all of them.)

What I like about DSWM:

• The layout is easy on the eye.
• I really like Dennis’ writing style. It’s honest and conversational.
• The posts don’t ramble. Even the lengthier ones are broken up into digestible chunks.
• Good use of ad space at the very top.
• Scratchback and Top Commenter widgets: very useful (although I’d suggest changing the Scratchback text to reflect the benefit to the advertiser instead of “tipping” the owner.)

What I think could be improved on DSWM:

• The top of the layout takes up a lot of room. I have to scroll down just to get to the first post.
• Though it’s a great idea to have the subscription form at the top along with the navigation just above that, I still think there’s room for improvement by replacing the most popular articles with perhaps the most recent ones.
• A very common oversight among bloggers is the use of the word “our” when it really should be “my”. Case in point is the “Our Other Sites & Social Networks!” at the top. I’d prefer it to be “My Other Sites & Social Networks!” unless there’s really a team of individuals running the show.
• IMHO, Entrecard has lost its luster, but maybe that’s just me. If it’s bring in the traffic, then keep it, otherwise it may be time to put it on the shelf.
• Perhaps there’s a way to tweak the current theme to make more efficient use out of the 125×125 ad space in the right column at top?
• Maybe lighten up on the clutter in the sidebar (lots of little badges that slow down the load time) and fill in the “coming soon” areas.

All in all, do yourself a favor and get to know Dennis. Between these three blogs, you’ll definitely learn something and just might come out ahead financially. But before I close, I want to let you know about a contest he’s running right now. He’s actually extended the deadline twice because he wants to make sure everyone has enough time to enter.

Here are the prizes:

CASH VIA PAYPAL:

• Dennis Edell @ Beginner Marketing Tips – $25
• Dennis Edell @ Win Cash Online – $25
• Dennis Edell @ DennisEdell.com – $25
• Mirjam @ MeMyselfAndIBlog – $10
• Wei Liang @ ABloggerBlog – $10
• Rodel @ Lagahit.com – $25
• Suzanne Franco @ SuzanneFranco.com – $30

BANNER ADS (1 month ea. w/value if available):

• Sherry @ SherrysShopping – 125×125
• Sherry @ PinkyPosh – 125×125
• Sherry @ AnotherContest – 125×125
• Wei Liang @ ABloggerBlog – 125 x 125 ($10)
• Superman Joe @ PostBlogger – 300 x 250
• Sharmin @ ContestSpot – 125×125
• Erwin Tan @ ErwinTan.com – 125×125 ($20)
• Jonathan @ How To Blog – 125×125 ($15)
• Garry Conn @ GarryConn.com – 468×60 ($70)
• ZK @ WebTrafficROI – 125×125 ($20)
• Yan @ Blog Setup – 125×125 ($20)
• Archie Pennies @ SomeExtraPennies – 125 x 125 for 4 months

TEXT LINKS:

• Collin @ FeedFlare – life time blog roll link
• Harish @ BloggingKid – 1 month text link ad
• Archie Pennies @ SomeExtraPennies – site wide blog roll link for 4 months

EBOOKS:

• Peter Lee @ Make Money Blogging – New Home Study Course,”Quit Being a Wage Slave in 10 Easy Steps” ($47)
• Ben Pei – @ Make Money Online – Instant Blog Traffic ($47)
• Kathy Hendershot-Hurd @ VirtualImpax – 8 Week Power Blog Launch product ($77)

BLOG REVIEWS:

• Mirjam @ MeMyselfAndIBlog – Blog Review ($25)
• Superman Joe @ PostBlogger – Blog Review
• Nishadha @ rumblinglankan - Blog Review ($20)

ENTRECARD CREDITS:

• Sherry @ Heart Random – 500 EC
• Sherry @ Name Sherry – 500 EC
• Sherry @ SherryGo – 500 EC
• Rodel @ Cebupacificairphilippines – 1000 EC
• Nishadha @ rumblinglankan – 1000 EC
• Nishadha @ YeastInfectionInDogs – 1000 EC
• Wiehanne @ Wiehanne Lounge – 500 EC
• Wiehanne @ Medan Daily – 500 EC
• Wiehanne @ SimplyWP – 500 EC

OTHER:

• David R Young Jr @ Niche-It – custom squeeze page template package ($7)
• Brian D. Hawkins @ ExtremeEzine – one year Pro membership to YourAdTracker ($39.95)