Secrets of the City

if I take a picture of myself reading The Rake on my laptop in an exotic locale, will you post it on The Rake web site? or is that too meta?

Fun! I will miss reading the actual print version though. Not that I’m ever 20 feet away from a computer or anything but, you know, just in case…

Absolutely, grote.

Dear Rake,
Please buy up the most popular local blogs in order to attract visitors more easily and aggregate ad revenue.
Thanks

Looks like traffic to the site is down a bit in recent months. However, it also appears to be even with where it was a year ago when it had support from print.

I hope it works and gains some traction. And “Letter, to Editor” has an interesting idea.

But why buy them? Just sell ads against their traffic and share revenue. What would Google do?

oh noes.

Ed – down 30 percent in a month and 50 percent since Lambert left isn’t a great trend. But I like that the Rake folks are fighting back.

oh noes? Kramer’s been heard telling people the Rake was dead. If you look at the Rake’s ads, and Kramer’s, I’d say the Rake was on the way up there, and Kramer’s barely got started.

Christina, was that you hosting the Rake Book thang up at the Northtown Library recently? Mrs. L attended, and liked it very much, BTW.

Funny that a man with an online only publication would be telling people that The Rake is dead when they become an online only publication… hmmm… What does that say about his own publication?

If I can offer a bit of explanation, unfortunate timing had a bit to do with traffic fall. Zellar, Bauer and Iggers, all big traffic draws, were all on vacation at the same time, right after the print edition’s demise. After Lambert left, traffic dipped only slightly. His audience was pretty concentrated from a couple of IP addresses. His bounce rate was very high as well. Biggest consistent traffic generator over the past year is Britt Robson’s basketball blog, especially because he gets linked to by nba.com and espn.com on a semi regular basis.

Finally, when you are talking about traffic to a site our size, and that of minnpost, I’m not sure the sample size that compete.com provides is statistically valid. I could add their toolbar to my browser and that of the six people who work here and probably increase our traffic reporting by 100 percent.

No, justbob  wasn’t me. I moderated a panel at the Central Library, but not Northtown. I believe Christy DeSmith was set to moderate that panel.

The food content on The Rake is bar none now. I it regularly, as well as Cristina’s daily column.

Say what? Joel Kramer’s telling potential advertisers that The Rake is dead and they should advertise with Minnpost? Or are other “certain media folks” spreading rumors. Details, please!

To clarify, MinnPost and The Rake are two entirely different publications. While we may inevitably compete for ads, I really don’t see us as competitors in the traffic game. I wish only the best for MinnPost, despite their apparent attitude toward The Rake. There’s room for all of us out there — as long as there are people reading.

I moderated one at Maple Grove library and didn’t see you there, Bob.

Do one at the 331 Club and maybe you will, Tom…

Besides, that’s Jason’s hood, not mine.

I’m surprised that Tom was able to find the Maple Grove library.

Pimp yourself much?

When necessary to dispel rumors, kevin, yes.

I realize I’m probably an unnamed co-conspirator in the first graf above, but can I try an olive branch?

The original comment about Joel reads like it’s pretty secondhand, so some skepticism about the wilding is recommended.

I’ve talked to Joel a lot about the local media, given my MinnPost gig. I haven’t heard him say anything about the Rake except that (and this is an opinion we both share) it’s very tough when you’ve had billboards all over town (in the form of print racks) to maintain whatever your level of web traffic.

Frankly, that’s skepticism born of all of our struggles to get noticed.

Doesn’t mean it can’t be done, and I for one respect Cristina’s and Tom’s efforts to remake the biz. Getting Britt to write about music is a fabulous idea. Brad’s Twins blog is a haven in a world of mediocre baseball blogging. The others aren’t really in my wheelhouse, but that’s a personal, not professional evaluation.

Anyway, I’m keeping tabs on what’s happening with the Rake – glad to see the lineup pitched in one place. There’s no fire-fueling in my heart. Heck, it’s spring!

Re: selling ads on local blogs. You may remember a few days ago DeRusha announced that WCCO would be wading into just such a venture. I have yet to receive my almost-certain rejection letter yet, but from the sounds of it, their definition of adult content is pretty broad and their definition of local content is as narrow, given the blogs that have been rejected so far. At this rate, they are going to limit their network to kitten pic and tech blogs.

I think the edgier nature of The Rake can allow more forgiving definitions of acceptable content for partner blogs.

Now where’s my check?

Thanks, Brauer. I appreciate the olive branch. It is indeed spring. (And to be honest, I’m not even sure you were a part of the first graf. We’ve been getting a lot of second-hand information from readers about what is being said out there, and while I can appreciate the criticism, the misinformation is truly frustrating  regardless of the grains and grains of salt with which I take it.)

It’s always good when MnSpeak posting Rule #5 is ignored.

No self-promotion. Unless, of course, you’re doing something that everyone should know about.

Iowa Rocks!

Hey, if Tom can pimp on this thread, I get at least one free shot…

I wanna be art curator at the Minneapolis Public Library.

Is that self promotion?

The thought of The Rat as an art curator is funny. The day that happens is the day I get a job in the hospitality industry.

I understand (and rather expected) the contention, but in this case it’s more about informing readers and clarifying misinformation. I hope that we can stay focused on this, rather than on throwing jabs at the wrong people. I was, after all, the one who posted this.

I’d like to see the Rake regroup and succeed. Heck, I even liked the idea someone had yesterday about print for Minnpost and MinnesotaMonitor.

Too bad the three couldn’t be packaged together and sold as a once a month magazine like Msp rather than being mass distributed for free.

It’s nice to have things to read at the breakfast table on the weekend.

No traffic estimator site is perfect, certainly, but we have found Compete to be particularly good compared to others. First, the site traffic estimates they report are within 10% usually of the direct analytics data we get from our clients’ WebTrends, Omniture or Google Analytics accounts. Just for clarification, Compete uses a variety of sources. Also I like to use it as a good relational comparison between sites.

It doesn’t surprise me that the Rake’s traffic will take a dip temporarily as the unwashed masses realize that it is now an online only “publication.” Good content will win, so to compare the Rake today against MinnPost today isn’t fair. The Rake is obviously undergoing to re-do strategically and will see a correction in the following months, I imagine.

Aggregating traffic to sell to local advertisers is a good idea, but I don’t think CBS’s offering is the answer. Other options will exist soon in the future… ahem… ahem…

I guess we should thank you for only including 18 hyperlinks, then.

THANKS CRISTINA

Jeremy, I believe your blog has been accepted.

Is that some cruel joke, jason?

You are kidding, right?

P.S. Jason told me my information isn’t quite right. I may have misunderstood the number of blogs being rejected. But c’mon. Me? REALLY?

I’m not 100% sure, so I probably should shut it. I was under the impression that a rejection was rare. But I assume Jeremy will get an e-mail.

Well, damn, this may have just made this whole post worthwhile. Congrats, Jeremy… methinks.

You are aware that they refused my blog, citing its content as being potentially offensive to advertisers, Cristina?

I assume the following advertisers will clamor onto Jeremy’s blog…

- Kohler
- Sauerkraut makers
- Bush Beans

It’s called “micro-targeting” and I think Jeremy might be the King of this segment.

What!? Hmm… interesting. Now it all takes on a whole new meaning. I gotta get out more.

Which blog, Max?

50,000,000 Sparber Fans Can’t Be Wrong. It has some naughty poems on it.

Oy.

50,000,000 Sparber Fans Can’t Be Surfing Pron! Can They?

I guess not.
(SFW)

Someone got to my web page using the search term “to drown a boy,” which unnerved me. I got even more worried when I discovered my blog came up first on Google for that search.

oh noes? Kramer’s been heard telling people the Rake was dead.

B.S. is all I have to say to this – not true and not his style.

Aeklund: You have alluded to “options” a couple of times. Curiosity is killing me…

Now? How ’bout Now?

Cat – workin’ it. Workin’ it. Betas to launch next month. Then we’ll get all blabby mouth. Unless you get Cristina all drunky, and then you’ll get a scoop.

Well, dang it. It’s frustrating out there and I’m nerdy enough to want to see what the next “thang” is.

So since you’re around, Aeklund, explain the difference between Omniture and Compete? I thought Omniture, or maybe this is just one use, is more of the dude standing at the door counting the other dudes coming through the door.

The other problem I have with compete is it still relies on people to installing it. Although their samples are larger and ultimately more reliable, if there are only 100 people in this area – it doesn’t do much good for sites like Rake or MinnPost who don’t have the reach that startribune.com does.

Or am I a crackhead?

I am around! Quite a-round, in fact. Like a bowling ball.

The difference between Omniture and Compete is the difference between a Mercedes Maybach and a Honda Accord. Omniture is just a beautiful software product that provides web marketers like myself with unbelievable intelligence into how we can deliver better user experiences to people like you.

Compete is a nifty little tool that gives us some free insights into competitive positions. It is more than a toolbar — it does use ISP/ASP data as well, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s not terribly far off in terms of traffic from the data we get from higher end tools.

Hitwise has a 25 million person “sample” but it also costs $25,000 per year just to get talking.

You’ll just have to wait and see with the next big Thang.

“Someone got to my web page using the search term “to drown a boy,” which unnerved me. I got even more worried when I discovered my blog came up first on Google for that search.”

Site tracking software is a curse more than a blessing. Who in Decatur Georgia is googling me at 3 AM? Why is someone using my site-only search tool to see if I’ve ever written about Laurie Lindeen, especially when it’s not a local music blog? And how does somebody in Shreveport, Louisiana end up doing so at 5:40 AM on a weekday? Most importantly, who in London, England checked my infrequently updated blog once a day until three weeks ago and then suddenly stopped?

I would blog about this, but I don’t want to freak out the half-dozen people who do read my blog.

Here my best google referral so far today (just the best of today):

i took my hard log shit from the commode and fucked my girlfriend she didnt know broke

Afterglide was the third link down. Look forward to workin’ with ya WCCO!

Max, your blog is way offensive. Those ’70s album covers are more than any person should ever be subjected to.

Especially this one. GAHHHHHHH!!!

Max, your blog is way offensive.
Also, did you notice the way he’s hovering in some of those pictures?
Listen up Sparber, obey the laws of physics, advertising has no place for your flouting of science.

Don’t oppress me with your science fascism, man.

You’ll just have to wait and see with the next big Thang.

But I want it NOOOOWWW

It was I in the greater Northtown area, on library tour 08. Or is that breaking mnspeak rule #5? I swear I can’t assign any comments (about The Rake) to anyone in particular (well, maybe in one case); I only know the time consuming repercussions. part of the game, I guess. Great success on the library tour converting people from print to web and back again. Books?!

I need your help….
What kind of topics would you all like for me to cover?
Be nice and tread carefully on the personal info…

At this point I can handle pretty much anything…
regards,
Mel
http://www.rakemag.com/I am my own girl….

laser hair removal
general heriessness
raising kids on a paltry $5000 per day
stalker avoidance
Twin Cities cougar bars

that should just about do it.

in this case it’s more about informing readers and clarifying misinformation

Then put it on your own site, not here. Blatant self-promotion…

Site tracking software is a curse more than a blessing. Who in Decatur Georgia is googling me at 3 AM? Why is someone using my site-only search tool to see if I’ve ever written about Laurie Lindeen, especially when it’s not a local music blog? And how does somebody in Shreveport, Louisiana end up doing so at 5:40 AM on a weekday? Most importantly, who in London, England checked my infrequently updated blog once a day until three weeks ago and then suddenly stopped?

Last month the Wall Street Journal contacted me wanting to do an interview based on my brief post on stalking people via Fundrace. Andrew and I ultimately decided not to do the interview because, while there’s nothing we’re ashamed of on that blog, there are things that we’re not super proud about. Also, we didn’t feel like dealing with the possible influx of readers from WSJ. Turns out The House comes up pretty high on the list for fundrace stalking (it was 1 or 2).

Still, there are some hi-larious searches that lead to our site, including:

“hot ghetto mess” “supreme court” clarence
“i’d like to apologize to myself” conference
american idol brooke white mormon temple garments
allen iverson theme blackberry
wedding planning for tomboys

Thanks GROTE:(
So $5000 a day is what you think it costs……
Not even close.
Cheap shot-extremely personal and rude.

I think it’s time I go with my initial gut instinct.
Thanks for your help……

Let them eat cake.

It’s always good when MnSpeak posting Rule #5 is ignored.

No self-promotion. Unless, of course, you’re doing something that everyone should know about.

But what if I want to be the Julia Allison of MNSpeak?

Consider yourself lucky if you don’t get the reference.

It’s always good when MnSpeak posting Rule #5 is ignored.

No self-promotion. Unless, of course, you’re doing something that everyone should know about.

Yeah, wtf is this shit?

Self-promotions smells terrible.

Sorry, that was me and the honey mustard chicken ciabatta sandwich I had for lunch.

That’s only good when it goes in the body.

@dezelske proves self-promotions are really only rented and never really owned.

This is not about SELF PROMOTION…….
If it was—there are plenty of ways to feed that hog……

This IS about admiring and respecting the opinions of
a group of people that are… unfortunately.. in the minority
of our society—(Highly educated, extremely witty, confident
and the best part very passive aggressive).
Get over all of your anger issues bloggers and give me
some constructive feedback that I can use to implement a
plan that could benefit all.

I am not out to hurt or curb anyone’s enthusiasm for “freedom of
speech” however I am gun shy on planting my seeds in a garden that
may not grow.

This IS about admiring and respecting the opinions of
a group of people that are… unfortunately.. in the minority
of our society—(Highly educated, extremely witty, confident
and the best part very passive aggressive).

AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

throws herself down a flight of stairs

I’m not sure demanding feedback while at the same time telling local bloggers to get over themselves isn’t going to backfire on you, Melinda.

I think MNSpeak is more aggressive-aggressive…at least on the internet.

I was wondering if the non registered “Melindajacobs” was the actual Melinda Jacobs, but thanks to the heavy use of Ellipsis I think I now have my answer.

and give me
some constructive feedback that I can use to implement a
plan that could benefit all.

I hear there are food riots in Haiti.
You could send them all of your money.

I think MNSpeak is more aggressive-aggressive…at least on the internet.

True. The MNSpeak not on the Internet, the one is my head, is more sexy-sexy.

Okay, Melinda. What kind of plan are you looking to implement that is going to “benefit all”? I’m genuinely curious given the topics you normally cover in your blog.

Food riots in Haiti? Blame ethanol!

It was on the Internet, so it must be tru.

this is turning into one fantastic thread

Ellipsis-hmmm-I guess I should say thanks for pointing out that you
are able to set my posts apart from others.
Maybe I should just be a coward and hide but that would be so
passive aggressive.
I am going with Ms. aliecat and agreeing that MN speak is aggressive-aggressive which is a REALLY GOOD THING:)-
Max not trying to be a demanding $#%^* just trying to get with the times:)
I am after all getting really old…40 and it’s tough to hold onto my youthful
mind..

We 40-years-olds must unite in our war against mainstream punctuation/.1/

I guess I should say thanks for pointing out that you
are able to set my posts apart from others.

Let’s just say you have a certain Je ne sais quois.

Maybe I should just be a coward and hide but that would be so
passive aggressive.

I’m sorry, I’m just so confused now. I thought passive aggressiveness was the “best part” about whoever you were talking about in an earlier comment.

touche’

As someone who has taught writing for the past 12 years, I can’t tell you how important it is, Melinda, to take care of your periods. As well, the way you use your colon is equally important.

(High school kids used to love that!)

Since the surgery, I’ve only had a semi-colon; I like it, though.

This IS about admiring and respecting the opinions of
a group of people that are… unfortunately.. in the minority
of our society—(Highly educated, extremely witty, confident
and the best part very passive aggressive).

Oh my stars, I’m more oppressed than I thought!

You taught writing.
Wow I am impressed.
Let’s see where are my former writing teachers…..hmmm…
oh I know their retired.

That’s almost a haiku!

Where are my teachers?
They used to teach me to write.
Oh, I know. All dead.

their retired

And rolling in their graves even though they’re still alive.

By the way, Melinda, I think the “self promotion” jabs were directed at Cristina’s post, not your comments.

Who taught me to write?
Words so full of right and wrong.
Seeds falling on rock.

By the way, Melinda, I think the “self promotion” jabs were directed at Cristina’s post, not your comments.

Right, Max has said self promotion in comments is fine.

It’s actually encouraged.

As long as it is related to the original link, or whatever is being discussed. But very clever, JACC.

Fantastic. The next time a track & field discussion breaks out, I’m all set.

Wait – What did I miss?
Slamming people in a “you’re really pretty, but you’re fat” kind of way is how you “get with the times”?

if the jabs were at Cristina—
leave her alone—
I have had too many bosses who don’t have
nearly the authenticity that she has… nor the patience.

I defy anyone to show me a woman or man that can be a better
boss than her.

To be clear, nobody said anything about Cristina personally. She’s a lovely woman and I think most people know that. Calm down.

Melinda, you’re being ridiculous. Get over yourself and your boss. The issue is not whether she’s authentic (I don’t know where that came from) but whether she should be posting material with the purpose of promoting her own organization. Normally, mnspeak frowns upon that because it’s not supposed to be a vehicle for just anyone to advertise. It’s a discussion board. And judging by the comments here, no one really cares to discuss the content of Cristina’s post because it seems like she’s just trying to promote The Rake.

Back to what this thread is really about.
The Rake is clearly not only alive but has
a group of energetic and vivacious people that
are able to get many of us to venture out of our comfort
zones and challenge ourselves.
I for one am grateful for that especially in these times.

I can sort of see the link.

After all, MNspeak is to the The Rake as the Real IRA is to Sinn Fein.

Melinda, can you post here more often? You make this site infinitely more fun.

Yes, for real.

Now more hiakus please.

I defy anyone to show me a woman or man that can be a better
boss than her.

I will post here as long as Max is given the respect he deserves and people
watch Jasons’ “Good Question” on channel 4.

What I couldn’t help myself…..
Just trying to spread the love:)

Also I would like to introduce the real Melinda…
My name is Melinda but you can call me Melly if you would
like.
“Black Melly” was my nickname in High School and I only
bring that up because the story behind that nickname is worth
a future post and also because my nutty friends spray painted
that nickname on the Arcola Bridge on Lake Mtka so I am stuck with it for life!
Thanks guys for making me have to repeatedly
tell the REAL STORY behind my nickname.
I will get you all back one of these days:)
Melly

Melly it is.

Friends call me Bunny.

Melly, you didn’t actually tell the story behind how you got your nickname — but you got the answer to your original question didn’t you? And now I’m intrigued.

This was your plan from the beginning, wasn’t it?

They call me Lo Tide.

What I really want to know is “who are you wearing”?

that, and doesn’t your husband realize that plaid jackets are only worn by gentiles? oh…and prolly Sparber.

Thanks for the plug, Melinda.

I do wear plaid jackets, and I am as Jewish as an Irishman adopted by a Jewish family can get.

Nobody makes plaid work like Bunny.

there was one famous exception to the “no plaid smoking jackets on Jews” rule, but he’s dead.

Looks like he’s getting some respect in that photo!

Hey back off my husband has great taste.
Other than looking like a blowfish in that shot—
“Grote you are really playing below the belt and I will
get you back 2″-
My husband and Charles Schulz(may he rest in peace)
are the only 2 people who have that tux jacket.
My frock is from JC Penny’s 80’s formal collection and
the jewelry was a gift from a saudi prince that is now
doing time in Bulgaria.

Don’t let Geoff get you down. He’s a tiger on MnSpeak but a pussycat in the bedroom.

There’s at least one other exception to that rule.

Whoops.

Just to clarify, that Dangerfield photo is from my Bar Mitzvah. That’s Uncle Solly on the left.

What the hell? Now I want to hang out with Charlotte Laws! The councelperson knows how to party!

With Ponch even!

“Grote you are really playing below the belt and I will
get you back 2″

tee hee.

Don’t let Geoff get you down. He’s a tiger on MnSpeak but a pussycat in the bedroom.

actually, Luda sez that I’m a lady in the street but a freak in the bedroom.

“Grote you are really playing below the belt and I will
get you back 2“-

Melly, I just want to know why that part of your last comment was put in quotes.

It’s a movie title.

OMG Bunny FTW!

I know everyone is being funny, and trust me, the comments are pretty funny. But it’s also a tad mean. Just sayin’. (ducking from all the attacks about to come my way).

That “D” in “ducking” should have been capitalized.

Um, that’s all I’ve got.

Jason, do you need a hug?

*hugs*

Jason…you forgot the part about how posters on Gawker are so much more clever than those on MNSpeak.

Until she registers her name, I’m going to have some doubt that we’re interacting with the real Melinda. There is a good chance that someone is just posing as Melly. In which case, it’s not mean, it’s theater.

Oh, no, it’s the real Melly, Miller.

Honestly, I still just want to know what plan she wants to implement that will benefit all. Sounds like she’s looking for inspiration to come up with a plan to solve the health care issues.

Max is right it’s the real Melly finally after all this time.
Jason the comments I assume are tongue and cheek so
no harm done.
I should be watching the debates right now….

Ah forget it I have to work on how I
am planning to solve all the world’s problems.
Let’s see MY PLAN for the Health Care System.
“Everyone in this country should be able to have
free dental coverage so we don’t have to go to the
MN State Fair to see what happens when you don’t.”
There you have it my profound statement of the day:)

Heres the thing Melly… if you don’t
register your name.
Any one can post as you
and the reader’s of MNSpeak
will never know,
that its an imposter

I’ll know. And I delete impostors.

And Melly has registered. I assume she doesn’t sign in for a similar reason a lot of people don’t.