Each long url is associated with its own key which is the portion after http://domain.tld/. There are many different techniques to creating a shortened url. Keys can be numerically generated in base thirty-six assuming twenty six letters and ten numbers. A random number can be generated in order for the key sequence not to be predictable. Users can even suggest their own keys.

The first noted url shortening services was called TinyURL and was launched in 2002. The idea, however, has been around since the year 2001 at least. The existence of Tiny URL influenced about one hundred other similar websites. Many were simply domain alternatives. Some offered additional features such as NotifyURL which sends an email when the link is first visited. SnipURL introduces social bookmarking features such as usernames as well as RSS feeds. DwarfURL generates statistics. Adjix, XR and Linkbee are ad-supported models of URL shorteners that share the revenue with their users. Om.ly provides real time, multi-dimensional analysis of click-through statistics. Bit.ly offers free click-through statistics and charts. J.mp offers free click-through statistics and charts.

More shortening services include Runs on bit.ly platform and is owned by bit.ly. Digg offers a shortened URL which includes not just the target URL, but an i-framed version that includes a set of Digg-related controls called the Digg bar. Doiop allows the shortening to be selected by the user, and Unicode can be used to achieve really short URLs. For example http://doiop.com/w redirects to Wikipedia’s main page. UrlShort is an open source shortening project. qu.pe offers password protection and the opportunity to add a comment (displayed in a separate frame or page). Sl.ly offers limited statistics, password protection, expiration date, bulk submission and also lets you see what URL’s have been created.

In today’s fast paced society, not many people have time to remember an extremely long url or list it down, letter by letter. Url shortening is essential to meet the demands of today’s time constraints. Read each url shortening provider’s website and see which one seems to offer you the service which fits your needs. Many offer more than just url shortening and have other features to benefit your website. The important thing is to be clear with what you need and find the proper provider.

Earlier this week, I was pondering (Pinky, are you Pondering what I’m Pondering?), on how to take over the world….er….what I’d like to write about in some upcoming blogs and was overwhelmed with potential topics that were presenting themselves. So much that it stunted my efforts to actually write anything at all. It seemed that my overload of information and topics threw me into a writers block. How is that possible? Somewhere in there I had all of the topics in the world to write about and yet, nothing! No action, information overload, no posts!

I came across this gem of a post by Roger C. Parker that takes you through what he describes as the Publishing Success Cycle and what he did to ensure continuity of producing a stream of content. The following is a borrowed excerpt from that article:

• Step 1: Promotion. Since I knew what each Tuesday’s topic was going to be, I would start to explore upcoming topics during the previous week so I could promote the call in my weekly newsletter and in my Friday Upcoming Events blog post. I begin by identifying the relevance of the topic to Published & Profitable friends and members. Focusing on the relevance of each week’s topic not only provides me with the marketing copy I need to promote each week’s call, it also helps me focus on the content I’m going to deliver during each week’s call.
• Step 2: Content maps. Next, I created a mind map for each call. Mind maps provide a visual to follow during each call. The mind map for each call followed the same basic organization, beginning by describing the relevance, or importance, of each topic. This was followed by my describing a 3-step process callers can use to address the topic. I follow the 3-steps with a list of recommendations and tips, followed by resources to learn more. I end each call with questions intended to stimulate caller comments and questions.
• Step 3: Handouts. Handouts play a major role in each call. The week before each call, as I am preparing the content maps, I create a note-taking sheet plus locate any existing resources, like examples, newsletters, or worksheets, that will help callers better understand each week’s topic. If I don’t already have what I need, I find it relatively easy to create a worksheet or simple report from scratch, since I have the motivation of the upcoming call. The handouts are uploaded the morning of the call, and I announce the URL where the PDF can be downloaded.
• Step 4: Presentation and recording. There are several important benefits to recording each call. Like many others, perhaps like you, I find it very easier to talk than to write. Creating a mind map and handouts for each topic provides the structure I need to comfortably address each topic. In addition, by recording each call, I can better listen and respond to callers without needing to take notes. This helps me better understand the caller’s knowledge of the topic and discover the questions they want answered.
• Step 5: Leveraging. By recording the call, I am simultaneously creating new content for Published & Profitable. I immediately post each call in the member area. In addition, I can have each call transcribed, so I can use it as the basis of articles, newsletters, and special reports.

These 5 steps are great advice that I would like to incorporate into my schedule to help ensure consistency with writing and creating valuable content. Thanks to Grant Griffith’s Blogforprofit.com for the inspiring article. if you get the opportunity, I highly recommend his blog.