Well, that didn’t take long at all. I just got accepted by ReviewMe Tuesday night, letting the world know about my acceptance on February 28th, which coincidentallly was the last day that ReviewMe was offering 50% off of all reviews. Swooping in at the last possible moment to cash in on this deal was Stephen Fung, a happily unemployed dot com mogul (he hates being called that) and the owner of MEGATechNews. I assume this is a part of his FutureLooks network.
Dem Fighting Words
I write for Mobile Magazine on a daily basis and by the looks of things, we’re in direct competition with one another. After all, both Mobile Magazine and MEGATechNews appear to be tech news blogs. The key difference, though, is the focus. Over at Mobile Mag, we talk about portable technology — cell phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, etc. — whereas MEGATechNews isn’t quite as discerning. Although there is a clear slant towards computers and computer components, it’s not out of the ordinary to find a post about brain tumors or Saturn’s largest moon, for example.
A couple of things that I immediately noticed is that Stephen has not implemented the most lucrative Google ad of them all: the 300 box. Instead, he’ll plunk in the tiny 468 banner here and there, monetizing more via the DealTime real-time pricing ads.
The second thing that I noticed — and that I pointed out to Fung — is that none of the news entries have a byline. Sure, there’s a source link in case you want to read more into an interesting story, but I have no idea who wrote the text appearing on this site. He tells me that he has a “crew” at FutureLooks that is always on the prowl and if they happen to find something interesting on the web, they post it up on MEGATechNews instead of IMing everyone on their MSN Messenger list about it. On an average day, they post four or five stories. Not a lot (several other news blogs do 15-20), but it’s enough for the casual reader.
Branding and Layout
I’m usually not a fan of the three-column layout, but it seems to work for MegaTechNews. He places the main content in a wider column to the left, the navigation in middle column, and a whole series of ads on the column to the far right. He’s also gone for the very safe soft blue and white theme, interspersed with some very RSS-ish orange. In fact, the logo for MEGATechNews is just a big 3D RSS symbol followed by the word MEGATechNews. I would think that if he wants to differentiate his brand from the rest of the RSS-powered tech news blogs out there (there are lots), he should create a more distinctive logo and image.
In terms of content, the entries are short and fast-hitting, excellent for people with short attention spans like me. They’re generally pretty clear, concise, and well-written.
I Want More!
I think that Stephen is off to a good start with MEGATechNews, but a lot of growth can still be had and enjoyed. If this site is going to be dedicated to tech news, he needs more. More content, more pictures, and — perhaps more important than anything else — more original content. An added slant or different viewpoint on an existing story is nice, but exclusive news is where the action’s at.
Enjoyed this review? Order one of your own through my ReviewMe profile page (aff).
Interesting read-up for your first review. I betcha he is lying. Who doesn’t wants the title of ‘Mogul’? Pretty modest person, eh?
Well, I’ve had pho with the guy in person and he seems pretty modest, yes.
Oh i see. It seems that being ‘unemployed’, or self-employment is fast becoming a trend, especially in writing-from-home. Who says that only employment can bring in the dollars? *gee.
A lot of people I know — especially through blogging — are starting to take the self-employed route, writing from home for the web. The internet, particularly Google Adsense among other advertising schemes, has really opened up possibilities for the Average Joe.
Google adsense created the pathway for small-time writers to earn money. In the process, these writers become the big-timers in the field, and can give advice & comments based on their experience. That is how they tap in on their experience to help others, and earn in the process as well.
I wonder what if ‘everyone’ starts writing from home. Will there be a constraint somewhere in future?
We’re getting close to that point. While not everyone is monetizing their blogs and trying to optimize their search engine rankings and so on, nearly everyone has an online presence of some kind these days, whether it be an account on YouTube, Xanga, Friendster, Hi5, Facebook, MySpace, Blogger, etc.
I popped your ReviewMe Cherry! You’re no longer a Virgin! 😆
How come you boss hasn’t bought a review on your blog?
Haha. Thanks Stephen.
As I said before, I don’t have a boss 🙂 Equal opportunity whore, right?
Anyways, I think that John thinks he already gets link love from me. That and he’s evil.
Ah I agree. The availability of tools, many online communities to join, has allowed people to assert their own presence on the web. For making money from blogs, you have the moguls from this arena. Same goes for car enthusiastic, music, and what else.
There is space for everyone to let their presence be felt.
Why did the review of same site appear in Michael Kwan’s and John Chow’s
Because Stephen ordered a review on both blogs. Two separate transactions.
Hello
I can’t be bothered with anything these days, but shrug. I just don’t have anything to say recently.
G’night