The Blog
There is data flowing into your computer every single minute. How can you make sense of it all? How can you use it? How can it have a relevant role in your decision-making processes?
Well, you could use charts. (Probably there are other good answers…) A visual representation of data uses the power of the human vision to connect the dots and spot trends, patterns and outliers in the data. And how do you do it? Just by using a tool you are familiar with: a spreadsheet.
Armed with a spreadsheet, a basic knowledge of human perception and some design tips you can really understand the reality behind the data. This, by the way, summarizes what the marketers call my “unique selling proposition”: helping people to use their tools efficiently, avoiding common pitfalls, really turn data into insights for their businesses.
Let me tell you why I write this blog since September 2007. I write it because I believe that:
- knowing how to make sense of data is an essential skill for the future;
- we need help to manage this growing volume of information we are exposed to;
- the average information management skills are too low;
- some of the available skills are actually wrong and do more harm than good;
- some skills are easy to learn and could have a dramatic impact in productivity in the workplace;
And I write it because I love information visualization and I would gladly spend the rest of my days researching, testing and writing about it.
Blog monetization
If I can do a good job here, if I really can help people, then the money will follow, I have no doubts about it. This is not a money-seeking, short-term commitment. If I can make a decent living out of it and get some money for the kids, great. If not, I’ll keep my day-time job and keep writing.
My monetization strategy is simple: no ads, sell content (e-books or similar, like the Demographic Dashboard), indirect monetization, some clearly labeled affiliate programs that fit in the blog’s philosophy an that I can honestly recommend. I use the Amazon affiliate program widget for books I like or are highly recommended by people I trust. It is more a library than a bookshop (it even includes out-of-print books).
I’m better now, but I’m still a lousy marketer. Every time I read blog monetization strategies and traffic building like asking other bloggers for links I say to myself “I could never do this”. But if you like the blog you may consider linking me from your blog or website. I would really appreciate…
About me
My name is Jorge Camoes and I live in Oeiras (exactly here), a suburb by the sea near Lisbon, Portugal. I am married and, as you can see, I have a full-time job equivalent: raising twins (they are almost three year five years old now).
My daily routine is simple: usually, after leaving the office I take the kids to the public library or to the beach, blog for an hour or two after we put them to bed. Lately I am finding that getting up at around 5:00 am is not really difficult, and that gives me two or three hours for my personal projects (the office is not far, so I don’t waste much time commuting).
I’ve been working as a business analyst for the last eight years at the Portuguese subsidiary of a well known American company. Previously I worked as a market researcher for a market research institute. I also owned a very small company, but it was not very successful, to say the least (but I am ready to try again!).
I have a master’s degree in statistics and information management (my thesis is not finished yet – I started writing it the day the twins were born… talk about good time management!).
You can contact me as charts at jorgecamoes.com
This is my home address…
Rua Infante D. Pedro, n.5, 3. Esq.
2780 Oeiras
Portugal
… and my Skype name is jorge.camoes (in Oeiras)
Systems
This blog uses WordPress with a custom version of the Thesis theme. The members area uses Moodle with a custom version of Shaun Daubney’s Aadvark theme.
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