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Blogging
The document discusses social media as a tool for sharing opinions and building relationships rather than just for selling. It outlines the benefits of blogging for business, including increased exposure and traffic, improved search rankings, and the importance of creating relevant content. Additionally, it provides guidance on starting a blog, including choosing a platform, title, and content strategy.
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Blogging
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- 3. What is socialmedia?
- 4. What is socialmedia? Social media describes the online technologies and practices that people use to share opinions, insights, experiences and perspectives with each other. You may have heard of, or use, some of the more popular Social Media channels. Such as …
- 5. What is socialmedia? These Social Media channels share most or all of the following characteristics: • Participation • Community • Openness • Connectedness • Conversation
- 6. What social mediaisn’t • Quick sure-fire way to more sales • Effortless,…. but it is easy • Shouting! • It isn’t about selling, its about helping people to buy
- 7. Why Use SocialMedia? • Build relationships • Connect with passionate customers • Develop a personality • Access customer feedback • Listen to your customers • Enjoy a global platform • Compliment other marketing campaigns • Build links for SEO
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- 10. Blogs • What isa blog? – A micropublishing platform – A series of entries or posts to an online journal, posted in a chronological order • Where can you do it? – Two popular free platforms are www.blogger.com and www.wordpress.com • How often should you do it? – Regularly! (Can be daily, weekly or monthly) • What should it contain? – Relevant and interesting content with keyword rich titles
- 11. 10 Benefits ofBlog 1. Creates Exposure for your Business 2. Increases Traffic and Subscribers 3. Improves Search Rankings 4. Results In New Business Partnerships 5. Generates Qualified Leads 6. Reduces Overall Marketing Expenses 7. Improves Sales 8. Educates 9. On-line Research Tool 10. Creates and Hones Expertise
- 12. Types of BlogPosts Instructional Case Studies Informational Profile Problem Post Collation Events Response Lists Debate/Contrasting Resources & tips views Diary Hypothetical Research Involvement Inspirational Anything with a killer Interviews headline!
- 13. Keyword rich contentand titles “The secret of great weddings” “Top tips for choosing your wedding venue” “Things you never knew about organizing a “wedding “Mountain Biking in North Devon” “Award Winning B&Bs on Exmoor”
- 14. Other Thoughts! • Getinspiration from other Blogs. • Google Blog Search - Try it • Reply promptly to comments • Links from blog to web site
- 15. Getting Started • Signup, choose your title wisely • http://yourtitle.wordpress.com • Choose your theme
- 20. Lets write aBlog Post
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- 40. Go back tothe Dashboard on the other tab. Your dashboard address is only visible to you and it's at: http://cosmicitmentor??.wordpress.com/wp- admin/ On your own Blog you should BookmarkFavourite this so it’s easy to find.
- 44. Embed video Paste theURL on a line by itself in your post/page editor: Click Save Draft and then Click Preview
- 47. Add an imagefrom your PC Open an existing post in editing mode. Place your cursor where you would like the image to appear, and click on the Add an Image icon found in the Upload/Insert icon group directly above your editor.
- 48. Add an imagefrom your PC
- 49. Add an imagefrom your PC
- 51. General Settings • Site Title • Blog Picture (or ’Blavatar’ ) • Tagline • Language • Email Address • Time zone • Date Format • Time Format • Week Starts On
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- 53. Use Google tofind Blogs
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Editor's Notes
- #3 Intro Crowd – Intro SelfCosmic – Social Enterprise (read logo)Digital MentorAim – To give you a taste of what Social Media is all about and hopefully start you off on your Social Media journeyObviously this gentleman didn’t get his training from Cosmic !!
- #5 Ask for a show of hands on whose used each for social or business use.Who has watched a video on youtube… who has uploaded a video to Youtube?Does anyone write a Blog?Does anyone use any other form of social media? LinkedIn?Facebook – Social Networking siteYouTube – Video SharingTwitter – MicrobloggingBlogger – Is a popular Blogging platformSo these are some of the key players in the Social Media world.
- #6 Lets look at what Social Media is all about.All social media channels share certain characteristics, such as…ParticipationSocial media encourages contributions and feedback from everyone who is interested.It blurs the line between the concept of media and audience. Opennessmost social media services are open to feedback and participation.They encouragevoting, comments and the sharing of information.There are rarely any barriers toaccessing and making use of content – password-protected content is frowned on.ConversationTraditional media such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, is about “broadcast” (content transmitted or distributed to an audience) social media is better seen as a two-way conversation. As the name implies it is about being social. Social media is about having a conversation, so you need to have something to say. It's not about broadcasting one message, it is about 'telling a story' and communicating with your audience in an engaging way. CommunitySocial media allows communities to form quickly and communicate effectively around common interests.Such as a love of a hobby, a political issue or a favourite TV show, or a product. E.g. Big gardening community online, allotment owners,ConnectednessSocial media thrives on its connectedness, making use of links to othersites, resources and people. e.g. (Blog containing YouTube video) (Link to YouTube on FaceBook) (Tweets on your website homepage)
- #7 – Don’t go to a party and just talk about what you do! – Conversation – Participation
- #8 What’s in it for you?Build relationshipsSocial media allows your potential customers to interact with your brand on their own terms and of their own accord.Even by simply presenting insider expertise, companies are finding they can generate more traffic and interest in their products or services.Connect with passionate customersSocial media lets you reach people who are already interested in your product or service.You can deliver messages and information relevant to your target audience, you’ll build even more loyal relationships and gainreferrals from current customersDevelop a personalitySocial media allows you to create a personality, more accessible to your users.There not just dealing with someone at the end of a phone, or a click here to buy button on a web site.They might even see you demoing a product on YouTube or making comments on your Facebook pageAccess customer feedbackBlogs, forums, Q&A sites and social networking sites give you a feel for what your customers really think and feel about your product or service. They also enable you to respond to feedback and engage with customers. Feedback from social media can be so much more insightful than the traditional and awkward feedback form.Listen to your customersSocial media isn’t just about promoting your products and services. It also lets you listen to your customers, and talk to them on a more personal level.Enjoy a global platformSocial media gives you a global platform for users around the world to interact with your brand. e.g. (Devonshire Tea selling to US – Twitter)Compliment other marketing campaignsSocial media marketing can compliment and make your online and even offline campaigns much more powerful. ??Build links for SEOSocial media builds links for SEO, improving traffic flow to your site.
- #9 This image demonstrates how quickly and exponentially information, advertisements, ideas, etc. can be spread by utilizing social media. It is also a great depiction of how a Youtube video can go viral, propelling its creator to fame, even it is often short lived. When applying the concept to business, it is clear how a good business idea such as Starbucks receiving customer suggestions and ideas can spread so rapidly. A good idea will spark interest and interest will lead to sharing. With so many users on sites such as Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter, the sharing occurs at an incredibly fast rate.A recent example of this sort of viral phenomena is littlefriendsphoto.com a one man pet photography business in Los Angeles
- #11 BlogsBlogging involves posting regular stories, pieces of commentary or other content to a website, which can be accessed and read by customers and other industry professionals. Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and message each other.By creating thought-provoking posts on industry issues, you can build a reputation as an authority in the field, stimulate discussion and strengthen your relationship with customers. Blogging also provides another route for potential customers to find you if they're not aware of your website.Guardian Monday 7 February 2011The Huffington Post, the ground-breaking online news and opinion site founded by Arianna Huffington on a shoestring budget, is to be bought for $315m by AOL in a move sure to stun new media sceptics and believers alike.
- #12 1. Creates Exposure for your BusinessA company blog that adds value to other businesses will be linked to by other blogs and websites and tweeted about and shared on Facebook and LinkedIn. This has the inevitable result of putting your brand in front of more people2. Increases Traffic and SubscribersVisits to the blog will inevitably increase traffic and a well integrated blog that links to the company website and other online content will drive page views and hits. Increased traffic also increases email and RSS subscriber acquisition.3. Improves Search RankingsGoogle and other search engines are increasing the value and the priority of blogs and social media assets such as Facebook and Twitter in their search results. This change to Google’s search algorithms alone makes blogging essential.4. Results In New Business PartnershipsThe increased visibility of your business online and its positioning as anexpert in your industry and niche attracts other businesses that want to partner with you.5. Generates High Quality LeadsA blog attracts the right type of leads as it develops and publishes content for the market you want to attract.6. Reduces Overall Marketing ExpensesCheaper than publishing via regular media7. Improves Saleshigher traffic and increased lead quality inevitably produces an increase in sales.8. EducatesBlogs don’t sleep and the benefit of the web is that your blog can be educating your customers while you sleep. Add some YouTube video tutorials to your blog and you have an online classroom. 9. On-line Research ToolAs you start writing and publishing your blog potential clients will tell you what they like and don’t like via their comments and feedback. Comments will display to you what is resonating and will allow you to adjust your companies product and services direction that is guided by real time customer feedback10. Creates and Hones ExpertiseThis benefit is quite often overlooked but the art of writing and developing content for your blog creates expertise from research and the thinking that naturally happens as a consequence.
- #13 *Handout*Avoiding writers block!InstructionalQuite simply telling people how to do things. Sometimes works well as a ‘How To’ post.E.g. How to write a business plan, How to plan an event, How to research a marketInformationalGiving information on a topic. Easier to do if you specialise in something or have access to good information.E.g. How the Convergence programme impacts on Cornwall, How geo-tagging can be used by SMEsProblem PostGiving an answer to a common problem or question.E.g. How should I structure my company? How much money should I spend on marketing? How much annual leave are my staff entitled to?EventsYour response/review/build up to a event. Could include photos, slides or videos.E.g. Getting Ready for The North Devon Food Fest, What to expect from Somerset’s Growing Green eventListsListing resources or tips. Very popular type of post.E.g. Top 10 internet marketing tips, 10 Tips to Better SurfingDiaryGiving others an insight into a person’s daily activities. Try and make it as interesting as possible!E.g. A day in the life of Brimble Farm B&B, A day in the life of a Head ChefResearchSharing interesting, current and relevant reports, surveys and stats.E.g. Report: Impact of public sector spending cuts in the South West of England, Some stats and figures on how B2Bs choose to communicateInspirationalBe positive. What have you seen that has inspired you? What can you share that may inspire others?E.g. Caring about your customers, The day that changed my viewpoint, More than just a business…InterviewsDo you know someone who is an expert, leader or passionate about a subject? Why not ask them a few questions.E.g. An interview with business leader Joe Bloggs, Joe Bloggs answers some testing Tourism questionsCase StudiesDocument the story or real-life experiences of a person or business. Interesting or exciting hooks makes the story telling easier.E.g. A sparkling future for award winning vineyard, Cornish clay company is poised to lead building revolutionProfileCombine an interview with a case study. Tell an interesting story by focusing on one individual.E.g. Joe Bloggs reveals secrets to vineyard success, Joe Bloggs the locksmith picks the key to successCollationCollate research, links and statements to give a thorough and well rounded view of an issue.E.g. The World Cup Bid – how it affects the city of Plymouth, What is Solutions for Business and how does it affect businessesResponseProvide a response to a recent and relevant event or announcement.E.g. How The Budget announcement affects business in the South WestDebateGive relevant background information on a subject, ask a question and encourage debate.E.g. Staff representing a company online – a risk worth taking? Privacy vs Transparency – will we have a choice in the future?Contrasting twoDiscuss and explain two viewpoints or options to give a nicely balanced post.E.g. Online advertising: pay-per-clicks vs pay-per-impressions. Working on your own – home or an office – which is for you?HypotheticalRun through a ‘what if’ scenario. These can be interesting but remember to keep them slightly realistic!E.g. With Boscastle in mind, what if a flood hits your business? What if the local press print incorrect information about my business?InvolvementWrite something that involves participation. Post a poll. Share a survey. Start a project.E.g. Do you provide social media services in Devon, Cornwall or Somerset? Poll: How important is a work/home life balance?Anything with a killer headlineThis is your chance to grab people’s attention. Hook them in.
- #14 Helps with search engine placement Have keywords in body text tooInclude hyperlinks back to your site or ecom store
- #15 *Have a go with Google Blog Search*
- #17 Highlighting BloggingBakeryBits are based in Honiton and have an online store selling equipment and ingredients to bake artisan breadTheirBakery Bits Blog has won Channel 4’s, 4 Food “Best Bread Baking Blog 2011”
- #18 Click on thunderbolt link for actual siteThey Blog about Recipes, Equipment, Ingredients, tips for beginners, and events.Comments made on their Blog posts are answered by staff from the companyShow that site is on a sub domain.CategoriesTags (sub catergories) Catergory = Recipie , Tag = Gluten Free
- #19 They also have a Facebook page and promote their Blog as well as highlight new products and share company news with their customers.
- #20 They have 1066 followers on Twitter and Tweet about new products in theironline store, answer questions about their products and retweet tweets that have mentioned them and their products.Using all these tools they are building up a nice Baking Community online, getting mentions in the press and winning an award from Channel 4 TV.A great example of Social Media in action.
- #21 Stu… open Gmail for approving comments
- #22 Sign Up to WordpressI’ve already signed up all the training accounts in advance, but here’s the page you need to fill in if you decide to set up your own blog using Wordpress.
- #24 Go to www.wordpress.com not .ORG and Log In at the top left of the page.Use the Cosmic username and password supplied.
- #25 This page appears from where you can read recommended blogs categorised under various topics.Create a new post or open your BlogClick on the My Blogs tab to the right
- #26 The My Blogs page appearsThis is an overview of the blogs you have created. By default Wordpress creates a blog named after your user name.Click on the user name to the rightClarify Accounts > Blogs > Posts
- #27 Your Blog opens revealing the default test post “Hello World”
- #28 The dashboard
- #30 DashboardThis is the main area from where you can carry out any task on your Blog.It looks complex, but in reality you only need to know a few of the menu’s to start blogging!
- #31 Add a new postPosts > Add New
- #32 Add a title for your first Blog Post.Make it eye catching and use a few keywordsType a few paragraphs or copy text from http://www.lipsum.com/Click Save DraftClick Preview
- #33 You can now see how your Blog Post will look to the rest of the world.Go Back to the Dashboard (top left)Then click on the Posts button
- #34 You will then see a list of all your Blog Posts.The one you just previewed will be there with the word Draft to the right of it’s title.Click on the title and the post will open back up in the edit window.From here you could make any other changes or if your happy click the Publish Button
- #35 The Post is now live.You can still go back in and Edit it at any time.You can also View the postGet Shortlink…. Copy shortlink on a piece of paper (or tweet if you’ve done it earlier)Click on it and discuss uses… tweet facebook email etcLets View the post, click on View Post
- #36 YOU HAVE NOW JUST PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE THAT ANYONE IN THE WORLD COULD READ!!!Click on your Blog title on the header, probably cosmicitmentor and a numberCopy the URL from the browserOpen a new tab on your browserPaste it in and change the number in the url to the one of your neighbour.You should now see their blog.
- #37 Go to the blog of the person sat next to youYou should now be on someone else's Blog
- #38 Click on the title of the Blog that the person has just written.Not Hello WorldScroll down until you see the comment boxType in a commentDon’t tick the notify box (explain it)Click Post Comment
- #39 Click the Twitter button at the bottom of the Blog, sign in with your Cosmic account, click Tweet
- #40 If anyone comments on your Blog Post you will receive an email that allows you to make that comment go public on your Blog, Trash it or mark it as Spam.As all the emails come to my account I’ll Approve them now.
- #41 Once your back to the Dashboard
- #43 create a new post but don’t publish it yetPosts > Add New
- #44 Open YouTube in another tab on your browserFind a videoClick on pause as soon as the video starts to playClick the share button and copy the link
- #46 Voila….Youtube video embedded in your Blog Post.Remember this could be a YouTube video of you demoing a product on your Blog--------------------------------------Delete Posts apart from “Hello World”If time allows, go on to addingimages, links and changing background style \\ template
- #47 The following process describes inserting an image which already exists on another web site or domain. This method will not upload the document/file to your blog’s Media Library. Because it is hosted elsewhere, if the file is removed from its location, the image will no longer work on your blog.
- #48 You can upload the following image types to a post or page on your WordPress.com blog: .jpg/.jpeg.gif.png
- #49 Simply drag and drop your files into the box that appears, or click Select Files to choose a picture from your computer to upload.Click select filesBrowse to My Pictures or a location that may have some pictures in it
- #50 you will be given the option to edit some settings before inserting the image into the post/page.Title - Text displayed as a tooltip (when a mouse is hovered over the image)Caption - Image caption displayed directly underneath the image (will also serve as the alternate text.)Description - Text displayed with the image in your dashboard and attachment pages on your blog.Link URL / Link Image to: – The URL/web address to which the image will be linked. “SALE” logo link to ecom storeFile URLbutton to link the image to its original, full-size version. Click the Post URL button to have the image linked to its attachment page.Alignment – The position of the image within your post or page. Size – The size of the image.Edit Image button beneath the image preview to rotate, flip, scale, or crop the image.Insert into Post when you’re done adjusting the image’s settings.
- #51 The image should appear within your paragraph of textIf time allows…Go throughSettings > General Settings
- #52 The General Settings let you change many of the items that control how your blog is displayed, such as the title, tagline, timezone, and date/time formats. Click Settings from the left hand menu in your Dashboard to access these settings.Site Title. The Site Title is displayed in the title bar of a web browser and is displayed in the header for most themes.Blog Picture (or Blavatar as we like to call it)allows you to upload a picture to be used as your blog image across WordPress.com. This image will be used as the favicon you see to the left of the URL in the address bar and for any pingbacks or trackbacks sent out from your blog.Tagline is a short description or catchy phrase to describe what your blog is about. Some themes will display the tagline in the header or in the sidebar.The Language option lets you select the language to use for some of the theme text shown to your blog visitors. If you select an RTL language (for example, Hebrew), then the theme’s layout will mirror itself so that the text can be read properly from right to left.The Email Address is where all comment moderation emails are sent. This can be different from the email address used for blog activity notifications.Timezone is set to Coordinated Universal Time, UTC by default, which is in LondonDate Format lets you select how you want dates will be displayed on your blog. Time Format is just like date format, but sets how times will be displayed on the blog.Week Starts On, is only used if you are using the calendar widget. This setting allows you to select what day is displayed in the first column of the calendar.
- #53 Go throughLinksCategoriesTagsTheme
- #54 Type key word \\ phrase relating to your interest \\ business in Google, select Blogs, usually under More or go to http://www.google.co.uk/blogsearchIf time allows try embedding a google map in your blog