Blogging can provide benefits for businesses by allowing them to easily and cheaply explain products, provide company information, and interact with customers in a low-pressure way. There are two main options for hosting a business blog - adding it to the company website using software like WordPress, or using a blog hosting site like Blogger which requires little setup. Key steps include deciding the blog topic and frequency of posting, promoting the blog through social media and directories, and engaging with readers to build an audience over time.
The document provides information on building a website, including planning stages, navigation features, acronyms used in web development, design ideas, hosting options, HTML codes, validation processes, and uploading files. It discusses determining goals and audience, choosing a host, designing navigation and pages, using common codes and tags, checking for errors, and transferring files using FTP. Photos and sources are included throughout for reference.
Are you ready to fire your current business website because it’s not performing the way you think it should? Or, maybe you just want to see if you can get more out of it (better return on investment). Even if you don’t have a website yet, this workshop is for you!
In this workshop for small business owners, we will cover important elements every website needs to be powerful. We will also discuss how to avoid the common pitfalls and how to correct them if you have fallen into them. There will be many examples and everyone should be able to leave with actionable items they can put to work right away!
3 Ways You Can Give and Get Good Design FeedbackZURB
Getting feedback can be awful, but it's necessary for building great products. And it doesn't have to hurt. It can be awesome when asked for and given correctly. Feedback helps you iterate on your process so you can design great products faster, hone in on specific interaction and push past roadblocks. In this session In this session, we'll dive deep into the tactics of soliciting great feedback, how to take it and discuss how to give valuable feedback to others.
This document provides a style guide for web design with 100 dos and don'ts covering content, navigation, design, bandwidth usage, text presentation, images/colors, compatibility, and general tips. It is available online and as a free PDF from SpiderPro and can be distributed as long as the original file remains intact and unchanged. The guide hopes to provide useful recommendations for creating effective and efficient web pages and sites.
This document provides guidelines on web design best practices, known as "do's and don'ts." It contains over 100 tips across various categories like content, navigation, design, bandwidth usage, and text presentation. The guidelines recommend using short sentences, correct spelling, descriptive titles, and updating pages regularly. They advise against dark backgrounds, cramming pages, and hiding or misusing links. The goal is to create an easy-to-use site that loads quickly.
NOMINAL was founded through a passion for the artistic Arabic language, minimalism, and fashion. Our designs have one purpose - to be your most meaningful accessory.
The document provides an SEO checklist with 14 items for websites to optimize their search engine optimization. The checklist includes tasks like installing analytics, checking for broken links, optimizing titles, descriptions and images, adding relevant on-page keywords, claiming local listings, researching target keywords, and developing a content publication schedule. Completing the various optimization tasks in the checklist can help websites rank higher in search results and drive more traffic to their sites.
The document provides information on building a website, including planning stages, navigation features, acronyms used in web development, design ideas, hosting options, HTML codes, validation processes, and uploading files. It discusses determining goals and audience, choosing a host, designing navigation and pages, using common codes and tags, checking for errors, and transferring files using FTP. Photos and sources are included throughout for reference.
Are you ready to fire your current business website because it’s not performing the way you think it should? Or, maybe you just want to see if you can get more out of it (better return on investment). Even if you don’t have a website yet, this workshop is for you!
In this workshop for small business owners, we will cover important elements every website needs to be powerful. We will also discuss how to avoid the common pitfalls and how to correct them if you have fallen into them. There will be many examples and everyone should be able to leave with actionable items they can put to work right away!
3 Ways You Can Give and Get Good Design FeedbackZURB
Getting feedback can be awful, but it's necessary for building great products. And it doesn't have to hurt. It can be awesome when asked for and given correctly. Feedback helps you iterate on your process so you can design great products faster, hone in on specific interaction and push past roadblocks. In this session In this session, we'll dive deep into the tactics of soliciting great feedback, how to take it and discuss how to give valuable feedback to others.
This document provides a style guide for web design with 100 dos and don'ts covering content, navigation, design, bandwidth usage, text presentation, images/colors, compatibility, and general tips. It is available online and as a free PDF from SpiderPro and can be distributed as long as the original file remains intact and unchanged. The guide hopes to provide useful recommendations for creating effective and efficient web pages and sites.
This document provides guidelines on web design best practices, known as "do's and don'ts." It contains over 100 tips across various categories like content, navigation, design, bandwidth usage, and text presentation. The guidelines recommend using short sentences, correct spelling, descriptive titles, and updating pages regularly. They advise against dark backgrounds, cramming pages, and hiding or misusing links. The goal is to create an easy-to-use site that loads quickly.
NOMINAL was founded through a passion for the artistic Arabic language, minimalism, and fashion. Our designs have one purpose - to be your most meaningful accessory.
The document provides an SEO checklist with 14 items for websites to optimize their search engine optimization. The checklist includes tasks like installing analytics, checking for broken links, optimizing titles, descriptions and images, adding relevant on-page keywords, claiming local listings, researching target keywords, and developing a content publication schedule. Completing the various optimization tasks in the checklist can help websites rank higher in search results and drive more traffic to their sites.
Blogging secrets from The Apple, Peeled's Ana Maria Sencovici. Presented at REMarTech on April 29, 2010 in New York City. Learn more at http://greenpearlevents.com/remartech.
This document provides guidance on creating web services. It discusses registering a domain, planning the service, developing the service, launching it, and measuring its success in an iterative process. It also covers choosing a web hosting provider, deciding between using WordPress or custom coding, and the basics of HTML5 and CSS for building the web service structure and design. The key steps outlined are to plan the purpose, information architecture, user interface, and branding before starting development.
The document provides advice on steps one can take if they are in career trouble. It states that if one does not have an interactive resume, a personal blog acting as a digital portfolio, a passion blog demonstrating skills and raising their profile, a list of key players in their field on Twitter, informational interviews conducted, and their own network in their chosen field, then they are in career trouble. It then provides examples of unique and interactive resume styles one can use, the importance of an online presence through a personal website or blog, and how a passion blog can demonstrate skills to employers and raise one's profile in their industry.
Astek Academy SEO Bootcamp - Presentation 2/25/12Astek Consulting
This document summarizes an SEO bootcamp presentation. It introduces the presenter Tom Lynch and his company Astek. The bootcamp agenda includes covering SEO basics, the first three steps of SEO, best practices for content, speed critiques, keyword selection, tools and tactics. Attendees are asked to introduce themselves and their SEO knowledge and goals. The presentation then covers definitions of SEO and content, and the first three steps of an SEO analysis: having content, making it visible to search engines, and optimizing what is seen.
Blogging for Business Advanced - Wojo DesignWojo Design
This presentation will teach you everything you need to get started blogging for business. We'll give you plenty of practical advice, answering questions like…
* What should I blog about?
* What blogging platform should I use?
* How often should I blog?
* Can I really make money doing this?
http://www.pointit.com - This presentation covers some true stories of SEO campaigns gone wrong; from penalties caused by keyword stuffing to duplicate content, bad backlinks and more. You'll learn what SEO tactics can get your site penalized in search engines and what to do instead.
The document provides tips for using blogging to drive business, including choosing a blogging platform like Blogger or WordPress, topics to write about, using social networks like Facebook and Twitter to promote the blog, and tracking blog performance. It recommends starting with the basics of profiles and regular posting, at least once per week for blogging and daily for social updates. Plugins and tools can help track visits, clicks, and search terms to measure success. The goal is to create engaged fans by sharing passion for the business.
The document outlines the goals and steps for creating a WordPress site, including customizing privacy settings, adding pages and blog posts, choosing a theme, and connecting social media. The goals are to create a WordPress site, modify privacy settings, add and customize content, and use the site for blogging. It provides instructions on setting up an account, navigating the dashboard, creating pages and blog posts, selecting a theme, and setting the front page. It also discusses deleting sites, inviting contributors, and integrating social media through links, embeds, or widgets.
This document summarizes key points from a presentation on web design myths. It discusses the relationships between usability, accessibility, web standards, and guidelines. It argues that these areas are not in conflict, but rather work together to create beauty in web design. Following guidelines can help attain quality and make things easier for users. The document also provides tips for collaboration, transparency in the design process, and bringing together functionality, forward-thinking approaches, and creativity.
Mastering Social Networking For Business V5bakatekoziol
The document discusses using social networking for business purposes. It provides tips on setting up profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to engage customers and build business relationships. Examples are given of companies that have successfully used social media to increase business and cut advertising costs through networking on these platforms. The importance of consistently posting updates and interacting with contacts is emphasized.
Blogging 101 discusses the benefits of real estate agents blogging, including making agents better at their jobs, improving search engine rankings, enhancing their reputation in the community, connecting with other professionals, and attracting higher earning clients who do their own research. It encourages agents to read and comment on other blogs to participate in the community, gain credibility, and attract new readers to their own blog. Finally, it provides examples of topics agents can write about and recommends several real estate blogs.
This document provides an introduction to blogging for creatives and entrepreneurs, including what a blog is, examples of popular blogging platforms both hosted and self-hosted, tips for getting started like choosing a domain name and social networks, and how to promote a blog through commenting, links, and tying online networks together. Key aspects of blogging covered include creating content, inviting conversation, customizing appearance with themes and plugins, and having a plan to execute one's vision for their blog.
Free Online Tools To Create ConversationsKirsti Scott
Quick introduction to online tools that businesses can use to stake out a presence online. Provides a brief overview of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogging, Google Local Business Center, and Yelp. From a presentation to the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Women in Business breakfast on June 11, 2009.
This document provides tips to gain traffic to a website through link building and social media promotion. It lists high ranking directories, blogs, forums and social networks where one can publish and link to their site. Additionally, it recommends using social bookmarking services, article directories and press releases on free sites to build backlinks and visibility. The full list of recommended directories, blogs, social media sites and press release distribution platforms are meant to help increase search engine rankings and traffic through relevant inbound links.
This document provides an overview of blogging for business purposes. It discusses what a blog is, why businesses should have blogs, how to set up a blog on a company website or external hosting service, gaining an audience, and monetizing the blog over time. The key points are: Blogs can help businesses interact with customers, provide information, gain insights, and build buzz. They are a cheap way to regularly update a website or give the business a voice. To start, businesses should choose a topic, write quality content consistently, and use techniques like social sharing and SEO to build an audience. The goal is to engage readers over time and the blog may eventually become a brand that can be monetized through ads
This document provides an overview of blogging for business purposes. It discusses what a blog is, why businesses should have blogs, how to set up a blog on a company website or external hosting service, gaining an audience, and monetizing a business blog. The key points are: Blogs can help businesses interact with customers, provide information, gain insights, and build buzz. They are a cheap way to regularly update a website or give a company a voice. To start, businesses should choose a topic, write quality content consistently, and use techniques like social sharing and SEO to build an audience over time. While blogging should first be a passion, there are also ways to potentially earn money through advertising or affiliate programs.
www.earnperhit.com/realestate => "Search Engine for Real Estate"
www.lucky-bet.site => Bet on Sports - 50% Deposit Bonus
www.lucky-bet.site/casino => Online Casino - 5000$ Welcome Bonus
www.lucky-bet.site/lotto247 => Lotto247 - Win Big, Live Free
www.lucky-bet.site/eurobet => Best European Bookmaker
How real estate professionals can use blogging to engage with the consumer and generate business.
Easy-to-follow guide on how to promote a website. Discover:
- Social media bookmarking sites you can use
- Online Directories that matter
- Article Marketing and why it's important
- Where to submit your Press Releases
You Are Not The User: Viewing Your Website Through Your Client's EyesMighty Spark Design
When was the last time you looked objectively at your website from your client’s perspective? How does it display on different devices – from smartphones to large monitors? Have you made it easy for them to find information? How long are they waiting for your page(s) to load? These questions and more are answered, low (or no) cost solutions for some of them, and when it’s time to give your site a simple facelift or an entire re-design.
Blogging for Business - Sweet for all sizesKatie Laird
The document discusses how blogging can be beneficial for businesses. It provides examples of successful business blogs and outlines strategies for starting and maintaining an effective business blog, including establishing an online presence, building community, tracking analytics, and visualizing content. The key message is that blogging allows businesses to humanize their brand, engage customers, and potentially increase profits when done consistently and strategically.
Selling Your Designs Without (Much) BravadoMindy Wagner
Coming up with a flawless design is only half the battle. You also have to get your best ideas past the clients even those who have trouble understanding traditional design deliverables. Not everyone is ready to walk into a room Don Draper style and say 'This. Or nothing'. But it’s our job to sell the best solution to even the toughest crowd, and you can still do plenty of convincing without the ego overload. A little bit of psychology and a persistent stream of client collaboration go a long way. We’ll break down the process for keeping clients engaged and explore tricks for getting past obstacles in the approval process.
Blogging secrets from The Apple, Peeled's Ana Maria Sencovici. Presented at REMarTech on April 29, 2010 in New York City. Learn more at http://greenpearlevents.com/remartech.
This document provides guidance on creating web services. It discusses registering a domain, planning the service, developing the service, launching it, and measuring its success in an iterative process. It also covers choosing a web hosting provider, deciding between using WordPress or custom coding, and the basics of HTML5 and CSS for building the web service structure and design. The key steps outlined are to plan the purpose, information architecture, user interface, and branding before starting development.
The document provides advice on steps one can take if they are in career trouble. It states that if one does not have an interactive resume, a personal blog acting as a digital portfolio, a passion blog demonstrating skills and raising their profile, a list of key players in their field on Twitter, informational interviews conducted, and their own network in their chosen field, then they are in career trouble. It then provides examples of unique and interactive resume styles one can use, the importance of an online presence through a personal website or blog, and how a passion blog can demonstrate skills to employers and raise one's profile in their industry.
Astek Academy SEO Bootcamp - Presentation 2/25/12Astek Consulting
This document summarizes an SEO bootcamp presentation. It introduces the presenter Tom Lynch and his company Astek. The bootcamp agenda includes covering SEO basics, the first three steps of SEO, best practices for content, speed critiques, keyword selection, tools and tactics. Attendees are asked to introduce themselves and their SEO knowledge and goals. The presentation then covers definitions of SEO and content, and the first three steps of an SEO analysis: having content, making it visible to search engines, and optimizing what is seen.
Blogging for Business Advanced - Wojo DesignWojo Design
This presentation will teach you everything you need to get started blogging for business. We'll give you plenty of practical advice, answering questions like…
* What should I blog about?
* What blogging platform should I use?
* How often should I blog?
* Can I really make money doing this?
http://www.pointit.com - This presentation covers some true stories of SEO campaigns gone wrong; from penalties caused by keyword stuffing to duplicate content, bad backlinks and more. You'll learn what SEO tactics can get your site penalized in search engines and what to do instead.
The document provides tips for using blogging to drive business, including choosing a blogging platform like Blogger or WordPress, topics to write about, using social networks like Facebook and Twitter to promote the blog, and tracking blog performance. It recommends starting with the basics of profiles and regular posting, at least once per week for blogging and daily for social updates. Plugins and tools can help track visits, clicks, and search terms to measure success. The goal is to create engaged fans by sharing passion for the business.
The document outlines the goals and steps for creating a WordPress site, including customizing privacy settings, adding pages and blog posts, choosing a theme, and connecting social media. The goals are to create a WordPress site, modify privacy settings, add and customize content, and use the site for blogging. It provides instructions on setting up an account, navigating the dashboard, creating pages and blog posts, selecting a theme, and setting the front page. It also discusses deleting sites, inviting contributors, and integrating social media through links, embeds, or widgets.
This document summarizes key points from a presentation on web design myths. It discusses the relationships between usability, accessibility, web standards, and guidelines. It argues that these areas are not in conflict, but rather work together to create beauty in web design. Following guidelines can help attain quality and make things easier for users. The document also provides tips for collaboration, transparency in the design process, and bringing together functionality, forward-thinking approaches, and creativity.
Mastering Social Networking For Business V5bakatekoziol
The document discusses using social networking for business purposes. It provides tips on setting up profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to engage customers and build business relationships. Examples are given of companies that have successfully used social media to increase business and cut advertising costs through networking on these platforms. The importance of consistently posting updates and interacting with contacts is emphasized.
Blogging 101 discusses the benefits of real estate agents blogging, including making agents better at their jobs, improving search engine rankings, enhancing their reputation in the community, connecting with other professionals, and attracting higher earning clients who do their own research. It encourages agents to read and comment on other blogs to participate in the community, gain credibility, and attract new readers to their own blog. Finally, it provides examples of topics agents can write about and recommends several real estate blogs.
This document provides an introduction to blogging for creatives and entrepreneurs, including what a blog is, examples of popular blogging platforms both hosted and self-hosted, tips for getting started like choosing a domain name and social networks, and how to promote a blog through commenting, links, and tying online networks together. Key aspects of blogging covered include creating content, inviting conversation, customizing appearance with themes and plugins, and having a plan to execute one's vision for their blog.
Free Online Tools To Create ConversationsKirsti Scott
Quick introduction to online tools that businesses can use to stake out a presence online. Provides a brief overview of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogging, Google Local Business Center, and Yelp. From a presentation to the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Women in Business breakfast on June 11, 2009.
This document provides tips to gain traffic to a website through link building and social media promotion. It lists high ranking directories, blogs, forums and social networks where one can publish and link to their site. Additionally, it recommends using social bookmarking services, article directories and press releases on free sites to build backlinks and visibility. The full list of recommended directories, blogs, social media sites and press release distribution platforms are meant to help increase search engine rankings and traffic through relevant inbound links.
This document provides an overview of blogging for business purposes. It discusses what a blog is, why businesses should have blogs, how to set up a blog on a company website or external hosting service, gaining an audience, and monetizing the blog over time. The key points are: Blogs can help businesses interact with customers, provide information, gain insights, and build buzz. They are a cheap way to regularly update a website or give the business a voice. To start, businesses should choose a topic, write quality content consistently, and use techniques like social sharing and SEO to build an audience. The goal is to engage readers over time and the blog may eventually become a brand that can be monetized through ads
This document provides an overview of blogging for business purposes. It discusses what a blog is, why businesses should have blogs, how to set up a blog on a company website or external hosting service, gaining an audience, and monetizing a business blog. The key points are: Blogs can help businesses interact with customers, provide information, gain insights, and build buzz. They are a cheap way to regularly update a website or give a company a voice. To start, businesses should choose a topic, write quality content consistently, and use techniques like social sharing and SEO to build an audience over time. While blogging should first be a passion, there are also ways to potentially earn money through advertising or affiliate programs.
www.earnperhit.com/realestate => "Search Engine for Real Estate"
www.lucky-bet.site => Bet on Sports - 50% Deposit Bonus
www.lucky-bet.site/casino => Online Casino - 5000$ Welcome Bonus
www.lucky-bet.site/lotto247 => Lotto247 - Win Big, Live Free
www.lucky-bet.site/eurobet => Best European Bookmaker
How real estate professionals can use blogging to engage with the consumer and generate business.
Easy-to-follow guide on how to promote a website. Discover:
- Social media bookmarking sites you can use
- Online Directories that matter
- Article Marketing and why it's important
- Where to submit your Press Releases
You Are Not The User: Viewing Your Website Through Your Client's EyesMighty Spark Design
When was the last time you looked objectively at your website from your client’s perspective? How does it display on different devices – from smartphones to large monitors? Have you made it easy for them to find information? How long are they waiting for your page(s) to load? These questions and more are answered, low (or no) cost solutions for some of them, and when it’s time to give your site a simple facelift or an entire re-design.
Blogging for Business - Sweet for all sizesKatie Laird
The document discusses how blogging can be beneficial for businesses. It provides examples of successful business blogs and outlines strategies for starting and maintaining an effective business blog, including establishing an online presence, building community, tracking analytics, and visualizing content. The key message is that blogging allows businesses to humanize their brand, engage customers, and potentially increase profits when done consistently and strategically.
Selling Your Designs Without (Much) BravadoMindy Wagner
Coming up with a flawless design is only half the battle. You also have to get your best ideas past the clients even those who have trouble understanding traditional design deliverables. Not everyone is ready to walk into a room Don Draper style and say 'This. Or nothing'. But it’s our job to sell the best solution to even the toughest crowd, and you can still do plenty of convincing without the ego overload. A little bit of psychology and a persistent stream of client collaboration go a long way. We’ll break down the process for keeping clients engaged and explore tricks for getting past obstacles in the approval process.
This document provides guidance on how to build a personal brand by blogging. It discusses that a brand is defined by the perceptions of consumers and is a 360 degree experience. It encourages the reader to think of a keyword that best describes them and to create a 360 degree experience across their clothes, objects, blog content, writing style and more. The document then provides tips on planning a blogging strategy, managing exposure online to create a consistent personal brand, building relationships with others in your niche, earning trust and credibility through contributions, and becoming an authority by achieving ownership of keywords in your niche.
Laura Bennett discusses her experiences in starting a blog for Embrace Pet Insurance at an eMarketing Techniques Complimentary Webinar hosted by WorkSmart eMarketing. See the blog at http://blog.embracepetinsurance.com/
The document provides guidance on using Twitter to promote a business. It outlines the basics of setting up a Twitter profile and account, searching for people and groups to follow, listening to discussions to understand etiquette, and joining conversations. It recommends tweeting industry news and articles 80% of the time and business promotions 20% of the time. The document also reviews tools for managing tweets and provides etiquette tips and additional resources for using Twitter for marketing.
Social Media Plan Of Action For Real Estate BrokersDoug Devitre
Doug Devitre presents his Social Media Plan Of Action For Real Estate Brokers and how to build organizational value using low cost methods to the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS.
This document discusses and compares several online portfolio sites for artists: Shown'd, Carbonmade, Coroflot, Voodoochilli.net, and Behance. Each site offers free online portfolios and tools for uploading images, videos, and other work. They provide ways for artists to showcase their talents, gain exposure, find jobs and collaborate with other creative professionals. Reasons mentioned to join include free hosting, networking opportunities, job listings, and analytics to track traffic to individual portfolios.
How to Combine SEO, Blogging, and Social Media For Results HubSpotHubSpot
Finished with the basics of Search Engine Optimization? Ready to take it to the next level? Did you know your SEO strategy should use social media to build link authority? And that your social media strategy should leverage your blog content? And that your blog strategy should be guided by your SEO results? Learn how you can use blogging, social media and SEO together for even better results than any technique alone.
K Squared Communications Services Overviewkatekoziol
K Squared Communications provides public relations and social media services for technology companies in the travel industry. Their services include developing compelling messaging, pitching stories to relevant publications, managing social media accounts, monitoring news and social mentions, and supporting marketing campaigns. They have experience working with clients to determine PR targets, create strategies, develop story ideas tied to company news and trends, and track results.
Social Media Applications' Impact on Travel Managementkatekoziol
Here are a few key things to consider when developing an app in-house:
- Determine the purpose and desired functionality of the app upfront. Clearly define requirements.
- Assemble a cross-functional team to work on the app including representatives from IT, communications, legal and the business units that will use the app.
- Research platforms like iOS, Android or mobile web and choose the one that best fits your needs and resources.
- Create prototypes and get user feedback early in the design process. Iterate based on feedback.
- Develop the app in phases, starting with core functionality first before adding extras.
- Plan for ongoing maintenance, support and updates after launch. Budget for the long term.
The document outlines strategies for small businesses to effectively market themselves and build their brand without spending large amounts. It discusses identifying target markets and differentiating from competitors, using various marketing tactics like social media, videos, and events. Relationship marketing by partnering with other local businesses is presented. Client development, referrals, and consistently demonstrating quality are emphasized as keys to marketing success. The presentation aims to provide small businesses with affordable marketing strategies to grow their client base and profits.
Balancing what to say, when and where, with measurement of what is effective, co-presenters Mary Bahr and Kate Koziol deliver this customized best practice presentation for the Chicago chapters of the Women President\'s Organization.
The document discusses how to use social media, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and blogging, to aid in a job search transition. It provides tips on using each platform to build relationships, showcase skills and find new opportunities. The key recommendations are to use social media for networking and relationship building over direct job seeking, maintain an active online presence through regular posting and profile updates, and focus on sharing value with others in a given field.
The document is a presentation about how to create and use a LinkedIn profile. It discusses setting up a profile, making connections, engaging with groups, and provides success stories of people finding jobs and clients through LinkedIn. The presentation encourages participants to use LinkedIn daily and join groups to fully utilize the professional networking platform.
Building A Business And Social Networking Finalkatekoziol
The document provides an overview of starting and building a business through social media. It discusses the reach and growth of major social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. It emphasizes engaging with connections on these sites, participating in groups and conversations, and using social media as part of a daily marketing strategy to build business opportunities and sales. Examples are given of companies that have successfully used social networking to grow their customer base and cut advertising budgets. Advice includes registering accounts, searching for connections, posting regularly with updates and engaging content, and avoiding being too promotional or impersonal in interactions.
2. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
What is a blog?What is a blog?
Short forShort for
weBLOGweBLOG
Phrase first coinedPhrase first coined
by Jorn Bargerby Jorn Barger
Originally meant toOriginally meant to
be an online journalbe an online journal
A list of links ofA list of links of
things he foundthings he found
interesting on theinteresting on the
webweb
Called it “RobotCalled it “Robot
Wisdom.”Wisdom.”
3. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
What does it mean now?What does it mean now?
These days a blog can be just aboutThese days a blog can be just about
anything:anything:
A journalA journal
A daily columnA daily column
PodcastPodcast
VideoVideo
PhotosPhotos
LinksLinks
IT’S AN OPEN FORUM BETWEEN YOU ANDIT’S AN OPEN FORUM BETWEEN YOU AND
YOUR AUDIENCEYOUR AUDIENCE
5. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Why should a businessWhy should a business
blog?blog?
Explain company products conversationallyExplain company products conversationally
Provide company information easilyProvide company information easily
and cheaplyand cheaply
Give customers a better understanding ofGive customers a better understanding of
your companyyour company
““No-Pressure” way to interact with customersNo-Pressure” way to interact with customers
Can give you insight into customer needsCan give you insight into customer needs
Can help you determine areas of focus forCan help you determine areas of focus for
your companyyour company
Here Are a Half-Dozen Reasons
6. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Here are a half-dozen
more reasons
Help you develop new products and servicesHelp you develop new products and services
Can make your company “come alive”Can make your company “come alive”
Make your company seem more approachableMake your company seem more approachable
Help you build “buzz” about your company andHelp you build “buzz” about your company and
new products and services.new products and services.
Gives your company a voiceGives your company a voice
IT’S CHEAP!IT’S CHEAP!
Most blog sites are freeMost blog sites are free
Can be added to your existing siteCan be added to your existing site
8. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Where do you want theWhere do you want the
blog to be?blog to be?
Two choicesTwo choices
Make it part of your existing siteMake it part of your existing site
Use an outside blog hosting serviceUse an outside blog hosting service
10. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Why add to the companyWhy add to the company
website?website?
It’s an easy way to update theIt’s an easy way to update the
company site – on a daily basiscompany site – on a daily basis
It updates the site quickly andIt updates the site quickly and
easily with new information.easily with new information.
If you have an announcement to make,If you have an announcement to make,
you can make it immediately.you can make it immediately.
Provides instant interactionProvides instant interaction
between customers, vendors,between customers, vendors,
trading partners, etc.trading partners, etc.
12. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Why use a blog hostingWhy use a blog hosting
site?site?
There’s almost no effort to set upThere’s almost no effort to set up
Just go out and sign up and you’re readyJust go out and sign up and you’re ready
to startto start
You don’t need a programmerYou don’t need a programmer
These sites are very intuitive, or work likeThese sites are very intuitive, or work like
Word or other word processing programsWord or other word processing programs
The hosting site provides tools you can use toThe hosting site provides tools you can use to
write, promote and design your blogwrite, promote and design your blog
You don’t need to know how anyYou don’t need to know how any
programming languages or anything.programming languages or anything.
13. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Why not use a blogWhy not use a blog
hosting site?hosting site?
It’s technically not part of your companyIt’s technically not part of your company
website.website.
Someone could bookmark the URL to theSomeone could bookmark the URL to the
blog and not your site and never comeblog and not your site and never come
back to your company siteback to your company site
Some web hosting sites may have rulesSome web hosting sites may have rules
about what you can post.about what you can post.
Ad revenue may get split with web hostingAd revenue may get split with web hosting
serviceservice
18. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
About what?About what?
What your blog will be about?What your blog will be about?
Pick a nichePick a niche
instead of “Travel” maybe “Caribbean Cruises”instead of “Travel” maybe “Caribbean Cruises”
What do YOU want to write about?What do YOU want to write about?
Can you write consistently?Can you write consistently?
What’s opinion or side on that topic?What’s opinion or side on that topic?
Will anyone be interested?Will anyone be interested?
20. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Gaining an audienceGaining an audience
Set up an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed.Set up an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed.
Lets people to “subscribe” to your blogLets people to “subscribe” to your blog
FEEDBURNER.COMFEEDBURNER.COM
The icon looks like this!The icon looks like this!
What it looks like on your blogWhat it looks like on your blog
21. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Become familiar with socialBecome familiar with social
bookmarkingbookmarking
Post links to your blog articlesPost links to your blog articles
..
27. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Add “chicklets”Add “chicklets”
Pieces of code you can add to each blog entry –Pieces of code you can add to each blog entry –
allows fans to post your blog article to socialallows fans to post your blog article to social
bookmarking sitesbookmarking sites
28. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Become familiar withBecome familiar with
keywordskeywords
Words that search engines look forWords that search engines look for
- can be in the headlines and within the body.- can be in the headlines and within the body.
TRAVELTRAVEL AIRFAREAIRFARE AT AN ALL TIMEAT AN ALL TIME
LOWLOW
visitvisit europeeurope this summer!this summer!
CRUISESCRUISES
VACATIONSVACATIONS
29. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Get to know other bloggersGet to know other bloggers
Find other blogs that cover similar thingsFind other blogs that cover similar things
BLOGGERS INTERACT WITHBLOGGERS INTERACT WITH
OTHER BLOGGERSOTHER BLOGGERS
30. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Leave commentsLeave comments
Start contributingStart contributing
Make it relevantMake it relevant
Will lead back toWill lead back to
your blogyour blog
31. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Other tips for gaining anOther tips for gaining an
audienceaudience
Post quality content – take advantage ofPost quality content – take advantage of
the“buzz”the“buzz”
Fill your blog with linksFill your blog with links
other blogsother blogs
within articleswithin articles
Can you give away something? Do itCan you give away something? Do it
Interact with your regular readersInteract with your regular readers
32. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Sign up with blog directoriesSign up with blog directories
Sites that list blogs of all topicsSites that list blogs of all topics
SearchableSearchable
Gets your blog to a wider audienceGets your blog to a wider audience
36. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Put a link to your blogPut a link to your blog
everywhereeverywhere
On your websiteOn your website
In your e-mail signatureIn your e-mail signature
When you leave comments on other blogsWhen you leave comments on other blogs
Other social media (Facebook, MySpace,Other social media (Facebook, MySpace,
Twitter, LinkedIn)Twitter, LinkedIn)
Some social networking sites let your blogSome social networking sites let your blog
entries appear on your profile pagesentries appear on your profile pages
37. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Keeping your audienceKeeping your audience
KEEP POSTINGKEEP POSTING
Don’t expect your blog to take off right awayDon’t expect your blog to take off right away
Remember your audienceRemember your audience
Keep posting things they will find interestingKeep posting things they will find interesting
Use “soft sell”Use “soft sell”
If it seems like a commercial you will lose readersIf it seems like a commercial you will lose readers
Respond to commentsRespond to comments
Don’t attack – interact!Don’t attack – interact!
38. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Things to addThings to add
Add an “About” page.Add an “About” page.
Explain who you are and what the blog is aboutExplain who you are and what the blog is about
Let’s readers know there is a person behind the blogLet’s readers know there is a person behind the blog
Build an “Archive”Build an “Archive”
Keep your PILLAR articles hereKeep your PILLAR articles here
Link to these articles in newer articlesLink to these articles in newer articles
39. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
LearnLearn SSearchearch EEnginengine
OOptimization (SEO)ptimization (SEO)
Similar to “keywords” – using words that makeSimilar to “keywords” – using words that make
your website or blog show up in searches.your website or blog show up in searches.
Do some research – what are people interestedDo some research – what are people interested
in that is related to your blog topic? What wordsin that is related to your blog topic? What words
are they using?are they using?
Put words in your articles and headlinesPut words in your articles and headlines
40. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Make stars out of regularMake stars out of regular
readersreaders
Ask for commentsAsk for comments
Notice who leavesNotice who leaves
commentscomments
Ask regulars if theyAsk regulars if they
want to assist youwant to assist you
They can write guestThey can write guest
columns or monitorcolumns or monitor
comments, respond tocomments, respond to
comments, etc.comments, etc.
41. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Become interactiveBecome interactive
Ask questionsAsk questions
Do weekly polls, puzzles or gamesDo weekly polls, puzzles or games
Become a “cheerleader”Become a “cheerleader”
Give readers “jobs” or “homework”Give readers “jobs” or “homework”
Create a forumCreate a forum
Create a newsletterCreate a newsletter
43. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
MonetizationMonetization
KEEP IN MINDKEEP IN MIND::
It IS possible to earn money with your blogIt IS possible to earn money with your blog
Don’t try to make it your primary sourceDon’t try to make it your primary source
Write your blog because you love itWrite your blog because you love it
44. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
AdvertisingAdvertising
Google AdSenseGoogle AdSense
Easy to set upEasy to set up
Runs itselfRuns itself
Can earn decent moneyCan earn decent money
TextLink AdsTextLink Ads
Tailored to your blogTailored to your blog
Can be riskyCan be risky
Direct Ad SellingDirect Ad Selling
Just like in publishingJust like in publishing
46. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Other methodsOther methods
Selling an eBookSelling an eBook
Compile popular posts into an electronic book youCompile popular posts into an electronic book you
can sell directly from the sitecan sell directly from the site
Affiliate ProgramsAffiliate Programs
Make money when someone clicks through andMake money when someone clicks through and
purchases somethingpurchases something
Amazon.com – one of the bestAmazon.com – one of the best
Writing ReviewsWriting Reviews
Companies pay you to write reviews of theirCompanies pay you to write reviews of their
productsproducts
48. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
More pitfallsMore pitfalls
Attacking negative commentsAttacking negative comments
OrOr
Ordering a Cease and DesistOrdering a Cease and Desist
49. K Squared Communications
www.ksqrd.com
Still more pitfallsStill more pitfalls
Talking about unrelated thingsTalking about unrelated things
Stay on topic – it’s why the readers are thereStay on topic – it’s why the readers are there
Getting too personalGetting too personal
Your readers don’t need to know aboutYour readers don’t need to know about
it – keep it professionalit – keep it professional
What is a blog?
Short for “weblog”
Originally meant as kind of online journal
early blogger Jorn Barger
Robot Wisdom, just a list of things he really liked and wanted to share.
Essentially it is now a website updated frequently and constantly by the holder of the website URL.
Can be text, video (vlog), links, podcasts, anything
It’s an open forum
It’s a direct link to the public where they can leave comments and you can interact with them
Let’s go out and see what a blog actually looks like. Just type that URL (address) into your browser.
Why should a business use a blog?
It’s an easy “no-pressure” way to interact with customers both current and future.
You can explain your company and products, naturally, conversationally and without any “hard sell”
Provide information easily and cheaply about yourself, your business and products.
Give your customers a better understanding of your company.
Can give you insight into customer needs
Can help guide the direction of your business
Determine areas of focus
Develop new products and services to meet customer needs.
It can make your company “come alive.”
Also makes your company approachable because they are interactive.
Helps you build “buzz” about new products, your company or services
Gives your company a voice
Helps build customer loyalty
Cheap!
Most blog sites are free or cost very little
Can be added to your existing site
Easy to set up and maintain
Virtually no training required.
if you can type, you can blog
First of all, think about whether or not you have the time and resources to write every day, every week or a few times a week. Do you have the ability to put those thoughts together in a compelling way? Can you keep it going month after month even though, for maybe the first six months, it will seem like you are just writing for yourself.
Then think about where you want the blog to be.
Decide if you want to add it to your existing site
Easy way to update the company site on a nearly daily basis
Updates the site quickly and easily with new information. If you have an announcement to make, you can make it immediately.
Provides instant interaction between customers, vendors, trading partners, etc.
Not Wordpress.com! That is a hosted site
Also Moveable Type
Textpattern
Hosting it elsewhere
You may want to buy a domain name anyway
Get the blog hosted via a hosting site (GoDaddy.com, for example)
Install blogging software: Wordpress.org, Typepad
Keep it connected to your company site so it can have some impact on your business. Installing a link is the easiest and customers may not even realize they are at a different site.
Let’s check out one of these blog-hosting sites, so you can see how easy it is to sign up.
Let’s go to BLOGGER.COM. See the Create a Blog button? That’s where you click to sign up
This is where you go to fill out the form and sign up for your blog.
DO NOT DO THIS NOW!!!
Do it after you decide if you want to host the blog on your site or offsite.
This is where you choose your blog’s name. This can be very important. It should be simple, and be about whatever your blog is about.
However, notice that the address you get for your blog: [WHATEVERYOURNAMEIS].blogspot.com.
NOT your website. This is a separate blog. Yes, you can put a link on your company website and it can transfer to that URL without anyone noticing, but it they will no longer be on your company site which can affect how they get back to your site, or change pages on your site or look up services, etc. Etc.
OK, whatever you have decided to do…now what?
Now, you need to stop and think again…
Try not to pick anything too broad – not just “travel” but a specific type of travel, maybe.
Something you are passionate about - you have to be comfortable writing about this particular topic almost daily. Make it something that interests you
Make it easy – if you have to spend too much time doing research, that isn’t productive. Make it easy for you to write about and post about.
Make it effortless – goes hand in hand with above. Make the topic something you can write about effortlessly, because you are passionate about it, know a lot about it, or have a strong opinion about it.
Start posting ever day (good six months of this)
Give people a reason to keep coming back
Have give posts up before officially “launching” so people have things to read.
Create an “About” page for your blog as soon as you can.
It shows you are friendly
Gives people an idea of what your blog is about
Connects with readers immediately
Use interesting but to-the-point headlines.
Lets people know if they want to read more right away.
Internet users and blog readers don’t want to waste their time with too-clever headlines.
Give people a reason to keep coming back
Have give posts up before officially “launching” so people have things to read.
Create an “About” page for your blog as soon as you can.
It shows you are friendly
Gives people an idea of what your blog is about
Connects with readers immediately
Use interesting but to-the-point headlines.
Lets people know if they want to read more right away.
Internet users and blog readers don’t want to waste their time with too-clever headlines.
KEEP WRITING!!!!
Let’s people subscribe to your blog
Feedburner – good example.
Run by Google
Can even get updates via e-mail, letting people know when you
These are sites that let you post links to article, videos, photos and things you find interesting online for others to see and comment about. It’s what blogging started out being. But you can also post links to your own blog articles, and increase traffic to your site.
These are just a few examples, there are dozens of them.
Sign up at these sites and start posting links for each blog article on them. The more you post, the more people you will get back to your blog.
Let’s go out and visit one of these sites. One my absolute favorites is Reddit. That’s www.reddit.com.
Just so you can see what the registration form looks like, click on where it says REGISTER at the top right.
Once you click on it, you’ll see a page like this. Just fill out the part on the left and you are ready to start posting links.
This is what that looks like
When you head back to Reddit you will login where it says to login, entering your user name and password.
Then you will click on the spot that says SUBMIT A LINK.
You will find yourself here. Enter the URL in the URL section and then either enter a title or click on SUGGEST TITLE and it will do just that.
At the bottom of the page you will be asked to enter a code and then click SUBMIT
You will then be taken to a comment section. This is where you can enter whatever you want, describe the article, add your opinion, do anything to get the conversation started. Then hit SAVE and you’re done.
Now, you can then call or e-mail all of your friends the link on Reddit and ask them to leave comments, but be careful because if it looks suspicious or all of the people who comment seem to be working for you, Reddit can remove your story and ban you from posting. Be careful trying to cheat.
All of the others have similar sign up and submitting forms. They are all very user-friendly.
Use something called “chicklets”
Little boxes that can be added to the bottom of each entry that directly link to sites like Digg and Delicious. Let’s those who like the entry post them there, spreading the word and taking the entry viral.
Use keywords
There are certain words in whatever you specialize in that people use and might search for. Use them in your blog entries
Seed broad and narrow keywords throughout your blog entries (travel as well as safari travel, cruises, etc.)
It helps keep your blog showing up on important search engines
Leave comments
Search for other blogs that talk about similar topics
Start leaving legitimate comments in the comment section.
Don’t become obvious and “commercial.”
Chat and talk to other commenters. Make it a conversation
Take advantage of the buzz
When you first launch, if you plan it out right on your website, there will be some initial “buzz.” Take advantage of that.
Post good content!
Keep people wanting to come back
Fill your blog with links
Other bloggers do check to see if they are being linked to
Add links to a “links” section – other blogs and things that you enjoy reading. Your audience will appreciate it and those who are linked to will as well.
Add links directly into the blog entries as you write them. If you talk about Carinval Cruises, then make sure the word “Carnival Cruises” is a link to their website. Their website manager will then “ping” back to your blog, which increases your traffic.
Use giveaways
If you have something that you can give away – do it
eBooks are huge – can give away at first and charge later.
Give away things that make sense for what you are blogging about.
You are the expert – give away your expertise (or at least some of it)
E-mail and interact with other bloggers
Stay in contact when other blogger reach out to you or if you reach out to them
There are even blogging conventions you can attend.
You can do guest blogging on certain sites.
Use blog directories
Use your search engine to find blog directories and start submitting your blog’s URL.
Submit your blog to web directories
DMOZ, Yahoo and Aviva Directory are good examples. There are also web directories – DMOZ, Yahoo, Aviva
Let’s head out to a blog directory really quickly so you can see how easy it is to sign up. This is www.blogarama.com.
See where it says “not yet registered?” That’s where you click to sign up
You’ll need to fill in this information. Use the SITE URL and Site Name for the exact URL of your blog. So, if you put it on your website, use the URL for the page of your website that has your blog…not just your company website.
Now your blog has been entered in their directory. They even give you a code, as a kind of turn-about is fair play, that you can add to your blog directing others to Blogarama. This can be as part of a “links” section in your blog.
Start placing a link everywhere
E-mail signature
On Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn profiles
Comments and forums where you leave information and comments.
Keep Posting
As often as you are comfortable.
More at the beginning to gain an audience
Start creating “pillar columns”
Blog entries that are not time sensitive such as definitions, explanations, lists of terms.
Remember who your audience is
Keep the content relevant to them.
Try to keep the content related to business
Use Soft Sell
Don’t come across like you are advertising
Keep things conversational
Respond to comments
Keep it interactive
Encourage discussions amongst commentors
Create a “community”
Build up an archive
Pay attention to which posts are getting readers
Start linking back to popular posts in your newer posts
Create “sneeze pages”
Newer posts with links to other posts arranged by theme, time, popularity, etc.
Use Search Engine Optimization
Notice which postings are getting the most comments or hits
Try to pay attention to what words are used and that people are searching for
Google can provide you with information about who is searching and finding your blog. It can provide information about what they are searching for and what searches are returning your blog. (Google Trends, for example or 103Bees)
You can increase the key-word density on popular blog entries.
Don’t overdo it or it becomes obvious and annoying
Increasing it by adding 1 or 2 more keywords should be fine.
Start featuring readers and encourage participation
Find comments that you particularly like and feature them in an article of its own. You can comment on the comments.
Encourage people to comment within your articles. Ask for suggestions, ideas, and comments on topics you discuss in your postings.
Keep readers involved
Use weekly polls and quizzes to keep readers interactive
Invite select readers to contribute content.
Do what you can to become a “cheerleader” to encourage a community around your blog and keep readers interacting with you and each other.
Give readers “jobs.” Have some of them moderate comments to coming up with poll topics or being judges in contests.
Give readers “homework.” When you give out tips or suggestions, give the readers something to do and have them try whatever you are trying to teach them on their own. Encourage them to leave comments and their own experiences.
Create a forum or newsletter
It can be a lot of work, but creating a weekly or monthly e-mail newsletter makes “fans” out of your regular comment-leavers.
Forums allow people who leave comments and fans to more easily interact. It’s a great place to find more content and see what your readers are talking about so you can tailor your blog articles.
Realize that a brand is going to develop even if you do nothing. As you keep posting and your blog gains readers, it becomes a “brand” just like any magazine or publication
Learn to shape the brand.
Try to figure out what you want to be know for. Is there a segment in the travel industry you specialize in? An area of expertise you have?
Then write about what you want to be known for and do so consistently. BE what you want to be known for. This means in content, design, logos and title for your blog.
Keep track of what people are saying about you. Not only your own blog, but signing up for a monitoring service you can track other people on other blogs. Then, make comments and participate in those conversations.
While it is possible to earn some money with your blog, do NOT try to make your blog your career. If you go into blogging thinking you will get rich doing it, you will be disappointed – and broke. Do it because you love writing about it and giving your opinion.
Google Adsense
Easy to set up. These are simple text ads that Google puts on your blog, in a location you determine, and you earn money when someone clicks through your blog to the advertiser’s website.
Some people earn great money using these, depending on the popularity and number of visitors on your site.
Google determines what ads are placed there, but they are supposed to be related in some way to what your blog and postings are about.
Will not pay out until you reach $100 worth of click-through dollars.
Text Link Ads
Links that are put into your blog entries that are also ads.
You sign up at one of several sites and explain what your blog is about and companies contact you if they want to advertize.
Be careful – as of right now Google has decided to crack down on blogs with Text Link Ads, knocking them down lower in search engine results.
The issue is still up in the air, but right now it may be risky.
Direct selling
Sell ads directly to potential advertisers yourself.
Set up a rating system.
Reach out to advertisers yourself or put a link and e-mail address on your blog so potential advertisers can contact you directly.
Will require you to invoice these advertisers and perhaps do collections if they are late in paying.
Just like public television or public radio you can solicit donations from readers.
Post a link and offer them options for payment
Set up an account with Paypal
Make sure to offer subscribers something for donating
Sign them up for a newsletter
Send them special deals and coupons
Give them some incentive to want to part with their money for you.
It does exist, but there my be legal considerations and accounting situations to consider. Consult or friendly neighborhood accountant.
Never seen it for a blog associated with a company. Normally used for people who ONLY have a blog, so they make their money just from blogging.
Selling eBook
Compile popular posts into an electronic book you can sell directly from the site
Affiliate Programs
Make money when someone clicks through and purchases something
Amazon.com – one of the best
You can search for Affiliate Directories and find affiliates for nearly everything on the planet.
Writing Reviews
Companies pay you to write reviews of their products
Can be perceived as “selling out”
Puts some of the control in the hands of over but not in your own hands
Expecting too much, too fast
Don’t publish one article and expect a thousand readers. It takes time
Most bloggers publish to no one from six months to a year. Be patient
Don’t try to put ads on your blog from the first posting. You will be disappointed
Attempting to crush negative comments
If someone starts commenting in a negative way, address the issues.
Silencing comments can create a bad rep for you
Cease and Desist
If you find yourself being talked about at other blogs, do not attempt to make them stop
Again, address the issue, but attempting to stop them just creates further resistance and makes you look bad
Talking about things unrelated to your business
Temptation will exist to opine and expound upon everything and anything now that you have an open forum. DON’T
Stay on topic – if you really want to talk about other things, start other blogs! You don’t have to write just one.
Writing about personal things on a business blog
Putting information about your family and personal life out there has risks. You can do it if you think it adds something to your blog, but be careful.
Are you sure you have the time and resources?
Do you think you can dedicate yourself to writing a blog daily without the immediate results?
What do you want to write about – do not take this lightly. Give it serious thought.
Research and make sure others are not already talking about it in such numbers that you won’t be heard.
If it is a popular topic, what can you do that’s different and will set you apart
Determine where your blog is and what format you want to take.
Think about what your first post will be