The document outlines key strategies for effective blogging to enhance credibility, brand, and business. It emphasizes the importance of consistent and authentic content that builds audience trust and engagement, and categorizes blog post types such as 'how-to' guides, commentary, and multimedia. Additionally, it discusses monetization methods and encourages bloggers to share their personal journeys to attract readers and foster community.

1. Blogging Secrets For Building Your Credibility, Your Brand and Your BusinessTuesday, February 2nd, 20109 – 10pm ETDave SaundersInternet Branding Specialistdavesaunders.net

2. The ModelYour online presence leads people to you

3. As they are exposed to you, they begin to know, like and trust you

4. Your trust-equity leads to effective recommendations and referralsWhat Is A Blog?It’s a view of you: a collection of text or content (video, pictures, links) put together to offer information, news and context. Posts do not have to be a huge articles.Seth Goden, the author of “Tribes” has a very popular blog which runs on a free blogging site. He writes one almost every day and they are usually no more than 200 words.

5. Why Should YOU Blog?Share your passions and interests

6. Be a thought-leader: create context for your readers

7. There’s already plenty of data and information online

8. You help others make sense of it

9. Create “virtual real estate” which positions you as a leader in your field

10. Build your personal brand: Be distinctive, relevant and consistentBenefits of Blogging Create AuthorityHelp Build an AudienceHelp Build Your BrandFor MotivationFor AttractionTo Monetize

11. 1. Create AuthorityAuthority – people recognize your interests, aptitudes and skillsyou do not have to be the ultimate “guru” from the very beginning. Get your voice out there and let your audience watch you grow.Don’t get hung up on the term “expert”. The reality is that if you know more than the person who wants your help – you are the “expert”.Use that & recognize that as in all of nature, you should continue to grow & evolve.*If you’re green, you’re growing & if you’re ripe, you’re rotting!

12. Julie & JuliaJulie Powell did not start her blog as a master chef.She started where she was as a modest cook and built her audience around her journey.

13. 2. Build an AudienceBe the leader and guide others are seekingnot just a source of “news”People may not always agree with your opinion – but this can either drive them away or draw them closer.(i.e. Howard Stern in Private Parts)Rush LimbaughJim Cramer

14. 3. Build Your BrandYour brand is build through the relationship you create with others.Use YOU in your blogCreate contextWhat do you stand for/against?What are your rituals?What’s your kryptonite?

15. 4. For MotivationLet others watch you go!A milestone or goal for a projectMaking goals public puts pressure on you to follow through and succeed.(i.e. the tri-athlete who blogged about learning how to be an athlete and all the necessary steps taken to compete in a triathlon)

16. 5. For AttractionThe more “real” you are, the more you will attract true fans.Trying to be “perfect” on your blog makes you unappealing – show your trials and tribulations for others to identify with.Creating a facade of the perfect you will be impossible to maintain as your audience grows & is attracted to someone that you are not.*Posers attract Posers!

17. All of You Is Your AssetSuperman: Even though he was this super, amazing, indestructible man – His vulnerability to Kryptonite makes him more identifiable.Gary Vaynerchuk: The creator WineLibrary.tv – can be annoying, and he knows it! He’s stayed authentic and has a tremendous amount of followers.

18. 6. To MonetizeUse the blog to promote your own products and servicesBy building authority through your blog, you position yourself as an expert to people who are also interested in what you do.Have your blog contain links that say “here is how to hire me” – and that is what it will attract.Can also promote affiliate products.(i.e. internet marketing & products that you are endorsing)

19. To Monetize (continued)Can have sponsors:Google AdsenseCommission Junction – bannersPartners – local businesses** Don’t do this right away. Build an audience & momentum first so as not to turn people off with a lot of advertisements.

20. Where To BlogFree Options

21. Wordpress.com

22. Blogger.com

23. Tumblr.com

24. And many, many more…

25. Host your own

26. Hostgator.com

27. Or find hosting that offers “C Panel”

28. Install WordPress.org software for free

29. Start Free and transition laterTypes of Blog Posts“How-to”News & CommentaryDefinitionsThe Elephant in the RoomListsMultimedia

30. 1. “How to”People are looking for “how to” do something on the internet.They are not usually looking to learn a brand new skill – rather how to get a desired end result from something they already have an idea about.(i.e. people may not need to know how to cook, but may want to learn how to cook healthier)Add pictures from a camera or phone.

31. 2. News & CommentaryIn every industry there are current events, news that is happening.(i.e. nutrition, travel, legal, healthcare)Google News: http://News.google.comis a great source of news and up to date information.Research the news and then report on it with your own commentary and perspective.(i.e. talk radio)

32. 3. DefinitionsCreate posts to help people understandTerminologyLingoTricks of the trade in your fieldTrain your future customers to be mini-experts

33. 4. The Elephant in the RoomA topic that no one wants to talk about. Your industry has themHave the courage to talk about these topics. Controversy will foster communication and debate.Learn the difference between OPINION and FACT

34. 5. ListsOne of the most popular type of postsPeople on Digg, Facebook, and Twitter share lists frequentlyCan be long or shortEasy to build a blog in this framework and easy for audience to readGets attentioni.e. Dave Letterman

35. 6. MultimediaOver 200,000 videos are uploaded to YouTube every day. Share them through your blogCopy the Embed code from a video

36. Paste into the HTML View of your Blog Post

37. Always include comments to explain what the video is to youBlog HeadlinesHeadlines are what sell our content. Model what works: (i.e. Parenting, Reader’s Digest, Prevention, Cosmopolitan magazines – all top sellers)The cover sells the content.

38. 5 Headline Formulas“Who else wants to _______________?”Implies social proof that other people are doing it (i.e. lose weight, whiten teeth)“5 Types of _________, which one are you?”Creates curiosity (i.e. lovers)“Little known ways to _______________.”Feel they are getting inside information (i.e. save gas)“What everyone should know about ______.”They don’t want to miss out (i.e. traveling on a cruise)How this solution can make your problem disappear.Goes back to the “how to” type (i.e. Tempurpedic mattress can make your back problems disappear.)

39. Blog Article LengthMatch your style

40. Match your audience

41. Provide a mix

42. Short articles may be read more and forwarded more (i.e. Twitter – people only want little bites of information at a time)

43. Long articles provide deep-thinking opportunities and may generate better long term traffic (can outsource a research topic to increase your credibility and authority on that topic)

44. Minimum 300 words for best results with search enginesActions and RisksBe an idea creator

45. Post at least once a day

46. Be an idea creator: don’t simply consume from other authors

47. Getting Started

48. Momentum falls off when you don’t see enough feedback

49. Blogging is not a magic button

50. Those that stick with it, reap the rewards

51. Handy Tip: Mindmap blog ideas from subjects you enjoyDo’s & Don’t of BloggingDo’s: the 4 EsEducateEngageEnlightenEntertainDon’ts:Sell in your postEndless pitchingThere are appropriate places for links & talking about products.Can talk about things you are working on to generate excitement that does not involve sending out a salespitch.(i.e. conversation at a chamber of commerce meeting)

52. Engage Others on the TurfLeave comments for other blogs

53. Under “website” put the address of your blog

54. DO NOT put your website in the comment

55. Leave a relevant comment

56. Relate to the post

57. Use BlogCatalog.com to find other blogsEngage Others On Your BlogWhen people leave comments on your blog, answer the comments

58. Comments are FREE CONTENT!

59. Activity sends a signal to search engines like Google

60. Personal example: How To Brine a Turkey – 5,800 hits in one day

61. Moral: Seasonal tie-ins for blog posts rock!Promote with Social MediaShare your activity through other social media sitesFacebookTwitterDiggFriendfeed

62. Getting TrafficAdd your blog to directories

63. www.blogcatalog.com

64. Use keyword research to match your content with what people are searching for

65. Don’t get obsessed with “keyword optimization”When you receive BAD commentsDon’t Feed the TrollsDo not get into a fight with the commenter.

66. Do not engage them, it can consume you.

67. Be a professional.

68. May offer new content as an indirect response.ChallengesGive yourself the challenge to write something every day.Give yourself permission to have not so great content sometimes. You will not get it perfect every day.Give yourself time – your blog may take a while to gain momentum.(i.e. Julie & Julia were both ready to give up at times)

69. Are you ready? It Doesn’t Matter!Start a blog todayMake it yoursHave funShare your passionsTake a standAim for daily posts for at least 1 yearMost blogs allow you to post date an entry so you can preload before vacationCreate a relationship through your blog

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