Build a Better BlogThank you for coming to the Blogging for Business meetup at the Laptop Lounge. I had a great time helping you build a better blog while talking about blogging for business strategies.
Many of you requested the presentation and I wanted to offer it to you.
Build a Better Blog for Business
You can click the link above and view online or download. Happy blogging!
I had a captive audience at my Blogging for Business presentation a few weeks ago. I offered a Blog Audit package and my new friend, Maura, stepped up.
We met in person so that I could give her solid advice and hands on training for her blog about cats. Yes, people, she’s blogging about her cats. And cute ones they are.
Because her cats are her passion, Maura launched FinchFriesandFluffms.com. She also wanted to practice writing so that when she launches her blog for business, she’s have an understanding of how she should build it. Bright idea!
I think the main thing for me is to make this blog better – better look is a big focus. I struggle with the picture placements and working with WordPress and the how to’s of using the technology. I am impatient with learning how to do stuff and find it very confusing to navigate. I want it to look more professional.
When Maura logged into WordPress and showed me how she normally puts a post together, she couldn’t see the Visual tab. Strange! This is the first time I’ve encountered that. No wonder she had a hard time putting her post together. She was looking at all that HTML stuff. I fixed that.
She wanted a way to crop her photos quickly to add cute pictures in her posts but she was spending too much time editing them. I showed her a great free online editing site where you can do lots of neato things that make you look like a pro. You can crop, add speech bubbles, shapes, hearts, text overlay, borders…the list is endless! (See cat above.)
Next, I recommended that she add social icons so that her friends could connect with her on Facebook. Uploaded and activated a plugin.
Maura had someone tell her that her posts were too long. Some of her readers love all the cat stories but have limited time. So my recommendation was to use bold headers for her stories. Makes it easy for visitors to skim the headers if they are busy. And it also leaves the longer posts for her readers to really dive in and enjoy the furry fun.
She also wanted her posts to be shared so that she would gain readers over time. She already had an email optin so that people could sign up for her RSS feed. So I recommended a way to prompt her readers to use social media to share her stories. Plugin uploaded, activated, and configured. (Looks a bit wonky right now, needs to be fixed.)
We also talked about posting to Facebook in a way that would grab her friends attention in the Newsfeed better than just sharing the blog post. Because Facebook engagement is better with large, gorgeous pictures, I recommended Maura to post a picture of her cats manually to capture her readers. When she does this, she’ll always insert her blog post URL so that her friends click the link and go over to her blog.
There are a few more ideas I have to make sure she’s getting the most out of her blog. I would:
Just call me BLOG HERO. 
I’m not a writer. I’m not even a reader. When asked to join fun book clubs, I tell them that I don’t read books.
I even say it with pride and gusto. Like I should be proud that I don’t read books.
Instead, I read blogs.
I started a blog in 2008, right after my last child was born. I was homeschooling my kids back then and needed to fuel my creative juices.
My plan was to start a journal, but typing in a Word document wasn’t very exciting. I knew I wouldn’t use pencil and paper, so a pretty bound journal was out of the question. Then I found a free online blogging platform, added a cute background, and began to write my thoughts for the whole world to see.
It was addicting! Between infant feedings, naptimes, and field trips, I would be glued to my iMac writing and reading everyone else’s blogs. I read blogs about family, crafting, parenting, fitness, marriage, and the list goes on. So many blogs, so little time.
I was not alone in my obsession. New blogs are born every minute. As of early February 2011 there was a staggering 156 million blogs in existence.
My love for blogs continues to grow. In fact, I’ve built a business and a brand around designing blogs, specifically, better blogs.
Top 10 Reasons to Build a Blog
1. Leave a legacy
Some blogs are written for the sole purpose of leaving a daily record of their children’s lives. These blogs come complete with pictures and videos that they can read and watch as they grow. These blogs are a hit with Grandparents, too.
2. Establish yourself as an expert
If you are in business, a blog is a great way to share your expertise. You can create useful content to teach, write how-to style posts, or even interview other experts. These blogs add to your credibility.
3. Connect with others
If you are in a community, a blog is the best way to connect with others on a platform that you own. You can set up an RSS feed so that people who sign up will get updates every time you post. Also, if you build strong connections, you can engage with your readers through the comment section.
4. Make money
There are dozens of legitimate ways to monetize your blog, from advertising to affiliate marketing. The more visitors you have, the more money you can make.
5. Be creative–for fun or business
If you’re crafty, blogging is a fun way to strut your stuff. Use your best camera and take pictures for your site. If you’re in business, find a unique way to express yourself and your business.
6. Freedom of speech
You can start political blog to share thoughts and ideology.
7. Marketing
If you have many products to sell, you can tell us why we should buy them. Write highlights on each, or better yet, give us other’s testimonials.
8. Clear your mind and de-stress
Just like a journal, your blog can be the place to talk it out.
9. Make a difference and help others
You make a difference, so can your blog. Help people by sharing your gluten-free recipes, your sewing techniques, your fitness tips, or promoting a charity you believe in.
10. Share your story
Your story should be told. Write about your life and inspire the world, and then you might be featured as Vanity Network Magazine’s next Inspiring Woman.
There are many ways to experience fulfillment and happiness through blogging. If you want to build a blog or a better blog, let’s get started.
Posted with permission from Vanity Network Magazine.
What’s the difference between a blog and a website?
As a designer, I’ll often have to answer that question. It’s confusing…do you start a blog and then a website will follow? Do you start with a site and a blog will follow? Which comes first, the blog or the site?
A website is a connected group of pages on the World Wide Web regarded as a single entitly, usually maintained by on person or organization and devoted to a single topic or several closely related topics. By definition, a blog means a website containing the writer’s or group of writers’ own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other websites. So anything on the web is a website, but not all websites are blogs. Clear?
In my estimation, a blog is a simple way to post ideas and thoughts, videos, stories, personal and business content, pictures, etc. in a chronological order so that the newest content is at the top of the page. If you want a platform post your own stuff and you want to own your content (unlike Facebook) then you should turn to a blog to do it.
Starting a blog is simple. You have an idea that you want to share to the world and you can use a blog to do it. Since blogs are built on a content management system (CMS) you can update quickly and easily, and with pictures, videos or text. But after a few months you want to promote your Facebook Page on it, brand your blog, add an optin to collect email addresses, and install a plugin so that you can get your readers to comment on your posts. Is it possible? Yes.
Some websites boast the owner’s portfolio to portray the type of work that they do. Models and actors have a site to promote their resume and headshots. Some sites sell products, services, or have a compelling call to action so that you’ll pick up the phone to call. Just search your local plumber…the best designed sites lead you to call for more information to book an appointment.
If you’re looking to start a blog or a website, a good designer will ask you who your target market is, what your unique selling proposition is, and if you want to sell products. You’ll need to think of these questions and more when you start. The best places on the web incorporate both qualities so that their visitors stay awhile and immerse themselves in the content, and also look for a place to do business. Don’t worry, a good designer will help you through the process. They’ll help you increase your online authority and presence. They’ll even help you with your bio, if you need it.
Need to attract visitors to your site? If you did, are you prepared to wow your potential clients or customers? If you need help, consider this.
Source: sparkinboundmarketing.com via DragiBuzz on Pinterest
