Search Results for ‘forums’
… to get you blog noticed, read and followed
Starting a blog may be the craze these days, but is it for you? Do you have what it takes to not just start a blog, but stick to it? Do you know what you want to accomplish with your blog? Do you know how you want to position your blog, what you want to write about and more importantly who you want to write for? A blog without an audience is still a blog, but it may not be effective in achieving your overall goals.
If you want to have an audience, you have to market your blog. You have to let people know it exists. Most people don’t write for themselves, they write for a consumer, a fan or someone(s) who has similar interests. Having others read what you write affirms that you have information worth reading. And if you have ever received comments on your blog you know that feeling that someone does take what you have to say seriously. Even when they don’t agree with your stand, they took the time to respond.
If you want to increase your readers and get more feedback from them (comments) you need to create a plan. And there are “little” things you can do every day to make that happen. In fact, I created a list of 15 tips to get your blog on the radar of your target audience and am sharing 3 tips today. That means I have content to span 5 blog posts. Maybe more if I decide to add to it. Here are those 3 tips:
Tip #1 ~ Create good content. Many blog consultants will tell you that content is king and that you need lots of it. I believe what you really need is strategically created informative or entertaining (and best if it’s both) content that interests readers and gets visitors to become followers. Writing posts strictly for the search engines may get you better rankings in the short term, but in the long term could hurt your credibility.
If you are having trouble coming up with content, start with a list of something in your genre or niche. Lists are very popular with readers and often lists get picked up and referred to on other blogs. On my blog WE Magazine for Women, I compile a quarterly list of Women Bloggers to watch. It is by far the highest visited (and commented on) post of all the blog posts we write.
Other types of content that are popular with readers is how-to advice. Teach what you know. On my Redhead Marketing blog I write about how to use weird, zany and unusual holidays to promote your business.
Write a 99 Ways to article. Or 33 steps, or 47 tips. Break those tips down into bite-sized pieces and do a series. For instance, the 99 ways could be broken down into a series of tips over a period of time such as a few days or weeks. Similar to what I am doing here with 15 tips shared over 5 posts.
For more ideas about what to write on your blog read How to Write Great Blog Content by Darren Rouse of Problogger at http://www.problogger.net/how-to-write-great-blog-content/
Tip #2 ~ Many successful bloggers have increased their following and built a loyal base by creating an online community on their blog. You can create a forum, a social network or a simple chat room. In fact, most blog software these days allows or has plug ins that will help you establish your community. For an example of how one person did this, check out JamieOliver.com. Keith Ferazzi (author of Never Eat Alone) has a great mix of website, blog and community to take a look at as well.
If you are not sure if you should include a “community” for your readers, check out “Should Blogs Have a Forum?” at Blog Herald
Tip #3 ~ Create a Directory on Your blog. The Directory can include resources your readers would value and want to visit often. By including the directory link you increase the likelihood readers will return (provided the content is good). You can start compiling your directory content based upon your blog posts.
For instance, if you write a technology blog and offer the latest and greatest gadgets in every post. The gadgets could then be compileed and referred to in a directory of recommended sites that your visitor can refer to often. A directory could work with almost any type of blog. A parenting blog could list parenting resources, magazines, books, experts, educational sources, etc. A social media blogger could create a directory of social media sites, social media tools, resources, plug-ins, experts, etc. You get the idea. One of my favorite blogs BlogHer has a directory of other female bloggers on their blog. It is one of the most popular and respected blogs in the blogosphere.
The point is a directory can increase readers because if the content is good, your readers are likely to refer to the directory on their blogs and in their newsletters and emails. After all, if they find a great resource, they too will want to let their readers know about it. Why not be the “it” they refer their readers to?
April 13th, 2009
They were all “born” on February 6th!
February 6th is a day of celebration for many. In fact, on this day in history the following people and companies had something to celebrate:
1895 ~ Baseball Sports hero Babe Ruth was born.
The most celebrated player in American baseball history, Ruth’s home run hitting prowess and charismatic personality made him a larger than life figure in the “Roaring Twenties”
1911 ~ Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United Staes was born. During his term in office Reagan implemented bold new political and economic initiatives. His supply-side economic policies, dubbed “Reaganomics,” included deregulation and substantial tax cuts implemented in 1981.
Also in 1911 ~ Rolls-Royce adopts the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ figurine, the silver-winged hood ornament, as the company’s symbol.
1926 ~ First Doughnut Making Machine: In Dubuque, Iowa the first doughnut-making machine was launched by a company called Trausch Bakery.
1935 ~ Monopoly Board Game goes on sale in stores across America (at the height of the Depression).
1935 ~ Waitangi Day celebrated in New Zealand marks the coming together in friendship of the Maori people and the white European settlers
1943 ~ Frank Sinatra makes his singing debut on the popular radio show “Your Hit Parade.” His career takes off after that and he eventually becomes one of the most respected vocalists of all time.
1954 ~ Mercedes introduced the 300SL Coupe, the car is far advanced of anything else with its gull-wing doors a six-cylinder engine and a top speed of 155mph. Only 1,400 300SL coupes are ever produced but many consider it to be the most impressive sports car of the decade.
1971 ~ Golfing on the Moon ~ The first golf ball is hit on the moon by Alan Shepard during a two day walk from Apollo14.
2009 ~ Quirky Marketing Calendar by the Redhead Marketing Maven (me) hits the Internet Book Stores, blogs, forums and more! Filled with more than 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays, this book is a must for your internet library. Get your copy today at www.QuirkyOffer.com (and more than $2,000 worth of bonuses too).
Ps. Today was also my mother’s birthday and the anniversary of my middle child, Alexis Lee Richards death. They are watching over us today and in their own Quirky ways, helping Quirky Marketing get noticed.
February 6th, 2009
On one of the forums I belong to the question was asked ~ how often do you market your company, especially before the holidays?
Here is my response:
We never stop marketing! Here’s what we do for our retail flower shop and website. In early November we begin our holiday push by sending postcards, greeting cards and email reminders to our customer base. Even though a great deal of our business revolved around the holidays, we never assume people will remember us in November (Thanksgiving) or December so we know it is just as important to keep our name in front of our audience during this time as it is the rest of the year.
In addition to the physical stay-in-touch reminder method, we send out a weekly eblast for our floral customers reminding them to order early – showcase our current specials and offer a small discount if they order by a certain date. You would be amazed how many people call and thank us for the reminder…
We also partner with our local chamber of commerce and send out an eblast and a broadcast fax around the 7th – for the corporate clients who want to ship out of state – we do gourmet gift baskets so this helps us to really pull in some new clients.
I attend any and every networking event available and give out a holiday CD with our product line for the holidays – which also includes a history of Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hannukah, a coloring book for each of the holidays, the top ten flowers for the holidays, and several other goodies. People love these and once they were produced (about 3 years ago) we only have to update the product line on the CD. It is something people tend to keep.
In addition, we offer free downloadable information products similar to the information on the holiday CD, as well as a letter from Santa for Christmas and free coloring books for the kids. This type of content really drives traffic to the site during the busiest online shopping month of the year.
Although we don’t do as much social networking as I’d like (there are just not enough hours in the day when you are in retail), we do try to visit them at least twice or three times before December 10 to just stay in touch.
And the week after Christmas I do a short plan for the coming year - review last years goals and plan and adjust for any necessary changes or new trends on the horizon.
BTW, Our website, Eden Florist & Gift Baskets is getting ready to relaunch. Laura Wheeler of Fireflight Web Studio is creating a whole new look with greater functionality. Go there today to see it and come back in about a week. The new site should be live.
October 13th, 2008
Get involved in Social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, RYZE, MySpace and Squidoo. Participate in blogs and forums related to your topic, expertise or areas of interest. “Lurk” for while so you can get a feel for the personality of the groups, then contribute to the conversations in the forums (a.k.a. bulletin boards). Social networking is a great way to make your business known to people you would otherwise be unable to contact. Although it is not generally acceptable to blatantly advertise your business on most forums, you can share your expertise. Once you have developed relationships with members of these sites you become a trusted resource, and members will often encourage you to promote your business.
Most forums allow you to use your signature file to “gently” let people know what you do professionally. StumbleUpon can help you find great websites, videos, photos and more based on your interests. StumbleUpon learns what you like and makes better recommendations. With Stumble Upon you can connect with friends and share your discoveries, meet people that have similar interests, and check out what other people are discovering. For more on Social networking, read my article “Virtual Networking – 7 Ideas for Making Connections Online and Developing a Loyal Following”
Want more ideas to promote your business on the WEB? Get a FREE copy of the 8-page Special Report Promoting Your Business on the WEB TODAY!
Check out the Women’s Media Summit Audio Program. I interviewed 16 experts over 5 days for a total of more than 15 hours of content! Click here to save $20 on the recordings, workbook and more! ~ When you order, you will be sent a link to download the workbook, recordings and any other resources shared during the Women’s Media Audio Program.
October 9th, 2008
“Communities can extend the edge of the corporation in truly transformative ways — tapping into new talent, helping design products and services, providing customer support and, most importantly, building the brand with the customer.” Ed Moran
What if your website could be THE place where people connect online? Where they could meet one another, exchange ideas and leads, keep up with current trends, learn about new opportunities and develop relationships?
I’m not talking the traditional Social Networking Sites that are made exclusively for meeting, mingling and networking. Not another Facebook, Myspace or LinkedIn. Although that is not a bad idea ~ and a topic for another post.
I am talking about a website that sells something and offers their visitors a place to share ideas and discuss items of interest to them along the theme of what you are selling. Add a forum to your website to increase your prospects! Forums can generate traffic, provide valuable customer feedback and build loyalty to the brand. Forums can give your customers a voice, a place to express their opinions about the product.
But online forums are not for everyone. It all depends on what you sell and if the product has enough diversity to lend itself to forum topics that would interest enough customers/clients to make the effort worthwhile. Lawn and Garden sites, Network marketing companies, sports fans and sites that sell products for pets are likely highly successful because the visitors have a PASSION for the product or the topic. If you sell detergent or mailboxes or office supplies your site might not be the ideal site to create a community forum. In my opinion a blog might be a more ideal option, a place where you can share your expertise with your customers about how to use the products as well as place to offer advice on ancillary topics that would interest them. Also another topic for discussion.
So why have an online forum for your business site? According to Bobybuilding.com CEO Ryan DeLuca “It’s about becoming the place where people come to talk and learn and meet.”
Consulting companies like the David Allen Company have a growing number of followers and active participants to their forums. According to their site, they have 10,761 Members. And their forum activity looks robust. Why? I am sure it’s because the topics are things their visitors are interested in learning more about or sharing.
I also found GAMING sites with active forums. Sites like GameReplays.org have forums that allow their fans to discuss the Company of Heros game at http://www.gamereplays.org/community/-CoH-Section.html. According to their site they have 90,736 registered members.
And then there’s sites like Bodybuilding.com which espouses more than 1.1 million users!
The drawbacks to forums are many. And you should be aware of them as well. Spam is perhaps the biggest issue. People posting stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand. I was on a forum the other day about how to turn an audio file into a podcast and one of the forum “members” posted the following: “I am searching for a partner to walk around the globe in support of our troups.” Well that may be a worthwhile post but had absolutely nothing to do with the topic. Of course everyone just ignored the poster. But I still find that sort of thing annoying and rude.
Other drawbacks include the cost of implementing a forum, the costs to monitor the forums, lack of participation, inappropriate participation and staying on topic (even for those who know and follow the rules this can sometimes be a challenge), marketing the forums so your target audience knows its available and also really expressing the benefits of participating so people want to be there. And let’s not forget the negative feedback that could occur from a dissatisfied customer. Too many of these can do more harm than good and be the downfall of a company. But then again, what’s wrong with that? If the company sells an inferior product then perhaps it shouldn’t be allowed to sell to unsuspecting buyers!
Building online forums is relatively inexpensive. If you’d like to try a do-it-yourself platform, try the Forum Co where you can set up a free forum at http://www.forumco.com/. vBulletin http://www.vbulletin.com/ is a professional, affordable community forum solution which according to their site has “Thousands of clients, including many industry leading blue chip companies, have chosen vBulletin – It’s the ideal choice for any size of community Or just ask your webmaster or webmistress to design it for you.”
The Wall Street Journal wrote a great article “Why Most Online Communities Fail. According to the article Ed Moran, a Deloitte consultant who just completed a study of more than 100 businesses with online communities said: “Not surprisingly, these sites failed to gain traction with customers. Thirty-five percent of the online communities studied have less than 100 members; less than 25% have more than 1,000 members … The article said one of the reasons for failure was that “Businesses are focusing on the value an online community can provide to themselves, not the community.” You can read the rest of the article here: http://blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/07/16/why-most-online-communities-fail/
Before you do consider adding a forum, think about your goals for the forum. What is the aim or purpose of the forum? What do you want your forum to look like? Who would you like to participate? How will you market the forum? And the big question: WHY? Why do you want a forum in the first place?
Forums are one of the original social networking platforms for building communities online. Once you have done your due dilligent, answered the questons above and studied your target audience for receptivity, you will be able to make a better decision about marketing your online business with a forum. Your forum can help you build word of mouth referrals for your small business, help you develop and perfect your brand, your business operations and your business offerings and more than that you will be able to help your targe market have, do or be better at something.
August 25th, 2008
Instead of the usual tips and advice I thought it would be fun to post something different today. I was experimenting with a wordsearch program for the Grow a Million Dollar Business Summit and the results were great so I decided to also create a wordsearch for Social Networking.
You can test your detective skills and your patience with this all-new Social Networking Wordsearch puzzle. If you want to know the answers, please leave a comment on any one of the posts at Redhead Marketing then send me a message with “Social Networking Puzzle Answers” in the subject line. I will send you the link to the KEY.
If you are not participating in social networking either by blogging, being on forums, taking advantage of social networking sites and platforms, you may be missing out on an untapped audience of prospects and customers. Social networking is a great way to share your own resources, find resources and learn from others and oh yes, do some business.
In fact, you can learn a lot about Blogging and Social Networking when you listen to the Women’s eCommerce Association Blogging for Business Audio Program. You can save $20 when you purchase the program before September 15th!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
August 24th, 2008
