In the last post I talked about the importance of Content, creating a Community and Building a Directory to get your blog noticed, read and followed. Here are 3 more tips to Get Your Blog On:
#4 ~ Add photos. Photos add “life” to a blog, personalize it and make it more interesting. That does not mean EVERY post should have a photo it just means that readers will appreciate if you “mix it up a bit.” Share bits of you.
Let readers into your life by showing your personal side. On my blog Success and then Some, I often post pictures of me networking. Not only does it get people to “see you” in person it also makes you more real. More human. And if they see you as a real person, they are more likely to follow you.
Some great place for Royalty FREE photos include: Fotolia, Fotosearch and Dreamstime. There are also a whole host of free sites from which you can grab photos. A great list of free sites such as Flickr can be found at http://pstutorialsblog.com/44/free-stock-photos/. You can also “google” the photos you are looking for to get some great photos. Be sure you check the licensing from any of these FREE sites before using the photos.
Tip #5 ~ Add Videos to your blog posts. Some of the most popular posts on blogs are the ones that include a video. But don’t just post a video, be sure you also post a commentary about the video. And the video doesn’t even have to be one you created. It can be one you found on YouTube or other video-sharing site. The people who post videos to these sites appreciate the added “publicity” when bloggers refer to their videos and share them with their readers. You can also create your own videos to post to sites such as YouTube, Google Video and Blip.
I created a video about flowers, using Powerpoint, music and Camtasia Studios. You can see it at my blog Tulips Talk.
My good friend and mentor Terry Brock regularly posts videos to YouTube and in fact has one called Marketing with YouTube ~ How to do it.
Robin Goode has a great list of tools you can use to automatically post your videos at the top video sites athttp://tinyurl.com/6bhlre.
Tip #6 ~ Promote your blog on social networking sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. And niche social networking sites that cater to your target audience. I belong to several other social networking groups such asBoomer Diva Nationwe help one another promote our “stuff” all the time. For instance we have our own Twitter Tuesdays and every Tuesday we help one another spread the word about our blog posts, events, products and services and more. There are tools and plug ins for most social networking sites that allow you to automatically post your blog articles as they happen. For instance, use Tweetfeed to post to your twitter account. And you can update your profile with videos from YouTube on Facebook, LinkedIn and more.
These tips and others will help you draw more attention to your site and increase the chances of others becoming loyal followers. Stay tuned for my next post when I talk about blog design, connecting with other users and checking stats to increase blog followers.
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.
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?
March 3rd is Unique Names Day- Have customers call in about their names (their origin, why they were named that name, etc.) or have them post them online and have a contest for the most unusual name.While my name is not that unusual anymore (Heidi), growing up it was a real pain some days. Especially whenever the movie was aired on TV. I would get teased unmercifully the next day about it.My mom chose that name because she loved the book by Johanna Spyre.A few years ago I met a man named Twig and since I had never heard the name before asked him how his parents chose the name. He told me it was because when he was born he was the smallest baby in the nursery and the name “twig” just seemed to fit him.
March 4th is OLD ROCKS Day – Fossils have been called “Mother Nature’s diary” … they tell the history and secrets of life before us. The word “fossil” comes from the Latin word fossilis (which means “dug up”). Although most “old rocks” are are dug up by paleontologists, if you are lucky you might just dig up a few in your own backyard.
So what can you do on Old Rock Day? In this day of WEB 2.0 and new media and social marketing, we often loose site of some of the classic, time-tested marketing techniques we used effectively in the past.Take the business card as an example.Business cards come in all shapes, sizes and materials these days. They can be a mini CD or a traditional size or even a fold-over business card.How about using your “old” business card in a “new” way.To make it a marketing vehicle and not just a means of others contacting you. Say you have several products or services you offer. Why not create a business card specifically designed to highlight each one (or your most popular, or slowest selling, or whatever – you decide).Find places to distribute your business cards. Such as your local chamber of commerce or if appropriate your local tourist information centers.Post them on billboards in high-traffic areas where allowed. Give extra copies to your best clients and ask them to hand out to someone who they know needs your services.Include them in the envelope when you mail a payment or invoice (if you still do that).Where else can you distribute your business card? What other marketing ideas have you used in the past that need to be resurrected?Old Rock Day is the perfect day to do just that!
Today is also: Fun Facts About Names Day, I Want You To Be Happy Day & National Anthem Day.
March 4th is also National Grammar Day & Courageous Followers Day.
For more ideas like this, check out my newest book Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote YOur Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays at www.quirkyoffer.com.
Want to build your business by creating a stronger online presence this holiday season?
Wrap up your business networking plan with the 12 Days of Christmas Social Networking
On the first day of Christmas Social Networking create your social networking plan of action
On the second day of Christmas Networking join two or three social networking site (such as Facebook, Plaxo or LinkedIn)
On the third day of Christmas Networking find 10 friends who share the same interests or interest you are trying to promote and invite them to join your network
On the fourth day of Christmas Networking join a forum in your niche and introduce yourself
On the fifth day of Christmas Networking start a blog in your niche or topic expertise and start writing
On the sixth day of Christmas Social Networking create a twitter account for your business, find tweeters you admire and follow them
On the seventh day of Christmas Social Networking share your expertise on your new social networking sites and make sure you have links from your website to your new SN pages
On the eighth day of Christmas Social Networking Tweet your blog posts and retweet posts others have written
On the tenth day of Christmas Social Networking pinfm.com your postsOn the eleventh day of Christmas Social Networking find other bloggers you admire and start building relationships (by leaving comments)
On the twelfth day of Christmas Social Networking start all over again!
A few weeks ago I had the chance to listen in on a seminar hosted by Shannon Cherry and Ready Talk. It was about increasing event attendance to Teleseminars and Webinars. And I just came across my notes and thought I’d share them with you.
1. Find your voice – Shannon said it is important to know what it is you want to accomplish with the event. Will the event position you as an expert at something? Will it add value to your audience? Will hosting it add to your database or bottom line (or both)? Do you know what you want to say? Who is webinar for? (Demographics)
2. Develop Key Messages ~ Attract more prospects. get more attendees. Make more money, become the expert in your field
3. Use marketing tools available such as press releases.
A. There are basically 3 types of press releases: 1) the basic announcement 2) a tips release with bullets and ideas to reinforce the event and 3) the bonus offered for sign up release.
She said to post on all release distribution sites and traditional media every 2.5 to 3 weeks 10 weeks prior. Some of the sites she recommended include: Theopenpress, pr buzz, prcompass, prurgent, press-base, pressabout, pressmethod, prleap, prlog.org,
B. Email campaigns - Event listings, feature write ups, articles on topic that link to event – 9 weeks prior
Also solo listings to announce event, benefits of event and a last call (Shannon said solo listings are much better than ezines etc.)
C. Joint Venture Opps – Find others with similar traffic market and ask if they will promote to their list ~ if event has a fee, have affiliate commission, if not offer to help promote their stuff as well
D. Write 3 articles on topics webinar covers ~ ezinearticles.com, amazines.com, ideamarketers.com, goarticles.com starting 8 weeks out – send out one per week.
E. Blogging ~ tweak content to make original, create six new pieces of content to post to blog 6 weeks out one per week
F. Social media ~ every time you post on your blog send a brief chatty post (headline) using ping.fm to post to all social media sites at once ~ go to startupspark.com – get code for free there
Put contact at bottom of release, not at top! News should be more important than you!
After registration: Send confirmation email thank you for registering, with details to attend ~ also the day before send a reminder follow up.
Post your event to Craig’s list.
How do we make money with free teleseminars? You can now market to list, they can sign up for your newsletter ~ they are now in the marketing funnel and will start getting your stuff…
CAUTION: Only send emails that would add value to your recipient. Otherwise you will be thought of as a spammer and folks will ask to be removed from your list. Be careful to respect their time and above all their privacy. Even when I get the registrant into my “funnel” they may only hear from me once every 3 to four months unless of course they sign up for one of my offerings and then it will depend on how often that system sends information and offers to the list.
BTW, on November 7th I interviewed Eddie Peters of 4Profit Marketing about this very subject. He gave some great tips and also made an incredible offer to our guests. He has a Marketing system worth over $1,200 and he offered it to anyone who signed up for his session for only $99. If you want to learn more, send me an email to heidi (at) redheadmarketingblog.com. I will pass on the details.
Also, on December 4th I will be speaking at the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals on “How to Leverage Social Networking to Grow Your Business.” If you live in or will be in San Diego at that time, you can register for this event. It takes place Dec. 3-6th. Here’s the link: http://www.iahmp.org/iahmp_folder/annu_conference/iahmp_annual_conference.htm
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. StumbleUponcan 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!
Excerpt from Promoting Your Business on the WEB Special Report.
Start a Business Blog. Blogs are search engine friendly,which simply means the search engines index them almost instantly (as opposed to websites which can take weeks to get indexed).Blogging platforms suchWordpress, Typepad and Blogger, allow you to build a complete website by adding pages that contain links to your products, as well as other resources you recommend. I started out using Blogger and now use Wordpress (both the free and paid versions) for five of my seven blogs.
Blogs can be used to create multiple streams of passive income because they allow you to add all types of ads to your blog. You can use your blog posts to write product reviews such as the onesCafé Momdoes.You can review those affiliate products related to your services and products. You can also use your blog to disseminate information, such as articles, free reports, and other industry specific resources. With a blog you can establish your expertise in a particular genre, topic or industry.
Take Darran Rowse as an example.Darran started a blog called ProBlogger as a way to catalog all the information he learned about blogging (while doing so) and others found it interesting. Because of Darran’s expertise, he has established himself as the go-to person on the topic of blogging and currently has more than 100,000 subscribers to his blog.When you establish your expertise as Darran has done, you are solving problems for your followers which helps you build your brand and sell more products and services.
Make the most of Technorati.com–(Currently tracking 98.4 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media) and Digg.com(a place for people to discover and share content from anywhere on the web). Build relationships with other bloggers by visiting and leaving comments. Try microblogging with Twitter.com and check out Entrecard (your business card 2.0). Entrecard is a 125×125 image which represents you and your blog. It’s part advertisement and part business card. It comes with a widget you place on your blog, so that others can leave their Entrecard for you. You can also use Entrecard to promote your blog and launch free advertising campaigns. Both FREE.
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!
September is Shameless Self-promotion Month – “If you don’t’ toot your own horn, you can’t enjoy the music.” – Debbie Allen (Founder of Shameless Self-promotion Month).
How about trying your hand at Podcasting? In July, 2006 Speedo, (the swimwear brand) “dipped their toe into the social media water during their inaugural Podcast when they interviewed Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps. Their Podcast “Speedo Make Waves” has featured Olympic and other champions from across the international swimming world. Each Podcast has been accompanied by awareness-raising web advertising as an integral part of the overall communication.
Interviewing experts in fields your target market is interested in is a great way to get media attention for you AND your guests. You can also submit your RSS Feeds to FeedBurner so that in a few weeks or months your site will be “on the radar” of advertisers and other content sites.
Welcome to the RESOURCES section of REDHEAD Marketing, Inc. Here you will find a vast array of tools to help you market your business on the WEB. Check back often as we are constantly updating and adding to our lists.
