Business Blogging - How to Build A Better Blog

Your Roadmap for Creating Purpose-Driven Content [replay]

2013-04-27T13:24:26-07:00

Earlier this week I hosted a webinar by my colleague Tom Treanor of Right Mix Marketing. Tom outlined his elegant and effective map for creating content for your blog that supports your sales and business goals.

Right now you can watch the webinar replay video (no optin required) and take advantage of Tom's generous offer to save $30 on his Fast, Easy Blogging program plus get two blogging programs from me and a live mentoring class to get you on the path to better visibility on the web.

While you're at it, I recommend you read Tom's guest post on 9 Ways to Improve Your Business Blog's Performance Overnight. Good, easy to implement tips.

Blog on!

Does Your Business Blog Need a Category Cleanup?

2013-04-25T06:48:00-07:00

This is a guest post by Linda Dessau of ContentMasteryGuide.com.

anyone about to start a blog should attend #barrieblogathon to get it started right.Fixing it up is really tedious :(
— Kerri Fullerton ND (@BarrieND) April 18, 2013

I really admired Kerri Fullerton at last week's Barrie Business Blogathon. She said she knew she'd write more blog posts later (she's been a prolific blogger since 2009), so she was going to dedicate her Blogathon time to cleaning up her blog's categories.

Creating blog post categories that reflect your brand - what you and your business are known for - will help you reinforce that brand and show people your value and expertise.

When they visit your blog, people can browse your categories to quickly find the content they're most interested in. They also get an instant snapshot of the range of your expertise.

The cringe test

The first way to determine if you need a category cleanup is to take an honest look at what’s there. Do any of your categories make you cringe, because the topics or language are outdated, or because you haven’t posted anything new about the subject in a long time?

Ideally, your blog will have 5-10 categories that you find interesting and easy to write about, and that also address the concerns of your ideal customers.

Have you been adding more and more categories until they’ve become unwieldy, overwhelming, or even meaningless, both for you and your readers?

If so, clean up!

What’s in a name?

Information seekers and search engines will both be drawn to your blog when you incorporate keywords in your categories. That means using the terms that your customers would use when typing into a search engine.

Do your category names accurately reflect the content on your blog? Will the words or phrases mean the same thing to your readers as they do to you?

If not, clean up!

Categories versus tags

Categories and tags can both be helpful for organizing your content and displaying your knowledge base. What can be messy, though, is mixing them up.

Categories are much broader, and can be likened to the Table of Contents at the beginning of a book. Tags, on the other hand, are more specific; they're similar to the index items at the back of a book.

Are your categories tags in disguise? Have you been haphazard about using categories and tags to serve the same purpose?

If so, clean up!

Before you clean up

Before you merge or delete your categories, or turn them into tags, consider these two questions and contact your website developer for help:

Are your category names included in each post’s permanent link (“permalink”)? If so, changing the category name could affect links to your existing blog posts.
Have you ever posted a link to your category archives page (e.g., Click here to see all our posts about ---")? That link could also be affected if you change or delete the category.

If you’re using the self-hosted version of WordPress, there is a plugin called Term Management Tools that looks very promising, according to these reviews by Kimberly Castleberry and WP Beginner.

Yes, it may take you some time to clean up your categories, but consider the benefits:

Your visitors will be able to quickly find relevant content.
You can focus on creating a balance of posts in all categories, which will help with your content strategy and planning.
You can be proud of your blog again, and look at it without cringing!

P.S. To avoid needing a major category cleanup in the first place, stop yourself whenever you're tempted to add a new category to a blog post. First, check whether you have an existing category that is similar. If not, carefully consider whether this is a topic you’ll have more to write about in the future.

Have you ever done a category cleanup? What did you learn and what have you done differently since then? What tools were helpful?

Linda Dessau is the author of Write Your Way to More Clients Online and the founder of Content Mastery Guide. Visit her site today for more do-it-yourself blogging tips and hands-free blogging services.

Conversation with Digital Publishing Experts [Google+ Hangout]

2013-02-28T11:09:40-08:00

Live Google+ Hangout on March 1 (no charge)

This just in...

Friday, March 1, I'm hosting a free, live, on-air Google+ Hangout with several of the featured experts who will be speaking at the upcoming Digital Publishing Online Intensive.

Date: Friday, March 1
Time: 10 am PT/ 1 pm ET

RSVP & Watch live: https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cenfhnb3pnkmcjlb7l43sbi47ro

Got questions about digital publishing? Post them on the event page.

See you on the Hangout!

P.S. $100 discount for the Digital Publishing Intensive expires in 3 days!
http://digitalpublishingintensive.com

From Blog to Kindle eBook - Free Gift

2013-01-24T07:31:24-08:00

Repurposing your blog posts into an ebook is a fast, fairly simple tactic for you to get more visibility for your business, build your list and make more money. That's why I've decided to give away my program, From Blog to Kindle eBook, for a limited time. It usually sells for $57.

For a limited time you can get the program for FREE - through January 26, 2013. Claim your gift now to get started creating a new stream of income using the world's largest ecommerce site!

Top Ten Self-Publishing Blogs for Authors

2013-01-04T07:56:27-08:00

I love showcasing great business blogs! Yet the wealth of content across the web can be mind-boggling so it's always helpful to have a short cut to finding the best of the best.

When it comes to information for authors and online entrepreneurs who want to self-publish their ebooks and other content, look no further than The Future of Ink's Top Ten Self-Publishing Blogs of 2012.

After receiving hundreds of reader nominations, 30 finalists were reviewed by three judges: Guy Kawasaki, Mark Coker (founder of Smashwords) and Jim Edwards (Internet marketing mentor).

The top ten self-publishing blogs, plus a People's Choice winner, have finally been revealed.

Take some time to review the list and if you're an author, pick two or three to subscribe to and follow. If you read or follow self-publishing blogs that are not on the list, let me know in the comments so I can check them out!

Business Blogging Tips - Guest Post Roundup

2012-11-22T07:35:00-08:00

While I was on my recent dream vacation in Peru, I practiced what I preach to my clients, and invited several clients and colleaugues to share guest posts on DeniseWakeman.com. After all, I didn't want my blog to go dark for two weeks and I was so busy before I left, I didn't have time to do a lot of advance writing.

Three posts stood out because they focused on business blogging and I want to make sure you don't miss them. All are worth the time to read and share your thoughts and comments.

How to Be an Ideal Guest Blogger by Rebecca Livermore
Four excellent etiquette tips if you want to get your guest posts accepted on influential blogs.

What Blogging Can Teach You about Yourself by Kim Gusta
The surprising results a reluctant blogger got when she decided she wanted more visibility for her business.

10 Ways to Save Time and Energy Blogging by Tom Treanor
Be sure to read the comments to learn additional tips for saving time on your blogging!

There was also a post by Nicole Dean on The Future of Ink, that's a great tip for bloggers as well...

Become Famous Like Oprah. Publish Collaborative Blog Posts

P.S. I've wanted to go to Peru and experience Machu Picchu for about 20+...that's why I'm so excited in the picture above! :-) I'm working on an article and webinar on what you can learn about business from trekking in the Andes (check out some of my pictures). Stay tuned...

Business Bloggers, Claim Your Expertise

2012-11-09T05:14:00-08:00

This is a guest post from Linda Dessau of ContentMasteryGuide.com.

As business owners, we all experience the occasional crisis of confidence. I hear these themes a lot from budding bloggers:

"So-and-so has a cool new website/service/product/speech - I can't compete with that!"
"With all the information available these days, what value could I possibly offer?"

Really, what it all comes down to is this niggling doubt:

"Why would someone hire me?"

No matter how many people offer a similar service, your business has one thing that no one else has - and that's you.

It can sometimes be difficult to accept compliments and the positive impact we've had on someone else (criticism is even harder). So the first step in turning your expertise into effective blog posts is to acknowledge your strengths.

The next time someone compliments your work or says how much you've done for them, take in the praise and say thank you. And then stop. Leave out the qualifers, "It was nothing," "I'm sorry about the delay," "I wish we'd..." There's time later to debrief and make it better.

When you come from this place of confidence and acknowledgement, your blog writing will be more authentic. And this is crucial in order for your ideal clients to recognize that you're the right person to solve their problems. After all, how will they know you speak the same language if you're trying to sound like someone you're not?

Next, identify the lightbulb moments in conversations with clients, colleagues and family about your area of expertise.

There are going to be many things that are obvious to you that your ideal clients need to know. In some cases, they're actively struggling with something, and in other cases they don't even know what they don't know. Either way, start noticing when you hear comments such as:

"Wow, I never thought of it that way!"
"Now I get it!"
"Boy, I wish I'd known that sooner."

These are the blog post topics that your ideal clients will really appreciate. They'll keep coming back for more of these insights, and they'll remember the feelings of relief and empowerment they get from reading your blog posts.

What lightbulb moment has one of your clients had lately, and how could you turn it into a blog post?

Your Blog is the Heart of Your Business

2012-10-20T07:44:44-07:00

You've probably heard a thousand times that your blog is the foundation of your online presence (heck, I've said it at least ten thousand times!).

Another way to think about it is that your blog is the heart of your business...

...the place where you deeply connect, share your message, engage your audience and have the opportunity to transform the lives of your ideal clients.

Well, if your blog is the heart, then your list is the life blood of your business, pumping your message consistently into the hands, head and heart of the audience you wish to serve. Without a list that is consistently growing, your business could be on life-support soon.

While attracting your ideal reader to visit your blog is one thing, getting them to come back over and over again, is quite another challenge. The #1 way to make that happen is to convert your reader to become a subscriber and therein lies the real challenge...building your list with your blog.

That's why I'm presenting a one-time, live 90-minute training webinar called “Harness the Power of Your Blog: How to Generate More Leads and Build Your List with Your Blog.”

Date: Thursday, October 25
Time: 10:00 am Pacific Time / 1:00 pm ET
Investment: $47
Registration Details Here

You’ll learn:

Email vs. RSS: What works best and why you may need both
7 places to add your email optin form to boost subscribers
The little known tactic that will help you quickly and deeply connect with new subscribers
3 ways to convert blog visitors to subscribers
How to nurture your subscribers to keep them coming back to your blog

Plus much more!

This is NOT a preview webinar with a pitch for a big ticket product at the end. This is a training webinar. I'm frequently asked to share this information so I'm doing it one time, next week. This is info I share privately with VIP clients and I want you to benefit too, so you can build your online business.

The webinar will be recorded so you will get the video and audio replay plus a transcript and a pdf of the slides.

Whether you're a seasoned blogger or just getting started, this webinar will give you action steps for optimizing your blog so you can build your list and build your business as a result!

Register here.

Related Articles:

The Top Two Reasons You’re Not Getting More Blog Subscribers

Promote Your Blog – 30 Ways to Get More Visibility [Infographic]

How to Build on the Momentum of a Blog Writing Day

2012-10-02T05:56:00-07:00

This is a guest post from Linda Dessau of ContentMasteryGuide.com.

Have you ever returned from a conference, class, seminar or other event, all gung-ho to apply your learning, but then find yourself quickly enveloped back into your busy life, with your new goals left behind?

It's certainly happened to me, but I didn't want it to happen to my Barrie Business Blogathon participants or the crew from Denise's Virtual Blog Writing Day. So I put together these simple tips that will help you build on your momentum, so that you can keep building your blog and growing your business.

Celebrate your successes in all forms - At the Blogathon, some people published new blog posts, while others wrote as many as three posts to publish later. At Denise's Blog Writing Action Day, they celebrated 15 published posts! Some people got their questions answered, while others got new insights into the concept of attracting new clients with a blog. All experienced the camaraderie and driving energy of working with other people with a similar goal. Now those are some blogging successes!
Summarize your learning - Whether you send a formal feedback form to the event organizer or just jot down some notes for yourself, take some time to highlight the key things you learned and the actions you will take going forward.
Integrate your new practices - Did the event inspire you to blog differently or more often? For new habits to take hold, it helps to piggyback on the existing systems that are working for you. Put on your lab coat and be willing to experiment. If something doesn't work for you, tweak it until it does - instead of abandoning it altogether.
Enlist ongoing support - I have always found it helpful to surround myself with people who see the positive qualities in me that I don't always see. Think about who could help build your confidence as a blogger and a business owner, and keep their phone numbers and email addresses handy. Even better, schedule regular times to connect.
Restart your momentum at regular intervals - All of the above strategies will help, but it's also important to re-energize your efforts. Sign up for another event, re-connect with your peers from the last event, re-read your notes or find other ways to light that spark.

What do you find helpful for keeping up your momentum?

Brag About Your Blog...With a Twist

2012-09-29T07:14:00-07:00

As you may know, every now and then I host Brag About Your Blog Day on my Facebook page. This month, however, I'm doing it a little differently...

I aim to create the BIGGEST list of blogs on the Web.

Get the details here and add your blog to the list...blog on!