Business Blogging - How to Build A Better Blog

How Often Should You Post on Your Blog?

One of the questions Patsi and I get from clients and new bloggers is "how often do I need to post on my blog?"

The answer to that question varies from person to person and the intent of your blog.  I read a good article today on WebProNews that addresses this question.

Read the article here. Blog Posting Frequency: How Often?

How to get your blog listed on Yahoo

On my Next Level Biz Tips Blog there is a step-by-step tutorial on how to get your blog listed on Yahoo.  This is a very important part of driving traffic to your blog as you easily bypass the usual $299 fee to get your site listed. 

How to Write for Your Blog

How does writing for a blog differ from ezines?
...notes from Patsi

Most of what I’ve written (and preached) about writing for ezines and newsletters applies to writing posts for your blog, but there are some important differences.

Universals first:

Write with the reader in mind. Remember WIIFM? It’s marketing jargon for What’s In It For Me? That’s what you should be keeping in mind. Your reader will read your post looking for what’s in it for them.

Make it valuable and worthwhile. Don’t waste people’s time. If you don’t have anything to say, no problem, plenty other people do. So share their articles, do an interview, review a book.

Proof-read for typos and glaring grammatical errors. You wouldn’t go out of the house with dirty hair or missing a sock, so why would you publish spelling mistakes? Respect your readers by polishing up your stuff.

Keep it short and simple, sweetie (KISS). Most people are scanners. You may have a lot to say and think it interesting, and it may be. But people are reading online and out of time. Get to the point quickly.

Differences for Blogs

Here are some ways to post a blog that are a little different from writing an ezine article:

45 Gmail Accounts to Give Away

I have 45 Gmail Accounts to give away.  If you want one, please post a comment below including your name and email address so I can send you an invitation.  Gmail accounts are still only available by invitation.

Business Blogging Awards

If you want to see a good cross-section of Business Blogs, check out the winners of the 2005 Business Blogging Awards.  The awards were the brainchild of Jeremy Wright & Darren Barefoot of InsideBlogging.

There are blogs by and about small business, leadership, real estate, and much more. I'm in the process of exploring so I can't tell you my favorite at this point.

Back up Your Blog

Just read a post on Sallie Goetsch's FileSlinger Backup Blog about backing up your blog.  I have to confess, it never occured to me to back up my blog until I read this.  Since I use Typepad.com I rushed over to their help manual to see how if I could actually back up my posts. Whew!  It's possible to export your posts through the Manage function.  This task will now be added to my weekly routine.

The Mysteries of RSS

Since I'm still learning about RSS and delivering content by RSS feeds, I thought I'd let someone who knows what they're talking about inform you.  This article is reprinted by permission.

RSS: News You Choose
Copyright 2005 Sharon Housley

Why is RSS So Magical?
The answer is simple: RSS is news you choose.

How Does it Work?
Publishers and webmasters provide content and news in an
RSS feed. Users view the content of interest in an RSS
reader or news aggregator. The aggregator or reader
contains the collection of feeds that are of interest to
the user. As the RSS feed is updated the content in the
reader or aggregator updates with the new information. At
any point, users can remove a feed from their aggregator or
reader and no longer receive information from that source.
Ultimately, the user is choosing the news and content they
wish to view.

As RSS has increased in popularity more and more webmasters
and publishers have adopted RSS as an alternative
communication stream. Webmasters use an RSS graphic to
indicate the content is available via RSS.

Better Blogs and Ezines TeleCoaching Program

What are you doing next Tuesday?

Have you started publishing your blog?  What about an ezine?  No? These are two very important tools in your marketing toolbox and it's not too late to get started.  Join us on Tuesday!

Okay, okay. I know. You have too much work to do, too many clients, and you just keep putting it off. Besides, all those tech tasks are just so annoying.

A blog is an essential tool in the professional's marketing toolbox.  Combined with a website, an ezine,  database management and ecommerce system, you will have everything you need to develop and run your business globally and online.

So here's the deal: we are going to walk you through the steps to create a regular, professional blog and/or ezine (why not do both!). We'll teach you, coach you, hold your hand.

Patsi Krakoff and I realize that in order to get results with your marketing tasks, you have to schedule some time, sit down and do some writing, formatting and publishing. You may be resistant, confused, just plain brilliant, and stuck.

Join us for a telecoaching program that will extend over 8 Tuesdays for 4 months and provide you with information, tips, tools, motivation, and inspiration.

Already have a blog and ezine?  Maybe you know a  colleague or friend who is ready to get started. Please pass this notice to anyone you think may be interested.

Here's the info on this new class:

For an integrated approach to your Internet Marketing plan...

BETTER EZINES & BLOGS Telecoaching Program
Led by Patsi Krakoff, Psy.D., CBC and Denise Wakeman
Tuesdays, March 1 - June 7, 2005
7:30 PM EST 1 hour
$149.00

This class is limited to 8 participants.

Still struggling with your ezine or blog? Let us walk you through the tasks in an environment where your peers and experts can motivate you. This is an action based workshop. Participants will write, format, post and produce an effective ezine or blog. Knowing is different than doing. Class meets every other Tuesday for 8 sessions with homework in between. You will have your ezine or blog up
and running by end of class.

You get:

**8 hours of coaching on blog and/or ezine writing, set up and content with 2 internet marketing experts

**Access to private class blog with tons of 'how-to' tutorials and resources

**5 hours of audio from the Blog Revolution Class ($97 value)

**Complimentary copy of Secrets of Successful Ezines ($87 value)

**Complimentary copy of Secrets of Successful Blogs (when published - $87 value)

**30 minute one-on-one consultation with the instructor of your choice for feedback, editing and reviews ($75 value)

Information:  http://www.TeleDevelop.com

Testimonals for 'Join The Blog Revolution' Teleclass

Very practical, great resources.  Patsi and Denise are knowledgeable and have much to offer.  I definitely recommend this class!

This class was very hands on, and each participant was able to create a blog for free. It was wonderful to be logged on to the same site and following instructions as a group.

I loved the step by step instructions on the technical aspects of creating a blog as well as the access to additional information on the class blog.

Great intro to blogging - got me motivated to start my own blog!

================================

Register here for the Telecoaching Program

Hope to meet you on the call,

Denise Wakeman
Next Level Partnership

P.S.  Too busy to set up your own blog?  We now offer
Build A Better Blog services for busy professionals.

FAQ: What is a Business Blog?

What is a business blog?

Because a blog is a cheap, fast way to build an online presence, it is an ideal way for entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants and other professionals to establish their credibility and expertise.  Since your readers can post comments, you establish a dialogue with your audience and build rapport and trust.

The very nature of a blog is perfect for the busy professional.  They are quick and easy to update.  You are creating fresh content frequently (daily is best) that is useful to your prospects and customers and loved by search engines.  In contrast to the more formal website, a blog is an informal venue that enables your visitors to get to know you.

A business blog can, and should complement your website, ezine and brand.

When you create a conversation with your prospects (visitors, readers), you are establishing your credibility.  You build your network and increase the awareness of your products and services in a casual way.

A blog is an essential tool in the professional's marketing toolbox.  Combined with a website, an ezine, database management and ecommerce system, you will have everything you need to develop and run your business globally and online.

If you want to get started quickly creating a business blog, we've created a comprephensive manual for setting up a professional blog on TypePad...Build a Better Blog: The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your Business with a Blog.

FAQ: What is A Blog?

What is a blog?  This is a question both Patsi and I are frequently asked.  Here's a short definition that may help:

A weblog (blog for short) is a basically a website that is instantly and frequently updated by the author, usually focusing on a specific subject or niche.  Essentially it's an instant publishing venue for your content.

T.L. Pakii Pierce has a good blog definition on his blog How to Blog for Fun and Profit.

A blog consists of dated entries (posts) that highlight useful information relevant to your topic and your opinion, comments and links for reference.

You can also think of a blog as a knowledge management tool.  All your posts can be categorized and archived. Pages are "spidered" by search engines and are therefore searchable within the blog as well as on most search engines.