Business Blogging - How to Build A Better Blog

Internet Marketers: This will boost your business...

Internet Association of Information Marketers (IAIM) wants you!

Time sensitive offer, deadline Midnight -ET, June 30th July 15

You're a smart and savvy professional, and that's why we're making this recommendation -it could save you, and make you, a ton of money.

Please bear with this lengthy post, we know you are busy, but this is REALLY a smart thing for you to join, and we don't want you to miss this chance.

We are so convinced you will get value out of joining this insider's group of smart professionals, that we are giving away a lifetime membership in our Conversations Club (interviews with 50+ business experts valued at $126), if you join at the Advanced (Level 3) or Outer Circle level by June 30th  July 15.

AND, even if you join as Beginner (Level 1) or Intermediate (Level 2), we'll give you a free copy of our List Building Super package being created this week! That's an $87 package of audio, interviews, and the latest list building tips from the experts.

So here's the skinny:

Here is a smart way for you to stay on top of the complex world of Internet marketing, and get access to successful marketers who will tell you their insider secrets to how they earn millions of dollars online.

Blog Comments: Frustrating or Fun?

Everyone proclaims that one of the big advantages of blogs over website is their interactivity: readers can leave a comment and you can engage in a conversation. For business blogs, this is a great feature.

So I am amazed at some of the blogging software that makes the process of leaving a comment difficult and frustrating. Why put barriers in the way of the conversation? I understand the necessity to keep out the spammers, by including codes that you have to type in to verify you are a human and not a robot.

But some require that you create a username and password, and then you forget what they are...

I'm not the only one... Dr. Ellen Weber, over on her Brain-Based Business blog writes about her frustrations and what you must prepare for when you go out to the blogosphere to leave comments.

Here's how to prepare yourself for commenting:

-- Look to see if the blog allows comments before you waste effort reading to formulate a thoughtful dialogue…. You’ll save time….

Feedblitz News Flash Glitch

If you subscribe to get updates to this blog through Feedblitz, then you'll know we had a bit of a snafu today when I tried to use the brand new News Flash feature to send you an announcement about the List Building TeleSeminar.  I was going to send a follow up message, but I'm afraid the same thing will happen -- that it will be cut off.

I know for a fact that Phil, the creator and founder of Feedblitz is a very responsive guy so I'm sure this glitch will be corrected soon.  Again, my apologies for sending out a weird, cut off, non-informative message.

If you're reading this on Wednesday, June 28, you can get information our our class here:  www.growyourezinelist.com

Thanks for your patience with cyberspace and evolving technology.

UPDATE:  As expected, Phil fixed the problem within minutes of me notifying him and he offered to send an apology to my subscribers.  If that's not excellent customer service, I don't know what is!

Corporate Blogging to Increase to 70% by 2007

JupiterResearch reports that 35 percent of large companies plan to start corporate blogs this year, and that nearly 70% will have them running by the end of this year.

The Jupiter research also finds that blogs are underused for generating word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing opportunities. Only 32 percent of marketing executives said they use corporate blogs to generate WOM around their company's products or services.

How does this affect you as an independent professional with a blog, or planning to start one? Will the 'Net get crowded with blogs, and will you have to compete with big companies with their big budgets and big marketing campaigns?

Or will you stand out above the crowd by your relevant information and personal approach? Is there still a place for the solo professional to make a mark in the blogosphere?

How do you see the evolution of the blogosphere when the 'big guys' start getting into blogging? Will they take over, and use it for marketing blasts? Will blogs lose their charms? Hit the comment link below and tell us what you think about the future of blogging?

TypePad Adds Featured Post...Finally!

Last year I worked with Susie Gardner of Hop Studios to develop a new website for my client Mani's Bakery Cafe in Los Angeles.  The platform we chose on which to build the website was Expression Engine, a blogging platform, so the client can do all their content updates themselves, whether for their blog or their menu items. 

I love Expression Engine (though it does require an experienced web designer to set up) and one of the features that really impressed me was the ability to designate a post to be a featured post which would always remain at the top of the page regardless of what content you added after. 

After seeing how powerful that feature was, I sent a support ticket to TypePad asking for the same feature.  No doubt many others did as well, because they announced this and other new features on Friday.

Trumba Events Calendar

Last week TypePad introduced a couple of new widgets you can integrate with your TypePad blog.  The one most interesting to me is the Trumba Upcoming Events Calendar that you can add to your blog to let your readers know where and when they can find your events.  Check out The Blog Squad's calendar in the left sidebar.

You set up a free account with Trumba, add your events including links for registration or your website if you're doing teleseminars or conferences, create the HTML code (it's an automatic process - no techie skills required!), then follow the steps to get your calendar posted on your blog.  It's incredibly simple and an excellent to keep your readers up to date and promote your events.

Go through the Trumba link in TypePad to make sure you can easily set up the widget on your blog.

Technorati Tags: Trumba, widget, TypePad

Business Blog Directory: Add to your submission list

There's a new business blog directory in the blogosphere.  iBlogBusiness.com  Business Blog Directory claims to be the "World’s First Business Blog Directory Solely Dedicated to Business and Corporate Blogs". 

I don't think that's true as Denise O'Berry started a directory for Small Business Blogs in 2005. Andy Wibbels also started a business blog directory in 2005, but I'm not sure if it's still live and active.

In any case, it cannot hurt to add this new directory to your list of blog directories to submit to, and add your business blog as well.

Technorati Tags: business blog, blog directory

Traits of Successful Bloggers

Thanks to Steve Rubel at Micropersuasion for bringing our attention to the new study by UMASS about what it takes to be a successful blogger.  This is a fascinating behind the scenes look at how 75 successful bloggers think about blogging and what it takes to build and maintain a successful blog. 

The report is in a pdf file that's free to download. Chapters include "Blogosphere Truths", "Blog Growth and Development," "Nuts and Bolts of Business Blogs" and "The Human Factor."  The report includes about 40 pages of survey stats too.  A must read if you're a business blogger or considering starting one (you are, right?).

TypePad Says Happy Birthday to Denise!

Denise won a tee shirt from TypePad at the luncheon on Thursday: just because her birthday is on Monday! Now, that's not fair, is it? I didn't get one, and I know for a fact that TypePad loves me too. Afterall, I'm older than she, and I've been blogging longer (by at least a week).

Here she is, with her cherished tee shirt... And here's a close-up:

So, here's a Big Happy Birthday to Denise, my trusty side-kick and Blog Squad partner.

Blog Squad Programs Week of June 26

The Blog Squad is presenting two classes next week:

Coach Catherine Bruns has invited us to present "Boost Your Business with a Blog: For Coaches, Consultants and Other Solo-Professionals" on Monday, June 26 at 5 p.m. ET.  The event is free and registration is required.

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25 Proven Ways to Grow Your Ezine List, Keep Your Subscribers and Build Your Business
Wednesday, June 28, 2006, 8:30 p.m. ET
$27 includes a CD of the program (we pay for shipping) plus an exclusive report on list building tips from some of the top Internet marketing gurus.
Led by Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman

"How can I grow my list? I send out a really good, relevant newsletter, but less than 30-40 percent of my readers are opening it up. I've got to increase my numbers."

We hear this problem daily. It doesn't matter how good your messages are, you've got to work smarter, not harder, at list building.

This teleclass will give you the insider secrets to growing a list that will reward you with Internet sales. Save yourself time and money by learning what we have discovered doing business on the Internet for over dozen of years:

1. Which database and email broadcasting systems work the best
2. How to write an opt-in web page that includes a paragraph that is shown to double sign-ups
3. What's a "squeeze page" and do they work?
4. How to craft a compelling ezine description
5. What to put on the "thank you" page and follow up autoresponder messages
6. 25 tips for growing your list
7. 3 keys to retaining subscribers

The class will be delivered in lecture mode for 60-70 minutes by both Denise and Patsi. At least 20-30 minutes will be open for questions and answers so that you can get your specific challenges addressed.

More details and registration here.