Business Blogging - How to Build A Better Blog

Video Blogging is Getting Even Easier

"Internet Audio & Video for the Rest of Us"

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Mike Stewart, www.InternetAudioGuy.com

July 19th, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

Audio and video has become relatively simple to record and edit for the non-techy businessperson. Clips are easy to upload to websites and blogs giving you the ability to showcase your expertise and products. Learn how to create powerful connections with your site visitors with audio/visual marketing and sales tools that anyone can master. The Blog Squad interviews Mike Stewart, www.InternetAudioGuy.com .

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 19.

FlushTV: How to use video for your business...

...any kind of business.  Thanks to James Gaskin for introducing me to FlushTV.com, a vlog (video blog) for a plumbing company in Detroit.

This is a fine example of how ANY type of business can use social media tools like blogs and video to engage their customers and most likely attract new customers.  If you live in Detroit and watch these videos, I'm willing to be the next time you need a plumber, you would call Levin & Sons.

I've heard Robert Scoble (Naked Conversations) say, more than once, that even plumbers can benefit from blogging. And here's the proof. The videos are funny, informative and engaging and I didn't encounter any overt advertising of their services. There's even an element of suspense to a couple of videos about the company's trucks being broken into and what it means for their business.

Watch the videos and then consider how you can use video to demonstrate and reveal the character of your company.

Blogging Can Change Your Business - Video

With all the talk about Internet video in the past couple of weeks (we interviewed Michael Miller about YouTube last week and we're interview Mike Stewart, the Internet Video Guy this week), I finally decided to spend some time editing on posting a video Patsi and I shot when we were in New York in May (about time!). I also spent Thursday and Friday last week in San Francisco shooting the pre-recorded segments for a Wells Fargo Small Business webcast.

The webcast was totally pro, shot with 3 cameras in a studio with director, producer, make-up artist, crew, etc.  What you see below, is me using a Sony digital camera shooting Patsi in our hotel room.

Patsi talks about how blogging has changed her (our) business and how she uses blog posts to create even more content in order to get found on the Web.

The video was edited with Windows Movie Maker, a free program that comes with the Windows operating system.

Backup Your TypePad Blog

We've written about this before...like everything else you backup (docs, website), you need to back up your blog.  I confess, I haven't been as diligent as I should be about this.

But, there's no excuse now. Our colleague Rich Brooks at Flyte.biz has put together a series of videos showing you exactly how to backup your TypePad blog.  The only thing I've done is export the content. Now I see that you can backup your images, archives, designs, and typelists.

If your blog is your primary marketing tool, it's a good idea to spend some time with these videos and back up your valuable asset.

Thanks, Rich!

Your Business Can Profit from YouTube

"YouTube for Business: How You Can Profit"

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Michael Miller, author of YouTube 4 You

July 12, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

YouTube isn't for teenagers and wannabe rock bands anymore. Like MySpace and SecondLife, businesses are getting into the act. How can you use YouTube and videos to attract attention, attract new clients, and grow business no matter what your profession or niche? The Blog Squad interviews technology author Michael Miller from www.molehillgroup.com, author of YouTube 4 You.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 12.

P.S. Check out The Blog Squad's videos on YouTube!

TypePad Tidbits

A couple of items of note about TypePad.

1. TypePad has posted detailed instructions on how to create a website (vs. blog) using TypePad pages.

2. TypePad has reduced their free trial from 30 days to 14 days. However, you can get an additional 60 days free when you purchase our ebook Build a Better Blog or hire The Blog Squad to set up your TypePad blog for you. We negotiated with TypePad to be able to offer our clients and customers the addtional 60 days which could save you up to $30.

Related Posts:
MySpace Business Training and TypePad Pages
TypePad Page Examples
TypePad Pages: How are you using them?
TypePad Pages as Sales Landing Pages

Attract Clients as a Speaker

Speak Confidently to Attract Clients and Business Opportunities

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Dr. Larina Kase, www.TheMindsetofSuccess.com

July 5, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

The keys for success lie in your ability to communicate confidently and persuade others of your ideas. Yet speaking before groups frequently cripples otherwise competent professionals. Now there is scientific evidence that reveals the secrets behind the psychology of confidence. You can learn to speak confidently, master presentation skills and conquer fear and anxiety.  The result? Attract more prospects, clients and opportunities.

The Blog Squad interviews business psychologist Dr. Larina Kase, co-author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Confident Speaker.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 5.