Business Blogging - How to Build A Better Blog

Save Money with Open Source Software

Open Source Software: Is It Right for Your Business?
September 20, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: James Gaskin, Technology is Broken

Business in the 21st Century requires use and some knowledge of technology. But how do you know what's right for YOUR business and how can you avoid spending unnecessary money on the wrong software? James Gaskin will reveal the secrets of open source software and how you can get the right software for your business at little or no cost.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on September 20.

BlogRush getting off to a slow start

The premise behind BlogRush is a good one. You post code on your blog that shows links to other like-minded blogs and the more impressions you get the more your blog will show up on other blogs, thus sending a flood of traffic to you.  Plus, the more bloggers your refer, the more impressions you get because there is an exponential referral system.

Problem is, the system was launched before all the bells and whistles are working. So, I have no idea if I have any referrals.  They have set up videos on how to add BlogRush to TypePad, Blogger, Wordpress and Movable Type blogs, so that's a step in the right direction.

The video on the home page is a good, clear explanation of how it works so I'm willing to give it a chance. It's free, there's nothing to lose and everything to gain.  I'll keep my eye on it and report back when I see some results.

Scroll down the right sidebar to see the BlogRush widget in action on this blog.

BlogRush Syndication Network

This morning, before 8:00 a.m., I had received three emails inviting me to join BlogRush, a blog syndication network designed to drive tons of traffic to your site. You know me, I'm willing to try most things in order to test and evaluate if and how they work.

There is very little information on the BlogRush site since it's in beta and they are clearly going for the viral word of mouth thing right now.  It's free to set up an account.  You submit your blog's name, URL and feed. Then, select the category your blog belongs in.

Next, you get some code which you put on your blog.  In TyepPad, you set up a Notes TypeList. What you'll see is a widget with headlines from other blogs in your category.

This does two things for you:  1) it adds valuable content to your blog, and 2) your blog posts will show up on other blogs. This is designed so readers on other blogs will see your compelling blog post title and click through to discover YOUR blog.

Considering there's no cost involved, and you want more traffic to your blog, this is worth at least trying to see if your traffic increases over time.  Sign up for BlogRush here.

Why is Joan Stewart giving away $300?

The year 2004 was a very good year...

The Blog Squad celebrated their 3 years of blogging September 4 with a huge birthday sale. Another big blogger, Darren Rowse of ProBlogger, is also celebrating 3 years this month. And today's the last day to donate a prize for his give-away celebration...

Why should you give him something for his birthday? Joan Stewart posts about this on her Publicity Hound blog... and it's a good explanation of why she's donating $300! Go read her post, then Darren's post to read the rules and parameters.

It's all about page rank and linking! But today is the deadline to submit a prize, so go get crackin'.

Masterminds: focus, accountability and support

Mastermind Groups: How to Accelerate Your Business Growth

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Karyn Greenstreet, The Success Alliance

September 13, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

The concept of the "mastermind alliance" was introduced by Napoleon Hill in his timeless classic, "Think And Grow Rich." He wrote, "No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind."

Learn how mastermind groups can acclerate your business growth by providing focus, accountability, support and feedback. Karyn Greenstreet has been running successful mastermind groups since 1994 and will give us the ins and outs of what makes a group productive and successful for its members.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on September 13.

Round-Up of Blog Masters

Ready for some advanced blogging advice from some of the best in the business? On the heels of our Blog Squad Better Business Blogging seminar, two blogs are featuring a round-up of expert advice.

They are too many to repeat here, but I encourage you to read Toby Bloomberg's summary and links to Kevin O'Keefe's blog post. All in all, a great overview of blogging tips designed for the business person.

1. Lessons Learned About Blogs & Social Media from Toby Bloomberg's Diva Marketing blog.
2. Kevin O'keefe's Real Lawyers Have Blogs and his post about his favorite blog mentors.

Branding and Blogging...Last Call

Last call...the first-ever Branding and Blogging 4-week program begins Tuesday, September 11 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time -- with The Blog Squad and branding guru Ruth Klein.

The program is strictly limited to 20 participants and there are only 5 remaining places at the time of this post.

The program is about defining your personal and business brand and then how to use a blog to promote you, your brand, and your business.  We work to help you develop your brand and then extend that through your personal and business identity both on and offline.

A blog is one of the best ways to establish your brand. A brand and a business for that matter, is nothing if your potential clients cannot find you and a blog can accelerate that process. So, in fact, your brand and your blog work very closely together.

Read a first-hand account of how a blog worked to help one of our clients establish his brand, as well as get more get consulting jobs and speaking gigs:

http://www.buildabetterblog.com/2007/06/branding-by-blo.html

If you register for the Branding and Blogging 4-Week Program today, you will get these bonuses:

> 30-minute one-on-one branding consult with Ruth  Klein ($150 value)
> 10 point blog critique from The Blog Squad ($150 value)

Go to www.brandingandblogging.com to register now!

Accelerate past your competition. Learn how to get found and attract the right prospects to your business.

We look forward to working with you tomorrow.

Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff
The Blog Squad

P.S. There are only 5 spots remaining for the Branding and Blogging class. Don't miss this first-ever opportunity. Register now!
www.brandingandblogging.com

P.P.S. We added a payment plan to the program. Now, it's easier than ever to participate. www.brandingandblogging.com

Branding and Blogging Q&A: Part 3

The next in a series of Branding and Blogging Q&A's about blogging in general and the Branding and Blogging teleseminar starting on September 11.

Q. Is there such a thing as a directory of blogs?

A. In fact there are a couple of hundred blog directories. The best know is Technorati.com which indexes over 70,000,000 blogs.

We advise our clients to do their research before starting to blog.  Use Technorati to search for blogs in your niche. Start reading the blogs that stand out for you, the ones that have real value to offer.  Begin to comment on relevant blog posts. This way you can start establishing your online identity and thought leadership even before you have your own blog.

Several questions related to the actual act of blogging...

Branding and Blogging: How a Blog Supports Your Brand

We got a good question this afternoon, seeking some clarification about what will be covered in the Branding and Blogging 4-Week Program.

Q. I would like to take this program however I want to know if you need to already have a blog to get the full benefit of the program? I guess what I want to know is if this program is specifically about how to brand your blog or how you brand yourself and then work a blog around that?

A. You will get the most benefit from the class if you do have a blog since we will be covering how a blog will help you leverage your brand.  Because blogs are relatively easy and inexpensive (or free) it's a great time to start one -- when you are working on refining your brand since you will be creating the two together and the blog will be fully integrated to support your brand.

The program is about how to use a blog to promote you, your brand, and your business.  We work to help you develop your brand and then extend that through your personal and business identity both on and offline.  A blog is one of the best ways to establish your brand. A brand and a business for that matter, is nothing if your potential clients cannot find you and a blog can accelerate that process.  So, in fact, your brand and your blog work very closely together.

Please see course outline:  www.brandingandblogging.com

Related Posts
7 Deadly Branding Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make
Branding and Blogging Q&A
Branding and Blogging Q&A: Part 2
TypePad, We Love You! Here's Why...

Branding and Blogging Q&A: Part 2

Our second Branding and Blogging teleclass was another success with over 350 people in attendance. This crowd had a lot more basic questions about blogging so they are going to be answered here in a series of Q&A posts. You can listen to a replay of the program here.

What's the difference between blogging platforms?

Several questions revolved around the same theme: what blogging platform do you recommend and what is the difference between TypePad, Wordpress and Blogger.  We have a previous post that answers that question.  There's also a good comparison chart of the major blogging platforms you may want to review. The bottom line is this: how comfortable are you with tech stuff? Do you want to host and manage the software or have a third party with support do it?

TypePad, Blogger and Wordpress.com are hosted solutions; Wordpress.org you host and manage on your own server. Blogger and Wordpress are free. TypePad costs $4.95 to $14.95 per month depending on the level of service you get.  TypePad has excellent support; as far as I know there is no support other than discussion forums for Blogger and Wordpress. All Blog Squad blogs are built on TypePad.

How do I get started with a blog right now?