Business Blogging - How to Build A Better Blog

Friday Feature - Viva Cuba Mural Project Social Media Success Story

For a different twist on social media success, a small town on the famous Route 66 has used social media to attract attention, generate more media exposure and more visitors to their town and attractions...

Jane S. Reed, Viva Cuba Mural Project, Viva Cuba, Inc.

Website/Blog URL: http://www.cubamomurals.com
Connect on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CubaMOMurals

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
Viva Cuba is a non-profit community betterment organization in the Route 66 town of Cuba, MIssouri, a town of 3500. We have an outdoor mural project that has transformed our town visually and aided economic development. We have a website and blog. Our blog updates to our Facebook page. Through Facebook, we have connected with travelers from all over the world. We have also become a link in the Route 66 online community. Our Facebook posts automatically update to Twitter, which gives us a presence on that platform.

Friday Feature - Anita Crawford Clark's Social Media Success Story

Sometimes you just don't know where things will lead. After attending an event and immediately implementing one tactic, doors opened...leading to speaking gigs and a published book....

Anita Crawford Clark, Abundant Life Success Academy

Website/Blog: http://anitacrawfordclark.com
Connect on Twitter: AnitaLClark

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
After attending an event with Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen where they encouraged us to use video, I immediately put into action what they had suggested not only at their event, but at the very next event I attended in my hometown.

This next event was a networking event sponsored by Successful Thinkers. Before and after the event I did a few video clips and put together a nice video edifying the event. I posted it on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Somehow the founder saw the video and contacted me. Over the next few months we became great friends and many opportunities opened up for me all because I payed it forward and sincerely edified someone else and blasted it all over the net.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   

Friday Feature - Jill Rodriguez's Social Media Success Story

Learn how social media has helped a busy fitness trainer and mom, reach more people and create new opportunities in her business...

Jill Rodriguez, Jilltrains Wellness & Fitness
Website/Blog URL:    http://www.jilltrains.com
Connect on Twitter:    http://twitter.com/jilltrains

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
I am excited to know there are many people that want to hear what I have to say. Everyday, I have conversations about questions people ask. I have a daily opportunity to share my expertise. This is fun and affirming.

Sometimes I will run into someone in the neighborhood or traveling on business and they will tell me how much they look forward to my Fitness & Wellness tips. I am amazed at how many people I reach through social media.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business? 

Friday Feature - Christine McCarthy's Social Media Success Story

I love a good success story. By focusing on her blog as a business, Christine McCarthy was able to do what a lot of bloggers dream of...sell her blog for a nice chuck of cash...

Christine McCarthy, Christine McCarthy Media

Website/Blog URL:    http://www.christine.biz

Connect on Twitter: christinebiz

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
The success is with my former blog, MoneyFunk.net {@moneyfunk}. As a result of deciding to grow my blog to a biz in November 09 - I made a few thousand dollars from ads, received a writing gig with American Express, and then sold my blog in June 10 for close to 5 figures.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   
I think more of the obstacle was faced in blogging. There are stages when you blog. This is where you see blogs prosper or die off. Its obstacles like making decisions how to grow it into a business, finding products with a good reputation, deciding which route to take with growing a blog as a biz.

What did you find as a result of using a blog/social media?   

Friday Feature - Pam Utton's Social Media Success Story

Can you create a successful, profitable business in less than a year with social media tools? You betcha! Find out how Pam Utton did it...

Pam Utton, Art Expressions By Pam

Website/Blog URL:    http://pamutton.blogspot.com/

Connect on Twitter:    http://twitter.com/pamutton

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
I have built a business in less than 12 months from using social media such as Facebook and my blog to build a very large fan base for selling my pet portraits.

A year ago, I had not painted in over 25 years and had no idea what Facebook was! But, I fell in love with art and decided to learn how to make social media work for me. Reading the Blog Squad and other blogs really gave me the information I needed to make social media create a audience and sales base.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   
The largest obstacle was getting my name known and my art seen by the number of people required to create a steady income.

What did you find as a result of using a blog/social media?   
Using social media was the only way for a me to create a business as a pet portrait artist so fast. I was able to share my marketing style on my blog, help and mentor friends and find a market for my artwork. It is simply amazing what the rewards are for spending time marketing with social media.

What specific feature do you like most blogging/social media?   
I love the instant communication and feedback I get from being social. Some think I post too much, but for my craft/art, people tend to like to know the artist. Well, they know me from sunrise to sunset. I share my work in progress and daily photos. The idea for me is to build on friendships and trust. Then the product and excellent customer service comes with the sales.

What other benefits did you experience from blogging/social media?   
As I shared my story of how I accomplished my goals of selling art on line, more people took notice and offered me spotlights on their blogs and magazines, and even a few books. I would of never accomplished this just trying to sell to galleries. My art is seen by thousands a day and it costs me nothing.

Is there anything you’d like to add?   
If you don't blog, do it - if you want to market a product, social media rocks. Blog often, share tips with your followers and you will be rewarded.

Pam Utton is a Pet Portrait Commission Artist, specializing in watercolor and acrylic, canvas and specialty glass painted gifts. art_expressions_by_pam [at] yahoo.com

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Next week: Christine McCarthy

Read more Social Media Success Stories.

Do you have a social media success story?

I would love to feature your story on this blog. Fill out the form on this page and I'll add it to the queue to feature soon.

You too can create your own social media success story. Find out how by getting 7 free tips to boost your visibility on the Web so you attract more clients and opportunities -- click here.

Friday Feature - Anna Cuevas' Social Media Success Story

Purpose and service to others fuels Anna Cuevas' blogging which has resulted in new business and an audience for two new books.

Anna Cuevas, askaloanmodguru.com

Website/Blog URL:  http://www.askaloanmodguru.com

Connect on Twitter:  annacuevas

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
The success I have had is profound. Through my blog I have been able to help countless people realize their own power and save their homes from foreclosure. The emails with success stories I receive almost on a daily basis, not to mention the posts filled with gratitude are incredible. Just to know that I can make a difference in someones else's life is a life filled with purpose for me. I was also invited by Arianna Huffington to blog on the Huffington Post. Many other projects have been concieved as a result of my blog/social media efforts.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   

Friday Feature - David Newby's Social Media Success Story

This week's social media success story is which the primary goal is to establish trust and credibility with prospective readers and customers. By sharing both personal and professional information, David Newby is building a following.

David Newby, Exchange Pro, LLC

Website/Blog URL:    www.exchange-pro.com
Connect on Twitter: exchangepro

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
My blog and social media serve as platforms for showing myself to the public. I get to demonstrate my expertise in certain areas and develop a relationship with others through my posts. With Twitter, my blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other online communities, I am building trust and familiarity with present and prospective friends, colleagues, and clients. I essentially developed two blogs, one for business and one for the more intimate 'me' (though I have been mostly focusing on the non-business blog lately).

I created Children's Bread to encourage people to succeed by (1) developing their spirit, (2) relying more on the power and gifts of God, and (3) using their spiritual strength in conjunction with their life skills and abilities to reach their goals. This is a rather unconventional blog as compared to the norm, but I offer content from a different perspective than most (intentionally by the way). If you don't feel encouraged after reading a couple of posts, I will stop writing today! Children's Bread provides inspirational content that can be applied in business, at home, or in life in general.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   

Friday Feature - Rosey Dow's Social Media Success Story

What do you do if you have a complex service that you need to get across to prospective clients? In this week's Social Media Success Story, you'll learn how using a blog to clarify a process coupled with a free, lead generating report has helped build a business...

Rosey Dow, The Prospect Profiler™

Website/Blog URL: http://TheProspectProfiler.com

Connect on Twitter: roseydow2

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
I've been able to connect with hundreds of people who are truly interested in knowing how to find their Perfect Prospects.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   
I create character studies using psychographics to help you know your Perfect Prospects like a friend. However, when I say that, many people give me a blank stare. So, my biggest obstacle was getting across what I do and how powerful it is for the solo business owner.

What did you find as a result of using a blog/social media?   
People are intrigued and they are coming forward for the free 30 minute phone call I offer with the free report on the blog. They are finally "getting it."

What specific feature do you like most blogging/social media?   

Friday Feature - Frederick Nijm's Social Media Success Story

In today's Friday Feature, we learn how a new ecommerce site gained traction quickly by setting the stage first on Twitter...

Fredrick Nijm, Addoway

Website/Blog URL:    www.addoway.com

Connect on Twitter:    addoway

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
I started building a following on Twitter talking about eCommerce, social media and the emergence of the two into social commerce. When we launched Addoway everyone wanted to see what I was a part of and now we have Ambassadors that I met through Twitter helping us spread the word everyday. Today I have been on 11 eCommerce radio shows and have been interviewed by YoungEntrepreneur and Retire@21.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   
The chicken and the egg. Do you need sellers or buyers first? What comes first? Well you need buyers, but you need good sellers with good products to attract buyers.

What did you find as a result of using a blog/social media?   
People love to share their feelings and talk about what they want. I meet incredible people everyday trying to make a living online and it's just great to connect with them.

What specific feature do you like most blogging/social media?   
The personal 1on1 connection with my readers.

What other benefits did you experience from blogging/social media?   
The ability to really connect and see what people want in a marketplace. We have a uservoice survey up right now where we are letting our users decide our next innovation.

Is there anything you’d like to add?   
With the emergence of Twitter, Facebook and blog platforms anyone can really grow their business with just some good old fashioned hard work.

About Frederick Nijm - I have always wanted to connect people and with Addoway I get to do that everyday. I am addicted to social media and have never gone a day without a Tweet.

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Next week: Rosey Dow

Read more Social Media Success Stories.

Do you have a social media success story?

I would love to feature YOU on this blog. Fill out the form on this page and I'll add it to the queue to feature soon.

You too can create your own social media success story. Find out how by getting 7 free tips to boost your visibility on the Web so you attract more clients and opportunities -- click here.

Friday Feature - Heather Bestel's Social Media Success Story

Creating a strategic plan to follow and connect with influential people in her niche on Facebook and Twitter, netted Heather Bestel a publishing deal...

Heather Bestel, Magical Meditations 4 Kids
Website/Blog URL:    http://www.magicalmeditations4kids.com/blog
Connect on Twitter: www.twitter.com/HeatherBestel

In a nutshell, what success did you have as a result of your blog/social media?   
I landed a publishing deal for a series of 4 relaxation CDs for children. They launched in October 2010 in UK/Europe, US & Canada and Australia/New Zealand. I'm now in negotiations for further products.

What was the obstacle that you were facing in your business?   
I wasn't 'big' enough. My visibility was very low, so I started following people who were highly visible in the market I wanted to be in. One of the people I particularly liked was Janey Lee Grace who is an expert on Natural Health, she has authored books and relaxation CDs, she gives expert opinion on TV and co hosts a high profile radio show here in the UK.

What did you find as a result of using a blog/social media?