Just Step Out!

The words that cause a tremble for young paratroopers the first time they jump from an aircraft. Followed by an encouraging size 11 to their rears!

This is the third in a series of posts on business blogging initiated by the blog post:
‘Don’t make your blog a slog!’

Getting started is all about taking the first step - the hardest step. So how do we get started? Is there any help available? What are those first few steps? For many people the biggest issue is what to blog about.

Start by reading other blogs especially in your industry or area of interest. This will give you ideas for subject material and enable you to follow other blogs and comment on the same. Some bloggers focus solely on responding to other bloggers’ posts.

Think of a name for your blog. Yes you can use your own name if you’re a key person and leader. But for many it is the industry, interest, profession or trade which attract followers. Be inventive and not to serious. It needs to indicate your subject matter yet be interesting. I was quite pleased recently to think of the title ‘Desert Geeks’ for an IT services client in the United Arab Emirates.

Now choose a blogging platform. There are several good ones including these:

• Typepad
• WordPress.org
• Blogger
• WordPress.com

My own preference is for Blogger as I can use my Google login there.

Once you sign up for Blogger, for example, quickly get it configured. Choose a theme and layout. Add your biography and photo which should be your regular social media photo. Add your blog title and define your easy to remember hyperlink. Each blog has its own url link just like a website. There are lots of gadgets available such as social media links, share to Facebook and Twitter etc. So choose some and get some help if necessary. Images and video are powerful too! Now you are ready to write your blog post and get it published.

Ok and ready to go? So what should I blog about I hear you say... Here are a few ideas:

• Write about your passion – it will just flow
• Write something informative – add value to be enjoyed by readers
• Write about your expertise – bear the audience in mind and no jargon
• Write of topics that personalise your business – reveal a few secrets
• Add some humour – write with a smile on your face
• Comment on others’ blogs – start the conversation and generate ideas for blogging
• Tell great stories – we all love great stories!
• Lots of shorter posts is better – keep readers in suspense too
  

If you are getting the same question about your work or interest then write a blog post about it. Then when you asked again simply refer people to the blog post on the subject. It will save you time for sure.

Then paste it in the body of your blog, add a title, save and publish!

Have you done it yet?

Solid Foundations

This is the second in a series of posts on business blogging initiated by the blog post:
Don’t make your blog a slog!

It’s useful to understand some of the fundamentals around business blogging. These are best highlighted in answering a number of questions:
• Can it be used as a marketing tool?
• Are there any personal benefits?
• Who is my audience?
• Is it cost effective?
• What’s the difference between a website and a blog?
• What is a blog?
• Does the Google search engine like blogs?
• What are the common mistakes of business blogging?
• Any good tips?

Can it be used as a marketing tool?

Yes of course. It’s a website and you’re free to promote your goods and services. Some companies have sold their wares exclusively on their blog page. Check out: http://clip-n-seal.com/blog.htm Post content which is appreciated by your target audience and in a subtle way, promote alongside it!

Are there any personal benefits?

Yes you are promoting your personal brand with each and every post. Your posts will illustrate your ideas as a thought leader in the industry. Experiences shared will highlight occasions when you excelled in challenging situations. Your personality may shine through as you relax and write often. Buyers will gain trust in you and prospective employers will see your strengths.

Who is my audience?

Who are you writing for and why? Clearly identify the attributes of your ideal customers and business partners. Then go out and find them on social media sites. They are in LinkedIn groups, on Facebook pages and under the relevant hashtags on Twitter. Include your current clients and peers in your target audience too.

Is it cost effective?

I use Blogger and it costs nothing. That’s not a bad deal. There are lots of benefits including free promotions, new leads, sales, increased brand awareness and personal branding. Is it worth an hour of your time once a week? It should be a big boost to your visibility, credibility and revenues!

What’s the difference between a website and a blog?

A business website is you in your business suit and speaking in a very formal tone. Generally, it is broadcasting in one direction. Your blog is you wearing your smart casuals and speaking more informally. You’re more relaxed and happy for interaction to take place.

What is a blog?

Blog is short for weblog. It is a website in itself with its own web address. It includes special features such as social media links and comments from readers. It offers a great opportunity to get to know customers and partners better too. It can also be one part of a conversation in the blogosphere.

Does the Google search engine like blogs?

Google absolutely loves blogs and all activity is quickly reflected in their rankings. Together with videos on YouTube, blogs are a great way to get great exposure!

What are the common mistakes of business blogging? There are many and here are a few:
• No author bio, picture and comment section
• No social media buttons
• Broken Links
• Stealing blog content from others
• Inconsistent posting
• No personality in the writing
• Not commenting on other blogs
• Posts are too long
• Being a know-it-all

Any good tips?

Yes! Don’t make these mistakes; be interesting; write for your audience; be passionate; and, get blogging!

Next time around we’ll look at getting started as a business blogger. In the meantime check out my latest blog set up for a client: http://it-serve-gcc.blogspot.com

Would you like to be known as a thought leader in your industry?
A simple yes or no please.

Don’t make your blog a slog!

Everybody’s doing it or threatening to do it. Some are personal blogs and some are written about interests or hobbies. These are relatively straight forward and it’s easier to write about things we like so much. Business blogging tends to be dreaded a little more. It shouldn’t be. It’s time to take a more relaxed view. Don’t make you’re bog a slog.

There are five areas to address to overcome any anxiety:
• Fundamentals of business blogging
• Getting Started
• Using a blogging platform
• Attracting followers
• Business benefits of blogging

It’s useful to understand some of the fundamentals around business blogging. These are best highlighted in answering a number of questions:

• Can it be used as a marketing tool?
• Are there any personal benefits?
• Who is my audience?
• Is it cost effective?
• What’s the difference between a website and a blog?
• What is a blog?
• Does the Google search engine like blogs?
• What are the common mistakes of business blogging?
• Any good tips?

We’ll try to find answers to these questions in my next blog post.

The first step is always the hardest. So how do we get started? Is there any help available? What are those first few steps? For many people the biggest issue is what to blog about. We’ll go into more details later. But for now writing about your expertise or those subjects you are passionate about will inspire you more. Tell great stories – we all love story tellers. Also try to answer those issues that commonly arise from customers and employees for example. More later...

Do you need to be a geek to set up your blog? I’ve set up a few blogs at Blogger.com – a popular blogging platform. The answer is no. You can set up a nice design with images, embedded videos and social media links without any technical skills. More later...

Once we have a blog set up and we are posting content how do we get people to follow our regular posts? It’s all about creating good content, interaction with other bloggers, leveraging your connections on social media sites and utilising specialist blog search engines. More later...

Is it all worth the time and effort? As a social media marketing tool business blogging can add value is several ways. The benefits come from the interaction with stakeholders, building trust with prospective buyers, search engine optimisation and sharing with your network. More later...

We’ll have a look in more detail at all five areas to address to overcome any anxiety business blogging in the next few posts.

Would you like to be known as a thought leader in your industry?

A simple yes or no please.