How To Start Blogging
Presented with permission
from Amelia Sauter, freelance writer of Drink My Words
Blogging For Business: How to do it well (and is it worthwhile for YOUR business?)
Amelia Sauter, copyright 2009, ameliasauter@gmail.com
contents:
What is a blog?
Types of blogs:
- diary (personal journal, poems, essays)
- informational (how tos, informative)
- news or current events
- opinion or soapbox
- advertising (specials, coupons)
Let’s look at some examples:
Why should businesses blog?
- To attract new customers
- To inform current customers
- To connect with other businesses, both competition and complementary
- Easy way to have an update-able website
- Low cost or free advertising/marketing
Should you blog?
- Do you like to write?
- Do you have time to write at least one post per week?
- Do you have someone who could write and post for you?
- Do you have something interesting to say?
- What is your hook? Why would people read your blog?
Blogging is NOT for everyone
Elements of a Successful Blog
- You read others’ blogs - networking, seeing what is “hot” in your field
- You know who your audience is
- Your content is interesting
- Writing style is engaging
- Write regularly (frequently)
- Make your blog easy to find
- Get linked to others’ websites and blogs
- Register your blog, submit to sites that track blogs
Free Blog Hosting Sites
Remember - free blog hosting sites do not offer live tech support! Typically you can find answers you need through their “help” feature or on google
How to Start a Blog
Setting up a blog
- Blogger, wordpress, etc. (see above)
- Decide on your domain name: user friendly AND contains keywords
- Link it to your current business website
- Start posting
- Tell your customers through your newsletter, on your brochures, etc.
Other Important Blog Elements
- Keywords in titles, throughout post
-hot mulled spiked cider, NYE champagne cocktail
- Rss feed www.feedburner.com
- Blogroll (listing of websites that often appear as links on weblogs)
- Link to your business
- Up-to-date info on your business in the “about us” section
- Gadgets and widgets
Making Money with Blogs
- Google Adworks
- Amazon Associates
- Chitika
- Shopzilla
- Pay-per-click
- Turn it into a book
- Advertise your product
- Sell your product
To who????
How will people find your blog?
- From a link on your website
- From a link on someone else’s website
- From Google or another search engine
- From a link in your newsletter or email
- From a link in the signature of your email
- On a site like Digg, Delicious, StumbleUpon where someone submitted it
Search Engine Optimization
Learn more: