Blogging

Blogging and why you should be doing it – Part Two

Posted by Keith on Jan 26, 2012 in Blogging, Social News | 2 comments

Some time ago I wrote a post blogging and why you and your business should try it so after what seems an age here is the second part.

Today everybody is a writer, photographer, filmmaker, musician.

Are you creating something? What are you waiting for?

Here’s a list of reasons why you should be blogging, not in any particular order:

• If this is your first attempt at blogging take a look at how the people you like to read go about it.
• Don’t copy their writing style just get some tips on what makes them successful
• Vary the length of your post, it helps more than you know
• Throw some facts and comparisons in there your readers will love that
• Write your post and then leave it for a while, have a cuppa, then go back to it and make any changes you feel are  necessary
• Give your title a lot of thought as that’s what will make visitors want to read it, make it catchy or interesting, both if you can
• Most blogs don’t get past three months before the writer gives up, don’t let that be you!
• If you can get your post in the press, someone I know has just started out with this and I know she will do a great job. This gives you lots of exposure
• Consistency is the key to anything you do
• Ask a ‘big hitter’ do contribute with a guest post, this will bring you lots of traffic
• Get your inspiration from as many places as you can as this keeps your posts varied and interesting to your readers
• Be humorous as nothing is worse than reading some ‘dry’ post, even if you subject is heavy or serious, humour is the key
• Ask questions on other platforms, this will give you lots of ideas for your posts
• Also don’t forget about video, this can be a great way to get your message over, but more on that soon
• Don’t forget to add social network buttons to your blog, this gives your readers no excuse not to share your content and don’t be afraid to ask them to share
• Look to the left of this post and you will see them, feel free to click a few
• If you have an email list make sure that it’s easy for visitors to sign up, look to the right the sign up box is at the top
• Give your readers choices and they will love you for it
• Convert readers into ‘your tribe’
• Don’t mess with your Tribe
• The most valuable tip I can give you is “quality not quantity”

Till the next time, have fun and remember do something special today

Webinars

Posted by Keith on Dec 14, 2011 in Blogging, Social News | 0 comments

I carried out a webinar a short while ago and loved every minute of it!

This is a fantastic way for you to get closer to your clients and your prospective clients?

Preparation is the key and you must decide the following before even considering this:

• How long you are going to speak for?
• What will be your topic?
• Do you know enough about the topic to speak for the allotted time?
• What if something goes wrong
• Once you have your topic and you have written out what you are going to say give it a ‘run through’ to test the time.
• I find its best to have everything written down in a note book, just my preference, its seems a little more ‘real’
• Which software will you use and will it suit your needs?
• I only use three and they are:
• www.anymeeting.com
• http://www.gotomeeting.co.uk
• http://www.meetingburner.com/
• I have no preference its different ones for different webinars, have a look at all of them or choose your own.

I will be running more in the New Year so if this is something that interests you then why not give it a try, its great fun! 

I would really like to know your experience with webinars, good, bad haven’t tried it yet…let me know

photo credit: Cambodia4

Creating ‘Sticky’ Content – Part Two

Posted by Keith on Sep 29, 2011 in Blogging, Tribes | 0 comments

Last time I talked about creating sticky content and this time I am going to share with you my thoughts on ‘telling your story’ which in turn creates ‘sticky content’ and draws people to you.

One of the things that really hacks me off is when people take an absolute age to get to the point, it just drives me insane. When you tell your story or you tell your tribe about your services or products, don’t wait until the very last moment to give the the Meat of the story. Does this sound familiar?

Get to the point!

When telling your story don’t hang about with stuff that’s not interesting to your listeners, this counts whether you are telling your story on or offline just as much. No get straight to it and then expand on what you offer and run this through your talk or video and your tribe will thank you for it. When creating Sticky Content most forget what they are there for and ramble on about all sorts of non essential stuff, don’t be one of them.

Now I know that a lot of you can find this difficult but I promise you if you are really passionate about what you do then it will become easier over time, as it has for me.

Become a great storyteller and your tribe will love you for your engaging and witty storytelling skills, if you are happy in front of a camera then get one, but make it as professional as you can. I have to confess I have been known to use mine as a ‘sketchbook’ and just record my thoughts and put them out there, I also use my phone for this too, use the tools available.

So if your story is sad act out being sad, put whatever emotion relates to your story in there, don’t be afraid to do this as your tribe will love it, I can assure you! This is one of the great ways to become a great storyteller. Being a little theatrical won’t do you any harm, it will actually help you in getting your story, products and services across.

I know what your thinking…how can my products or services be theatrical? Well stop and think for a moment, your products or services are an extension of you, that’s why you started your business in the first place. What you are doing is speaking with passion about what you do…right?

I would recommend that you join a group or attend a course to learn some of this, its worth it because engaging with your tribe is the best, profitable and most rewarding thing you can do.

Until next time…..

photo credit: volantra

Creating ‘Sticky’ Content – Part One

Posted by Keith on Sep 16, 2011 in Blogging, Tribes | 0 comments

So how do you connect with your Tribe and keep them coming back to your blog time and again? Sticky Content!

It’s a simple term but most bloggers get it wrong and do you know why? Well first off most blog posts are just too long, I don’t know about you but after a few paragraphs they have lost me if I don’t find it resonates with me and it takes a lot to get me back.

Small can be best and keep it engaging and in your voice, by that I mean it must come from you, the idea might have started somewhere else but the story must be yours.

Here’s an example of what I mean:

I was walking through town the other morning on the way to the office, I had picked up my coffee and was just taking in a beautiful warm sunny morning when a guy came up to and said “You used to be at school with me in Pillar house”, our school was in sections back then, and he continued on with his story reminiscing about what we used to get up to before I even had the chance to tell him that he was at least two years below me a school and we were in totally different houses, I was in Ulpha!

This didn’t matter one bit because what it did do was build up an instant connection, bond, rapport, whatever you like to call it. We ended up talking as if we had known each other for years and in fact we did have a connection, we went to the same school and we did know some of the same people.

What this proves is that people will come to you, they do want to listen to what you have to say, so use social media in the same way and build up your connections.

Here are a few of my thoughts on achieving this:

Use your voice – this is easy to say but really difficult to achieve, sometimes when I write a new blog post and send it out to my Tribe, sometimes I will get an email or a comment to say something along these lines. “Keith before you get to the ‘meat and tatties’, tell me something nice first, I want to hear about you and what you are up to and then tell me about your service”. The point is remember you are speaking to real people, this isn’t just selling, this is selling to friends, your Tribe, so treat them with the respect they deserve and NEVER take them for granted.

It’s Not About YOU!

Remember when writing you blog post its about your Tribe, NOT you! Yeah I know sometimes you have to give them what they need but the rule should be them and always use inclusive language that everyone gets.

Tell Stories:

We all have experiences, stories to tell, and these must be used in your writing. Tell them about your challenges and your fears as your Tribe can relate to this, as they will probably have the same challenges and fears themselves. This will engage your readers and have them coming back for more.

You Tribe are a fickle bunch and keeping them happy is a fulltime job but once you have that connection, that bond this lays the foundation to build a fantastic and long lasting relationship where they will love your content and services this will keep them coming back for more.

Over the next few weeks I will be adding to this post and will give you some great tips and thoughts on how to keep your Tribe happy and coming back for more.

Remember we are conditioned to take content is small chunks so keep it that way.

photo credit: chatirygirl

Blogging and why you and your business should try it!

Posted by Keith on Nov 29, 2010 in Blogging | 4 comments

Back in April I wrote post on attracting blog traffic this post deals with writing for your blog and how to improve it and your writing abilities.

1. Blog about something you love or at least feel passionate about?

The beauty of blogging is that you have the ability to talk about something you love.

ž  The beauty of blogging is that you have the ability to talk about something you love.

ž  If you put hard work and effort into it, chances are you will succeed. But, if don’t what’s the point?

ž  Are you blogging with hopes to make money?

ž  You can do that with a niche that has people who are interested in what you have to say.

ž  People will be able to tell if you’re really passionate about what you do.

ž  Give your blog your all can and be someone who is truly passionate about what they’re doing.

2. Know your audience?

·   A critical part that will determine your blogs success is how well you know your audience.

·   The better you know your audience, the higher the chances are you can cater to their needs and help solve their problems.

·   Another problem with not being aware of your audience is, how do you really know what they want and don’t want?

·   What about all the posts you’ve been writing, do you really know how many of them your readers find useful?

·   Are you wasting your time writing posts that aren’t benefiting your community?

3. Build a community?

·   Having a strong community can either make or break your blog.

·   If you’re serious about blogging, you should be serious about building a community.

·   A strong community is like having a family, your community will be there for you.

·   They will love you, support you, and spread the word about your blog.

4. Solve your reader’s problems?

·   When people arrive to your blog to read your posts, make sure they leave learning something new

·   Provide useful and interesting information and DO NOT take your visitors for granted or treat them with contempt. They are the ones that will make your business grow.

5. Instil the urge for community response?

·   What kind of vibe do your posts give off?

Remember if your readers get the feeling that you don’t care either way if they give a response or not they won’t

·   Having a comment section does not instil an urge for community response, your posts are what instil the urge.

·   Try ending your posts off with a “What do you think” question at the end.

·   Ask your readers what do they think about the topic or what would they add to it. Give them a reason to comment, and show them that you want to hear their input.

·   When your readers leave a comment, respond to it. Spark a discussion and share your input on top of theirs and soon you will have other responding to your posts

6. Are you a “thinker” and “planner” or a “doer”?

·   You will always hear someone say “I have a million dollar idea”, but you never see it happen because they don’t take action.

·   Maybe you “plan” for the big day, but are you actually taking the steps to make that happen?

·   A quote I think sums this up is “It’s not what you know, it’s what you do with what you know.” Because thinking about something isn’t going to make it happen.

·   Find your idea, write it down and actually do it. If you struggle, don’t give up, learn from your mistakes and try again.

7. Are you delivering on each of your posts?

If you are not serious then what’s the point?

·   Being a consistent blogger doesn’t mean anything if you’re not striving to deliver the best on every post you write?

·   If you hit the stage where you’re facing burnout to the point where you are struggling to find a good post to write about, take a break and ask for guest post submissions.

·   The quality of your posts define the quality of your blog, and most importantly defines the quality of you as a blogger.

·   So make sure you over delivering, or don’t deliver at all.

Let’s face it, thousands of bloggers fail, but there are those that have succeeded.

So ask yourself these questions, and be truthful about your answers.