Posts Tagged "tribe"

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

Follow Friday

Posted by Keith on Jan 20, 2012 in Social News, Tribes | 6 comments

How do you view #followfriday on Twitter?

I used to do the whole “these are great people, you must follow them” thing but I started to get a little uncomfortable with it and the reason for this eluded me until my conversation with @sarahkatenorman and she said she had stopped #ff as a New Year’s resolution for fear of offending her tribe.
Once Sarah had said this I knew instantly why I felt uncomfortable with the #ff thing.

Saying that someone in particular is wonderful and you should follow them when you have over a thousand followers is a little like saying the others don’t matter, when of course  they do, everyone in my tribe matters to me.

So I will not be carrying out #followfriday from now on as I said everyone counts for me not just a few and the last thing I want to do is offend or upset anyone.

I would be really interested to know how you feel about #followfriday and if you think it’s a good, bad or don’t care sort of thing?

photo credit: Stephen A Wolfe

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