Blog To Great

Striving for Better Blog Content, A Few Tips

     BLOG TIPS-  Blog writing should be hard work, so coming up with new, fresh blog content is often hard.  But that's OK, because it will separate you, your blog from others in you niche that don't work as hard.   And sometimes, blog post ideas come to you, but you don't know if you have enough to go on to build a solid, worthy post out of it.  Look at the tips below on ways to draw more out of "slim" content ideas -

1. Have you looked at every angle?  Go beyond the basic idea and look at every possible side. Become part of the idea. Get inside it and act as if you were telling the story first hand, not just as an observer/viewer

2. Make the post controversal, make it into a discussion.  Don't just give one side, gave both and argue against yourself.  Make your readers ask questions, draw them into it!  It works on every topic / niche, as there are many sides to every issue.  By doing this, you'll likely get other post ideas from the varying viewpoints

3. Write as if your reader knows nothing about the topic.   This works for nearly all blogs, unless you're writing a highly scientific blog (in which case why are you reader my stuff - you're too smart), take to extra time to be very clear and start with the basics.  Don't worry, you won't offend anyone, as long as you're clear about your topic and post.  When you start with the basics you allow yourself feel refreshed on the topic and helps you be reinvigorated.

4. Keep the information fresh, new.  Always put a new twist on the information, readers want the latest.  Keep it to your blog's niche (though as your blog grows, you can expand and test the limits) but always present it in a fresh, unique way.  Don't get trapped into using the same phrases and cliches.  Be you, but always a better you.  The freshness angle also helps you find new post ideas.

5.  Read, read, research.  Always work to learn more on your topic so you can give the news to your readers and followers.  Ask questions of other bloggers and experts and by challenging them, you'll learn more in order to write better. Blogger networking and discussions will help you grow your post ideas too.

Let me know how these work for you, feel free to comment below.

SETH GODIN Wants to Hear from Bloggers (or Anyone)

       BLOG NEWS- This fall (2009), marketing guru, Seth Godin will release a new trim sized edition of Purple Cow. The new version of his hugely popular book will have a large appendix that will contain stories from other bloggers, forward thinkers, sharp biz folks, etc (people like us). If you know a blogger, business, service or organization that's worthy of a mention, kudos, shouts, Seth wants to hear from you. He wants your help, and certainly, the people you write about will appreciate it.

You should review these easy rules first, and act fast (items are due by midnight 5/24 East Coast USA time)-

1. It can't be about you or about an organization you are part of.
2. 200 words maximum (overly wordy is never a good thing, be concise) 
3. Item should be about something new, current and relevant. No history lessons !.
4. Don't get into your publicity, selling mindset.  No PR and try to sell something.
5. If you don't like to or really can't write, have a friend/associate write it for you.
6. Proofread, then re-read !

Note- Credit by name will be given (and your url or @id if you want one).  By the way, if you haven't read (or listened to) Purple Cow, stop and click here to buy a copy.

Click this link to enter your story, and let him know Blog to Great sent you !

Great Way to Find Guest Bloggers to Add Content to Your Blog

   Blog Tips-  Need a guest blogger, someone to cover for you while on vacation, or swamped with other matters?  Frequent, fresh posts are one of the keys to successful blogging, so you know you need good content often.  Regular posts will help your Google and search engine placement, so can ad web services, so post often!  But if you have too much going on, or want to add more blogs to your network, you could sure use guest blog authors.   I came accross a new service to help you find another blogger to "guest post".  Until now, you had to network on your own to find other bloggers to guest.  Well,now you can join the BloggerLinkUp list and to get emails once or twice a day, Monday through Friday. The email alerts will list bloggers looking for expert sources and requests for guest posts. The lists will also show  bloggers and web masters who are offering guest posts, and PR reps and others seeking reviews of products. When you see a request that you can handle, just respond directly to the requester.

And, if you submit a request, and it will be forwarded to the list to help you find a guest blogger.  All this, at BloggerLinkUp is a completely free. And they've promised that your email address will never be used for any purpose other than sending the request emails. Sounds easy, give it a try and let BLOG TO GREAT readers know how it works for you.  BloggerLinkUp was created by Cathy Stucker, the woman behind, IdeaLady.com.   More info, and sign up at BloggerLinkUp.com

BLOG Ethics, When You're Not Using Your Own Words

      Blog Tips- There has been much said (written, blogged) this week about TPM's post on New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd's "borrowing" word for word of a TPM blog post.  After reading up on the issue, it sure seems Ms Dowd borrowed word for word a previously published TPM post without crediting her source. Ms. Dowd has said she didn't know the material came from another blog and would have properly given credit if she knew.  Instead, she reported that the info came from "a friend".  It would certainly seem the friend simply copied and pasted TPM’s words and let Dowd use them as their own.   Aside from the obvious issue of how wrong it is to not give credit where credit is due, the outright lifting of other's work tends to worsen writing skills and the craft of blogs/blogging/bloggers.  Doing research for a blog post and learning about an issue is one thing, but the act of simply "cutting and pasting" does not help you become a better writer, authority or blogger. No way will you develope your own style for your writing or your blog, by using others without either crediting and/or adding something to the discussion.

Now, possibly some top writers/bloggers are too busy and are caught up in their fast-paced, high pressure world and find the ease of lifting someone's words in an effort to be the first out with a story too tempting.  But, as we see in this example, the world is watching and most high profile writers have too many followers that are tops in the field too.  People notice, and the word gets out.  It's not worth the embarassment, and for new bloggers, it's not worth the damage to your name and your blog.  You certainly gain an audience for a new blog by using other's words.

Like your blog, it's best to be an original !   See TPM's post at TalkingPointsMemo (and btw, great catch!).

A Good BLOG Can Do So Much for Your Small Business

     BLOG TIPS - Your small business likely has a website (no?, well it should), so you know you need to stay on top of these four main areas to remain relevant :

• Provide fresh, valid content to your readers/customers
• Remain connected to your customers / clients.  Engage them!
• Get high ranks on search engines so folks can find you
• Keep up to date with new, exciting changes in technology and show your customers

One of the easiest ways to do all this, and more, and with little hassle and expense is thru the use of a blog ! As Entrepreneur.com recently said on MSNBC.com, "Build a Website in Blog's Clothing".  And that's a great way to sum up all that blogs can do with not a lot of tech training or work.  Domain names are cheap too, so you can have a blog for each business / division.  See their tips for blogs at MSNBC.

 

"THE NEW INFLUENCERS : Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media" Now in Paperback

       BLOG TIPS - The release of paperback edition of Paul Gillin's acclaimed book on social media technology and marketing, The New Influencers: A Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media. has been announced by Quill Driver Books.  This new softcover edition, which retails at a reasonable $16.95 ($17.95 Canada), can be found at most bookstores and online book retailers. The original hardcover edition of The New Influencers was a landmark study of the immense changes in marketing behavior driven by the appearance of blogs, bloggers, podcasters, and other social media users, all empowered by new technology.

More than 100 positive reviews of the book have been published, including pieces in the Wall Street Journal, the San Jose Mercury News and the BBC. Even Gillin's fellow social-media authors and devotees, such as Seth Godin and Geoffrey A. Moore, have taken note of the book's usefulness and impact.  Paul Gillin is also the author of Secrets of Social Media Marketing (Quill Driver Books, 2009).   Gillin's informative blog, PaulGillin.com, demonstrates that he is an adamant adherent to the  social media marketing principles he writes about. With a regular column for BtoB magazine and Ziff-Davis Enterprise on the topic of innovation, he's also written for a variety of publications, including the New York Times, Advertising Age and the San Jose Mercury News. His popular Newspaper Death Watch blog as well showcases his networking and writing abilities.  If you haven't read THE NEW INFLUENCERS, or haven't read it lately, it's a must read for bloggers. Pick it up and learn!

Great Blog Domain Names That Are Under-used

     BLOG TIPS - Your blog's domain name is not the only key to your blog's success, but a "perfect" domain name is great to find.  We're happy with the  Blog to Great name and have many positive notes about it.  Though it gets more and more difficult these days, as most "great" names are already registered, keep searching, be creative and register your domain name.  With so many cheap domain name registration companies out there, folks have registered names with no intention of using them.   Knowing the importance of a good domain name, it's even more frustrating when you find that excellent blog domain name is taken, and under utilized. Seems that Andrew over at The Blog Herald  has noted the same thing and posted a short list- of "Under used" domain names-

Blog.com - Blog hosting company I have never heard of.

Blogging.com - Filled with questionable ads

Blog.net - Nothing - registered in Tokyo

Blog.org - A UK-based individual’s blog

Blogger.net - Google seems to have abandoned it.

Blogger.org - Google seems to have abandoned it.

The Blog Herald reports that several premium names have been sold-

problogger.org = $5,000
faceblogger.com = $20
betterblogger.com = $200
1blog.com = $10,000

What domain name would you like to have, but can't, and found that they are dormant and not properly used?  Comment below...

Reader and Subscriber Development for a Better Blog

     BLOG TIPS - When you want to grow your blog, no matter if it's is a personal, professional or company blog that you manage, and no matter what your blog's niche, the first thing that comes to your mind is likely to be about increasing traffic or adding subscribers.  As we know, getting more traffic or subscribers is always a good thing, such a blog can never have too many readers.  The more readers, the more possible revenue.  But, to  sustain your traffic you need to understand who the people are that come to your blog.

Time to consolidate your blog efforts into the key tasks that will bring returns.  Some key areas that bloggers need to fully understand involve knowledge of who readers are, how they've found your blog with the cool domain name and how often they're visiting & staying at your blog (how sticky is your blog?). These Metrics,such as time on site, bounce rate, and percentage of return visitors will help you tremendously.  To do all this, you'll need a good system of analytics and your own plan of engagement to maximize your blog's full potential. Lijit and Google Analytics SITE SEARCH are both good tools for internal search data analysis.  And to continue to engage your readers, make your posts interesting, ask questions, solicit commenting and use Twitter .  Make sure you respond to all comments and reply to each e-mail received. 

Thanks to Neil Patel (of QuickSprout.com), see his guest post at WashingtonPost.com.  Questions / comments, your advice?  Feel free to add below, and Blog to Great !

Help Let Customer Buy What They Don't Want

     BLOG TIPS - Thought this story appropriate, especially with of the swine (H1N1) flu fears & pork craziness around the globe this week.  It's a remarkable report nonetheless, a counter-intuitive study recently was published that uncovers the food choices people make.  The Journal of Consumer Research's basic conclusion is that, if you're a restaurant like McDonald's and you really want to increase french fry sales, the very best thing to do is add a side salad to your menu!   The effect is called "vicarious goal fulfillment," in which a person can feel a goal has been met if they have taken some small action, like considering the salad without ordering it, said Gavan Fitzsimons, professor of marketing and psychology at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, who led the research.  Wow!

Does this relate to blogging, websites and retailer?  I'm not a scientist, but the consumer behavior is likely to be the same.  So note what you're trying to "sell" and how you present your products (or brand) to the consumer and how to overcome their resistance.  Consumers, we now see from this report, will buy what they know they shouldn't if they can somehow have their guilt level reduced.  Having the right product mix is key in order to increase sales of your "core" item/s.   That's certainly good info bloggers and businesspeople that can help your blog and business.

See report at Journals.uchicago.edu and news release at Eurekalert.org