From their Ezine:
Eight Mistakes that
Business Bloggers Make
And How to Avoid Them!
More small business owners are blogging now than ever. According to a 2006 survey by Pew Internet, the number of blog readers has jumped to 57 million Americans. And Blogworld Expo 2008 claims that 89% of companies surveyed believe blogs will be even more important in the next five years. Why is there such an unprecedented interest in blogging?
Business owners have learned that blogging will raise their search engine rankings and increase their online visibility. Blogging is low cost and high impact, allowing them to reach a global audience in less time than with other marketing methods. Blogging can help to build their own loyal community, cement their expert status and more.
With these significant benefits, business owners are leaping to blog on the information highway. But many landmines or mistakes lurk on the blogging path that can easily trip-up the unsuspecting blogger.
Here are the top eight mistakes that business bloggers make and how you can avoid them:
Mistake #1: No branding. When the look and feel of a blog deviates considerably from the blogger's other marketing products, the user experience is diminished about who you are. Reinforce your brand in the customers' minds by creating a consistent look and feel with your website, e-zine, as well as your offline marketing-- business cards and brochures. Add your photograph and a bio to take your blog out of the anonymous realm.
Mistake #2: Infrequent or sporadic posts. Writing a half-hearted blog is begging for mediocre response - not only from readers but also from search engines. No question, the more you blog the higher your search engine rankings. Schedule a block of time once per week and write all your blog posts. You can then set the days and time in the future when you want them to post.
Mistake #3: No participation in the blogosphere. A whole new world exists out there called the blogosphere. It's rich in information and collaboration. It's also a reciprocal community. Study at least five blogs in your industry and comment on their posts. Visit a blog directory like www.technorati.com and choose blogs in your genre..
Mistake #4: Ignoring comments. If someone takes the time to comment on your blog then that person wants to interact with you. Do you have to respond to every comment? Yes and no. If there are only one or two comments then respond directly. But if you're lucky to amass a ton of responses to your post then a collective response is fine.
Mistake #5: Irrelevant /or non-engaging content. The prime objective of blogging is to share valuable content with your audience. If the content is not targeted to your audience's needs then you will lose them fast. Compile a list of challenges that your target audience may have and address their needs every time. Offer information that they may be interested in from the news, books, other people's blogs, industry trends and case studies. Use audio, videos and images to engage your audience.
Mistake #6: Minimal promotion. Promotion is to blog as location is to real estate. You could have the greatest house in a poor location and nothing happens. Same thing with a blog. You must promote your blog to the major search engines and blog directories. Use feeds to automatically distribute your posts and encourage subscriptions in your e-mail signature.
Mistake #7: Missing contact information. Once upon a time a reporter clicked on to an intriguing blog, read most of the posts and decided to feature the blogger in a magazine. However, it did not happen. Why? The blog had no contact information. Display links that lead back to your website as well as your e-mail address on your blog.
Mistake #8: Readers can't tell what your blog is about. After clicking on to your blog and scrolling down a few entries, readers still wonder: What is this blog about? You need a succinct marketing message on your blog's sidebar that tells your readers who you serve and what you do.
About the guest blogger:
Lena Claxton (pictured right) is the Chief Marketing Maven of NewMediaMavens.com, a small business technology solutions company. She is co-author of the book, "Marketing with New Media: A Guide to Promoting Your Small Business Using Websites, E-Zines, Blogs & Podcasts. Order the book. For more information, visit www.newmediamavens.com. She can be reached at 704-780-1968 or at mavens@newmediamavens.com. ---------------
If you are blogophobic...this is for you:
How to Blog for Book Success – MBR Author PR Series by Pam Perry, PR coach
When: Monday, March 30 at 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST
Dial-in Number: 1-218-936-4700
Participant Access Code: 528281
This FREE Teleseminar will answer the most burning questions:
· What is a blog?
· How do I set one up?
· How do I get people to read it?
· What is a widget? Where do I get one?
· Should I put it on my website?
· Is Wordpress best or Blogger?
· How do I do a Blog Tour? And participate in one?
· What about Podcasts? How do I do that?
· Where do I get information to blog?
· How much time will this take?
· How often should I blog
· Can I sell my book on my blog?
· What is an RSS Feed? Feedburner? Is it dangerous?
· And finally we'll go over the biggest mistakes bloggers make!
Instructor: Pam Perry, PR Coach, Ministry Marketing Solutions Inc. with a surprise guest!!!
www.PamPerryPR.com
and creator of the CHOCOLATE PAGES NETWORK AND SHOW
Seminar to include free special report “The Benefits of Blogging & What to Blog About” and Recommend Reading list for those that send email to: info (at) ministrymarketingsolutions.com also get free stuff at www.synergyenergymarketing.com
See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!