Tips for better blogging
Everyone wants to get in on social networking and a blog is one of the best ways to get started.
Penny Schneck -- Home Accents Today, 2/1/2010 12:00:00 AM
Everyone wants to get in on social networking and a blog is one of the best ways to get started. Blogging is a great way to develop an understanding of social media and begin to engage your customers and prospects. A blog is not just about providing information to your readers. It is about engaging them in a dialog and growing a community of individuals with a common interest.
The first step in starting a blog is to select the best software for your needs. Blog software has a special content management system that makes it easy to write, publish and post comments. You can install blog software on your own Web site (i.e. wordpress.org) or access an application hosted by a provider (i.e. Google's blogger.com).
When you first start a blog, it is exciting. But be forewarned. Even the most prolific writer can soon find it difficult to keep up a regular schedule of fresh content. Following are some tips to help get your blog off to a great start; keep it going; and drive its success.
Establish a strategy: Consider the purpose of your blog before you start writing. Is it to increase sales, build brand, or communicate with customers? From the beginning, create a marketing plan. Promote your blog with a link right on the home page of your Web site, in newsletters and on other marketing materials including store signage and packaging. However, a blog should not be an ad. It should show your readers the personal side of your company compared to content on your Web site or in other marketing channels.Grab their attention: Your content should be compelling, relevant to your target audience and informative. It should be entertaining. Speak to the passions or critical needs of your audience. Readers skim content on the Web. Make titles intriguing (i.e. Top 5 Hostess Gifts, What Not to Give Your Mother-in-Law) and give the reader a good idea of what you are writing about within the first two paragraphs.Keep it fresh: Blogs are designed to be easy to update constantly. Set a schedule and try to prepare entries ahead of time. You should blog at least once a week on some kind of schedule to help set expectations with your readership. Blogs don't have to be long. In fact, vary the length and type of post. One post can be newsy with the next personal and the third just for fun. Consider a variety of content including reviews, videos, previews and event announcements.Create a team: Rather than shoulder the entire responsibility for a company blog, create a team. Take turns posting or assign different responsibilities to each team member. One person can source ideas for blog entries; another respond to comments; and a third find content such as news items or photographs.Make it personal: Your blog should reflect your personality and be written in a casual, conversational style. Share your opinions and don't be afraid to stir up some friendly debate. Include a photo of yourself. If the blog is written by several members of your team, make sure the writer's photo appears next to her post. A blog is meant to reflect the human side of your company so show a human face! For five more tips to better blogging, see the March edition of Home Accents Today and HomeAccentsToday.com.
| Author Information |
| Penny Schneck is online sales manager for Home Accents Today. She can be reached at penny.schneck@reedbusiness.com. |
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More tips for better blogging
Mar 1, 2010
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