This article is not intended to give you the newbies course about hosting, installing a blog on your domain and etc. It will give you some serious advice on your blog business
Bad blogging habits are easy to get into, and one of the worst is to leave your 'About' page unchanged. You know the page: it is provided by Wordpress as standard and a whole host of bloggers leave it unchanged. Why they do this is known only to them, because this is the first page that a large number of first-time visitors to a blog check out, and the reason why many of them leave without looking further.
All you have to do is to say a little about yourself, who you are, and what your blog is about, why you feel qualified to write a blog about this topic and how you can be contacted. If your blog covers a particular niche, rather than being simply a log of personal comments, then your potential readers will want to know why they should believe what you say by reading your credentials on the subject.
There is nothing wrong with having a personal blog about your personal thoughts on things, but if you are presenting yourself as a form of expert on a specific topic, then you will have to persuade readers that you have a right to do so. You should use your 'About' page to do that.
Another tip you should take is to claim your blog with Technorati. This registers it as yours with Technorati, and you can get a whole load more visitors. Since joining Technorati most of my blogs' traffic rocketed. It takes a while for new blogs to get going, but it's a lot easier if you make use of sites such as Technorati. The same is true of most of the social bookmarking sites if traffic is important to you. If you are using a blog to promote a product, then this is essential.
If you have a website then don't get lazy and be content to run your blog from a hosting site such as wordpress.com. It is better to download the software from wordpress.org, and host your own blog. You have much more control over the look and feel of it, and can use any of the thousands of plugins that are available online. You can also use any template you want, or even design your own. That way you get total customization of your blog pages, and can make it more distinctive than the majority hosted on Wordpress or Blogger's site. If you have tried and had problems downloading and installing it then send me an email. If needed I can take you through it online, or by telephone.
These are the two main tips that any blogger should take if they intend to blog seriously. However, was I to provide the third most important tip for anybody interested in blogging, then it would be to monetize your blog. Don't blog for nothing. If your blog concerns a specific niche subject you can likely throw up one or two affiliate programs on your sidebar so that they appear with your new posts. A three column blog is useful for this, since your regular sidebar will generally be full of permanent links.
If you monetize using Adsense, a three column layout is even more essential, since you will want a vertical block down one of the columns, in addition to some at the bottom and the middle. A good Adsense layout would be a column to the left or right of the main text column containing a vertical ad unit, a horizontal link unit at the bottom of the blog, and also a horizontal ad unit at the bottom of the latest post. You could also include a search box at the top or bottom of your main sidebar that allows a search either on Google, from which you get income, or on your blog.
You could also include one of your websites as a second search option, providing three altogether. The income might not be a lot, but most blogs with a few hundred visitors a day should be able to make from $10 to $20 daily minimum, depending on the niche. All you need are a few blogs like that.
These are my three main blogging tips. Yours would likely be different, since blogging is a very personal thing, but if you take these three on board you will likely find that you will get more visitors, have more fun and also be able to put a bit put aside for the holidays or that unexpected bill that always comes at the wrong time.
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2008
Why Create a Blog to Promote Your Home Business
There are a small number of retailers who truly understand that when you create a blog to promote your home business, it can be an extremely effective way to increase traffic to your business. Proven time and again is the fact that traffic to your site results in more sales for your business.
As a website owner who has their own home business, you will discover that when you create a blog as one of your marketing tools, it is a great way to increase traffic to your website. You can also use blogging to make money as another form of revenue for your business, through adding affiliate links and displaying adsense ads on your blog.
Have you ever noticed the affiliate links and adsense ads that are displaying on blogs? This is a great way to gain another revenue stream for your business, not to mention the increase traffic you get back to your site which is another bonus.
Through creating a blog, it gives you the opportunity that will improve the level of customer service you give, by allowing your customers an access to useful information. When your customers can get a better perspective of how you operate your business, they are more likely to buy from you.
Let me put it this way, when I am out looking for a product that I need and a salesperson cannot give me the information that I am looking for on that particular product, I just politely walk away. On the other hand, when I do find a salesperson who can give me all the information that I am looking for on that particular product, I end up purchasing it even if it costs a few dollars more.
Internet marketing works the same way. When you create a blog it will give your customers a better understanding of your service and will strengthen your relationship with your customer (and that should be your goal). Remember, a strong relationship will lead to a successful business.
If your home business is a product sales site, you do not have to blog about your product itself. You need to Blog about the things that are related to your product. For instance, my site is a Christian site on how to get Gods word out to the public, taking different roads and using the internet as a tool. When I start a blog, it is a subject related to getting Gods word out and giving them valuable understanding information according to Gods word.
(Example) If you sell golf clubs, you want to talk about the experience you may have had on the golf course. You can make your customers feel empowered if you inform them to make their own decisions, as opposed to saying, “This is a great product! You should buy it!” The goal here is to smoothly introduce them to your product.
Blogging is a great way to promote your home business, not only does it give you the opportunity to increase traffic, it is also one of the benefits that give you the opportunity to educate your viewers. In turn, you will gain more sales because you are now recognized as an expert who knows what you are doing. Here are four tips to keep in mind when you create a blog.
1. By sharing important information with your viewers, you are gaining customers and giving them a reason to stay on your site longer. It is a proven fact that the more time your customer and potential customer stay on your site, your chances are a lot better they will make a purchase from you. The more your customers return for your valuable knowledge, the possibility is great to make a lot more sales.
2. Your familiar tone of blogging will create a window of opportunity for your customers to see that there is a real person behind your business. The internet is the means of mass communication for conveying ideas or information , by creating a blog you will be adding your own personal nature by what you put into it. This will create that open window of customer trust and loyalty.
3. Get feedback on your site, or your service. Allow your customers to leave comments and find out what changes your customers would like to see on your site and what they would like you to carry. Blogging is a valuable tool, not only do you increase traffic but it lets you communicate with your customers in a friendly way.
4. Why would you create a blog to promote your home business and make it one of your marketing tools? One reason…the links back to your site. These are high-quality targeted hits from the links in your blog. Blogs link to each other as the topics of interest make their way from one blog to the next. Each topic will then point back to the starting place, related topics make comments on each other. As a result, they gain more groups of people that all have something in common and shared interests.
As a website owner who has their own home business, you will discover that when you create a blog as one of your marketing tools, it is a great way to increase traffic to your website. You can also use blogging to make money as another form of revenue for your business, through adding affiliate links and displaying adsense ads on your blog.
Have you ever noticed the affiliate links and adsense ads that are displaying on blogs? This is a great way to gain another revenue stream for your business, not to mention the increase traffic you get back to your site which is another bonus.
Through creating a blog, it gives you the opportunity that will improve the level of customer service you give, by allowing your customers an access to useful information. When your customers can get a better perspective of how you operate your business, they are more likely to buy from you.
Let me put it this way, when I am out looking for a product that I need and a salesperson cannot give me the information that I am looking for on that particular product, I just politely walk away. On the other hand, when I do find a salesperson who can give me all the information that I am looking for on that particular product, I end up purchasing it even if it costs a few dollars more.
Internet marketing works the same way. When you create a blog it will give your customers a better understanding of your service and will strengthen your relationship with your customer (and that should be your goal). Remember, a strong relationship will lead to a successful business.
If your home business is a product sales site, you do not have to blog about your product itself. You need to Blog about the things that are related to your product. For instance, my site is a Christian site on how to get Gods word out to the public, taking different roads and using the internet as a tool. When I start a blog, it is a subject related to getting Gods word out and giving them valuable understanding information according to Gods word.
(Example) If you sell golf clubs, you want to talk about the experience you may have had on the golf course. You can make your customers feel empowered if you inform them to make their own decisions, as opposed to saying, “This is a great product! You should buy it!” The goal here is to smoothly introduce them to your product.
Blogging is a great way to promote your home business, not only does it give you the opportunity to increase traffic, it is also one of the benefits that give you the opportunity to educate your viewers. In turn, you will gain more sales because you are now recognized as an expert who knows what you are doing. Here are four tips to keep in mind when you create a blog.
1. By sharing important information with your viewers, you are gaining customers and giving them a reason to stay on your site longer. It is a proven fact that the more time your customer and potential customer stay on your site, your chances are a lot better they will make a purchase from you. The more your customers return for your valuable knowledge, the possibility is great to make a lot more sales.
2. Your familiar tone of blogging will create a window of opportunity for your customers to see that there is a real person behind your business. The internet is the means of mass communication for conveying ideas or information , by creating a blog you will be adding your own personal nature by what you put into it. This will create that open window of customer trust and loyalty.
3. Get feedback on your site, or your service. Allow your customers to leave comments and find out what changes your customers would like to see on your site and what they would like you to carry. Blogging is a valuable tool, not only do you increase traffic but it lets you communicate with your customers in a friendly way.
4. Why would you create a blog to promote your home business and make it one of your marketing tools? One reason…the links back to your site. These are high-quality targeted hits from the links in your blog. Blogs link to each other as the topics of interest make their way from one blog to the next. Each topic will then point back to the starting place, related topics make comments on each other. As a result, they gain more groups of people that all have something in common and shared interests.
WHY SHOULD YOU BLOG?
It seems like everywhere we turn these days there is someone talking about blogging, blogs, the blogosphere, bloggers, and so on. Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about?
And if so, have you ever thought about trying your hand at blogging?
Blogging is an internet phenomenon that can be described as a blend of personal diary, op ed commentary, and practical journalism. The word "blog" comes from "web log" which is a reference to the origins of blogging. In the early days, blogs were no more than online journals where people wrote about anything they wanted (what they had for dinner, how their mood was that day, etc.), much like the pen and paper journals that people have kept for centuries. However, with the growing ease of access to and familiarity with the internet, people realized they could now share their feelings with the entire world!
Blogging has since exploded into an inescapable new medium. You`ve probably heard people on TV talk about the huge effect that blogging has on popular culture. Some bloggers pride themselves on exposing everyone`s dirty little secrets (from politicians, to celebrities, and even other bloggers), while others have less caustic agendas and stick to simple commentary and discussion about an infinite array of subjects (from gardening to video games).
Keep in mind, though, blogs don`t always have to be frivolous. Some of the best and most accurate information about the Iraq War, for example, comes from people who embed themselves in the Middle East and use their blogs to instantly share their first-hand reports with the world.
Now that we`ve concluded our crash course in the history and definition of blogging, it`s time to get back to the original question.
Why should you blog?
I’m sure you’ve heard about some bloggers who command audiences that number in the millions, and others who have parlayed their blogs into multi-mullion dollar businesses. You probably want a piece of that luxury, and who wouldn`t? All you have to do is start up a free blog, write a few posts, and you`ll be sipping margaritas on a beach in no time. Right?
Well, not so fast.
It`s true that some people have found great success with their blogs, and there`s no reason to say that you won`t too, but the odds aren`t really in your favor. Estimates put the number of blogs at about 50 million (and growing every day) and without A LOT of effort and dedication (and a bit of luck) chances are good that your blog will never reach that superstar level of success.
I`m not telling you this to discourage you from starting a blog, I`m just trying to warn you that it`s not a one-way-ticket to the good life. Blogging can be a very fulfilling and exciting adventure whether or not you hit it big.
The most appealing part of blogging is that anyone can do it! The rules of blogging are not set down on unchanging stone tablets. Basic writing skills and a general appreciation for courtesy are recommended, but not required. You can write about anything you want, however you want; that’s the entire beauty of blogging.
So now that you`ve determined that you want to start a blog, the next step is to decide why. Let’s take a look at a few basic reasons why people blog.
People blog to make money.
It`s true, blogs can be a source of income, and there are a number of ways to make money blogging. Pay-per-click advertising services are a good way to start, or perhaps product review services that will pay a certain amount of money per review. If you`re ambitious enough you could even go so far as to write an e-book or set up an online shop and promote/distribute it on your blog.
People blog to find new career opportunities.
Blogging is a great way to practice your writing skills and host your writing samples (if you aspire to be a professional writer) or to showcase your art and design skills (if you want to be a professional artist or designer). A blog combined with an online photo-sharing website can be a simple and free photography portfolio that is instantly available to any prospective client anywhere in the world. In this age of e-mail and instant gratification there is no better way to connect with an employer than through a blog (just be sure to keep it professional).
People blog to share their passion with the world.
Whether you are a die hard sports fan or a model train fanatic, if you have any sort of passion or hobby you have an instant idea for a blog. You can try to provide the latest news and information about your "niche," or you can aspire to be an expert resource to others who share your interests.
People blog to document their life. The trusty online diary hasn`t gone out of style, and they certainly don`t have to be only for telling the world what you ate for breakfast. People can use blogs as a scrapbook of their children`s lives and instantly share photos and memories with the whole family, or they can blog to keep track of their diet and exercise regimen.
Now you have a good idea about what a blog is and why you should have one. The next step is to get out there and start blogging! Whatever you decide to blog about, just remember that the possibilities are truly endless.
By: Michael Landry Edited By: Bruce A. Tucker
And if so, have you ever thought about trying your hand at blogging?
Blogging is an internet phenomenon that can be described as a blend of personal diary, op ed commentary, and practical journalism. The word "blog" comes from "web log" which is a reference to the origins of blogging. In the early days, blogs were no more than online journals where people wrote about anything they wanted (what they had for dinner, how their mood was that day, etc.), much like the pen and paper journals that people have kept for centuries. However, with the growing ease of access to and familiarity with the internet, people realized they could now share their feelings with the entire world!
Blogging has since exploded into an inescapable new medium. You`ve probably heard people on TV talk about the huge effect that blogging has on popular culture. Some bloggers pride themselves on exposing everyone`s dirty little secrets (from politicians, to celebrities, and even other bloggers), while others have less caustic agendas and stick to simple commentary and discussion about an infinite array of subjects (from gardening to video games).
Keep in mind, though, blogs don`t always have to be frivolous. Some of the best and most accurate information about the Iraq War, for example, comes from people who embed themselves in the Middle East and use their blogs to instantly share their first-hand reports with the world.
Now that we`ve concluded our crash course in the history and definition of blogging, it`s time to get back to the original question.
Why should you blog?
I’m sure you’ve heard about some bloggers who command audiences that number in the millions, and others who have parlayed their blogs into multi-mullion dollar businesses. You probably want a piece of that luxury, and who wouldn`t? All you have to do is start up a free blog, write a few posts, and you`ll be sipping margaritas on a beach in no time. Right?
Well, not so fast.
It`s true that some people have found great success with their blogs, and there`s no reason to say that you won`t too, but the odds aren`t really in your favor. Estimates put the number of blogs at about 50 million (and growing every day) and without A LOT of effort and dedication (and a bit of luck) chances are good that your blog will never reach that superstar level of success.
I`m not telling you this to discourage you from starting a blog, I`m just trying to warn you that it`s not a one-way-ticket to the good life. Blogging can be a very fulfilling and exciting adventure whether or not you hit it big.
The most appealing part of blogging is that anyone can do it! The rules of blogging are not set down on unchanging stone tablets. Basic writing skills and a general appreciation for courtesy are recommended, but not required. You can write about anything you want, however you want; that’s the entire beauty of blogging.
So now that you`ve determined that you want to start a blog, the next step is to decide why. Let’s take a look at a few basic reasons why people blog.
People blog to make money.
It`s true, blogs can be a source of income, and there are a number of ways to make money blogging. Pay-per-click advertising services are a good way to start, or perhaps product review services that will pay a certain amount of money per review. If you`re ambitious enough you could even go so far as to write an e-book or set up an online shop and promote/distribute it on your blog.
People blog to find new career opportunities.
Blogging is a great way to practice your writing skills and host your writing samples (if you aspire to be a professional writer) or to showcase your art and design skills (if you want to be a professional artist or designer). A blog combined with an online photo-sharing website can be a simple and free photography portfolio that is instantly available to any prospective client anywhere in the world. In this age of e-mail and instant gratification there is no better way to connect with an employer than through a blog (just be sure to keep it professional).
People blog to share their passion with the world.
Whether you are a die hard sports fan or a model train fanatic, if you have any sort of passion or hobby you have an instant idea for a blog. You can try to provide the latest news and information about your "niche," or you can aspire to be an expert resource to others who share your interests.
People blog to document their life. The trusty online diary hasn`t gone out of style, and they certainly don`t have to be only for telling the world what you ate for breakfast. People can use blogs as a scrapbook of their children`s lives and instantly share photos and memories with the whole family, or they can blog to keep track of their diet and exercise regimen.
Now you have a good idea about what a blog is and why you should have one. The next step is to get out there and start blogging! Whatever you decide to blog about, just remember that the possibilities are truly endless.
By: Michael Landry Edited By: Bruce A. Tucker
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