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Why You Should Add Video To Your Blog

April 16, 2012 By Jessica 8 Comments

For many people when they think of blogging they think of written words on a computer screen.

However, blogs can be filled with much more than words. They can also be visual in the form of pictures and video.

For this post, I’m going to focus solely on why video (also referred to as a vlog) is important for blog sites.

Add an extra element to your blog

Vlogs help readers get to know the person behind the blog because the visitor can see and hear the blogger. This creates a different level of connection that cannot be attained with written word.

YouTube is the 2^nd largest search engine

YouTube is great for SEO and is in fact the second largest search engine right behind Google. Make a video, upload it to YouTube and add tags to the edit screen that you think users would use when searching for your video. After that, upload your video to your blog post, finish editing your post screen and hit publish. Now your video is on YouTube and your own blog and you benefit from search on both sites.

Brands like video

If working with brands is something that you want to do in the future, then you should start incorporating video into your repertoire now. Many brands are starting to look at using vlogs instead of written posts to talk about their products. By showing that you vlog already it will put you ahead of the competition in terms of working with certain brands.

It’s FUN!

Creating video takes a different type of creativity than writing does. It challenges your mind to develop an idea, act it out on camera, and then edit (or not) to put together a show that people can watch. Yes, it might be scary at first to put yourself in front of the camera, but after the first time you will get over the fear and start to enjoy making vlogs.

It is true that not all people like to watch vlogs and that is okay. By doing something different and adding video to your site, you are helping your readers get to know you in a whole new light and you can make yourself stand out in the sea of bloggers on the Internet.

What do you think, are you willing to give vlogging a try?

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: video, vlog, YouTube

Three quick ways to increase Facebook engagement

March 29, 2012 By Ashley 2 Comments

We all know how important Facebook is for our social media engagement (and avoiding relatives.. I kid, I kid. Mostly.) Engagement on Facebook puts your page, blog and/or product in front of people and their friends (and family), so working on ways to increase it is important for visibility. Here, we discuss three simple ways for people to engage with you- so you don’t feel like you are just talking to yourself.

How to increase Facebook Fan Page Engagement

- Ask an either/or question or a yes/no question

People are busy- or at least pretending to be while they are on Facebook! Make it simple for people to interact with you by asking questions that do not require a lot of involved thought for a response. Try asking whether people prefer one food over another, for example, or if they read more blogs on Blogger or WordPress. Or, try something along the lines of, “Is everyone ready for spring break?” This should not be all of your content on Facebook, but it’s a great way to encourage some quick likes and responses.

- Start your status with click like if….

Instructions are good- it makes it easier for people to know what you want from them. Encourage fans to “click “like” if you are so glad to see 5 o’clock!” or something similarly relatable. Make sure you are thinking of what will appeal to your audience as a whole; you don’t want to provide a status people cannot relate to and have no likes! Again, it is a good idea to use these sparingly and not constantly.

-Share an interesting photo/funny saying- it doesn’t take long to click that like or share button.

People like to share something that’s interesting or amusing; they are not going to share or like something that is not. People are also visually driven, especially on something as text-heavy as Facebook. Post great photos or funny images you find online that relate to your audience; you will see your engagement and their delight go right on up.

What strategies have you found helpful for increasing your Facebook Engagement?

Filed Under: Facebook, Social Media Tips

How to install a theme in WordPress

March 27, 2012 By Ashley 3 Comments

One of the best things about using self-hosted WordPress as your Blogging Platform is the mutltitude of ways you can customize it- and how easily it can be done. One of the first decisions made when starting on WordPress is what theme to use. Should you use a paid one? What about free themes? Does it affect my SEO? These are all great questions to consider when trying to set up or change up your WordPress blog.

The response varies depending on your focus, and it also depends on how much effort and time you want to put into it. Themes that require a fee are often referred to as Premium Themes. These themes, such as StudioPress Themes like B2B is run on, stand out because they have excellent SEO (search engine optimization) built right into their platforms. However, plugins can help this with free themes. One of my favorite free themes is Atahualpa- it is extremely customizable with an easy-to-understand user interface. Make sure you look into how easy it is to customize a theme before making an investment- sometimes, they require you to hire someone to get it looking the way you want it.

How to Install a WordPress Theme through your Dashboard

When you are ready to install your newly selected theme, the easiest way is through the WordPress dashboard.

If you need to find a theme:

Navigate to your Dashboard–>Appearance–>Themes.

Select “Install themes”

In the search section, you can select colors, features, styles, and more to help you find one, or search for a theme by name.

You can preview the theme, or if you’re ready to go, click install.

If you have a downloaded theme:

Navigate to your Dashboard–>Appearance–>Themes.

Click on “upload”.

Select browse and navigate to the .zip file you downloaded for the theme and click “install now”.

You are set to go with your new WordPress theme!

Filed Under: Tutorials, WordPress

Creating Blogging Business Cards

March 24, 2012 By Ashley 1 Comment

Important Information for Business Cards

If you are a newer blogger, you may be thinking, you need business cards for blogging?? The short answer is that while not required, blogging business cards are a great tool to help you network, both at blogging events and conferences and in your regular routine. There have been several occasions where I handed out a card in an unexpected location, and either a business contact or blogging friend has been the result.

So, if you’re creating new business cards, there are several things to be sure to include. You want to make sure that your cards are easy to read, have all of the pertinent information, and make it easy to associate with you and/or your brand. Make sure that your blog has these items:

Your name.

While this may seem like an obvious, some people do not make their names clear on their blogs, so they may not think to include them in their business cards. However, if you are looking to expand your presence in the blogging world, it can be useful for people to know your actual name beyond the blog- and helpful for professional opportunities.

Your url(s).

If you only have one blog, then that is easy enough. However, many people blog in multiple locations- let people know how to find you! The easier it is to connect, the more likely people will find you.

Your social networks.

Again, make it easy for people to connect with you! People want to continue conversations, and while they may not have something to email you about right away, staying connected through Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks can keep the contact strong. That way, if there is an opportunity in the future, you are already connected.

A picture.

I cannot tell you how valuable this is to me. I use the same picture for Twitter, my gravatar, and anywhere else on the web I might go. I also put this on my business cards. Sometimes having a face to a name can be really useful- especially with people you might encounter face to face.

Filed Under: Networking, Tips

How to avoid alienating readers

March 22, 2012 By Ashley 2 Comments

alienating readers How to avoid alienating readers

Recently, we asked a question on our Facebook Fan page. We wanted to know what some of the biggest pet peeves people had when landing on or reading a blog. We asked, and you really answered.

What did we learn? Readers do NOT appreciate music.

Blog readers’ pet peeves and how to fix them:

Music

Turn off the auto-playing music. While we can appreciate that a blogger’s favorite song is so meaningful that it prompted the name of the blog, it does not override the annoyance factor of being assaulted with the music when we land on the blog. Also, consider that some dedicated readers may even pull you up on work- you don’t want these loyal fans in trouble with their bosses do you? If you really want to highlight some music, put it in a music player on your sidebar or footer, and give readers an option to play it- and keep autoplay off.

Hard to find follow options

melanie How to avoid alienating readers

When people read your awesome content, they WANT to connect with you (this is one of our most common blog tips, in fact!). Make it easy for people to find your social profile buttons so they can jump on over to your fan page or follow you on Twitter. The easier it is to continue the conversation, the more likely people will try- and that is essential to building your community. Make sure your social icons are easily found near the top of your sidebar, or even on your navigation or in the header. Just make it easy for readers to find.

Captcha

mimi How to avoid alienating readers

If you are a newer blogger, you may notice it can take time to increase comments on your blog. Drawing in an audience, reaching new readers, and encouraging comments can be a long process. Do not make it an even longer process by having captcha on your comments! Mostly a Blogger blog offense, this extra step in leaving comments has most people clicking away (especially if they tend to get them wrong. Ahem.) There are better spam prevention options- ditch the captcha and keep the blogging world a happier place.

Filed Under: Blog Interaction, Tips

3 Tips to Setting a Blog Schedule

March 19, 2012 By Ashley Leave a Comment

Staying on top of the blogging world can be an exhausting job. Planning posts, creating content, visiting other blogs… there are many, many steps. One way you can make this easier is by setting a blog schedule.

A blog schedule can be as involved or as simple as you want it to be- and can be organized through using a tool like an editorial calendar. When creating your schedule, make sure that it works for you and your usual routine. You want a schedule to be a useful tool, not a hindrance.

schedule 300x240 3 Tips to Setting a Blog Schedule

How to Set a Blog Schedule

Consider your current posting routine.

Do you participate in any memes (such as Wordless Wednesday)? Does your blog have a regular feature that you anticipate will continue? Put your static content in place first so you can stick with what you already do with your posting.

Consider your offline life.

Let’s face it, as organized as we strive to be, life can get in the way. Which days provide you the most flexibility? Which days leave you pressed for time? Consider when you will have the most time to write more in-depth articles when planning out your schedule so you are not left feeling rushed. Then, save your quicker, easier posts for the times when you know your availability is limited.

Remain Flexible.

Remember, a blog schedule is about keeping YOUR peace of mind. Different things can come up, life may throw you something you just HAVE to blog about, or promotional opportunities may come your way. Whatever the circumstances, remember that a blog is most interesting when it reflects YOU. So, keep that in mind when setting restrictions and constraints on yourself.

What are your tips to scheduling?

Filed Under: Blog Planning, Tips

Replying to Blog Comments

March 16, 2012 By Ashley 2 Comments

How to determine when to reply to comments

One way to encourage community on your blog is to reply to the comments left on your posts. It’s a great way to continue the conversation, answer questions, and show your reader that you really do read your comments. Other times, replying to comment is not the best use of your time. How do you know which to respond to and which to read and leave be?

Respond to comments when:

A question is asked. An answer is expected, so be sure to give one. Plus, other readers might have that same question and will be able to see your response and get the answer, too.
The comment brings up another point you wanted to address in your post. We can’t cover everything in a single blog post, so this gives you a chance to add to the content without making your actual post be too long for most readers.
Something compels you to reply. Whether it’s a comment that you read that makes you instantly want to continue the conversation or perhaps it’ a comment that you disagree with and you want to clarify your point.

Read but don’t respond when:

There’s nothing left to say. I love any comment, even if it’s incredibly short because it shows that people are reading. But, when you get a comment that only reads “LOL,” what exactly is there left to say?
The only thing left to say is “thank you.” This one is a personal preference, but when you post an announcement of some sort, like you are starting a new project or it’s your anniversary and you receive lots of “Congrats” comments, you either reply “Thank you!” to all of them or you can read, but show your appreciation in other ways, like returning a blog visit instead.
Someone is obviously trying to cause drama. When you get a comment that really has nothing much to do with your post but simply is a troll trying to stir up trouble, remember that you are in no way obligated to play along and feed the fire.

Do you reply to your blog comments?

About our guest poster: Shell- known as @shellthings on Twitter- wrangles chaos and mayhem on a daily basis (otherwise known as raising three boys). When she’s not breaking up wrestling matches or ducking legos, she spills her thoughts on her blog, Things I Can’t Say, which is all about encouraging community and support among bloggers. In her free time (ha!), Shell is cofounder of Other Half Media and provides classes through How to Rock Your Blog- perfect for beginning bloggers.

Filed Under: Blog Interaction, Guest Posts, Tips

Four Factors Organized Blogs Have

March 14, 2012 By Ashley Leave a Comment

Sharing great content is always crucial to a successful blog. You need to be sure to draw readers in again and again, and increase engagement over time. However, in addition to your unique voice, there are also several factors that help encourage people to keep coming back.

checkmark 1024x942 Four Factors Organized Blogs Have

Organized Blog Factors

An organized blog…

Is easy to navigate. Nothing frustrates a reader more than not being able to find their way around a blog. If it is too confusing, they will simply click away. Make sure it’s easy for them to navigate your posts, find information about you, return to the home page, and get to where they need to be reading.
Has a search option. Do you ever find a blog by clicking over from another blog? Or start hopping around on blog linkies? Then, you want to reference something you read on another blog a week later and need to go back and find it… but there’s no search! Make it easy for people to share your content.
Is easy to share. Where are your social sharing icons on your blog? If your only answer is in your sidebar, then you need to go add them in after your posts. As in, immediately. (Don’t have them in your sidebar either? Here’s a quick tutorial for creating social icons and getting them in there.)
Has contact options. People think your blog is great. Really, they do. BUT, how easy is it for you to be reached? Make sure you have a contact form, or at least an email address, somewhere easy to find on your site.

What other elements do you think are on organized blogs?

Filed Under: Tips

SEO Tips and Tricks from Around the Web

March 12, 2012 By Ashley Leave a Comment

Figuring Out Search Engine Optimization

seo 1024x529 SEO Tips and Tricks from Around the Web

Search Engine Optimization is a term all bloggers have heard of at one time or another. Of course, it’s also a term that can leave many bloggers confused as they try to figure how to apply the correct tactics to their blog. Here, we provide a roundup of great tips, and their corresponding articles, on SEO from around the web.

Writing

“Write for users first.” Remember that Humans are the ones who complete call to actions. “Yes, you need keywords in the text, but don’t stuff each page like a Thanksgiving turkey. Keep it readable.” There are 20 more essential SEO tips and techniques on searchengineland.com.

Page Rank

“Don’t be obsessed with PageRank. It is just one isty bitsy part of the ranking algorithm. A site with lower PR can actually outrank one with a higher PR.” 55 quick SEO Tips Even Your Mother Would Love (We have further explanation of this in our guest post, Metrics of SEO better than Page Rank)

Advertising & Google

When in doubt, refer to the most important source- Google itself! The Google SEO topic has some great insights, and they even offer a Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide- a great FREE resource to get started with SEO. A note from Google: ”Advertising with Google won’t have any effect on your site’s presence in our search results”.

Link Building

“Use different link building strategies. The more quality domains you can get that link to you using different methods the better. For example if you can some from guest posts, some from blog commenting, some via social networking, press releases etc and mix it up you will be looking strong. The more you vary where you get your links from the more important your site looks. You are getting votes or links from authority sites from every direction. This looks very good!” from 5 important SEO Factors.

What are some great SEO Tips you have come across?