It's Mid Year, Got Your Blogging On Track?

Hi there ... 

This posting is titled as such because out of all the communications we should be doing for our businesses, blogging seems to be the largest challenge for many of us.  And, I am wondering why! 

Don't look now, but my own frequency in blogging is way behind what it should be. The mind tells me I don't have time, but in all truth, of course I have time, we all have the time!   So what's our problem?  

Do we think they won't get read? Won't count?  One thing for sure is that if they are not written, they absolutely won't get read nor count. The internet is magical and it always amazes me when I look at my blogging stats. Someone out there is reading my stuff.  They will read yours as well ... trust the internet! 

So why aren't we blogging more? There are lots of blogs out there so they must add value to a business. Those of you who know me, know that a blog to me is "water cooler conversation." It's where your prospects and clients can get to know you and the behind the scenes thinking and activities of your business. It's the back door to your business ... the real stuff!   In that sense, it should be easy to create even a daily blog ... an ongoing dialogue with your market!  A great thing! 

How about this?  Let's make a promise to each other that we will "give our best effort" to maintaining our blogs!  If you need more incentive check out my Keep Your Garden Growing Newsletter/Mailing for this week.  It includes 9 ways that blogging helps your business grow. Also, if you haven't created a blog yet, Today's Way is happy to help you.  We provide 1-on-1 training for both blogger and wordpress blogs! 

Also, please share what you think keeps you from blogging!  If you don't know for sure ...guess! Maybe we can bounce off of your thoughts till we nail down what the block is. Time to help each other grab onto and use this fantastic resource for our business success.  Let me know!!  I welcome your input. 

Keep Your Business Garden Growing! 

margie

How Often Are You Blogging?

Blogging is such a mystery.  Why is it that we don't seem to have time for it when it is such a useful resource for building relationships? 

You may already know this but if not ....The history of blogging goes back to days of old when people kept diaries!  Fast forward to the internet -(from webopedia) the word blog itself is a play on the words Weblog, as most blogs will be displayed in a journal or log entry format.  Most are updated daily or at least more frequently than most Web sites are. Blogs often reflect the personality of the author or the company employees they represent. To this end the most accurate and fitting evolution of today's blog comes from online diaries where the diarist would keep an online journal of themselves.

In the business world, I've always referred to blogs as the "water cooler" conversation.  Think about your business having a big corporate office and potential buyers come to visit and take a tour. The water cooler is where they are going to get the "skinny" on what makes your business work,  The culture, energy, loyalty, fun, etc are all discovered by the water cooler!  Do you agree?  Do you have another comparison that makes good sense? Sometimes I'll also throw out that blogs are like going backstage at the theater .  another impressive layer of connectivity and relationship is created between you and your experience watching the play. 

When blog first became popular again within the last 10 years, microsoft had all their managers create a blog so that potential customers could get some direct and behind the advertising info on the microsoft products.  Blogs are where "reality" resides.  Just thought of this, but guess you could also relate blogging to "reality shows!" 

If you can keep these visions in mind you'll discover that blogging is such fun, gives you perspective of your day and work,  helps build trust & loyalty, and is good therapy on top of it all.  Your answer to the above "title" question will be "daily" and my bet is that you'll have more than one blog going and getting your voice out there!  Let me know!  

Who has some good blogging stories?  Please share if you do! 

Keep your business growing ... 

margie

How To Make A Transition To A WordPress Blog or Website!

 
Hello ...

Once you know "if" WordPress is for you, what's the next step to take? 

Making a transition to WordPress deserves serious thought as the entire direction of your online presence will at some point be supported by a content management interactive hub.  It is the way the online world is headed for a multitude of good reasons! One major reason is the ability to have up-to-date information immediately available for your prospects and clients! A bit of a competitive "must" .. yes?

Right now the proven leader for an easy to use content management system is WordPress.  It's an excellent platform to implement and will serve you well.

So where do you begin? 

STEP 1: GRASPING THE CONCEPT
The best first step, from my experience, is to understand the WordPress platform.  The end result of a WordPress product can look pretty similar to a traditional newsletter and/or website.  However the "behind-the-scenes" - the how, where and why content is applied within the platform is a bit different and is what makes all the difference!

A kaleidoscope is a great analogy to what happens on a WordPress platform. Do you remember playing with one?  Watching all those different shapes of colors of glass rearrange themselves and take on different looks based upon "reflections from internal mirrors." 

In WordPress, the individual pieces of your business content and the pieces of the WordPress platform become the pieces of colored glass. It can appear in different ways for different types of buyers in different sections of your blog/website as the season, month and time of day changes!!!  AND ... you get to do all this yourself .. without having to pay your web person!

For some of you, the above example might be a "stretch" .. but it gives you at a minimum the right mindset to continue. 

STEP 2: IDENTIFYING YOUR COMMUNICATIONS   
Once you have an understanding of the dynamics, you need to put your basics (the pieces of your business) on paper. It's the same exercise I have my clients do with a traditional website, blog or any communication.  Who are you talking to? How many different types of people do you talk to? What actions do you want these readers to take?  What do you offer, what information is needed, to make them take those actions?  What are the different "seller to buyer" types of connections that will be required?

If you want to go slow you might want to pick just one segment of your business for the above exercise.  Once these elements are identified  you will want to think about how many different combinations, sorts, tallies, etc you will want to create from all your pieces. Again, what are the different "seller to buyer" types of communications that will be required?  Get that nailed and you can move onto setting up your WordPress structure.

STEP 3: CREATING THE STRUCTURE
WordPress Themes are the heart and soul of your structure.  They provide the basic components that will support the presentation of all your different seller to buyer communications identified in step #2. Themes all do different things and have to be chosen carefully. You do not want to be restricted by a theme and not be able to maximize your communications! 

Within each theme, you create the pages of your WordPress blog and/or website. Each page (or communication) will have a different purpose. Which pages have postings? Which are static? Which are both? Where on each page do you want a sidebar? What type of "widgit" will support the type of info you want in a sidebar?  What type of "sorting" of data do you need to give access to (archives, categories, etc)? Are any plug-ins necessary for supporting your varieties of content and/or coding,... and so on. 

One very practical part of a theme is if you outgrow a beginning theme you can just change the theme and your content will find their respective home immediately on the new theme!  It is a transparent transfer!!

Most people require some instruction on the above components of the
WordPress structure.  Some components are pretty self-evident but not all. A good place to "play around" to get familiar before you get serious is on www.Wordpress.com.  Activate a free WordPress blog on the WordPress servers and play!! 

STEP 4: GOING FORWARD WITH YOUR BUSINESS
Transitioning your business to a WordPress platform can be done in different ways. It depends mostly upon your schedule, the amount of content, the timing, the desire, the ability and sometimes the budget!

Some people begin with a WordPress blog. Over time the blog is expanded and enhanced and before one knows.... they have a WordPress website. Anyone who begins this way is more apt to apply self-instruction! Not necessary as there is always instruction available, but often the case. There is a chance of missing some core capabilities if you are on a novice level.

Other people are ready to create a WordPress website immediately.  There are many free themes available to use. However if you go this route of creating a website, let me recommend you invest in a custom designed theme. Get the layout, components, functionality, colors and other that you need for your unique branding and communications. Todays Way offers this service so make sure you speak with us before going forward without!

Know that Today's Way is here to help you with your transition, of any kind.  Don't let yourself be left behind. On your own or with our help, go to www.wordpress.com for free themes and hosting.  You can also go to www.wordpress.org  for themes to install on a private web-hosted wordpress program.  If you already pay for web hosting there is a huge chance that you have Wordpress already sitting there waiting for you to activate.

Visualize that kaleidoscope I previously mentioned and place your business communications inside of it. How great would it be to have the pieces of your business that were just presented to buyer A  be able to appear for  buyer B with just a click. As long as you submit your content to the platform  ... you, yourself, can make all the updates, changes, and additions to your WordPress platform that will achieve this and more!

Structure, step #3,  may require some assistance and I strongly suggest that you do get help in understanding "structure."  It is your driver's license for  driving your business forward into 2012. Well worth any investment

Check out my current Special on "all" of my trainings .. Back To School For Business Owners!  There is a training listed for creating a WordPress blog for $110.  90 minutes plus a 30 minute follow-up call.  Don't miss out!

Keep Your Business Growing!
margie

I've Done It! I Completed My 30 Day Challenge

I've done it! I've completed my 30 day challenge or should I say Connie Ragen Green's challenge!

What a great feeling and I do thank Connie for getting me back into blogging! My blog has become my early morning friend that I share my first business thoughts of the day with. A little quiet time for me ... plus it's given me a good routine for placing my mind in perspective for the day.

For all of you who know you need to have a blog or need to use the blog you have more often, I do say to you .." just do it!" Just start writing something, anything daily. If you already have one that people read and you don't want to experiment with an audience, start a new one just for "your" fun. You will discover that each day gets easier and easier to think of your topics and to find time to write your postings. You will also discover that your blog will take its own direction and tell you its purpose. Do not worry up front about how you will use it.

The power of blogging (for you doubters) is much like Twitter to me! You have to experience both to understand their power. Their power cannot be explained.

So go out there and start writing some postings and have an adventure with it! If anyone wants help using blogger I provide that service. There are lots of other choices as well ... most blog platforms are free!

As always, please share "your" thoughts with me!

Keep your business growing ... .
margie

I Can Never Think Of Anything To Say On Social Networks!

Do you ever go to a social network with the best of intentions, read other people's postings and then go blank? It's a common experience, you are not alone!

Not knowing what to say, or post, is probably the largest reason people stop participating on social networks. Also a major reason that people feel social networking is a waste of time. If you are going through this I'd love to know your specific reactions and challenges. Please share. In the mean time maybe what I share with you here will help.

Try making it all more real. By that I mean keep the "likeness" of offline ( that monthly or weekly networking meeting you attend) to online social networking in mind. Take the same approach ... in both scenarios you have an opportunity to meet new people who might want to do business with you. At the same time you become friends with them as well as others who may not need your services but might know someone who does. You often also meet people who do the same thing. Keeping this in mind will give you a purpose for being on the social network and help your mindset.

HOWEVER .. all the above said, there is one major difference!! Online networking happens more frequently ... you can't use that offline 30 second commercial you use once a week or month over and over in online networking!! So the challenge of what to say begins!

I've discovered that you have to think small! Yup .. tiny pieces. Assuming you are on the social networks to generate business you want to create conversations around what you offer. It is important that you do not resort to hard core sales messages, but you do want to attract people to what you offer.

One of the best selling techniques "anywhere" let alone on social networks is to create conversation around the benefits of what you sell. People do not buy items or services, per se, they buy what the product or service provides them!

So where do you begin? Break down what you offer into its smallest pieces. What is the smallest item someone can buy from you? Build you list with each individual item and then whatever bundles of items you may offer. Go back and list what type of person would buy each item and "why?" The "why" is your benefit! You will be amazed at what you end up seeing on paper.

Each and every "why" on your paper is a posting! Combine with the openers from yesterday's blog and you have a wealth of postings. Saves you lots of time and makes you productive! Here is link to a blank form to get you started.

Go slow ... and all of a sudden you will catch the fever. Use these postings to attract and also to be "hooks" for the people out there who need the benefits of what you offer! And one last very important point ... have fun doing it!

Let us all know how it goes!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

What Does Twitter Do?

"What does Twitter do?" That's a question that a client asked me a couple of months ago. She said she couldn't figure out what it was supposed to do for her.

My answer was "Twitter is not supposed to "do" anything for you. It's all about what you do for yourself on Twitter!" Does that make sense to you reading this right now? Hope so.

Twitter is simply a "live feed" that allows real time postings of up to 140 characters in length to be viewed by as many people that request to follow individual users. That's it!

One of my former sales managers used to say, "you have to stay in front of people if you want them to buy from you!" Twitter lets you do this and more! Twitter's platform offers multiple opportunities for you to "do" something for yourself! Here are a few:

• Strengthen relationships by being able to have quick interactive communications with people throughout the day.
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• Reach out and connect with new people .. creating bonds via quick interactive communications on what you find you have in common and then more!
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• Brand yourself by putting consistent messages in front of your viewers .. showing your style, message type, etc.
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• Advertise by placing your information out there. Not using the interaction capability "plus" of Twitter .. but playing a numbers game by simply being in front of lots of people. DO NOT SPAM HOWEVER .. if you "must" use Twitter this way, do it tastefully.
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• Display your blog postings via live feeds that can be setup to appear automatically on Twitter feeds.
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• Link your readers from a posting to an image, webpage, and/or video!
  

These are just a few things 'you" can do. Which of the above ways are you using Twitter? What has worked for you? What other ways might you be using Twitter?

Keep your business growing ...
margie

What's a microblog?

The term "microblog" has been heard by most of us within the last couple of years.The question is, "what is it?"

A microblog is simply a small blog ... uses the same platform with smaller limits. I'm pretty sure you are already microblogging somewhere on the internet and may not even know it!

A basic definition of a microblog is a platform in which short text messages are supported. Usually the message may contain no more than 140 - 200 characters (including spaces). The platform allows you to be interactive and most microblogs only support text with links to images, videos, other pages, etc. Does this sound like Twitter? You are right .. Twitter is probably the most famous microblog out there right now!

Microblogging is becoming very popular for two primary reasons:

1. Immediacy
   Posts are short and can be delivered to a variety of devices, including cell phones.
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   Live feed distributions are supported for immediate delivery of what's happening on the blog.
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   Instant connectivity is provided, which can easily invite instant conversation.
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2. Portability
   Postings go to all sorts of devices including cell phones - you can take your communications with you!
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   Communications via live feeds be easily monitored no matter where you may be!
   

Short postings are also proving to be valuable because of the quality of "connection" that occurs. I'm going to talk more about creating effective short postings tomorrow. Stay tuned for that!

In the mean time .. what are your experiences with microblogging? Have you tried Twitter? Has it been fun or are you at a loss with it? Do you think microblogging has a place in the future of online communications? Please share with us!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

How Did Blogging Evolve?

"How did blogging evolve? It's a great question with a pretty interesting answer that requires us to go back to the origin of the "world wide web (www)."

Do you remember that the "www" is an offshoot of the internet? The creation of the "www" is what allowed individual web pages to have their own addresses and thus bring the power of the internet to the lay person. That's a quick and dirty definition.. but it gives you the main point. Do you remember when it first arrived? Sometimes I wish we were back at the beginning, BUT .. knowing all that we know today!

Alas ... as websites began to be added to the "www," lists were created "logging" each new website with links to its individual pages and associated comments (yes, like our search engines are today). This activity increased and these types of sites were referenced as "web logs" ... soon to be abbreviated to "blogs."

A major step forward occurred in January 1994 when a man by the name of Justin Hall launched a site named Justin’s Home Page. It would later become known as "Links from the Underground." The site stuck to the standard at the time and included links to other sites along with reviews of the sites. Two years into this web log Justin expanded this activity to include an online journal with dated daily entries. He described his journal as the following, “Some days, before I go to bed, I think about my day, and how it meshed with my life, and I write a little about what learned me.”

Journaling picked up and in May 1999, one of the first media articles was written on the emergence of weblogs and refers to the growing number of “Web Journalists”. The rest is history. Blogging emerged and just keeps growing!

Today this simple platform for dated entries with links and the availability for comments is the same platform used for all our blogs, groups, and social networks. Where do you think we will go next? Do you think we can ever go through something like this again? Looking back it is HUGE what has happened. Can you even remember life before the internet?

My observation that all that has evolved over the internet began from some very simple platforms ... platforms that are still behind all the "extras" that we've added ... platforms that make the whole thing work. Good reason to remember to not get caught up in the extras ... it's the basics that hold the keys to your success. What say you?

Keep your business growing ...
margie

How Do I Make Money Via My Blog?

The question of "how to make money via a blog" often arises. The constant updating of content and in most cases, the casual conversation mode, leads one to assume that it might not be the best platform to sell from.

I'm happy to say, "not so!" In fact the constant updating of information and casual conversation mode can lead, support, strengthen and lead the reader into buying what you sell! It's up to you how far you take this.

Have you tried selling? If so, you may already realize that the sides of your blog are the where you sell from. This is where you can place pictures, videos, links and even more for the direct purchase of anything you sell. Items can be seen as readers click onto your blog. You can also direct readers to specific items within your postings. Do not be shy about doing that! Even if you don't have anything on the side ... always remember that you can put links in your blog postings directing people to buy something on your website. This is said ... knowing you will do this in good taste and in keeping with the conversation. DO NOT be aggressive in your selling, it defeats the purpose of a blog, in most cases. There are always the exceptions to the rule :-)

The trick to it all is to have a bit, if not a lot, of strategy. Here's an example that I heard more than several years ago in a seminar on blogging that works beautifully.

A photographer wanted to become known in the blogging communities and also sell photography equipment. He was up against other photographers and many, many other places selling what he was selling. He made an effort to look at what other blogs on photography were talking about and made sure he came up with fresh content. Eventually he became known for having the most unique and current "content" on photography and gathered a following. Meanwhile he had images of what equipment he was selling on the sides of his blogs with links to purchase instructions. Because he had the followers of his "content" he also received the sales.

The moral of the story is to gather a following to your content .. place what you sell on the sides of your blog making sure it relates to your ongoing content, information wise or emotion wise. The rest will be history.

Hope this helps! As always, please share with us your experience. Have you tried selling? How well are you doing? What has worked, what isn't working. Tell us all!

Keep your garden growing ....
margie

How Do People Find My Blog?

In the beginning it can seem like blogs are the most hidden of all your online resources! You can't just send them out to readers as you do with an online ezine or newsletter! Readers do initially need to find your blog. Does this thought ever get you down?

Well, good news! It's not a difficult thing to do especially if you make a point of getting your blog out there. Here are seven very "easy to implement" ways of having people find, read and use your blog!

1. Start with your warm circle of clients and prospects Announce your blog in a special emailing with a link to your blog. You will want to create an initial posting that invites these first visitors to leave a comment for you ( see my last posting on comments). You also might encourage them to share your blog with those that "they" know.
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2. Place links to your blog on your website and also within your daily email signature line. Add it to your business card and include it in all your online social networking profiles.
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3. Do you have an online newsletter or ezine? If so, include links from your "news" paragraphs to your blog inviting readers to go there and interact and share their opinions of what you are presenting in your newsletter. You should have a related posting waiting for them on your blog so they know where to participate.
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4. Register your blog in social network blog feeds. A blog "feed" will automatically have your postings appear on the associated social network feed. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter I know for sure have such feeds ... I am sure there are many more!
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5. Use keywords related to what you are writing about in your blog headline and within the main content. Search engines keep an eye on blog postings so do try to make good use of their affection :-)
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6. Leave comments on other blogs that complement what you do. Comments often allow you to leave a link back to your own blog and presto ... you've not only been found but your comment has planted a seed for a solid connection!
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7. Sign up for a 30 day blog challenge with Connie Ragen Green!

Hope these ideas have helped you! Apply consistency and sincerity to the above and watch your blog be found, read and used! It does take a little time but hang in there, you'll be glad you did.

If you have used something in addition that has worked please share with all of us via a comment. If you have questions on any of the above let us know here on the blog via a comment or you are welcome to contact me privately.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

I Never Get Any Comments On My Blog!

Not getting any comments on your blog is awful, isn't it? You feel like you are having a wonderful conversation with yourself ... and ask yourself "why" are you doing this?

The answer is to hang in there. I felt the same way for a while until I listened to some of the blogging guru's say they had the same struggles. It seems to be a given that blogging requires consistency and patience .... but that given ... I am finding that things do start to "pop."

Here are a few suggestions that I applied that have brought me results:

• Consistency and Patience
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• Ask for readers to leave a comment within your postings!
  Put it right out there ... throughout the posting ( if appropriate) and at the end. Include the reader.
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• Keep each posting to one thought.
  That makes it much easier for people to have a specific thought. Go beyond one thought and people have several thoughts in their heads ... too many for a comment.
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• Keep your postings short.
  Create your posting so that it's easy for the reader to read quickly, have a clear thought and be enticed to make a comment!
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• Leave comments on other people's blogs within your target market!
  They appreciate it as much as you do and will most likely want to return the favor!
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• Let people know your blog exist! The more people that know about your blog, the more readers you will have and the more odds that you will receive comments! I will talk more about different ways to do this in tomorrow's posting. Stay tuned!
  

Hope this give you some renewed energy in hanging in there with your blogging activities. I'm still exploring all the techniques I can find about getting comments - so I ask you, do you have some input that has made you successful with an ongoing interactive blog? Would love to know how you create your blog's conversation.

Also .. if you have questions on anything I've presented, please ask me here in our public forum or your are welcome to send me a private email.

A little side note here .... If anyone has been following me during the 30 day challenge I am participating in .. please know you can subscribe via RSS or email on the right side of this posting. Would love to have you as a subscriber!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

I Have An eZine. Why Do I Also Need A Blog?

Ezines (online newsletters) and Blogs ... it's easy to assume that the two may be alike. Don't think you are off-base to have that assumption. They do have several things in common.

1. They both speak to your market about what's going on in your business
   
2. They both allow subscriptions by readers
3. They both offer "new" information in an ongoing manner.
   

So what's the difference? To me the difference is the "roles" they play within your communications platform. The functioning capability of an ezine and a blog may be very similar, but the communications that occur via each resource can be very different. Each has its own strengths for connecting with readers. (Some people beg to differ ... if that's you, let me know!)

I often refer to online newsletters as your town crier! They allow you to send information one-way to your market. You can announce, tell, inform, promote, i.e. advertise in an ongoing manner. Interaction may be created but not on the newsletter itself. The reader needs to respond via a link to another resource to interact with you.

A couple of other benefits of ezines (online newsletters) :

• Subscribers may enter their own email addresses, and you may also enter email addresses from people who have requested subscriptions via "paper" registration forms used in your business or people who have simply given you verbal permission.

• Web-based online ezine platforms, (CoolerEmail, Constant Contact, etc.) provide you with statistics. You can actually get feedback on which "sent" emails were read, not opened, bounced, had links that were clicked on, and more ... depending upon the platform you use. No other form of direct advertising provides you with that information.
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• Formatting resembles a webpage.
  

Blogs are often referred to by me as where the water cooler conversation of your business occurs. I also refer to them as "backstage" at the theater. The blog platform serves beautifully as a central location for "ongoing" business discussion as your readers can interact with your postings immediately via a comment. They engage, share, and simply invite conversation right then and there ... it's easy! This is why I see the best use for a blog being a way to dig a little deeper into your business and your clients and prospects. Dig a little deeper into the value of what you do and why people buy what you have. Really works towards building strong relationships.

Some additional distinguishing features of blogs include:

• Blogs may be subscribed to via an RSS feed or via email. RSS feeds must be set up by the subscriber. Email subscriptions must also be set up only by the subscriber as there is a confirmation email they must reply to. There is no way for you to enter someone's email address unless you alert someone to the confirmation they will need to reply to.
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• Formatting resembles a series of journal entrees.
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• Statistics are available for blogs, but they don't come with most blog platforms You have to go to outside resources to acquire them for you blog.
  

So let me dig a little deeper with you and ask how "you" are using both platforms? Are you using both platforms? What do "you" like the best about each platform. Let me know!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

I'm Not A Writer. How Can I Blog?

Well, first of all .... no one is asking you to write a book or even an article! So get that fear out of your mind right now!

However, many people do struggle with putting their thoughts into a written format. You've got a great thought but just can't present it so it even appears interesting? Ever go through that? Stare at the paper endlessly? One tip that I hope helps you is to remember with most blogs you are not "writing to" your readers - you are "speaking with" your readers.

With blogs, more than "telling/presenting/informing" (depending upon your "why") you usually want to share, confide, ask, explore, be conversational, etc. I will often pretend my audience is a single person sitting at my desk and I start writing the same way I would speak to that person, right at my desk. Sometimes I even have an imaginary conversation "out loud" just to get me started. It works every time, so I say to "you" .... if you can speak, you can write on a blog!

Here are some additional mindsets that might help you:

• Talk about something that recently happened! What happened the previous day with a client or prospect? Was there something unique in the interaction? Why did they buy from you, did something funny happen, was it a disaster, did you learn something, etc.
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• Tell stories about people who have benefited from what you offer. Invite your readers to compare themselves to your story. .."Did you ever?" "Have you ever tried?"
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• Share what is going on inside your own head about your business. Get more personal. Talk about a growth plan, a challenge met, etc. Ask for input. If you are using your blog as a backdoor to your business this type of posting from time to time can create a bond and build trust.
  

Notice at all times in the above paragraphs I used the words "talk"- "tell"- "share"- "speak" .... it's not writing, it's simply talking! So get over your "writing blind spot" and think of those people out there that want to hear your stories and know about what you do and why. Stop worrying and just do it. It gets easier with practice, I know that for sure!

Please let me know if this helps you. Do you have other challenges with getting words onto your blog? As always you are invited to share with us publicly here with a comment or via a private message to me. I welcome your input.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

I Can Never Think Of What To Say On My Blog

Oh my goodness ... this is such a common challenge! And, probably the most common reason people give up on blogging. I went through it and I believe everyone goes through it.

There is a simple way to solve the problem. The trick is "Don't think so hard!" Can you do that? :-) Let me expand a bit.

First let's back up a step and review my last posting. If you really get your "why" cemented in your head it is much easier to easily come up with blogging thoughts, trust me! Then, "bingo," at some magical point you go to your blog and you are automatically in the right mindset to "speak" with an almost instantaneous thought! Almost like when you bump into various friends, you know how to begin a conversation ... it just flows? The same thing happens! Hope that makes sense?

But in the mean time, what do you do? My advice is to think small... yup, the smaller the better. Get inside your business. Too often we go to the big picture of what we do and it's overwhelming for simple multiple postings.Does that happen to you?

A great exercise to help you think small is to make a list that breaks down what you sell. Begin with the smallest sale anyone can make with you. (For me it is 15 minutes of consulting time at $1 per minute.) Continue with your list adding the larger individual items and expanding it with the bundled items you offer. Each one of the items on your list has a benefit and is purchased by different types of people . Each buyer also has their own, "why" for purchasing! This should provide you with "lots" of small thoughts!

Having the thought to write about is just the first half of the process. Tomorrow I will share with you some ways to "write" and "present" your thoughts that have helped me make better connections with my readers. Hopefully they can also help you get "further" into your reader's heads.

In the meantime, try making your list and let me know if that helps. I appreciate the feedback. Also please let me know what additional "tricks" you may have used that work and share with all of us. Also please share your specific challenges here where we all can help or send me a private message. You are very welcome to contact me privately.

See you tomorrow!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Why Do I Blog?

A basic question ...

I blog because I want my prospects and clients to have a backdoor to my business. Every business needs a "connecting" opportunity. In the old days clients did company visits or sales people went out and spent time over coffee and lunch with clients. I don't think I could ever have that happen with my prospects and clients today, but I can easily invite everyone to a blog where together we can:

• Engage in discussions on what I do - asking and answering questions.
  
• Map out new plans ... requests from both clients & myself are heard.
  
• Have industry discussions where all viewpoints can be shared.
  
• Be real.
  

I often compare it to going backstage at a theater and sometimes I also call it water cooler conversation! It serves as a unique place within my entire communication strategy ... again, it's my backdoor. Come into my kitchen everyone .. this is my home!

Why do you blog? Your reason might not be the same as mine. It is a basic question and one in which you need to have a clear and defined answer. Like anything else, your basics need to be solid if you want you blog to be successful. Ever hear about an athlete who goes into a slump. When asked how they come out of it they will always say, "I went back to the basics!"

Please share with me why you blog ,,, OR ... let me know if you are struggling with the "why!" That usually is what keeps people from blogging. They feel it is an exercise they have to do and are just not sure "why." Is that you? Would love to hear from you.

Keep your business growing ... .
margie

Day One Of 30 Day Blogging Challenge!

And I am off ....
c
For those of you who haven't heard, I have entered a 30 day blogging challenge! The object is to create a blog posting a day for 30 days ... and while doing so, watch my business grow! And .... if I complete the challenge, Connie Green (the challenge creator) will provide me visibility not previously enjoyed! I heard that and there was no way I could say no!

Daily blogging is how I originally added blogging to my business life. In the beginning my blogs simply went to myself - sad, but true! However the "doing" helped me find the style of conversation I wanted for my blog. With my website being information rich and my newsletter serving to "announce" information .. my blog needed to be much more personal. The daily exercise of "doing" got me through that 1st block. No longer would I sit looking at a blank screen for what seemed like hours! What was once difficult became spontaneous, part of my daily routine and fun!

THEN, I got carried away with LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter! My daily blogging took a back seat. I do still write blog postings to complement my weekly e-mailings .. but that has been "it" for a while. That's why I am so happy to enter this challenge. It is time to re-ignite the use of blogging for my business growth!

There are so many exciting things to do with a blog. We totally forget that blogs are also social networks and that they also serve as launching pads to other avenues of success such as article writing. And of course, very shortly blogs will be the main hub of our online presence, replacing the traditional website in that role. A 30 day exercise to develop and make my next level of blogging spontaneous, fun and part of my daily routine is just what the doctor ordered to kick off 2010!

I promise, as always, .. to share all that I learn from this journey with you!

Keep your business growing!
margie

Got Your Blog Up & Running Yet?

Hello all,

Well, do you? Is your blog up and running yet? I hope so, as the time is rapidly arriving when your blog will be the hub of all your online communications. Your website, as you know it today will move to a supporting role.

Let's talk about what it takes to get a blog up and running. I think there are two "most" challenging pieces in the process of creating your blog. One is in creating the style and tone of your conversation within your blog. Two is in having people participate, write comments, ask questions and interact!

Do you agree these two areas are difficult? Do you have other areas of difficulty? What have you found works for you? I'd like to share your input with all.

Per my weekly mailing this week, I feel that the "just do it" approach is the best one for creating the style and tone that will make your blog work. Personally I don't see anyway that one can decide upon a "way" to write! You can begin with a thought .. try it and see what comes out. Then you can tweak and fine tune until you know what you need to do. To me, it is like a puzzle. The blog is one unique piece within the "whole" of your online communications platform. It should not duplicate .. it should enhance, add, and cement the whole of your relationship building.

Getting people to participate, I'm finding, is an ongoing endeavor of patience. I say, you must stay with it. People will read before they start to participate.... am I right- all you readers "only" out there?? One method that does seem to produce results is making a point to comment on other people's blog. Otherwise, keep inviting. Ask, like I am asking now :-) Anyone else have results they would like to share?

Blogs are important, so let's get the issues out. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, ideas, and results!!!

If you would like to receive my weekly mailing please go to the side of my blog for the subscription link. I"d love to have you on my mailing list!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Need More Blog Subscribers?

Hello all ..

Hope your 4th of July was tremendous. I had a great weekend and woke up Monday AM with vertigo! Has anyone ever had it? It is extremely challenging ... took me literally off my feet for two days.

Alas I am back at work and wanted to find out how you are gathering blog subscribers? I just did my weekly mailing and included 4 tips for getting subscribers. First put links to your email subscription box at the end of your posting, or right in the post like this .... If you find this blog interesting, you can sign up for an email subscription by clicking here!

The 2nd way I offered was to build a separate subscription page where you list the benefits, third was to encourage sharing with friends and fourth was to verbally ask people if they would be interested in subscribing ( in which case you would send them a link to both you blog and the subscription link). You can read the entire mailing here: http://www.todaysway.net/weekly/gardengrowingjuly0809.htm

I want to know if you have more ideas? OR .. what have you found doesn't work? We all have far more people reading our blogs than we are aware of ... how can we get these people to subscribe?

Please share your thoughts with me. If you have already tried any of the above did they work? As always, I look forward to your input.

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Search Engines Like Bloggers!

I welcome all of you who came here from this weeks weekly mailing! It is a fact that search engines like bloggers! So let's talk about it....

"How do I write a blog" is a common question. Blogs were originally daily journals and that alone suggest a "freestyle" form of writing . .. just letting it flow as it comes to the mind. You can still do this with just an additional "bit" of the mechanical.

Go ahead and write "freesyle!" Then go back, once completed, and insert keywords you have identified as important to your topic. Use both keywords and/or keyphrases.

Don't like to write and need guidance? Find out what people are reading about, look for the keywords and patch the thoughts together! It will come to you, I promise. Or another idea, talk about it! Pretend there is someone sitting across the kitchen table from you and just converse! Then write down what you said. You might record it and then write from the recording.

Comment below on your challenges and we can all try to help you out! Need to know first so submit what keeps you from becoming a blogging bullet on the internet! :-)

As in all things in life .. practice makes perfect! You'll soon be teaching others how to write a blog!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Why You Should Be Blogging

Hello all,

I want to know, from those of you who have a blog, how easy it was for you to create your blog and/or get into the writing of the postings. Did you find that once you started the thoughts for the postings came naturally? Please let me know your experiences.

If you do not yet have a blog, tell me what your fears are. What is keeping you from proceeding?

I have found that the old Nike saying, "just do it" takes care of all fear on the internet. Nothing is as complicated as the mind will assume it to be and that INCLUDES blogging. What I tell my beginners is not to do an overkill. By that I mean each entry can be just a single thought, a simple point for discussion. This makes it easier to receive comments and also easier to create multiple postings each week.

What do you think? Tell me all your thoughts, advice, fears .... ?

Keep your business garden growing!
margie