Blogging is a powerful tool for increasing traffic to your website and boosting your online profits. However, many bloggers fail to use their blogs to increase the money they earn on the internet because they commit some four typical mistakes which are discussed in this article.
1. Some bloggers don’t blog on a regular basis, and their blogs do not have fresh and unique content. Blogs can be powerful in driving traffic to a website if they have high quality and unique content which makes search engines visit them and index the content. After the blog is indexed by search engines, people looking for information on search engines that relate to your blog’s keywords will be directed to your website, and you therefore get high volumes of traffic.
2. Lack of useful and captivating information on the website. It is important for your blog to have information which your visitors will enjoy and find useful. If you have high quality information on your blog, you will get many visitors and some people will also bookmark your blog and visit on a regular basis. This increases the traffic to your blog and website, and results in more sales. It is also important for you to make your blog unique and attractive by adding interesting images and any other information that will be of interest to your blog’s visitors.
3. Lack of keywords in your blog categories and blog content. This is the most powerful way to increase traffic to your website. You must know and use all the keywords that relate to your niche when posting on your blog. If you have some headings for categories on your blog, make sure that you use your keywords on the headings of these categories as this increases the visibility of your blog on search engines.
4. Some bloggers do not increase the earning potential of their blogs. If you want to earn money with your blog, you must sell your own products and services on the blog. You can also identify affiliate programs that match your niche and sell these affiliate products. All you need to do is to add your affiliate links on your blog. You can review these affiliate products and include the keywords in your blog content. You can also increase the money you earn from your blog by adding some Google Adsense adverts on your website. When someone clicks of the Google Adsense adverts from your website, you earn some money.
If you want to increase your online profits from your blogs, avoid the four mistakes presented above.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Top 5 Benefits Of Hosting Your Blog On Your Domain Name
Internet markets today understand the immense benefits of hosting their blogs on their own domain.
If you are serious about wanting to earn money on the internet, then you will need to set up a blog and host it on your domain. Outlined below are some of the main benefits which you can enjoy from hosting your own blog on your domain.
If you have a blog hosted on your domain, you have control over everything about your blog. You can have your own layout and design for your blog, which means you can have a blog that matches your website logo. You can make your blog as unique as you want. This gives you an edge against other competing blogs in the same niche which may have similar layouts. You also have complete freedom to do anything you want with your blog. By hosting your blog on your domain, you can control your blog in many ways you want and you can add any features you want.
By hosting your blog on your domain name, you make it easier for people to remember your blog. Hosting your blog on your domain means that you can develop and promote your own brand using your blog. You can make your blog headings similar to your website. In terms of search engine optimization (SEO) and advertising, this is very important because you will be advertising and optimizing your own domain and your own brand. SEO is also effective to do with your own domain name that includes your keywords. This will increase your blog’s visibility on search engines.
By hosting your blog on your website, you have added security. This means that you don’t have to worry about losing your information or getting locked out of your account. You present a professional image by having your online business logo on your blog. This gives you ad edge against other competing website or blogs.
Based on the advantages outlined above, if you are serious about your online business, you must consider hosting your blog on your own domain.
If you are serious about wanting to earn money on the internet, then you will need to set up a blog and host it on your domain. Outlined below are some of the main benefits which you can enjoy from hosting your own blog on your domain.
If you have a blog hosted on your domain, you have control over everything about your blog. You can have your own layout and design for your blog, which means you can have a blog that matches your website logo. You can make your blog as unique as you want. This gives you an edge against other competing blogs in the same niche which may have similar layouts. You also have complete freedom to do anything you want with your blog. By hosting your blog on your domain, you can control your blog in many ways you want and you can add any features you want.
By hosting your blog on your domain name, you make it easier for people to remember your blog. Hosting your blog on your domain means that you can develop and promote your own brand using your blog. You can make your blog headings similar to your website. In terms of search engine optimization (SEO) and advertising, this is very important because you will be advertising and optimizing your own domain and your own brand. SEO is also effective to do with your own domain name that includes your keywords. This will increase your blog’s visibility on search engines.
By hosting your blog on your website, you have added security. This means that you don’t have to worry about losing your information or getting locked out of your account. You present a professional image by having your online business logo on your blog. This gives you ad edge against other competing website or blogs.
Based on the advantages outlined above, if you are serious about your online business, you must consider hosting your blog on your own domain.
Do You Want To Start Making Money Online? - Start With A Blog!
Many people who want to start making money online face one common challenge – lack of money to get started. Starting an online business requires that you have a website, and it can be quite expensive to get a website set up. This is where a blog comes in!
If you are starting an internet business on a shoe-string budget and have limited experience, then starting with a blog is an excellent way to get started. This article outlines the key reasons why it is a good idea for you to start making money online with just a blog.
A blog enables you to start earning money online quickly. As soon as you get your blog, you can immediately start to advertise your products or services or promote your affiliate programs on your blog. When visitors click on your affiliate links and purchase a product on your blog, you are paid a commission for getting the sale.
Starting with a blog is cheaper than having a website built. There are many free blogging services, so you don’t need to buy a domain name, pay for hosting or pay someone to design a website.
Starting with a blog is easy and anyone can do it. The most important advantage of starting a home based internet business with a blog is the fact that it’s easy and no technical skills are required. You can do everything yourself. Having a website would require you to have some technical skills or you would need to pay someone to build your website.
You do not have to spend a lot of money in advertising. In comparison to a website, it’s easier and quicker to drive traffic to a blog than to a website. By blogging consistently and using your keywords, your blog will get indexed quickly, and you will start to get some traffic to your blog.
By having a blog, you can start making money online while having fun. This is simply because blogging is fun and easy. If you start your online business in a niche that interests you or that you know a lot about, you won’t find it difficult to blog everyday, and this will improve your search engine position and drive traffic to your blog. This will result in more sales!
Blogging is therefore a good alternative for online home business newbies who want to start making money at home but have little funds to get started. Start your own blog today and start making money online!
If you are starting an internet business on a shoe-string budget and have limited experience, then starting with a blog is an excellent way to get started. This article outlines the key reasons why it is a good idea for you to start making money online with just a blog.
A blog enables you to start earning money online quickly. As soon as you get your blog, you can immediately start to advertise your products or services or promote your affiliate programs on your blog. When visitors click on your affiliate links and purchase a product on your blog, you are paid a commission for getting the sale.
Starting with a blog is cheaper than having a website built. There are many free blogging services, so you don’t need to buy a domain name, pay for hosting or pay someone to design a website.
Starting with a blog is easy and anyone can do it. The most important advantage of starting a home based internet business with a blog is the fact that it’s easy and no technical skills are required. You can do everything yourself. Having a website would require you to have some technical skills or you would need to pay someone to build your website.
You do not have to spend a lot of money in advertising. In comparison to a website, it’s easier and quicker to drive traffic to a blog than to a website. By blogging consistently and using your keywords, your blog will get indexed quickly, and you will start to get some traffic to your blog.
By having a blog, you can start making money online while having fun. This is simply because blogging is fun and easy. If you start your online business in a niche that interests you or that you know a lot about, you won’t find it difficult to blog everyday, and this will improve your search engine position and drive traffic to your blog. This will result in more sales!
Blogging is therefore a good alternative for online home business newbies who want to start making money at home but have little funds to get started. Start your own blog today and start making money online!
Top 6 Tips For Driving Traffic To Your Blog
Blogging is very effective in attracting large volumes of traffic. However, if you really want to drive huge volumes of traffic to your blog, you will need to do more than just blogging.
This article outlines the top seven secrets for driving traffic to your blog.
1. Create high quality content that is rich with your keywords and phrases. This brings two main benefits. First, high quality and useful content will keep your website’s visitors interested and they will visit your blog on a regular basis and will buy the products you sell on your website. Second, fresh content with your key words will improve your search engine ranking which brings traffic to your blog and website.
2. Optimizing your titles for search engines is also an effective way of driving traffic to your website. You will need to optimize your blogs titles and use all the keywords or phrases which people use while looking for information on the internet. This will make your website visible on search engines, and your website will also rank high for all your keywords, driving traffic to your website.
3. Use email marketing with your blog. This is an effective way of bringing readers back to your blog as well as to create a list. Having your own list is important because you can sell your products and services to your list. By using an auto responder, you can send emails to your list about updates to your blog, hence driving traffic to your blog.
4. Social book marking is yet another powerful way to drive traffic to your blog. If you rank high on some of the most popular social book marking sites, you can drive large volumes of traffic to your website.
5. RSS feed for blog traffic. RSS feed is another way you can use to keep people coming back to your blog because after people subscribe to read your RSS feed, they will get updates continuously. This means that you will be bringing readers back to your blog every time you make a new blog post.
6. You can use some of your blog posts and covert them into articles. All you have to do is to add more content to your blog posts if necessary, add a catchy article heading and convert it into an article. Writing and submitting articles is one of the most excellent strategies for traffic generation.
These six strategies can significantly increase the volume of traffic to your website and blog.
This article outlines the top seven secrets for driving traffic to your blog.
1. Create high quality content that is rich with your keywords and phrases. This brings two main benefits. First, high quality and useful content will keep your website’s visitors interested and they will visit your blog on a regular basis and will buy the products you sell on your website. Second, fresh content with your key words will improve your search engine ranking which brings traffic to your blog and website.
2. Optimizing your titles for search engines is also an effective way of driving traffic to your website. You will need to optimize your blogs titles and use all the keywords or phrases which people use while looking for information on the internet. This will make your website visible on search engines, and your website will also rank high for all your keywords, driving traffic to your website.
3. Use email marketing with your blog. This is an effective way of bringing readers back to your blog as well as to create a list. Having your own list is important because you can sell your products and services to your list. By using an auto responder, you can send emails to your list about updates to your blog, hence driving traffic to your blog.
4. Social book marking is yet another powerful way to drive traffic to your blog. If you rank high on some of the most popular social book marking sites, you can drive large volumes of traffic to your website.
5. RSS feed for blog traffic. RSS feed is another way you can use to keep people coming back to your blog because after people subscribe to read your RSS feed, they will get updates continuously. This means that you will be bringing readers back to your blog every time you make a new blog post.
6. You can use some of your blog posts and covert them into articles. All you have to do is to add more content to your blog posts if necessary, add a catchy article heading and convert it into an article. Writing and submitting articles is one of the most excellent strategies for traffic generation.
These six strategies can significantly increase the volume of traffic to your website and blog.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Never too old
Never too old
By S. INDRAMALAR
Those with a passion for writing and who have time on their hands can always blog.
Socio-political blogger Ahirudin Attan: 'Seniors can show the way. They have the experience and the maturity.'
WEB logging – or blogging – may soon join line dancing, tai chi, bingo and gardening as some of the popular "old people" hobbies.
Blogs are generally considered the realm of the young and the restless, and of precocious or frustrated middle-aged citizens, who want to vent and be heard.
Recently, ABC Western Queensland featured a story about Olive Riley who, at 107, may be the world's oldest blogger. Riley writes about her life experiences in her blog (allaboutolive.com.au), which includes her memories of witnessing the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and her experiences as a cook on a sheep station in western Queensland in 1937.
While there may not be many bloggers as old as Riley, wired seniors are slowly moving from the fringes and claiming their place in cyber space, negating the perception that web space is solely the domain of the young.
Blogs are online journals or bulletins where people post entries on topics that interest them. They offer links to other websites and blogs, photos and opportunities for readers to comment on issues or communicate with others.
A research exercise conducted by Microsoft's MSN and Windows' Live Online late last year showed that most Asians blog to express themselves as well as share their lives with their family and friends.
The research findings, published in Blogging Asia: A Windows Live Report, were based on an online survey of more than 25,000 MSN portal visitors across seven markets.
The report also showed that the Asian blogspace is fuelled by youth under 25 (56%), while those aged between 25 and 35 make up 35% of the total. Only 9% of Asian bloggers are over 35 – it is anyone's guess what percentage of this comprises senior citizens.
The president of the fledgling National Alliance of Bloggers and prominent socio-political blogger, Ahirudin Attan, says, "Quite a chunk of the bloggers in Malaysia are not that young, I think. I am 46 and, in football, I would be considered a veteran.
"Other bloggers – like Nuraina, Shanghai Fish, Marina Mahathir, AKJ, Ahmad Talib, Zorro, Pak Idrus and Bustaman – are all above 50," he adds, quoting other active local bloggers. Ahirudin's blog can be found at www.rockybru.blogspot.com.
This, he thinks, is especially true of political bloggers.
Other senior bloggers who have socio-political blogs include theatre personality and radio deejay Patrick Teoh and Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang.
Indeed, according to the Blogging Asia report, at 20%, political blogs are among the more popular ones visited by Malaysians.
It isn't surprising that socio-political blogs are a favourite with many seniors – they not only have the benefit of experience, but also, most of them had grown up in a very different setting, both socially and politically.
Senior bloggers, opines Ahirudin, are relevant in the blogosphere (regardless of what type of blog) as they have the benefit of maturity and experience.
"Seniors can show the way. They have the experience and the maturity. Usually they mind their language, and are concerned about profanities and sensitive issues, like religion and race. They speak their minds, are not fearful but constructive. They are fine examples of what responsible blogging should and could be," he says.
Fun outlet
For retired civil servant Pak Idrus, blogging provides the opportunity to write, something he has always been passionate about. Being a retiree with plenty of time on his hands is another push factor.
"My dream is to write a book or at least, for a start, write a web log. I began surfing the Internet some years ago and discovered that starting an online journal was not easy. You needed some knowledge of computer language to get going and I was, at the time, computer illiterate.
"I kept on searching and eventually found several sites for blogging but they were all paying sites. Most of these sites offered free trials, which is how I got started.
"Then I chanced upon blogger.com which gave users free use of its basic site and charged US$5 (RM18) for its upgraded site where users can upload files and images," recalls Pak Idrus.
Determined to get started on his blog, he was willing to pay the fee. For some reason, though, he was given free access to the upgraded site.
"Maybe it was my age ... they saw how old I was and decided to let me use it for free," muses the 67-year-old retiree.
From then on, there was no stopping him. Now, four years on, he has his own very established blog (http://idrus.blogspot.com) where he shares his thoughts on a wide range of subjects.
"On days when I can't think of what to write, I post pictures and photographs that tell stories of their own. After all, a picture paints a thousand words, right?"
Blogs, he says, provide otherwise voiceless Malaysians an opportunity to have their say.
"Can you tell me a better place to share your thoughts with others? Or can you find any better way of doing some creative writing?
"Other than writing a book or writing to the newspapers, there are no other avenues."
Occasional blogger Alex Cheong concurs with Pak Idrus.
"I was frustrated because, on many occasions, my 'letters to the editor' to the mainstream media failed to get published.
"Blogging helps create another 'institution' in the public sphere, which was previously the exclusive domain of newspapers, radio and television.
"I saw blogging as a remedy. I became my own publisher."
Cheong, 65, who also started blogging in 2003, learnt about blogging at a conference he had attended in Malacca.
"Among the subjects discussed were 'youth expression tools', including blogging. I chanced upon a report of the workshop proceedings that contained the names of some bloggers like Najah Nasseri, Dinesh Nair, Jeff Ooi , Aizudin and Jikon Lai as participants.
"I visited their blogs and was attracted to the idea of blogging," he says.
In his blog (weekendblog.blogspot.com), Cheong pens his "thoughts and comments on things Malaysian mostly, and on the English Premier League and the world occasionally".
Though he used to update his blog about twice a week, Cheong admits that he has neglected his blog for quite a while now. "To be honest, my last posting was in January 2006."
Senior bloggers like Pak Idrus and Cheong use their web logs to discuss activities, reminisce or ruminate about issues or, simply, to write.
Time on their side
"I am retired. I have plenty of time, so I surf the Net and write and read blogs, all kinds of blogs. Reading blogs brightens my day," says Pak Idrus, who resides in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
If he had his way, Pak Idrus would want blogging to be an activity for everyone, as "there is no generation gap in the blogosphere".
"Everyone – from primary schoolchildren to grandparents – should blog, as it develops creative writing skills.
"The Education Ministry should create a programme to encourage young children to blog. It is a way to help them be more creative.
"Presently, creative writing is so lacking in this country. Who knows, maybe a young Malaysian could be an internationally acclaimed author in the not too distant future?" says Pak Idrus.
An interesting remedy for the young. But how do you get more seniors wired?
Cheong reckons the problem is that many of his contemporaries have little or no exposure to Information Technology.
"The digital age just passed them by. They may know how to use the Internet and e-mail but they still find the idea of working on a computer daunting," Cheong notes.
Pak Idrus agrees. "They (seniors) are afraid of technology. I have tried to get some of my friends to blog, and I have succeeded with some."
Bernard Khoo, whose blog name is Zorro-unmasked, however, says that even those who have no computer knowledge can blog.
"You can start your blog in three steps and in less than 15 minutes. That's how easy it is ? of course, there are other frills (modifications) which you can pick up later."
Khoo, 67, has a challenge for his contemporaries.
"I would like to throw a challenge to those who have the ability to start a blog but are vacillating. Start your blog, share with us and with Malaysians, young and old, your wealth of experience in your respective fields. There is so much our younger generation has missed. We, elders, owe it to our young," he adds.
Batteries charged
If Pak Idrus comes across as being overly enthusiastic about blogging, it is simply because it has benefited him in more ways than one.
"Blogging keeps my mind active and is good for my health. Reading others' blogs keeps me informed of new developments in society and the world. I often get visits from other bloggers from all over the world and these help me network," he says.
For Khoo, it is the networking opportunities that strike him most about blogging.
"I have met other bloggers of different races, ages and religions. It has been enriching. Recently, on Easter Sunday, I received 16 text messages wishing me Happy Easter ... two from Christian friends and 14 from my Malay blogger friends.
This is integration ... After all, we are all Malaysians finding our place in the sun," says Khoo, a retired teacher.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
"Why Should I Blog? I Simply Don't Get It"
"Why Should I Blog? I Simply Don't Get It"
This post on a popular discussion forum set me thinking - and I came up with 12 reasons you should blog.
Read them and get started on your blog. Or better still, go get your blog up and running and THEN come back and read this :)
#1 - You Do Not Need To Know HTML
One of the biggest hurdles many hopeful website creators face is they don't know to design a webpage. Blogs overcome this - all you do is type into a box, and the blog software automatically converts it into a webpage and publishes it on the World Wide Web for anyone to see.
#2 - You Are 'Forced' To Keep Your Content Fresh
Blogs are essentially online diaries. It doesn't make sense to write in your diary every month or two. Similarly, running a blog itself 'forces' you to update it often. And refreshing your blog often makes it more useful to readers and consumers - and by extension, to search engines who are in the business of presenting *their* clients with valuable resources.
#3 - Your Blog Is AUTOMATICALLY Optimized For Search Engines
Search engines love fresh content. But that's not the only way blogs are powerful tools to rank high. Indeed, most blogs are structured to offer a high degree of search engine optimization.
All sections of your blog are linked together. The terms used as link 'anchors' are keyword-optimized. Categories can be created to host themed content. Navigating through your blog is intuitive. Archives can be customized, and generate hundreds of pages of content that act as 'search engine spider bait'.
#4 - You Get A Built-In Linking Structure
With very few exceptions, most blogs are structured to be a tightly integrated network of links - to other sections of your blog! It's quite easy for a visitor to get 'lost' within your blog... without ever leaving it.
Calendars link to posts on specific dates. 'Recent Post' listings point to your freshest content. Archives connect all your earlier posts. Search boxes let browsers look for certain kinds of content. And it all happens automatically, without you spending hours on creating a link structure or sitemap!
#5 - You Generate Multiple Content-Rich Pages
Every post you make on your blog is content. And by intelligently setting up your archiving preferences, you can turn each post into many different forms of content, each on a page of its own. Blog regularly for a few months, and you could end up having a 100+ page website - all filled with relevant, keyword-optimized, themed content!
#6 - You Can Keyword-Optimize Your Blog Extensively
All parts of your blog's template can be customized. And a very powerful way to do it is by inserting relevant keywords. It's a do-it-once job that will give you ongoing benefits for as the life of your blog. You can include keywords in your blog title, description, blog post headings, trackback links, comment invitations, archive titles, and category names.
#7 - You Create An Online Community
If your blog is on a specific theme, you can build a loyal readership and develop an online community. You can even take it a notch higher by tying it in with a forum or membership site. Ask for comments, suggestions, ideas and feedback, or invite reader participation. Pretty soon, your blog will be growing organically - even if you don't write a lot!
#8 - You Initiate Conversations With Readers
Of course, the first step is yours - to initiate a dialog with readers. You could do it with your blog post, asking a question or by inviting comments and interaction. Your blog will be read by an audience that's already interested in your subject or theme. This conversation will be priceless to you, the blog owner.
#9 - Your 'Inbound Link' Process - Trackbacks
Blogging is about distributed conversations online. Links are an integral part of such an informal network. Trackbacks are a kind of blog technology that make it possible - and simple! Your blog will benefit from the inbound links a trackback will bring, and you'll also get extra traffic from other sources.
#10 - You Can Syndicate Your Content Easily
Getting readers for your content is good. Getting your content out where many more readers can see it is GREAT! Syndication (via RSS feeds) is built in to most blogging platforms, giving you a quick and easy way to get a wide readership for your blog posts.
#11 - You're Creating Stuff Search Engines LOVE
Search engines exist to offer their audience a compilation of the best resources on a subject or keyword. Your blog is the answer to a search engine's prayers! By sticking to a theme and presenting the content in an organized, structured, intuitively connected pattern, your blog will be appealing to search engines in a way only a very professionally planned and designed website can ever hope to be.
#12 - You Get 'Alternate' Traffic Sources
Remember what we saw about blogs being linked and networked together? Bloggers like to share opinions with others. And when they 'talk' about you, they are going to point to your site, or a post on your blog, to show their readers what they mean. They become 'alternate' traffic sources - for YOU!
Other tools like blog rolls, furls, favorite bloggers and more can drive sporadic - but sometimes big floods - of traffic your way. And best of all, it's effortless and costs you nothing!
Not yet convinced? Well, then maybe blogging isn't quite your cup of tea. But if you trust me, try it - you just might be pleasantly surprised.
About the Author
Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian is author of 'Blog Profit Ideas Exposed - 33 Ways To Profit From Blogs" - http://www.BlogProfits.com - and 'How To Profit From RSS Feeds" - http://www.RSS-Marketing.com and publishes 8 different 'niche' blogs and has been reporting on marketing with blogs and RSS feeds since 2001.
This post on a popular discussion forum set me thinking - and I came up with 12 reasons you should blog.
Read them and get started on your blog. Or better still, go get your blog up and running and THEN come back and read this :)
#1 - You Do Not Need To Know HTML
One of the biggest hurdles many hopeful website creators face is they don't know to design a webpage. Blogs overcome this - all you do is type into a box, and the blog software automatically converts it into a webpage and publishes it on the World Wide Web for anyone to see.
#2 - You Are 'Forced' To Keep Your Content Fresh
Blogs are essentially online diaries. It doesn't make sense to write in your diary every month or two. Similarly, running a blog itself 'forces' you to update it often. And refreshing your blog often makes it more useful to readers and consumers - and by extension, to search engines who are in the business of presenting *their* clients with valuable resources.
#3 - Your Blog Is AUTOMATICALLY Optimized For Search Engines
Search engines love fresh content. But that's not the only way blogs are powerful tools to rank high. Indeed, most blogs are structured to offer a high degree of search engine optimization.
All sections of your blog are linked together. The terms used as link 'anchors' are keyword-optimized. Categories can be created to host themed content. Navigating through your blog is intuitive. Archives can be customized, and generate hundreds of pages of content that act as 'search engine spider bait'.
#4 - You Get A Built-In Linking Structure
With very few exceptions, most blogs are structured to be a tightly integrated network of links - to other sections of your blog! It's quite easy for a visitor to get 'lost' within your blog... without ever leaving it.
Calendars link to posts on specific dates. 'Recent Post' listings point to your freshest content. Archives connect all your earlier posts. Search boxes let browsers look for certain kinds of content. And it all happens automatically, without you spending hours on creating a link structure or sitemap!
#5 - You Generate Multiple Content-Rich Pages
Every post you make on your blog is content. And by intelligently setting up your archiving preferences, you can turn each post into many different forms of content, each on a page of its own. Blog regularly for a few months, and you could end up having a 100+ page website - all filled with relevant, keyword-optimized, themed content!
#6 - You Can Keyword-Optimize Your Blog Extensively
All parts of your blog's template can be customized. And a very powerful way to do it is by inserting relevant keywords. It's a do-it-once job that will give you ongoing benefits for as the life of your blog. You can include keywords in your blog title, description, blog post headings, trackback links, comment invitations, archive titles, and category names.
#7 - You Create An Online Community
If your blog is on a specific theme, you can build a loyal readership and develop an online community. You can even take it a notch higher by tying it in with a forum or membership site. Ask for comments, suggestions, ideas and feedback, or invite reader participation. Pretty soon, your blog will be growing organically - even if you don't write a lot!
#8 - You Initiate Conversations With Readers
Of course, the first step is yours - to initiate a dialog with readers. You could do it with your blog post, asking a question or by inviting comments and interaction. Your blog will be read by an audience that's already interested in your subject or theme. This conversation will be priceless to you, the blog owner.
#9 - Your 'Inbound Link' Process - Trackbacks
Blogging is about distributed conversations online. Links are an integral part of such an informal network. Trackbacks are a kind of blog technology that make it possible - and simple! Your blog will benefit from the inbound links a trackback will bring, and you'll also get extra traffic from other sources.
#10 - You Can Syndicate Your Content Easily
Getting readers for your content is good. Getting your content out where many more readers can see it is GREAT! Syndication (via RSS feeds) is built in to most blogging platforms, giving you a quick and easy way to get a wide readership for your blog posts.
#11 - You're Creating Stuff Search Engines LOVE
Search engines exist to offer their audience a compilation of the best resources on a subject or keyword. Your blog is the answer to a search engine's prayers! By sticking to a theme and presenting the content in an organized, structured, intuitively connected pattern, your blog will be appealing to search engines in a way only a very professionally planned and designed website can ever hope to be.
#12 - You Get 'Alternate' Traffic Sources
Remember what we saw about blogs being linked and networked together? Bloggers like to share opinions with others. And when they 'talk' about you, they are going to point to your site, or a post on your blog, to show their readers what they mean. They become 'alternate' traffic sources - for YOU!
Other tools like blog rolls, furls, favorite bloggers and more can drive sporadic - but sometimes big floods - of traffic your way. And best of all, it's effortless and costs you nothing!
Not yet convinced? Well, then maybe blogging isn't quite your cup of tea. But if you trust me, try it - you just might be pleasantly surprised.
About the Author
Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian is author of 'Blog Profit Ideas Exposed - 33 Ways To Profit From Blogs" - http://www.BlogProfits.com - and 'How To Profit From RSS Feeds" - http://www.RSS-Marketing.com and publishes 8 different 'niche' blogs and has been reporting on marketing with blogs and RSS feeds since 2001.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Blogging for Business - Should You?
Blogging for Business - Should You?
So you've heard that having a blog is a good idea for your business, but are you sure WHY it's important? Understanding how blogs operate and how to use them for your business will give you great payoffs for your investment of time and energy. Not using your blog effectively will simply waste this fantastic resource.
WHY SHOULD I 'BLOG FOR BUSINESS'?
Blogs are a great method for giving your business credibility. Whether you post about industry news, recommend links to related topics or post valuable inside information or experiences, your audience will view you not only as a commercial venue but as a business interested in its community.
You can also use your blog to build traffic to your commercial site and to build a list of interested prospects. All of these issues are solid tools for marketing your product or service online.
WHY BLOGGING IS GREAT FOR CUSTOMERS
Blogs are not viewed the same as a typical website or sales page. The postings are often less formal or are presenting readers with interesting tidbits that entertain or inform about your topic or industry. Regular postings that draw the attention of your target market will build interest in your product and establish you as an 'expert' as well as create a good relationship with your prospects.
Since you can offer subscriptions to your blog through services like Bloglet.com, your prospects can easily receive notice of your recent postings right in their email inbox. By regularly posting relevant information your prospects will look to you first when needing the service or product you provide.
Since many blogs offer readers the ability to post comments you immediately provide an opportunity for feedback or questions. This can clue you in to what your market needs or thinks, which can quickly be responded to in your next post.
BLOGGING FOR TRAFFIC
There are several methods of traffic buildings with blogs. One method is through the blog provider. Often the provider offers readers the option of searching for blogs with a word or phrase. Using that phrase in your blog or title will bring interested visitors.
The other method is through search engines. Search engines love fresh content and blogs make this easy. Simply 'ping' your blog to other media (this announces your update) and the search engines will pick it up. Using commonly searched words and phrases may give you the top ranking you were looking for. You can also link to your business website with the phrase and increase traffic directly to your sales page.
Finally, you can add an RSS feature to your blog. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) allows other websites to run the content from your blog. Every time you make a post the information will be automatically updated on sites featuring your RSS. This is attractive to sites with topics related to yours since they will benefit from the fresh content and you will benefit from the exposure.
If you haven't jumped on the blogging bandwagon yet you've been missing out on one of the cheapest and smartest marketing tools available. Creating a blog is easy and profitable - so make yours today!
So you've heard that having a blog is a good idea for your business, but are you sure WHY it's important? Understanding how blogs operate and how to use them for your business will give you great payoffs for your investment of time and energy. Not using your blog effectively will simply waste this fantastic resource.
WHY SHOULD I 'BLOG FOR BUSINESS'?
Blogs are a great method for giving your business credibility. Whether you post about industry news, recommend links to related topics or post valuable inside information or experiences, your audience will view you not only as a commercial venue but as a business interested in its community.
You can also use your blog to build traffic to your commercial site and to build a list of interested prospects. All of these issues are solid tools for marketing your product or service online.
WHY BLOGGING IS GREAT FOR CUSTOMERS
Blogs are not viewed the same as a typical website or sales page. The postings are often less formal or are presenting readers with interesting tidbits that entertain or inform about your topic or industry. Regular postings that draw the attention of your target market will build interest in your product and establish you as an 'expert' as well as create a good relationship with your prospects.
Since you can offer subscriptions to your blog through services like Bloglet.com, your prospects can easily receive notice of your recent postings right in their email inbox. By regularly posting relevant information your prospects will look to you first when needing the service or product you provide.
Since many blogs offer readers the ability to post comments you immediately provide an opportunity for feedback or questions. This can clue you in to what your market needs or thinks, which can quickly be responded to in your next post.
BLOGGING FOR TRAFFIC
There are several methods of traffic buildings with blogs. One method is through the blog provider. Often the provider offers readers the option of searching for blogs with a word or phrase. Using that phrase in your blog or title will bring interested visitors.
The other method is through search engines. Search engines love fresh content and blogs make this easy. Simply 'ping' your blog to other media (this announces your update) and the search engines will pick it up. Using commonly searched words and phrases may give you the top ranking you were looking for. You can also link to your business website with the phrase and increase traffic directly to your sales page.
Finally, you can add an RSS feature to your blog. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) allows other websites to run the content from your blog. Every time you make a post the information will be automatically updated on sites featuring your RSS. This is attractive to sites with topics related to yours since they will benefit from the fresh content and you will benefit from the exposure.
If you haven't jumped on the blogging bandwagon yet you've been missing out on one of the cheapest and smartest marketing tools available. Creating a blog is easy and profitable - so make yours today!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Getting started with videoblogging
Getting started with videoblogging
Videoblogging is the next generation of posting ideas and products over the internet. Everybody knows about textblogging. Now they use videos for a better way of expression. This form of communication may entail a lot of resources, but it is all worth it. If pictures say a thousand words, videoblogging exceeds that by far.
A videoblog requires larger disk spaces on websites, a faster server, and a whole new set of programs to support it. Videoblogs can be fed through RSS. This is technology of syndicating your website to other RSS aggregators.
Videoblogging works with people on the internet expressing their selves. Now if you put this on a business prospective, you are up to a lot of benefits. Think of it as a powerful tool in making showing your prospective customers your line of products or your services. It’s just like showing a commercial all for free. And if you videoblog through RSS, then most probably you are getting your target market.
People like to see what they are going to buy. Some would like to see proof and be sure that they are getting their money’s worth before shelving their dimes on it. All of us know the influence of a thirty second commercial. The effect of videoblogging is similar to that. You show your product, people watch it. If they like it, they buy it. If you present it good enough, they’ll buy the product even if they don’t need it.
Now on the web, things are pretty much static, unlike in television in which all are moving. If you post something that is mobile, it would most likely catch attention. Now imaging your product parading in all it’s royalty through videoblog. You’ll get phone call orders in no time.
If your business is just starting up, you can create a videoblog right at your own home. All you need is your web camera, microphone, video software, and lights. For as long as you know how to use your camera, then you can create a videoblog.
Invest in a good web camera. The higher its resolution is the better the output. And you like to present your goods in the optimum way so get the best one possible. Make a short story, or just capture your goods in one go. Just make sure you are getting the best profile for each. Get those creativity juices flowing.
Lights are important in a production. Make sure you illuminate entirely the area you are going to use to create videoblog. The brighter the area, the crispier the images will be. You can also use lighting effects for added appeal to the presentation.
Should you require sounds for your videoblog, you need a microphone. Record you voice as a voice over for promoting the product and its benefit to consumers. Sounds are as important as videos on a videoblog. It is advisable to make your sound effects as enticing as the video.
Your video editing software can be any program. You need this to finalize your work. You can add sounds, delete some bad angles, or insert some still pictures in there too. Some programs are user-friendly and can be used even with zero knowledge on video editing. Even simple video editing programs should do the trick. Select your background carefully too. The light affects the presentation so make sure that the background and the light complements each other.
Videoblogging is a great tool but it also has it downside. It may slow down the computer so other may steer clear of it. Download time may also be time consuming especially if customer is still on a dial- up connection.
But don’t let those stop you. Let videoblogging be an alternative for you, though it is best to still keep the text and pictures present in your presentation to accommodate all possible viewers of your site.
Nowadays, the more creative you are in presenting your product to the market, they more you are likely to succeed. Videoblogging offers an interactive way of selling. You involve the customers. You instill in them the advantage of your goods. And at times, those are enough to make a sale.
Videoblogging is the next generation of posting ideas and products over the internet. Everybody knows about textblogging. Now they use videos for a better way of expression. This form of communication may entail a lot of resources, but it is all worth it. If pictures say a thousand words, videoblogging exceeds that by far.
A videoblog requires larger disk spaces on websites, a faster server, and a whole new set of programs to support it. Videoblogs can be fed through RSS. This is technology of syndicating your website to other RSS aggregators.
Videoblogging works with people on the internet expressing their selves. Now if you put this on a business prospective, you are up to a lot of benefits. Think of it as a powerful tool in making showing your prospective customers your line of products or your services. It’s just like showing a commercial all for free. And if you videoblog through RSS, then most probably you are getting your target market.
People like to see what they are going to buy. Some would like to see proof and be sure that they are getting their money’s worth before shelving their dimes on it. All of us know the influence of a thirty second commercial. The effect of videoblogging is similar to that. You show your product, people watch it. If they like it, they buy it. If you present it good enough, they’ll buy the product even if they don’t need it.
Now on the web, things are pretty much static, unlike in television in which all are moving. If you post something that is mobile, it would most likely catch attention. Now imaging your product parading in all it’s royalty through videoblog. You’ll get phone call orders in no time.
If your business is just starting up, you can create a videoblog right at your own home. All you need is your web camera, microphone, video software, and lights. For as long as you know how to use your camera, then you can create a videoblog.
Invest in a good web camera. The higher its resolution is the better the output. And you like to present your goods in the optimum way so get the best one possible. Make a short story, or just capture your goods in one go. Just make sure you are getting the best profile for each. Get those creativity juices flowing.
Lights are important in a production. Make sure you illuminate entirely the area you are going to use to create videoblog. The brighter the area, the crispier the images will be. You can also use lighting effects for added appeal to the presentation.
Should you require sounds for your videoblog, you need a microphone. Record you voice as a voice over for promoting the product and its benefit to consumers. Sounds are as important as videos on a videoblog. It is advisable to make your sound effects as enticing as the video.
Your video editing software can be any program. You need this to finalize your work. You can add sounds, delete some bad angles, or insert some still pictures in there too. Some programs are user-friendly and can be used even with zero knowledge on video editing. Even simple video editing programs should do the trick. Select your background carefully too. The light affects the presentation so make sure that the background and the light complements each other.
Videoblogging is a great tool but it also has it downside. It may slow down the computer so other may steer clear of it. Download time may also be time consuming especially if customer is still on a dial- up connection.
But don’t let those stop you. Let videoblogging be an alternative for you, though it is best to still keep the text and pictures present in your presentation to accommodate all possible viewers of your site.
Nowadays, the more creative you are in presenting your product to the market, they more you are likely to succeed. Videoblogging offers an interactive way of selling. You involve the customers. You instill in them the advantage of your goods. And at times, those are enough to make a sale.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Boost Your Business With Blogging!
Boost Your Business With Blogging!
Business blog is an incredible online marketing tool that saves you thousands of dollars but provides great business opportunities in just one click. Blogs are user-friendly, customized and flexible medium for disseminating useful information for effective positioning of your products in the market.
Companies engaging in business blogging have a definite edge over its competitors. Here are some advantages:
? Word-of-Mouth. In a survey, there are currently 14 million blogs with 80,000 more being added each day and about 30 percent of the 50 million users are blog readers. Imagine how much gain your company will have, if your products are advertised through blogs. With Internet, information spreads so quickly especially if an impressive write-up goes with your product. Soon your blogs will be passed on to hundreds of possible customers.
? Awareness and loyalty. Open communication with your customers creates trust and loyalty among them. Being there to respond to their questions and comments make them all the more willing to try your products and services.
? Feedback. Blogs is good for product research and reviews. It would be easier to improve on your products if you observe your customers’ thinking and behavioral patterns. You can also take immediate action to your customers’ concerns.
? Community halo-effect. Bloggers are reasonable, friendly and helpful. They are more than willing to create blogosphere of comments regarding your product. The only thing you have to do is embrace and take active part in the culture and your product will surely be considered in their next stop to the supermarket.
For better marketing results, actively promote your business blogs by submitting your blogs to blog search sites and directories. Do not forget to paste in with your blogs, your URL. Be sure that your blogs contain exclusive information with value and are always updated to keep readers popping in, read up your blog, move on to the next and click on again for updates.
Blog is like a setup booth in the biggest trade show on earth everyday. Marketing possibilities are just around the corner waiting to strike your sale scales up.
The Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds are important too in conjunction with your blogs to get the best benefits. Use effective keyword phrases to generate high ranking status in the search engine traffic. In this way you have better chances of people finding your website leading to your blogs. More traffic means more potential sales.
For this to be successful, you can use RSS for news update feeds which can be read through RSS reader application. This is a very useful tool for business and internet marketers as well.
If you are already convinced with the potentials of business blogs for marketing and targeting sales increase, your company is now ready to start blogging. But first, you have to be in tune with your company’s business objectives and determine if blogging will really help you achieve your goal.
1. Several blogs are dedicated to teaching people the do’s and don’ts of blogging, READ them! Include in your reading materials blogs that are consumer-based too to give you an idea.
2. Setup several test blogs right away.
If your initial try out with blogs worked well, you can now start setting up your blogs.
1. Study blog design. Blog hosting services provide pre-designed templates. But if you opt for paid blog service, you can ask your artist to design and layout your blog site to match the company’s identity and needs.
2. Choose a topic. Its good to have a line-up of topics you want for your blogs but be sure they are in consonance with your business objectives. This would be a test of your flexibility and open-mindedness since results may be going against the set objectives.
3. Remember the following safety measures in blogging:
? legal issues are sometimes involved in blogging; it is safer to include disclaimers and limitations of liabilities;
? corporate communication and legal department are responsible in educating the senior management on how blogs might affect business;
? create blogging policies; set limits on who gets to blog and what information are allowed to be made public;
? avoid outright marketing blog or you will shy away your readers;
? make content updated, relevant and fresh;
? reinforce the company’s core values; and,
? encourage employees to use it.
4. Start blogging and complete 20 posts before going to marketing.
5. Begin marketing.
6. Regularly monitor the coming ins and outs of readers and get updates. Then, measure your results.
7. Adjust if needed. You can always play with your designs in the blog site as long as it remains to match the company’s identity.
8. Strive to be consistent with your topic all the time.
9. Try to have unrelated topics with general and broad appeal.
10. Schedule updates regularly. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday would be best to update blogs.
Once you have done all these things, you can now ultimately enjoy the benefits of business blogging.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Importance of Blog Design
Importance of Blog Design
Blogs have increased popularity over this past months. Many people have started to create their personal blogs to express their thoughts and feelings. Internet companies have also started their blogs to inform consumers on the latest product news and reviews.
Because of this, blogs are also being used as internet marketing media. Before, internet marketing is done by placing banners and links on popular websites, such as news and information sites. Links were also included on newsletters and marketing letters sent to the members of their mailing lists.
Many people spend time reading blogs. People read their friend's blogs, their favorite author's blogs, blogs on topics that they are interested in, and blogs on product reviews. With the increasing popularity of blogging, it is even feared that people rely on blogs to get the latest news.
While getting news reports from blogs isn't reliable, some people look for product reviews through blogs. In some cases, this is more dependable. While it is true that some media persons are being paid to write good reviews about a certain product, blog writers write about their actual experiences on products and services from a company.
Since there are many people who read and start their own blogs, blogs are a good medium to market a product. With the increasing blog traffic means increase in product sales.
Blog traffic can be increased by joining affiliate programs and sites, which will list your blog under a certain search category or name. You can also have your blog advertised in popular websites. This, however, will cost some money and is not advisable if you have just started blogging.
A writer who has just launched his/her blog will want as much traffic as possible to increase advertisements on the site. Also, some advertisers pay every time their link is clicked or the page that has their link is viewed.
When you have increased traffic on your blog, you should try to keep you visitors coming back and recommending your blog to friends and colleagues.
This can be done by having informative or amusing content and good blog layout and design. You may develop your blog's content or you can also acquire the services of a web content writer to provide you with the blog articles.
The blog's layout and design also plays a big role. While most of the companies offering free blog hosting offer pre-selected templates, there are also some that allows customization that if you utilize this feature correctly can increase your blog's traffic.
Here are a few tips to make your blog stand out from the millions of blogs out there that have standard designs.
* Customize the banner
The banner usually has the most generic designs that are common to the blogs from a blogging company or service.
You can personalize this banner by having a graphic with the dimensions of the banner. You can also edit the graphic so that it will also include the title of your blog.
In this case, you can create your own graphic or you can purchase professional looking graphics online for less than $10.
* Personalizing photos
Of course, most of the photos that you will be posting will be your own. However, if you don't customize the photos before posting them, you may miss maximizing the enhancing benefits graphics can add to the page. Adding photo borders can help the photo stand out from the page.
It can also add to the design of your blog. You can choose a standard border or you can also create your own border which can be associated with your blog's templates.
* Add a favicon
Don't you think sites with icons on the address bar before the website's URL are cool? Many people do. These favicons add a professional look to the URL. These easy to do using photo or graphic editing softwares.
* Check out blog templates, layouts, backgrounds, textures and skins from sites
There are sites that offer free blog templates, layouts, backgrounds, textures and skins. You can make use of these so your blog will not look generic like most of the blogs hosted by the service provider.
* Include RSS feeds
This is a cool way to inform people with newsreaders about your blog headlines. Tutorials on RSS feeds are available on the internet.
* Audio makes your blog more personal
Not only does audio personalizes the blog; it can also keep your visitors coming back. You can try having streaming radio stations, mp3 file or playlists loading with your blog.
* Advertisements
If you have signed-up with Google Ad-Sense, which I am sure you would like to do, make sure that the ads are conveniently placed that these will not hinder your readers' ease in accessing the information on your blog.
Try using these tips and you can definitely increase and retain traffic on your blog.
Blogs have increased popularity over this past months. Many people have started to create their personal blogs to express their thoughts and feelings. Internet companies have also started their blogs to inform consumers on the latest product news and reviews.
Because of this, blogs are also being used as internet marketing media. Before, internet marketing is done by placing banners and links on popular websites, such as news and information sites. Links were also included on newsletters and marketing letters sent to the members of their mailing lists.
Many people spend time reading blogs. People read their friend's blogs, their favorite author's blogs, blogs on topics that they are interested in, and blogs on product reviews. With the increasing popularity of blogging, it is even feared that people rely on blogs to get the latest news.
While getting news reports from blogs isn't reliable, some people look for product reviews through blogs. In some cases, this is more dependable. While it is true that some media persons are being paid to write good reviews about a certain product, blog writers write about their actual experiences on products and services from a company.
Since there are many people who read and start their own blogs, blogs are a good medium to market a product. With the increasing blog traffic means increase in product sales.
Blog traffic can be increased by joining affiliate programs and sites, which will list your blog under a certain search category or name. You can also have your blog advertised in popular websites. This, however, will cost some money and is not advisable if you have just started blogging.
A writer who has just launched his/her blog will want as much traffic as possible to increase advertisements on the site. Also, some advertisers pay every time their link is clicked or the page that has their link is viewed.
When you have increased traffic on your blog, you should try to keep you visitors coming back and recommending your blog to friends and colleagues.
This can be done by having informative or amusing content and good blog layout and design. You may develop your blog's content or you can also acquire the services of a web content writer to provide you with the blog articles.
The blog's layout and design also plays a big role. While most of the companies offering free blog hosting offer pre-selected templates, there are also some that allows customization that if you utilize this feature correctly can increase your blog's traffic.
Here are a few tips to make your blog stand out from the millions of blogs out there that have standard designs.
* Customize the banner
The banner usually has the most generic designs that are common to the blogs from a blogging company or service.
You can personalize this banner by having a graphic with the dimensions of the banner. You can also edit the graphic so that it will also include the title of your blog.
In this case, you can create your own graphic or you can purchase professional looking graphics online for less than $10.
* Personalizing photos
Of course, most of the photos that you will be posting will be your own. However, if you don't customize the photos before posting them, you may miss maximizing the enhancing benefits graphics can add to the page. Adding photo borders can help the photo stand out from the page.
It can also add to the design of your blog. You can choose a standard border or you can also create your own border which can be associated with your blog's templates.
* Add a favicon
Don't you think sites with icons on the address bar before the website's URL are cool? Many people do. These favicons add a professional look to the URL. These easy to do using photo or graphic editing softwares.
* Check out blog templates, layouts, backgrounds, textures and skins from sites
There are sites that offer free blog templates, layouts, backgrounds, textures and skins. You can make use of these so your blog will not look generic like most of the blogs hosted by the service provider.
* Include RSS feeds
This is a cool way to inform people with newsreaders about your blog headlines. Tutorials on RSS feeds are available on the internet.
* Audio makes your blog more personal
Not only does audio personalizes the blog; it can also keep your visitors coming back. You can try having streaming radio stations, mp3 file or playlists loading with your blog.
* Advertisements
If you have signed-up with Google Ad-Sense, which I am sure you would like to do, make sure that the ads are conveniently placed that these will not hinder your readers' ease in accessing the information on your blog.
Try using these tips and you can definitely increase and retain traffic on your blog.
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