Need Help With Your Blogging?
- Download your copy NOW!
Do you blog? Are you looking for ways to improve your blog?
Yes then you’ve come to the right place.
If like me you saw other peoples blog and you were full of ideas of the things you’d like to write about but when it comes to writting regularly it just doesn’t happen the way you imagined? I was uninspired by my own blog! So as part of my blog move and trying something new with I signed up a little while a go now to Nikki Pilkingtons 30 day challenge. NikkiPilkington.com describe themselves as “Internet and Social Media Marketing for companies who realise marketing online needs an integrated approach…”
I haven’t yet completed the course, but the information I have received so far is so easy to understand and to find a way to implement that I thought I’d share it with you.
Originally created as a 1 per day email course, but by popular demand they have now bundled all the information together into this e-book.
I haven’t had the time to actually write the blog post every day, so this will take me a lot longer to work through, but I am learning and trying and hopefully adding interesting, informative posts.�
Every day is a suggestion or tip on how to write better posts, where to look for inspiration or generally how to improve your blog.
If this all sounds like the kind of information you need then Buy your copy of 30 Day Blogging Challenge here.
Don’t forget to comment below and add a link to your blog, then we can keep an eye out for all the new posts you’ll be making.
6 Top Tips How To Network On Facebook
How to make the most of networking on Facebook
Since Facebook changed the way it worked and allowed users to create posts from their own fan pages on other users pages it has opened up a whole new world where you can take your fan-page out to other people rather than just waiting for them to stumble across you.
This has led to a large increase in networking pages of different sizes being created. “Send in the troops“, “Rainbow small business network” and “a little birdy told me“, link dog“ to name but a few. All with their own sets of rules. When you come across a new site that’s allowing you space to showcase your site, I suggest you look for posts that tell you how the page admins want you to post. In business or personal mode, photos, tags etc. If you break their rules your post may be deleted anyway, or you’ll get a virtual and public scolding, so check out the rules first.
1) Identify sites where your target audience is likely to be waiting. Check out pages of people who sell similar products and see where their new likers come from. (Lots of new likers offer this info very useful)
2) Identify the site rules, these may be found in several places. Possibly in the info page of the site, or the documents section or possibly in the posts that the site admin post (to see this on the top of the page wall you have two options the name of the site on the left will allow you to filter the comments so only the page admins comments are visible, the right hand option allows you return to the most popular or most recent posts.
3) Don’t just say hi from ….. post something interesting and eye catching. Post a photo of your products or something connected to the service you provide. People will be drawn by the photo. If you can’t post photos (back to those rules again) then post something different that will stand out, a joke, products or service description. Imagine at this point you’re selling in the market competing with all the other traders, show them your business and give people a reason to “like” you over others.
Ok so you’ve set the trap and someone’s taken the bait and “liked” your page now what?
4) Show some personality; if it’s your business then you “the person” will be a big part of the process. People will come for the products but you want them to want to read the future posts too and not unlike you. Who would you rather buy from someone who you’ve chatted to online, or someone who just posts visit my website ………. to buy XYZ.
5) Encourage people to interact with you.
Ask questions for them to answer, welcome new people to your page, and answers any questions that they have. Most of all don’t spam people, post if you have something to say, if you have something to add, but a lot of people will get fed up if you are constantly posting to the news feed.
6) Don’t become obsessed with the numbers.
Yes it’s nice to see the number on the left hand-side increase with people liking in personal mode but would you rather 1 person who liked in business mode but chats, asks question, and promotes your site or 100 people who “liked” purely for the like back? and then likely hid you from their news feed anyway. The numbers on your insight pages give a more accurate view of the number of people who “like” the site as they also include the business pages.
Do you have a fanpage? How to do you attract new “likers”? Do you go out a network on other sites? Or wait for them to come to you? Why not drop me a comment and let me know your opinion. Or if you’re not already a fan come and visit the Pippas web fan-page
Move from Blogger to WordPress
Welcome to the new WordPress blog.
I’ve been putting off the inevitable, moving my blog from blogger to WordPress. The first problem was me creating problems, I thought I needed to be able to access the database, not just know what it was called etc.
Then fretting over the the choice of themes and plugins. Well the deed is now done and the blog is now moved, but as with all new things there may be a few issues, if you find a problem please drop me a line. Thank you for you time
Have You Got The X-Factor
Have you been following stories about Cheryl Cole being sacked from the US X factor. Well to be honest I don’t know all the ins and outs but having read some of the articles on themirror.co.uk and there are several reasons being bandied around as to why she was sacked,
1) The Americans couldn’t understand her accent – (how ridiculous, the range of accents in America, and they can’t cope with her Geordie accent)
2) She wasn’t pushing herself forward enough, letting the other judges dominate the discussion.
Whatever happens I’m sure Cheryl will bounce back, and go on to many more exciting new projects.
So why am I writing about this? How does it relate to you?, your business? and more importantly your website?.
Firstly the WHY?
I’m trying to be topical. Relating things you do to recent events can help to drive traffic to your blog / site / business. You can be inspired from pretty much anywhere but some good sources check out Twitter trends see what people are searching for the most on there, news sites, as well as other blog posts might spark an idea.
So how does this relate?
Does your business / site / blog have the X-factor do you stand out from the crowd? Do you make a noise or let everyone else talk over you.
Don’t let your accent or the way you write, put people off. Although we’re working online, we still have an accent, not an audible one, but our writing style.
When you write you might want to avoid using local words like Scran=food, dual-track = dual carriageway. Keep your writing clear and simple, look at your target audience and write for them. If your target is officer worker in the city, talking about the sheep being dipped on the farms will mean very little to them . However if you are writing for a local community, then use some local language, will give your writing some character, just be aware that not everyone may understand or appreciate it.
Don’t sit back in the shadows, voice your opinion.
You are (or should be) an expert in your field, you have your OWN personal experience on which to draw. When you network either in person or online, or write for a site or blog, don’t be afraid to say your piece. You opinion is just as valuable as anyone else’s. Join forums in your niche area and offer help with issues or your opinion. Join in discussions, listen to others ideas you might just learn something but they can also learn form you. You’ll get a lot more out of these activities if you participate than if you’re a lurker.
By participating on forums blogs etc. you can get links to your site or blog, always useful to the search engines, but by drawing attention to yourself people will be interested in finding out more (so make sure your profile and signatures includes web addresses where possible).
Conclusion:
So it’s decision time, do you have the X-factor, or should you be sacked? Are you after the limelight or happy to let others take the glory while you lurk.
Go tell someone new about your business. But don’t forget to leave a comment on here and tell us how it went.
Pippas Web design websites for start up companies and small business, check us out.
Who Are You Writing For?
As an avid fan if “The Apprentice” and watching the marketing tasks, where they have to work out their target audience. Is the product for the yummy mummy, or the business woman. But this still isn’t personal enough. The top marketing and advertising companies will create a full persona to describe who the are aiming their product and their campaign at.
 |
| Who you writing for? |
For example a new range of babies bibs could be aimed at Phillipa Jaynes, she is a 24yr old, new Mum, living in London, she does yoga and baby yoga with baby Matt. They’d work out her daily routine, what she does, where she shops. Why ? So they know how to interact with her, how to get their products in front of her, but mostly so that the information about the product is promoted as a product that she will like.
What’s this got to do with me and my site?
Have you noticed how if you write a letter your writing style differs if you’re writing to someone you know, rather than some nameless, faceless person.
Whenever you write something, stop and think who are you writing it for. If it’s content for a site then, who do you want to be reading this, are you writing for the ‘head CEO of some company’ or are you writing for a ‘busy new Mum’.
When I write this blog, I write for my Mum. (ahhhh how sweet, I hear you sigh), well yes and no. So why my Mum? Simple she doesn’t know or understand jargon. If I don’t explain myself clearly she’ll only be on the phone or email saying I don’t understand this, so for the easier life, I focus on straight talking for everyone to understand.
By understanding who you are writing for you can:
- Write using the appropriate level of terminology. For example, for beginners, if you use jargon you need to explain what it means. However if you’re writing about the design of a new car, or piece of machinery, you are likely to want to use jargon to demonstrate your knowledge.
- Understand where to look for links : if your target person for the blog post or site is a yummy Mummy, into yoga, and babies, then this is where you need to start looking for links. Parenting sites, yoga sites, baby blogs, etc. These links will help direct your targeted traffic to you site or blog.
So who do you have in mind when you start writing? Why not share your thoughts on it.
From Spiderman to Spamming in One Blog
Back in 2002 in the first Spiderman film there was this quote
I’m learning it can be like this with blogs. You spend time and great efforts trying to get people to notice them, wanting people to read what you’ve written, make comments, you decide if you want to make your site dofollow to reward your commenter’s and what happens you get spammed.
Recently one particular post has been targeted, on here and I don’t see why. What’s the point ?
OK yes the obvious answer is you’re trying to get a link to your site. But as Google pays more respect to links that are from sites on a related topic, this link won’t really help.
Spam filter will stop obvious spam messages before it goes live. A lot of bloggers moderate their blog (including me) I do like having comments and if you are adding a link to your site I will more than likely check it out. So if I find the site is inappropriate or offensive it goes straight to be deleted.
So how do you know you’re being spammed?
“Anonymous” - Who is leaving the message? - OK not everyone who leaves an anonymous message will be a spammer but most will want to sign their work, so anyone who doesn’t I am automatically wary of and check their messages.
“Links within the comment field” – most people are content to have a a link with or alongside their name. and sometimes demonstrate the point they’re making in the comment it might be worth adding a link within the comment, but I’ve had several messages where the whole message is just keywords and links, no message, no thought (Straight to spam box).
“Messages in foreign languages” – again not all posters who do this are trying to spam but, seeing a message you can’t read, to me sets of warning bells. I translate message using online translators, to check for in appropriate or offensive language (I don’t use it and I don’t think it’s necessary).
A link on a blogs comment, to me is a reward or a thank you for leaving a comment, so stop trying to cheat the system, if you anybody or anybody working on your behalf uses these spamming tactics, consider the harm it could end up doing to your site. Or at least the wasted efforts of tracking down the blog and then having your spam comment go straight into the spam box and deleted. Play the game and play fair, or I might just set Spiderman onto you.
Pippas Web design websites for start up companies and small business, check us out.
Don’t Sell Yourself Short – You ARE Clever.
Last night, I was making some changes to the Cricket Club website ready for the new season, when my husband turned and said what to him was a heartfelt comment,
I took it almost as a throw away comment because to me, I don’t feel clever, I think what I do, everyone could do, so what make me special.
Yet I still don’t think of myself as clever????? Time for a change of mind set I think.
Then I got thinking about it and I realised that I and probably many others are just selling ourselves short. Our interests and skills are OURS, we learned them, we put the effort in, something’s are easier than others to learn or do. However something’s are harder for other people but they still do it.
As part of learning, developing and your SEO campaign you’ll be busy reading blogs, articles and websites from people in your area of expertise. This can have a two-fold effect
It can help you learn new things, give you new ideas,
or
it can make you think all these people know so much more than me.
Don’t let yourself worry about or get upset about the second one. Remember that chances are the person behind the blog your reading has been working in this area a lot longer than you. But behind the blog, the article is a real person, just like you.
For your own blog, it’s your personality as well as your knowledge that people are interested in, try to put something of you into everything you do, it’ll give you more personal satisfaction, and make it more interesting for you readers.
Value Your own judgement, Your knowledge. Use others as a source of knowledge, a source of authority for your link building, but Not Gods, they’re real people using their knowledge and experience to their advantage so go forth and do the same.
I’ve told you why I’m clever, so now it’s over to you. Please leave a comment below to tell me and everyone else, what you do that is clever too.
To see how Pippasweb could help your start up or small business, check us out.
Now We Are Do Follow.
Ok I know there’s mainly only me on here for now but in case you do want to leave me a comment, I have made Pippas web DIY SEO a do follow site.
What does this mean for you?
If you leave a comment after an of my posts you can opt to leave a web address / a link to your site, which will count favourably in Google eyes.
Yes the option to add a link was there before, but now the link will be given a little bit more influence from Googles point of view.
How to make a Blogger / blogspot site Do Follow.
The default setting of any blogger blog is to make it a nofollow. However to change the blog is surprisingly easy.
1. Go to Design and click Edit HTML.
2. Tick Expand Widget Templates.
3. Search for ‘NoFollow.’ On your key board press CTRL + F (short key) or click on the edit button on your tool bar next to file, then scroll down to Find. You will find at least two of them in the code.
4. Remove just the words “rel=”nofollow”” from the tag
<a expr:href="data:comment.authorUrl" href="" rel="’nofollow’><comment.author"> </comment.author></a>
5. The second nofollow attribute is for tracing sites that link to your post.
<a expr:href="data:backlink.url" href="" rel="nofollow"><backlink.title></backlink.title></a>
You can make these links dofollow or leave a no follow, it’s completely optional.
6. Save the template. Close and reopen your blog and check comments. Congratulations you are now DO Follow too.
Why not leave a comment to celebrate.
To see how Pippasweb could help your business, check us out.
New Year Resolutions 2011
I have been promising to do more work on this blog and now seems as good a time to get going on it.
My New Year Resolution is to post at least two posts a week, on Monday and Friday.
My plan is to try start at the beginning and give info for small businesses, the first post has already been posted today about 5 things to consider when naming your business.
The posts will include:
- tips for small businesses and how to set one up.
- Web design information and tips
- SEO things you can do to help your own site.
This blog is here to empower you, so whether you use it to develop your own website, or just to give yourself an understanding before employing someone, (after all you have your own business to run too).
I will also post onto the blog in between if I can with, but I have to be realistic with my time. My kids come first, clients sites second and then my own site and blog.
So don’t miss out, subscribe to the blog using the options on the right and receive the posts directly to your inbox, or blog reader.
What are your business New Year Resolutions? Why not share them here.
To see how Pippasweb could help your business, check us out.
Low on energy and motivation
For those of you who don’t know, I recently moved 50miles from Worcester to Stafford. It means my family is now re-united as prior to the move my husband was working in Stafford all week and travelling home to see us at weekends.
Before the move, I was busy updating my facebook page, my blog, getting links, doing work on sites. I would look after two children all day, get them to bed between 7:30 and 8, then work until somewhere between 12 and 1am yet still wake up ok with them in the morning ready for classes. Since the move my energy levels have crashed. I only have one child most of the day because my oldest started school, so there’s more routine during the day. Daddy arrives home just after 5pm and generally he does bed times, yet I sit at the computer and I fall asleep. So I’m sorry, if you’re wondering why it’s all so quiet.
I’m still working on sites, but not really doing much else right now. My little internet bubble has temporarily popped, I don’t have a clue what’s been going on, with facebook / twitter or anything else.
I’m sure also that once I settle in to Stafford life I’ll be catching up, and adding more onto the blog and my facebook fansite.
I’m sure everyone has times like this, if so drop me a comment on here and share you’re experience.
A quick update from a Pippas Web work point. I’ve finished the Educational recruitment site I was having to work on down the pub straight after the move because my wifi / broadband was out of action for several weeks. (How I suffered having to go down the pub every night). I’ve got a few other sites at different stages of development, and someone suggested that I take a look at WordPress as an alternative to moonfruit. Well it’s something I had thought about but hadn’t got round to. So I’ve signed up for a wordpress blog, and I’m looking round. So any suggestions for any good wordpress books, courses or sites would be greatfully received.
To see how Pippasweb could help your business, check us out.
