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Out of ideas for your blog? I don't think so

Saturday, November 21, 2009 by Michael Burton
One of the most common concerns our clients and potential clients have is writer's block.  They feel as if they have exhausted every bit of information about their company, and they have nothing else to say.  

We at Compendium want to make sure you know one thing: It is IMPOSSIBLE to run out of things to write about. Every member of your staff has a different viewpoint on the way your company works and the products it develops.  Every member is an expert at something, or they wouldn't be spending 8 hours a day doing it!

Do you need some help with post ideas?  Check out this post by Doug Karr.  In Doug's post, "200 blog post ideas for your company blog," he lists 200 topics that your company can be blogging about.  

If your company is struggling with content, encourage bloggers to check out Doug's post and see what sorts of topics they can start writing about today.

Blogging and Business Sustainability

Thursday, November 19, 2009 by Sarah Sedberry
This morning I was reading an interesting article on business sustainability and how it relates to blogging. It took a refreshing look at why a corporate blog is important to the sustainability of a company, as a communication tool.

A key paragraph stuck out to me, where the author describes how a blog ultimately holds a company and its employees responsible for the message they are delivering and the work they are producing.  Which is something that happens internally in a company everyday, but with a blog - it holds you accountable to your customers as well.

"Simply having a company blog open to comments from readers gives a key message on the importance and acceptance of differing viewpoints to that company. When truly an expression of the views of an individual business executive, blogging provides a strong foundation for individual accountability. And through opening him or herself up to a more personal connection with readers I believe the executive blogger creates an environment in which the views of their external stakeholders [potential customers] are front of mind..."


A blog is a simple and effective way to engage with those outside of your company, and allows a business the ability to have a conversation with those interested in their products and services.  It allows the company to share its knowledge and show why they are a reliable partner to their clients and customers, in a cost effective and environmentally friendly communication tool.



Full article: "Blogging Really Can Enhance Corporate Sustainability"
 

Versatility in blogging

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 by Michael Burton
One of my favorite things about blogging is its versatility.  Here at Compendium, we firmly believe that blogging for business fits directly into the marketing campaign of any organization.  Blogs are such a powerful tool because they can be tailored to be about anything you feel like writing about.

Whether you have a huge company providing business world-wide or own a small Mom & Pop store in your small town, there is a place for blogging in your business.  Blog posts can focus on anything from your products and services to special promotions and upcoming events.

Any of your employees can find a place in blogging as well.  Hearing from a wide variety of employees, such as marketing, sales, support, etc. can give readers a look at different aspects of what your company does and how it operates.

If you would like more information on how Compendium might fit in best with your company, contact a Compendium blogging expert today!

'Simple' is better in business blogging

Thursday, November 12, 2009 by Brian Millis
Have you ever stumbled across a blog and thought, wow, that is an amazing looking blog?  But as you navigate the page, you get lost because there is so much going on?  Here are some great examples of incredible blogs that will inspire any digital artist out there.  There is no argument that these blogs are beautiful and creative.  But if you're a business, and the goal of your corporate blog is to drive visibility through better organic search marketing, is MORE always a good thing? 

I think not.  What is great about Compendium Clients, is that their blogging has a true purpose.  As you can see from that link, we have some great looking templates as well.  But everything is focused at the ROI of business blogging.  It's simple:
  • Write useful content
  • Get found in search by the right peoplesimple business blogging
  • Convert that traffic to a lead with a clear Call-To-Action
  • Make more money
Now of course I understand that interaction, engagement, subscriptions, etc. are all wonderful as well.  But for a business, what is most important?  Therefore, next time you find a company blog, take a hard look at all the widgets and gadgets that consume the page.  Are they really helping?  Take a note from unrelated businesses on simplicity.  Simple can be better! 

Firefly180 satisfied with Compendium's support

Thursday, November 12, 2009 by Compendium Client Reviews
Firefly180 is pleased with the work that Compendium's employees have put into Firefly180's blog. Firefly180's president and creative director, Lisa Proctor, is "so thrilled that [Compendium] is working so diligently to ensure my blogging program success." She is appreciative of the time Compendium's client success team spent to explain how the new linking program works. Lisa was very satisfied with the time and attention that was dedicated to ensuring the success of her company's blog.

Name: Stephanie West
Company: Compendium Blogware
BlogURL:

Don't forget to design your blogs for conversion

Monday, November 9, 2009 by Chris Baggott
Blog Design:   Someone on a linked in group I follow mentioned blog design.  This is critical, but not for the reason you might think. This specific discussion was focused on Blogging as a Search Marketing tool.   This means that the majority of your blog visitors are going to be first timers...and more importantly finding you because they are trying to solve a problem.  

In that light, you have to consider your calls to action.  What are the CTA's that can turn that prospect into a customer?

So many bloggers focus the most valuable real estate on their blogs to CTA's like "follow me on twitter" or "RSS My Blog" and forget about the actions that actually drive business right now.

Think about these blogs as organic landing pages....akin to a PPC landing page.  How does your PPC page convert traffic to leads and customers and apply that same design on your blogs.

Roto Rooter is a great example of this.  People find these blogs by searching things like "Plumber Detroit" or "24 Hour Plumber".   They are not that interested in being followers right now...right now they are trying to solve a plumbing problem.    Help them by using clear Calls to Action on your business blogs.

Blog Template CTA  Corporate Blogging software

More marketers are practicing organic search optimization

Friday, November 6, 2009 by Stephanie West
A recent article by Advertising Age titled, Digital Marketing: The State of Search Marketing: 2009, has reported that search marketing is continuing to grow.  In addition, about 9 out of 10 marketers are practicing organic search optimization.  That's a large percentage of marketers that are going organic to get found in search!

http://2medschool.blogspot.com/2007/10/organic-chemistry-alkyl-halides-part-ii.htmlThe benefits of leveraging your online marketing strategy by organic search are limitless.  Since many people are clicking on organic search results, they are attracting viewers to their blog, which can, in turn, draw potential customers into their website. 

If you want to acquire new customers and then convert those customers - corporate blogging might be your answer because blogging humanizes your marketing strategy.

Compendium's corporate blogging software is designed to help leverage your blog in organic search - with a humanized approach.  Nine out of 10 marketers are trying to position themselves in organic search - which mean YOU (as the customer) are likely to come into contact with one of these marketer's organic search strategies. 

For more information on blogging for organic search and how it pertains to you - click here to speak with a blogging expert.  They will explain the benefits of using Compendium's blog software to you!

Google Software Engineer Discusses Rankings

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by Amber Mohling
What's the main focus of your company's blog marketing program and search marketing program?


Recently Matt Cutts, a Google Sofware Engineer, posted a youtube video disucssing ranking, and he challenged companies that they should be more focused on converting better instead of getting obsessed with ranking. 

In the Client Success department at Compendium, we do focus a lot of time on helping our clients receive great search results on numerous keywords related to their business.  However, we believe that the success of a blog program is looking at tangible ROI results, i.e. online leads developed and then ultimately conversion. 

To learn more about the success of our clients' blog programs, check out some of their case studies by clicking here




It's true... YOU can be an all-pro blogger!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 by Michael Burton
Chances of becoming a professional basketball player - 1 in 400,000
 
Chances of becoming an all-pro blogger - 1 in 1

If you want to be one of the 400+ NBA players suiting up every week, you can bet you have to be one of the best of the best to become successful.  It takes years of practice, strength conditioning and pure athleticism to have a strong presence in the NBA.

But what about blogging? The odds couldn’t be more different.  While you need to be a Kobe Bryant or a Lebron James to have the most “success” in the NBA, you don’t have to be a Pulitzer Prize winning writer to write “successful” blog posts.

Success in business blogging is for anyone who can talk about the things they know best: their business.  As long as you use relevant keywords in describing your business and products, your blog will find success.  Don't let the blogosphere intimidate you.  When you're posting relevant content frequently, you will find success in blog software.

Looking for more tips on blogging?  Check out some of our other company blogs and see what other Compendium bloggers have to say about the world of business blogging.

Blog Training Available!

Monday, October 26, 2009 by Sarah Sedberry
We are excited to announce that Compendium Blogware now offers blogger and administrator training for our clients!  So if you're a new blogger or just need to brush up on some blog best practices, sign up to attend one of our weekly training sessions.

Blogging Best PracticsThere are separate times depending on which access you have to the company's blog network, so be sure to contact your Client Success Manager to let them know which one you'll be attending, and they'll be able to send you the log in information (note - all times are Eastern).

  • Tuesdays:
    • User Training - 2:00 pm
    • Admin Training - 2:30 pm

  • Thursdays:
    • User Training - 10:00 am
    • Admin Training - 10:30 am



Happy blogging!

The future of business blogging... As told by Chris Baggott

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 by mikey mioduski
Don't look at me, look at our CEO and Co-Founder, Chris Baggott. His upcoming webinar, "What every marketer should know about the future of Business Blogging" is this Thursday, October 22, 2009, from 2-3 est.

I've been working here for well over a year now, I've heard Chris talk about business blogging week after week, and it never gets old! If you've never tuned in to one of his webinars, I can honestly say it is well worth your time. Not only will he educate you, he will probably make you a believer. From the many case studies of real companies blogging successfully, to first hand encounters, Chris' stories and ideas are both entertaining and enlightening.

If you have a chance and are available Thursday, you should check it out!

Sign up here.




Blogging for Business - Success Story from Taiga Company

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 by Sarah Sedberry
As we like to consider ourselves partners rather than vendors of our clients, we frequently touch base with blog program owners to touch base, address questions, and provide guidance and feedback on their blog marketing strategy. 
Taiga Company

This past week I had the pleasure of speaking with Julie Urlaub from Taiga Company, who consults on business sustainability.  Julie has seen not only great success from search traffic and click through rates, but also due to the blog, has been establishing herself as a thought leader in her industry.
 
During the recent meeting with Julie, she shared that a reporter from a well published news corporation had found her blog and is now interested in an interview. The interview will be re-purposed across LOTS of mediums and will drive "ungodly amounts of traffic and eyes to her company/blog" This interview would set them up for the entire year of 2010 by establishing them as credible and an authority in their field - which is a huge opportunity for for this small business!

This success story goes to show that no matter the size of your company, as any type of business it is always important to keep an eye on the return on your investments, whether they be monetary or other.  Utilizing a simple blogging software such as Compendium, helps take the stress off of the you, and allow you to focus on the bigger picture - growing your company and bringing in leads.

If your interested in finding out more about our clients and their success stories, check out one of our case studies.


Blogging Best Practices - Writing a Quick & Great Post

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 by Michael Burton
Re-purposing is awesome for writing a quick post.  I recently compiled a high level list of blogging best practices related to writing a great post.  Here were my thoughts:

Tips and tricks to writing a great blog post:
Blog Best Practices

1.    Use your keywords in the post title and in the first sentence of your post

2.    Make sure you are covering timely and relevant topics in your post

3.    Keep to a single, central theme that utilizes a few keywords that are relevant to the content

4.    Use white space; people scan, they don't read. Write short paragraphs and bold important words Make sure you leave space around your images

5.    Dress it up: pictures, data, and video all work great to differentiate your content

6.    Numbered and ordered lists stand out and are simple to digest, use them often

7.    Utilizing keywords effectively in your image descriptions will drive search results

8.    Talk about new products and services

9.    Keep your post engaging and creative; start with a great title

10.    While we are not writing novels, keep your posts grammatically correct; blogs are casual, but they still need to be professional

11.    Keep your posts to a couple of paragraphs in length

Where to get additional content ideas:

•    50 content ideas
•    200 blog post ideas for your company blog

Additional location for best practice information:

•    Compendium help page

Five minutes later...I have another post ready to go.

Building a foundation to blog

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 by Stephanie West
Corporate blogging isn't something that your company should just blindly start doing.  It requires thought and clearly defined goals in order to receive the maximum benefits of blogging for business. 

Before you begin blogging, set goals.  What do you want to achieve?  The only way to successfully blog is if you know exactly which aspects of your company you want to focus on. 

http://www.philosophicalquestions.org/GalleryRollingTwo.htmlOnce you have outlined your blogging goals, you can build your foundation.  Building a foundation on clearly defined goals is like building your foundation of stone.  It is substantial.  Your search marketing strategy can be best executed when you know exactly what you are trying to get accomplished. 

In contrast, blogging for business before outlining your company's blog goals is like building your blogging foundation on sand.  Your blog content may never be maximized in search engine optimization.  And your blog may be a little skewed.  A skewed blog will lead to having sporadic content throughout the internet - and what good is that?

Compendium's corporate blogging software is designed for your blog to be optimized in organic search.  With relevant keywords, you are building a solid foundation.  To keep building on that foundation, you have to continue generating content containing those keywords. 

Schedule a demo with a Compendium blog expert today.  They will determine if your goals are compatible with Compendium's corporate blog strategy!

Stop playing hide and seek with customers...

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 by Michael Burton
In my opinion, one of the best games when I was younger was hide and seek.  It had everything a 11 year old boy wanted in a game: fast running, creative hiding places, and plenty of guarding the "base" when no one was looking...Hide and Seek

However, as much fun as it is when I was younger, I see it as the problem that most people in the business world are still having today- it's like they are caught in a never ending game of hide and seek.  Potential customers hop onto Google with one goal: Find the product or service they're looking for.

It's not a difficult concept- if there are thousands of consumers searching for exactly what you provide, stop hiding!  A customer can't buy from you if they never find you!

Search marketing is the perfect way to address this problem.  When companies blog for business, it makes the process of customers finding your website so much easier.  Check out this recent post about why you should be blogging.

Compendium Blogware is ready and willing to help you address this issue.  We have developed a powerful software solution that makes it easy to maximize your power through search engines.

As much fun as it was to never be found when you were younger, it is not nearly as enjoyable now that customers are looking for you each day and finding competitors instead.  If you're still searching for the best blogging system, you'll find just what you need in Compendium!

Blogs Drive Organic Search

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 by Stephanie West
What drives you to blog for business?

Most people blog to be found in search - especially organic search. 

http://blogging.compendiumblog.com/blog/blogging-for-money

This picture depicts where most "clicks" occur in search.  This is just one reason why you should consider corporate blogging.  The corporate blogging software that Compendium offers is structured so that if your company to generate relevant blog content - which should lead to organic search results. 

Internet searchers are your prospects - and they are searching for the information you are generating.  So in addition to generating good blog content, your blog should have links to other pages of information for your prospects to utilize.  This element leads to lead generation.

Lead generation is your way (as a company) to connect to these prospective clients.

So let me recap:

Prospective leads search.
Most of them click on organic search results in their search.
These leads then read your blog.
They want more information on what you wrote about (your content)
So they click on a link to another page.
And their interest in your company drives them to contact you with more information.
Or the information they fill out allows your company to contact that prospective lead.

All of this leads me to one point: People read blogs.  Blogs humanize your company and are great resources for curious customers.  So consider Compendium's corporate blogging software in order to connect to these perspective customers.  Click here for our free Whitepaper: Consider Blogging for more information on the benefits of blogging!

Compending with Compendium

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 by Stephanie West
I'm a fan of this phrase: Compending with Compendium. 

Sounds catchy, right?  But what exactly does it mean?

http://www.sbi-secureit.com/search-engine-marketing-steps.htmYour company compends on blog content.  Compendium's blogging platform takes your blog content and automatically structures it for maximum search engine optimization.  Everyone wants to be found in search, right?  Compendium's platform is structured with that in mind - so the only thing you are left to do is generate blog content.

This is what is so unique about Compendium's blog software.  This is also why Compendium is so useful for businesses.  It serves as a great business-to-business marketing tool. 

Using Compendium as your company's blog marketing tool will result in many benefits. 

For more information on the benefits that your company can see from corporate blogging, click here to receive our free Webinar: Profit from Business Blogging.  It will help outline the profits from blogging and the benefits you'll receive from blogging with Compendium.

Blogger Keys to Success #3 (of 3)

Monday, September 14, 2009 by Compendium Client Marketing
Your blog will become a direct reflection of how your company is found on search engines.  It's imperative that you write relevant content that centers around the keyword strategies we've developed for you.

Many company blogs fail because they don't answer the questions of the search engine visitor and; as a result, don't attract business.  Utilize our 50 content strategies to develop your content that is relevant to the search engine traffic that will drive your business!

Blogs are not as formal as a marketing brochure site, so you do have opportunities to share insight on your company and your employees... just be sure to do it in such a way that it remains relevant to your audience.  When you're thinking of a topic, think about whether or not you're going to leave the reader with additional insight to your company, products or services that will engage them.

Post Idea: Select a keyword that you've never written about before and write about it!  Utilize the 50 content strategy post if you get stuck on what kind of approach to take.

Related Posts:

Put a Spark in Your Blogging Program

Monday, September 14, 2009 by Krystal Featherston
So every month our Marketing Department has great blogging incentives for Compendium Staff.  The past couple of months we've blogged for drinks/candy, Indians Tickets, gift cards, and free PTO days. 

However, this month it is the "Blogging Bucket and Content Cooler,"which is filled with yummy snacks and drinks for the week.  Each department in this contest and the first to reach their goal of blogs for the week receives the bucket and cooler exclusively in their department for their blogging efforts.  Last week my department won, and we got lots of yummy snack - below is just part of what we got ....
Compendium's Blogging Contest Winners Gift
 
... so that's why I'm blogging today! I want to keep those snacks coming! Everyday around 3pm I need a candy pick-me-up!!!

I think that our Marketing Department does a great job at helping to keep everyone here at Compendium motivated. Also, by providing your employees with incentives is a great way to get your company blogging about your business.  It also allows for your customers to see the "inside" of your company and it can allow them to connect with your company on a deeper level.  

So create a blogging incentive program today and see if you can get your bloggers blogging!  

Not a typical business? You can still blog!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 by Allison Bowen
Many people today still think that blogging is simply a way to write down thoughts and share them with others in the blogosphere.  Mothers blog to share cute things their children do.  Executives blog to discuss ideas they have for their companies.  But hopefully, if you're reading this, you know that blogging is about so much more. 

At Compendium, we often talk about "blogging for business."  But what if your organization isn't a typical business?  Can you still benefit from having a Compendium blog?  Of course!

Not only do I have the title of Client Success Specialist at work, I'm also a 2009 Orr Fellow.  This is a pretty cool title in itself!  Orr Fellows serve a two-year commitment with their host companies (mine being Compendium) and engage in innovative projects.  They also get to work with top company executives in various roles and recruit top talent from around the state of Indiana to be future Fellows.  To learn more about the Fellowship, check out our website.  

As we begin to recruit 2010 Fellows, we came to the realization that we need to have more of an online presence in order to get our name out there.  My solution?  A blog through Compendium!  Although we're not trying to specifically sell anything, we still want people to know our name.  We'd like to collect as many resumes as possible in order to choose the most qualified candidates we can.  So why not start a Fellowship blog?  Not only does blogging provide an excellent opportunity for us to talk about what we do on a daily basis, through Compendium, it can also increase our search engine optimization.  How great would it be if a college senior Googled "Indianapolis Job Opportunities" and an Orr Fellow's blog appeared first in the list?  Obviously this would go a long way in getting our name out to students. 

So despite the fact that your organization may be not be the traditional business to business or business to consumer company, you can still benefit from having a blog!  What organization would not want to draw attention to their site? 

Why not give it a try today?  We're beginning our Orr Fellowship blog here shortly and you can bet that I'll let you know how our results turn out! 


Free Webinar

Using Blogs to Generate and Nurture Demand into Closed Business.

Hosted by Richard Cunningham, VP Marketing of Right On Interactive and Chris Baggott Co-founder, CEO of Compendium Blogware. Thursday, December 3rd 2009.
Sign up here »

Meet Our Team

Abby Brosmer-Rivera Ali Sales Brian Millis Chris Baggott Chantelle Flannery The Client Corner Dereck Martin James Litton Jennifer Buscher Jenni Edwards Jim Hyslop Jess Wehner Krystal Featherston Kaila Woodside Megan Glover Meghan Peters mikey mioduski P.J. Hinton Randy Cox Sarah Sedberry Chandra Chavez Julie Murphy

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