Blogging for SEO isn't wrong, but it can't be your only goal. Why? Because it's the tip of the iceberg. Of course you want your business to get found through search as many ways as possible, but your goal can't stop there.
You want a prospect to find your business blogs through search, and then what?
There is a next step. What is it? You want them to find one of your corporate blogs and then read sixteen posts before leaving the page? You want them to find one of your blogs and then subscribe to an RSS feed in order to come back over and over again and do nothing but read?
You see what I'm getting at here of course.
Your corporate blogging strategy can't focus on only the search engine optimization aspect. SEO is a means to the end, and your end is to make money by creating new relationships. That's it. If someone clicks to your blog from search and finds a webpage that's impersonal, unprofessional, and full of pointless information, then your blogging program is completely falling flat.
Today Compendium's very own Chris Baggott, will be hosting a webinar that goes into more detail on these topics. The webinar will also cover blogging tips, blogging best practices, and more. This is a great opportunity to ask any burning blogging questions. Get details and sign up for the webinar here.
Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 by
Kristen Hanschu
One of the blogging problems that people constantly wrestle with is how long their content should be. In the world of blogging there are two types of people that you will typically run into. One is the "thought leader-must write an essay" type. The second is the "keep it simple so people will read this" type. Which type are you?
We tell our clients that best practices for a blog post is anywhere from 2-5 paragraphs. This keeps your readers engaged. They are able to find what they need in a blog post rather than digging through piles of information. If you find yourself writing posts that are 10, 11, and 12 paragraphs then it is time to shorten them up. You can also split them up into several posts or have them as a series of posts. Big League Tours is a client of mine that does a fantastic job with this.
Of course, you will still be seen as a thought leader even though you are not writing essays. The next time you go to post a blog, keep these blogging tips in mind. If you are spending an hour typing up a post, that is way too much time. Remember to keep it short and to the point. You will gain new readers and people will potential subscribe to your blog because they will care about what you have to say.
We tell our clients that best practices for a blog post is anywhere from 2-5 paragraphs. This keeps your readers engaged. They are able to find what they need in a blog post rather than digging through piles of information. If you find yourself writing posts that are 10, 11, and 12 paragraphs then it is time to shorten them up. You can also split them up into several posts or have them as a series of posts. Big League Tours is a client of mine that does a fantastic job with this. Of course, you will still be seen as a thought leader even though you are not writing essays. The next time you go to post a blog, keep these blogging tips in mind. If you are spending an hour typing up a post, that is way too much time. Remember to keep it short and to the point. You will gain new readers and people will potential subscribe to your blog because they will care about what you have to say.
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 by
Jenni Edwards
I like Chris Brogan, I generally just think he seems like a nice guy and has a good blog; so I read it pretty regularly. This is a side note, but I think one thing that might be left off of this post that I was inspired by today was just that "be a nice guy". Compliment others, let others know when you find something cool or neat, share your knowledge, admit your faults in your blog...all just simply part of being nice. You may not get a lot of people reading your corporate blog regularly like Chris does, but when people do find your blog through search they will like you, stick around, read more and ultimately 'convert' --- all based on them 'liking you'.
Anyways, what Chris did share is a comprehensive list of blog tips. Below are a few favorites that apply to many of us business bloggers from the various compiled articles:
Anyways, what Chris did share is a comprehensive list of blog tips. Below are a few favorites that apply to many of us business bloggers from the various compiled articles:
- Don't over think it. (It's a blog not a dissertation.)
- Comment on other great blogs.
- Mix it up.
- Above all else, be human.
Posted Monday, June 30, 2008 by
Daren Tomey
I just finished reading a great article on The Semantic Web by John-Scott Dixon in the May 2008 issue of Website Magazine. In this article John does a great job of outlining the current short falls of search engines and what the future may in fact look like. I really liked the analogy of doing a search on Randy Johnson's ERA...Great Stuff! I am a major fan of baseball, so that one really caught my attention.
Anyways, the long and short of it is that search engines are delivering far too many results today and will continue to do so for many more years, but as a marketer we are constantly challenged to increase our lead generation efforts through an audience which is passionate and engaged into what products or services we have to offer.
How do you do that? Our client success team will tell you that in order to maximize the benefits of blogging for seo, a blogging best practice is to focus on the mid and long tail approach in their keyword/Compendium blogs as the audience that is using three words or higher when conducting a search are more educated and engaged in what they are searching for and closer to making a purchasing decision.
If you really want to target the audience to drive conversions and ROI, add a local qualifier to your keyword blogs! For more information from Compendium on blogging trends, blogging tips, and blogging best practices, please visit our website frequently!
Anyways, the long and short of it is that search engines are delivering far too many results today and will continue to do so for many more years, but as a marketer we are constantly challenged to increase our lead generation efforts through an audience which is passionate and engaged into what products or services we have to offer.
How do you do that? Our client success team will tell you that in order to maximize the benefits of blogging for seo, a blogging best practice is to focus on the mid and long tail approach in their keyword/Compendium blogs as the audience that is using three words or higher when conducting a search are more educated and engaged in what they are searching for and closer to making a purchasing decision.
If you really want to target the audience to drive conversions and ROI, add a local qualifier to your keyword blogs! For more information from Compendium on blogging trends, blogging tips, and blogging best practices, please visit our website frequently!
Posted Monday, June 30, 2008 by
PJ Hinton
Others' blogs can be a great source of blogging tips, even if they don't come right out and label them as such. Take for example a post that was published by Lead with Your Heart author Lewis Green. In discussing why it's important to give as well as get, Green talks about our natural resistance to "sharing openly" with others in personal and professional settings.
He goes on to list several examples of businesses and individuals who put this principle into practice and succeed by doing so. It's no surprise that his longest bullet point deals with bloggers who use their sites to educate and advise, not just self-promote.
If you are thinking about starting a business blog, SEO might be an attractive selling point. But one of the best blogging benefits you will reap, if you write the right kind of content, is an improved relationship with your customers. Quoting Green's closing remarks in the post:
He goes on to list several examples of businesses and individuals who put this principle into practice and succeed by doing so. It's no surprise that his longest bullet point deals with bloggers who use their sites to educate and advise, not just self-promote.
If you are thinking about starting a business blog, SEO might be an attractive selling point. But one of the best blogging benefits you will reap, if you write the right kind of content, is an improved relationship with your customers. Quoting Green's closing remarks in the post:
People like and like to do business with those they trust and those who have integrity. Sharing ourselves and what we know is the best way to build a trusting relationship, and it doesn't hurt profits.How well can you share?
Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2008 by
Shawna Mullen
Today I read an article in CNN Money which covered business blogging tips. I thought the article had several great points/ideas including: Blogs need to be frequently updated with new content, “Business blogs are a form of conversation marketing that can make a substantial contribution to your company’s bottom line if used correctly”, “writing posts that provide value to the reader is the best way to make your blog attractive to visitors”, and finally “good business blog topics”.
Now there were a few comments that I would have to argue.
1. “Keep in mind that blogging requires a substantial time commitment”. –Generating content shouldn’t be a wearisome task if you understand your industry and your business. Please refer back to my Smile! Say Blog! post. Now, if you are not utilizing an effective blogging software that is not built for organizational purposes (ex/ SEO pieces are not built in, technical experience is required, and/or no success management services), then yes, I believe it would take a substantial time commitment.
2. “Before going down this path, I would carefully look at all my current sales and marketing programs that are already effective and see if I couldn’t improve elements of those before venturing out into the blogosphere.” -Why?! Blogging for a purpose can have a vast impact on your business. Why not begin making use of all the great minds you have hired and let them start generating valuable content to begin increasing SEO rankings! In addition to the other great benefits including, thought leadership, customer acquisition, and human interaction.
My goal of today’s post is to take away some of the negative views about blogging and point out the value blogging can bring to an organization. We need to work on changing our older concept of blogging or “citizen journalism” and focus our energy on blogging for business using a professional blogging software!
Posted Wednesday, March 5, 2008 by
PJ Hinton
Online video syndicator Your Business Chanel is in the process of releasing a four-part video series on business blogging. You can view the clip sans registration at the Salem-News.com website.
Quoting a number of experts in blogging research, the nicely-produced first installment provides a quick run through the reasons for corporate blogging and tips for blogging effectively.
Some of the key points worth taking away the video:
It will be interesting to what will be featured in the next three videos.
Quoting a number of experts in blogging research, the nicely-produced first installment provides a quick run through the reasons for corporate blogging and tips for blogging effectively.
Some of the key points worth taking away the video:
- The migration from large scale marketing to conversational marketing is not only happening, it is a return to the way things were done before the advent of mass media.
- To be successful, a blog needs to be interesting (relevant), human (authentic), valuable, and updated frequently (timely).
- Blogging is suitable for businesses of all sizes.
It will be interesting to what will be featured in the next three videos.
Posted Monday, February 25, 2008 by
Kristen Hanschu
How do you blog for fun and profit? Let us count the ways...
1. Use an easy blogging platform such as Compendium Software. The easier it is to use, the more enjoyable experience you will have.
2. You are writing about your company, so it should be fun! You know what you do best so make it apparent in the blog content.
3. Make this an enjoyable experience by setting aside a certain time in the day to blog. This time can actually be therapeutic and relaxing.
4. Customize your blog by adding pictures, video, and other elements that describe you best.
5. Blog about goals that you or your company want to accomplish. By reaching your set goals it will give you a rewarding feeling and maybe even a raise!
6. Add "calls to action" into your blog. These can be icons with what you or your company is selling, sign up sheets for your newsletter, or even a simple give away. This can easily lead to customer conversion.
7. If you are the boss, give an incentive to those who are blogging more frequently. After all, those individuals are helping to drive more business to the organization.
Just try to follow these simple blogging tips and you should reap the benifits soon!
1. Use an easy blogging platform such as Compendium Software. The easier it is to use, the more enjoyable experience you will have.
2. You are writing about your company, so it should be fun! You know what you do best so make it apparent in the blog content.
3. Make this an enjoyable experience by setting aside a certain time in the day to blog. This time can actually be therapeutic and relaxing.
4. Customize your blog by adding pictures, video, and other elements that describe you best.
5. Blog about goals that you or your company want to accomplish. By reaching your set goals it will give you a rewarding feeling and maybe even a raise!
6. Add "calls to action" into your blog. These can be icons with what you or your company is selling, sign up sheets for your newsletter, or even a simple give away. This can easily lead to customer conversion.
7. If you are the boss, give an incentive to those who are blogging more frequently. After all, those individuals are helping to drive more business to the organization.
Just try to follow these simple blogging tips and you should reap the benifits soon!
Posted Wednesday, February 20, 2008 by
Kristen Hanschu
I continually run into the same thing with new bloggers. They get overwhelmed with what to blog about and where to even start. This is a completely understandable and relatable problem. I have been blogging for a while and still run into this every once in a while. So I have some tips for you newbies!
- Have an easy blogging platform to use. We have the best blogging software available at Compendium which is one the I highly recommend.
- Don't stress on the look of your blog, focus on starting to create content.
- Once you start blogging make sure you have useful content. What is useful content? That can be whatever you want it to be. These blogs can be about anything from news to entertainment to business development. Obviously, if you are a cell phone company then you will want to stick with something along that field rather than venture off into a posting about elephants. Mainly just make sure it is relevant to what your overall theme is going to be.
- Post length is a topic which frustrates many bloggers. Your post length will depend on what you are wanting to convey. If it can be said in 1 paragraph rather than 5 then do so. Your goal is to keep readers engaged.
- Links, Links, Links. This is a blogging secret that not everyone knows about. By adding links into and out of your blog it helps you to be found quicker. It can also help with the conversion rate for your customers.
Posted Tuesday, February 19, 2008 by
PJ Hinton
Small business authority Steve Strauss gives a nod to small business blogging in USA Today's "Ask an Expert" column, which was published on Monday. Describing his own path of personal conversion, he writes:
He also offers blogging tips, linking to sites that demonstrate what he's discussing.
When blogging first made its way into our consciousness a few years ago, I was as skeptical as they come. Was I really heard to remark, "It's the CB radio of our time!" Yes, I was.
But, hallelujah! I see the light! I've become a convert. How much so? Yes, I have just launched my own blog, Business as UNusual.Strauss goes on to make the case for small business blogging, citing many of the same points that we make on our own blogs here at Compendium: networking, product promotion, search engine visibility, customer interaction, and reputation building.
He also offers blogging tips, linking to sites that demonstrate what he's discussing.
Posted Thursday, February 7, 2008 by
Shawna Mullen
Blogging tip #2: Set a scheduled time for blogging! Even though we all think we are going to do our dilligence on blogging for our business because we want to see it fly to the top in Google, think again. We get busy and that's just a hard fact. If we all put in our calendars at least 2-3 days a week (recurring) to take 15-20min out of our day to write something...wow, that's a lot of great, frequent content! How many times do you hear someone say "if it isn't in my calendar it just doesn't happen". Sad, but in some ways we all have to admit, so true. I know that several individuals in my company have stressed the importance of or have already made the suggestion to....but I can't agree more that setting a specific time to blog is extremely beneficial for those contributing content. Our company executes this and although we all occasionally slip, having it in our calendars is a constant reminder to get our blogging done! Smile and make it happen!
Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2008 by
Marty Bird
In what is developing into a series of posts about employee blogging, today I am recommending your company have a blogging champion. This person is in charge of your blogging efforts, and motivates others to continue adding great content to your company blog.Since our success management staff speaks to our clients on a regular basis, one of the blogging tips we're recommending includes this idea of having a blogging champion. Simply an email reminder at a certain time and frequency that shares blogging success, some simple blogging best practices, and even some ideas to concentrate on to further your organization's blogging goals is all it takes to keep blogging at a high awareness level in your company.
Your valuable content providers - your employees - are very busy and don't need to be burdened with too much information. And certainly easy to use blogging software is a must. A blogging champion should know the complete blogging strategy and work with other organizational leaders to ensure the strategy meshes and complements current marketing initiatives.
So, do you have a blogging champion?
Posted Thursday, January 10, 2008 by
Lynsey Rosencrans
Last night I took in the pleasure of watching one of my favorite movies,
Jerry Maguire. A classic line in the movie came up and struck a chord with me,
“Help me, help you.” Pretty simple advice, right? This is the same philosophy I
apply to what I do at Compendium Blogware. In order to get the most out of your
blog, I need to know what you want, what your goals are for your blog and
how you can achieve those goals successfully. What do you want out of your
professional blog? How can I help you get your message across to clients and
colleagues?
It’s very important to establish what you want to say to potential clients. Everything you post on your blog reflects your company as well as yourself. I’m more than happy to help you give that reflection its personal touch with blogging tips to help your blog become more successful. It all starts with your insight and feedback.
Posted Tuesday, November 6, 2007 by
Jenni Edwards
What does Guy Kawasaki have to do with blogging? Two things --- first, he is a prolific blogger (more on that to come); second, he is the keynote speaker and one of the judges in the upcoming Venture Idol (hosted by IEDC and TechPoint). Compendium Blogware has already made the first cut of this competition and Compendium's CEO, Chris Baggott, will be pitching Compendium's business blogging solution on Thursday to a panel of distinguished judges. Definitely an event that anyone in Indianapolis should attend! Oh...and don't forget to vote for Compendium Blogware.
So back to the first point, Guy Kawasaki has a great following on his blog (consistently within the Technorati Top 20 most Popular Blogs) and has built a loyal online and offline following through his blog. Back in 2006 he provided some great tips to get your blog going in a post titled "The 120 Day Wonder: How to Evangelize a Blog." Here are some highlights of the post applicable to anyone that is blogging for business:
- Have something worth saying (it's all about great, relevant content).
- The idea of 'scoop stuff' --- be the first in the industry or blogosphere to be talking about an article or obscure fact...people will notice and link to you.
- Acknowledge and respond to commenters.
- Be Bold.
Looking forward to hearing Guy speak on Thursday and see Compendium compete against other great Indianapolis start-up companies.
Posted Wednesday, October 17, 2007 by
Jenni Edwards
Most can agree that traditional marketing campaigns are falling by the wayside as the cost for television and print ads has increased exponentially over the past 5 years, while the efficacy has dropped due to new technologies (DVR/TiVo) and a general societal feelings of untrust and detest for mass advertising. All of this has combined to create this new wave of conversational marketing --- no more of the "Let's tell you how great our product is with a catchy jingle" (to watch my personal retro McD's favorite click here).
Done right, conversational marketing can be a great theory that not only allows for 2 way communication and honest feedback; but can do wonders for customer retention, loyalty and getting those Citizen Marketers (interesting read by the way) selling your product by word of mouth (oh, did I mention that WOM is free and effective?!) Done wrong, conversational marketing can become 'corp speak' and forced --- creating even more dissent among your target audience.
So let's say we agree that Conversational Marketing works, and companies are taking note - check out this Small Biz Labs Post which discusses how spending on Conversational Marketing is expected to surpass traditional media by 2012 (uhm, that's only 5 years away). I am not saying that where money is spent is always the indicator as the 'right way to go'; but this does show that many companies are taking note of the impact of conversational marketing and thus attempting to dive into the world of organizational blogging and social networking.
Blogging is a great way to start these conversations with your customers -- it allows first for the customer to come and read what you are talking about (oh...and some blogging tips are coming soon on ways to be more 'personal' with your customers). After the customers are listening --- the goal is to have them talk back, which is the whole point of the comments section in a blog. So...how about starting the conversation with some easy-to-use blogging software?
Posted Friday, July 13, 2007 by
Chris Baggott
Here is a great blogging tip. The most important writing you will do on any page is the page title. The major search engines figure the page title to be (duh!) a major indication of what that page is about.
The key is to match the title to EXACTLY the keyword phrase that you are trying to win. You also want to make sure to put the keyword phrase as close to the front of the title as you can, but don’t stuff the title with keyword phrases that make it look unnatural.
The benefit of having lots of Corporate Blogs vs. Traditional web pages comes down to a lot of things…but titles are one of the most significant. It’s conceivable that organizations that blog should have a blog for every keyword phrase that they buy in their Pay Per Click (PPC) program. If it’s worth paying to show up on the Search Engines, it absolutely worth investing in a blogging strategy that helps you win the organic search. A common statistic I’ve heard says that between 75% and 90% of all clicks on a Google page happens on the Organic Search Results….sounds like it’s worth the effort to me. Of course that's why it's important that organizations have really Easy-to-use blogging software :-)
