BBC teams up with the Gorillaz creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett for a pretty sweet rendition of an Ancient Chinese folk tale, "Journey to the West." If you weren't stoked about the upcoming games, and if you can get down on some tasty beats and stunning visuals, this might just get you in the mood.
To me this shows that creativity doesn't need to be confined to a 30 second tv spot. This particular video has only been up on YouTube for a little over one week and has 355,000 something views.
Like Chris Baggott commented on Greenfield Liquor's approach to blogging for business, video can be a powerful and fun approach to communicating your message.
Compelling content (like a monkey flying on a cloud and kicking ass all the way to Beijing) will get mad views. This voracious viewage will stir up some crazy conversions once the traffic floods into the target homesite from the place where the killer content is held (ie YouTube or your better yet, your very own Compended blog). These crazy conversions turn into radical return on investment. Shizzam.
BBC can track the real return on their ill investment just by tracking the number of views on YouTube and the traffic flooding in to their site thanks to their mind-blowing content.
CONTENT DRIVES TRAFFIC. Know this.
Get your games on!
Posted Monday, August 4, 2008 by
Eric Romer
I had a great weekend at a friend's lake house, which consisted mostly of relaxing, boating and eating. However, I managed to sneak in some talk about business blogging as well.
One of my biggest struggles with being on the cutting edge of a new blog software is how to break it down to layman's terms. In any form of communication, you have to speak the language of your audience. If I'm talking to a business that is well-versed in SEO and Paid Search Advertising, my discussion will be more granular and technical. However, some people don't want to know how the engine works, they just want the car to run.
Our host for the weekend, Harry, was intrigued by Compendium's solutions for business, but needed a quick explanation. OK... so what's the best way for me to describe what we do, cocktail in hand on the boat, so it's relevant to Harry? I got it... his hip replacement surgery next week.
Me: So, before your surgery, did you do any research?
Harry: Well, yeah, of course.
Me: Did you use a search engine?
Harry: Like Google? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I did.
Me: Well, what we do is provide software to businesses, and in this case it would be a doctor/surgeon/health care provider, to tell relevant stories about hip surgery and recovery. So, when you, the potential patient, goes to do research, you find a human being giving you up-to-date, relevant information. It looks similar to a website, but with more of a conversational, personal communication.
Harry: Sounds like it makes sense...
Eric: (pulls out iphone) Here, let me show you...
Then I went on to do a Google search of a Compendium client. If you want to hear how this process works from one of our clients, Tampa Bay Convention & Visitor's Association, click HERE to sign up for the Webinar Thursday, Aug. 14th.
One of my biggest struggles with being on the cutting edge of a new blog software is how to break it down to layman's terms. In any form of communication, you have to speak the language of your audience. If I'm talking to a business that is well-versed in SEO and Paid Search Advertising, my discussion will be more granular and technical. However, some people don't want to know how the engine works, they just want the car to run.
Our host for the weekend, Harry, was intrigued by Compendium's solutions for business, but needed a quick explanation. OK... so what's the best way for me to describe what we do, cocktail in hand on the boat, so it's relevant to Harry? I got it... his hip replacement surgery next week.
Me: So, before your surgery, did you do any research?
Harry: Well, yeah, of course.
Me: Did you use a search engine?
Harry: Like Google? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I did.
Me: Well, what we do is provide software to businesses, and in this case it would be a doctor/surgeon/health care provider, to tell relevant stories about hip surgery and recovery. So, when you, the potential patient, goes to do research, you find a human being giving you up-to-date, relevant information. It looks similar to a website, but with more of a conversational, personal communication.
Harry: Sounds like it makes sense...
Eric: (pulls out iphone) Here, let me show you...
Then I went on to do a Google search of a Compendium client. If you want to hear how this process works from one of our clients, Tampa Bay Convention & Visitor's Association, click HERE to sign up for the Webinar Thursday, Aug. 14th.
Posted Monday, August 4, 2008 by
Sarah Sedberry
Our latest client to graduate from Implementation and Training with Abby is Bauer 360.
Bauer 360 specializes in Consulting, Training and Research pertaining to Internet Marketing and Web Production needs of a company. They offer a wide range of services including Web Development, E-Mail Marketing, E-Newsletters, Cell Phone Marketing, Digital Video Production, Search Engine Optimization, Social Networking, Pay Per Click and Banner Ads. They will work with your business to build an E-plan, so that you are prepared and ready for success.
Compendium Blogware and Bauer 360 have similar goals in mind as we are both committed to listen to your desires, educating our clients on processes and metrics, creating and incorporate your goals in order for the customers to see increased productivity, drive down costs, and see improved results on ROI.
I look forward to working with Ross and the gang at Bauer 360. Check them out here, as they are already on the ball and are up and posting!
Bauer 360 specializes in Consulting, Training and Research pertaining to Internet Marketing and Web Production needs of a company. They offer a wide range of services including Web Development, E-Mail Marketing, E-Newsletters, Cell Phone Marketing, Digital Video Production, Search Engine Optimization, Social Networking, Pay Per Click and Banner Ads. They will work with your business to build an E-plan, so that you are prepared and ready for success.
Compendium Blogware and Bauer 360 have similar goals in mind as we are both committed to listen to your desires, educating our clients on processes and metrics, creating and incorporate your goals in order for the customers to see increased productivity, drive down costs, and see improved results on ROI.
I look forward to working with Ross and the gang at Bauer 360. Check them out here, as they are already on the ball and are up and posting!
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2008 by
Kristen Hanschu
In a recent ruling, the SEC will recognize corporate blogs as public disclosure. IR Web Reports states that, "...companies can rely on their websites and blogs
to meet the public disclosure requirements under Regulation FD (Fair
Disclosure), according to new guidance unanimously approved by the US
Securities and Exchange Commission today."
This means that more companies will be utilizing public forums such as blogs to relay their most critical company facts and issues to the public. Long gone are press releases, welcome to the new age. From now on organizations will be communicating by using blogging platforms such as Compendium Blogware.
Not only does online distribution meet these disclosures, the art of search engine optimized press releases have the unique ability to appear in search engines tied to the key words your blogging about. This is where Compendium can offer businesses the ability to distribute news with added SEO functionality. When paired with a well-written, SEO optimized press releases, blogs can more than satisfy disclosure, they can inform your customers, investors, and clients on exactly where your company stands.
Additionally, people will be utilizing their social networking sites such as Facebook and LInked In to share these blogs with their social groups. Not only do these sites socialize content and link conversations across the web, they also help bloggers and other journalists write more effective and media rich content.
This means that more companies will be utilizing public forums such as blogs to relay their most critical company facts and issues to the public. Long gone are press releases, welcome to the new age. From now on organizations will be communicating by using blogging platforms such as Compendium Blogware.
Not only does online distribution meet these disclosures, the art of search engine optimized press releases have the unique ability to appear in search engines tied to the key words your blogging about. This is where Compendium can offer businesses the ability to distribute news with added SEO functionality. When paired with a well-written, SEO optimized press releases, blogs can more than satisfy disclosure, they can inform your customers, investors, and clients on exactly where your company stands.
Additionally, people will be utilizing their social networking sites such as Facebook and LInked In to share these blogs with their social groups. Not only do these sites socialize content and link conversations across the web, they also help bloggers and other journalists write more effective and media rich content.
Posted Friday, August 1, 2008 by
Megan Glover
The SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) announced this week that corporate websites and other forms of online media such as blogs will be a permissible vehicle to disclose information for investors.
Here's a good article that gets to the heart of the ruling.
So why is this so important for enterprise blogging solutions, like Compendium? Couple reasons:
1. Need - the need for corporations to have blog software is only going to increase.
2. Legitimacy - occasionally we'll get the question, "is blogging a fad?" We know the answer is "no" but now we have the federal government promoting blogging for business as a "recognized channel for distribution."
And, for businesses - gosh what better time to embrace a blogging strategy, and save up a little cash that would otherwise go to releases! So now among other things business can blog to:
Here's a good article that gets to the heart of the ruling.
So why is this so important for enterprise blogging solutions, like Compendium? Couple reasons:
1. Need - the need for corporations to have blog software is only going to increase.
2. Legitimacy - occasionally we'll get the question, "is blogging a fad?" We know the answer is "no" but now we have the federal government promoting blogging for business as a "recognized channel for distribution."
And, for businesses - gosh what better time to embrace a blogging strategy, and save up a little cash that would otherwise go to releases! So now among other things business can blog to:
- disclose information
- get found in organic search
- humanize their marketing
- and, blog to acquire new business.
Posted Friday, August 1, 2008 by
jeff lefevere
Have you ever wondered how others find time in their day to write consistent (and consistently good) blog posts? You may think to yourself, “If only I had the time.”
It’s easy to de-prioritize blogging in order to stay caught up on email and the real core of your business -- growth.
De-prioritizing your blogging, however, is a mistake, especially in the face of your in-box and business growth.
Simply, you likely write close to two thousand words a day in email. One blog post is the equivalent of 250 – 300 words. So, in the course of business, on a daily basis, you likely write at least 8 blog posts, at a minimum. And, likely, at least half of those emails are internal and operationally oriented, not affecting the acquisition of a new customer.
Secondarily, as an adjunct to your daily email, your real daily focus is helping the business run smoothly and drive growth.
When you think about where you can save time, or shift time to focus on blogging, it would have to be getting out of the email in-box and into the blogging platform.
I say this not for the obvious reason that time spent emailing and blogging is a one-to-one trade-off, instead it’s because blogging for business allows you to create content that is optimized for search engines and that traffic subsequently leads to customer acquisition and a flow of potential new customers.
These two factors combined make daily blogging a no-brainer.
Am I positing that time spent blogging instead of emailing will lead to growth in your business? Yes I am.
So, say no to those four emails that don’t advance the situation forward, though they may advance your opinion forward, and drive that energy into growing the business, using blogging as a tool to do so.
A couple of tips to take your creative brainpower into overdrive:
1) Start to view your work life in terms of story vignettes
The customer situation yesterday that was resolved and made the company look good? It makes a perfect blog post!
2) Think about your business and blogging tangentially.
That Fortune, Men’s Health or Cooking Light magazine you read in your personal time is a treasure trove of cultural currency that can be cross-pollinated with your business for pop culture relevancy. That article about the healthiest cities in America? Well, if you’re a healthcare blog, there has to be some relevant tie-in to your business
3) Keep a notebook handy to scrawl down the genesis of an idea when it strikes
You won’t remember the idea later, but just the scribbled note will jog your memory.
I hope these tips help drive your blogging success forward.
Posted Friday, August 1, 2008 by
jeff lefevere
Some people like to know what time it is. Others want to know how the watch works. As a nation of learners, oftentimes, we want to understand context, the situation around the situation. Besides a mellifluous voice, this is probably one of the reasons that we enjoy radio personality Paul Harvey so much; he helps us understand the “Rest of the Story” in regards to a situation concerning business or humanity.
This story/back-story element also is a reason why blogging is such a rich tool for the marketer. In addition to being “human” with your prospect you have a tremendous opportunity to present context, which aids sales.
If you’re interested in picking up a book that will give you incredible context and “The Rest of the Story” to blogging and social media, the best $.87 you can spend is a series of 95 theses written in 1999 and posted on the Internet before being born in book form in 2000. The Seminal book, “The Cluetrain Manifesto” is as good of a primer as any that I can think of to help somebody make sense of some of the large, seismic dynamics that are taking place in the Internet space, a space you are presumably participating in or considering by developing, executing and continuing to enhance your blogging for business program. The preface of the book says:
The Cluetrain Manifesto is a set of 95 theses organised and put forward as a manifesto, or call to action, for all businesses operating within what is suggested to be a newly-connected marketplace. The ideas put forward within the manifesto aim to examine the impact of the Internet on both markets (consumers) and organisations. In addition, as both consumers and organisations are able to utilise the Internet and Intranets to establish a previously unavailable level of communication both within and between these two groups, the manifesto suggests that the changes that will be required from organisations as they respond to the new marketplace environment.
Some of the “theses” of the book are downright Nostradamus-like. When the book first came out, it was heralded and then dismissed as a part of the collateral damage that occurred with the downturn in the economy. Now, these simple maxims, some eight years later, couldn’t be more on target, correct and downright visionary, especially since they were released in the pre-blog era. A couple of examples:
* The Internet is enabling conversations among human beings that were simply not possible in the era of mass media.
* Companies that don’t realize their markets are now networked person-to-person, getting smarter as a result and deeply joined in conversation are missing their best opportunity.
* Companies can now communicate with their markets directly. If they blow it, it could be their last chance.
Go to Amazon.com, search for “Cluetrain Manifesto” and buy the book used for under a buck. For $0.87 you can’t even buy a cup of coffee and I guarantee this book will have a more lasting impact than a Venti with cream and four sugars.
Posted Thursday, July 31, 2008 by
Jenni Edwards
Chris pointed out a great article today in the Wall Street Journal exploring the situation of many newspapers as they are struggling to master local online advertising. A few factors are at play with this struggle; but big picture, newspapers suffer from cannibalistic revenue -- the idea that if one segment of their business gains revenue it is likely coming out of the other business arm. For example, a car dealer buys online ads and pulls back their print ad budget with the same newspaper. So why as a marketer would I do this? One reason is that people think of a newspaper's website as a destination and online marketers are focused on winning searches not being a sidenote on a website that they are already advertising to the same audience in the print version (note the chart to the left with 53.3% spent with Internet Companies).So what's a newspaper to do? Win organic search. In the spirit of "if you can't beat them, join them."
If I (as a newspaper) win local searches I now am not only selling my subscription base to the advertisers, but also selling the 'general public' as potential impressions or conversions to the advertisers. I have changed my 'product'. The newspaper also increases its page views and traffic and can charge more for the same ad space. It really can work and make sense...imagine this situation: A personsearches "Atlanta Business News"; is brought to a blog via search that is only focused on "Atlanta Business News"; has a great user experience and notices an ad for "Low Cost Business Furniture" on the blog, clicks and converts. The furniture store is now able to target a larger audience than going at it alone and has also associated itself with a generally respected newspaper that has plenty of content to win organic searches through a corporate blogging strategy.
Posted Thursday, July 31, 2008 by
Chris Baggott
Big Corporatations try and make things so complicated. I always say that innovation starts at the bottom...the so called Minor Leagues. Think sports marketing, everything cool in sports marketing (bat night, concerts, fireworks...even frisbee dogs) started in Minor League Baseball.
This is especially true in business blogging. With the advent of Affordable blogging software, some of our best bloggers turn out to be coming not from the ivory towers of the fortune 500, but from the SMB's. Forget Jonathan Schwartz or Robert Scoble...
If you want to emulate great Blogging Best Practices, pay attention to Lizan Brand.
Lizan is focused on Blogging for Search. She highlights high value and unusual products using all the best SEO tactics including the right keywords, geo targeting and blended search favorites like video. Why?
So when someone is looking for a specific product or a drink recipe in Greenfield or any of the surrounding communities like the big city of Indianapolis, she's the number one choice.
As a result, she has been featured in the Indianapolis paper which is over 20 miles from her store. This week she was featured in DMNews (trust me, she doesn't consider herself a direct marketer) and the things that she blogs about, she is now buying by the case. This is the best thing about Business Blogging, telling a great story about things that move your business forward.
Sure Greenfield Liquors sells 6 packs of cold Miller Lite, but her profits come from high end wine and Liquor. Blogging on these topics rings the cash register.
Watch this video and see if you don't end up thirsting for a Root Beer Cocktail :-)
This is especially true in business blogging. With the advent of Affordable blogging software, some of our best bloggers turn out to be coming not from the ivory towers of the fortune 500, but from the SMB's. Forget Jonathan Schwartz or Robert Scoble...
If you want to emulate great Blogging Best Practices, pay attention to Lizan Brand.Lizan is focused on Blogging for Search. She highlights high value and unusual products using all the best SEO tactics including the right keywords, geo targeting and blended search favorites like video. Why?
So when someone is looking for a specific product or a drink recipe in Greenfield or any of the surrounding communities like the big city of Indianapolis, she's the number one choice.
As a result, she has been featured in the Indianapolis paper which is over 20 miles from her store. This week she was featured in DMNews (trust me, she doesn't consider herself a direct marketer) and the things that she blogs about, she is now buying by the case. This is the best thing about Business Blogging, telling a great story about things that move your business forward.
Sure Greenfield Liquors sells 6 packs of cold Miller Lite, but her profits come from high end wine and Liquor. Blogging on these topics rings the cash register.
Watch this video and see if you don't end up thirsting for a Root Beer Cocktail :-)
Posted Wednesday, July 30, 2008 by
Sarah Sedberry
Alright, I admit it. I have completely given into to the iPhone craze (although, I still retain some pride as I did not stand in line for 5 hours to get the phone on the first day, I waited until day 2).
This is my first Apple product so I am certainly no apple-head, but I can now understand the passion expressed by Apple users. However, this conversion of loyalty is not caused by what you would think. As Jon Fortt over at Fortune Magazine mentions in his article:
"The iPhone’s magic isn’t in the features – not the 2-megapixel camera, or the Safari web browser, or even the music and video capabilities. It’s in Apple’s knack for making all those features easier to locate and use." Not only is Apple making it easier for consumers to use, they are also reshaping the wireless game by making a move "from phone sales to software development".
The iPhone's impact on business is monumental as well. There are endless choices out there for the professional looking to be mobile; but with the iPhone's ease of use, larger screen, quicker web access and user-friendly internet tools make it an easy choice for me. Having access to the internet no matter where you (as long as you have a signal) without having to carry around a clunkly laptop/computer bag will only breed more and more users surfing the web.
The next time I'm standing in line, have a lay over in the airport, or waiting on my friends for a get together - guess what I'll be doing - that's right, checking in on all of my clients blog posts (ha ha).
In all seriousness though, with the focus on technology, it is important that a business get their name out there and be searchable. Corporate blogs are a perfect answer to this, as search engines love the fresh, relevant, and frequent content that blogs create. Our blogging platform keeps the process simple, as well as, delivers powerful results (like the iPhone). Not to mention, we also partner with our clients, and provide day to day support, and are available to answer any questions that may arise.
Millions of searches are run every day, and we here at Compendium Blogware want to help ensure that it's your company that is showing up in those searches, for your targeted consumer. With our easy to use software, active support and customer service, your corporate blog will see success and perhaps you'll become "obsessed" as well...
This is my first Apple product so I am certainly no apple-head, but I can now understand the passion expressed by Apple users. However, this conversion of loyalty is not caused by what you would think. As Jon Fortt over at Fortune Magazine mentions in his article:"The iPhone’s magic isn’t in the features – not the 2-megapixel camera, or the Safari web browser, or even the music and video capabilities. It’s in Apple’s knack for making all those features easier to locate and use." Not only is Apple making it easier for consumers to use, they are also reshaping the wireless game by making a move "from phone sales to software development".
The iPhone's impact on business is monumental as well. There are endless choices out there for the professional looking to be mobile; but with the iPhone's ease of use, larger screen, quicker web access and user-friendly internet tools make it an easy choice for me. Having access to the internet no matter where you (as long as you have a signal) without having to carry around a clunkly laptop/computer bag will only breed more and more users surfing the web.
The next time I'm standing in line, have a lay over in the airport, or waiting on my friends for a get together - guess what I'll be doing - that's right, checking in on all of my clients blog posts (ha ha).
In all seriousness though, with the focus on technology, it is important that a business get their name out there and be searchable. Corporate blogs are a perfect answer to this, as search engines love the fresh, relevant, and frequent content that blogs create. Our blogging platform keeps the process simple, as well as, delivers powerful results (like the iPhone). Not to mention, we also partner with our clients, and provide day to day support, and are available to answer any questions that may arise.
Millions of searches are run every day, and we here at Compendium Blogware want to help ensure that it's your company that is showing up in those searches, for your targeted consumer. With our easy to use software, active support and customer service, your corporate blog will see success and perhaps you'll become "obsessed" as well...
Posted Wednesday, July 30, 2008 by
Eric Romer
A recent article in eMarketer, a leading source for Internet market trends, highlights retail shopping statistics that show consumers hit the web first... before talking to family & friends.This is great data that really drives home the importance of a blogging solution for retailers.
I'd be interested to see the breakdown of how many people start with a search engine in that 58% . It's probably a conservative estimate to say it's at least half, which would be about the same amount that visit local stores. Think how much effort is dedicated to in-store displays and hiring smart, capable employees to service needs of shoppers. Based on this data, why would a retail business not provide that same experience online??
Blog for your business. Show consumers you are in tuned with your industry and the needs of your customers. You will be found in search engines more often... on a wider range of keywords. And, with a measurable blog strategy, you will convert those visitors into paying customers.
Posted Wednesday, July 30, 2008 by
Ali Sales
You're not alone. This article, 25 Tips for Marketing Your Blog, made me think of how daunting business blogging can be for any kind of organization.There are some good tips in this article, don't get me wrong.
It's just a lot to think about, and you're a busy person, right? I am a big fan of using subject matter experts (SMEs) as much as possible. I don't want to be an accounting pro or a legal pro -- I want to have a basic understanding and then pay and rely on people around me to help.
Okay, so you know where I'm heading with this:
- Wouldn't it be great if you could do the same thing with a corporate blogging program?
- Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a blogging partner who can worry about all the details so that you can focus on writing content for your company blogs?
- Oh, and wouldn't it be great to use a blogging solution that lets you log in, type your content, and then the blogging software itself structures that content in a way that helps you get found in the search engines?
Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by
Lindsey Young
We've started something pretty cool here at Compendium. Our Client Success team has started sending out emails to the rest of us sharing statistics, and major successes of our clients. I have found this pretty helpful when talking to potential clients, especially trying to drive home the point that early adopters will prevail using our software. The sooner you start, the sooner your organization is going to see increased search engine traffic, engaged readers, and eventually more business!
I'm always amazed at how potential clients that are coming to us know they need to be blogging, they just don't know why. That's always my favorite part of our conversation when I get to inform them, and see the light bulb go off! I'd like to share an exerpt from NetSquared.org:
"Did you know that over 57 million Americans read blogs? U.S. blog readers average 23 hours online each week! An average of 64% of Canadians visited blogs in 2007. And 10% of online consumers in the U.K. read blogs at least once a month.”
For the complete article go here. Like our CEO Chris Baggott always says, "we're changing the world!".
I'm always amazed at how potential clients that are coming to us know they need to be blogging, they just don't know why. That's always my favorite part of our conversation when I get to inform them, and see the light bulb go off! I'd like to share an exerpt from NetSquared.org:
"Did you know that over 57 million Americans read blogs? U.S. blog readers average 23 hours online each week! An average of 64% of Canadians visited blogs in 2007. And 10% of online consumers in the U.K. read blogs at least once a month.”
For the complete article go here. Like our CEO Chris Baggott always says, "we're changing the world!".
Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by
Chris Baggott
There was some feedback from my interview on Blog Squad Radio last week about the Compendium Approach to Business Blogging was too Corporate.
I posted this reply:
Advanced Business Blogging Strategy, requires that your employee and constituent content should be mostly about your business. Blog about your solutions, your customers, your aspirations as it relates to your products & services. This is what people are searching for...great blog information that helps them and builds trust
I posted this reply:
I wanted to thank you both for a great session last week. Your questions were insightful and I really appreciate your open-mindedness for some of these new concepts.
A successful relationship requires direct communication. To get the right to build a relationship with a customer or prospect you have to first be found, second build credibility that a relationship with you will add value to the prospect or customer.
Blogging is spectacular for this stage of the relationship. From that point however 99% of the time that relationship is going to evolve to leverage some other medium...which might include face-to-face, email, telephone or even paper based things like catalogs.
You guys are a perfect case to show that a successful blogging program shouldn't be measured by the number of comments...but from the amount of traffic and conversions.Thanks again,
Chris Baggott, CEO
Compendium Blogware
Advanced Business Blogging Strategy, requires that your employee and constituent content should be mostly about your business. Blog about your solutions, your customers, your aspirations as it relates to your products & services. This is what people are searching for...great blog information that helps them and builds trust
Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by
Jenni Edwards
Another search engine? Are we really in need? Maybe if it is drastically better, maybe if it makes my life easier; but in general I am not sitting there wanting a new search engine, but I also have to assume that most marketers aren't sitting wanting for a corporate blogging tool --- it's my job to show them that they need one. So has Cuil convinced me to switch from Google? Not quite. Although Cuil was founded by Google engineers and brags about the increased number of pages that are combed through and the ability to search the so called 'deep web'. In addition, the search results look more like a magazine than a list, as traditional web searches do. Not to mention the $33M in venture-capital money.
Interesting concept...but a bit confusing for my first try. Also, was a bit surprised with the results of a few test searches. Unfortunately, it looks like this evening that their servers were a bit overloaded and I wasn't able to get results for a few terms. I like the innovation, pushing every search engine to be better and better. However, this doesn't seem game changing for Compendium because at the end of the day --- a search engine's success will always be based on its ability to serve up the most relevant results based on the search terms in the quickest and most user friendly way.
What does this mean to our business? Not much --- we measure some of our client's success with Google and benchmark search standings there as well; but the topically driven corporate blogs that are created from the Compendium system are search engine neutral.
Interesting concept...but a bit confusing for my first try. Also, was a bit surprised with the results of a few test searches. Unfortunately, it looks like this evening that their servers were a bit overloaded and I wasn't able to get results for a few terms. I like the innovation, pushing every search engine to be better and better. However, this doesn't seem game changing for Compendium because at the end of the day --- a search engine's success will always be based on its ability to serve up the most relevant results based on the search terms in the quickest and most user friendly way.
What does this mean to our business? Not much --- we measure some of our client's success with Google and benchmark search standings there as well; but the topically driven corporate blogs that are created from the Compendium system are search engine neutral.
Posted Monday, July 28, 2008 by
Chris Baggott
I'm sure a lot of good stories will come out of this weekend's Compendium Blogware's First Annual White Water Rafting Trip to Ohiopyle PA. The Story is best told in pictures, so please feel free to browse Kaila Woodsides's Flickr Compendium of the trip.If one of the goals of Corporate Blogging is to humanize your organization, sharing your events and activities probably go a long way. I'm guessing anyone who sees these blog photos and reads the posts from the Employees that post to their Compendium Blogs will get a pretty good idea of the personality of our organization.
At the end of the day, advanced business blogging is about showing that you have smart, fun, passionate people...who all share a common goal of doing everything they can to make you a successful business blogger.
Posted Monday, July 28, 2008 by
Jim Hyslop
It seems as we move along in this new realm of blogging with a corporate focus for search engine optimization and return on investment one of the largest concerns expressed by management is access to the resources necessary to make a corporate blog successful. What we need to remember here is blogging is simple. Do not over think it. We all know a lot about our business but we don't have to get it all out in a single post. That is the Beauty of a blog.It is not America's next best selling novel instead it is a coffee talk conversation and should be focused on human engagement.Best practices in blogging- by Compendium tell us that these posts should take 10 -15 minutes MAX! 200-250 words MAX! Remember...the key to SEO is recency and frequency of your blog posts NOT how much you say per post. So don't be worried about who will contribute and how much lost productivity may come from people needing to allocate time to blogging, instead think of it this way, by allowing people within your organization the 20-30 minutes they need each week to contribute a couple posts they will actually be building your lead generating machine.
Posted Friday, July 25, 2008 by
Ali Sales
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.
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 Friday, July 25, 2008 by
Sarah Sedberry
Douglas Karr touched on a topic near and dear to our hearts here at Compendium Blogware in his post yesterday: Blogging for Business: New Tricks for Old Dogs.
Douglas does a great job breaking down how blogs are emerging as a marketing source for companies.
He addresses the pitfalls businesses are falling into, such as:
"Gaining authority and search engine results"
- This is part of the package with Compendium - our expertise in SEO"
"Implementing a blogging platform that guides the blogger effortlessly through the posting process"
- Our platform allows the user to easily create and post content, provides a list of keywords to focus on, and an indicator letting the blogger know how strong their post is.
"Blogging is a not an overnight success. Great blogging results require momentum and constant analysis and improvement."
- Our Client Success Team is here to provide support and guidance regarding content ideas, best practices, tips and tricks to keep the process simple and stress-free.
Another feature of our platform is that there is an administrative layer that monitors the content that ends up published.
These are all reasons why Compendium Blogware can be the best answer for any business looking to begin a corporate blog.
(Also a thanks to Douglass for the plug!) :o)
Douglas does a great job breaking down how blogs are emerging as a marketing source for companies.
He addresses the pitfalls businesses are falling into, such as:
- Dull conversations aren’t attracting readers
- Business blogs turn into regurgitated press releases.
- The topics don’t spark comments or trackbacks.
- The posts lack personality and thought leadership.
"In short, the reason why business blogs are failing are because corporations are substituting a blogging application for their content management system."
At Compendium Blogware we help focus your posts and give you the tools to help make your corporate blog successful. We stress blogging for a purpose and assist in creating a strategy with your business to get a return on your investment.
Douglas also touches on what they can do to ensure success."Gaining authority and search engine results"
- This is part of the package with Compendium - our expertise in SEO"
"Implementing a blogging platform that guides the blogger effortlessly through the posting process"
- Our platform allows the user to easily create and post content, provides a list of keywords to focus on, and an indicator letting the blogger know how strong their post is.
"Blogging is a not an overnight success. Great blogging results require momentum and constant analysis and improvement."
- Our Client Success Team is here to provide support and guidance regarding content ideas, best practices, tips and tricks to keep the process simple and stress-free.
Another feature of our platform is that there is an administrative layer that monitors the content that ends up published.
These are all reasons why Compendium Blogware can be the best answer for any business looking to begin a corporate blog.
(Also a thanks to Douglass for the plug!) :o)
Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 by
Chris Baggott
I'll be a guest today at 5pm est of the Blog Squad to discuss how to Track and Measure your Corporate or Business Blog. Be sure to tune in :-)You have to register, and can do that on the Blog Squad Site....
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