Access whitepaper

Blogging, Search, and "All that Jazz"

Thursday, November 19, 2009 by Ali Sales Roach
Here at Compendium, we are huge advocates of blogging for search. Simply by having multiple blogs titled with the keyword phrases that your company wants to get found for (versus having a single corporate blog), you are dramatically increases your opportunity for sea ch engine optimization.

But the great thing is that this is not in place of all of the other reasons (all that jazz) why individuals and businesses typically start blogs - to identify with others on a human level, to share information and knowledge, to connect with others - those things stay intact, too.

Take our own blogs here at Compendium as a great example. We have tens of thousands of new people every month who are searching on phrases like "blogging best practices" and finding one of our blogs. When they arrive, they get to see real, happy people who are passionate about what they do sharing helpful information.

At the heart of blogging is still the idea of connecting with people on a personal level and giving them the information that they need and want. Compendium allows companies of all sizes and kinds (over 400 of them!) accomplish this while at the same making it easy for their prospects to find them online.

To see for yourself how Compendium makes this possible, just go here to schedule a quick online demo.

highlights from the future [of web design]

Thursday, November 19, 2009 by mikey mioduski
Just got back from an awesome conference called The Future of Web Design 2009. So I guess you could say I've seen what the future has to offer. I gotta say, it looks promising.

If you're designing your business blog, or you're thinking about a blog redesign, I'd recommend checking out some of these names I'm about to drop. As we know, business blogging can really help you to communicate your message to potential leads / customers. Because blogs do very well in search, your blog could very well be the first impression you ever make on aforementioned lead / prospect. With new developments in web design, from things like HTML5 and CSS3 to new ideas in content strategy and creation, you can really make that first impression a big one by paying attention to your business blog's design.

So if you're just getting started, just thinking about it, or are just hungry for some inspiration and knowledge... here were some of the speakers that I found truly inspiring from the conference.



Mike Kus
Designer at Carsonified
personal site: http://thethingswemake.co.uk/

Mike Kus emphasized the importance of thinking "outside the web." As soon as we start thinking about a website design, we limit ourselves. We think of things we already know, things we've already seen, things that are trendy. But Kus approaches his designs as if they aren't web designs at all, but instead posters... tee shirts... or some entirely different medium altogether, autonomous of the web. He then brings his idea "back to the web" where his results are often head turning, bold and memorable.



Daniel Burka
Former Creative Director at Digg
now Director of Design at Tiny Speck.
personal site: http://www.deltatangobravo.com/


Daniel Burka's talk, "Listening, Really Listening, to your users," was stellar. I also had the opportunity to sit in on his 3.5 hour workshop the day before, which was even stellarer as he went into open honest detail about the endless lessons he learned over the many years working at Digg, one of the most popular news sharing sites online. Burka made great points on the importance of testing your site with real users, and really listening to what they're telling you-- not only with their words, but with their actions. He emphasized the importance of adapting to change, and being willing to do so. He quoted someone else, "If you look back and aren't embarrassed by your website's version 1.0, you spent way too much time on it."

That's the beauty of web design (as opposed to print), is that we can change things every single day, and if we try something, and it doesn't work, we can try something else. This mentality and willingness to adapt is what made Digg the site is today, and why it gets ridiculous traffic and interaction from its community. Burka also made a fantastic point about the politics involved when making changes to a website of such scale. Burka indicated that there were intense debates at Digg when facing design changes that would often delay change, or induce design by committee results. In his words, Apple is fortunate to have such a benevolent authoritarian dictator, because the result is an incredibly simple, streamlined, yet layered and powerful website.

Very cool, very humble guy.




Joshua Davis
NY Based Artist, Designer & Technologist http://www.joshuadavis.com/


Joshua Davis was the Keynote Speaker at FOWD. This guy charged the stage with bright red pants, a matching bright red jacket, and two Red Bull Energy Drinks. He then blew minds with his ideas and art in a presentation exploring the notion of "Space."

Davis started as a painter and fine artist, who fell in love with Flash back in the early nineties, and has since spent his time exploring and pushing digital art. His work and approach to art and design are extremely innovative, his process totally unique, his results powerful and unexpected.

If you can ever catch Joshua Davis at a comedy-- I mean speaking gig, or at one of his art exhibits, I highly recommend it.


Here's to the future.


-- MSM


CNAME - What is it? How to set it up?

Thursday, November 19, 2009 by Krystal Featherston
Now that you're on board with Compendium and you've filled out your getting started form, the first thing you'll need to do is set-up your CNAME. 

Now if your wondering what a CNAME is, well .... let me explain:
A CNAME record or Canonical Name record is a type of resource record in the Domain Name System (DNS) that specifies that the domain name is an alias of another, canonical domain name. This helps when running multiple services from a single IP address. Network administrators also use CNAMEs when running multiple HTTP servers on the same port, with different names, on the same physical host.

What does this mean for you ....
At Compendium, we require our client select a domain or sub-domain for their blog and create a CNAME Record for this domain. As a software as a service, Compendium hosts all of our clients blogs, including content and images. By using a CNAME Record, and directing to the Domain of www.compendiumblog.com, we have the ability to add to and modify our infrastructure when necessary without affecting service to our clients.

When a CNAME record is set for the URL of blog.EXAMPLE.com, and the CNAME record points to www.compendiumblog.com, the browser will resolve to the content at www.compendiumblog.com, but the browser would show http://bog.EXAMPLE.com in the address bar.

Now that you know what a CNAME is and why Compendium require our clients to create one, its time for you to get your set-up. Click here for some basic instructions. However, if you manage your DNS records through your registrar, here are links to some step-by-step instructions to some of the main registrars that will help you with this action.
After you get your CNAME set, your just a few days away from blogging for your business! So get your CNAME set and starting blogging today! 

REMEMBER: if you have a question you can search Compendium's Knowledgebase RIGHT NOW -  or fill out the online submission form.

E-tailers Investment Plans in 2010

Thursday, November 19, 2009 by jennifer buscher
Just read an interesting article in EMarketer on how advanced e-commerce businesses plan to invest their dollars moving into 2010.  The top three additions include:

1. Social Marketing
2. Video
3. Blogs


Nearly 40% of all respondents plan to include these applications.  What does this mean?  I think this means a number of things...  First, social marketing and blogs are not a fade.  Adoption is becoming mainstream.  Customers want to human buying experience. 

So, what to do?  It's really simple... start a business blog on an advanced business blogging platform.  This should be your cornerstone for content creation.  Use video in your content, and then push that content out to your social networks.  You can kill three birds with one stone so to speak.

“The last time many retailers installed a new e-commerce platform was five years ago, and those systems aren’t robust enough to support all of the new technology that’s changing the very nature of how consumers are shopping online,” David Fry, founder of Fry Inc., told Internet Retailer. “Smart retailers know they need to implement better technology now or they’ll miss out on the recovery and a big opportunity.” 

Moral of the story.... get onboard or you'll miss out!


Get Out of the Way

Thursday, November 19, 2009 by Brian Graham
I was talking with a business owner on the phone yesterday and the conversation went south on both his account and mine.  We were getting in our own way.  He was not getting it and not listening to me and I was not getting it and not listening to him.  Traditional marketing, "push marketing", is a lot like the described conversation.  You are trying to push your product, service, or message until someone will get it instead of creating opportunities to listen and help.

Blogging best practices suggest telling stories of how you help people in your business.  By creating an inbound marketing strategy through a blogging solution you are letting your potential customers and clients find you on their terms.  You are getting out of your own way and letting the process happen.  You are letting the relationship grow.  This is the "social" aspect of blogging that lets your company be human.

Try listening and understanding and get out of your own way to let progress happen.  Start a blog for business.  It is a great place to begin.

Put Your Blog on Steroids...

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 by Meghan Manning
That's right - you read my title correctly! If you aren't currently using business blogging as your search marketing startegy, now is the time to get started.  If you are currently using blogs to help you get found in search, now is the time to step it up and put your blogs on steroids!

To learn how - attend the upcoming Webinar presented by Target Marketing featuring Chris Baggott CEO/CoFounder of Compendium Blogware.

During this informative Webinar, you'll learn:

  • Develop SEO-friendly content
  • Determine the optimal posting frequency
  • Measure the value of your investment
  • Engage customers and prospects

Be sure to register now to attend - the Webinar is getting close and you'll want to reserve your spot today!

Ready for what?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 by Brian Millis
I sent an email to a prospect that showed a compendium client who increased online revenue by 40% in less than 6 months and has tracked over 100k in online sales back to blog traffic.  This was the response that I got back(kept anonymous, of course):

. . . She was interested in the software and we would love to take on blogging in the future, but we are not quite ready at this time.  Thank you for the information on Compendium- I will keep your emails and discuss again with my manager when our time comes to enter the blogosphere.
 
Ready for what?  What business is not ready to increase revenue by better search marketing? I feel that it should be every businesses' time to enter the world of corporate blogging.  Why?  Because it is an easy and efficient way to communicate with target markets online and convert online traffic to paying customers. 

Our platform takes most of the fear out of getting started with blogging for business.  I think thaget ready for bloggingt these responses come from companies that see this strategy as a HUGE time commitment.  That really is not the case.  You can log into Compendium, get prompted with your most valuable key phrases, have endless content ideas delivered right to you, and  get real-time feedback on how you're doing as you write your post. 

So what is keeping you from being ready?


Indiana's Top 50 Blogs - Congrats to the winners!

Thursday, November 12, 2009 by Sarah Sedberry
Congratulations to Compendium Blogware's own Marketing Guru - Megan Glover - for making the Indiana's Top 50 blog list! 

Top 50 Indiana Blogs

Compendium also had a few clients make the list, as well as, our beloved Doug Karr!
  • MediaTile - congrats Chuck for taking the #1 spot!
  • Fuseworks - congrats guys!
  • Marketing Tech Blog - congrats Doug!
  • ...............to see more, just click the badge above
We are excited to be working along side and with some very talented people who are contributing to the blogoshphere.

For more information on how to get started on your blog for business, schedule a demo today, and maybe we'll see you on next years list!

Blogs and Online Marketing

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by Sarah Sedberry
Join in the Blog ConversationSeveral years ago (we're talking like 2004), if someone was talking about a blog the typical reaction was "huh - whats that?". 

In today's world, as we start thinking about entering the year 2010 - blogs are everywhere and are increasingly becoming a leading online marketing tool, even Presidential candidates have blogs. 

This type of online marketing has changed how things work - consumers now know, and look for a way into a company to see the true side.  They don't buy the hype of PR and Marketing ads, they want to know what the person they are going to be buying from really has to say.  Blogs allow this conversation and potential customers are listening in.

To quote the master himself, Self Godin:

"It is now common and will soon be expected, that every intelligent person (and quite a few unintelligent ones) will have a media platform where they share what they care about, with the world"


At Compendium we have been in the front row seats to see this first hand.  We have over 400 clients of all shapes, sizes, and industries that are embracing a business blog platform and adding it to their SEO tools.  Our clients are allowing the human voice of their company resonate with potential customers in order to generate sales and increase profit. 

Richard Edelman, President and CEO of Edelman stated it best when he said:

" Blogs represent the best chance for companies to inform the conversation"


Is your company in on the conversation?  To find out more on how to get started, check out our whitepaper on "Considering Blogging" or schedule a demo today.



A frustrating search experience

Friday, October 30, 2009 by Brian Millis
So I have an Ipod Nano that is the 2nd generation, which is slightly different in size and composition from the new nano.  My belt clip that I used when running recently broke and I have been on a mission to find a replacement that fit my older ipod.  After Target, Walmart, and the Apple store provided no solution, I went online . . . .

. . . . and had one of the most frustrating search experiences EVER!!!!frustrated with search results

I typed in exactly what I wanted, 2G Ipod Nano Belt Clip.  I got bombarded with great shopping sites, none of which provided me with the item I wanted.  So I started adjusting my search phrases, trying nearly 30 different options.  Finally, I found a site at the bottom of the search page after about 20 min of search and digging in eCommerce sites.  This site sent me to Amazon.com, which I had already searched and struck out, and I found my item for less than $5.  

Had any of these businesses targeted ONE of my 30 search attempts and given me a clear call to action to buy the item, I would have spent far more than $5.  This reminded me why Compendium is such a great search marketing tool.  We help our clients think like marketers and convert on searchers like me, by offering a powerful blogging software that auto-organizes large volumes of content around relevant search phrases.  Because it's such an easy to use blog software, any company can start blogging about products, services, and more to win on as many search phrases as possible.  The more targeted blogs you cast out, the more likely you are to capitalize on a vast world of qualified searchers.  

Don't believe me on how easy it is?  Call me (317)-777-6254 and I'll tell you about an eCommerce client who scaled back their PPC by $7,000 in one month while driving 50,000+ MORE unique visitors with their Compendium blogging solution.  

Compendium Client Training Options

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Jess Wehner
As we continue to grow, we are continually adjusting our processes to make them better for you - our client!  One process that has been evolving over the past couple months is the getting started process.  This is the initial period of getting a client up and running using the Compendium software and is important for starting to build a good relationship with our client.  One change we made this past week was moving our training options from online videos to live sessions twice a week:

Tuesday:           
User – 2:00pm
Admin – 2:30pm

Thursday:         
User – 10:00am
Admin – 10:30am

Even though Compenium is an extremely simple blogging software to use, these trainings will help customers get familiar with our system, learn how to publish a post, and learn some best praciteces for business blogging.  For more information on how to attend one of our training sessions, contact your client success manager today.

Not a Compendium customer, learn more about our system by viewing a demo today (and oh yeah, get some free Starbucks while you're at it).

Common Mistakes in Blogging (#1)

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Sarah Sedberry
1st in a series of 5

Common Mistake #1:


One of the common trends we see in a client that is new to blogging, (some older ones too) is that they forget to let the human side of their business show.  Visitors that are coming to a blog, are looking for the truth behind the message, they want to engage with the employees of the company, they want to see the human side - not the sales pitch.

A blog is not the avenue to show off your new marketing materials and recent press releases.  Sure these are great add in's for content, but it is important to remember that blogging is about conversation.  The blog offers a way for potential customers to connect with your business. 

If you are only using the blog to republish press releases and marketing materials those visitors will likely not trust your content, and therefore not continue to read, and worse yet - not take the next step to converting into a sale.

Answer:


The best way to avoid this is to use original content, and write it from your own individual voice.  Its OK to talk about news in your company, but do it from one friend to another.  Keep it casual, like you are discussing the topic with your best friend over a cup of coffee. 

Other options are to share knowledge on your industry, or the day-to-day environment of the office and processes at your company, or provide tips and best practices on how to best utilize your products.  Remember to answer the question to what your visitors are looking for - not just to toot you're own horn.


New Products = the Perfect Reason to Expand Your Blogging Program

Monday, October 26, 2009 by Compendium Client Reviews
I received an email from Mike at Driver Solutions on Friday with some great news... "We have a new product/website/company spun off from the parent Driver Solutions. It’s an e-learning website targeting truck drivers. We’re in the process of building out a marketing site around the existing store front." Mike is already a customer of Compendium and went on to let us know that he wanted to expand his program by 50 keywords in order to drive targeted prospects to his new product. Mike also paid compliments to Compendium co-founder and CEO Chris Baggott: "I had a chance to see Chris at Blogworld last week. There was a lot of great info and his presentation was well done." Congrats to Mike on his new product launch, we are glad to help him drive new business with an expanded blogging program.

Name: Ali Sales Roach
Company: Compendium
BlogURL:

Technorati's State of the Blogosphere

Friday, October 23, 2009 by Megan Glover
Last week I was lucky enough to represent Compendium at BlogWorld. Not only did we come home with a lot of wonderful prospective clients but we were able to attend some fabulous keynote sessions including the State of the Blogosphere by Technorati President Richard Jalichandra.

You can access the slides here.

Some of the most interesting findings for business bloggers:
  • Professional Bloggers (business is included in this category) are the fast growing segment of bloggers, keeping the "Blogosphere" healthy and stronger than ever.
  • Professional bloggers are focused on making money and attracting new customers.
  • Unique visitors and page views are used to measure success.
  • Content is usually topical driven (opposed to personal)
And, finally (and perhaps what I really found valuable), professional bloggers are using additional tools to help drive traffic and get found in search. 
Compendium Blogware is just that. Compendium is a third generation blogging software that helps businesses get found in organic search for keywords you know your prospects are searching for. While I don't want this to turn into a complete sales pitch... I think the Technorati study has really opened the door for me to do so.

As professionals and businesses continue to enter the world of blogging for the purpose of making money and generating new business, it's even more important they align themselves with tools to help them get there. For more information about Compendium contact us at info@compendium.com. or find us on Twitter @cblogware.

Don't take it for granted

Friday, October 23, 2009 by Stephanie West
There are a lot of things that people take for granted...

Family and friends, good weather, time, information and resources, knowledge, etc.

Those are just a few things, and there are so many more! 

Many businesses take advantage of the resources that are available for them.  Search marketing is such an applicable resource for businesses to utilize.  People search on the internet daily - and those companies that aren't taking advantage of this fact are missing a great opportunity. 

http://www.ottawa.diplo.de/Vertretung/ottawa/en/01/Information_20about_20Germany/webadressen__in__d__Seite.htmlCompendium offers a blog software platform that helps your blog get found in search, which therefore helps your company get found in search.  It's a great marketing opportunity right at your fingertips.  Don't take it for granted! 

Interested in more information on Compendium's blogging platform and the opportunity that's available for a great marketing strategy?  Click here to read our Whitepaper: Consider Blogging.  It will provide you with some great information and questions to ask yourself about whether you're ready to start blogging or not. 

Who views your blog?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 by Stephanie West
About 70-80% of blog traffic comes from new visitors.  Yes, 70-80% are new visitors which means that the content you generate is being viewed by many new perspective customers.

So who views your blog?  People that are interested in what you have to say.  Just think about how much you use search in your day-to-day life.  Marketers understand that you're searching, which is why they opt for particular search marketing strategies. 

One strategy includes blog marketing.  Customers are drawn to your blog for a few reasons, including:

  • The content - how relevant are your keywords to viewers?
  • The humanized aspect of reading your blog - it's from YOU.
  • They found you in organic search (which is where most "clicks" occur).

Blog marketing is a great strategy to help your company get found in search.  Traffic is constantly driving new visitors to your blog, which means new visitors are viewing your blog 70-80% of the time. 

Start blogging today to generate these new visitors to your blog.  Searchers are looking for information - and you (as a blogger) have the answer!

Compendium's giving away a Nano A Day

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 by Megan Glover
I'm so excited to announce the launch of our new promo: Nano A Day.

This week only, view a demo of Compendium's blogging software and be entered into a nightly raffle for a brand NEW iPod Nano.

Nano winners will be announced via Facebook and Twitter (@cblogware) daily and via email at the conclusion of the promo.

There's nothing to lose. If you haven't see how Compendium's platform can help your organization be found in search, generate leads and acquire new business... then now is the perfect excuse to take action.





Putting a new twist on an old concept

Friday, October 16, 2009 by Stephanie West
The old concept: Marketing.

The new twist:  Blog Marketing.

I came across this idea when I was listening to Michael Buble's new CD, Crazy Love.  (If you haven't heard it yet, I highly recommend checking it out!)  In his new CD, Michael Buble recorded popular songs from various artists over the years and puts his own twist on them.  He made them his own.

Those old songs that Michael Buble used were great - they are still listened to today and highly popular.  This is very similar to marketing.  The old "ways" work - but they get old.  New methods help revive the old concepts.

http://freelanceswitch.com/tag/blog-writing/Putting a fresh twist on the old concepts is helpful in keeping your marketing strategies relevant.  Just as Michael Buble did - you can also "revamp" old concepts.  Search marketing is highly used these days - so why not position your marketing strategy on the internet? 

Blog marketing is an effective means of humanizing your marketing strategy and maximizing your search engine optimization results.  If you're considering blogging, check out the great resources that Compendium offers and schedule a demo today!

Bill Cosby had it right

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 by Stephanie West
Who comes to mind first when you think of a good, clean comedian??

Ready to hear who I think of? 

Bill Cosby.


He is simply classic.

But have you ever stopped to think why he is so classic... and timeless?!

Here's my theory (and feel free to disagree with me if you think necessary)...

http://mymajicdc.com/fox-files-quickies-on-bill-cosby-r-kelly/Bill Cosby figured out:

  • Who his audience was;
  • What his audience wanted;
  • And what his strengths were (talking to kids!).

That's it.
 

And now I'm going to demonstrate how Bill Cosby sets me up for the second part of my blog post.

YOU can be just like Bill Cosby.  Maybe not as classic, but definitely as effective - and these days, there's an easy way to get to that point.

Here's how: business blog software.

Who is your audience?  By using the internet and blogging, your company will target your audience.  You will blog using certain keywords that will help your blog get optimized in search.  So that's how you'll target your audience by blogging.

What does your audience want?  They want to know about you!  Blog about your company because your audience wants to know more about you and what you can offer them.  Blogging will humanize your company and what you have to offer. 

And lastly, Bill Cosby knew what his strengths were.  Do you know what your strengths are?!  In case you were wondering, I know what your strength is.  The internet.  You have a perfect marketing tool right at your fingertips (literally!).  That is your strength, but whether you use it to your advantage is up to you.

Compendium's blog software can help you use your strength (the availability of the internet) to target your audience.  Your audience is already looking for you on the internet - but you have make yourself available to reach out to your audience.

Start blogging today!

What Every Marketer Needs to Know...

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 by Meghan Manning
If you're a marketer, of course you want to know everything you can about things going on in your field - and that includes the future of business blogging!

To help you get started, be sure to attend our upcoming Webinar: What Every Marketer Needs to Know About the Future of Business Blogging. 

During the Webinar, you'll learn:

1. How to leverage blogs as inbound lead generators.
2. How to chose the right blogging software.
3. How marketers are measuring success.

Don't put off registering, the first 50 people to register for the Webinar and view a demo within 48 hours will receive a free $25 Amazon gift card!

Amazon.com

So not only will you be gaining knowledge about the future of business blogging, you'll have a chance to win! Register now, there's only a handful of spots available.

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

© 2009 Compendium Blogware
All Rights Reserved