A mild tempest in a teapot has broken out over guest blogging, or guest posting, as some people call it.
Guest blogging is being invited, or perhaps volunteering, to write a post on someone else's blog. The topic of the guest posting can either be decided by the blog owner, or by the visiting blogger. The ideas are often agreed upon before the actual writing.
The idea was frowned upon recently by Kev at his blog.
Kev says:
"I've got my own "thing that makes me go hmm" about blogland: guest posting. Guest posting appears to be the rather odd concept of having other people post entries in your blog. I'm awfully confused by this. I mean
Why would you want someone else posting to your blog?
Why would someone else *want* to post an entry to your blog?"
Voicing support for the idea of guest blogging is Jeremy Wright of Ensight.
You can read Jeremy's ideas about guest blogging here.
It's interesting that guest blogging has become something of a hot topic.
I am a guest blogger every Tuesday at Ensight. I am also part of a mega guest blogging site, that includes Jeremy, called Blog Search Engine Blog. My first guest blog was written for Search Engine Journal, at the request of blog owner Loren Baker.
Why do I guest blog?
I write columns and posts for other business and blogging information sites to help out my friends. Since I like to assist my friends be successful in their blogging ventures, I'm more than happy to provide whatever support I can. If that's in the form of a guest posting, then I'm more than happy to do so.
I also want other bloggers to benefit, perhaps in some small way, from my business experience. Many bloggers lack the basic knowledge of marketing, promotions, and search engine optimization. Some beginners aren't aware of the various blog directories, that will list their blogs free of charge.
I am more than happy to be of assistance to them, and helping them on their way.
Note, however, I only guest blog on sites that are business, marketing, or search engine oriented. On those sites, I can offer helpful advice for bloggers; and for that matter, any web sites. My posts are more in the way of "stand alone" columns and articles, than tradtional blog posts.
I don't post on sites that are more in the line of personal diaries. They are not my area of expertise. I can, however, assist them in getting their blogs listed in various directories. I can also provide them with many easy to implement ideas to increase their readership. I simply don't post on those blogs.
Guest blogging is not some weird "fan" thing for me.
It's a way of helping out my friends, and providing advice to other bloggers.
It's my idea of "giving back" to the internet community who have given my roller derby site so much support.
It's the least I can do.
Monday, November 10, 2003
Sunday, November 9, 2003
Google: Is your blog indexed?
Google is the most important and most used search engine.
Other search engines, including AOL Search, Yahoo, and others, use Google's listings as well.
Is your blog indexed in Google's listings?
The first thing to do is find out.
Go to http://www.google.com and enter the short form of your blog URL into the search box:
yourblogname.com
If your blog is indexed by Google, your blog's title will appear in the search results.
The results will also include a link to check how many other web sites (already indexed blogs) are linked to your blog. Another link lists all of the web pages that mention your blog. If either or both of those categories include your blog, then Google has found you too.
After your search, you may discover to your dismay, that Google has not listed your blog. Your thoughts and ideas are not found in the largest search engine. Don't dispair. All is not lost.
Here are a few ways to get yourself listed.
You can submit your site directly to Google at their Submit Your Site page. You only need to submit your blog's home page. Google will send its web crawling computer program (its "spider") called the Googlebot out to find your blog. It will then add the blog to Google's index.
Of course, this is not a fast method of getting indexed. It may take a couple of months. There has to be a faster method.
One way to get faster indexing is to find a link trading partner who is already listed in Google. When I started this blog, I simply linked to it from my other roller derby blog. Google listed me almost the very next day. You should be able to find someone willing to trade links with your blog. Bloggers are willing link swappers!
Find a friend who's already listed in Google and trade links. You'll find the fasted entry into Google's index that way!
Be sure to submit your blog to the many blog directories. They are frequently crawled by Google's spider. When your blog is accepted into the various blog directories, your acceptance into Google is sure to follow.
Simply fo to the various directory sites, find the Add URL page, find your appropriate category, and fill in the blanks. Most blog directories will include your blog in their listings within a week or two. Some are even faster than that!
Here is a list of some major blog directories. Get into all of them if you can. It's a couple of hours well spent on your part!
Blog Search Engine
Blogwise
Eatonweb Portal
Blog Universe
Popdex
Blogarama
Blogdex
Globe of Blogs
Blizg
Online Marketing Links
Weblogs Compendium
Octopus Files
Kmax
Open Weblog Directory
Another way, to get into Google's pages, is to post on various internet forums. There are few forums that specifically discuss blogs and blogging.
Two such forums are:
Blogger Talk
Blogger Forum
Both forums require membership (free) to post. They also provide a special area for you to list and describe your blog, for others to read. Along with some welcome new visitors, you'll receive a visit from the Googlebot.
Many blogs offer comments and trackback features. By posting a comment, the search engine spider can follow the trail back to your blog. Once your blog is found, your blog will be indexed. When making blog comments, it's very important that you remain on topic, or your post may not get you indexed. It may get you deleted by the blog owner instead!
Getting indexed by Google is one of the most important ways to get traffic to your blog.
Get listed today!
Other search engines, including AOL Search, Yahoo, and others, use Google's listings as well.
Is your blog indexed in Google's listings?
The first thing to do is find out.
Go to http://www.google.com and enter the short form of your blog URL into the search box:
yourblogname.com
If your blog is indexed by Google, your blog's title will appear in the search results.
The results will also include a link to check how many other web sites (already indexed blogs) are linked to your blog. Another link lists all of the web pages that mention your blog. If either or both of those categories include your blog, then Google has found you too.
After your search, you may discover to your dismay, that Google has not listed your blog. Your thoughts and ideas are not found in the largest search engine. Don't dispair. All is not lost.
Here are a few ways to get yourself listed.
You can submit your site directly to Google at their Submit Your Site page. You only need to submit your blog's home page. Google will send its web crawling computer program (its "spider") called the Googlebot out to find your blog. It will then add the blog to Google's index.
Of course, this is not a fast method of getting indexed. It may take a couple of months. There has to be a faster method.
One way to get faster indexing is to find a link trading partner who is already listed in Google. When I started this blog, I simply linked to it from my other roller derby blog. Google listed me almost the very next day. You should be able to find someone willing to trade links with your blog. Bloggers are willing link swappers!
Find a friend who's already listed in Google and trade links. You'll find the fasted entry into Google's index that way!
Be sure to submit your blog to the many blog directories. They are frequently crawled by Google's spider. When your blog is accepted into the various blog directories, your acceptance into Google is sure to follow.
Simply fo to the various directory sites, find the Add URL page, find your appropriate category, and fill in the blanks. Most blog directories will include your blog in their listings within a week or two. Some are even faster than that!
Here is a list of some major blog directories. Get into all of them if you can. It's a couple of hours well spent on your part!
Blog Search Engine
Blogwise
Eatonweb Portal
Blog Universe
Popdex
Blogarama
Blogdex
Globe of Blogs
Blizg
Online Marketing Links
Weblogs Compendium
Octopus Files
Kmax
Open Weblog Directory
Another way, to get into Google's pages, is to post on various internet forums. There are few forums that specifically discuss blogs and blogging.
Two such forums are:
Blogger Talk
Blogger Forum
Both forums require membership (free) to post. They also provide a special area for you to list and describe your blog, for others to read. Along with some welcome new visitors, you'll receive a visit from the Googlebot.
Many blogs offer comments and trackback features. By posting a comment, the search engine spider can follow the trail back to your blog. Once your blog is found, your blog will be indexed. When making blog comments, it's very important that you remain on topic, or your post may not get you indexed. It may get you deleted by the blog owner instead!
Getting indexed by Google is one of the most important ways to get traffic to your blog.
Get listed today!
Saturday, November 8, 2003
JoeAnt Directory: Getting listed
There are a number of important internet directories out there.
You want your blog or web site listed in them.
Today, we'll look at the important JoeAnt Directory.
You'll want to get your site or blog listed in JoeAnt for a number of reasons.
Every directory that lists you is a valuable incoming link. Each link into your blog or web site adds to its Google PageRank. That's the way Google measures the importance and authority of your site. Google considers the more links the better, as they are votes for your site. The higher the incoming PageRank, the better for you, as those are sites that are weighted as more important. Directories fall under that category.
The JoeAnt Directory also provides a good steady rate of referral traffic. That should make you sit up and take notice!
For bloggers, JoeAnt features a Blog of the Month section. For regular web sites, there is a highlighted Sites of the Month area. They are prominently placed on the JoeAnt home page. That could be you!
So how do you get yourself listed in the JoeAnt Directory?
One way, of course, is to pay. We are not looking at that option. I always advise you to save your money. Let's examine the free method!
The first step is to become a volunteer editor of a topic. In effect, by becoming an editor, you are working off your entry fee. That's just fine. We'll do that!
At the JoeAnt site, you'll find a link that asks you to become an editor. Click on it. They will request some very basic information from you. Your information is private and password protected, so only you can access your personal editing area (called an "ant hill").
You will be asked to choose a primary topic. As a new editor, you'll only be permited to have one topic area. The best idea is to select the category where your site will be listed. All topic applications are approved, so you don't have to fear rejection of your choice!
Once approved, you can enter your site for listing. Search through the sub-categories, in your chosen topic area, for the right one for your site. Write a brief and objective description of your blog. Don't bother filling the description with sales talk and puffery. The senior editors, who approve your first submissions, will only send it back to you for revision.
On the other hand, the senior editors are more than happy to provide advice for your site submissions. There is also an Editors Forum where you can post questions. Other more experienced editors will help to steer you in the right direction.
I'm an editor in the Recreation and Sports category. My roller derby site entry appears under its appropriate category. I'm free to add other sites under the Recreation and Sports category. I have already added a number of sports sites. A few of them are sports related blogs.
As you add entries to your topic area, you build up editor points. Once a certain level is reached, you are permitted to add another category to your ant hill. As your point total increases, you'll receive additional privileges as well. The JoeAnt Directory also runs a number of contests and competitions to encourage more editor participation and site submissions.
Get yourself listed in the JoeAnt Directory.
You'll enjoy being a volunteer editor.
It's a win-win situation for everyone!
You want your blog or web site listed in them.
Today, we'll look at the important JoeAnt Directory.
You'll want to get your site or blog listed in JoeAnt for a number of reasons.
Every directory that lists you is a valuable incoming link. Each link into your blog or web site adds to its Google PageRank. That's the way Google measures the importance and authority of your site. Google considers the more links the better, as they are votes for your site. The higher the incoming PageRank, the better for you, as those are sites that are weighted as more important. Directories fall under that category.
The JoeAnt Directory also provides a good steady rate of referral traffic. That should make you sit up and take notice!
For bloggers, JoeAnt features a Blog of the Month section. For regular web sites, there is a highlighted Sites of the Month area. They are prominently placed on the JoeAnt home page. That could be you!
So how do you get yourself listed in the JoeAnt Directory?
One way, of course, is to pay. We are not looking at that option. I always advise you to save your money. Let's examine the free method!
The first step is to become a volunteer editor of a topic. In effect, by becoming an editor, you are working off your entry fee. That's just fine. We'll do that!
At the JoeAnt site, you'll find a link that asks you to become an editor. Click on it. They will request some very basic information from you. Your information is private and password protected, so only you can access your personal editing area (called an "ant hill").
You will be asked to choose a primary topic. As a new editor, you'll only be permited to have one topic area. The best idea is to select the category where your site will be listed. All topic applications are approved, so you don't have to fear rejection of your choice!
Once approved, you can enter your site for listing. Search through the sub-categories, in your chosen topic area, for the right one for your site. Write a brief and objective description of your blog. Don't bother filling the description with sales talk and puffery. The senior editors, who approve your first submissions, will only send it back to you for revision.
On the other hand, the senior editors are more than happy to provide advice for your site submissions. There is also an Editors Forum where you can post questions. Other more experienced editors will help to steer you in the right direction.
I'm an editor in the Recreation and Sports category. My roller derby site entry appears under its appropriate category. I'm free to add other sites under the Recreation and Sports category. I have already added a number of sports sites. A few of them are sports related blogs.
As you add entries to your topic area, you build up editor points. Once a certain level is reached, you are permitted to add another category to your ant hill. As your point total increases, you'll receive additional privileges as well. The JoeAnt Directory also runs a number of contests and competitions to encourage more editor participation and site submissions.
Get yourself listed in the JoeAnt Directory.
You'll enjoy being a volunteer editor.
It's a win-win situation for everyone!
Friday, November 7, 2003
Blogs deserve places in search engines
Ranking high in the search engine results is essential for the visiblity of web sites.
Being ranked Number One, for your most important keywords, is the Holy Grail for most web sites.
Blogs are no exception.
Fortunately for blogs, they are almost custom made to Google's specifications.
Google considers incoming links to be extremely important in calculating the PageRank of a web site. Links are also strongly considered in Google's algorithm for positioning sites in the search results.
Since bloggers are natural and almost obsessive linkers, Google's algorithm was seemingly written with blogs in mind.
The same holds true for content. It's said that on the internet, "content is king". If that's indeed the case, then blogs truly hold the keys to the search engine kingdom.
The search engines send out their robot spiders, to crawl the web, searching for freshly updated web pages. Since many traditional web sites are "static", and rarely get any fresh material added, they don't change. The Googlebot, and the other search engine spiders, will find no compelling reason to visit regular sites more than about once a month.
Since bloggers update their blogs regularly (often several times a day), Google's spider will be crawling them often. Search engine spiders crawl many of the most frequently posted blogs on a daily basis.
It seems that regular updating, as part of the Google methodology, was again almost written with blogging in mind. Blogs have merely played within the rules as set out by the various search engines; Google included.
Of course, the bloggers' search engine success is not without its critics, and some attacks.
Traditionalists who refuse to differentiate between news, business and informational blogs on the one hand, and online diaries on the other, are crying foul. That confusion may in fact be intentional, to cloud the real issue. If the standard web site can't compete with blogs, they want to change the rules.
Static web sites are not always holding their own in the search engine results.
If not updated regularly, the standard web sites fall behind. Failing to have a good linking policy hurts the mainstream sites as well. To counter the blog assault on their exalted positions, traditional webmasters are clamouring for Google to remove blogs from the search results. Failing that, they want blogs indexed separately.
That is a fallacy.
It's also an afront to the quality of material offered by the blogs. Since the best blogs choose to provide good information, in the form of many well written articles, it's only proper the search engines would rank them highly. Google and others have already decided which blogs are delivering the goods, in terms of their search results.
Search engine algorithms take into account the relevance of the keywords on a web site. Blogs are often heavily keyword specific. The bloggers are providing the proper "spider food" for the search engines as they come crawling.
Google takes into consideration incoming links in calculating PageRank. The more links the better. The more highly ranked the linking site the better. Again, blogs are playing by the rules of the game. Only better!
There's the rub!
Blogs are what the internet was supposed to be from the beginning. Interlocking links of information, flowing freely from site to site, was the initial dream. Tradtional web sites have lost some of that vision.
Blogs are making that dream a greater reality.
Your business blog is just what the internet ordered!
Being ranked Number One, for your most important keywords, is the Holy Grail for most web sites.
Blogs are no exception.
Fortunately for blogs, they are almost custom made to Google's specifications.
Google considers incoming links to be extremely important in calculating the PageRank of a web site. Links are also strongly considered in Google's algorithm for positioning sites in the search results.
Since bloggers are natural and almost obsessive linkers, Google's algorithm was seemingly written with blogs in mind.
The same holds true for content. It's said that on the internet, "content is king". If that's indeed the case, then blogs truly hold the keys to the search engine kingdom.
The search engines send out their robot spiders, to crawl the web, searching for freshly updated web pages. Since many traditional web sites are "static", and rarely get any fresh material added, they don't change. The Googlebot, and the other search engine spiders, will find no compelling reason to visit regular sites more than about once a month.
Since bloggers update their blogs regularly (often several times a day), Google's spider will be crawling them often. Search engine spiders crawl many of the most frequently posted blogs on a daily basis.
It seems that regular updating, as part of the Google methodology, was again almost written with blogging in mind. Blogs have merely played within the rules as set out by the various search engines; Google included.
Of course, the bloggers' search engine success is not without its critics, and some attacks.
Traditionalists who refuse to differentiate between news, business and informational blogs on the one hand, and online diaries on the other, are crying foul. That confusion may in fact be intentional, to cloud the real issue. If the standard web site can't compete with blogs, they want to change the rules.
Static web sites are not always holding their own in the search engine results.
If not updated regularly, the standard web sites fall behind. Failing to have a good linking policy hurts the mainstream sites as well. To counter the blog assault on their exalted positions, traditional webmasters are clamouring for Google to remove blogs from the search results. Failing that, they want blogs indexed separately.
That is a fallacy.
It's also an afront to the quality of material offered by the blogs. Since the best blogs choose to provide good information, in the form of many well written articles, it's only proper the search engines would rank them highly. Google and others have already decided which blogs are delivering the goods, in terms of their search results.
Search engine algorithms take into account the relevance of the keywords on a web site. Blogs are often heavily keyword specific. The bloggers are providing the proper "spider food" for the search engines as they come crawling.
Google takes into consideration incoming links in calculating PageRank. The more links the better. The more highly ranked the linking site the better. Again, blogs are playing by the rules of the game. Only better!
There's the rub!
Blogs are what the internet was supposed to be from the beginning. Interlocking links of information, flowing freely from site to site, was the initial dream. Tradtional web sites have lost some of that vision.
Blogs are making that dream a greater reality.
Your business blog is just what the internet ordered!
Thursday, November 6, 2003
Site visitor counters
It's 11:00 PM.
Do you know where your blog's visitors are?
Are you certain that anyone ever surfs over to your blog at all?
If you aren't sure, whether or not anyone other than your mother, is reading your blog, it's time to get a site visitor counter.
There are several good counters available, on the internet, for free. All you have to do is register, download, and install their prewritten code. Having the coding already set up, to simply copy and paste into your blog's template, is ideal for those of us who are less than computer literate.
One good straightforward free counter is One Stat Basic.
Combining a very easy to understand format, with accurate and reliable counting, One Stat Basic is a great way to keep track of your traffic totals. If all you need to know, is how many people dropped by to read your blog, and where they came from, this is the counter for you. The information is displayed nicely in easy to read tables and graphs.
On the other hand, if you are tracking the keywords, that people type into search engines like Google and Yahoo, you can't get that from One Stat Basic. You will need to find a free web counter that keeps tabs on your keywords and their frequency.
One such counter is Extreme Tracking.
I think the strongest feature of Extreme Tracking is the following of your most popular keywords. You need to know what words people enter into the search engines, to find your site. It not only helps to determine your most popular topics of discussion, but helps you to optimize your site for high search engine rankings. If you know how people are looking for you, it's a real advantage for your blog. You simply use those most frequently searched terms heavily, when you write your blog posts.
A third useful free web counter is Web Tracker.
Providing a nice clean, easy to understand format, Web Tracker provides your visitor statistics in the form of simple tables and easy to read graphs. It's an easy approach to basic visitor counting.
While all of the free site counters have their good points, not all of them do everything. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. On this blog, and on my other roller derby site Wayne's Derby World, I use two free counters.
I use both the One Stat Basic counter, and the Extreme Tracking version.
I like the One Stat Basic method of counting, and of displaying the visitor numbers and information. Checking the numbers and sources of the traffic is quick and easy.
I definitely need to track the keywords, that are used for the search engine traffic I receive. On Wayne's Derby World, most of my first time visitors arrive from the various search engines.
Because Wayne's Derby World ranks very highly for most of the important roller derby keywords, I need to know which ones are bringing the traffic. For that reason, I have Extreme Tracking installed as well.
By using two counters, I combine the best features of both.
Be sure you have a visitor counter installed on your blog.
Even if only your mother reads your postings, at least you know when she arrived!
Do you know where your blog's visitors are?
Are you certain that anyone ever surfs over to your blog at all?
If you aren't sure, whether or not anyone other than your mother, is reading your blog, it's time to get a site visitor counter.
There are several good counters available, on the internet, for free. All you have to do is register, download, and install their prewritten code. Having the coding already set up, to simply copy and paste into your blog's template, is ideal for those of us who are less than computer literate.
One good straightforward free counter is One Stat Basic.
Combining a very easy to understand format, with accurate and reliable counting, One Stat Basic is a great way to keep track of your traffic totals. If all you need to know, is how many people dropped by to read your blog, and where they came from, this is the counter for you. The information is displayed nicely in easy to read tables and graphs.
On the other hand, if you are tracking the keywords, that people type into search engines like Google and Yahoo, you can't get that from One Stat Basic. You will need to find a free web counter that keeps tabs on your keywords and their frequency.
One such counter is Extreme Tracking.
I think the strongest feature of Extreme Tracking is the following of your most popular keywords. You need to know what words people enter into the search engines, to find your site. It not only helps to determine your most popular topics of discussion, but helps you to optimize your site for high search engine rankings. If you know how people are looking for you, it's a real advantage for your blog. You simply use those most frequently searched terms heavily, when you write your blog posts.
A third useful free web counter is Web Tracker.
Providing a nice clean, easy to understand format, Web Tracker provides your visitor statistics in the form of simple tables and easy to read graphs. It's an easy approach to basic visitor counting.
While all of the free site counters have their good points, not all of them do everything. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. On this blog, and on my other roller derby site Wayne's Derby World, I use two free counters.
I use both the One Stat Basic counter, and the Extreme Tracking version.
I like the One Stat Basic method of counting, and of displaying the visitor numbers and information. Checking the numbers and sources of the traffic is quick and easy.
I definitely need to track the keywords, that are used for the search engine traffic I receive. On Wayne's Derby World, most of my first time visitors arrive from the various search engines.
Because Wayne's Derby World ranks very highly for most of the important roller derby keywords, I need to know which ones are bringing the traffic. For that reason, I have Extreme Tracking installed as well.
By using two counters, I combine the best features of both.
Be sure you have a visitor counter installed on your blog.
Even if only your mother reads your postings, at least you know when she arrived!
Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Get your internet articles published: Some hints
A friend of mine, who happens to be a very good writer, asked me how he could get his articles published on various internet sites.
He had written an a great article on growing roses. The material was well researched, the facts were checked, and the piece was organized in a very professional manner. I expressed my surprise that such fine writing had been rejected. He had authored other equally top notch stories as well.
What was the problem?
I asked him what columns he was sending out. I also wanted to know which sites he had targeted as publishers.
The answers I got back were shocking!
He had not been sending the rose growing information to gardening sites. In fact, he wasn't entirely certain where he had submitted it. I did find out that he had sent it to a web site that primarily posted business information. I suggested that a submission, about how to profitably operate a garden centre, would have been more appropriate for that publisher.
He responded by saying, almost in amazement, "The site said it would consider all types of articles!"
There's the problem.
If you and my friend, wat to get your writing published on the various internet sites, you have to visit the site!
Read the articles already printed there. What you send to them has to be in a similar style and on topic to what their site is all about. You don't send an article on automobile transmissions to a clothing site. It will simply be ignored at best, and deleted at worst. How you spent your vacation in Tahiti might be just what a travel site is looking for, but it's unlikely to be of interest to a Shakespeare site.
Another bad idea is sending advertising copy, and promotional material for your business, thinly disguised as a news story. Experienced editors will simply hit the delete button on their e-mail program, and send your glorified advertisement to cyber oblivion. They might also keep your e-mail address on file.
When you subsequently send them a proper article, it may never see the light of day. They get dozens of stories daily. If your previous efforts were only self promotion, you may have already blown your chance. Articles are supposed to help the reader and the publishing news site. Remember, you are writing to assist the reader with some good ideas, useful advice, and interesting information.
If you want to get your articles published, follow these hints.
Visit the site and read (including the archives) what types of articles they publish.
Closely examine the length of the articles and style of the writing. They may be all facts all the time. Think "Five ways to start your lemonade stand". Perhaps they prefer anecdotes, and personal stories, to add interest the to the writing. Think "How I enjoyed volunteering at my local hospital". Get the feel for the site's content.
Be original too. If they have already posted "Five tips for selecting the right travel agent", don't send them "How to find a good travel agent." They rarely, if ever, need duplicates. Try something different! If you don't visit the web site, and read through what is already there, you'll never know.
Write what you know, in your field of expertise.
Provide good solid factual information on what you know best. This is no place for self promotion, but rather be of genuine assistance to the reader. Don't start by saying your company sells the best windows on the planet. Instead, talk about what to look for in quality window construction, how to install them so they won't be drafty, and what types of windows are best for various houses. Think in terms of helping your readers solve their problems.
Use an objective resource box.
Most internet publishers provide space for a few words of biography, and a link back to your site. This is no place to place a blatant ad. Think "Mention this article and get 50% off your next electronics purchase!" Most sites will remove lines like that one. If you insist on keeping everything "as is", the editors will do as you request. They will simply keep everything you write "as is", with their delete key.
Writing internet articles is a great way to help others, while promoting your own web site and blog. It gets your name and expertise out there to a wider audience. People who have never heard of you, or your blog, will soon consider you an expert in your field.
All you have to do is assist them with their problems, and in reaching their goals.
As for my friend, he's off checking out a few appropriate web sites to submit his articles for consideration.
He actually sent the rose growing story to a gardening site that he reads on a daily basis.
That's progress!
He had written an a great article on growing roses. The material was well researched, the facts were checked, and the piece was organized in a very professional manner. I expressed my surprise that such fine writing had been rejected. He had authored other equally top notch stories as well.
What was the problem?
I asked him what columns he was sending out. I also wanted to know which sites he had targeted as publishers.
The answers I got back were shocking!
He had not been sending the rose growing information to gardening sites. In fact, he wasn't entirely certain where he had submitted it. I did find out that he had sent it to a web site that primarily posted business information. I suggested that a submission, about how to profitably operate a garden centre, would have been more appropriate for that publisher.
He responded by saying, almost in amazement, "The site said it would consider all types of articles!"
There's the problem.
If you and my friend, wat to get your writing published on the various internet sites, you have to visit the site!
Read the articles already printed there. What you send to them has to be in a similar style and on topic to what their site is all about. You don't send an article on automobile transmissions to a clothing site. It will simply be ignored at best, and deleted at worst. How you spent your vacation in Tahiti might be just what a travel site is looking for, but it's unlikely to be of interest to a Shakespeare site.
Another bad idea is sending advertising copy, and promotional material for your business, thinly disguised as a news story. Experienced editors will simply hit the delete button on their e-mail program, and send your glorified advertisement to cyber oblivion. They might also keep your e-mail address on file.
When you subsequently send them a proper article, it may never see the light of day. They get dozens of stories daily. If your previous efforts were only self promotion, you may have already blown your chance. Articles are supposed to help the reader and the publishing news site. Remember, you are writing to assist the reader with some good ideas, useful advice, and interesting information.
If you want to get your articles published, follow these hints.
Visit the site and read (including the archives) what types of articles they publish.
Closely examine the length of the articles and style of the writing. They may be all facts all the time. Think "Five ways to start your lemonade stand". Perhaps they prefer anecdotes, and personal stories, to add interest the to the writing. Think "How I enjoyed volunteering at my local hospital". Get the feel for the site's content.
Be original too. If they have already posted "Five tips for selecting the right travel agent", don't send them "How to find a good travel agent." They rarely, if ever, need duplicates. Try something different! If you don't visit the web site, and read through what is already there, you'll never know.
Write what you know, in your field of expertise.
Provide good solid factual information on what you know best. This is no place for self promotion, but rather be of genuine assistance to the reader. Don't start by saying your company sells the best windows on the planet. Instead, talk about what to look for in quality window construction, how to install them so they won't be drafty, and what types of windows are best for various houses. Think in terms of helping your readers solve their problems.
Use an objective resource box.
Most internet publishers provide space for a few words of biography, and a link back to your site. This is no place to place a blatant ad. Think "Mention this article and get 50% off your next electronics purchase!" Most sites will remove lines like that one. If you insist on keeping everything "as is", the editors will do as you request. They will simply keep everything you write "as is", with their delete key.
Writing internet articles is a great way to help others, while promoting your own web site and blog. It gets your name and expertise out there to a wider audience. People who have never heard of you, or your blog, will soon consider you an expert in your field.
All you have to do is assist them with their problems, and in reaching their goals.
As for my friend, he's off checking out a few appropriate web sites to submit his articles for consideration.
He actually sent the rose growing story to a gardening site that he reads on a daily basis.
That's progress!
Tuesday, November 4, 2003
Great article on the importance of blogs
Are you searching for a tremendously informative, and well written, article on the importance to having a business blog?
Have a peek at blogging expert Trudy Schuett's special guest column on Writer Online. In the first installment of a three part series on blogging, Trudy provides one of the best cases for starting and maintaining a business blog.
While her focus is on writers, the advice she provides is of real value to any business person. If a business blog is in your future, check out Trudy Schuett's ideas. If you had never thought blogging was of any use to your company, Trudy will change your mind!
I have been writing here about how a business blog (not to be confused with an online personal diary) can improve your firm's marketing, promotions, and public relations efforts.
Trudy takes those same themes, and a lot more, and runs with them!
As Trudy says on her own WOLves blog, "Maybe you're still on the fence when it comes to blogs -- if you still think they're a passing fad, or an incomprehensible bunch of self-involved websites for teenagers, think again!"
And does Trudy ever make you think!
She opens a lot of skeptical eyes with ideas like this:
"Best of all, you really, actually can reach millions of people. When bloggers talk among themselves about website hits, they talk in terms of thousands per day and millions per year. Think about those millions of eager readers..."
Has the concept of a business blog got your attention now?
Be sure to check back at Writer Online, for the second and third installments, in her series.
It's well worth your time.
You'll never look at blogs or online promotions the same way again!
Have a peek at blogging expert Trudy Schuett's special guest column on Writer Online. In the first installment of a three part series on blogging, Trudy provides one of the best cases for starting and maintaining a business blog.
While her focus is on writers, the advice she provides is of real value to any business person. If a business blog is in your future, check out Trudy Schuett's ideas. If you had never thought blogging was of any use to your company, Trudy will change your mind!
I have been writing here about how a business blog (not to be confused with an online personal diary) can improve your firm's marketing, promotions, and public relations efforts.
Trudy takes those same themes, and a lot more, and runs with them!
As Trudy says on her own WOLves blog, "Maybe you're still on the fence when it comes to blogs -- if you still think they're a passing fad, or an incomprehensible bunch of self-involved websites for teenagers, think again!"
And does Trudy ever make you think!
She opens a lot of skeptical eyes with ideas like this:
"Best of all, you really, actually can reach millions of people. When bloggers talk among themselves about website hits, they talk in terms of thousands per day and millions per year. Think about those millions of eager readers..."
Has the concept of a business blog got your attention now?
Be sure to check back at Writer Online, for the second and third installments, in her series.
It's well worth your time.
You'll never look at blogs or online promotions the same way again!
Monday, November 3, 2003
Pinging your blog
When you update your blog, don't forget to ping it!
What in the world is pinging?
Pinging is one of those many wonderful internet words. It refers to letting the various blog aggregators know that you have updated. Pinging merely means letting everyone know you've added new content to your blog.
For example, the blog news site Technorati keeps track of blog entries as news sources. The site also measures the number of inbound and outbound links from each blog. To stay up to date with the changes, Technorati relies on regular pinging.
Another site that depends on reporting blog updates is Daypop. Along with news items from conventional sites, Daypop depends on bloggers reporting their updates.
Where do you ping your blog?
Many blog hosts (but not all) offer automatic pinging as a feature of their service. If it's not provided as part of the package, however, you'll have to report your updates manually.
One site that accepts manual blog pings is Weblogs.com. Simply enter your blog's title and URL into the spaces provided. The site will remember your information for your return visits. Bookmark the site, and return every time you add a new entry to your blog.
Another pinging site is Blo.gs. Simply add in your site's name, URL, and RSS feed if you have one, and press ping. As an added feature, Blo.gs lets you add some prewritten code to your site, to ping it automatically, if you choose.
For an all inclusive pinging site, go to Blog Service Pinger. Along with pinging to Blo.gs and Weblogs.com, the site automatically pings Technorati, and a number of others. Simply fill in the blanks with your blog's title and URL, click on the sites you want to ping, and there you are. One stop pinging!
Since you post on your blog on a regular basis, you'll want others to know you've done it too.
Pinging your blog, every time you update, is the way to do it!
What in the world is pinging?
Pinging is one of those many wonderful internet words. It refers to letting the various blog aggregators know that you have updated. Pinging merely means letting everyone know you've added new content to your blog.
For example, the blog news site Technorati keeps track of blog entries as news sources. The site also measures the number of inbound and outbound links from each blog. To stay up to date with the changes, Technorati relies on regular pinging.
Another site that depends on reporting blog updates is Daypop. Along with news items from conventional sites, Daypop depends on bloggers reporting their updates.
Where do you ping your blog?
Many blog hosts (but not all) offer automatic pinging as a feature of their service. If it's not provided as part of the package, however, you'll have to report your updates manually.
One site that accepts manual blog pings is Weblogs.com. Simply enter your blog's title and URL into the spaces provided. The site will remember your information for your return visits. Bookmark the site, and return every time you add a new entry to your blog.
Another pinging site is Blo.gs. Simply add in your site's name, URL, and RSS feed if you have one, and press ping. As an added feature, Blo.gs lets you add some prewritten code to your site, to ping it automatically, if you choose.
For an all inclusive pinging site, go to Blog Service Pinger. Along with pinging to Blo.gs and Weblogs.com, the site automatically pings Technorati, and a number of others. Simply fill in the blanks with your blog's title and URL, click on the sites you want to ping, and there you are. One stop pinging!
Since you post on your blog on a regular basis, you'll want others to know you've done it too.
Pinging your blog, every time you update, is the way to do it!
Sunday, November 2, 2003
Link trading: A good idea
Your business blog needs readers.
It's rather pointless to write a business blog about marketing, public relations, customer service, personnel management, internet technology, finance, or search engine optimization, and have no one read it.
While maintainng a small circle of devoted followers, may be fine for an online diary or journal, it's of little value to to business blog. For any company blog to be a success, it needs to multiply its readership.
One way to get more traffic is by trading links with other blogs. Link trading is the process of placing your blog's link on another blog's site. They in turn link back to yours. It is a fair exchange.
There are a number of benefits to link swaps that are easily over looked.
One advantage of your link appearing on another blog is the implied endorsement you are receiving. A reader of that web site will feel, that if their favourite blogger reads your posts, then your blog might be worthwhile reading too. Often the blogger who hosts your link, will mention or review your blog within a daily post. That added exposure provides even more reason for the casual surfer to click over to your site.
The extra traffic resulting from a link exchange is fairly obvious. Less noticed is the high quality of the referred visitors. Since they surfed over from a blog, that features similar content to yours, they are very likely to bookmark your blog, and return in the future. After all, you are providing information that they already find interesting and helpful.
The search engines will rank your blog much higher if you have a large number of incoming links. If the links are from some sites that have content similar to yours, the search engines value the links even higher. The leading search engine Google considers an incoming link to be a "vote" in support of your web site. The more incoming links your blog has, the more important that Google will rate it.
Creating link exchanges with other bloggers often has the additional advantage of finding new friends. As you get to know the other blog writers, you may often be able to find other ways to cooperate. One very powerful way to work together is to guest blog on your new colleague's site. By writing a special guest column, or even a series of columns, you can reach an even wider audience.
The benefits of exchanging links with other bloggers are unlimited.
Now is the time to start making those link swaps.
You'll be very pleased with the results.
It's rather pointless to write a business blog about marketing, public relations, customer service, personnel management, internet technology, finance, or search engine optimization, and have no one read it.
While maintainng a small circle of devoted followers, may be fine for an online diary or journal, it's of little value to to business blog. For any company blog to be a success, it needs to multiply its readership.
One way to get more traffic is by trading links with other blogs. Link trading is the process of placing your blog's link on another blog's site. They in turn link back to yours. It is a fair exchange.
There are a number of benefits to link swaps that are easily over looked.
One advantage of your link appearing on another blog is the implied endorsement you are receiving. A reader of that web site will feel, that if their favourite blogger reads your posts, then your blog might be worthwhile reading too. Often the blogger who hosts your link, will mention or review your blog within a daily post. That added exposure provides even more reason for the casual surfer to click over to your site.
The extra traffic resulting from a link exchange is fairly obvious. Less noticed is the high quality of the referred visitors. Since they surfed over from a blog, that features similar content to yours, they are very likely to bookmark your blog, and return in the future. After all, you are providing information that they already find interesting and helpful.
The search engines will rank your blog much higher if you have a large number of incoming links. If the links are from some sites that have content similar to yours, the search engines value the links even higher. The leading search engine Google considers an incoming link to be a "vote" in support of your web site. The more incoming links your blog has, the more important that Google will rate it.
Creating link exchanges with other bloggers often has the additional advantage of finding new friends. As you get to know the other blog writers, you may often be able to find other ways to cooperate. One very powerful way to work together is to guest blog on your new colleague's site. By writing a special guest column, or even a series of columns, you can reach an even wider audience.
The benefits of exchanging links with other bloggers are unlimited.
Now is the time to start making those link swaps.
You'll be very pleased with the results.
Saturday, November 1, 2003
Networking tips for your business
Networking is all about meeting with people and building trusting relationships. Whether done online or in person, making contacts will help you, and help your business networking partners.
Before you begin your networking campaign, be sure to set out some goals. Without goals in place, you won't be able to properly assess the success of your networking program. Once those goals are in place, you can begin to meet and work with other business people.
Visit with as many groups in your community as you possibly can prior to joining. Some groups are more educationally oriented, some are mainly in search of volunteers, and others are interested in facilitating business contacts. Learn as much as you can about the group, its support for business networking, the quality of its leadership, and its general tone. That way, you can select the groups that are right for you, and your business.
Once you choose the groups you wish to join, become involved in their activities. Sign up as a volunteer on a few of their committees. If at all possible, select one that has some relation to your field of business.
Be seen as a helpful person and a strong business resource. If people view you as an expert, willing to share advice freely in your area of business, they will gravitate towards you for ideas and assistance. It also serves to keep your name and business visible to them.
When you meet new contacts, be clear to them about what you and your business actually can do for them. Be able to summarize what makes you and your company unique in twenty-five words or less. In order to receive referrals, you must be able to let others understand how and why you can help them reach their business goals. If someone asks how they can help you in return, your short unique short business summary will tell them.
When you get business referrals, follow up on them as quickly as possible. Your new contact will feel good about having assisted you. It is also shows respect to the referrer. Because they took the time to help you, it is common courtesy to honour their time and effort. Be absolutely certain to show why they had that confidence in you and your business. Thank them personally after making the contact as well.
After making a few initial contacts, call them and meet with them again. Even if you are not selling them anything at the moment, they may have some more valuable leads for you. You not only increase your business, but you'll make some new friends as well.
Networking is all about building trust and relationships. Be honest in your meetings and other people will see you as someone in whom to place their trust.
Being a helpful person who practices honesty and integrity, is the best way to network, and to operate your business.
Before you begin your networking campaign, be sure to set out some goals. Without goals in place, you won't be able to properly assess the success of your networking program. Once those goals are in place, you can begin to meet and work with other business people.
Visit with as many groups in your community as you possibly can prior to joining. Some groups are more educationally oriented, some are mainly in search of volunteers, and others are interested in facilitating business contacts. Learn as much as you can about the group, its support for business networking, the quality of its leadership, and its general tone. That way, you can select the groups that are right for you, and your business.
Once you choose the groups you wish to join, become involved in their activities. Sign up as a volunteer on a few of their committees. If at all possible, select one that has some relation to your field of business.
Be seen as a helpful person and a strong business resource. If people view you as an expert, willing to share advice freely in your area of business, they will gravitate towards you for ideas and assistance. It also serves to keep your name and business visible to them.
When you meet new contacts, be clear to them about what you and your business actually can do for them. Be able to summarize what makes you and your company unique in twenty-five words or less. In order to receive referrals, you must be able to let others understand how and why you can help them reach their business goals. If someone asks how they can help you in return, your short unique short business summary will tell them.
When you get business referrals, follow up on them as quickly as possible. Your new contact will feel good about having assisted you. It is also shows respect to the referrer. Because they took the time to help you, it is common courtesy to honour their time and effort. Be absolutely certain to show why they had that confidence in you and your business. Thank them personally after making the contact as well.
After making a few initial contacts, call them and meet with them again. Even if you are not selling them anything at the moment, they may have some more valuable leads for you. You not only increase your business, but you'll make some new friends as well.
Networking is all about building trust and relationships. Be honest in your meetings and other people will see you as someone in whom to place their trust.
Being a helpful person who practices honesty and integrity, is the best way to network, and to operate your business.
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