Blogging 101

by michael 30. November 2009 12:31

If writing is an art, then, blogging is one way of using words to come up with an art. This is because people who are into blogging are the ones who are artistic on their own sense, carefully choosing words that would best describe their feelings, sentiments, wishes, desires, and everything.

Basically, blogs were first introduced as weblogs that refer to a “server’s log file.” It was created when web logging hit the virtual market. Since its inception in the mid-1990s, web logging gradually saturated the virtual community making the Internet a viable source of greater information.

However, with web logging, you still need a web site and domain names, but with blogging, you do not need anything just an account with blog providers. In most cases, these kinds of blogs are free of charge.

With the onset of blogging in the industry, personal journaling had been a common ground for people who wish to be known all over the world. However, not literally famous as this is not a case on being popular or well-known personality.

Generally, blogs are created for personal use. Like a journal, people can write their daily adventures, sentiments, and whatever ideas they want to express online.

Nevertheless, with the advent of the online businesses, blogs had gradually taken the limelight in providing businesses a chance to boost their productivity online. This is where the business blogs have taken the limelight.

Business blogs are, basically, created to advertise the services or products of a certain web site or online business in order to increase online sales.

Moreover, business blogs are also one way of promoting the company so that the other readers will know that a certain company exists online. With blogs, entrepreneurs are able to establish a name in the virtual market through articles that can be very useful in the reader’s life.

From there, you can make money out of blogs by simply syndicating it to your business’ web site. This can be done through the RSS technology.

So, if you are thinking to create a blog, whether for business or for pleasure, you need to know some tips that could help you get through and make your blog one of the interesting blogs online.

Here’s how:

1. Consider your audience

Even if your blog is generally personal, still, it would be better to consider the minds of your readers. You have to think of something that would interest them.

After all, most of the reasons of people who write blogs are not at all confined to their own personal motives. Most of them would love to be “heard” (or read) and would love to be known, in some way or another, even for just a minute. Hence, it is very important to come with a write up that everybody can understand, not necessarily that these people can relate to it but they can understand it.

2. Pictures speaks a thousand words

To make your blogging worth the browsing effort of your readers, it would be extremely nice if you will put some pictures in it. It does not necessarily mean you have to place a picture of yourself. Any photographs will do as long as it does not pose danger or insult to anyone who will be reading your blog.

3. Make constructive and beneficial blogs

Even if you are free to write anything you wan to say to the world, still, it would be better to create some write-ups that would be beneficial to your readers.

After all, its information technology that you have there so better be inclined to provide information rather than sheer quirky entertainment.

4. Avoid making multifaceted and complicated blogs

In order to have an interesting blogs, try not to use some highly technical and highfalutin words. After all, it is not a science discourse or a debate that you are making, so better stick to simple facts and short blogs.

Bear in mind that most people who use the Internet usually do more scanning than scrutinizing each site word for word. Therefore, it would be better to come with blogs that will not bore your readers just because you have these lengthy articles.

5. Make it interactive

As much as possible and if your capacity will allow it, make your blog interactive. Yu can do this by placing some video or audio clips in your blog.

You can even place an area for comments or for some feedbacks. In this way, you can get some impressions or reactions of other people. Who knows, you might even gain some friends just by making them feel at home in your blog site. 

Indeed, blogs are not created just for the mere fun of it. It also has its own purpose in the world of the Internet. 

Therefore, for people who wish to harness their craft, as far as writing is concerned, blogs are the best way to do it. 

As they say, blogging is the contemporary term of creative and commercial writing.


Bookmark and Share

Tags:

Blogging

Finding Free Multimedia for you Website

by michael 6. August 2009 10:07

I was just thinking the other day how nice it would be to find a list of places for free stock images that could be used to spice up things at my sites. Then comes along this article at Mashable26 Places to Find Free Multimedia for Your Blog. I love it when things work out this way.

Nothing makes a blog post more eye-catching than a great header image, but not all publishers have artistic talent. And even accomplished digital creatives often crave some found material to start from or work with in a project. Luckily for all of the above, sources abound for finding a compelling photo to grab your readers’ eyes and draw them in, or to locate fresh multimedia to remix.

Please feel free to add your own list of legitimate sources of free multimedia in the comments form below.

Bookmark and Share

Tags: , ,

Multimedia

Make the Best of The Situation

by michael 20. April 2009 08:32

 

I am sure we have all heard that one.  But it is a rule we all need to live by, even in your business life, employee, or internet marketer. You will never be the perfect entrepreneur. No matter how hard you work to avoid catastrophes... at some point, disasters will happen. At times, you will look bad, and your reputation will be injured. But, that doesn't mean you or your company have to suffer long-term repercussions because of it.  Here are some steps for embracing your own humanity, and turning "bad" situations into incredible, marketing situations.

Step 1- Laugh at yourself and your mistakes. (Getting upset about the situation won't fix things. Look at this as an opportunity instead.)

Step 2- Fix the disaster, tenaciously.

Step 3- Offer the injured customers or prospects even more than they expect. (If done properly, these individuals may become your biggest fans.)

Step 4- Use the situation to fix your current systems. (Making a mistake is alright. Repeating that mistake can be devastating.)

Step 5- Freely share these experiences in marketing messages, blogs, webinars, or as a "reason" to have another sale or promotion.

People are generally more forgiving than they seem. If you are willing to "expose" your weaknesses, your contacts will feel your honesty and sincerity. The harder you try to be the "perfect" small business owner (and hide your errors), the more detached from your contacts you become. And, the more likely they are to mistrust you.

Enjoy your imperfections and learn to use them to your advantage! 

 

 

Bookmark and Share

Tags:

General

Email Marketing: Know the Legal Boundaries of Your Campaigns

by msyoung 23. March 2009 16:30
Email marketing is a very effective way or reaching your target market. It is less expensive than other types of marketing while allowing your to reach large volumes of consumers. It is expected to be the most used method of advertising. 

Are you aware of the various email marketing laws that are in effect throughout the United States and other countries? 

It is important that you take the time to educate yourself on this topic before you proceed with an email marketing campaign. 
36 of the 50 states have privacy laws in place regarding email marketing tactics. There are also laws in Europe, Australia, and Asia. 

It is a good idea to have an attorney who specializes in these laws to assist you with your email marketing campaigns. If you are a small business planning to go about it on your own, it is very important that you are aware of how these laws affect you. 

The CAN-SPAM Act was implemented in the United States to protect the privacy of consumers on January 1st of 2004. CAN-SPAM is short for Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act. The act prevents the use of misleading to and from headers in the email.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/canspam.html 

Marketers are required to include their physical address in the email. 
There must be an opt out link in every email that gives the consumer the ability to reach the marketer and tell them they no longer want to receive information from them. The sender of the email must work to remove this email address from their data base within 10 business days. 

Any email that contains sexual content must be clearly labeled and identified before the recipient opens it. Marketers have to get permission from the consumer in order to sell their email address. 

Regulators of the internet are getting harder on marketers who violate these laws. They are imposing huge fines. In some cases the sender of these marketing emails can be sentenced to jail for a maximum of five years. 

The harsher regulations are to protect the users of the internet and email services who felt their privacy was being violated as their email continued to be bogged down with hundreds of solicitation emails that were randomly sent without any target market in mind. As the use of email marketing continues to grow, expect the regulations to be further enforced. 

In addition, businesses who continue to send such materials to consumers who have requested to be removed from the data base mailing list may decide to sue you and your company.As a business owner, this can be scary. 

The law protects you as well though. You will not be liable if a spammer has used your business as a cover for their endeavors. 
You are also not liable if a virus is found in your email marketing campaign as long as you did not place it there or know it was in place prior to sending out the emails. 

The Coalition Against Unsolicited Emails is a non-profit advocate organization to help consumers know their rights, to stop unfair email marketing practices, and to provide businesses with answers to their questions before they engage in such activities. They also work closely with members of Congress to get laws passed that will be in the best interest of both consumers and businesses. Their website is a great place to get information.

Email marketing is a great opportunity to keep your business in the mind of consumers as well as encourage them to make new purchases. 

It is important that you follow the laws and regulations that have been put in place to protect consumers from unfair email marketing practices. While most businesses do all they can to follow these laws too many don’t. 

Others simply aren’t educated in these laws so they break them without intending to or realizing they have. The internet is a great place to get additional information of fair email marketing practices as well as the laws for each country. Keep a good eye out for any changes in these laws. There are not any pending issues in the legislation at this time. 
Bookmark and Share

Tags: , , ,

Email Marketing

Powered by BlogEngine.NET 1.5.1.11
Theme by Extensive SEO