Blog Workshop

GET TING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT!

Blog Workshop

About Me

Marketing Professor: e-Publishing

Web Strategy for 8 + years1 Year Personal Blogging

ProjectCurrently a Strategic

Marketing Consultant

Before Starting

What is the purpose/mission of your blog? Career advancement Generate business/clients Make money Personal growth

What are your tangible goals? # subscribers, comments, shares, timeframe, etc.

Who Cares?

Think about your audience. What are their needs & expectations? Be useful.

Where are they on the web? Select your feeder sources.

What is your strategy? Create some boundaries.

Don’t try to be everything to everyone!

12 Tips for Success

1. Create an editorial calendar, but don’t expect to stick to it – unplanned posts are often the best.

2. Publicize some commitments.3. Include your photo and your personality.4. Develop your taxonomy ahead of time (categories,

tagging, keywords).5. Be consistent with your style (short vs wordy, creative

vs to-the-point).6. Get out there with your camera, now! And remember

Creative Commons.

12 Tips for Success

7. Use a variety of supporting media (video, infographics, photos, audio, etc.) but make it relevant. Use captions.

8. Don’t lose them once they are there. Let them subscribe via email and RSS. Ask for comments.

9. Reuse your content – share with other blogs.10. Be original! Don’t just recycle other people’s content.11. Keep your eyes open! Good content comes from many

sources – not just your own head.12. They won’t laugh at you!

Choose the Technology

WordPress: Free version vs. Open-source, downloadable version

Supporting Accounts/Tools: YouTube or Vimeo Google (Analytics) Gravatar, Feedburner Facebook, Twitter, Flickr

Activity: Set up a blog on WordPress.com

Appearance Options

Naming your blog + URL Name can change, URL remains

the sameSelect a Theme with Options

Header, Mobile Options, Custom Options (colours, etc.)

Core Widget Set: Recent Posts, Archive, Categories,

RSS & E-mail Subscribe, Menu

Theme Options

Activity: Set up your Blog’s Appearance

Important Settings

Reading Settings – Your front Page, # of posts per page, auto-email to subscribers

Privacy Settings – Search enginesSharing Settings – Enable social media

Activity: Enable Social Media for your Blog

Making a Post

Capture inspiration when you have it – set aside a chunk of time

Don’t force it – walk away and come back to it

Get someone else to read it!Include blog and post-specific

keywordsMake promoting it part of the

publishing processCelebrate each post!

Scary, but Rewarding!

PR & Marketing Blogs

Find the leaders: http://adage.com/power150/shankman.comchrisbrogan.combriansolis.comsethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/