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7 Dust-Busting Ways to Clean and Refresh Your Blog

April 3, 2012 by 1 Comment

Having a blog on your company’s website or linked to your website is a cost effective online marketing tool. It’s important to provide content that will attract visitors, keep them interested, and convert them into customers. Place social media icons on your blog to make sharing easier. Have a conversation on Facebook and Twitter to show followers and fans that your company is interested in what they have to say. Show your care and concern.

Below you’ll find 7 dust-busting techniques that will clean your blog and make it shine again.

How to Clean and Refresh Your Company’s Blog 

Redesign it.

The design implemented three years ago could be out-of-date today. It’s important to stay on top of the latest design trends. Pay attention to the color scheme. A bold color scheme could work for an entertainment business, but not for your medical practice.

Rewrite blog content.

Rewrite or hire a freelance writer/blogger to rewrite old content. This is a great content strategy to breathe new life into your blog. Perhaps, the content is outdated or didn’t make a good first impression when it was originally posted. Perhaps, blog posts weren’t optimized with keywords/phrases.

Rewrites could dramatically increase web traffic.

Tip: A headline on a blog post is just as important as a headline on a print article. You still have to ‘hook’ readers.

Ask questions.

Asking questions at the end of blog posts is a web traffic building strategy that most freelance writers and bloggers use. A question shows visitors that you want to know what they think — your company’s interested in having and maintaining a conversation with them.

Revise the writing style and tone.

What’s the tone of the current blog content? Style and tone can affect blog traffic. This is why it’s important to know ‘who’ the target audience is. For example, if your target audience is marketing directors, the content should be targeted to this audience by incorporating industry jargon and lingo. However, if your target audience is the ‘everyday’ consumer, avoid using industry terms. Your message will become muddled and lost. Customers will gravitate to your competitors’ content because it’s easy to understand.

Change the structure of blog posts.

There are many ways to structure blog posts. The most common way is:

  • Headline
  • Bullet headline
  • Information

However, you don’t have to follow this pattern. Be bold and try something new such as:

  • Headline
  • Quote
  • Information
  • Headline
  • Quote
  • Information

Tips

  • Keep sentences short and to the point.
  • Use bold headlines and bullet points.
  • When it comes to links, use a different color to stand out from the crowd.

Test different structures to see which ones receive the most ‘tweets’ and ‘likes.’ One thing that never changes is that web content must be compelling and interesting.

Post consistently.

How fresh is your company’s blog content? Is it posted consistently? You don’t have to publish a blog post every day; however, choose a schedule that works for your company. Perhaps, you’ll post twice a week or twice a month. Whatever you do, be consistent.

Try new angles.

Types of posts such as “How To” and “Lists” work because they’re fast and easy to read. But, you may want to ‘shake’ things up by publishing a controversial post here and there. If you disagree with your competitors, say so. If you disagree with industry trends, write about it (or have your freelance writer/blogger, write about it). There’s no harm in voicing your opinions. It’s a great way to jump start a conversation.

Use these blog ‘dust busting’ techniques to wipe the slate clean on your company’s blog. Experiment with different types of posts from “How To” to “Tips.” What works? What doesn’t work? Analyze the results to find out which posts had the most visitors and comments. Remember to keep your target market in mind when posting web content. Once your company discovers a strategy that works, stick with it. But don’t ignore new trends either. Stay on top of the ever changing world of blogging.

What are you doing to prevent your blog from collecting dust? Share.

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Skype Can Save Your Company Time and Money

February 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Don’t you hate it when you’ve scheduled a company meeting, only to cancel it due to horrible weather conditions? How many times are you going to reschedule because of a snow storm? Use Skype to solve this problem, and you won’t have to cancel next week’s meeting because of extreme weather.

Why Skype is an Effective Technology for Your Company
Skype Technologies S.A. logo

Image via Wikipedia

Choose a plan that works for your company. Select one of the business plans best suited for your type of business. Choose small business, medium business, and enterprise. There’s even a Home Office plan.

Reduce technology and travel expenses. Use Skype to reduce your company’s technology and travel expenses. If you have employees around the world, it can become expensive to fly everyone to your corporate location for meetings. Instead, download Skype to bring everyone together.

Tip #1: Use Skype and your company should notice cost reductions.

Tip #2: Employees would be grateful if they could work-at-home. Have them download Skype and voilà! They’ll be happy and help preserve the earth at the same time.

Improve employee communication. Your employees can work together and collaborate on projects when you download Skype. Have them use the chat room to keep in touch with colleagues. Productivity will increase since employees will be able to work together, no matter where they are in the world.

Tip #3: Have employees hold a group chat once a month to promote goodwill and harmony within the company.

Build customer and supplier relationships. Wouldn’t it be nice to communicate with customers and suppliers around the world? When you download Skype, you’ll be instantaneously connected with them. It’s also a good way to build and strengthen these important relationships.

FYI: Click here to view and use Skype cases studies. Learn how other companies are improving their communication, profitability, and productivity.

Conduct video job interviews. A video interview reduces the stress of job interviews for both parties. Candidates won’t have to sit in traffic and worry they’ll be late. Plus, they’ll reduce frequent flier miles. Interviewers won’t have to worry about straightening up their office.

Hint #1: Both parties will have to maintain eye contact — some people struggle with this.

Hint #2: If potential candidates understood how to download Skype, they’ll probably be familiar with how to use it. This saves time on training.

It’s good for the environment. Employees and suppliers won’t have to drive to the office for meetings. Job candidates can interview from the comfort of their homes. The reduction of emissions into the air will help preserve the environment.

Tip #4. You’ll be able to show stakeholders how ‘environmentally friendly’ your company is thanks to Skype. Everyone who reduces their drive time reduces pollution in the air.

Recap of Benefits of Skype
  • Cost effective plans for your home, small, medium, or enterprise business.
  • Group chat.
  • Save money on technology and travel expenses.
  • Good for the environment.
  • Easily conduct job interviews and presentations.
  • Build and strengthen customer, employee, and supplier relationships
  • Easy to use.

Skype is convenient and easy to use. Your company can hold business meetings, conduct interviews and presentations, and chat with customers and suppliers. Most importantly, you’ll save money which can be used to grow your business — increase charitable donations too. Giving back to your community promotes goodwill.

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How to Become an Organized Business Owner

September 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Organization Keeps you moving-Vin

Image by nist6ss via Flickr

How organized is your office or home office? What about your files? What about your computer files? I love organization! Clutter does not work for me — it never has. My home office must be neat, clean and tidy. I can get overwhelmed by too much office furniture, books and other reference materials, papers and other office items. Organization is thy name; communications is my game!

Becoming an organized business owner will set you free. You won’t stress out when clients call because you can’t find their files. I know what you’re thinking, “Organization isn’t for me. I can find everything I need; I have a system.” However, your clients may not appreciate being kept on hold while you dig through mountains of files and papers. Give organization a chance — it could work for you.

How to Become an Organized Business Owner

Make the decision to become an organized business owner. If you’re sick and tired of having to look for pen and paper, the phone, files or anything else, it’s time to embrace organization. You can buy office organizers from any local retailer or office supplies store. In fact, you may want to purchase brand new office supplies to mark your first step into the world of organization.

Take it one file at a time. If your office or home office is covered with files, purchase file cabinets and organize your files. Go through each file, scan documents and create file folders on your computer (if you haven’t done this already). Shred papers you don’t need or save them to your computer.

Purchase organizers. You can buy office and or home organizers from local retailers. They don’t cost much and are easy to install. If you’re not handy, hire someone to install the cabinets and shelving. Once you’ve organized your office and or home office, you’ll feel better.

Hire an organizational consultant. Believe it or not, you can hire a professional organizer. They’ll help you organize your office and or home office. Some are skilled in the art of ‘Feng Shui‘ which means they’ll create the perfect ‘chi’ for you and your office. You should notice a difference in the flow of energy; business could increase.

Some experts believe they can tell how ‘functional’ you are by the way your office or home office is organized. For example, if your office looks as if a cyclone went through it, most experts would probably say your business, finances, relationships and other areas of your life are disorganized. Sometimes this is true, but not always. Test this theory by looking at your life. How is your financial situation? How is your business? Is it thriving or dying? How strong are your relationships? Do you have close connections with business associates, clients, co-workers, family, friends and others? If you’re out of balance in any of these and other areas of your life (especially your professional life), chances are you’re disorganized. Get to the ‘root’ cause of your disorganization in order to become the organized business person you can be.

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How to Communicate with External and Internal Customers

September 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Simple Linear Communication Model

Image via Wikipedia

As a writer, I pay attention to what people write and say. I do my best to be an astute listener and reader. Communications is my business. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my previous work experience and the communications I’ve had with people over the years. I think about the emails I wrote and received over the years and want to cringe. I often think, “Did I write or say that? Did that person write that? What were they thinking?” You really don’t realize the impact of your words; unless, you take a step back and think about it from a reader’s perspective. You can’t control how someone will react; however, you could read and re-read your correspondence and think about how it may be received. How you speak and what you write does matter.

How to communicate with external and internal customers

1. Listen to people. Don’t interrupt people when they speak. Hold space for them where they feel ‘safe’ to openly speak their mind. Try your best not to ‘judge’ them or their words, thoughts. This can be easier said than done. Do your best to really listen to people, it will make a difference in your business and life.

2. Read and reread emails. It’s too bad I didn’t keep the emails I wrote and received. Oh well! I could always ‘recreate’ them, not. Before you send an email, it would behoove you to read and read it. What is the tone? How will it be received by the recipient(s)? Keep in mind, you can’t control how people react; however, you could take a step back and review what your words. Are they encouraging? Are they hostile? How do your words motivate people? Will they want to work with or for you? Ask these and other questions before you send an email.

3. Understand your target audience. Your audience may not understand the ‘lingo or jargon’ used within your business. Always be aware of your audience. You don’t want them to say, “What the heck is he/she speaking about?” If you’re target understands the industry lingo then by all means speak their language.

4. You need people. Let’s face it; you won’t be in business long if your customers and employees leave. A few months ago, Piers Morgan interviewed Donnie and Marie Osmond; they were big (still going strong) in the 1970s. Donnie said, “I’m an entertainer. It’s my job to entertain people.” He’s right. If people don’t purchase tickets to see Donnie and Marie’s show in Vegas, Donnie and Marie will be sent packing. Unless, of course; their families buy ALL of the tickets and sell out the show every night. I don’t think that will happen.

5. Say “Thank You” once in a while. It won’t kill you to say “Thank You” for working for me or purchasing my products and services. Let people know they matter to you. Remember, you won’t get far without the help from others. It’s something to think about.

Rebecca

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How to Generate Leads and Sales

September 7, 2011 by 4 Comments

What is marketing? Marketing is about sharing value with new and existing customers. It’s not about being pushy or manipulating potential customers into purchasing your products and or services. Its’ not about treating people as if they’re cats; waving sparkly, razzle dazzle marketing campaigns in front of them won’t work. They’ll see through the ‘smoke and mirrors’ and walk on. Follow the strategies below to generate fruitful leads and sales.

10 Lead and Sale Generation Strategies

1. Partnerships. Form partnerships with ‘like-minded’ business owners that have the same target market as you do. There’s strength in numbers! You could combine resources and opportunities. Hold events and maximize your expertise. You can grow your business by strategically working with others.

2. Speaking engagements. Most people would rather have root canal than speak in front of an audience. But it will pay for you to get over your fear of public speaking. Speaking allows an audience to experience your passion first-hand; they’ll be able to see and get a ‘feel’ for you. They’ll be able to assess your sincerity and knowledge. People like and feel comfortable working with people they know. More importantly, the best form of advertising is word-of-mouth. All it takes is one person to tell someone else about you and before you know it, the word will spread that you’re an expert in your field.

3.  Content writing. This includes article and blog writing; eBooks, newsletters, press releases and other writings. Provide unique and timely content to your target market. Build relationships with your target audience by providing relevant and useful tips, tricks, tutorials, newsletters, eBooks, etc. Customers and potential customers should be able to implement your information straightaway.

4. Networking. Attend various networking events and get to know people in your field or those who compliment your business. Build relationships and ask, “What can I do for you? How may I help?” You’ll be surprised by the reaction you receive.

5. Link exchanges. This is a great way to increase your visibility. Make sure you exchange links with those who complement or match your target audience.

6. Referrals. Ask current clients/customers for referrals. Most business owners don’t like to ask for referrals; however, it’s in your best interest to ask for them. Let’s face it; if your customers are happy with you and your products/services, why wouldn’t they want to refer you?

7. Social media. Focus on two to three social networks and stick with them. The top three are Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. However, you may find that Tumblr, StumbleUpon, Bebo, Flickr, Digg or another network works better for you and your business. Keep your ‘target audience’ in mind when you utilize social network sites. For example, did you know that 72% of Facebook users are ages 25-54? If your target audience is teenagers, they may prefer Tumblr to Facebook because their parents want to ‘friend’ them on Facebook and they don’t like that.

8. Teleseminars and webinars. If you decide to conduct a teleseminar or webinar, please provide attendees with substantial information, not 60-90 minutes of a fluff and sales. I’m speaking from experience. I’ve attended many, many teleseminars and webinars and thought, “I wasted 60-90 minutes of my time for this; I didn’t learn anything. Why did I sign up? What was I thinking? I was hooked, line and sinker. I’m not the target market. This was nothing but a ‘sales’ fest.”  Potential customers will be turned off if your teleseminars and or webinars are nothing but a sales promotion.

9. Direct mail. If you’re new to an area, introduce yourself to local businesses. They won’t know about you unless you tell them you’re available to solve their problem. You may consider holding a promotion that’s specifically for the businesses in your area.

10. Podcast and or video series. Have you ever wanted a career in radio or television? Creating a podcast (you could use Blog Talk Radio) or video series could do wonders for you and your business. You can use programs such as Audacity to quickly and smoothly create valuable podcasts. You’re probably familiar with YouTube. Keep podcasts under 15 minutes; videos between 5-10 minutes. Some people want to get the most out of a podcast/video in the shortest amount of time. If you’re podcast or video is too long, you may lose customers.

Rebecca

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