Monthly Archives: May 2009

7 Ways to Put the B Back in Your Blogging-Part 1

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This entry is part 1 of 7 in the series 7 Ways to Put the B Back in Blogging

You notice that if you take away the b in blogging you get logging. Thanks right, without the b you are just putting in time it is quanity and not quality.  So how do we go beyond just logging facts  and figures to blogging about things of interest and substance?

I have observed some things form sites I have been engaged and enthusiatic about. So, knowing that I do not have all the answers, (If I did I would have over 100,000 visitors monthly.) But I know what I like and trying to start practicing it more on my sites.

So lets, start with:

!.  Believe what you write in your blog posts.

So you visit the blog of a guru and decide to link to it in your site. Just because they are well recognized do you  really believe the points they are making? Or do you adopt their points of view because they are who they are?

When you believe the posts you write the passion will ooze out of the blog post like too much garlic.

So, think before you write your next blog post if you believe what you have written or just writing to make folks happy.

What Motivates You to Keep Blogging, and Blogging and Blogging Again?

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What motivates you to keep blogging? Personally I have several things that pull me up when I am dragging. One of them is reconnecting to the reasons why I set up each and every blog I have.  It sometimes means sitting and looking at that blank space where a title is waiting to be written and saying to myself, “Why am I writing this post? Who do I want to read it?’ “What action do I hope will take place.?

Well, that sounds all well and good but sometimes I don’t even click on the “Add New” tab to bring up the blank post. I don’t even have it down as a task on my blogging task list. I don’t even want to look at my computer. I mean honestly folks has this ever happened to you? What kicks you in the pants and keep you movin, movin?

Ten Ways to Promote Your Facebook Page

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I have developed a few pages on Facebook. But now I am going back to do it right! As part of my research I have found some really good articles.
Enjoy this excellent article by a social media expert. Let’s say she is my guest blogger for today.

Ten Ways to Promote Your Facebook Page
By Mari Smith

Facebook’s Terms of Use state you can only have one account and it must be in your actual name, not your business name. However, there is a place set aside specifically to represent and promote your business called Facebook Pages. The Pages feature is somewhat obscured; scroll down to the foot of any web page and click on “Advertisers.”

The two primary reasons to create and promote your Facebook Page–as well as your own Profile–is (1) more people can find out about your business because your Page gets indexed and is searchable inside and outside of Facebook, and (2) you may at some point reach the 5,000 friend limit on your Profile. So the time to start building out your Page is now.

Here are ten suggestions for promoting your Facebook Page:

1. Choose a specific domain name.

Buy a domain e.g. johnsmithfanclub.com (or create a shortened URL) and forward it to your Facebook Page URL.

2. Talk about your Page on Twitter.

Tweet about your Page URL regularly. Preferably not just, “check out my Facebook Page [insert link].” Rather, offer something enticing like “New jewelry making video tutorial just loaded at my Facebook fan page [insert link].”

3. Create content just for Fans.

Add content to your Page for your Fans that they cannot get anywhere else, e.g. videos, tips, special gifts, discussion threads, coupons, etc.

4. Conduct weekly drawings.

Run a weekly (or even daily) prize drawing where you draw a Fan’s name at random for a special prize, ideally connected to your business product/service.

5. Play hide ‘n’ seek.

“Hide” something on your Page and get your Fans to find it. Have them tweet their answer to you! The first x get a prize.

6. Promote regular contests.

People love contests and video is becoming more and more popular. Create a photo and/or video contest. Have your Fans upload their photos/videos to your Fan Page.

7. Provide a place for interaction.

Start a thread on your Discussion Board that allows your fans to promote and/or network with one another. For example, invite your fans to submit their own (and/or their favorite) blogs.

8. Acknowledge fans.

When new Fans write on your Page Wall, respond by writing back on their Profile wall. (This helps create visibility for both you and your Fans). Also, look for your fans on Twitter and send them an @ message.

9. Send email broadcasts.

Send an email blast to your regular opt-in list inviting them to join your new Fan Club. Offer an incentive to do so. Also, include an invitation to join your Club on your email signature file.

10. Test Social Ads.

Promote your Page with Social Ads. Every time someone becomes your Fan their name and photo may appear alongside your ad. There’s a reason Facebook lumps Pages in with Social Ads under Advertising! Experiment with a weekly/monthly budget and see what happens.

Visit Mari’s blogs for two free e-courses: 21 Keys To Profitable Relationships at http://marismith.com and 7-Day Facebook Marketing Tips at http://www.whyfacebook.com

Mari Smith is a Relationship Marketing Specialist and Facebook Business Coach. She helps entrepreneurs to accelerate their business growth using an integrated social marketing strategy, with particular focus on Facebook. Mari is passionate about showing professionals how to develop powerful profitable relationships.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mari_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ten-Ways-to-Promote-Your-Facebook-Page&id=1564783


5 WordPress Plugins The WordPress Wizard Wants Us to Work Into Our WordPress Blog

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This is a great article by Cathy Perkins, The WordPress Wizard on her 5 top WordPress plugins. Enjoy


WordPress Essentials – Plugins the WordPress Wizard Must Have

WordPress Essentials – Plugins the WordPress Wizard Must Have
By Cathy Perkins

This is not an exhaustive list but I MUST have these plugins:

Vipers Video QuickTags

Tired of copying and pasting the embed HTML from sites like YouTube? Then this plugin is for you.

Just click one of the buttons that this plugin adds to the WordPress editor and then paste the URL wherethe video is located at into the prompt box — easy as that. You can configure how the videos are displayed (width, height, colors, alignment on the page) and much more. Your site will remain (X)HTML valid unlike with the code provided by most video sites.

Share This

The ShareThis WordPress plugin provides a quick, simple to use, and unobtrusive way for users to add your post to many social bookmarking sites, or to send your post link via email, AIM, Facebook, MySpace and more.

Dean’s FCKEditor For WordPress

This plugin Replaces the default WordPress editor.

FCKeditor is an open source WYSIWYG text editor ,brings to the web much of the power of desktop editors like MS Word.it’s lightweight and is compatible with most internet browsers which include: IE 5.5+ (Windows), Firefox 1.0+, Mozilla 1.3+ and Netscape 7+.

Features:

  • media buttons
  • Build-in File manager and upload manager.
  • Build-in WordPress “read more” Button
  • Integrated with WordPress media buttons
  • Manage and insert smileys into your post
  • And MUCH more

WP-DB-Backup

You must be responsible for your data. This plugin backs up your database. Set it to a schedule of your choice and select from several locations to store the backup.

HeadSpace

HeadSpace2 is an all-in-one meta-data manager that allows you to fine-tune the SEO potential of your site.

Here is what the plugin author has to say about HeadSpace2:

“You can configure meta-data for:

  • Posts
  • Pages
  • Categories
  • Home page
  • Author pages
  • Search pages
  • 404 page

You can define:

  • Tags/keywords, with suggested keywords
  • Descriptions
  • Page titles
  • Custom ‘more text’
  • Site name and site description
  • Custom themes – change your theme on each page!
  • Custom plugins – load a plugin only on specific pages
  • Additional CSS and JavaScript files
  • Noindex and nofollow

It also allows you to add:

  • Google Analytics
  • Google Webmaster
  • Google section targeting
  • Mint statistic
  • 103bees
  • Statcounter
  • CrazyEgg heat map
  • Feedburner Stats Pro
  • Apture
  • Yahoo! Site Explorer
  • Microsoft Live Verification
  • HitTail
  • Piwik tracking
  • AWStats tracking”

It sure does this and is convenient and easy to use.

TwitterTools

For everyone on Twitter, and if you aren’t, why aren’t you, this plugin is so versatile. It allows you to create tweets from your posts and create a sidebar widget containing your recent tweets.

Cathy Perkins, The WordPress Wizard

Bonus Tip – Use plugins to expand the capability of your WordPress blog. Get the plugins you need to do what you want to do.

And you can also claim your FREE Instant Access to ‘3 Minute Blog Tips’ when you visit http://TheWordPressWizard.com/blog-tip

From Cathy Perkins, The WordPressWizard.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Perkins
http://EzineArticles.com/?WordPress-Essentials—Plugins-the-WordPress-Wizard-Must-Have&id=2364086


Do You Know When Someone Makes a Comment About Your Topic on a Blog?

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Do you know how to track when someone makes a comment on your area of interest on a blog? Now, I am not talking about Google Alerts which all of you should have on your topic area as well as your name. But I am talking about using a tool I blogged about a while ago called Backtype.

Now, that post was on keeping track of the comments YOU made on other blogs. But recently I revisited my account and used it to send me postings to my email, much like Google Alerts, when ever my topic of interest appeared in a blog as a comment.

Hence,  topics , Public Health and baby boomers gave me much to read. This is, indeed, a powerful resource and research blogging tool.

So, here is my challenge for you.  Go to Backtype and start an account. Make this tool work for you. Will you consider it?

Facebook Usage By Countries

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Here is an eye-popping look at Facebook usage by Countries. This comprehensive analysis was done by a veteran blogger and public relations specialist, Nick Burcher.Note that the author used advertising information from Facebook for the statistical source.

An interesting challenge is to write down several country names, i.e., France, Italy, Russia, China, USA. Place a number next to each country with your estimation of usage. Then look at the chart and see how close you were to the reported number.

Read this post and the resulting comments about Facebook use in different countries.

Does Your Blog Make a Difference That Can Impact the World?

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I am repeating my appeal for people to share their blog name and purpose. Why? Because when I read the list of 100 blogs who are making a difference and changing the world, I knew that it was only the tip of the iceberg. It was just the beginning.

You know how there are many singers but only a few get a role in a show, appear on Oprah or win American Idol? Well the same holds true with bloggers. There are many great bloggers with great messages but they go unrecognized except for those that hear their message.

It is a Big Blog World Out There!

In addition, there are some great writers, deep thinkers and just plain wise folks. Now, this holds true with baby boomers because of our knowledge and expertise history. Yet, there are many wise souls under the baby boomer age.

I am on a personal mission to empower others with information that can encourage them to do things they have never ever done before, like blogging. Now, for some that is a tall order. Many say they are too old, too slow or too fat.

I created blogging for boomers to provide folks with tips on blogging and the world of social media. I believe that you can and should be blogging. There are many people out here that can help you reach your blogging goals. Why should you allow technology to get in the way of your message?

Think Big, Think World Wide!

So, I just want to share your messages that you are sharing. I want you to tell others what your message is and how it goes beyond your territory , state or village and can make a difference to the world.

Will you do that for me and for others. Sure can be an encouragement, and who knows you just might motivate someone.

Thanks

Rosie

100 Plus Best Blogs For Those Who Want to Change the World

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Read this powerful post on the 100 best blogs for those who want to  change the world. Now, this is ONLY 100, I am sure that your blog should be listed. So, remember, you can always create your own list. Sooooo, I am asking you to comment with your blog if you feel it one that speaks about world changing issues.