Blogger Basics

January 29, 2010

Hollis Gillespie, author and expert writing instructor, has imparted her ‘must-do’s’ to help you blog you way  to financial freedom as well as position yourself as a blogger.  Here’s what she has to say:

1. Focus your content: Decide what is your ONE thing that you are going to write about…it doesn’t have to be BIG, it just has to be big to YOU.  Connect with your voice and your unique narrative-do not obsess about grammatical perfection.

2. Best sites to help you monetize your blog: Problogger.net & Copyblogger.com

3. Killer Blogs=Traffic=Income

4. Six characteristics of killer blogs: Post often, forget perfection, write like you speak, specific subject matter, know your audience, keep it short.

5. Migrate your blog content to your own domain: Reserve your own domain name on GoDaddy.com and then employ the services of www.techadvocatesolutions.com to integrate all of your blog/website needs.

6. Explore sites you like, take a ‘news’ post and write an opinion piece on it.

-Check out Google.com/trends

-Set up Google Alerts for your subject matter (www.google.com/alerts)

-See what is popular in the blogosphere: Digg, StumbleUpon, Reddit

7.Investigate options for affiliate marketing on your blog(Amazon.com has a program)

8. Create a PayPal Merchant account that allows you to accept credit card purchases on your site

9. Research top blogs in your category (www.technorati.com) and guest blog on them

10. Advertise your blogs on your Twitter account and Facebook Fan Page


Tips for a Successful Launch

June 21, 2009
Heidi's Heavenly Cookies

Heidi's Heavenly Cookies

Heidi Nel, owner of Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies, suggests the following ‘tried and true’ tips for a successful launch since beginning a cookie business out of her home in 2001:

BE GENEROUS

In addition to sending her product to her immediate network of friends and family, she also sent them to business leaders and the media.  Assuming you have a great product coupled with beautiful packaging, garnering media acclaim will quickly move your business into the spotlight.

BE PATIENT

Building a brand takes time, hard work, sacrifice and long hours.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Think strategically and practically as opportunities arise for your business.  Some public relation/advertising invitations may not always be well-time for your business’ developmental time-line.

PRIORITIZE

First, get clear on your priorities (both professionally and personally).  Then, be sure that you are always able to gage whether your current goal meets your larger priorities.

CULTIVATE YOUR PERSONAL RESERVES

If you don’t take the time out to build up your personal reserves (i.e. engaging in your hobbies, recharging), your business and your family life will suffer.  Be sure to schedule time to unwind, get away from your business and do things that make you happy.

LEARN HOW TO LEAD

Don’t get stuck down in the trenches. You will never be effective if you don’t take the time to plan for the future of your business. It is critical that you delegate out your original roles and focus on the higher aspects of running your company.

UNDERSTAND THAT CHANGE IS GOOD

In order to move forward, you must grow and let go. Every transition moves you into a new dynamic that you must embrace.