Author Archive for Patsi Krakoff – Page 128

Recipe for an Ezine: 8 Key Ingredients that Get Results

©2007 Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D. & Denise Wakeman, The Blog Squadtm

Newspapers_1_1 In our work with clients, we often hear this question from entrepreneurs who want to leverage the Internet and start marketing online: “Should I publish a newsletter?” As part of our Customized Newsletter Services program, we have reviewed hundreds of e-newsletters, or ezines, and can spot common errors immediately.

We have found ezines that work well for attracting new clients usually have these eight key ingredients:

1. A great name that defines the topic
2. A defined audience and clear purpose
3. A compelling headline or subject line
4. Valuable information readers can use
5. A call to action
6. A customized template or plain text formatting
7. A bonus incentive for subscribing
8. CAN-SPAM Compliance and a privacy statement

You will notice that the first five ingredients refer to the actual content of the ezine; the last three elements refer to how it is delivered. Each element contributes to the overall effectiveness of a newsletter for growing your business.

First, are newsletters really necessary for a strong online marketing system?

Should You Publish an Ezine?

Read More→

Writing Better Headlines: The Power of 3

Typing The purpose of a headline is to get people to start reading. That’s it. Your headline (or subject line in email) is crucial.

I recently read a good post on Michel Fortin’s blog about headlines and his 3 X 3 Rule:

The best headlines are those that start a story, make a shocking statement, tease a bit, offer a benefit or prepare the reader for what’s to come.

That is, your headline should cater to:

  1. The three greatest human goals: to make or save time, effort or money
  2. The three greatest human desires: lust, greed or comfort
  3. The three greatest human teasers: curiosity, scarcity or controversy

How simple and clear is that? When you think about it, in a marketing perspective, you are trying to save people time, effort or money. So you appeal to their lust, greed or comfort…

Oh, that’s interesting because I just recognize that I usually only appeal to their comfort – something

Read More→

10 Most Misused & Misspelled Words in Blogs

Typewriter I see these spelling mistakes all the time, not only in blogs, but in word docs, PDFs and PowerPoint presentations. No spell checker will pick them up, because they aren’t misspellings, simply misuses.

1. Your – You’re
2. Then – Than
3. Its – it’s
4. To – Too – Two
5. Were – Where – We’re
6. There – Their – They’re
7. A – An – And
8. Off – Of
9. Here – Hear
10. Lose – Loose

The list comes via Steve Rubel, via Dave Krug’s 901am blog, and originated with Johan Holmberg’s blog The Probabalist which had 121 comments to it! Seems people notice these everywhere and they are more annoying than you might think.

Which brings me to the point: if you’re blogging about something important to you, don’t let these easy errors distract your readers from paying attention. Although some bloggers pride themselves on being spontaneous, that’s no excuse for not re-reading a post for errors before you publish. Or after you publish – as all blog posts are easily edited.

What about you? What other errors have you notices on blogs?

Dave Taylor Is Really Clear About Why Blogs Are Good for Business

Anyone doing business on the Internet should be blogging.  Don’t listen to just me, or Denise. Listen to Dave Taylor. After all, Dave has published over 19 books on tech and business issues, and he’s been around since the start of the Internet. He says it clearly in a way even the most naive, non-techie person can understand. Here it is: straight from the horse’s mouth…

Blogging and Beyond: Episode 4
Why You Really Need a Blog for Your Business
Guest Dave Taylor of AskDaveTaylor.com


MP3 File

Links to sites referenced in the program
Where to Find Parking Blog – Dave Taylor gave some great feedback and coaching on how Erik Feder can optimize his blog
Technorati – blog directory
Wordtracker’s free keyword suggestion tool
Dave Taylor’s blogs:  AskDaveTaylor, The Intuitive Life Business Blog, Attachment Parenting Blog

A Good Business Blog: Why You Really Need One

Davetaylorgooglebook This is a late post cuz I’ve been down with a virus – not the good viral marketing kind, but the sniffly coughing kind. But better late than never. In a few minutes, we broadcast live on Internet radio our Blogging and Beyond interview with Dave Taylor, guest expert, on the Findability Factor.

Don’t miss the show: it’s on VoiceAmerica channel at 11 a.m. ET. If you do miss it, it will be posted in a couple of hours on our show blog, Blogging and Beyond. You’ll hear lots of good tips about Growing Your Business with Google (which is the title of one of Dave’s many books).

Book Authors Learn Internet Marketing

Open_book Children’s book authors are a fun bunch of writers, and they will make fine bloggers, for sure. Denise and I preached the blog gospel this weekend at the Santa Barbara Mission Retreat Center. There shouldn’t be a problem with generating content for these authors.

Their books cover topics of monsters, history, unruly little girls, and Walter Kitty. Conversations were rich in imagination and adventurous. When asked if they every thought about writing adult books, they invariably laughed and said "no way!" I think they are having too much fun with kids lit.

Only one participant had started blogging yet, Greg Pincus, www.gottabook.blogspot.com. He caught the blog bug and ended up with a viral success that caught the attention of SlashDot.com. His story is very inspiring, so Denise and I will host him soon on a special case study interview. Stay tuned.

RSS Feeds: We need your feedback

I just set up a new poll over on Build a Better Blog. We want to know if you prefer getting a full feed or a partial feed when you subscribe to get blog update.  Take the poll and let us know!

Blogging for Your Business: Radio Show Posted

Audiomicrophone_1 The audio from Episode 3 of Blogging and Beyond is now posted. You can listen online or download the mp3 file.  We’re working on getting the show set up as a podcast so you can get automatic downloads to your iPod or mp3 player.  In the meantime, you can listen on our site or download our free desktop player and listen live or at your convenience.

Childrens Books & Blogs at the Old Santa Barbara Mission

Santabarbmission Denise and I are featured presenters at a retreat this weekend for the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators.  Which means, we’re in Santa Barbara tomorrow for 3 days. And we’re staying at the Mission, one of California’s historical (1786) Spanish buildings. Sure hope they’ve updated the heating system. For sure, they don’t have Internet connection, so this blog will be on snooze until Monday.

Naturally, we’re talking about blogs and how to market your book with a blog.  For the presentation, Denise created a short tour of blogs by childrens book writers.  If you’re interested, here’s the video.  It’s just under 6 minutes.

Blogging Is IT! Boost Yourself Into the Blogosphere

Keyboard_world Blogging truly is a way to connect with the world. It opens doors, and sends potential clients to you without spending a lot of marketing money. But if you’re going to do a blog for your business, do it right. No free blogging stuff that leaves your blog looking like your next door teenager’s personal diary.

As The Blog Squad, Denise and I recommend Typepad, or if you are more of a techie, WordPress. Either way, you have to optimize your blog for business, otherwise you end up working for your blog, instead of the other way around. Your blog should work for your business to attract interested people into your realm.

This Thursday, January 25, at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET) on our 3rd radio show on VoiceAmerica channel,  Blogging and Beyond, we are talking about the important elements of a good business blog. Here’s the info on the radio show. If you  have questions you want answered on the show, submit them on the show blog, www.BloggingandBeyond.com.