Archive for Writing Great Blog Content – Page 14

How to Decide What to Write, What to Read…

By Patsi Krakoff
Sunday, February 15th, 2009

Sway
 I'm immersing myself in a slew of Amazon Kindle books on decision-making that I recently downloaded:

Apparently, it doesn't matter what field you're in, everyone wants to know how come smart people make dumb decisions. To help, some very smart authors reveal the interplay between instincts, emotions, and our rational logical brains. These authors are very astute in translating the brain research along with fascinating stories.

Recently we've seen plenty of irrational behavior, whether in politics or the world of finance. And in these times of uncertainty, it's harder for everyone to make decisions. None of us can rationally predict just how hard hit we will be.

Read More→

Categories : On Writing Better, Writing Better Ezines, Writing for the Web, Writing Great Blog Content

Get Inspired, Write Better…A List of Great Ego Blogs

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Big-head
I really like using Alltop.com to find blogs in niches. But recently I discovered a different category through their aggregated lists of top blogs… personalities, or as they call them, Egos!

I have no idea what their requirement is to get listed as an Ego blog, but looking at the individuals who are included, I'd say these are all big names in the Blogosphere and they have big readership followings.

Heck, some even have big heads, but for sure, they all write with larger than life personalities.

It's worth studying their blogs to learn the ways they write and include their personalities. These blogs are completely different, in various fields of expertise. But they are all strong personalities.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Folks, I could go on and on, but you make your own list of great blogs to read so you get the kind of inspiration you need for writing better blogs and newsletters. I didn't put on my list the more famous people in this category, people like Seth Godin, Donald Trump, Mark Cuban, Robert Scoble. They are also excellent.

These people all know how to write well, adding their authentic personalities into their posts. I believe we all have it in us to write just as well, if we study people who do it and do what they do, only in a way is true to our own styles, remaining authentic.

Categories : About Blogs, Blogs We Love, Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Writing Better Ezines, Writing Great Blog Content

7 Top Ten Ways to Get Readers to Respond – What’s Missing on this List?

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

10-winner-3d-symbol-isolated
"Calls to Action" isn't just about asking for the sale. When it comes to writing content that markets for your business, you must interact with readers and get them involved long before you ever ask for the sale.

In Leesa Barnes' recent Blog Squad interview on Social Media Telesummit II, we talked a lot about how blog authors must actively encourage audience participation. Here are 7 out of 10 ways to do that:

  1. Run a poll
  2. Ask readers questions and ask them to comment
  3. Do a survey
  4. Run a contest
  5. Ask them to submit their tips, ideas, and suggestions. Example, a post I titled, “What would you tell this professional to do?” brought in many comments
  6. Ask them to contribute resources and links
  7. Write a top ten list of great blogs in your field, then ask them to contribute additional ones. This will let you know what your readers are reading and give you an idea of what they appreciate. (This is a great way to build links because people on your top ten list will post on their blog about being included in your list…)

What's missing from this list? Any other suggestions? What is one of your most responsive tactics? Hit the comment link below and share…

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, Online Marketing, Writing Great Blog Content

What would you tell this professional about starting a blog?

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Internet-communication
I got an email today from someone in Switzerland wondering if she should start a business blog:

Dear Patsi:

I am a counsellor and life Coach based in Geneva, Switzerland. I have had my own practice for 11 years, but now I would like to take it to the next level and increase my client base. I have been thoroughly intrigued by your views that Blogs are the way to  go  "Fishing"!

I specialize in the field of eating  disorders anorexia and bulimia. One of the things I want  to do is get the word out to a maximum amount of people about the groups I run for the mothers and other family members of people suffering from anorexia.

Question: can you see blogging being used effectively for this or does this fall outside the topics most generally used?

Maureen Pilkington
Citadelle-counselling.ch

Here's my reply:

Maureen, most definitely. I'm sure if you do a search on the web you will find other professionals already blogging about this topic. This is a good thing for you, because joining in and commenting on other blogs is a way to get attention and get readers back to your own blog.

In fact, that is the best way to go about starting a blog in a topic: research on what's out there already. Look at what's being done that's effective, and what's not. There are usually many professionals AND amateurs out there in any niche. Some will be good, some not.

Remember that blogs started out as online diaries, but a business blog isn't about writing personal stuff, rather should be used as a marketing tool by building relationships, reporting case studies, sharing client successes and challenges.

It's the best way to get found, attract ideal clients, and establish your expertise. A website won't easily do what a blog will. Your business blog is a place to publish content, communicate your core values and beliefs and have a conversation with people who need your services.

What else would you tell someone about starting a blog for a private practice in Geneva?

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, Online Marketing, Writing Great Blog Content

Business Blog Writing: Just Ask The Blog Squad

By Patsi Krakoff
Sunday, December 28th, 2008

BacktoBackTorsoD&P
On Tuesday, December 30, 2008, at 4 p.m. ET, you can get your questions answered in an "open mic" type call with Denise and I, The Blog Squad. Ask and it shall be answered.

At least, we'll do our best. And it doesn't have to be only about blog writing; we'll cover questions on business blog design, which widgets or plug ins to use, comments, getting subscribers, getting results. And we'll answer questions about how to use new social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter, too.

So much has happened in 2008:

  • Business blogs continue to be the #1 way to attract web traffic
  • Facebook and Twitter have exploded as marketing tools
  • Video is easier than ever to create and use on the Web
  • New ways of marketing are being defined: Content, relationship, personality & conversational marketing tactics emerge

We'll look at these emerging trends and answer your questions about how you can stay ahead of the curve in 2009.

Denise and I decided to make this call completely open and free to anyone who wants to show up. You don't even need to register. Simply go to www.asktheblogsquad.com for call in information or you can participate for free on that page at the appointed day and time.

What do you want to know? What mysteries of business blogging or social media tools do you want revealed?

We'll cover everything from the 4E's of content marketing, to the CODA blogging essentials (Content, Outreach, Design, and Action). Plus, we'll tell you about our Better Business Blog Learning system and our newly revised Build a Better Blog ebook (www.buildabetterblogsystem.com).

What do you want to know?

Categories : About Blogs, Teleclasses & Seminars, Writing Great Blog Content

Article Content for Sale: Just Add Your Name

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, December 26th, 2008

Excuse this interruption to your Holiday fun, but some of us are working today! Okay, I'm going to play tennis in a few minutes, but before I go, I gotta ask: Do you need content?

Laptops_business_conference
Need any coaching articles for your newsletters or blogs? You know, just in case that brain of yours needs some back up material to supplement your own writing?

Don't put pressure on yourself to write all your content yourself. Use the power of others: buy content to supplement your own.

Here's the deal: in 1999 I started writing newsletters for other executive coaches and leadership consultants. I write the articles, they put their names to them. Since then I've built up a library of over 100 articles, full of research data, based on leading business books and the Harvard Business Review.

I'm putting them all on sale until December 31, 20% off. You buy the articles, either 1000 or 2000 word lengths, then you can cut and paste, rewrite, add your own stuff or use as is. This gives you plenty of meaty content to use in any of your white papers, newsletters and blogs. Topics are ever-green and non-dated.

Take a look here: www.contentforcoachesandconsultants.com/article-titles/. If you buy any, use this coupon code: CCC20 before check-out and get 20% off.

Be targeted and topical. These articles are suitable for coaches working with leadership and personal development issues. Got questions? Leave a comment.

Categories : Buying Content, Content Marketing, Writing Better Ezines, Writing Great Blog Content

8 + 2 Classic Writing Keys for Better Business Blogging

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, December 15th, 2008

Blog_RSS
If you want good advice, refer to the classics. There's no better writing advice than The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B.White. Here's a post that adapts Strunk and White's advice to blog writing.

This post comes from Dean Rieck over on Copyblogger and is titled The Ultimate Blogger Writing Guide

  1. Put the reader first
  2. Organize your thoughts
  3. Use short paragraphs 
  4. Use short sentences
  5. Use simple words
  6. Be specific 
  7. Write in a conversational style 
  8. Be clear

The number 1 error I see professionals make when it comes to business blog writing is that they are frequently ego-centric. And this isn't necessarily in a bad way, it simply doesn't bring the results they expect.

They are so passionate about their message and their expertise, they preach. They shout. They proclaim. They implore. They explain. They document and support their logic.

But they forget about that old background tune that repeats in the head of all readers: "What's in this for me?" They assume that their readers are like them and interested in the same things.

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content

Personal Stories on Your Business Blogs: the fine line

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, December 8th, 2008

Short-story
James Chartrand writes a great post on Copyblogger about Why You Need to Transform Your Website Into a Story. He says,

"Effective web writers are moving away from bland, factual information. Readers won’t settle for that anymore.

It isn’t interesting. It isn’t compelling.

Facts don’t stir emotions and encourage people to take action. Facts don’t sell until people look to rationalize the buying decision they’ve made at an emotional level."

I agree. People do business with people, not companies.

So when I left on vacation I wrote a post in which I expressed gratitude, shared some personal information, and explained I would be re-publishing an important series about better business blog writing.

But I got a critical email from a reader who thought this was inappropriate. Here's what happened:

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content

10 Ways to Write to Make Readers Think

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Confused_mind
When it comes to content marketing, there are ways to write content so
it actively markets you and your business without being “in-your-face”
sales copy or boring product reviews or press releases.

I’m reminded of an excellent book on creating effective website design called Don’t Make Me Think.
The premise is that a customer searching for products and services
online shouldn’t have to figure out how to find what they’re looking
for on your website.

When it comes to reading your blog, however, please, please DO make me
think! Your blog posts should have meaty content that stimulates
readers to ask questions, to comment, to agree wholeheartedly, or
disagree vociferously.

How can you do that? Ahhh, let me think about that a minute here… Wait! I’ve got an idea. I’ll build a list of ideas to make readers think. And, YOU can contribute to the list!

Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, How to...Tips, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content

Blog Post Idea Farm…

By Patsi Krakoff
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

Idea_with_legs
How many different kinds of blog posts are there? If you’re wondering how you can spice up your postings, think about these:

There are:

  1. The link and bait, the ‘me-too’ copy and paste post
  2. The ‘stir-up-the-pot’ post (also known as ‘outrageously oppositional and intentionally contrarian’ post)
  3. The ‘how-many-ways-can-I-repeat-my-core-message’ post
  4. There are email questions from clients
  5. Tutorials & how-to’s
  6. Toot-my-own-horn
  7. Piggy-back post off of current affairs, politics & celebrity gossip
  8. Sports analogies
  9. Outrageous tabloid headlines reworded for your niche

What else? Give me some ideas here… hit the comment link and tell me your favorite short cuts to creating blog content.

Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content
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