Blog Tips: Create a Blog That Keeps Readers Coming Back for More
Great news! You started a blog for your company. Now it’s time to grab attention and maintain the interest of your audience. This article on Mashable gives a few great tips on how to decrease bounce rate and keep people coming back to your blog.
Keep Readers Coming Back to Your Blog!
PERSONALIZE
Personalization, both through writing voice and blog ‘widgets’, is a clever way to retain readers. If you have multiple people authoring your blog posts, be sure that they use a similar writing voice. Readers should be familiar with the personality behind the text each time they come back to the blog.
Perhaps one of the most interesting and tech-savvy ways to personalize your blog is through the use of an individual recommendation widget. Smart widgets are taking content marketing to a new level by suggesting unique content to individual readers who visit the blog. The recommendations are based on their ‘choices’ within the website and provide a tailored reader experience.
BROADCAST
Use social media accounts as platforms for broadcasting your blog content. Share the blog headline, main topic, or an enticing fact to pull people to the blog. Spreading the word through social media could help gain a larger and more diverse audience. Also, don’t forget to make your social media accounts readily accessible from your blog page! Consider adding a live twitter feed or attention-grabbing icons for easy links that aren’t cumbersome.
CREATE A SERIES
A great way to create anticipation and make regulars out of your visitors is to plan a series. People don’t like to read novels when they visit a blog – so split it up! You can also decide your weekly topics ahead of time so you have a plan and aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Who is in your audience and what are they interested in reading about? Plan the series topics around the interests of your demographic!
GET SUBSCRIBERS
Give readers the option to subscribe to your blog. People usually find interesting blog posts through links posted other places online (articles, social media, etc.), not because they check the blog regularly. Maintaining a subscription list will allow you to send reminders and drive traffic. Be sure it is easy to subscribe to the mailing list directly from your blog.
LINK HERE, LINK THERE – LINK EVERYWHERE
Internet users often stumble across interesting things through links. At the beginning of this post, we inserted a link to Mashable to show you the article that inspired us and provide more information. Linking lends you credibility and allows you to enhance the material you are providing. Avoid inserting text-heavy links – instead, hyperlink a particular word or phrase to seamlessly direct your audience.
Blogs are a great resource for showcasing knowledge and personality. Maintaining a dynamic blog presence lets everyone know that you are active in the industry. Plus, you can show clients the extent of your expertise! Exercise these tips to grab readers and become an industry expert!
Introducing Google+
With unprecedented brand power and a familiar layout (look like Facebook to you?), Google+ has generated explosive interest over the last six weeks. Currently, users must have an invitation to join, but even with this hurdle, the Google+ user base has already grown to 20 million. An astonishing number, considering this is just the test group.
Google+: The Basics
We wanted to introduce you to some of the features Google+ is offering so you can see what all the fuss is about.
Circles is a feature that allows you to group your online connections so you can share information with only that group. It will allow you to create a group of like-minded users instead of broadcasting everything to the same group of friends or followers, like you would on Facebook or Twitter. This way, Grandma doesn’t have to know about how you rocked Friday night beer pong, but you can still look cool to all your bros.
Sparks is a sharing feature that allows you to add your interests like hiking, cooking, and karate and share information about these interests with particular groups of friends or “circles”. Again, it allows you to share your excitement about that amazing new video game expansion pack with only those who are interested.
Hangouts is a set of communications tools that allows real-time chat, including instant messaging and groups of up to 10 people by video. Google+ dance party, anyone?
Instant Upload – Automatically upload your photos and videos as you take them – wait, wait, wait, I don’t want everyone seeing all my pictures. Instant Upload uploads photos and videos you take with your phone to a private album on Google+, where it’s easy for you to approve and share the ones you want everyone to see.
Huddle is a group messaging feature that lets you group chat amongst everyone within a particular circle. Make plans with your closest friends all in one place at one time!
Small business, Google+ is thinking about you too! Though the business pages have not yet been released, Google representatives have stated that the business pages will be better than anything else out there. So, is Facebook the next has-been?
Social Media: THE REVOLUTION
Is it a fad? Is it hype? Is it worth the trouble?
Social media represents a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. The success of your business could depend on your investment in social media communities.
The true value of social media lies within the name itself: it’s social. In an era of greater transparency and authenticity, social media is rapidly delivering a new standard of interacting more “person to person”, or at least delivering a personal feel even if it is through electronic mediums.
Social media brings personality to the face of companies, large and small. Online networks such as Facebook are taking the formality out of communication and replacing it with immediacy and clarity. Information is always available. People are talking. About your industry, your products, your company. The avenues of social media make it easier for consumers to share their opinions.
Social media has also changed our roles as internet users.
We are no longer passive information seekers. Now, we are active, we create the information online.
Have you ever noticed the ads in the corner of your Facebook page? You are on Google, looking for creative ideas for Halloween costumes, or shoe shopping, or looking for a kickboxing class – then, you switch over to Facebook and, hey, the ad in the corner is related to what you were just looking at.
The internet has allowed companies to become smarter about their advertisements, to truly define and cater to their target markets. And now when we’re online, information seeks us out before we have the chance to search for it.
So now when you think of Facebook, we certainly hope that you don’t classify it as a fad. Because with 250 million daily active users, you would be dismissing quite a large audience. Right there at your fingertips.
These people are all talking about something. Is your name coming up? Don’t be left out of the conversation. Invest in the social media revolution and secure the longevity of your business.
So, Who is Your Social Media Audience Anyway
Is your grandma on Facebook? This question came up a few days ago when we discovered this article which states that one out of every five grandparents in the UK uses a social network. That’s 22% of all grandparents!
To put it into context, that figure is higher than:
The percentage of Americans who use public transit (21%)
The percentage of Americans who own a cat, not a dog (12%)
The percentage of people in the WORLD that are left handed (15%)
What we are trying to say is – 22% of all grandparents is quite a sizeable figure and definitely not something to be ignored. Are some of these individuals members of your social media audience? If not, who is?
We aren’t trying to imply that your social media audience is filled with grandparents. We are, however, posing a question to you: Do you know your social media audience?
Who is reading your Facebook posts and twitter info? The content you produce for your social media communications should be relevant and interesting to your unique audience. You cannot cater your content without first understanding your viewers.
Let’s say you have viewers from across the spectrum – different ages, interests, work industries, etc. Now you must decide your target audience. Who is it that you really intend to communicate with via social media postings? Whose attention are you trying to grab? Decide the characteristics of a follower whose attention you value most. As our Creative Director Leanne likes to say, if you could pay for an audience member, what would they be like? Who is your ideal target user? Hopefully, they have interests and needs pertaining to the services provided by your business. These are the people you are aiming to attract in social media communities. It’s nice to have lots of friends on Facebook, but the users within your target market are the ones who will take interest in the information you are sharing and potentially become clients. If you can keep these people in mind, you can develop successful social media campaigns that lead to more followers, more interest, and more business.
P.S. If this sounds great to you but you are short on time, our staff can build social media campaigns for you! Give us a call and let’s define your ideal user.
All About Logos and Why Your Business Needs A Great One
Every business is seeking recognition. Of all the businesses you come across in your daily life, many of them won’t remain in your memory. This may seem like a bit of a stretch but let’s think about it for a second. Every day on the way to work or to pick the kids up from school, you pass countless small businesses. Salons, animal clinics, coffee shops; all those strip mall stores that have a name on the outside of the building, but if you were to mix those names up with the similar businesses two blocks down, you would never be able to tell the difference. The businesses you can easily recall are the super players – the Starbucks, the Albertson’s, the Great Clips. The internet takes this to an entirely different level. Here, you don’t even have a storefront! How can you make your name memorable in this sea of businesses?
How can you stand out?
Unfortunately, small businesses don’t have the brand awareness that those super players have. But we have good news! You don’t have to be a giant to be successful. In fact, the little guys can do quite well too. You may not have the brand power of a nationwide coffee chain, but you can achieve recognition and awareness within the community. Recognition and awareness lead to business and, hey, isn’t that what this is all about?
So, the question is, how can you distinguish yourself from all those other small businesses? How can you become a recognized service provider and place yourself on the radar of potential customers? Your logo is a great way to start.
This article discusses the importance of a logo and what it means for the success of your business. A logo is essentially the first impression of your business. When you see a business card for the first time, what stands out? The text or the graphic? An effective logo is memorable. But memorable doesn’t necessarily mean elaborate. A logo is a representation of your company – it establishes professionalism and credibility. A successful graphic designer will be able to symbolize your services in a noteworthy, memorable graphic that separates you from all that text based information.
It is important that you view logo design as an investment. If you have an outstanding logo designed the first time around, it is likely that you will use it for many years to come! In fact, most logos are used for over a decade with just a few slight modifications here and there. A logo helps you to achieve brand recognition and awareness on business cards, t shirts, print media, coffee mugs – whatever you can put a picture on, you can put your business on.
Left Handed Productions can help you create a logo that represents your business and your personality. We will work together to translate your tastes and ideas into an image you can utilize for many years to come. Or maybe you already have a logo but it just isn’t perfect? Change it. Be proud of the symbol of your business. Let’s make your logo a great one.
Creative Ways to Build an Online Brand Presence
A few days ago, we came across an interesting article on Mashable.
By the way, do you guys read Mashable? It’s an excellent resource for news articles regarding technology, social media, and marketing.
So we found this article, “10 Ways for Entrepreneurs to Build Brands Online”, that lists off several inventive tactics for establishing on online brand presence. Everyone knows about the internet, so the majority of small business owners know that they should have a website. Furthermore, many entrepreneurs also have a Facebook or perhaps even a blog. But at this point, that stuff is pretty much old news. This article digs deeper, suggesting a few innovative ways to dive into the online community. We’ll elaborate upon a few of our favorites:
Social Media Email Signatures:
Consider embedding links to your social media profiles in your email signature. It’s a valuable strategy not only because it’s unique and attracts attention, but also because the links provide instantaneous information about you to the recipient. It’s not necessary for them to open up a new browser window to search for you on Facebook or Yelp! – they have access right at their fingertips, making them much more likely to view your profiles and learn a little more about your personality and your business.
QR Codes:
We know you’ve seen them around. The strange little barcodes on store windows, print advertisements, and movie posters – those are QR codes. Smart phone users can download an application which allows them to ‘scan’ these codes, much like the scanner at the grocery store. Once they scan the code, the internet browser on the phone will open and take them to a website. The company can choose to link them to their original website, a condensed version of their site, a video, a promotion flyer – anything they wish. Again, this is an innovative and fun way to draw traffic to your online brand presence.
Create a Newsletter:
As the article says, creating a newsletter is an excellent way to build up a network. If people like what you have to say, they will share that information with others, and, hey, all of the sudden you are building brand awareness! One important tip: make the newsletter interesting! You can assume that everyone you email has an inbox that is absolutely inundated with material, so they will not take the time to read your newsletter if it doesn’t entertain them. Informational materials about your services are not essential reading material – consumers must choose to read it. The only way to hook them is by creating engaging content that makes the read enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to express a little personality. That is, after all, what people like to read. They want to know about you and the character of your business. A newsletter is a superb outlet for conveying character. Plus, it’s not necessary for you to print it! Keep costs low with an email newsletter.
Still confused about those crazy QR codes? How can you start developing your brand personality? It can be hard to dive in to the unknown. Whether it’s graphics, programming, SEO, or content writing – we can build your business within the online community. So give us a call and let’s enhance the personality of your brand.
First Impressions
How well do you understand how others perceive you and your business?
It’s undeniable – first impressions can make or break your future with a new client. Within that initial meeting, you are not only presenting yourself but also expressing the personality of your business as a whole. You are serving as the ‘face’ of all that your company stands for. Not a big deal, right?
Though it seems intimidating, an effective first impression can be achieved with some thought and a little practice. An interesting article on BusinessSphere.com discusses how a warrior makes a good impression – there are a few great points that can be applied to that first meet up with a potential client.
First, choose your battleground. Have that first meeting in an environment that will be conducive to your intended message. What services are you providing? What type of atmosphere best suits those services? Consider both formal and informal environments and decide which is most indicative of both your business style and what is necessary for that particular project. Coffee, lunch, conference room, or drinks – there are several arenas to choose from.
Next, relax. Abandon yourself, fear nothing. “When creating the first impression, don’t force the issue. Just be. Relax so that you can think clearly on the how.” True, the client is there to hear about the capabilities of your business, but they also want to know about you. Business is always better when you enjoy the company of those working with you. So try to loosen up a little and give them a smile that isn’t rehearsed – they will notice.
Remember, discard everything that is unnecessary. Potential business associates are not interested in being inundated with the finest details at this point. Things can be perfected and ironed out later. Again, this is the first impression – show the client what you are capable of without stuffing your sentences with jargon of the trade. They know you are the expert, there is no need to make a show of it. Give them the prettiest version of the basics. You can still show your capabilities without overwhelming them at such an early stage.
With a little effort, your business will be able to create a memorable experience for sales prospects. Show them that you will be a great firm to work with. Exhibit confidence and you will earn some in return.
Quick, hide! Technology is coming!
At Left Handed Productions, our primary clients are small business owners. In 2009, there were 27.5 million businesses in the United States, according to Office of Advocacy, so you can imagine that small business owners come in all different shapes and sizes with unique preferences and techniques. A common theme across this sizeable group, however, is technophobia: the fear or dislike of advanced technology, especially with computers. If you’ve owned your business for two years, technology has evolved and progressed rapidly in that short amount of time. But what if you’ve owned your business for ten, fifteen, even twenty years? Is this even the same planet anymore?
Technology has drastically changed the way you operate your business. Consumers expect a surplus of information to be provided to them through technological avenues – your company website, a mobile app for smart phones, via social networking accounts, etc.
Your business no longer exists only within the confines of your office property.
Consumers are interested in you – they want to be able to access information about you 24/7.
This amount of exposure can be quite intimidating. How can you maintain a positive reputation and branding strategy for your small business when everyone is always watching? Is it easier to just refrain from jumping on this tech train and stick to traditional brick and mortar practices? “I don’t even know what twitter is!”
Professor of psychology Dr. Mark Brosnan discussed “technophobia” and its’ effect on students with MSNBC in 2010. “Anxiety sensitive people, who may have technophobia, often think of themselves as failures or that they are stupid, but everyone has different strengths and weaknesses,” states Brosnan.
So how does this apply to you and your business?
Do feel that you are taking complete advantage of the technological opportunities that are readily available to you? Or do you avoid them because they are of such a foreign nature?
Blogging and twitter and Facebook….oh my! (anyone else seen the Wizard of Oz?) Sometimes unfamiliarity with and lack of exposure to social media in our personal lives can translate over to business and turn out to be incredibly detrimental.
LHP can help you and your business develop and maintain an online presence that will serve as the link between your company and the sea of customers searching for information online. Never used Facebook? That’s ok. We can show you how to use online mediums to effectively connect with potential clients.
Have you ever had the opportunity to communicate your business to millions of people every day?
It’s here. Don’t miss it. And who knows? You may even enjoy it. :-)
