Writing on the Web

MAY 30, 2016

Are you starting a new blog ? What should you include in your blog if you want to use it to attract clients? I’ve been talking about how to start a blog in my recent series of posts. Your next step is to look at your design – content is king, but if your design stinks, visitors won’t get past the banner. They won’t stay, they won’t get to know you and they won’t subscribe to your blog.

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Banners Business Design 100

Writing on the Web

MAY 12, 2016

How do I start a blog ? . I hear it all the time: smart professionals, who are great at what they do, don’t know how to start a business blog , and probably wouldn’t have time to blog even if they did start one. Last fall Kris and I spent some time interviewing clients. We really wanted to know how we could best be of service. What we learned is that while business continues to improve for our clients , and many are having tremendous success with their blogs, others had let their blog lag

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Linkedin Twitter Facebook 100

Writing on the Web

MARCH 7, 2016

Congratulations! Your reader base has grown to 5,000! You had 4,277 hits on your blog last month, and 737 legitimate comments! If you’re a solo professional trying to get found online, these numbers could be PDG: pretty darn good. Small businesses, however, might find these figures PDA, pretty dawn awful. My point is whatever the size of your biz, you want to grow your reader base, increase hits on your site, and stimulate comments, on your blog, social media, and LinkedIn.

Statistics 100

Statistics Linkedin Small Business Marketing Social Media 100

Writing on the Web

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

How easy is it for you to get found online? Are you attracting the kinds of readers who could be your ideal clients? Here’s a quick 5 question quiz to reveal how well you’re doing: 5 Question Quiz. How easy is it for someone to find you doing a search for answers to their problems? What comes up for your name? What comes up for the keywords that describe what your business does?

Ad Exchange 100

Ad Exchange Keywords Google Optimization 100

Writing on the Web

DECEMBER 16, 2015

Do you know how to blog for your business using personality yet remaining professional? No, seriously – there’s an ongoing trend to be personal with blogs. I see it everywhere – blogs, email, newsletters. If you’re writing for business, you want to connect with your readers by using personal stories. But how much is too much? Rohit Bhargava’s written a whole book about this, filled with examples of how companies are successfully using personalities to market their business prod

Personalization 100

Personalization Business Lock-In Newsletter 100

Writing on the Web

NOVEMBER 11, 2015

Is your blog content writing appealing to both thinkers AND feelers ? If you aren’t appealing to these two types of communication (and decision) styles, you’re missing half of your readership potential. When I’m blogging, I like to cite studies whenever I write about a concept, to prove my point. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume 6: Psychological Types , noted psychologist Carl Jung identified four primary functions of consciousness: Two perceiving functions: Sensation and

Content 100

Content Newsletter Course Analysis 100

Writing on the Web

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

Building a product funnel on your blog is key to making all your hard work profitable. As I explained in my previous post , a great product funnel provides your readers with an opportunity to get to know you, like you and trust you. You make compelling offers to your readers that they can receive from free to fee: Some information for free, immediate download, no strings.

Top of Funnel 100

Top of Funnel Product Digital Marketing Funnels Marketing Funnels 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 28, 2015

Are you building a product funnel on your blog? In my recent blog posts, I’ve been talking about ways to earn money blogging using two different methods: Sell products directly through your blog (or website). Sell products or services because of your blog , or indirectly. These are two key elements of a product funnel – a key internet marketing strategy that will help ensure that you are not leaving money on the table or missing opportunities to solidify the relationships your hard-earned cont

Top of Funnel 100

Top of Funnel Marketing Funnels Product Content Marketing 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 23, 2015

Do you know how to write blog posts so that they actually get read? Some people think blogging is easy : Write it and it will be read. If you’ve ever written a blog post , you know that’s not true, and it’s hard to craft a post people will read. This infographic was created for Salesforce Canada and it says it all; it will help you put together a share-worthy post.

Content Marketing 100

Content Marketing Content Marketing 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 21, 2015

Do you know how to make money blogging? Let me ask you this: Are you earning money because of your blog? If so, your blog is a means of indirect sales. As I talked about in my last post , there are two different methods you can earn money blogging: Directly. Indirectly. How to Make Money Indirectly from a Business Blog. A quick review: When I speak of earning money directly from a blog , I am referring to methods such as advertising on your blog, sponsorship on your blog, sale of products or se

Blogger 100

Blogger Business Blogging Webinar Metrics Consulting 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 14, 2015

Can you still make money blogging ? Or is it too late to get in to the game? As I shared in my last post , the blogging has rapidly changed, but it’s not too late to start a blog, or turn your existing blog in to a source of income. The first step is to identify your blog goals – you’ll want to keep these in mind as you consider the ways you can earn money directly with a blog.

Cost Per Click 100

Cost Per Click Merchandising Cost per Acquisition Adsense 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 8, 2015

How do you make money from business blogging? This is a question I was recently asked by a friend. It seems like a straightforward question, but the answer is complex. Most blogs aren’t profitable, but people devote a great deal of time and energy to them. There must be a good reason, no? You need to understand how to use business blogging to suit your business goals.

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Adsense Business Adwords 100

Writing on the Web

SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Do you struggle with the creative process of writing blogs ? Do you cringe when you need to find a topic for your blog? You’re not alone. Over the past 11 years, I’ve written a ton of information about writing great blog posts and newsletters, as well as e-books, white papers and articles to increase your visibility. Sometimes it feels like I’ve already written as much as I have to say.

Creativity 100

Creativity Process Aggregators Paper 100

Writing on the Web

AUGUST 26, 2015

When it comes to business blogging , how do you save time and still get results? How do you make blog tasks so easy your cat could do it? It’s the dog days of summer but around our house that expression isn’t acceptable. Doodles and Buster would have a cat fit. Here in Mexico we’re in the rainy season, when the heat of the Summer is tempered by the cool nightly rains.

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Business Tips Guidelines 100

Writing on the Web

AUGUST 22, 2015

As I’ve shared in previous posts, the value of social proof — referrals, recommendations , and client testimonials — cannot be underestimated. Similar to how frequent, quality content enhances your website pages, social proof enhances your professional credibility. When readers learn from the comments from other people about your business, they become your most persuasive sales people.

Linkedin 100

Linkedin Ideal Customer Profiles Peer-to-peer Profiling 100

Writing on the Web

JULY 16, 2015

There’s no doubt that social proof is one of the key ways people decide to buy or try your products or services. But if you don’t have a lot of clients, or you’re starting a new business or product, how do you get quality client testimonials ? I get asked about this by some of my consulting clients. Nothing can backfire and destroy trust and credibility more quickly than phony testimonials.

Ethics 100

Ethics Focus Group Trust Marketing Consulting 100

Writing on the Web

JUNE 26, 2015

Why is social proof so important when writing on the web? This week I got a call from a person who wanted to buy a subscription to executive coach articles to use for her new newsletter. What sealed the deal? The testimonials from other subscribers. Recommendations, testimonials and client stories are a powerful persuasion tactic. It’s one of the key persuasion triggers that get people to take action.

Amazon 100

Amazon Validation Click Rate Tactics 100

Writing on the Web

JUNE 26, 2015

Why is social proof so important when writing on the web? It makes the difference between converting a reader to a client and influencing a sale or not. This week I got a call from a person who wanted to buy a subscription to executive coach articles to use for her new newsletter. What sealed the deal? The testimonials from other subscribers. Social proof— recommendations, testimonials and client stories —are a powerful persuasion tactic.

Trigger Marketing 100

Trigger Marketing Amazon Validation Click Rate 100

Writing on the Web

JUNE 16, 2015

How are you doing with your 2015 blog goals ? Are you publishing blog topics that include compelling, relevant content that solves the problems of your readers? A study on B2B content marketing has shown that 70% of businesses online have more content now than they had last year, and of these, 80% are doing so through corporate blogs. These smart professionals understand the effectiveness of blogs, but blogging is not without challenges: figuring out what blog topics to focus on, conducting appr

Generation 100

Generation Keywords Adwords SERP 100

Writing on the Web

JUNE 4, 2015

Are you an expert? Then you need to write and publish an expert ebook. Now. Before your field gets flooded with too many on the same topic (if it isn’t already). Trust me on this one. Just as business blogs caught fire in 2004-2005, expert ebooks are what smart professionals use as a key marketing tool to get found, get known and get clients. If you’re an expert and want to get found online, there’s no better way than to give visitors to your website or blog a free report that shows your e

Barriers 100

Barriers Amazon Lead Scoring Lead Ranking 100

Writing on the Web

MAY 27, 2015

I get calls from executive coaches and consultants who want to publish an expert ebook. They ask me for help, to ghost write either for or with them. The answer is yes : in certain fields, I am a ghost writer. I read a ton of books on leadership, and study how the big sellers on Amazon are written in this category. I can help you write an expert ebook on leadership.

Thought Leadership 100

Thought Leadership Amazon Act-On Consulting 100

Writing on the Web

APRIL 8, 2015

'What’s the best kept secret of a newsletter bio? As I mentioned in my last post, your bio on your blog or website About page should be current and tell a story, rather than be a resume written in the third person. The same is true for an email newsletter bio. Unfortunately, I see many coaches and consultants use their resumes for their sidebar bio. (“Dr.

Newsletter 100

Newsletter Best Practices Storytelling Guidelines 100

Writing on the Web

MARCH 26, 2015

'When’s the last time you updated your bio on your About page on your blog or website? Smart bloggers know that this is one of the most visited pages: People want to know who’s behind a business. Personalities count. Yet many blogs and sites have a standard resume written in the third person, boring as all get-out. Certainly client lists are important.

Storytelling 100

Storytelling Barriers Blogger Planning 100

Writing on the Web

MARCH 19, 2015

'Do you use story telling on your blog or website ? For anyone involved in persuading others (i.e., everyone), success depends on cutting through the noise and clutter to make the sale or persuade others to adopt our point of view. Storytelling sells and persuades because it’s an innate skill that has evolved over centuries—something we all know how to do.

Storytelling 100

Storytelling Internet Marketing Online Marketing Order 100

Writing on the Web

MARCH 5, 2015

'How do you avoid time-sucking traps when it comes to blog writing ? If you’re anything like me, you may have found yourself (a time or two!) with nothing to show after sitting in front of your screen for 90 minutes. Yup. It happens to the best of us. You sit down with your coffee, open email, and an hour later still haven’t posted on your blog.

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Business Class Conference 100

Writing on the Web

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'A few years ago I polled readers and asked what their biggest blogging challenge is. Turns out, it’s not lack of time, it’s lack of inspiration. Does your blog writing lack inspiration? Is it hard to get really fired up when starting to write a post? I get that. When I was just starting out as a blogger (was that really over 15 years ago?!) I could just feel that screen staring right back at me.

Blogger 100

Blogger Business Blogging Paper Tips 100

Writing on the Web

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

'Do you know about LinkedIn blogs? And are you blogging yet on LinkedIn ? I’m not yet, but I will be right after I write this blog post! Since early 2014, LinkedIn opened its publishing platform to its 300+ million users. Here is your chance to show your expertise in your professional life and without character restrictions! The importance of using a LinkedIn blog is that it will add dimension and help in building a well-documented profile.

Linkedin 100

Linkedin Ideal Customer Profiles Social Media Consulting 100

Writing on the Web

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

'Many people who fell prey to the Auto-feed short-cut introduced by Facebook found that it did much more harm than good. And it’s understandable why they did it: how can you have time for social media , when you struggle with creating consistent, relevant blog content ? While it may have saved time initially, there were costs in the long run. The same is true for auto-feeds to LinkedIn, Twitter, and all the other social media sites.

Personalization 100

Personalization Social Media Tagging Keywords 100

Writing on the Web

JANUARY 21, 2015

'In order to impress visitors and showcase your business expertise, your blog must pass the “blink” test. As I mentioned in my previous post , your blog design must incorporate three critical elements: Branding/Personality (Banners, logo, photos). Navigation/Simplicity (Layout, use of white space and read more). Quality Content (Problems you solve for your readers).

Design 100

Design Banners RSS Opinions 100

Writing on the Web

JANUARY 16, 2015

'Does your blog pass the blink test? Content is king, but if your design stinks, visitors won’t get past the banner. They won’t stay, they won’t get to know you and they won’t subscribe to your blog. I mentioned this in my previous post : in order to impress visitors and showcase your business expertise, your site must pass the “blink” test.

Banners 100

Banners Thought Leadership Tagging Trust Marketing 100

Writing on the Web

DECEMBER 31, 2014

'What goals have you identified for your blog and website for 2015? Have you created a map to help you reach your goals? It’s true, I don’t believe in making new year’s resolutions. But after 15+ years working with executive coaches and consultants , I know that having clearly defined goals and expectations for a business blog or website is critical to help you get found, get known, and get clients; it will improve how you show up on the Web.

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Business Best Practices Traffic 100

Writing on the Web

NOVEMBER 27, 2014

'My Business Blog Gratitude List" width="150" height="150" title="10 Great Things for 2014: My Business Blog Gratitude List" /> You may have heard me say it before – my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. It’ a fairly big holiday in the U.S., and a great way to celebrate gratitude. This year, I updated my gratitude list, and perhaps you can relate and it will inspire you to make up your own list.

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Business Broadcasting Internet Marketing 100

Writing on the Web

NOVEMBER 13, 2014

'How to Find It and Keep It" width="315" height="205" title="Your Business Blog Sweet Spot: How to Find It and Keep It" /> Have you found your business blog sweet spot? In previous posts I shared how storytelling and personalization are key to creating a blog with personality, and that the biggest mistake business bloggers make is ego-centric blog posts.

Business Blogging 100

Business Blogging Ning Wikipedia Business 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 22, 2014

'Have you created a list of your top 10 blogs? If not, you’re missing out on opportunity to improve your search rankings. It’s easy, smart and can help your business blog get inbound links. I’ve talked about creating your own Top 10 lists before, and it still makes sense, even more so given the way SEO works today. Besides providing valuable, relevant information for your readers, you also: Show your generosity by pointing out other experts besides yourself.

Aggregators 100

Aggregators Content Marketing Content Traffic 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 8, 2014

'Is Your Web Content Worthy of a Once Over?" width="300" height="300" title="Scannable Blog Posts: Is Your Web Content Worthy of a Once Over?" /> Is your web content worthy of a once over? Do your readers find it attractive – that is, easily scannable and interesting? If not, you are missing opportunities to connect with your readers and make a lasting impression.

Television marketing 100

Television marketing Content Business Blogging Impressions 100

Writing on the Web

OCTOBER 1, 2014

'How do you create quality content that attracts online readers and yet works to promote the growth of your business? Creating great content for your business blog is a what and how issue, as in what constitutes “good” content , and how does one produce that content so that it brings in the readers that a business blogger wants. Quality content stimulates reader/ customer engagement.

Blogger 100

Blogger Trigger Marketing Business Blogging Opinions 100

Writing on the Web

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

'Quality blog posts are key to your business getting found on the Web. While that may sound obvious – (“Of course, why would I write something ho-hum boring?”) it’s harder than you might think. Not everyone agrees on what quality content is. Quality content scores high with readers, your target clients, and with search engines. If you want to get found, get known and get clients online, you need to write and publish quality blog posts that resonate with your readers.

Content Marketing 100

Content Marketing Content Storytelling Hubspot 100