Are you a small business owner looking for a plan to dominate your niche online next year? Here are twelve actions you can take for online success:

1. Define your prospects or online audience well. Create a persona. Then make sure all your online communications are created with your ideal clients in mind.
2. Create your online elevator speech. Tighten your online message so people can quickly catch your business promise. Put it on your website, blog and social media accounts
3. Start a company blog
4. Set-up social media accounts
5. Brainstorm at least 48 articles or blog post topics. Publish at least 4 per month to your blog in 2012
6. Add an email newsletter if you don’t already have one. Build your email subscriber list
7. Connect with local reporters on Twitter. Build a relationship with them
8. Plan at least one live local event with a portion of sales going to charity. Send online press releases. Promote through social media accounts and blog posts
9. Connect your website and blog to automatically post updates to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media platforms
10. Create regularly scheduled social media activities
11. Plan and implement a social media contest to grow Facebook friends and Twitter followers
12. Promote local charities, local bloggers and causes in your community through social media

With all of the options available to market your business online today, small business owners can become overwhelmed. That’s why this list is important. Print it out. Use it as the groundwork for your online marketing plan.

Back when I sold IBM equipment, I used to pick the top sales guy’s brain all the time. The best advice he ever gave me was, “Plan your work. Work your plan.” The above list is a great place to start. But you have to work it.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart
“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys”

If You Like this Article, You Might Also Like:

• Converting Your Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Connections to Customers with Face-to-Face Events
• Blogging for Your Business: An Interview with Ann Handley 
• Website Redesign Checklist for Attracting New Business

Yesterday, while I was researching keywords for a client, I found “Top 12 (client’s keywords)” in a web page title on Google. I stopped. I had to click on the link. I was hooked.

How many times have you searched for the best something-or-other on a search engine?

What Happens When Your Prospect is Ready to Make a Decision?

Imagine someone who has already decided they’re going to buy a product or service you sell. Now think about what your prospect would do just before deciding on a specific brand or a specific service. How would they narrow their choices to the BEST possible solution for them?

After 12 years of doing keyword research for different websites, I’ve always been amazed that more people don’t have “best” lists on their websites.

If you’re a travel agent who specializes in romantic getaways, why not write a best blog post about your Top 5 Recommended Romantic Getaways for 2012? If you own a paint store, why not write a blog post on the 5 Best Selling Paints of 2011?

Now, I’m not the only one who recommends using this tactic. You’ll find top ten lists and lists of the best everywhere. Why? Because it works.

Case Study: Search Engine Results after Adding Best Blog Posts or Pages to a Website

Earlier this year we set-up a website for a client using WordPress. We created a few pages and posts on the site to rank well for keywords with the word “best” in it.

Today Google Analytics reported that 19.24% of Google traffic to the website in the last 30 days was from searches that included the word “best” in it.

We also had a few surprises. Since the website is a review website, the website ranks well for “best” review site for certain keywords. We never intentionally tried to get high search rankings for phrases with “best review” in them. But we’re happy with the results.

6 Reasons Why BEST Blog Posts and TOP Recommendations Work:

1. Establishes yourself as the expert and not just another website trying to sell something
2. Your website is the one people see when they are at the critical moment of deciding which option is best
3. People like to share “best” or “top” lists.
4. Other websites are more likely to link to your BEST or TOP web page
5. When tweeting or talking about the page on Facebook, there is a better possibility that people will click to your web page and actually read your content
6. When someone is ready to make a purchase decision, they will ask themselves: ”Where did I see that Best article?”

Common Mistakes When Writing a Best or Top List

Once you’ve decided you’re going to write you own BEST blog post or article, here are the things you should avoid:

1. Don’t push the most expensive, highest profit option as the best unless it truly is the best. One of your goals is to be seen as a trusted advisor. Be honest. Share any cons or negatives.
2. Don’t try to trick your website visitors. Tell people upfront when you benefit from them buying through your website or through the links you provide.
3. Don’t skip products or services you don’t sell. Add at least one choice you WON’T benefit from if they buy. This adds credibility and builds trust. Tell people that you don’t benefit from this recommendation. Spell it out for them.
4. Don’t assume your “best” blog post or web page will get high search engine rankings. Privately ask people to promote your blog post. Ask people to read and tweet or share on Facebook if they like it.
5. Don’t post photos without permission. Don’t tag people without asking first. Don’t get photos from a Google search without permission. Pay for your photos. Or use photos of current customers. But ask permission first.
6. Don’t forget feedback. Ask for feedback from people/customers who used your best recommendations.

Since you’ve read this far, you know posting a BEST list on your blog or website is something you should do. Why don’t you stop right now. Decide on a list you think will help potential clients. Then write a rough draft, or assign someone in your organization to write it. Get started. Decide on a deadline for posting it. Then get it done.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

If You Liked this Article, You Might Also Like:

• Blogging for Your Business: An Interview with Ann Handley
• Retail Jeweler Grows Business With Blog and Social Media: Interview with Daniel Gordon
• Printer Uses Blog to Generate More Leads for His Business: Interview with Blase Ciabaton

Today we’re talking about blogging for your small business with Ann Handley. Ann is the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs, a rich and trusted resource that helps businesses market their products and services smarter and better. Entrepreneurs, small-business owners and marketers in the world’s largest corporations make up its 361,000 subscribers, making it the largest in its category.

She is an 12-year veteran of creating and managing digital content to build relationships for organizations and individuals. Also, she’s a writer who blogs at her personal blog,  A n n a r c h y, as well as American Express OPEN Forum, Mashable, and The Huffington Post.

Previously, Ann was the co-founder of ClickZ, one of the first sources of interactive marketing news and commentary.

QUESTION: If you were a small business owner committed to being the dominant business in your niche or category online, would you have a blog? 

ANSWER: Since you asked whether *I* would have a blog… then the answer is unequivocally yes. Among other things, I think it’s a great way to connect more deeply with your existing or would-be customers, build a community around your business, give a human personality and “voice” to an organization, evolve your business and relationships in sometimes unexpected or surprising ways, and yes, drive sales. 

The bottom line is that a blog is among the most straightforward and simplest ways to create a steady flow of interesting, valuable and personable content to connect with customers, boost your search ranking, and help build your business. (Or my hypothetical business, since we are talking about me. Hypothetically, of course.)

QUESTION: Is there any reason why you think a small business shouldn’t have a blog?

ANSWER: There are lots of compelling reasons to blog — see my answer above — but if you need something succinctly quantifiable: My favorite stat for demonstrating the value of a small businesses blog is the one from Hubspot that shows that small businesses with corporate blogs receive 55 percent more traffic than small businesses that don’t blog.

That said, it’s a bit risky to start suggesting that EVERY company out there needs a blog, because that’s just silly, right?  

You shouldn’t have a company blog if you really aren’t on board with investing the time, energy, and resources it will take to have a successful blog.  

You also shouldn’t blog if you are a bore — and by that I mean, if you really only want to talk about yourself. The most successful small business blogs are focused on creating value for the reader, not on crowing about your own company’s achievements, or an endless drumbeat 

You shouldn’t blog If you aren’t willing or able to create a unique point of view and perspective, an interesting voice, you lack a consistent schedule to post (or can’t stick to it), and you’re impatient. Like a lot of things, a blog requires patience, attention, consistency, and a long-term commitment to succeed. Does that sound like too much work? It is. 

And finally, you shouldn’t blog if the very idea of it doesn’t excite you. Starting a blog is like getting married — and you’ll never be as emotionally intoxicated as you are at the start of your life together. You might grow to appreciate the blog (or your relationship!) in other, more ripe and lasting ways — for example, you might grow to appreciate the depth of the relationship, you might grow to depend on it, it will feed you on some fundamental level, and so on. And all that is wonderful, of course. But it’s hard to create a lasting bond with something that doesn’t fundamentally interest and excite you.

QUESTION: If you were a small business owner and you were planning to create a blog, what are the first steps you would take?

ANSWER: I would do two things: First, I would define my goals. Why am I blogging? What do I want to get out of it? Do I want to drive sales? Connect with customers? Increase my search rankings? Up my site traffic? Find out how my customers react to things, or how I do? You don’t have to define it too specifically, but you have to have something of a goal or two behind it. (Even if that might change, over time.)  

Second, I’d think long and hard about my brand’s unique perspective: Who am I? What do we stand for? What makes my business unique? What’s my take, point of view, or perspective? Once you start defining what’s most unique and interesting about you, you can begin to create a general approach, personality and theme of the blog. Literary types and writers would call this your blog’s “voice,” and I think it applies equally well to businesses who are publishing blogs as much as a novelist.

QUESTION: In your opinion, what is the most important thing a small business blog should do? 

ANSWER: As I said above, I think having a unique perspective and point of view is critical. It’s what’ll give you personality, and it’ll make what you produce interesting. Don’t be afraid to take a stand and have a point of view. Tell people who you are.  

The biggest snore is a blog that has no discernible point of view or no clear voice. That’s practically tragic to me, because blogs (and social media generally) offer businesses an unprecedented opportunity to create deeper and more interesting relationships with a wide number of customers: Don’t squander it! (Or to quote the Spider-Man franchise: “With great power comes great responsibility.”)

QUESTION: Do you think employees or customers should create blog posts? 

ANSWER: I’m a fan of blogs that include multiple perspectives and voices, if the people you do business with or work with have a passion for creating content. But that’s purely at a company’s discretion, and you need to make these decisions in the context your goals and approach. In other words, there’s no clear answer; so much depends on your approach: Is yours a group blog, incorporating many voices within the organization, like the blogs at Kodak or Indium Corporation? Then it might be great to include employees. Is your blog a “thought leadership” blog highlighting industry trends and perspectives? Then it might be appropriate to include customers, too.  

Of course, another way to incorporate customers without asking them to actually blog for you is to regularly answer customer questions as part of your editorial calendar. You can respond to their direct questions (asked through customer services, or a feedback form, or some other customer-facing mechanism), or you can actively monitor what customers search your site for, to get an indication of the kind of questions they have and you can answer.

Of course, you can also include other special guest posts, whatever the approach you ultimately take.

QUESTION: What do you think about hiring a ghost writer to blog for a small business?

ANSWER: I don’t really like the word “ghost” in that sentence. Hiring a writer to help with blogging, or to blog exclusively for your brand, is definitely a wise move, especially if you are not a writer — or you don’t have a passion for creating other kinds of content for the blog, but you still see the wisdom in what it can do for your company. Gary Vaynerchuk (winelibrarytv.com) isn’t much of a writer, either, but he built an incredibly successful video blog. So I’m a fan of hiring content creators, but I’m less of a fan of cloaking their identify, or passing off social media content as the work of the CEO or another executive or whoever. In some situations, ghost-writing makes total sense, but social media content requires a certain straightforward honesty.  

I know plenty of people using ghosts successfully, but I’m just not a fan.

QUESTION: If a friend of yours owned a small business, what are some examples of good business blogs you would recommend they model or learn from?

 ANSWER: The two I mentioned above are good — Kodak and Indium Corp. Kodak is not a small business, but you can learn a lot from its approach to capturing the spirit and stories of the people who work at Kodak in its Thousand Words blog: http://1000words.kodak.com/ I also like The Future of Real Estate Marketing (http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/) for its focus on the reader, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art (http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/) for the way it incorporates video, photos, and has a fun, funky personality with a clear voice in its community. 

QUESTION: Could you give some examples of the kind of goals you recommend a small business owner set for their blog?

ANSWER: I think keeping it simple is a great way to start: Perhaps set goals for yourself around posting frequency (say, 2xs per week), traffic percent increase (perhaps 10 percent increase in traffic to your blog/site per month), revenue (perhaps a 10 percent growth in income), and perhaps a search ranking bump. You can set whatever exact goals you want to set, but I’d start with some basic things that are relatively easy to assess. Again, these are goals, or targets, to shoot for. 

QUESTION: You’re working on a new book, Content Rules. What is the most important thing a small business owner will learn from your new book?

ANSWER: Yes! I am! I am the co-author, with C.C. Chapman, of an awsome book, Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business, to be published by Wiley in late November of this year. The book is written for any size business, but I have a special place in my heart for small business, so the truth is that it’s more aligned with the likes of you more than anyone else. To say I’m excited about it wouldn’t begin to express the depth of my giddiness, because it’s a perfect mashup of what I’ve been doing for the past 15 years (creating online content) and the place in which we currently do business, on the social web. 

As for what small businesses will learn, I think the subtitle pretty much spells it out! And did I mention it’s going to be an awesome book?

QUESTION: Where can people get more information about your new book?

You can order it directly from Amazon. You can also read all about how it’s coming together (and the lessons it will hold) at our own blog, ContentRulesBook.com.

Commenting and asking questions are an important part of successful blogs

I hope you enjoyed today’s interview. Have a question about blogging for your business? Ask away. Have a comment or something to add to what Ann said? Let us know by commenting below. 

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

More Articles You Might Like:

• How to Blog Effectively for Your Busines
• Retail Jeweler Grows Business With Blog and Social Media: Interview with Daniel Gordon
• Printer Uses Blog to Generate More Leads for His Business: Interview with Blase Ciabaton
• Professional Photographer Grows Business with Blog and No Budget. Find Out How

Listen to this interview and you’ll find out how a fourth generation retail jeweler uses a blog to grow their business.

Key points you’ll learn:

• How face-to-face selling compares to marketing with Twitter and Facebook
• Find out how a contest got over 5000 visits to their small business blog

Click on the arrow below to listen:

Or to download the interview to your computer, click here >

ABOUT DANIEL GORDON:

Daniel Gordon, 37, is a fourth generation jeweler and President of Samuel Gordon Jewelers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born in Oklahoma City, and raised there for most of his life, Daniel attended John Marshall High School and the University of Central Oklahoma. In addition, Daniel holds his Diamond Certificate from the Gemological Institute of America.

Now in his 15th year with the firm, Daniel has made many important changes for Samuel Gordon Jewelers: he’s virtually changed its’ entire business model and corporate culture, thereby insuring the continuation of the firms’ reputation as a leader in both the jewelry industry and the Oklahoma City market.

Some of Daniel’s many initiatives include: changes in product mixes & buying techniques; major changes in personnel (both in sales and administrative staff); creation of the firm’s website and a massive change in the firm’s marketing strategies, and the implementation of revolutionary & creative usage of social media/networking websites in which thousands of people are communicated with constantly. Daniel has created over 20 different presences on the Internet including: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Digg, Flickr, Linkedin, plus a highly viewed personal blog, all of which have been recognized as cutting edge by every major jewelry trade magazine in the industry.

As humble as he is creative, his favorite expression, when receiving any compliment, award, or accolade, is to simply say, “I’m just a jewelry salesman.”

RESOURCES

Find out about WordPress and WordPress Themes (affiliate links included):

• WordPress
• Thesis
• Headway
• WooThemes

Samuel Gordon Jewelers Website and Blog:

• http://www.samuelgordons.com/
• http://blog.sgj.com/

Facebook and Twitter:

• http://www.facebook.com/SamuelGordons
• http://twitter.com/SamuelGordons

Did you like this interview? Tell us. Have questions about your small business blog? Ask. We want to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

More Interviews on How to Dominate Your Space on the Web:

• Printer Uses Blog to Generate More Leads for His Business: Interview with Blase Ciabaton
• Professional Photographer Grows Business with Blog and No Budget. Find Out How
• Interview with Troy Vossoller: Example of a Small Business Using Twitter Right
• How a NY Trailer Dealer’s Website Grew from 300 Visitors per Day to 1,096 Daily Visitors Last Month

Listen to this interview and you’ll find out how a local printing company in Naples, Florida uses a blog to generate more leads.

Key points you’ll learn:

• How prospective clients find your business better with a blog
• What to put on your small business blog
• How to establish yourself as the trusted expert in your niche
• How to repurpose your blog materials for other marketing materials

Click on the arrow below to listen:

Or to download the interview to your computer, click here >

ABOUT BLASE CIABATON:

Blase is VP of Sales & Marketing for Naples PrintSource. Blase has established himself as an expert in the field of direct mail & mailing list procurement. His passion for these topics led him to establish the company blog, www.TheDirectMailMan.com, which is devoted to addressing the most commonly asked questions by PR & Marketing professionals, nonprofits and small businesses.

Blase is sought after as a speaker for the topics of printing, direct mail marketing, and fundraising for nonprofits; he has presented to audiences at the Community Foundation of Collier County, the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, and the local chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America), among others.  Blase also writes for The Bloggers’ Bulletin.

Did you like this interview? Tell us. Do you have questions about generating more leads with your small business blog? Ask. We want to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

More Interviews on How to Dominate Your Space on the Web:

• Growing Your Small Town Business on the Web: Interview with Becky McCray
• The Retail Doctor’s Guide to Growing Your Business: Interview with Bob Phibbs
• Growing Your Small Business Using Social Media and PR: Interview with Mandy Vavrinak
• Interview with Troy Vossoller: Example of a Small Business Using Twitter Right
• How a NY Trailer Dealer’s Website Grew from 300 Visitors per Day to 1,096 Daily Visitors Last Month

TOPICS: August Interviews Are About Blogging for Your Business

Interview with Ann Handley

Ann is the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs, a rich and trusted resource that helps businesses market their products and services smarter and better. Entrepreneurs, small-business owners and marketers in the world’s largest corporations make up its 361,000 subscribers, making it the largest in its category. (Does that sound like marketing-speak? It’s not; it’s just true.)

She is an 12-year veteran of creating and managing digital content to build relationships for organizations and individuals. Also, she’s a writer who blogs at her personal blog,  A n n a r c h y, as well as American Express OPEN Forum, Mashable, and The Huffington Post.

Previously, Ann was the co-founder of ClickZ, one of the first sources of interactive marketing news and commentary.

She lives near Boston in a slightly creaky, comfortable house with 2 kids, 4 dogs, good coffee in the kitchen, decent wine in the cellar, a stack of New Yorkers by the bed, and an occasional field mouse in the laundry room. 

Ann is working on her new book, Content Rules. For more information, go to http://www.contentrulesbook.com/

Interview Scheduled for Thursday, August 19th

Blase Ciabaton - Photo Courtesy GulfshoreBusiness.com

Blase is VP of Sales & Marketing for Naples PrintSource. Blase has established himself as an expert in the field of direct mail & mailing list procurement. His passion for these topics led him to establish the company blog, www.TheDirectMailMan.com, which is devoted to addressing the most commonly asked questions by PR & Marketing professionals, nonprofits and small businesses.

Blase is sought after as a speaker for the topics of printing, direct mail marketing, and fundraising for nonprofits; he has presented to audiences at the Community Foundation of Collier County, the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, and the local chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America), among others.  Blase also writes for The Bloggers’ Bulletin.

Preview of the interview:

Listen to the Complete Interview, Click Here >

Interview with Dan Gordon

Daniel Gordon, 37, is a fourth generation jeweler and President of Samuel Gordon Jewelers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born in Oklahoma City, and raised there for most of his life, Daniel attended John Marshall High School and the University of Central Oklahoma. In addition, Daniel holds his Diamond Certificate from the Gemological Institute of America.

Now in his 15th year with the firm, Daniel has made many important changes for Samuel Gordon Jewelers: he’s virtually changed its’ entire business model and corporate culture, thereby insuring the continuation of the firms’ reputation as a leader in both the jewelry industry and the Oklahoma City market.

Some of Daniel’s many initiatives include: changes in product mixes & buying techniques; major changes in personnel (both in sales and administrative staff); creation of the firm’s website and a massive change in the firm’s marketing strategies, and the implementation of revolutionary & creative usage of social media/networking websites in which thousands of people are communicated with constantly. Daniel has created over 20 different presences on the Internet including: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Digg, Flickr, Linkedin, plus a highly viewed personal blog, all of which have been recognized as cutting edge by every major jewelry trade magazine in the industry.

As humble as he is creative, his favorite expression, when receiving any compliment, award, or accolade, is to simply say, “I’m just a jewelry salesman.”

Preview of interview is here:

To listen to the complete interview, click here >

One of my clients runs four paint stores in the Dallas area. Friday he sent me this e-mail:

You probably know that I like things simple and easy to work with when it comes to our website. 

Lord knows I’ve been using the same Frontpage website software since the 90′s. 

Well, it’s time to make a change. Our website has been neglected for way too long. I’m ready to start all over! Our Company is on Facebook and Twitter, and we want to capitalize on those connections, as well as to point more people to our shopping cart as well, and for our customers to have more online access to us. 

I got your email regarding the “Website Redesign Checklist” and I’ve found it to be very helpful — Thank you for that. I tried to look at WordPress and the others, and it overwhelmed me with the need for information that I just don’t know where to find.

Keep reading. Answers below.

Getting your website set-up with WordPress

WordPress offers two ways to use their software. One option is to set- up everything with a web address like, http://yourname.wordpress.com. This is extremely easy and it’s free. But it has limited functionality. This isn’t a good choice for most businesses.

The best option  for businesses is to set-up WordPress software on your own domain name. You’re able to download their software free at http://wordpress.org. Many web hosting companies already have the software on their servers with easy ways to install on your own domain. My company can do this for you too.

After installing WordPress on your domain name, hire a web designer to create a custom theme for you or have them customize a pre-built theme for you. There are several places where you’re able to get professionally designed WordPress themes. At DSC Web Services we use Thesis and WooThemes for most clients. 

WordPress gives you the ability to manage your basic website pages (an about us page, products/services page, etc).  It also gives you the ability to add a blog to your website.

Use a blog to push your announcements and news to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Once you’ve set-up your website on WordPress, you’re able to automatically post your upcoming events, news and other blog posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter automatically. 

Here’s how you get started. Go to the networked blogs Facebook application and follow their directions. It takes a couple of minutes and you’re up-and-running.

Next, set-up your LinkedIn page (if you don’t already have one). Then use the WordPress application to automatically share your blog posts with your LinkedIn contacts.

Create a contest that drives Facebook fans to your website or shopping cart

One easy way to get Facebook fans to your shopping cart is with an online treasure hunt or scavenger hunt contest. Offer the winner a prize for their efforts.

Post clues on your Facebook fan page. Fans have to find the items on your website. Then post a link to the shopping cart page or web page with the item on your Facebook page. Winners get gift certificates or other prizes.

Here are a couple of other articles on creating contests that drive traffic:

• Small Business Owners: Two Real Life Examples of Using Twitter Contests to Grow Your List
• A Jewelry Store’s Best Promotion in 10 Years & How You Can use the Technique Today
• E-Commerce Websites Use Facebook Fan Pages to Increase Sales

Add ways to share your website content on Twitter and Facebook

WordPress makes it easy for people to share your web pages with their friends using plugins. If you’ve seen a “Tweet this” or “share this” button on a website, you’ve seen plugins you can use on WordPress.

Most plugins are extremely easy to install with a couple of mouse clicks. For a list of 10 plugins I recommend, click here.

Create live events and share photos of customers on Facebook

Facebook and Twitter are great ways to get people to a “live” event. After your event, post photos on Facebook. People will share your photos with their friends – - spreading the news about your business with their friends.

Here are a couple of other articles about events and Facebook or Twitter:

• CHALLENGE: Attract a Crowd to Your Small Business Using Twitter and Facebook. Heres how . . .
• Arrooooh. “Let the wild rumpus start!” Where are the wild things in your business?

Promoting your website and shopping cart doesn’t have to be complicated. Yeah, it takes work. But the tools are easier to use than they’ve ever been before. The tools are cheaper than they’ve been before too.  Why not get started today?

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile you know that I also write for The Bloggers’ Bulletin. The other day I wrote 10 Traffic Building Plugins for WordPress. If you’re a small business owner and you’ve started blogging, this article will help you.   

There are so many WordPress plugins available, it can get overwhelming to new bloggers. That’s why I made this list. It will save you several hours of searching for the right ones that work.

Here’s the list:

1. SexyBookmarks Plugin
2. Disqus Comment System Plugin
3. Facebook Like Button Plugin
4. TweetMeme Retweet Button
5. WP Greet Box
6. Google XML Sitemaps
7. Scribe
8. Smart 404
9. WordPress.com Stats
10. WP Google Analytics

You’ll find links to the plugins, screenshots and also the reasons why you should use these plugins here:

10 Traffic Building Plugins for WordPress

Blogging can drive more business to you. But people have to find your blog posts first. Install these plugins on your blog. Let us know how it helped you. Then share your story with us. We want to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

PS – If you have a blogging tip you would like to share, let us know. We’ll credit you with the tip and provide a link back to your blog.

Photograph by Erin Conrad

Find out how Erin Conrad, a professional photographer, grows her business armed with only a blog and no budget. 

Key points you’ll learn from this interview:

• How Erin gets new clients without worrying about competitors’ prices
• How Erin gets repeat business
• Why Erin doesn’t have to use traditional selling tactics to “close” the sale

Click on the arrow below to listen:

Or to download the interview to your computer, click here >

RESOURCES:

Erin’s blog:

http://www.erinconrad.com

Get started blogging:

• http://www.blogger.com
• http://www.wordpress.com
• http://www.typepad.com

Did you like this interview? Tell us. Have questions about starting your own blog? Ask. We want to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

More Interviews on How to Dominate Your Space on the Web:

• Interview with Troy Vossoller: Example of a Small Business Using Twitter Right
• How a NY Trailer Dealer’s Website Grew from 300 Visitors per Day to 1,096 Daily Visitors Last Month
• Holiday Facebook Ad Doubles Traffic to Website. Listen to the Interview Here

Today I was reading some of my favorite business blogs in between projects, when I stumbled upon Debbie Weil’s, Beginner’s Guide to Business Blogging. It’s an e-book and a quick read. I downloaded it because I’m always trying to find good info to pass on to small business owners.

As I’m skimming through Debbie’s e-book I find this gem:

“A blog is a new way to market your services or products by positioning you and/or your company as thought leaders in highly competitive markets.”

Then I asked myself. “Am I being a thought leader in my blog?”

Sure lots of people talk about ways to get better search engine rankings. Sure other people talk about ways to use social media for business. So am I a thought leader?

A few months ago I wrote a blog post about what I think Jack Welch would tell small business owners who want to dominate the web. I said Jack Welch would tell you to put someone in charge of promoting your business online. Create a new position. Create an Internet Czar.

If you want to dominate your space on the web, then you want someone planning, thinking and promoting your business online every day. And you want someone “in house.”

Most website designers and online marketing experts aren’t supposed to tell you that kind of thing. Most are too afraid they’ll lose business if they tell people this. But if you’re going to commit to dominating your corner of the internet, you better do something. Do something besides just telling your team in a Friday morning meeting that you’re going to dominate the web. You better put some teeth into it.  

I know most small business owners won’t act on this advice. But business owners really serious about passing their company on to the next generation should make this move now.

We can build great websites for companies. We can give business owners great training, tools and resources. But none of that is as important as a company’s commitment to win online. That’s why I’m on my soapbox again. I want you to win online now and in the future. Make it a priority in your business. Create your internal Internet Czar today. In my opinion, it might be the most important thing you do for your business this year.

Tell me what you think.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

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Blogging for your business? This article is for you. If you’re confused about what to write or how your blog will be useful, this post should make things easier for you.

What do you write about?

First, on a note pad write down this question, “What can I write about or post that really helps potential clients?”

Second, write as fast as you can anything that comes to mind after asking yourself the question. Don’t worry about writing something silly or wrong. No one has to see your list. Just do a “brain dump.” You can sift through the ideas later.

Next go through what you’ve written and ask this question, “How will writing about this help establish me as an expert?” Now narrow your list to the best ideas.

Blogs are samples of your expertise. If you’re worried about giving away too much information, you can put that worry aside right now. No matter  how much knowledge you share in a blog post, potential clients will still want your services. In fact, if you’re very candid and truly share, you will stand out as the best choice for your potential clients.

10 More Ideas for Blog Topics

1 – Make a list of the common questions people have about your area of expertise. Then write about it.

2 – Did a client come to you with a problem recently? Can you turn their problem into a story about how the problem was solved?

3 – How did you become an expert? What’s the story behind starting your business?

4 – What recent news affects your industry? What is your opinion on how this news changes things or what should potential clients pay attention to?

5 – Create a checklist for what potential clients should know before hiring someone in your field

6 – Create a list of common mistakes people make when hiring a professional like you. Or create a common list of mistakes people make when trying to tackle the problem your business solves.

7 – Write about a common practice in your industry that you believe is wrong. Tell people why you think it’s wrong and what you believe is the correct practice.

COMMENT: Don’t name names or finger point. Just highlight the practice you disagree with and tell people why you disagree with the practice

8 – Write case studies about your current clients

9 – Write about the pros and cons of not using a professional or an expert to solve their problem

10 – Write a story about someone who ignored or procrastinated about using a service like yours and what happened to them.

This isn’t a comprehensive list of ideas, but it’s a great start.

Now that you have a list of blogging ideas, what’s next?

First, print this page. Or copy and paste it into Word. Then start working your list. You’ll have a great start on being the online expert in your field.

Do you have a question about starting a blog to promote your business? Ask. I’ll do my best to give you an informed answer or share a resource that helps.

If you want to read more about business blogging, click here.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

PS – I originally wrote another version of this post for The Bloggers’ Bulletin.

Image by via Flickr

On The Bloggers’ Bulletin I recently wrote about using Facebook and your blog to promote your small business. Here is what someone asked after the post:

QUESTION: “I’ve had the blog link to my Facebook page for awhile, but I never thought of starting a Facebook Biz page for my blog. If my blog is already linking to my personal page, what is the advantage of a Fan page in addition? Just curious, because it’s a novel idea.”

REASON #1: It’s easier to click the “Become a Fan” button than risk rejection by sending a “Friend request.”

People who don’t know you personally will find your blog’s fan page through their friends. Strangers aren’t always comfortable requesting to be your Facebook friend. But your blog’s fan page is different. It isn’t a person. They can become a fan without feeling like a stalker or a Facebook friend freak.  40.9% of my blog’s fans aren’t my personal Facebook friends.  I’ve never met most of these people. They truly are fans.

REASON #2: You’re able to connect your fan page to your blog’s Twitter account.

If you Tweet from your blog’s fan page and include a link, Facebook generates a shortened link that returns to Facebook. Then your Tweets automatically make it easy to create more fans for your blog. As my girlfriend would say, “Woo-hoo!”

REASON #3: You’re able to create events for just blog fans

When you create an event, you’re able to invite all your fans. This can be an online event. It can be a phone call. It can be a recorded event on your blog. Whatever the event, you get to involve your fans more intimately. Which means more fans will become clients.

MORE REASONS: I’m going to be selfish here . . . 

I’ve got a few more ideas on how to use your blog’s Facebook page to get more readers. But I’m going to keep my mouth shut and save some secrets for myself . . . or paying clients .

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

In the new movie, Julie & Julia, Amy Adams plays Julie Powell. Powell became an Internet celebrity with her blog. In Julie’s blog she documented the year she spent cooking every recipe in Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”

Image via Wikipedia

Her blog was turned into a book. Then her book was turned into a movie.

Here’s the important lesson for entrepreneurs & business owners:

1 – If you put together a plan to blog on a regular basis
2 – Then you stick to your plan
3 – Good things will happen

I know. Blogging worked for me. Read on to find out about my blogging success story . . .

I own the rights to resell NameRazor (software that helps you brainstorm for a company name, product name etc). So I started a blog about naming.

After blogging for a few months, people started asking me questions about naming. So I answered their questions and posted them in the blog. Soon Yahoo Answers and Google Answers were posting my website as a good source for information about naming businesses and products. What a great surprise.

To say the least, I sold more software after Yahoo Answers and Google Answers told everyone about my blog.

But don’t take my word for it. I’m not the only one benefitting from their blog. Listen to what marketing Guru Seth Godin says in the video below:

So why are you still reading this? Go write down your plan for your own blog. Then start blogging. Do it now. You’ll be happy you did.

Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!