Education or value-based marketing is an important tool to attracting new customers to your business.  Blogging is an excellent tool for sharing that knowledge with potential customers. Therefore, having your own blog or blog posting, commenting on others Blogs is a smart marketing strategy, as long as you implement these tactics.  These tips will get you started increasing your education-based marketing online.

When posting your own Blog remember these tips:

  • Blog regularly.  Daily is the optimum goal.  At least three times a week is better than only one day a week. Blog visibility increases with regular posting so this is critically important!.
  • Keep your posts short, yet powerful.  People, especially busy ones, like short, value-based information that makes them want more.  This tip also helps with the first point because if they are shorter it is easier for you to write and post regularly.
  • Pose a powerful question at the end of your blog.  Your goal is to get people to comment on what you wrote.  Comments are a good thing because it increases your visibility and web traffic.  A question tempts them to comment.
  • Make comments open.  Too often people “screen” comments by having to approve them. First this is a HUGE time eater as you create yourself more work! Second, don’t be afraid of somebody who disagrees with you.  That’s a good thing, not a bad thing and you can actually use it to your marketing advantage.

When reading other blogs:

  • Read blogs where you can offer your own feedback and value.  One of the most powerful ways for clients to find you is through this type of message.  Once, I got a client who said, “I was so appreciative of your comment on XYZ blog.  After visiting your site I’d love to work with you.”
  • If you read it, comment on it.  First, again it is great to read blogs, but again you can double your value by commenting too! Second, commenting brings business to you.
  • When you comment, always close with your complete name and web address.  This is the most common mistake I see made on blogging.  How can they find you if you do not make sure they can? I always end with my full name, and web address and my tagline.

Blogging becomes a powerful way to provide education-based marketing to potential customers which increases your opportunity for business.  It will also increase the opportunity for people to “find” you when they search! Establish your expertise through blogging, and watch your marketability soar!

 

Ann Evanston, MA, has been named by About.com as one of the Top Six Marketing Consultants, Feb 2011, and recognized in the Huffington Post for her unique approach in using Facebook to increase profits though giving. In October 2008 Ann created the Social Networking Coaching Club, a forum where you get personalized support to learn how to “discover your REAL edge” and make more online in less time with integrity.
  • Mark Smith

    Excellent advice.  I will definately comment more on other people’s blogs.  Great way to communicate with people in related businesses

  • http://www.GreatHealthIsPossible.com Maureena Bivins, PhD

    I am just entering the world of blogging. The purpose of my blog is to help others learn how to sustain long-term health. I appreciate the excellent suggests in this post.
    Maureena Bivins, PhD
    http://www.MaureenaBivinsPhD.com

    “Curious,
    committed, and compassionate.  What do
    you look for in a health care provider?”

  • http://www.vantageidblog.com/blog Robert Buntin

    Awesome post! Keeping it short and simple the first time through is difficult. I often write 800-900 words then go back and cut the fluff so it’s a more manageable 400-500 words. I’ve been leaving out my web address all this time…Oops!

  • http://screencaffeen.com/ Screen Caffeen

    My biggest challenge has been allotting time for my own blog, when I get busy with clients projects. I used to block out time on my calendar as a way to make sure that I get to my own blog, got away from that, but have just re-blocked time dedicated to my blog. Thanks again, Ann. Your email today was timely.

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Absolutely you can Monique! I schedule my blog every week on wordpress!

  • http://screencaffeen.com/ Screen Caffeen

    You make great points Ann. On the point of blog regularly, I’ve had several of my own blogs and blogged for non-profit organizations for several years. What is handy about the tools available is the ability to schedule postings. Can you set aside a few hours one day a week to write several blog posts that you schedule to publish throughout the week? If the answer is yes, that solves the not blogging often enough problem.

  • Debbywebby55

    just starting to blog! thanks for the good advice..Debbie Kaufman
    rugelachdebbie@yahoo.com

  • http://www.tallentagency.com Jan Tallent

    same here, Betty. I do use my name but unless asked for it I usually neglect to use my business link, duh! Great reminder from our Ann.

  • http://www.tallentagency.com Jan Tallent

    As always, you offer up some really good points, Ann. I am terrible about posting regularly to my own blogs but am setting that as my MUST goal for 2011. I do pretty well at posting to others’ blogs thing but need to get back to taking care of mine.

    and you know, I rarely think of adding my business URL if it is not asked for? Shame on me and thanks so much for that valuable reminder!

    Jan Tallent
    Virtual Assistant specializing in proofreading & editing
    http://www.tallentagency.com
    :-)

  • http://www.lauriehurleyonline.com Laurie Hurley

    All of the above is so true as I am discovering by working my way through your Social Networking boot camp. It’s a lot of work at first, but once you get the hang of it I have found there is SO MUCH to blog about. Like this post!

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    I love that you do this Jennifer. My husband is out of work and I am encouraging the same!

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Shira – the first thing is don’t be punchy in your blog if your not punchy in real life. Blogs drive business, your voice must match. and to your 2nd questions, no I think your blog should be fully you- your ideas and thoughts. People choose to work with me because I share my voice and ideas clearly and stand by them! You do the same!

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Elizabeth are you using wordpress and Akismet spam filters? And is your comment widget one that sets filter guidelines? These things make spam comments virtually gone-and trust me teaching social media, I have peeps that want to SPAM me!

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Hi Gerrie- if you search blog on my site I have several posts for you- I recommend this one http://www.warrior-preneur.com/2010/12/09/wordpress-smart-blogging-platform-for-growth-and-change/ in addition there are GREAT training videos on YouTube check out: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyFittingSites

  • Gerrie

    I like your ideas but I am a novice and do not know how to “create” a blog. Nor, do I know where to go to read a blog. ANy tips for getting started that way?
    Gerrie
    gerrie@robtribble.com
    Dynamic Health
    Energize Your LIfe!

  • Guitartam

    I started blogging in 2010, and learn something new with each post. I totally agree w/ Ann the short concise posts that give readers easy to digest action items, seem to consistently get the most reads, and positive feedback. I would love readers comments and feedback, AND recommendation to the blogs you most enjoy to improve your creative small business.

    =Tamra=
    http://blogspot.com/guitartam

  • http://leezadesigns.com Leezadesigns

    I just started a blog about 2 months ago. I have been reading a lot about how to make my blog grow and have been commenting on my competitors sites. It’s been a fun two months. But, really it’s a scary endeavor. You just put yourself out there and hope that it generates conversation. The only reason I screen my comments is because I get so many emails from vendors trying to tell me how to increase my web traffic. I don’t want this cluttering my site. How do you handle this?

    Elizabeth Barnes
    http://leezadesigns.com/blog/

  • Maya

    Thank you. I keep thinking I will have a blog on my yet to be created website and this advice – keeping comments open — just saved me a lot of time and headache. Thanks!

    Maya Hiersoux
    http://www.imaginalcoaching.com

  • Dr. Jaspreet Mundeir

    Thanks for the great tips, Ann. You’ve motivated me to blog regularly!

    Jaspreet Mundeir, ND
    http://www.suratnaturopathic.com

  • http://twitter.com/BettyWine Betty Kaufman

    Thank you for the great tip about including my full name and web address. It seems so obvious, but I haven’t done it before.

    Betty Kaufman
    http://www.bettyswinemusings.com

  • http://www.amiraalvarez.com Amira Alvarez

    I am just in the process of re-inventing my blog and this was just the information I needed. I will focus on making my tips for living a lit-from-within, pain-free life short and sweet. Perfect timing for me. Thanks for the clarity!

    Amira Alvarez, Alexander Teacher
    http://www.amiraalvarez.com
    Life can be easier! The Alexander Technique – the Owner’s Manual You Wish You Had.

  • http://www.reignitingromance.com/ Rachel Miller

    As always Ann, your tips are fabulous. I especially appreciate them now as i am working on my 2011 business plan. Consistency is the area of blogging that I’ve struggled with in the past but am determined to achieve in the upcoming year. Thanks for providing all of us with your consistent, useful, easily implemented strategies! Happy Holidays!
    Rachel

  • Shiramarin

    As a psychotherapist and coach, I appreciate your blog tips very much. Honing a message is a challenging job as I am used to writing at length. What advice you offer for shaping a punchy blog? Also, is it your opinion that blogs have to be tailored only to what others are likely to be interested in or is it of value to introduce new ideas that are of interest to me, that others can trigger new ways of considering personal growth. Thanks…Shira
    Shira Marin@shiramarin.com

  • http://www.jacareercoaching.com Jennifer Armitstead

    As a career coach, I encourage professionals – employed or unemployed – to regularly blog especially about something related to their professional line of work. I especially encourage the idea of commenting on other’s blogs too… Helps to build professional alliances that some day may lead to a better job.

    Jennifer Armitstead, Career Coach/Recruiter http://www.jacareercoaching.com

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    If you like this Julia (BTW – hi!) to check out my blog video on Blog commenting strategies!
    http://www.warrior-preneur.com/2009/08/03/blog-…

  • julialindsey

    Thanks for the great information. I just started a blog and can always use all of the tips I can get. http://www.ourlittlebooks.com/blog/
    .

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    If you like this Julia (BTW – hi!) to check out my blog video on Blog commenting strategies!
    http://www.warrior-preneur.com/2009/08/03/blog-…

  • julialindsey

    Thanks for the great information. I just started a blog and can always use all of the tips I can get.

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Absolutely Gregory! And you are so right about even YouTube – it is a very SEO friendly site to comment on!

  • http://twitter.com/XanGo_aCheevers Gregory Cheever

    I'm finding out this is pretty much the norm. Commenting on YouTube videos and other sources will help make you visible to many on the internet which in turn will bring traffic to your web site. It's taken me awhile. Thank you for the information about blogging.

    Gregory Cheever
    http://www.ChangeTakesAction.com
    Offering a For-profit system feeding starving children.

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Hi Brenda and thank you! I really do love what I do! Hereis a video from BizTechDay 2009 on making your events profitable!

    I do recommend to my clients that they do just that – link to others blogs within their posts, so it is a GREAT reminder! Ann

  • http://www.hware.com Brenda Horton

    Great Article!

    I would also like to add linking other blogger’s posts to your post when you find something they wrote that would benefit your readers. The search engines love this for ranking purposes and the blogger will be more inclined to link back to your site too.

    Secondly, it’s great to invite guest bloggers to post on your site. The sharing of knowledge and content is huge value in social media. Again, bloggers will be more inclined to invite you to post on their site too.

    BTW, I saw you at the BizTech conference in 2008 and really enjoyed your presentation. Keep up the great work!

    Brenda T. Horton
    http://www.Hware.com

    Brenda Horton’s last blog post..Social Media 101

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    You are welcome and I was happy to do it! Ann

  • http://www.aquire.com/blog Lois Melbourne

    I am going to adopt a number of these tips. I always include my blog’s website not my corporate website in the form’s request for website, so that the link associated with me, goes to my blog.

    Lois Melbourne
    Aquire
    CEO

  • http://casiestewart.com Casie Stewart

    Definitely important to post often, keep it short and make it easy to comment. I’ve been using DISQUIS commenting on my blog and it allows people to login with FB or Twitter and post to Twitter or FB status updates. It’s easy to install and free.

    Casie Stewart’s last blog post..99 Luftballons, Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont

  • http://www.KevinsStory.net KeHoeff

    hey this is a very interesting article!

  • http://www.1stcreditcardsoffer.eu ApplyCreditCards

    Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting. I’ll definitely be coming back to your site.

  • http://www.writeasrain.wordpress.com writeasrain

    I agree with you on these very important points. On my blog…it is not a targeted blogsite, as in a business venture; it is a current events/observational/opinion type of a blog. Still, because of the give and take of comments on my blogsite, as well as those I visit; I have had over 114,000 readers in less than 22 months of blogging.

    Reading those comments and following back to their website is part of the joy of blogging for me. That is what builds relationships between the blogger and the reader. After all, what is the value in writing content, that no one cares enough about to comment on? How does a blogger even know that anyone is reading or getting value from their site if people dont feel moved to comment? :)

    Ann, thanks for creating content worth reading and commenting on! http://www.writeasrain.wordpress.com

    http://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2009/03/08/are-we-so-deprived-how-important-is-customer-service/

  • http://www.fivetonineofficesolutions.com Cindy Bidar

    Got to give you the FULL name thing. Will start doing that immediately!

  • http://www.warrior-preneur.com Ann Evanston

    Well, Cindy, those blogs will end up with fewer and fewer comments because if I cannot assure connection back to me why comment? As the owner of a blog, I can always delete a “spammer” comment!

    Also, your FULL name is more Google-able, not just your first name in terms of business and Google likes comments, and so do your clients. It’s a chance for you to establish your expertise as a biz owner! And, if you want people to find you, make sure they can.

    Ann Evanston
    The Warrior is Within You

  • http://www.fivetonineofficesolutions.com Cindy

    Good tips, but I have to disagree with that last one. Many bloggers (and spam filters, for that matter) block comments with links in them. Also, your name is on the comment, why add it again?

    Cindy’s last blog post..If I Give Away the Milk, Who Will Buy the Cow?