Very helpful resources are available from VA Classroom:
Blog Marketing Tips and Tactics

Blogging can be very time-consuming, and is a definite investment of time. Luckily there are many ways that you can limit your effort and make the time you spend blogging more efficient and productive. With the proper products and techniques you can blog without being tied to your computer.

1.  FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) -  One of the most time consuming parts of business blogging is when you have to answer the same questions over and over again.  Once you start recognizing the questions, start tagging the questions as you answer them.  Then use those tags to create a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page on your blog.  This document will list all of the questions and their answers.

2.   Blogging doesn’t have to be a one-man show – Blogs are conversations by multiple users, so you do not have to be the only user with the answers.  Enlist the help of co-workers or friends to do a guest post, to step in and answer questions from time to time.  Just make sure that their screen name/screen identity lists their affiliation with the company.

3.  Blogging software – There is a multitude of blogging software that makes blogging fast and easy.  There is software that will enable you to create, edit and manage your blogs.  Other software will “ping” other websites that contain blogs with similar information.  When this happens, your post gets included with that sites index and more people see your post.

4.   Blog from your cell – Cell phones that have internet capability are a huge asset when you are trying to get away from the computer.  There are several tools and programs that will allow you to blog from whereever you are on your cell.  This way you can create and post a blog between meetings, on your commute to and from work, or even at your kids little practice.  The most popular of these services is Twitter, but many other services are available.

5.  Keep the posts simple – Many times you may want to make an elaborate or beautifully worded post.  For your blog to be successful, you need to post often, and there just isn’t always time for those elaborate posts. In those times, post a picture of one of your products, preferably of the product being used.  You want an image that tells a story. Another possibility is posting a question that will get your blog subscribers talking. This allows you to keep the blog active when there are no real new topics to discuss, and only takes minutes of your time.

Blogging can take time.  With a few simple downloads and modifications to your techniques, your company can benefit from blogging without you having to spend all your time at your computer.  By cutting down on the time and effort you are putting in on each post and blog response, and allowing you to fit much of that time in when you have the opportunity (through your mobile device) you will be amazed at how simple blogging can become.


Wishing you much success online!
Diana

Diana Walker, CEO, Diana’s Internet Marketing Education
I would love to keep in touch – subscribe below if you would like to receive my newsletter:

I enjoyed this video on Social Media – and maybe you will too. 

Blogs, Forums, Membership Sites, Podcasts – these are all Social Media.

In this video you will find a simple explanation and visual of what Social Media is, and why it is so popular as a medium on the internet today.

Diana Walker, CEO, DIME Diana’s Internet Marketing Education