Business Blogging

5 Steps to a More Professional Business Blog

I think any business that has a regularly updated blog these days is to be commended (with plus points if they use Twitter, as well), but all businesses who run a blog should try to make their blog as professional as possible. Here are some quick steps to reach that goal:

Simplify search.

Your blog should be easy to search, with an accessible search box and button on every page. Make sure you tweak your Search Results pages, as well- with links to your Site Map and other important pages, just in case your visitors can’t find what they’re looking for.

Install a Unique Favicon.

A Favicon is a graphical icon that is attached to your website when viewing on a browser. It’s a good idea to use a unique image for this, such as your logo. Here’s a quick video tutorial on creating and adding a Favicon to your blog. [Read more…] about 5 Steps to a More Professional Business Blog

Hosting Your Business Blog

Choosing the right web host for a blog is important. When it’s your business blog, it can be crucial. You definitely don’t want your current and prospective clients and customers being greeted by an error message when they try to access your blog. Here, my top tips for finding a good web host for your business blog:

Pay for it.

Yes, there are some fabulous free blog hosting services out there, and in fact some of the services I’m about to recommend also offer free plans- but while those are fine for personal blogs, you do want the control that a paid plan gives you.

Go tried and true.

For the least headaches, use one of the hosting services that are made for blogs. WordPress.com, for example, is hosted WordPress that’s run by Automattic. Typepad is by Six Apart, the makers of Moveable Type. These companies are experts in the blogging industry, so they’re your best bets for managing your blog platform. They also usually have wonderful communities (forums, user groups, etc.) filled with other bloggers who are very helpful.

Use your own domain name.

The average cost of buying your own domain name is around $10 a year. This is affordable (I remember when it was $35 a year!) and a must for any business online. If you already have a domain name you use for your business (e.g. waldoswinches.com), you can use a subdomain for your blog (e.g. blog.waldoswinches.com) or get a new domain name just for your blog (e.g. waldoswinchesblog.com). Make sure to use your own domain for your email address, as well- it’s a little embarrassing to use a free email address (yahoo.com, aol.com, gmail.com, etc.) on your business cards.

Research web hosts.

If you decide not to go with a blog hosting service, and would rather go with your own server, VPS or shared account with a web host, please do some research first. A good place to start is Web Hosting Talk, where you can search for reviews on different web hosts. Or you can consider using one of these hosts- all of which I’ve tried, and highly recommend:

WiredTree – I’ve been using them for close to three years now, with zero problems. Customer support is blazing fast.
HostGator – Another good one, I’ve used them for my smaller hosting needs. Quick service, and a good customer forum.
MediaTemple – Some of the biggest names in business are hosted with MediaTemple, and with good reason. They’ve been around for a while, and have a great (read= stable!) infrastructure, although I’ve found that their customer service isn’t as quick as the two hosts I mention above.
Colorteck – Owned by the publisher of this blog (& where we’re hosted), you’ll get really fast, solid and personal service that the bigger companies don’t offer. Contact Will Vacher: will[at]colorteck[dot]com and tell him that you are a Biz Logs reader for a 20% discount off quoted rates.

At the end of the day, you want a host that you don’t have to think about, or even contact much once your blog is up and running.

Three Conferences for Business Bloggers

The truth is: there are no bad conferences. Yes, I’ve been to my share of conferences that bored the bejeezuz out of me, but I’m a firm believer that you can take away something positive from every conference. It starts, of course, by choosing the right conference to attend.

I recommend these Blog Conferences specifically for business bloggers. If you’re just getting started in business blogging, attending one of these is a great way to get your feet wet- and, of course, for both beginners and pros, they offer valuable networking opportunities:

Blog World Expo

Why?:
As the world’s largest blog conference, this is the first one to look at. We’re talking hundreds of people, bloggers who have been doing this for years, as well as celebrity bloggers and devoted readers.

When & Where?:
This year (2009), the conference runs from October 15 to 17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

How much?:
A full-access pass will cost you anywhere from $895 to $1195, depending on whether you register early enough. Also available are weekend passes ($395-$495), exhibits & parties passes ($175-$225), and exhibits only passes ($75-$100). Check out the Blog World Expo pricing page for more information and to register.

Web 2.0 Summit

Why?:
Don’t let the name throw you off, this blog conference is known to feature some of the best names in technology. It’s a little pricey, but is a great choice for anyone who’s serious about doing business online.

When & Where?:
This year (2009), the Web 2.0 Summit runs from October 20 to 22 at The Westin San Francisco Market Street in San Francisco, California.

How much?:
The standard price (if you purchase a spot from now until October 19) is $4195. After that (on site) it’s $4395. This includes access to all workshops, on site events, and breakfast and lunch for each day of the conference. For more information, visit the official Web 2.0 Summit pricing page.

BlogHer Business

Why?:
Women business bloggers (such as myself!) should seriously consider attending this one- and male business bloggers should, as well. This is a smaller conference (they’re keeping it to around 200 attendees), and focuses on the best practices of reaching women online.

When & Where?:
BlogHer Business 2010 happens on August 5th at the Hilton Hotel in New York.

How much?:
Current “earlybird pricing” (up to March 2010) is at $499 plus a $9.95 fee. This includes all meals, programming, and a cocktail reception. For more details and to register, visit their registration site.

How Has Blogging Affected Your Business?

Some folks run blogs as a business in itself, usually by monetizing their blogs through various advertising setups. However, many entrepreneurs and corporate folk use blogs as part of their business, usually as a marketing tool, and as a means of connecting to customers around the world.

I know a few folks who market their products solely through social networks and blogs. One good way to market small retail items like fancy jewelry, trinkets and gift items, for instance, is by taking snapshots of these, posting a few sentences as a short description, and offering the items for sale online. Sure, you can try selling on eBay and you will probably get more inquiries (not to mention an easy way to close deals). But running blog features on your products for sale would definitely add to the personality of your business.

How has blogging affected your business? If you don’t run blogs as your business in itself, you probably run a blog for a variety of reasons. Maybe it’s a personal blog, and the discussions about your work or business are an offshoot of your sharing professional experiences along with personal reflections. Or maybe you have the habit of searching for online reviews about your products, and responding on the comment threads when you feel you need to clear up a few things.

Then there’s also the negative aspect of blogging and new media. Have you ever caught employees slacking off during office hours, and writing on their blogs, tweeting, watching videos or connecting to social network friends? Time spent otherwise being productive are being channeled to personal online activities, and this results in decreased efficiency.

Maybe you yourself have experienced focusing on social media too much that you forget your other duties in the workplace or the business. Do you find yourself increasingly enamored with your blog, Twitter, or just about any social media application that you are fond of using? Are you focusing too much on online clients? How about clients and customers whom you are supposed to service face-to-face?

Being involved in blogs and other social media can be a great way to establish your identity online, and perhaps build up your authority in your field. Sometimes, it does have negative effects, too. How has blogging affected your business? Are your experiences all positive? If not, then do you have a plan for better harnessing the benefits of social media to your business?

« Previous Page