How to Keep Your Content on Strategy With a Single Statement

You may be thinking along the lines of "build it and they will come" when it comes to your website or blog but that's not always true. If you want dedicated followers, you will need content that will keep them coming back for more. To make this process manageable, you will need a strategy. 

Marketing Trends to Follow in 2016

As we move into the new year, you will need to know what is happening now to keep yourself and your company ahead of the competition. Some marketing tactics may not be the latest trends but they are not unimportant. In fact, they are still good practices to follow. Analyzing current trends and reviewing your strategy from different angles will help you prepare for what is yet to come.

Below are 5 marketing trends to look out for this year that will prepare you for success.

The Secret of How to Succeed in Marketing

I am going to share with you some gold nuggets I learned from a webinar I recently had the privilege of listening to. But before I do, I want to ask you an important question. Why are you in Marketing? What do you hope to achieve? Do you simply want to get rich or do you have a desire to help others? Okay that was several question but they are all important and I am going to tell you why they are important to your success later on. 

The webinar Inside the Mind of Successful Network Marketing Women featured seventeen speakers. All of these women share one common trait-their desire to help others while helping themselves.

The Low Down On Finding Content For Your Blog

How many times have you sat and stared helplessly at a blank screen? You want to create a great article but you’re well of inspiration has run dry. If this has happened to you, then you know the truth...

Writer’s block bites!

Don´t give up though, there is hope. Social media holds unlimited potential for businesses of any size.

How To Bring Your Google Plus Profile To Life

Google Plus gives you a blank slate to create a media presence with limitless text and link opportunities. It's a place to create a medium that will attract both customers and followers. Add a stunning cover photo and you can turn Google Plus into a home run for your business.

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Blog Marketing

Blogging is more than creating and publishing posts. It is about sharing content with others who share your interest. It is about building relationships whether it be with customers or fellow enthusiasts.

Lots of people spend time creating a well written blog with valuable content. But unless you market your blog, no one will know about it and sadly, no one will read it. 

So, how do you make your blog stand out in a crowd of so many competing for attention? Here are some helpful tips to get your blog noticed...

#1 Target your content to a specific group of people 

Before you spend hours creating the perfect post, You should start by deciding who you will be talking to. Who will your audience be and where will you find them. You wouldn’t want to target people interested in hiking if your blog is about quilting.

#2 Be original
We've all heard it said before " Why be a copy when you can be an original". Unless you want to be just another copy, you will need to break away from the herd of followers and create original content. Instead of producing the same content that everyone else is, take a new approach to a common topic. You want to capture your reader's interest and give them a reason to revisit your blog.

#3 Post as a guest blogger  
Writing guest posts is a great way to increase traffic to your blog while building backlinks. But, before you start contacting blog owners, there are a few things you need to do.

• Get to know the content of the blog you want to write a guest post to.
• See who other guest bloggers are
• See how well their posts do
• Become a familiar face in the blog community
• Find out what kind of posts perform the best

#4 Use social media to advertise your blog 
I've said it before but it is worth repeating...You need to get your blog in front of your audience. One of the best ways to get your work noticed is to promote your posts on LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook, or Twitter. But, don't forget that each social channel has its own rules and little quirks. What works on Facebook, might not work on LinkedIn. Regardless of the platform you choose, you will want to take some time and familiarize yourself with the channel. Other things to consider are writing informative articles for LinkedIn Pulse and including a link to your blog. Do you have a board on Pinterest? Include a “Pin it” button on your blog so pinners can pin your content to their boards.

#5 Join sharing sites
Triberr is a website where members share the blogs of others in exchange for getting their own shared. Not only will get a lot of traffic to your blog, you will learn a lot about your favorite topic.

Your blog is your piece of virtual real estate. It has a lot of value. Make the most of it. Did I leave anything out? Feel free to leave your comments in the box below.

What is a social media marketing plan and do you need one?

Social media can take up a large portion of your day. It can be frustrating and hard to keep up with...especially if you don’t have a plan to tame the marketing beast.

If you want to market your business using social media, you will definitely need a plan to help you keep track of everything you do for your business and measure your progress toward your goals. Without a plan, you will probably find yourself wandering aimlessly through the social media jungle with no real destination in sight.

When creating your plan, be specific but keep it simple. Complex plans are easy to abandon if they are too hard to put into action. Your marketing plan will guide your actions and become your daily or weekly routine. So, make it manageable and don’t set yourself up for failure before you even get started.

With so many social media sites out there and more popping up everyday, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. The good thing is that you don’t have to be on every one of them. The best place to start is to do some research and pick one that meets your needs. Stick with one for a while before you branch out.

When you start working to create your plan, keep in mind that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to social media marketing. You will create your plan based on the goals you set for yourself and your business.

Some things to consider are…

1. Your goals- SEO, brand awareness, traffic to your website or blog, interact with your customers
2. Your audience- Who do you want to reach? What is your ideal prospect profile? Where does your audience like to hang out?
3. Your resources- What is your budget and will you be working this plan alone or with a team?

If you haven’t started using social media as part of your advertising strategy, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get started.