What is Vlogging?
June 2, 2008 by Brian Gardner
Ever heard of vlogging? It’s the catch phrase for “video blogging,” and continues to grow increasingly popular as more people start following the trend.
There’s no denying that video blogging can add a certain spark to your blog that traditional written blogs lack. The act of actually SEEING the blogger creates a greater sense of familiarity within a blog community, and can allow your readers to interact with you on a more personal level (ew, not like that creeps - get your mind out of the gutter!)
Are you interested in starting a vlog (video blog) or simply mixing up your posts with a few video blogs from time to time? Continue reading to find out how to get started.
WHAT YOU NEED
To get started vlogging, the most important piece of equipment you’ll need is a video-capable camera. You don’t have to drop tons of dough on a cam, either – find one that fits within your budget that’s fairly decent and will support video.
Once you have created the video, you’ll need some sort of video software (there are a lot of decent options available, including Windows Movie Maker.) You’ll also need a program that will be able to compress the file. (A good list of programs that do this can be found here.)
If you don’t already have a blog set up, go ahead and set up a blog on a free blogging site (WordPress, Blogger, etc.) There are several sites that cater to would-be bloggers where you can set up a blog for free. You definitely need a site to host your vlog for the world to see, so this is also an important step.
Of course, a vlog isn’t any good unless you’re passionate about the topic you’ll be blogging about. While written blog posts need to be indicative of the writers passion for the subject as well, video blogs DEFINITELY can’t be boring. No one wants to watch you fumble for words, talk in a monotone or fall asleep on camera!
If you choose a topic you enjoy and will be able to stick with, your vlogging days will be that much more enjoyable – for you AND your readers/viewers.
Using Social Networks to Promote Business
June 1, 2008 by Brian Gardner
We’ve already discussed using Facebook specifically to promote a business, service, or product. This post will describe the best way to use social networks in general when it comes to promoting your company.
First of all, you’ll want to pick one or two networks to focus on. Think about how much time you are willing (and have!) to invest. Chances are, you won’t be able to manage profiles on several social networks; choose a couple to focus your primary efforts on.
Once you find which social network(s) you want to concentrate on, create a profile that immediately establishes you as a leader in whatever field you’re a part of. A great profile will draw potential customers to you, especially if you take the time to make it not only keyword-rich but well written also.
Of course, slapping a profile up doesn’t mean the work is done – you still have to network with potential customers, colleagues and other major players in your field! Join forum discussions, newsgroups, etc. related to your field to get news of your business/service/product out there.
Whatever you do, DON’T spam everyone constantly! Occasional news updates and exciting changes about your company will generate buzz; a blog post or bulletin full of spam messages won’t. Highlight important news when it comes out, but don’t over-promote.
Even web entrepreneurs need to network, promote their company, and get the word out about their online business. With that being said, using social networks as a marketing tool CAN be quite profitable.
Hopefully, the above tips can help you figure out whether using social networks as a marketing tool will work for you. Experiment with a few networks and find out which, if any, work best!
Simple Ways to Attract Traffic to Your Blog
May 31, 2008 by Brian Gardner
It takes work to build up a readership when you first create a blog. Oftentimes, it can take months or even years before you see ANYTHING from your blog, including a readership and profit!
However, the most important thing a blog needs to succeed in the blogosphere is traffic; good, quality traffic that will repeatedly return to your blog day after day.
How do you attract traffic to your blog? Well, the following tips are a few simple ways that can drive traffic to your blog and keep them coming back for more.
1. Write Quality Content
A blog is only as good as the content that goes into it; if you’re not writing for your readers, you’re not going to be as successful as you could.
Pick a topic you’re passionate about; that way, you’ll be more likely to stick with it and come up with an endless stream of topics to write about.
2. Comment, Comment, COMMENT
The only way to let people know you’re around is to get the word out about your blog. Find blogs in your niche and comment, comment, comment.
Don’t spam people, but taking the time to leave a quality comment on someone else’s blog post encourages them to visit your blog and hopefully develop into a full-fledged reader. More readers = more traffic, which in turn can potentially equal more revenue for you.
3. Exchange Links
Link exchanges are a great way to see and be seen, and finding blogs in your niche to exchange links with is a win-win situation for both your blog and the other person’s.
While building traffic takes time and effort, these are a few simple ways you can drive more traffic to your blog without spending a dime. Remember to keep these tips in mind and have fun!
