1.    Create an Editorial Calendar
There are just two steps needed for creating an editorial calendar. First-assign Blogging to time slots that are best for your creative juices to flow.  This is the time you usually feel inspired and productive.  For me, I do this on Saturday mornings.
Focus on building content that can be quickly indexed by the search engines. You can either write on your blog two to three times a week or like me – focus on the content creation and then come in for a few hours and start writing.  Whatever you do, be sure to block that time off!  

Do you need some inspiration? Go into social media and be a passive listener.  Then come up with some ideas that can solve some of the issues or concerns in the social media space.  Try spending two days a week for about 30 minutes reading other blogs posted in your industry and leave comments when you have something of value to add.  This not only gives you more visibility and exposure, but it also can drive traffic back to your own blog and/or website.  It positions you as being an active listener and also brings you to the attention of other people who you may not have known about you before.

2.    Jot down the Types of Posts and Topics You Will Write About
This makes Blogging time more efficient because you don’t have to spend additional time trying to determine what to write about every time you’re scheduled to write.

Make a list of categories that you feel would be of interest to your readers. Review the categories and make a list of 5 to 10 subtitle topics that relate to each category.

For example, if you have 10 primary categories and 5 subtitle topics for each category, it is much easier to develop relevant blog content quickly. You can then add another layer to your planning process by assigning each topic to a style or type of post such as:

•    A How-to List
•    A Top 10 List
•    An Opinion
•    A Case Study
•    A Q&A
•    An Interview

Finally, assign each subtitle topic to a date in your editorial calendar and next thing you will see is a building of four months plus of blog post ideas! This system only serves as a guide, but using this concept has worked for me for both blog writing and finishing my book Full BRAIN Marketing.  Just because you have a blog posting schedule, don’t let this stop you from being spontaneous when a current event or hot topic in your business should must be addressed with a new blog post.

3.    Keep a Current Updated Running List of Blog Topics
The more you blog, the more ideas will come to you. Everything you do throughout each day-conversations, books, articles or blogs you read, all becomes information to use for research for your own blog posts.

4.    Be Creative and Write Several Blogs at One Time
Many bloggers use this strategy and it works well for time management.  As stated earlier, my creative writing day is Saturday mornings and I usually write 5-6 Marketing and also Trade Show Blogs each week.  Use whatever method works best for you.  Maybe you only have one hour a week to focus on blog writing

5.    Find Guest Bloggers 
Occasionally if you’re pressed for time, find someone you know, like and trust to help.  Depending on the purpose and goals of your blogs, this is a great way to feature another voice in your industry. A great example could be showcasing ideas of other members of your team, vendors, colleagues and thought leaders in your industry.

6.    Interview People you Perceive to be Experts
A great way of creating content quickly is doing an interview with an expert that the readers can relate to.  This could be a weekly or monthly feature that you plug into your editorial calendar and stick with.

In order to make this successful, identify 10 to 15 industry leaders who have written books on your subject matter. Prepare a written interview with several questions and invite the expert to respond, and then post the interview on your blog page. Not all of the experts will take the time to respond; but some will.

DJ Heckes, Author & CEO
EXHIB-IT! Tradeshow Marketing Experts
www.exhib-it.com
Full BRAIN Marketing
www.fullbrainmarketing.com

Have you gone to write a blog and found yourself suffering from blogger’s block?  Sometimes it can be difficult to find the time to create content for a blog.  When developing your content, be sure to apply these 7 tactics.

1.    Clear & Effective Targeting
The first and foremost rule for creating effective content for a business blog is to completely understand why you are Blogging.  Be sure to have a thorough understanding of your ideal customer’s (your reader’s) profile in addition to your core message as it relates to your business. When you have a clear idea about who you are writing for, it is much easier to write. This allows your blog posts to be on target and have a purpose. This will also keep you from meandering off into subjects that may be irrelevant to your target audience.

2.    Know What Your Readers Need or Want
It makes good practice to always write content with your reader audience in mind. Write a blog as if you are answering a question “what is in it for them?” Readers are constantly asking themselves whether a blog is worth their time to read and you want your blog to be “yes” to that question. You’re more likely to keep readers interested if you take the approach of speaking as if “walking in their shoes.” Be sure to address readers’ major concerns and/or issues. If you don’t know what they are, be sure to ask!

3.    Edit Often
I see many blog posts that start off with generic lead in sentences such as, “Earlier in the week, the other day, I was thinking about…” A blog post should not be thought of as writing an essay and it is definitely not poetry. When writing a blog, be sure to get to the point quickly. Follow the simple rule we all learned in school “KISS = Keep It Short and Sweet!” This means you can actually write less and say more. Start off with writing short declarative sentences and omit all unnecessary words.

4.    Create Keyword Focused Headlines
Write compelling headlines using strategic keywords that pertain to and are relevant to your topic. Keywords are often touted as “gold” by search engine optimization experts who charge a lot of money for their services.
Begin by putting yourself in the shoes of your ideal reader. If the reader was searching Google for information or solutions to a problem, would he or she find you? Compile a list of all the key words or phrases the reader may use to search for you, your business, and solutions. Think of the keywords and key phrases that you want to use frequently in your blog. When writing a headline for a blog post, use these keywords. These key words will alert the search engines, as well as your reader about what’s important in the post.

5.    Write Strong First Sentences
Optimize the first paragraph by using the same keywords used in the post headline. Make your point right away, instead of leading into it. Use clear keywords for search engine optimization in your first sentence of the first paragraph.  Secondly, summarize them again before you close the blog post. Make it a habit of always closing by asking readers for their comments.

6.    Keep Your Blogs Short with Plenty of Space
When writing, try to keep the paragraphs short. Each paragraph should be one or two sentences at most, and then break for a new paragraph. White space can be your friend. Often, one sentence can be as effective as a paragraph. Create lots of white space between paragraphs in your blog.

Remember, most readers are in a hurry and like to scan their content. Computer screen text is harder to read than text on paper. Make it as easy as possible for readers to grasp your message quickly.

7.    Use Bullet Lists for Information
Use bullet points as much as possible. This makes posting much easier:

•    to scan 
•    to read
•    to understand 
•    to retain 

Research indicates that readers prefer blogs to be easily digestible and summarized for them. It’s easier for readers to remember a message if you’ve given the message in a list of three to five items. Many online writing experts recommend keeping a bulleted list to an odd number of bullet points.

There are many ways to ensure great blog posts. These seven tactics above provide a good starting point and a checklist to help you stay on track to create content that your readers will consume and that will lead them to want to take action.

DJ Heckes, Author & CEO
EXHIB-IT! Tradeshow Marketing Experts
www.exhib-it.com
Full BRAIN Marketing
www.fullbrainmarketing.com

One hundred popular social media sites with data from May 2010 are listed below and on this Web sitehttp://www.prelovac.com/vladimir/top-list-of-social-media-sites. This is valuable information to allow businesses to review and make comments and start building online relationships. This content was developed by Vladimir Prelovac, a computer engineer and author of WordPress Plug-in Development.

I want to share with you some new ways to use social media other than the traditional LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.  Have you ever heard of Flipboard?  This is a hot new way to consume social media news from your Facebook and Twitter connections.

Flipboard Enhances Social Media as we Now Know It!



Flipboard is a recent new app for the iPad.  With Flipboard you can mock up how a magazine looks, but do this while using social media content. The app helps you to collect and consume information from different sites by creating a customized dashboard on your iPad.
With your iPad Flipboard, you can visually display content from your Twitter contact lists and Facebook friend lists and easily share what you discover. Flipboard makes it easy to create a customized dashboard on your iPad and you can move things around to suit your visual style and preferences. This new Flipboard is going to be a force to be reckoned with!

Facebook’s Over 500 Million Users and How to Connect Your Business

Facebook now has over 500 million active users.  Active users is defined by people who have logged on in the last 30 days, so this number changes monthly for Facebook active users. That’s a lot of people to gain access to for your business.

Facebook recently announced a massive transformational piece of news at its Developers’ Conference this past April 2010.  Facebook came out with allowing you to install a social plugin on your blog, your website, and even your Facebook page.  You’ve probably seen one of these plug ins lately such as the new “Like” button.  Over One hundred million websites have installed the Like button already.  Here’s the link to get the code for those social plugins. 

Facebook is changing business thanks to these advanced social plugins.

Facebook is focused on business growth strategies and this topic was of many discussed at the Developer’s Conference.  Facebook’s ad techniques were created to leverage endorsements of your fans to share their likes with their friends. When this is done, your friend who liked your ad has their name linked and also includes their review and number of stars.  This was a smart move for Facebook as it makes ads less likely to appear as scams and emphasizes the core value proposition of Facebook ads which is to help multiply the love your fans already have for you-to pass this on to their friends and create viral marketing.

According to Facebook Director of Platform Product Bret Taylor, he states that “Once you put these 'like' buttons all around your site, the like buttons power a whole suite of social plugins."  He further shared that an "activity streams" plugin will show all activities from the Facebook user's friend list on that third-party site. A "recommendations" plugin will provide suggested content to users. "It's not just 10 most e-mailed articles, this is truly powerful recommendations," Taylor said.

There's also a "social bar," which can provide "an all-in-one social experience" with a "like" button, Facebook chat, and friends list information that seems to be very much in the league of Google Friend Connect or the Meebo chat toolbar.

Foursquare Means Business and Supports a “buy local-stay local” message.

Foursquare is one of several location-based services, which I have personally been using to promote Albuquerque’s Independent Business Alliance message for buy local. shop local.  Foursquare is similar to a game for consumers, but you can also use it from a supporting local businesses and creating awareness standpoint.

Here’s how Foursquare works.  Download the application and when people come into a certain venue:

•    Most likely they have their mobile phones with them
•    They “check in” with Foursquare on their phone
•    They say to all of their friends: “I am here. I am at this venue” and can even personalize a message about the business they are visiting.

If you own a local restaurant, a bookstore, a service organization, or any kind of brick-and-mortar business, let your visitors know you’re on Foursquare and encourage them to check in when visiting any of the businesses in town.

If you like this blog and what to share it with your friends in Facebook, your colleagues in LinkedIn or even better Tweet this, be sure to pass this blog on to others to read.

Stay in touch
If you are like me, and own and run a fast-paced business, you have lost touch with people over the years. You can look them up on popular social media sites and find them. If your network is profiled and linked, you will never lose them again. 

Be found
I cannot tell you how many times former friends, colleagues, and business associates have found my profiles on social media sites and have contacted me. A few years ago, one of my best friends from high school found me online and contacted me. What a thrill it was to
reconnect!  All those years were made up instantly within days and we are still connected and staying in touch.

Find candidates for jobs
You can use a social media network to e-mail the job requirements and ask for referrals. This allows you to tap into the minds of trusted online relationships to find passive candidates or people who are not currently actively seeking work, but may find your job requirements interesting and want to interview.  When we are looking to fill a position, I reach out in my networking social media community for referrals first.  I have always had great responses for interviewing candidates.  I have also helped other companies in my communities to find qualified candidates and sent referrals.

Look for a new job
If you desire to move on from your current employment for whatever reason, use social media sites to assist you in the job search.  I see this happening more and more especially with the economic changes over the past two years and the unemployment being at the level it is.

Establish your online brand
What do you want to say about you or your company? What expertise do you have to share? What accomplishments do you want to be known for? The information put in your profiles will eventually serve you well or not! When a potential customer Google’s your name or company name, will he or she find credentials and expertise that are credible? You will want to establish an online image before you really need it. Establishing this image, or what I also refer to as a sensory package, may take some time.

Join online groups that share your interests and profession
LinkedIn is a great example that allows you to create groups. I am a member of many groups ranging from online marketing, social media, business owners, and others. Following people on Twitter also yields content recommendations. Twitter groups have increased the scheduling of in-person meetings by encouraging people who are interacting online to meet face-to-face.

Develop online social connections over time on social media sites
MySpace and Facebook are sites that allow much more fun than the more professionally oriented LinkedIn. While both these sites started off for young people, participation by mature professionals has been on the rise. Be careful what is shared online, but do not doubt the power to expand relationships.

Provide a space for users of your products or services to interact with you
Customers want to have a conversation with you about their wants and needs. They want to tell you how to serve them better. Many of them want to build a community around products and services that they love. Give them an opportunity through blogs, online communities, forums, and the like and answer their comments. Be sure to use the feedback to improve your company. It is much easier in today’s online environment to zap a note off to you on LinkedIn or Facebook or to leave a comment on a blog than to write a letter to an anonymous company.

Build a community around your products and services
Is your company approachable? Are the people who work in the company approachable, likable, knowledgeable, and ready to listen? If not, be sure to find these types of employees and nurture them. They are the voice of your company. Forums and blogs on your company Web site and within other online community sites build a sense of community. These are your communication lifelines. Create and use them.

Establish a company presence on social media sites
According to the 2008 Cone Business in Social Media Study, 93 percent of Americans believe that a company should have a presence on social media sites. Also, 85 percent believe that these companies should use these services to interact with customers.

Before you go off on a tangent and start joining social media sites, be sure to join social media sites that matter to YOU and YOUR business. It can be overwhelming when first getting started in social media. I suggest you start with setting up the LinkedIn page, Facebook page, and a Twitter page. Remember, LinkedIn and Facebook need to be set up in your personal name, while Facebook company pages can be added and Twitter can be set up with using your personal name or a company name. 

I suggest you set up a personal page in Facebook and create a business page as an additional page so there will be two Facebook pages set up total. Send invites through already established customer lists you have gained throughout your business to allow the existing customers to follow your business on Facebook or Twitter.

Use LinkedIn to look up groups that you may want to join and start getting involved in the discussions and provide some discussion feedback to gain credibility. Invite only people you know to join in Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow only those you know, like, and trust in Twitter and spend some time getting involved in discussions. 

DJ Heckes, Author & CEO
EXHIB-IT! Tradeshow Marketing Experts
www.exhib-it.com
Full BRAIN Marketing
www.fullbrainmarketing.com

Stay in touch
If you are like me, and own and run a fast-paced business, you have lost touch with people over the years. You can look them up on popular social media sites and find them. If your network is profiled and linked, you will never lose them again. 

Be found
I cannot tell you how many times former friends, colleagues, and business associates have found my profiles on social media sites and have contacted me. A few years ago, one of my best friends from high school found me online and contacted me. What a thrill it was to
reconnect!  All those years were made up instantly within days and we are still connected and staying in touch.

Find candidates for jobs
You can use a social media network to e-mail the job requirements and ask for referrals. This allows you to tap into the minds of trusted online relationships to find passive candidates or people who are not currently actively seeking work, but may find your job requirements interesting and want to interview.  When we are looking to fill a position, I reach out in my networking social media community for referrals first.  I have always had great responses for interviewing candidates.  I have also helped other companies in my communities to find qualified candidates and sent referrals.

Look for a new job
If you desire to move on from your current employment for whatever reason, use social media sites to assist you in the job search.  I see this happening more and more especially with the economic changes over the past two years and the unemployment being at the level it is.

Establish your online brand
What do you want to say about you or your company? What expertise do you have to share? What accomplishments do you want to be known for? The information put in your profiles will eventually serve you well or not! When a potential customer Google’s your name or company name, will he or she find credentials and expertise that are credible? You will want to establish an online image before you really need it. Establishing this image, or what I also refer to as a sensory package, may take some time.

Join online groups that share your interests and profession
LinkedIn is a great example that allows you to create groups. I am a member of many groups ranging from online marketing, social media, business owners, and others. Following people on Twitter also yields content recommendations. Twitter groups have increased the scheduling of in-person meetings by encouraging people who are interacting online to meet face-to-face.

Develop online social connections over time on social media sites
MySpace and Facebook are sites that allow much more fun than the more professionally oriented LinkedIn. While both these sites started off for young people, participation by mature professionals has been on the rise. Be careful what is shared online, but do not doubt the power to expand relationships.

Provide a space for users of your products or services to interact with you
Customers want to have a conversation with you about their wants and needs. They want to tell you how to serve them better. Many of them want to build a community around products and services that they love. Give them an opportunity through blogs, online communities, forums, and the like and answer their comments. Be sure to use the feedback to improve your company. It is much easier in today’s online environment to zap a note off to you on LinkedIn or Facebook or to leave a comment on a blog than to write a letter to an anonymous company.

Build a community around your products and services
Is your company approachable? Are the people who work in the company approachable, likable, knowledgeable, and ready to listen? If not, be sure to find these types of employees and nurture them. They are the voice of your company. Forums and blogs on your company Web site and within other online community sites build a sense of community. These are your communication lifelines. Create and use them.

Establish a company presence on social media sites
According to the 2008 Cone Business in Social Media Study, 93 percent of Americans believe that a company should have a presence on social media sites. Also, 85 percent believe that these companies should use these services to interact with customers.

Before you go off on a tangent and start joining social media sites, be sure to join social media sites that matter to YOU and YOUR business. It can be overwhelming when first getting started in social media. I suggest you start with setting up the LinkedIn page, Facebook page, and a Twitter page. Remember, LinkedIn and Facebook need to be set up in your personal name, while Facebook company pages can be added and Twitter can be set up with using your personal name or a company name. 

I suggest you set up a personal page in Facebook and create a business page as an additional page so there will be two Facebook pages set up total. Send invites through already established customer lists you have gained throughout your business to allow the existing customers to follow your business on Facebook or Twitter.

Use LinkedIn to look up groups that you may want to join and start getting involved in the discussions and provide some discussion feedback to gain credibility. Invite only people you know to join in Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow only those you know, like, and trust in Twitter and spend some time getting involved in discussions. 

DJ Heckes, Author & CEO
EXHIB-IT! Tradeshow Marketing Experts
www.exhib-it.com
Full BRAIN Marketing
www.fullbrainmarketing.com