10 Ideas for Brainstorming Blog Content

It can be a tough trying to come up with dynamic blog posts that readers will find interesting and useful. Here are a few brainstorming ideas that may help you develop dynamic content that will add variety and personality to your blog while also inviting visitors to be interactive.

1. Post Other People’s Articles

You can find many interesting articles written by other authors and they are a great resource for generating blog content. I will say that posting your own articles is ideal but in a pinch posting articles from other writers can add variety, particularly if it’s an article from an author with a creative writing style. Of course posting other people’s articles requires including their resource box with a link to the author’s website. If this concerns you here’s a suggestion.

Post articles that are useful to your readers but not in direct competition. For example, a website about dating might post an article from a ‘money tips’ website that lists ways to save money on a date. The article is useful to your dating readers but may not necessarily draw them to the money tips website as your reader is focused more on dating.

If you are posting articles from other authors be sure to preface the article with an introduction paragraph on why you like the article and why your viewers should read it.

Then follow the article with a personal comment and invite your viewers to offer their opinions and ideas as well.

2. Attend Webinars, Workshops or Live Seminars

Not everyone has the time or the cash to attend live Seminars or workshops, but if you do, they are well worth it when it comes to learning strategies and getting ideas for content. In fact I’ll guarantee your head will be swimming with ideas and useful information when it’s over.

Of course live seminars are more an occasional event, unlike online webinars that you can attend every day if you like and they are typically free, simply sign up and listen.

Even if the webinars you attend lean more towards a marketing pitch, it’s still an easy way to get unique ideas on what people are looking, this in turn will spark ideas on what you can write or comment about on your blog.

3. Read Industry Publications

What’s going on in your specific industry? Is there anything interesting happening? Bookmark 2 or 3 industry related websites and visit them often. Note what’s going on and the highlights. There won’t be exciting news every day but there may be enough interesting things to post a few times a month.

Follow your posts with your own personal comments or opinion and invite your readers to do the same.

4. Offer Personal tips and ideas

What are your favorite personal tips, strategies or ideas that your readers may be interested in? Personal tips are often unique and interesting; they’re not the usual things people read about everywhere.

Tips could include things that have helped you get something done easier or faster.They could be simple tricks you’ve discovered or they could be about products you use and the unique ways you use them. The key here is to offer unique ideas by suggesting only ideas and tips that you have personally developed.

5. Frequent Popular Topic Related Forums

Forums contain content from members who are typically candid with their comments and questions. This is a genuine place for you to find out what information people are looking for. Look for a common interest that people often ask about or need information on. This will most likely be a hot topic for you to discuss or write about on your blog.

6. Post Fun & Interesting Videos

People are reading less and watching videos more. Adding a video to your post can add personality to your blog. If you’re not camera shy try making your own videos that demonstrate your personal tips and strategies or simply talk about a topic of interest.

If you’re not ready for the big screen YouTube is an excellent resource for finding fun and interesting videos from others. Videos can be informative, funny or unusual. I like to break up the monotony with an occasional funny video. I’ve noticed that readers will comment more when I post a video that is entertaining and fun.

7. Create an Audio Pod Cast

Just like video, audio is a popular way to deliver information. So why not record a conversation that your readers can benefit and learn from? For example, you could interview an expert in your field or record an informative conversation you’ve have with another business colleague. Just as with video, audio gives your viewers a glimpse into your personality and adds creativity and fun to your blog.

8. Check your Site Stats

Your hosting service should provide statistics about the visitors to your site or blog. Use this information to determine what keywords your visitors used to find your blog. These keywords make excellent blog content ideas for generating articles, videos, podcasts or commentary posts.

9. Use Google Alerts

Create ‘Google Alerts’ for your best industry related key phrases. This is an automated alert notification whereby Google will send you an email daily, weekly or monthly, with the web pages, articles, press releases, blog posts, etc. related to your key phrases. It’s an ideal source of current information to spark interesting and useful ideas on a consistent basis.

10. Read Blog Comments

Reading other blogs is always a great suggestion for blog content ideas but don’t forget to read the comments too. This is where good stuff gets posted. People bring up interesting ideas and unusual tips in the comments section. I often find that the comments can be more interesting that the actual post and is a great resource for unique tips.

There are lots of ways to brainstorm blog content and hopefully this will get you started. However, avoid overwhelming yourself and take breaks once in awhile. This clears your mind and opens it to fresh ideas. It also helps eliminate the stress of information overload.

About the Author Elizabeth McGee

Elizabeth McGee, internet home business owner, mentor and marketing enthusiast, brings you practical internet business ideas, useful marketing strategies and genuine personal support. Pick up her free no-hype newsletter Today!

Social Networking and Your Home Business

Social Networking is extremely popular right now. It brings worlds together with a few mouse clicks and a keyboard…or even your phone! We can build friendships with people thousands of miles away. Social Networking is also something that can also be beneficial for businesses.

Tips to Use Social Networking for Business

Twitter.com. Twitter is one of the most popular forms of social networking. It is like having an IM with the world. You can use Twitter to promote your business, self or service. The key though is to be active and unselfish. You cannot make it all about you. Relationships must be built. People on Twitter are like the rest of the Internet world…they despise spammers! Do not DM links or self promos. Save that for your live tweets. I would suggest 1 self promo tweet for every 7-10 non business tweets.

Ning and others like it. Ning.com is a social networking platform that is usually categorized in different niches. For example, you may find a network for writers. Writers will go there and discuss their crafts and share what they are doing. The cool thing about places like ning is that each “member” of the network gets their own page. On their page they can have links and other self promoting things for their business, product or service. Members also have their own blogs that other members can come and read. Again, you must be careful not to be labeled a spammer. Join the community and build relationships. Stay in your niche and never make it all about you.

Facebook. You can get similar results with MySpace. However, for a more professional look and mature audience, Facebook is the best choice for business promotion. Create a personal page and be sure and add your link. Find people you know and people to network with. You can also create a page specifically for your business. Facebook is another way that you have a platform to promote you and what you do. As with anything though, do not be a spammer. Build relationships.

Blogging. Blogging can also be a form of social networking if you are doing it correctly. You can use your blog to promote what you do 100%. Make it interesting and fun though. Build friendships with other bloggers. Link exchange. Comment….no spamming…actual involvement type comments on other blogs. Before you know it you will build a readership and clients for your business. Bloggers are very loyal to their own. If you do it right and make it less about you and more about building relationships, you are more likely t find success with blogging.

There are also various linkage sites and many more ways to get in the world of Social Networking. Google it. The point is to get involved. Participate and build relationships. Oh, and NEVER spam.

One last thing I would like to mention…all the social networking types listed above is FREE! You can join free and start your own for free. F-R-E-E! What better way to promote your business, product or service??

About the Author Lara Velez

About the Author: Lara Velez is a Christian wife and homeschooling Mother of two. She is a published writer (homebusinessresourcedirectory.com/blog), web designer, and Mom of Faith (momsoffaith.com). She enjoys cooking, writing, scrapbooking, and web design

Finding the Right Professional Website Builder for Your New Business

When you’re beginning a new business online, you want to create a website that will be professional and recognizable. Finding the best professional website builder will help you develop the perfect website to represent you and your business.

Why use a website builder? Using a website builder saves you money by combining numerous features of a traditional website program into one easy to use program. Website builders are also easy to use. They offer you a way to build a professional presence online without the need of knowing alot of technical stuff or html.

When choosing a professional website builder, remember to consider the following features which are must-haves when building a professional web presence for your business:

Domain names and hosting -
Does the website builder have the capability to provide you with a domain name, or will you have to go to another source to purchase the name you want? A better website builder will have the ability to sell you the domain name and host the website once it is built. If you have to purchase the domain name and hosting separately, it will end up costing more in the long run.

Newsletters, auto responders, and message boards -
If you’re going to be selling products on your website, you’ll want a way to communicate with your customers. You can do this in a number of ways. Create newsletters to announce sales, use an auto responder to automatically give them further pre-planned information, or allow them to tell you what they think in a message board. A professional website builder platform will allow you to do this, and much more.

Catalogs and coupons -
You have a physical catalog that you can mail to potential customers. Wouldn’t it be better to have one online, as well? Choose a professional website builder that allows you to create a virtual store on the web. And, if you really want to impress your customers, throw in coupons for additional savings. They’ll appreciate the savings, which may mean more repeat sales.

Shopping cart -
When someone is interested in a product on your site, you’ll need to have a shopping cart for them to place that item. Choosing the right professional website builder will provide this function. If the builder you’re looking at doesn’t provide this, you might want to look elsewhere.

Templates and image libraries -
Some website builders have templates that you can use, and some even provide some images that you can add to your site. However, a really good professional website builder will have more than just a few. Look for a builder that has over 300 templates and 2,000 images available to you. The more templates and images you have available, the better to create just what you have in mind.

24/7 Support -
Most importantly, when you’re starting a new online business, you want to be sure that you’re able to contact someone if there’s a problem with your site. Check to be sure that the website builder you choose has free support around the clock.

Keeping the above features in mind when choosing a website builder will help you to choose the right professional website builder for your new business.

Click here for a free 10 day trial of Brooks Web Solution’s Professional Website Builder.

The Importance of Developing an Online Payment Processing System

Develop an Online Payment Processing System
by Regina Baker

There are a number of reasons why your business can’t succeed without online payments. If you place your business online, it is absolutely essential to ensure that you have an online payment system where your customers can easily purchase the products and services that you have to offer.

When you set up an online payment system, you will immediately notice a drastic increase in your overall sales. Here, I will provide you with some basic information on online payments. This will include steps that you will need to take to get this going, as well as some advantages associated with doing this.

Developing an Online Payment Processing System

Developing an online payment processing system can be a challenging task. However, it is one that is well worth the time and the effort. When developing your online payment processing system, consider the following:

1. The very first thing that you have to do is determine how much money that you can budget in each month that will pay for an online payment processing system. Many of these systems will require that you pay a startup fee, as well as a monthly maintenance fee. Be certain that you read the complete terms of agreement prior to committing to having this type of system put into place on your business website.

2. The next thing that you will need to do is calculate how many sales, on average, that your business experiences. This will help you to establish whether you need a simple online payment system or a relatively complex one.

3. When choosing an online payment system for your business, it is absolutely imperative that you invest in an online fraud protection service. If you fail to do this, you may suffer tremendous financial losses.

Advantages of an Online Payment System

When you have an online payment system for the business that you conduct online, there are a number of advantages. The following outlines why your business can’t succeed without online payments:

1. Having an online payment system will allow your customers to pay quickly and conveniently without the hassle of paying by check and money order. This means that you are more likely to experience more sales overall.

2. Having this system in place can actually enhance your credibility as an online business.

3. The speed of the transactions not only satisfies your customers, but it will also increase the speed in which you experience profits as a whole.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should implement the use of an online payment system. Your business cannot be successful without one. If you do not have this in place as of yet, it is important that you get on it as soon as possible. By not doing so, you are distinguishing many opportunities that may await you.

About the Author

Regina has been an online and offline entrepreneur and internet marketer for over ten years. She is a Certified Business Coach at ReginaBaker.com. As Co-Founder of Wahmcart.com a web based ecommerce solution (secure shopping cart, affiliate software, tracking and the follow-up management system) for small businesses, Regina is also a Ecommerce Resident Expert and Founder of ShoppingCartFaq.com, a frequently asked questions website concerning shopping carts, autoresponders, tracking and affiliate management systems.

Five Reasons Why You Need a WordPress Blog

Back in December, I decided that I wanted to try something new and fresh with my website. I was also getting tired of the standard websites with their uniform look and I didn’t really feel like I was getting any benefit from it. So, I did a bit of research and decided that I wanted to try a blogging platform and after a bit more research, I chose WordPress.

Before I fully converted to the blog, I was receiving approximately 900 unique visitors each month.

- By January, one month after I converted, I was receiving 1300 unique visitors.

- By February it had grown to 2500 unique visitors

- In March, it had grown to 4000 unique visitors in the month.

That is four times the traffic I started with!

So, let’s look at the top five reasons why you need a WordPress blog:

1. Blogs are User-Friendly and Very Easy to Use

The upside to having blog software as opposed to a website is that it is very user-friendly. The blog uses a GUI, or a graphic-user interface, which means that that everything that you may need to do is laid out in simple to understand graphics. The blogging software also conforms to the standards of most other software programs. For example, the graphic icons you see in Microsoft Office programs are very similar to the graphics you’ll see inside of your blog.

The reason that this is so important is that YOU can update your OWN website and you don’t need to pay high prices in web design fees to do so! There is no messing around with HTML code, you can avoid having a dull, lifeless site that people only visit occasionally and instead, you can update it yourself and give people a reason to return again and again and again.

The other upside to this is that when you want something changed quickly, you can do so. You no longer have to wait on a web designer or a virtual assistant, you can just pop in to the dashboard and update the page you need to make changes to and click save and boom – you’re done!

Making regular posts is also easy to do. In a few, short clicks and then some keystrokes for the body of your post, you can have fresh, new content on your blog immediately. If you’re feeling particularly creative one day, you can write a series of posts and save them all to post on future dates. For me, I will write eight or nine blog entries at a time and save them to post one or two days apart. This is also useful if you are going on vacation. In February, my husband and I went to the Dominican for a vacation and before I left, I wrote blog entries to cover the week I was gone and just posted them in advance. On the days that I specified, my blog entries showed up on the blog!

2. Blogs Are Easy to Navigate

All blogs follow a fairly standard style of formatting and navigation. Although each template may look different, they all contain the same standard elements. When I visit a blog, I always know where to go to see Recent Posts. I also know that on the majority of blogs, I will be able to find a place to subscribe to the blogs feed. A feed is simply a syndication of your blog entries. That syndicated text is then sent out to your blog visitors feed readers and is sent out to the search engines, etc. This is part of the reason that blogging is so powerful in getting people to your site.

Have you ever visited a website where every menu has been different and each sidebar contained different text depending on where you were on the website? Those types of websites are confusing and they don’t lead the website visitor where they should be going. With blogging software, it remains standard and is always updating itself. When you make a change on one sidebar, it automatically updates on every other sidebar which eliminates any sort of confusion for your website visitors.

A great book I want to recommend is Steve Krug’s “Don’t Make Me Think.” Even if you don’t design websites, you want to read this book. A lot of the reasons that I love blogs are outlined in his usability section. He references making websites more functional by following his principles but what is so great is that a blog already conforms to many of his standards.

3. People Can Subscribe to Your Blog and Stay Current

Now, I want to explain what RSS is first. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. What it is is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated digital content, such as blogs, news feeds or podcasts. People who are into blogging will use your RSS feed to do a few things:

- They may subscribe to receive a daily digest of new content. Think of how powerful this is in terms of keeping you in touch with your target market. If someone receives constant, updated messages from you, you are always in their line of sight and they will see what you are up to, new products or services you are launching and how much knowledge you have on your chosen subject.

- They may also add you to their feed reader. I have a program that I use called Feed Demon and this software program tracks all of the blogs I am interested in by capturing and updating the feed that comes from the blog. Each day I can open up this software program and have an instant summary of every blog I have subscribed to and I can review what it is people are talking about. This allows me to stay current without having a thousand bookmarks in my internet browser or trying to remember which blogs I liked to read. The same is true for your visitors. They want a quick, easy way to be reminded that you exist and that you are posting things that they want to know about.

Normal sites don’t do this for you unless you are putting out a monthly ezine that contains all of your business updates. By having the blog, you can nearly cut out the monthly ezine and just let the blog do the work for you!

4. Search Engines Love Them and They Are Content Managers

In fact, it’s so easy to build content on your blog that I have actually created info-products based on content I had blogged about over the past year. Info-products become simple to do because you aren’t creating fresh, new content each and every time. What you blog about could become an article which could turn into an e-book. Blogging gets you into the habit of writing and creating which then allows you to easily and effortlessly create info-products.

Your visitors will also love this because when they show up on your site looking for assistance in your chosen profession, they can find a whole archive of great content. Most of my blogging clients will archive their past newsletters or e-zines on their blogs so that their clients can read past issues without having to download PDFs or visit thirteen or fourteen different web pages.

Search engines love blogs for a number of reasons. Number one, they love the fact that fresh, new content is being posted all of the time. Even if you are only updating it once a week, you will still see the benefits from it. Each and every time you post something to your blog, the search engines are automatically pinged and if you have pinging software installed, which is free and simple to use, it’ll automatically ping the different services that should be pinged.

Number two, search engines love hyperlinks and trackbacks. Hyperlinks are links to other people’s websites, blog entries, audio files, etc. and track backs are special links from someone else’s blog entry that let the other person know you’ve blogged about him or her. It also posts YOUR entry on their site for other people to read. This is how blogging also becomes so viral.

5. They Become an Active Networking Source for Your Business

For me, I have met a number of brand new people through my blog. Some of these people became clients, others were just frequent readers that became friends and others asked me to collaborate with them on special projects. By having a blog, you can become a place where people visit to learn about what it is you are writing about but also so that they can meet you, get to know you and someday work with you. You can build a community and allow other people to meet through you which then allows people to talk about you and get your name out there.

If you think of standard networking, you think of people showing up to an event for about an hour, rushing through the crowds trying to get business cards and then leaving the event and never really having a true feeling of connection. I’m sure we’ve all experienced this. Blogging gives your interested parties a place to come to learn about you. They can start to see how you both would benefit from knowing each other and they will be more apt to approach you over time. This is a much more effective way to network and you don’t need to worry about your business card being thrown in the trash.

Another way that it becomes a networking tool is when you reach out to other people’s blogs. Once you start blogging, you will quickly realize that the whole world is blogging and there are many great things to be read. By visiting other people’s blogs and leaving comments on their posts, you will do two things: one, you will introduce yourself in a non-threatening or non-imposing way to someone you may not have wanted to just e-mail in the past and two, by showing that you have interest in that subject on their blog, you’ll gain interested visitors who share similar interests.

– About the Author –

Erin Blaskie is the owner of Business Services, ETC http://www.bsetc.ca. BSETC is a virtual assistance company that gives freedom to small business owners, coaches and speakers by managing the BS, etc.

– For More Information –

Erin has a blog located on the main page of her website in which she provides advice on small businesses and running a virtual assistance company. She has recently started a free bi-weekly telecall for virtual assistants where they can come together with other VAs and get support. You can find out more on the website at http://www.bsetc.ca

If you want to know more about our services, please contact Erin at erin.blaskie@bsetc.ca