Susan Jensen Smith

It’s tempting to write about what is on your mind at a given moment. But that’s not a relevant blog, that’s a diary.

Re-read the last blog post you wrote. Was it relevant? A relevant blog post contains three key elements:

1)  It does something for your reader, such as:

• Inspire imagination
• Convey empathy
• Show “how-to”
• Provoke thought
• Entertain
• Tease

2)  It contains a call-to-action, such as:

• Sign up for an email newsletter
• Buy an eBook
• Click on an affiliate link
• Leave a comment
• Subscribe to an RSS feed
• Refer the post to others

3)   And finally, it conveys your enthusiasm and unique perspective of your subject matter. There are a lot of blogs on most every possible subject. What makes yours unique and interesting to read?

Bottom line – channel your passion in a manner that is relevant to your target reader and achieves your objective.

So how did I do? Are you inspired? Did I provoke thought?

I hope so. Oh, and while you’re here, please subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up on tips for extending your brand online. And if you have any specific questions, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me.

Thanks, and have a great day!

Whether you’re self-employed or work for an organization, you don’t get to pick and choose which activities you want to do. While (hopefully) you enjoy a good portion of what you do, there are always some tasks you’re responsible for completing that make you uncomfortable.  Often it’s something you’ve never done before.

But here’s a newsflash – most problems in business require us to do what we’ve never done before. If there is a problem to be solved, raise your hand and volunteer to take it on.  I guarantee that no one else is sure what to do either.  So it might as well be YOU that figures it out.

When you work for yourself, it becomes even more difficult to force yourself out of your comfort zone.  It’s not natural to tackle something you find difficult, scary, unrewarding or boring.

But it’s in those uncomfortable spaces that big things can happen. And without big things happening, you’re doomed to mediocrity.

Not only does your business move forward, but you become more acquainted with discomfort and find a renewed confidence in yourself.

So what are you going to do today? Something new and scary, I hope!

I’m often asked why a local business would bother with social media.  My short answer, is that it doesn’t make sense, unless it’s part of your strategy. By itself, it’s a waste of time and an unnecessary distraction.  However, when used as part of your e-marketing strategy, it feeds the hungry sales funnel.

I’m a visual person, so let me show you what I mean in the funnel chart below. On the left are actions that you take to find customers.  On the right are the reactions that your customers take as a result of your actions. Because you do not know where potential customers are in their “buying” cycle, you have to meet them where they are.

It’s like dating. Social media gets you out where your customers are already hanging out. Woo them, get to know them, build a relationship.  Have you ever been on a date with an overeager suitor?  Yea…don’t be that person.  Social media is a non-threatening way to connect, get noticed, and hopefully get clicked on.  It’s a first meeting.

Once you have their attention, you’ve got to show them you offer something of value.  That’s the first date.  Then, and only then, will they comfortably evaluate if they’re ready to take the “next step” in the relationship, such as signing up for your email list, RSS feed, comment on your blog, etc.

When the time comes to close a sale, it’s organic.  When they need what you offer, they’ll think of you first.  And because it’s a relationship and not a one-night-stand, they’ll probably tell all their friends.

What’s in YOUR funnel?  Will you and your customers live happily ever after?

I’m surprised how many blogs I see where the posts are written by “Admin”.  I had no idea that was such a popular name!

If you’re blogging to gain readers and build relationships, perhaps you should consider using your real name and stop hiding behind this anonymous title.

If you use Wordpress, it’s simple.  Just go to “Users” and edit your profile.   You cannot change your username (which is “admin”) but you can add a nick name, then select it under the “Display name publicly as” drop down box.

Go ahead, be real!

There are two types of bloggers…those who write what they want to, and those who write what their target readers want to read.

There are two simple but critical lessons in that statement.

1. If you write for everyone, you will reach no one.
2. If your topic doesn’t address your target readers’ specific need, they won’t read it.

Take a step back and follow these three easy steps to find EFFECTIVE topics for your content marketing:

Step 1: Start with a clearly defined target audience. Not just who you currently reach, but who you want to reach. Keep it narrow enough so you can illustrate to your readers that you truly understand their needs.

Step 2: Then brainstorm a list of problems or concerns that your target market likely has.

Step 3: Next to each problem, list topic ideas that will help them solve those problems.

It’s a simple paradigm shift, but one that many bloggers and content developers forget. Just because you want to talk about something doesn’t mean that it will solve a problem for your target reader. If you stray off topic too often, then you dilute the value of your own brand.

As a hands-on business owner, there are many tasks clamoring for your attention daily. A smart business owner knows their strengths and will outsource the other areas as appropriate.

But what about Social Media?  Do you know enough about it to decide if is right for your business?  Should you pay someone else to become the voice of your business, or are you willing to find out what it takes to tackle it yourself?

You and/or your industry are being talked about already.  Think you should join the conversation and be heard?

I came across this article via a twitter friend, and just had to share it!  It colorfully points out the ways you can offend others using Facebook.  The point of the story is all things in moderation.  It’s ok to do some of the things pointed out some times, but mix it up a bit.  And most importantly, be genuine!

So check out this article from CNN and let me know what you think! Enjoy…