BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS

1. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

2. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine THE BIG MARKETING MYSTERY REVEALED Who here has a blog?While most entrepreneurs and small business owners know they need to have a blog and use it as an online marketing tool, the why and the how of this equation still remains a mystery. My goal is to help you better understand why blogs are vital marketing tools and how they can help you attract both customers and media attention. Key Points for Today: 1. How to create a “Good for Your Business” blog 2. How to attract Customers and PR Opportunities 3. How to generate sales via your blog m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

3. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Blogs and Business Owners: A Love Hate Relationship • What are some things you love about blogging? • What are some things you hate about blogging? • Blogs can feel like a business owners worst enemy when: - You don’t understand why you need to blog - You don’t know what to write about on your blog - You don’t know how to get people to read your blog - You don’t see your blog bringing in business - You don’t have time to blog • So for those of you who hate blogging let’s see if we can turn your blog into your best friend! m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

4. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Blogging Vs Blogging For BusinessWhat is the BIG Difference? • While bloggers in general are focused on sharing information with the goal of becoming a recognized ‘thought leader’ business blogs share information with the intent of attract attention and generating sales. • As a business blogger you are NOT required to pump out 15 posts ‘per day’ let alone per week. If you can blog often great, but just know that if you can only consistently post a few times per month that is fine too. • Your primary objective is not to build the next ‘Huffington Post’ or to become a content creating machine. You want to focus on creating quality posts that accomplish the following goals… m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

5. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Top 5 Reasons to Blog for BusinessUnderstanding the Basic • SearchableBlogs are by design SEO Friendly. When used correctly they help people find you. • Stay ConnectedCreate a space to have ongoing conversations with your customers. Think of your blog as an online tool, but also an email newsletter tool. • Build Brand FollowingDevelop a community of around your business to foster brand loyalty and brand recognition. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

6. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Top 5 Reasons to Blog for BusinessUnderstanding the Basic • Build CredibilityQuality content can boost your reputation as a credible authority within your industry. • Show Social ProofInteractivity with Your Readers, A Large Subscriber Count, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube Followers all demonstrate visible interest in your brand that helps to build buzz and desired exposure. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

7. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • Am I hiding behind the business or sharing my story? Blogs ARE NOT cogs! They should not be filled with generic articles written just for the sake of creating content. Blog readers are in search of information from real people who get real people. Resonate and build real relationships. • Who am I trying to reach?What are some things you search for online? People never type in “show me everything” in the Google Search box. Don’t try to reach every one. The best blogs include unique content, signature offerings and seek to appeal to a specific targeted audience. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

8. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • Is this a hobby blog or business blog?Don’t shy away from sales. A part of this process is learning how to strategically sell within your blog posts by writing content that highlights your offers: • - How-to Posts (ex. Fashion posts to showcase line) - Customer Feedback and Reviews (For new readers) - Address common issues/ questions (Show your solution) - Upload videos to show Buyers your products and services (simulating browsing in a store)- Share new inventory and/or seasonal promotions m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

9. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • Who’s attention do I want to grab today?Your focus will often shift from attracting new customers to return customers to media? What you write and how you write is dependant on who you are trying to reach.- The media is looking for experts and buzz. Developing a series of posts that show you are well versed in a particular area can attract various print, radio, and television interviews plus PR opportunities. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

10. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • Who’s attention do I want to grab today?- New customers are looking for quality, value, deals, and ultimately someone they can trust. Bloggers build trust and relationships by sharing consistently, through the use of info-packed email campaigns, answering common questions new customers have, showing previous customer satisfaction and being all around helpful. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

11. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • Who’s attention do I want to grab today?- Return customers want consistent (if not added value), exclusive offers and resources that show you value their brand loyalty, attention and attentiveness via responding to their comments and being in tune with their needs, relevant material that shows your business is a game changer to follow rather than an out-of-date dinosaur. • What ever you write on your blog, always ask yourself who am I writing this for? What are they searching for? SEO Essential: Productive bloggers write with a purpose. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

12. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • What is my market searching for online?Create, regularly update, and consistently refer to your own personal list of keywords and key phrases your ideal people are searching for. Outside of return customers and referrals, most people online will not find you via your company name. More often than not they will find you either via search via something like Google or Youtube. • What can I offer my market?Samples, Free Downloads, an eBook, Web Series • List the offerings you can use to hold viewer attentionand/or keep them coming back for more. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

13. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • MY PR Past: What have I done in my business? Think of your blog like your own personal ‘wiki’; a searchable library on which you can post previous PR exposure, best of material, brand partnerships and past lessons learned. Keep in mind when you write about your relationship with other known brands or people – when online viewers search for them they may find you. • Where is my proof?The more content you create (text, audio, photo, video) and the people you engage the more your online presence will grow over time. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

14. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Creating a Good for Your Business BlogWhere do you start? Ask yourself these questions: • MY PR Past: What have I done in my business? Think of your blog like your own personal ‘wiki’; a searchable library on which you can post previous PR exposure, best of material, brand partnerships and past lessons learned. Keep in mind when you write about your relationship with other known brands or people – when online viewers search for them they may find you. • Where is my proof?The more content you create (text, audio, photo, video) and the people you engage the more your online presence will grow over time. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

15. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Partnerships and Solid PRHow to attract Media Attention • Quality content creates SEO Friendly blogs and that helps people find you. The other side of this equation is seeking out the “right people”. • The "Right People" are all around you. They are those people who are building followings, establishing connections, accessible to you in conversation, and excited about making new alliances. • Create a List of Print and Digital Publications in your industry from Mainstream Magazines to Mom and Pop Blogs with solid communities. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

16. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Partnering with PRHow to Work with the Media • Find them on HARO, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook • They often tweet-out requests, join niche specific networks, or attend local events in search of experts and thought leaders to interview. Be where they are and get inside their loop for access to regular PR opportunities. • You can talk to them (journalists, bloggers and social media managers) via comments, tweets, and direct messages. Conversation starters: reference their work, answer questions, share your story or unique offering. m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

17. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine • Blog Buzz: Recommended Tips and Tools • Twitter Feed Sync Your Blogs RSS Feed to Twitter and Facebook • Feedburner Use as a email subscription service for your readers • Klout Use to analyze your social presence across platforms • Copy Blogger Work on your writing, online marketing, and sales Copy • Google Alerts Track your brand, yourself, popular topics in your industry m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense

18. BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS Turning Your Blog into a PR Marketing Machine YOUR TRUE OJBECTIVE Think of your Blog as a digital gateway to your business. Use it to "help people" and use it to "help them get to know you better". To Keep Things Simple Focus On: 1. Building Your List 2. Attracting New Potential Customers 3. Keeping Your Current Customers Happy To download this slide please go to:http://b4b.sistasense.com If we have time: Any questions? m LaShanda Henry | lhenry@sistasense.com | SistaSense.com | @SistaSense