The Wax Blog

Over the past few weeks, I’ve provided you with what I hope is some valuable insight into avoiding plagiarism and crediting sources. This week’s post should address any questions you have about how to physically credit sources that you use to develop your blog content. For the most part, there is no right and wrong. These are some simple strategies I find help keep people on your blog longer and ensure you don’t run into any issues where someone believes they were not properly credited. (more…)

One struggle I have with my clients at times is convincing them that they need to credit sources. Their opposition isn’t because they don’t want to credit the sources that they use, it’s because they’re afraid they’re sending traffic away from their website. It’s a common fear, but that isn’t the reality, at least not exactly. (more…)

By Beth Graddon- Hodgson

It might not be the most interesting component to read about when it comes to getting traffic to your blog, but it’s so often overlooked regardless of its importance that you really should keep on reading. Really, the success of your blog depends upon it.

It may sound melodramatic to say that blog scheduling can make or break blog success, but I’m not kidding. The unfortunate thing is, few bloggers actually think about this element or recognize what a difference it can make so more often than not blog scheduling is breaking rather than making a blog.

I guess before we go any further I should explain what I mean by blog scheduling specifically. It means more than simply using the function in WordPress (or another blogging tool…is my bias showing?) that allows you to input a specific date and time that you’d like your blog post published. What’s important is not that you can use that function; it’s what you put in it that counts.

Decide how many days per week you’re going to be blogging to start, and then pick convenient days to write. Say you’re going to post 3 times per week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday can be your chosen days. If your blog has more than one focal point, pick a day for each. The focus area for each day doesn’t need to be clearly indicated (for example, the trend amongst casual bloggers to post just a picture on their bog for Wordless Wednesday) with a name or category unless you want to. It’s just about setting the standard that each Tuesday on the blog you’ll find a guest post (from me in this case) or that every Friday on a green news blog , you’ll find a “how to” style guide.

Now that you’ve got a grasp of what to do when it comes to blog scheduling, here’s the why that you might still be wondering about.  Blog scheduling is about setting a standard and consistency. It’s about attracting regular readers; sure, you’ll still drag in people at random who are interested in one specific article from Google, but you want people to subscribe and visit week after week.

Consider blog post scheduling like the arrival of a daily newspaper or weekly magazine. How annoying would it be to step onto your front porch at 8am to find your favorite newspaper has yet to make an appearance? It works that way with a blog too. It might be tempting to write when you’ve had a specific thought or to comment on something big that’s happened in the news. But use those posts to supplement everything else that appears on your blog.  It should be the rule, not the exception, that your blog follows a publishing schedule when you’re blogging for business!

To learn more about how a blog scheduling tool can help you maintain your timeline, check out WordPress Support . If you want to take the whole scheduling aspect one step further, you can also read about how to schedule blog postings  to be sent out as newsletters here.

Beth Graddon-Hodgson is a professional writer/blogger and the founder of WriteSourcing a professional blogging, writing and editing service. You can read her posts on blogging for business here at the Wax blog every Tuesday.

Last week’s post focused on choosing or understanding the two main writing styles you can use for your blog. That post went into incorporating the personal into your business blog – this one will focus on what I like to call topical blogs that have more of a business feel and remain directly relevant to hot issues in the industry your business is in.

But first things first. In the last post I mentioned there’s a very fine line between adding a personal blog for business and sticking to something topical and I asked for some guesses on what style that particular post used. As far as I’m concerned that post was more topical than it was personal, and here’s why. I did write it in first person, providing a feel that’s engaging to readers, I didn’t actually use any personal examples relevant to my business.  I also used other examples of good, personal blogs.

What my post from last week didn’t have was any points that you could easily relate to me on – it was based on fact about my industry.  Even though it incorporated some opinion and personal experience, it wasn’t presented in a way that was about ME. If you want to see what I consider a personal post when I write, read yesterday’s post on my blog.

So, with that little introduction to topical blogs, here are some of the components that should appear:

1. Use of factual information – think of what’s happening in your industry at the moment, or what your clients are most likely to be concerned about and present relevant facts. Whether you use statistics, tips in a “how to” format or a blurb with commentary from a recent press release; you’re on the right track with your topical blog.
2. Consider the format – my post from last week was presented in paragraph format, but often for readers to quickly pick up information, it’s easier to read if you use bullet points or numbered steps where relevant.
3. Avoid tying yourself to factual statements – when you’re providing a topical post as a reference or guide to readers, don’t introduce it with “I think XYZ”. You may agree, but no you don’t think if they’re universal facts and not your opinion. To be an authority in your industry, you don’t always have to be the one coming up with the innovative ideas; sometimes you can just be the one relaying them.

Keep in mind that a topical blog doesn’t need to be boring, incorporate a bit of the personal, but make the factual information the focal point.  There are some major benefits to using this style – the first is that your readers will know that you’re up to date on industry news and knowledgeable enough to share tips or indirectly address questions prospective clients may have. As a plastic surgeon’s office, you will know that a patient’s number one concern is typically risk factors, so outline the risks of those procedures so they know you’re open and honest, and will have a great understanding by the time they call you. The second relates directly to client recruitment. Keep in mind that someone considering plastic surgery is likely doing their research for a great cosmetic surgeon and in searching for their areas of concern, they will come across your site and you may have earned yourself a new client.

Find the blend of styles that works best for your blog. You don’t need to write exclusively topical or exclusively personal blogs, so pay attention to the stats and reader comments and see what they find more engaging. You may find it works best to do half and half each week, or to dominate with topical posts with a first-person style and throw in a more personal post once a month. There is no ideal formula, but with an understanding of both styles, you can find the combination that works for you!

Coming up next – picking specific blog topics to attract readers each time you sit down to put together a post, and the importance of blog scheduling.

Beth Graddon-Hodgson is a professional writer/blogger and the founder of WriteSourcing a professional blogging, writing and editing service.

By Beth Graddon-Hodgson

Once you’ve chosen a focal point for your blog – your vague subject area on what you’ll focus upon, the next step is to start making more specific decisions about the writing style. When writing each blog post you can make them personal or topical – or any combination of the two. In order to get a feel for what might work best for your blog, I’m going to provide you with some basic guidelines about what each of those categories mean. With this post, the focus will be upon personal business blogs. A second related article next week will discuss topical blog posts. (more…)

I’m straying way off course and off schedule in honor of the 7th anniversary of Wax Marketing – today! My biggest lesson? Dealing with the big GWF – the gut wrenching fear that comes with owning a small business. I don’t think it’s good marketing strategy, or business acumen, or networks that makes or breaks a small business. I think it’s the ability to deal with fear.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, right?So the next time you wake up in the middle of the night worried about that big check you need to cover payroll – or  when half your customers decide your service is a “luxury” they can do without – try these and see if they work. Here’s how I’ve learned to deal with GWF  over the past seven years. I hope you’ll add your own fun tips and ways to get around it too! (more…)

I got a message on LinkedIn today that pretty much shows what you should never, ever do on LinkedIn – or on any social media. Before you read it consider this:

1. I have over 500 contacts on LinkedIn -( if you want to link to me click here but let me know it’s cuz you read the blog)

2. I’m an active member of many groups on LinkedIn

2. I have never met this guy

We can learn more from these kinds of posts than any tip post I might do. Add a comment and tell me why YOU think this is bad – would you buy from this guy’s company (or him?) How much damage do you think he’s done, assuming he spammed this everywhere?

Here’s the email text…of course I’ve deleted his name and company.

Dear Bonnie:
I’m LinkedIn! Are You? I took the plunge and joined LinkedIn. I’m not certain if you already have a profile on LinkedIn, or if you are even using LinkedIn, but if you are, I’d like to take this opportunity and add you to my professional network.

If you’re not already using LinkedIn, what are you waiting for? Relationships Matter! Your professional relationships are key to your professional success. LinkedIn strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts.

LinkedIn is an online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.

Thanks for your consideration!

Thank You,

The concepts of right and wrong are completely subjective in the blogosphere - a big reason  I like it so much. Although online pundits like David Henderson would like to define the “rules” for us it’s really a bunch of people making up stuff as they go.

Which brings me to an email I got this morning from the blogger Lisa Reviews. Lisa, a stay at home mom in Illinois, has decided to throw a “virtual baby shower” for her sister and asks us all to contribute product.  Here’s what she says…”My sister is due to have a baby in May (a little boy), and I’m trying to find the newest and greatest things for babies.  For the virtual baby shower, I am looking for any baby related items for mom, dad, and/or baby.  Nonreturnable samples are appreciated and do increase your chances to get listed.  All samples will be given to my sister to use… You will be given a review post on my blog.  (Stats can be provided upon request)  I will also be doing a roundup post, and my sister will also be doing posts on her favorite items on her blog after she has the baby.”

Okay, Lisa’s site is fairly reputable and has a decent Alexa ranking. Not to mention the fact that she’s being terribly honest here unlike alot of fake bloggers I know who’s primary reason to blog is to acquire free samples.

It’s a very clever idea and Lisa is being enterprising by addressing her sister’s alleged need for baby gifts with her need to review items. But is this request totally legit? Do you think it’s ethical for Lisa to use her blog to get samples or is it kind of sleazy? And does she get “points” for being upfront – after all, she could have just announced she was reviewing products for baby.

You be the judge. Tell me what you think.

P.S. And Lisa, just promise us you won’t make us play those stupid games if we do participate.