Happy St. Patrick's Day!

4 Good Reasons Why You Should Blog

I am often asked if blogging really works. I am amazed at the number of business owners that don’t have a blog.

Yes, blogging takes time. But if you don’t have the time, you can hire someone like Blue Lilac Marketing Group (formerly Blue Dog Marketing) to ghost-blog for you.

You make not think you’re a good writer. You may be right, but learning to write takes time and practice. What better way to practice than to write about something you’re passionate about….the business you own! Blogging is a fairly risk-free way to improve your writing skills and promote your business.

Here are some of the reasons I tell business owners they should have a blog.

Establish yourself as the expert

Blogging provides your readers with information and professional advice. When you provide your readers with free advice that can help them, they will start reading your blog on a regular basis and look to you as the expert.

To keep relevant information in front of your readers, you need to stay informed on what is new and happening in your industry…and you need to write about it. Have your readers learn something from you first before they see it in the news or online. You have that power to be THE EXPERT in your field!

Rank higher in searches

Your blog should be a part of your website. Adding new content to your website will help search engines remember that you exist and the new content will improve your website’s rank.

Get noticed

When you share your blog posts on social media you expose your expertise to a larger professional audience. By posting on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, you can generate more traffic to your website. 

Stay in touch

Having a blog allows you to stay in touch with your customers. You can use the blog to wish them happy holidays, to let them know about a new product or service, or to invite them to an event you are holding.

I also recommend bloggers use their blogs in newsletters that they send out to their mailing list.

A blog isn’t a one-and-done thing. Blogs have many uses, so use them, and they will help you grow your business.

Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live. – Anne Sweeney

Spring forward this Sunday morning!

Surround yourself with a trusted and loyal team. It makes all the difference. – Alison Pincus

How to Rock LinkedIn

LinkedIn is more than just a place to look for a job. Today, people in every industry, at every stage in their career, are on LinkedIn.

This social media platform is a great place to meet clients, network with people in your industry and share what you’re doing professionally.

What is LinkedIn?

In case you’re new to LinkedIn, it’s a social media network for professionals. It’s the third most popular social media network in the world.

You can market yourself and your business on LinkedIn. Here are some tips to help you rock this social media platform.

Create a profile with a goal in mind

The foundation of every LinkedIn account is the personal profile. This is where people look first to find out about you. Most times, the profile reads like a resume….where you’ve worked, where you went to school.

When creating a LinkedIn profile for yourself as a business owner, think about what your goals are and who you are writing your profile for. Do you want to network with people in your field? Are you looking for speaking engagements? Do you want to attract new hires to your company? Do you want to gain new clients?

Based on this, tailor your profile to your target audience and include information that they will find relevant. If you’re looking for speaking opportunities, then list where you’ve presented recently along with the title of your presentation.

Use your proper name

This may sound basic but use your proper name. Don’t use a nickname. This is a professional social media site, not Facebook.

If you’ve earned any degrees, this is the place to brag, so put that Ph.D. or J.D. after your name!

Use a professional photo

Again, this is a professional networking site, so use a professional headshot.

The photo you use should allow you to project a professional and likable image.

Write a killer headline

You have 120 characters in which to make an impression and be found in searches. Your headline is also displayed when you come up in a search so make it relevant.

A friend of mine is a speaker. She’s won an award as a speaker. And she’s spoken in Canada, so that makes her an award winning, international speaker. That’s what her headline says. She’s looking for speaking opportunities so wouldn’t you seriously consider asking her to speak at your conference? That’s what a good headline can do for you.

Remember your goals for your profile. They should carry over into your headline.

Have a great summary

The summary is an overview of your profile. It should cover who you are, what you do, and what skills you offer and have a clear call to action. What do you wat the person reading your profile to do?

Write your summary in the first person so you come across as friendly and approachable.

Include a link to your website

LinkedIn is a great place to find new clients, so include a link to your website in your profile. This way people can learn more about what you do.

Create a business page

Showcase your business on LinkedIn with a free business page. You can post about your products and services and, again, add another link to your website.

Post your blogs

If you’ve read a few of my other blog posts, you know I’m a big proponent of blogging. LinkedIn is another great social media platform you can use to post your blogs. Show off your expertise to other professionals.

LinkedIn is a great tool to network with other people in your field and potential clients so make sure your profile shines to attract attention.

I am endlessly fascinated that playing football is considered a training ground for leadership, but raising children isn’t. – Dee Dee Myers