Blogging 101
20
Blogging 101 André Natta, CMSM Urban Conversations Chicago, IL March 2009
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The presentation for the blogging workshops that I conducted at the National Trust Main Streets Conference in Chicago on March 2 & 3.
Transcript of Blogging 101
Blogging 101
André Natta, CMSMUrban Conversations
Chicago, ILMarch 2009
Overview
• What is a blog?
• How do you engage readers?
• How will people find it?
• Am I the right person to be blogging?
• Tips & resources
Blogging 101
What is a blog?
Blogging 101
Why Blog?
• Provides outlet for you to share news/info that YOU control
• Allows for instant feedback/conversations
• Engages your community
• Ability to find new volunteers/new supporters
Blogging 101
Blog = Website
Website ≠ Blog
Blogging 101
Blogging 101
Blogging platforms
• Blogger *
• WordPress *
• Typepad
* = Free services
Blogging 101
Rule #1
It’s about the conversation!
Blogging 101
Rule #2:
Quality, not quantity
Blogging 101
Engaging your readers
• Ask questions (use comment feature)– Create comment policy
• Add multimedia content– Video
– Audio
– Photo
• Provide new content often (2‐3 days/week)
• Short, concise postsBlogging 101
Gathering content
• Automated searches– Google Alerts
– Yahoo Alerts
• Creative Commons
Blogging 101
How will people find it?
• Email signatures• Social media networks
– Facebook– MySpace– LinkedIn
• Twitter• Bookmarklets
– Share This– Add This
• Link to other blogs/websites• Traditional marketing methods
Blogging 101
Tips
• Link to other sites – OFTEN!
• Be ready for (and open to) criticism
• Be yourself
• Engage your community (volunteers)
• Showcase your businesses/volunteers
• Invite people to write guest posts
Blogging 101
Should I be blogging?
• Know your audience (Will they read?)
• Do you have time? A volunteer?
• Do you have something to say?
• Remember what Demetrio said; you want to:– Persuade
– Inform
– Educate
– Entertain
Blogging 101
Other Examples
• Downtown Hollister, CA
• Main Street Waverly (Baltimore)
• Michigan Main Street Center
• Main Street Morgantown (WV)
Blogging 101
Questions?
Thanks!
André Natta, CMSM
http://[email protected]
205.276.6585Twitter: acnatta or urbanconvos
Skype: andre.natta
