Blogging 101 By Brian Cormier

Short for “web log” = blog Online diary, log News Photos Video

What is a blog?

Google Blogger (“Blogspot”) WordPress TypePad Tumblr

Where to get a blog?

What are you passionate about? Niche-market blogs get the most traffic General interest blogs are much more

difficult to promote Blogs are excellent for showing your

expertise in certain areas:◦ Crafts◦ Collectibles◦ Entertainment◦ Specific issue

Choose a subject

Be concise Entries don’t have to be “major” – they can

just be quick thoughts Post-date blog entries for convenience Update often – a few times per week Don’t ignore your blog Use photos – these are searchable in Google

and will help get you traffic Use video

Content for your blog

Google Images Search for “free stock images” in Google Give credit for photos whenever possible Take your own photos – more personal and

exclusive

Sources for photos

YouTube Dailymotion MySpace VideoSurf Google Video Facebook

Sources for videos

Resist using coloured fonts Use what’s easy to read

◦ If readers’ eyes are bugging out of their heads trying to read your blog, they will simply move on

◦ You may think it’s “pretty” and “cool” and “awesome”, while others may think it’s simply “annoying”, “loud” and “excessive”

◦ Make your blog reader-friendly Use labels to allow readers to find similar

stories on your blog

Make it easy to read

Show archives Allow readers to search your blog

Make it easy to read

Register your URL in Google Comment on other bloggers’ posts Post links and talk nicely about other related

bloggers, including links to their blogs Post links to social media websites

◦ Facebook – start a FB page, too!◦ Twitter

If your blog posts features one of your own YouTube videos, make sure the link to your blog post is in the video description on YouTube

Promoting your blog

Write an e-book on your area of expertise and post it to your blog for everyone to share◦ People love free stuff◦ Establishes your credibility◦ People will gladly share it with others◦ Give credit to others in your e-book and they’ll

definitely help you to promote it

Promoting your blog

Many ways to earn an income online Google AdSense

◦ Ads will be placed on your blog based on what you’re writing about

◦ Niche-market blogs most successful at this, i.e. knitting ads on a blog about knitting will tend to get more clicks

◦ Payout is about 60 days after reaching $100 U.S. in your account

Earning an income

Earning an income

Example of a Google banner ad

Earning an income

Example of Google text ads

Membership site◦ Exclusive content for members of your site for a

monthly fee◦ Teaching / mentoring / coaching◦ Professional advice and tips◦ Online community open only to a few

Affiliates◦ Commission-based◦ Selling books, e-books, courses, etc., for others,

including Amazon, Chapters Indigo, other bloggers, mentors, coaches, etc.

Earning an income

Yes, definitely enable commenting Yes, definitely enable moderating

◦ Gives you control on what is being posted◦ Allows you to eliminate spam◦ Allows you to eliminate haters and trolls◦ Strongly advise not to allow anonymous comments

– this will cut down 95% of spam, haters, trolls Respond to your comments, even if it’s a

simple “Thank you!” Don’t ignore comments on the links you post

to social media site – they count, too!

Comments on your blog

It’s OK not to get bullied into fighting with someone online

“Free speech” also has consequences Remember, your friends, work and online

colleagues will see your blog, too – and read the comments

Comments on your blog

Number of comments on your blog Number of comments on Facebook Number of RTs and replies on Twitter E-mails from readers Income earned Mentions on other blogs / websites Mentions in the media Traffic statistics

How to determine success

Google Analytics◦ Visitors◦ Time spent on website◦ Where are they from?◦ Top content◦ Top search engines◦ Bounce rate

Figuring out your traffic

Figuring out your traffic

Blogging platforms◦ www.blogger.com◦ www.wordpress.org◦ www.typepad.com◦ www.tumblr.com

Social media◦ www.facebook.com◦ www.twitter.com◦ www.youtube.com

Resources

Professional bloggers / coaches / mentors◦ Yaro Starak: www.entrepreneurs-journey.com

Resources

Professional bloggers / coaches / mentors◦ Gideon Shalwick: www.gideonshalwick.com

Resources

Professional bloggers / coaches / mentors◦ Darren Rowse: www.problogger.net

Resources

Professional bloggers / coaches / mentors◦ Sue and Steve Soucy: www.sueandsteveshow.com

Resources

Be professional Remember... it’s public Treat it like a business

◦ Show up for work◦ Learn how to spell◦ Layout isn’t everything but it’s something

Promote! Promote! Promote! Share! Share! Share! The more you give, the more you’ll receive

Conclusion

Brian Cormier◦ www.briancormier.com

Brian Cormier’s Blogtastic World!◦ www.briancormier.blogspot.com

Lowcarbdude◦ www.lowcarbdude.com

brian@bricorcommunications.com

My blogs

Blogging 101 By Brian Cormier

Thank you!