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BlogHer: From the Eyes of a Reluctant Newbie: Part 1 -Exhibits

Posted on August 7, 2010 Written by 9 Comments

I’m a reluctant BlogHer attendee. As someone with a limited conference budget I wasn’t sure in the past that BlogHer was the best place to invest in my blogging and social media education. Tales of swag rooms and brand courting only served  to keep me away as this wasn’t as important to me as the educational experience. Plus, many of my friends and colleagues in this business are male and I enjoy meeting up with them on these occasions.

BlogHer also has a reputation for being a “Mommy Blogger” conference and though I blog and I’m a mom, I’m not a “Mommy Blogger.” I have plenty of thoughts about mommy blogging and why I don’t think all the attention paid to Mom Bloggers is well directed, but I’ll talk about that another time. Today, I have BlogHer on my mind. Specifically my opinion of the exhibits.

First Impressions

When I walked into BlogHer yesterday, I was there as someone who has been to blogging, interactive and tech conferences to learn about blogging and social media, plus the latest tools and technology. The exhibit floor for many of these conferences are always filled with vendors having to do with, well, social media and blogging, plus computers, Internet and maybe other types of business or tech services.

Blogher is a whole different animal.

Very light on the tech and social media, the BlogHer exhibit floors featured photo taking with Dora the Explorer, Marmaduke,  Elmo, the Hillshire Farms Sun guy, Bruce Jenner and Padma Lakshmi.Booth space was taken up by brands hawking their wares.  There were plenty of food samples and I could even have a makeover if I was so inclined. Many women walked the floors lugging several swag bags chock-full of cheese samples, lip balm, girdles, purse holders, Play-Doh and cereal containers. Clearly BlogHer is not the place to go for laptop stickers and mouse pads.

I wandered the floors looking for vendors who I could talk to so I could learn about the latest widgets and plugins for my blog and didn’t find a single one. No one was talking about the newest social network, nor were there host and serving companies hoping to get us to switch hosting to their service. I saw no blog ad networks or podcasters doing interviews from the showroom floor. This made me wonder: Were these businesses not invited? Did they feel BlogHer wasn’t an important enough event? Or were they not interested in the demographic? Why, at a conference for bloggers, was there nothing on the exhibit floor having to do with, well, blogs?

When one vendor asked me if I heard of social media I almost died. Why would anyone ask that at a blogging conference? From the second I entered the exhibit floor I realized this was a conference unlike any other I’ve been to. If I were to form an opinion from the exhibits only, I wouldn’t think BlogHer had anything to do with anything tech or social media. It was clearly a place for brands to court consumers. Now, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with this if your reason for blogging is to receive free stuff and talk about cheese wedges. I’m not sure what someone who wants to learn about building and growing a social media career will take away from the exhibit floor.

Not Done Yet

Again, if your reason for blogging is to review stuff, I suppose this all makes sense. Maybe if I started attending BlogHer from the very beginning I might “get it” more.

I’m not done yet, though. Today I’m attending educational sessions to learn more about blogging and social media. I’m not only attending in a learning capacity, however. I’m also attending as someone who helps to choose the educational content for a different social media conference. I’m going to be watching the speakers, listeing, learning and especially watching the audience to see how they react. I’m looking forward to sharing this with you next.

I don’t want you to read the above and think I’m having a negative experience, because I’m not. I’m enjoying the time with my team, but I’m also enjoying the time with other BlogHer attendees. I bumped into old friends and made many new friends. I tried wines that aren’t even on the market and I had some spectacular meals. Anyone who ever attends a social media conference will tell you much of the enjoyment is derived from the networking and the good company, and BlogHer has that in droves.

Filed Under: Conferences Tagged: , , , ,

10 Publishing Options for Your Blog

Posted on July 11, 2010 Written by 15 Comments

A common mistake made among bloggers is in not exploring alternative publishing options for their blogs. Your blog could explode beyond that of a web page if you’d only take the time to check out the choices available. As much as we’d like to think we have a loyal community who visits our blogs each day, the truth is, we’d have even more readers, beyond that of physical traffic, if we’d think beyond our URLs.

We bloggers like to think everyone is like us, that they’re online all the time and have time to read blogs all day. Truthfully, very few people have that kind of time. However, we can offer them the convenience of reading our blogs via less traditional methods so they can enjoy our posts during their commutes, trips to the beach, or afternoons by the pool.

Below are the various publishing options available. Some add a new revenue source, some will drive traffic and some will simply bring convenience to readers.

10 Publishing Options for Your Blog

  1. Kindle: Did you know that you can subscribe to blogs to read on your Kindle? Yes, it costs money, but many readers agree it’s worth the convenience. After you sign up for a publishing account, you and Amazon will split the profit from subscribers and Kindle owners can read your blog without having to stoke up their machines. Here’s Kommein’s Kindle page.( Credit where it’s due: The inspiration for this entire post was Denise Wakeman’s post on publishing your blog on Kindle. Thanks, Denise!)
  2. Smart Phone Apps: I read blogs, newspapers and sometimes ebooks using my Droid. It’s not my favorite way to read, to be honest, because my aging eyes like a big space. However, it works like a charm when I’m a plane or train, or waitng in line somewhere. There are a variety of ways to have create smart phone apps. Many bloggers will contact developers, but this can get pricey – up to thousands of dollars. You can also use a free service such as MotherApp. The MotherApp team will create your smart phone app and split any revenue from ads.
  3. iPad: I didn’t find too many tried and true ways to publish a blog for iPad. In researching how to publish a blog to iPad, I came across Publisha, a service allowing writers and bloggers to publish blogs to Facebook, and create iPhone and iPad apps. I don’t know much about Publisha or how it works. However, if you have experience with this service or any other iPad app or blog publisher, I do hope you’ll share in the comments. I’ll probably test it out myself and offer up a review. Also, Kindle has an app for the iPad so iPad users with this app can view still view your blog.
  4. RSS: Through owning a blog network I learned that most of my blog’s readers read via their RSS readers and not by physically landing on my blog.  In fact, a good chunk of my revenue came from Adsense on my Feedburner account. Just before I sold, I had between 3000 & 4000 daily visitors to the network and almost 11,000 readers via the feed.
  5. Traditional book: More and more bloggers are turning their blogs into books or “blooks.” Some repurpose or create brand new content, while others package up all their blog posts. You can bypass the traditional publishing “find an agent and shop it around” route by self publishing.
  6. Newsletter: A weekly newsletter will enable readers to receive news and updates in their mailbox to read at their convenience. I used AWeber for my former blog and it converted many newsletter readers to blog readers. It’s a paying service but well worth it. You’ll also find many free services if you choose to go the newsletter route. The beautiful thing about newsletters is that they also grow your mailing list so if you have something to promote such as a book, you already have a list of people to contact.
  7. Facebook: I was a Facebook late bloomer. It’s not that I didn’t like or trust it, but that I didn’t want to get sucked into another social network. Guess what? Facebook turned out to be an amazing tool. For my last blog, I had over 3,000 Facebook subscribers who I interacted with each day. Also, subscribers were able to receive updates via their Face book statuses. If they didn’t want to come to the blog to comment, they could stay on Facebook and comment on the page. The Facebook fan page sent up to a few hundred readers directly to the blog each day. Hopefully I can achieve the same results with Kommein’s Facebook page.
  8. Ebook: If you have a large blog with many pages, you can repurpose the best of your content into an ebook. Many new readers don’t have time to go through an entire blog but would enjoy the convenience of an entire book of posts to read at their leisure. There are many types of ebook publishing programs and affiliate programs so others can sell your books as well. Plus, interested parties can buy the ebooks to upload to their Kindles and iPads to read offline.
  9. Email subscription: Many of your readers might prefer to receive updates via email to read on thier smart phones, laptops or to print out for later. If you don’t have an email subscription option available already, get thee to Feedburner or newsletter program and make plans for a daily mailing.
  10. Traditional blog platform: Don’t forget to encourage folks to visit your blog anyway. It’s through your blog that they become a community as they chat about the issues and topics. This is also how they’ll support your advertisers and the best way to interact with you. Advertisers and potential buyers care most about your physical traffic, so don’t neglect the actual blog while building communities elsewhere.

Do you know of other ways to publish a blog? Will you be checking out any of these tips? Please share in the comments.

Filed Under: blogging, Monetization Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Does Social Media Matter to Civilians?

Posted on June 30, 2010 Written by 3 Comments

Last night I went out for drinks with the girls. My friends work in a variety of careers, none having anything to do with social media. I often wonder if when I talk about my blogs or Twitter they think I’m some sort of loonie, or even if they really care. During our conversation last night I learned:

  • One of my friends didn’t know blogs can be bought and sold.
  • Many of my friends have no idea what to do with Facebook or Twitter.
  • Many of my friends are afraid to use Facebook and Twitter as they’d rather not risk their privacy.
  • They’re totally not feeling the whole Foursquare thing.

Does social media matter to the people who aren’t into social media?

Sometimes I read posts on the popular social media blogs and wonder if the bloggers are speaking to the converted. Certainly no one needs to tell me the top ten reasons to start a Facebook page or discuss how Twitter can help to build a brand. Are we really reaching the people who have no clue how to use this stuff or are we preaching to the choir?

I understand that there are businesses doing research on the web in regard to social media and why it’s needed for business. However, I don’t know if the average person is especially interested in seeking out this type of information.

Why social media should matter to everyone


After I returned home from last night’s debauchery, I thought long and hard about my friends. Does social media matter to them? None of them have any reason to use social media for their professions…or do they?

I thought it would be interesting to explore the ways civilians could use social media for business…and pleasure.

Look for work

Social media offers the ability to look for work beyond the usual job boards. Blogs and websites pull together comprehensive lists of available jobs, recruiters and hiring agents hang out on Twitter, and bloggers discuss tips for landing a cushy gig. Social media also offers a way to research businesses to learn more about them, which can help to land a job.

Participate in discussions

Even if you’re not looking to use social media for business, there are still ways to use it to enjoy your favorite topics. For example, use Twitter and Facebook to discuss a favorite books and movies or debate the issues in an online town hall. Talk about your kids, or your pets. I can guarantee, every channel boasts people who are into the same thing you are.

Meet people who are going through the same thing

There are social networks for people who are battling illness, and the folks who are caring for people who re battling illness. There are groups and networks for almost every problem and every milestone. Whether you’re in human resources or a soccer mom, there is a place in the space to commiserate.

Lodge a complaint

Having issues get through to a brand’s call center? Spotty cable connection? Looking to get in touch with a politician? Many of the major brands have social media professionals on staff to monitor what is being said about them on the difference networks.  Though they would rather their dirty laundry isn’t aired in public, many do reach out to those who are complaining about them to see how they can make things better.

Learn about local businesses

Foursquare, Gowalla, Twitter, Facebook and other networks can help you learn about your locality. Read restaurant reviews, learn where to get your shoes mended or find out where to locate free WiFi. There’s no need to dig through an unwieldy phone directory anymore, not when everything you need is easily searched online.

Receive updates

Keep current with topics that interest you via RSS feeds, Facebook fan pages, Twitter accounts and newsletters. Read ebooks and magazines on your smartphone or ebook reading device, receive the latest headlines on your Facebook status, and keep in touch with the people you love.

What do YOU think?

I could probably toss out 100 or more uses for social media and the reasons those who aren’t managing a brand or who don’t have something to promote would want to use it. The truth is, it’s different for different people.

I sometimes feel like I have too different lives. My blogging, conference attending, hanging out on Twitter life, and my real life, non social media world. They’re vastly different, but more a like than we realize.

How would you describe the benefits of social media to a “civilian”?

Filed Under: social media Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Should You Monetize Your Blog? A Few Things to Think About

Posted on June 26, 2010 Written by 9 Comments

When I first began blogging, whether or not to monetize a blog was a controversial topic. Only sellouts and greedy money grubbers or Internet marketers put up ads. Then folks like Darren Rowse and John Chow proved that there was serious money to be made via blogging and all of a sudden it wasn’t such a scandal. Years later, there are still a few purists who don’t believe blogs should have ads, that it somehow sullies the content, but in most cases blog ads are expected and accepted.

The blog I just sold was heavily monetized and brought in several thousand dollars per month, but I did compromise the design in favor of advertising and I’m not sure I’d go that same route again.  If you’re just starting out and you’re not sure whether or not to place ads on your blog, I’ll give you a few things to consider:

  • Ads are ugly: Ads are unattractive and they clutter a blog. It’s hard to be subtle with ads; if you choose click based advertising like Adsense, it doesn’t always work if it’s not in a prominent area. If you choose private or affiliate ads, they also have to be sort of obvious if you want people to notice them. You can’t post ads in the bottom corner of a blog and expect people to notice. If your sponsor has a big, ostentatious ad it could compromise the integrity of your blog’s design.
  • Ads only work if you take the time to know your community: It’s hard to properly monetize a blog without knowing about the people who read your blog. For example, what types of products are they likely to buy? Do they have the income to spare? Perhaps they’re clickers and not buyers at all.  Knowing your community’s wants and needs will better enable you to choose the types of advertising that will work best for your blog.
  • If you place ads on your blog some people will say you’re only in it for the money: It’s funny how no one will claim how accountants or dentists are only in it for the money, but that’s why they work, right? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being in blogging for the money, if that’s your goal.
  • Not everyone will appreciate all your sponsors: Sometimes your community won’t feel the love for one of your sponsors. You’ll have to decide if you believe in the sponsor enough to risk losing readers, or if they’re worth the controversy.
  • That disclosure thing: Affiliate ads are coo,l as are product reviews, but bloggers are now required to be honest about their affiliations and can’t neglect to mention a product review or blog post contains an affiliate link.
  • The money doesn’t start rolling in on day one: I always recommend building traffic before considering monetization strategies. Without people, your ads won’t do a darn bit of good anyway. As mentioned earlier, you can’t properly monetize until you can guage the needs of your community. Plus, people want to trust you in order to trust your advertisers.
  • There are other ways to monetize a blog besides advertising: Bloggers are trying out other ways of bringing in revenue instead of or in addition to advertising. Some are writing courses, while others are creating workbooks and ebooks. Bloggers are creating membership communities, pay to play job boards, and webinars. Tap into your expertise so you can profit as well.

If you look at any popular blog, you’ll probably notice at least one advertisement. Using advertising on your blogs can be a lucrative form of income. Just be sure to take the time to research the right types of advertising for your community. It’s no longer considered inappropriate to advertise on blogs, but it’s important to note that finding and implementing monetization strategies can be a full time job in and of itself. However, if you can earn a full time income with your own blogs, there’s no better way to earn a living.

Do you monetize your blogs? What are some of the lessons you learned?

Filed Under: Monetization Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 Things I Learned from Selling My Blog

Posted on June 25, 2010 Written by 9 Comments

I have to admit, the sale of my blog went very well and despite the emotional aspect, was pretty smooth sailing. Aside from my house, this was probably the biggest transaction that ever passed through my hands, justifying the five years of work put into building and growing a blog and community. Selling my blog was also a learning experience. I’m not quite sure what I expected when I announced I was selling, but I didn’t think it would happen so quick.

I thought I might share some of the lessons I learned in case you’re thinking of selling your blog too!

5 Lessons Learned from Selling My Blog

1. It’s Hard to Give Up a Blog

Selling a blog is like selling the family home or watching the kids go off to college. I didn’t think I would have such an emotional attachment but I do. Will I be able to watch someone else run the joint? Will I be able to butt out if I don’t like a decision that’s made? Can I bear to see someone else raise my child?

I thought long and hard before making this decision. To be honest, it took me about a year mostly because I didn’t want to hand over the keys to my kingdom to someone who might run it into the ground. The attachment is both financial and emotional. Not an easy thing to give up.

2. Not Everyone Shares My Vision

I was fortunate in that the people who bought my blog network shared a similar vision. This wasn’t the case with every potential buyer. One person wanted to turn it into a job board, one person wanted it to be a web content site and one person is someone who has publicly trashed me and my blogs several times in the past. I had to decide whether or not I could sell my blog to someone who didn’t share my vision – which I could not.  I always expected the new buyer would change things up a bit and certainly do something about the cluttered design, but I didn’t expect so many suitors to want a complete change of direction. That isn’t to say I expected every buyer to be me, just surprised at how many were the anti-me.

3. Not Everyone Sees the Potential

When I put out the word that I was thinking of selling, I received over a dozen inquiries and six serious offers. Many who inquired didn’t see beyond the monthly advertising revenue, which was enough for me to make ends meet, plus pay those who blogged for me. It didn’t matter that it’s the top online community for freelance writers or that it commands the top search terms in many categories. It didn’t matter that there were over 2,000 pages of content, several thousands visitors each day and a wonderful, helpful community. For some, it was only about how much the blog network was earning now – and not what it can do in the future.

4. Amenities Sweeten a Sale

I learned that beyond a fairly decent income and rankings, there were other perks to sweeten the sale. My blog network’s Facebook fan page boasts over 3,000 members. Plus, we have a Droid App, a 1,000+ subscriber newsletter, a pay to post job board and several awards and accolades including honors from the top print magazine in the niche.

5. Everyone Will Lowball

I was warned about this, so I knew what to expect. The first offer from any potential buyer is bound to be a lowball offer. Though they hope I’ll accept the lowball offer, they also leave negotiation room. I did received advice from someone who flips web properties on a regular basis, and it was spot on. When I received an offer I felt too low, I counter offered and the party on the other end of the negotiation table didn’t balk.

I also learned a few other things from this sale. For example, the domain transer didn’t go over as smoothly as I would have hoped, and I’m seeing my name next to the word “sellout” on some freelance writing forums. Also, I learned some things are more important than accepting the highest offer .

It’s so far been an interesting and enlightening experience.  I own several web properties than I’m building and growing and I’m sure those will be sold sometime in the future (though I’ll be holding on to this one for a long time.) It’s good to know what I’m getting into and what to expect.

Do you have any questions about selling a blog? If so, ask! Have you ever sold a blog? Feel free to share your experiences as well.

3CK7WE3EQC9G

Filed Under: blogging, Business Tagged: , , , ,

CardioTrainer for Droid: Geeky Fitness

Posted on June 22, 2010 Written by 3 Comments

I’m totally digging CardioTrainer, a fitness app for my Droid. I especially appreciate how it’s keeping my accountable and on track with my weight loss goals. I don’t know how it is with you, but eight years of blogging can take a toll on a girl. What started out as a little extra baby weight spread out of control as I spent every spare moment working instead of taking care of myself. Now, I realize that if I want to be a good role model for my son and teach him good habits, plus maintain my own healthy lifestyle, I have to work on my own bad habits.

No More Excuses

I had lots of good reasons for not working out:

  • I need my spare time to work.
  • I’m too tired at night after working and playing Mom all day.
  • The house is a mess.
  • I’ll do it tomorrow/later/next week
  • I don’t need to exercise, I just need to stop eating

Really lame, right? The truth is, I don’t enjoy going to the gym. However, I do enjoy walking, hiking and swimming. So when a bunch of my neighbors invited me to join them on their morning walks, I jumped at the opportunity.  I have been taking the dog for a walk to get exercise but I’d rather have human company. My friends are interesting and engaging and breaks up that work at home isolation.

Facebook Updates

I noticed some of my friends had apps on their smart phones that updated their Facebook statuses as to how many miles they walked each day. If some of them didn’t post their update on a particular day, other friends would call them out (in a nice way) for not walking. I liked how the app and Facebook update held them accountable for their workouts.

Cardio Trainer Pros and Cons

What I like most about my CardioTrainer app is that it records all the miles I worked and calories burned.  Here’s the kicker: If I know I just walked off 450 calories, the last thing I want to do is put that food back in my mouth. As mentioned earlier, I set it up so each workout is automatically posted to my wall on Facebook. I’m sort of proud at displaying my results and I get encouragement from my Facebook friends. I pair this up with a subscription to Weight Watchers Online and I’m accountable for my fitness and weight loss and it’s all apps and online geeky fun.

CardioTrainer, the brain child of WorkSmartLabs, isn’t without its faults. Though my friends keep their Droids in their pockets and fanny packs, I walk with mine in my hand because when it’s in my pocket I bump into it with my legs somehow and it pauses. It also pauses on its own if I slow down too much. Also? I’m still trying to figure out the swim option. Because I don’t know how I can swim and hold my Droid in my hand or attached to my side without getting it wet. I’m thinking swim updates won’t happen with CardioTrainer.

If the sound is on, a monotone male voice will call out periodic updates while I’m working out, letting me know how long I’ve been at it, my miles per hour, and how far I’ve gone so far. As my friends and I walk, someone’s pocket is always shouting out an update.

I like CardioTrainer. It holds me accountable for my workout, encourages me along and even displays the calories burned so I’m not tempted to over indulge once my workout is over.  My only gripe is that it pauses on its own in the middle of my workout sometimes and I have to restart it from time to time. If your body is suffering from Blogger’s Spread and it’s time to get back into shape, consider CardioTrainer or another smartphone app. It adds an element of motivational fun and I’m not inclined to give up after a few days of working out.

What apps do you use to help stay in shape?

Filed Under: blogging, General Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

10 Tips for Using Your Competition to Become a Better Blogger

Posted on June 22, 2010 Written by 7 Comments

If you read any of my other blogs or guest blog posts, you’ll know how I feel about the competition. Or rather, that I don’t believe in competition. The way I see it, the people who blog about the same or similar things are colleagues and collaborators. “Competitor” almost has a negative connotation and I prefer to keep my relationships positive as much as I possibly can. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to look at successful “competitors” to see what they’re doing right and what I’m doing wrong. By studying those who dominate my niche, I’m learning about why they’re so successful and how I can become successful too.

I give you:

10 Tips for Using Your Competition to Become a Better Blogger

Just a side note: By “using” I don’t mean using as in that “get what I can from you then never hear from me again” way. My meaning is to see what methods competitors use to achieve success and determining how you can apply those same methods to your own blogging. I also mean collaborating with the folks you deem “competitors” in order to cross promote each other and build up a rocking relationship.

1. Read their content

The main reason certain bloggers are so popular are because they have killer content. People dig their writing style, tone and voice. They also have something to say and something to share. Take time to read a good representation of their blog posts to see which ones are the most popular, which received the most votes or comments and what it is about their style that makes them so engaging.

2. Read their comments

What is your competitor’s community saying? How do they treat each other and the blogger(s)? A community that respects each other even in disagreement will continue to grow. When it becomes a negative free for all, people tend to stay away. Comments are a good indication not only of how a community feels about their blogger, but also they can give you ideas for posts of your own.

3. Participate in their comments

It’s not enough to read the comments. Participate. Enjoy the company and the discussion. This serves several purposes: You’re part of an active discussion, you’re communicating with others in your niche and helps to establish your expertise. When you comment on other blogs, folks from other communities might follow you back to your own.

4. Offer to guest blog… Or better yet…Offer to trade guest blog posts

Competing bloggers are just as interested in promotion as you are. Many of them aren’t opposed to having you come on and guest post –which serves two purposes. The first is that you’ll get links back to your own blog and put your name out there, and the other is that the other blogger will gain traffic when you promote the post.  You might even propose a swap and guest post on each others’ blogs. This can lead to future, more profitable collaborations.

5. Who is linking to your competitors and why?

The highest ranking blogs receive plenty of back links. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out who is linking to your competitors and why. Maybe you can try a new slant on their most linked to posts or write an opposing view to keep the discussion going. Also, once you learn who is linking to competing bloggers, do what you can to participate in those other communities as well.

6. How are they using social media to expand their communities?

Do the popular bloggers in your niche have Facebook fan pages? Do they use Twitter to talk with like-minded people? Are they uploading videos to YouTube or ? Blogging isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of deal. You have to promote and converse. People won’t come if they have no idea you exist. Plus, you can’t count on RSS alone to offer updates. Today’s readers use social networks, newsletters and other methods to receive their updates.

7. What do they have on their blogs beyond content?

How are  other bloggers attracting readers? Contests? Courses? Video? Games? Cartoons? What can you do that is interesting to your community – besides writing posts?

8. How are your competitors networking?

Popular bloggers are networking both online and off. They’re online at the social networks and offline at meetups, tweetups and conferences. Engage beyond your blog.

9. Who do they hang out with?

You don’t have to travel in the same circles as the other bloggers in your niche, but it doesn’t hurt to hang out in some of the same spots. Learn where the popular online forums and communities are. Don’t just look for the influencers, either. Influeners don’t all hang out int he same spot and they’re usually too busy for forums and online groups. It’s the people who want to learn and share who you need to make friends with the most.

10. Don’t try and be the same

It’s one thing to learn about competitors in order to learn about yourself or your blog. It’s an entirely different matter to copy them outright. No one wants to visit a clone. Learn what others do right – and wrong – and put your own personality and unique slant on the topic. If you’re a copycat people will stay away. If you’re fun and engaging and honest with your readers, they’ll come. It may take a while at first, but it won’t be long until you have a loyal community of your own.

And here’s a bonus: If you spend a lot of time in another blogger’s community don’t discard them or forget about them once your own community takes off. There are different kinds of using – make sure you choose the right one.

What are some of the things you’re learning from your competitors?

Filed Under: blogging Tagged: , , , , , ,

Community Promotion

Posted on December 29, 2008 Written by Leave a Comment

Once you’ve worked for a long time building a community, how do you get it to that next level? How do you promote it and get it more general attention?

It can be hard to promote because it might now have amazing content like other blogs and website that you can use social media promotion methods for, nor will it have a singular brand name that will always draw people in, unless the leader or a prominent community member is well known.

So then how do you promote your community in order to grow it and make it “better”?

There are some simple techniques that can be used, dependent on how the community is structured.

Write a Blog

If you don’t have any content on your community forum that you can easily promote, then start a blog for the community, and begin to place in depth articles on it about the product, service, or company and its usefulness.

Start a Podcast

Hearing someone’s voice helps create a connection, and so an audio podcast can be exactly what a community needs to draw in new members. The barrier for entry into podcasting has been reduced over the last two years, and there are many services available to do live podcasting, which would allow your community to participate in the show.

Contest

A great way to expand your community is to set up a contest. Make prizes for those that are newly registered, or those that get the most new members. This can sometimes exponentially expand your community, but be cautious, as contests can set certain expectations, or bring people that will detract from the community.

Attend Events

Get to where the people you want to connect with are, even if it is outside of your normal niche. If you have a piece of software that could appeal to bloggers, then you should be attending blog conferences in hopes of meeting people that interest you, and would make great additions to your community.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many promotional techniques available to community managers as they look for avenues to grow the community that they are paid to maintain. Think outside your niche, and your normal techniques.

Filed Under: Community Building Tips Tagged: , , , , ,