Archive for Blog
Top 10 Best Wordpress Plugins
Posted by: | CommentsWhen you’re working with a Wordpress site, there are many things you can do to enhance it, such as installing various Wordpress plugins. These little gems are free to use and really make your Wordpres site really come to life. With so many plugins to choose from, here are some of my favorites:
1. All In One SEO
Does your Wordpress site need more traffic? This useful plugin adds code to enhance the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and is useful for anyone from beginners to advanced users: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/
2. Sociable or Share This Plugins
This plugin has 99 difference social bookmarking sites that you can use automatically. It allows you to quickly add links to your Wordpres site and in your RSS feed: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/sociable/
3. Google Analyticator
Using Google Analytics requires you to add code to your website, but this plugin eliminates that step. You can see how your website rates in Google Analytics simply by logging in to your blog: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-analyticator/
4. Google Sitemap
This plugin gives you a special sitemap that search engines will love. Also, all major search engines are notified every time you create new content: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-sitemap-generator/
5. Exclude Pages
Here you’ll have a handy checkbox to decide whether or not you want to “include this page in menus,†helping with site navigation and set up: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exclude-pages/
6. My Page Order
This Wordpress plugin allows you set the order of your pages through a drag and drop interface. A helpful plugin when you’re dealing with a large number of pages: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/my-page-order/
7. My Category Order
Organize your categories with this tool. It allows you to set the order in which categories will appear on the sidebar of your website: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/my-category-order/
8. Featured Content Gallery
This plugin gives you access to post a rotating image on your Wordpress site: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/featured-content-gallery/
9. Content Form 7
Here you’ll get a user-friendly contact form that you can customize. Include spam filtering capabilities: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/contact-form-7/
10. Akismet
Catch spam comments on your blog with this Wordpress plugin. It not only catches the spam, you can also see how much it has eliminated from your blog: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/akismet/
It’s hard to choose just 10 plugins, and there are many more to check out. See my complete list and additional tools and tips at http://www.vbsondemand.com/articles/some-enjoyable-wordpress-plugins-to-check-out/
Getting to Know SEO
Posted by: | CommentsThese days, making a website can be as easy as clicking on a few buttons to get started—and voila! However, using free templates or setting up a blog site without any SEO knowledge decreases the value of your website many levels. Some website software can only take you so far and a blog that is missing keywords and SEO elements is kind of like the equivalent of going to a party and standing in a corner.
Using online templates that don’t allow you to change the html code will hurt your ranking. It’s worth your while to pay for your own host and have the ability to make simple coding changes. When you have a paid site and the ability to change the coding, you’re now getting to a place where you’ll be noticed.
I like to take my SEO knowledge and see which of my pages have the most popularity. I find that by far it’s the ones that are coded properly. Having proper code is not about being a whiz at html, it is about following a few guidelines. These things include having an accurate description for every page with a few keywords, making sure the text will be understood by both readers and search engines, and not relying on a free template.
Optimize your website with SEO knowledge and you will get you more traffic. For more tips, read my article: How to Use SEO to Get More Traffic
Tips for Using Google Alerts
Posted by: | CommentsGoogle Alert is a powerful tool that can instantly let you know about any topic being mentioned on the Internet. If you are too busy to spend your time reading websites, blogs, and news channels to find specific information, you can use Google alert to, in effect, watch them for you.
Here’s how it works. Google alert is free and easy to use. All you need is an account with Google and you’re ready to go. You tell it which key words and descriptive phrases to search for and it sends you emails when these words are buzzing through the Internet. Here are a few short steps to set yourself up:
To start trying these tips for using Google Alerts, log in to your main Google account page and click on “Alerts.†You’ll be led to a page that asks you to enter search terms, types of places to search, and frequency of searches. Say you are trying to find a particular person or hot topic in the news, such as “Facebook Privacy.†You simply type that name or phrase and as soon as it is used, Google notifies you instantly.
Google Alerts can keep you on the cutting edge of what is happening without you being a slave to Internet research. You can also use it for your business as a way to see who is linking to you or your website. Just like big companies keep track the mention of their business name, you should too. If you are a prominent figure, such as an author, coach, or speaker, you definitely want to keep up with what your readers or listeners are saying. Try these tips for using Google Alerts yourself and let me know how it works for you!
Read my article How to use Google Alerts to stay ahead here!Â
The Secrets to Promoting Your Teleseminar
Posted by: | CommentsHosting a teleseminar is a great way to put yourself in front of your audience with just a simple conference call connection. As you consider ways to promote your teleseminar or teleclass there are a few secret to make it successful. Here are some teleseminar secrets that will help you stand out from the crowd:
1. Announce Your Class
Use the tools you already have such as your mailing list or a monthly or weekly newsletter to announce your teleseminar class. You can also offer your teleclass to the media as an event via a press release or flyer with the class dates. Discussion boards are another way to get the word out quickly or post an invitation to a group. If you are sending a spam type email, don’t include any more than a paragraph of explanation about the class. Get your prospects curious, but leave them still wanting more. When they click on the link to learn more you can give a broader outline of the class, but for an initial email announcement to a group less is probably more.
2. Get Listed in Teleseminar Directories.
There are free online directories where you can promote yourself and your classes. One place where you can submit your information is called Planet Teleclass. This website gives teleseminar leaders a class description, headshot photo, and a place for interested participants to register. Other teleclass directory sites include www.seminarannouncer.com, www.teleclass4u.com, and www.teleclasslive.com. Most of these sites allow you to post your class as soon as you are ready. However, another site called www.teleclasslive.com requires listeners to take a 6-week training course first.
3. Ask for Testimonials From Participants
After your first class, ask for testimonials to post on your website or blog. Or have a test drive class just for this purpose. Often people like having a form to fill out for testimonials that takes into account both what they loved about the class and suggestions for improvement. Make sure you get permission before posting comments, and obviously only include the positive reviews. However, the negative comments will also help you, so take those comments even more seriously. You’ll be getting honest feedback from listeners about what is working in your teleseminar class and how you can make it even better.
Read my Article: Everything You Need to Know to Host a Teleconference
Great Ways to Make Your Teleclasses Count
Posted by: | CommentsTeleconferences are a popular way to have a group of callers on the line while you give a class or presentation. They take little more than a phone line, some planning, and a way to get people calling in and participating. Hosting a teleconference sessions is not only a way to promote a product, service, or affiliate, but it is also a great way to make money—even after the class is done. You can charge for the sessions and also offer them for sale on your website. If you are considering setting up your own teleconference session, here are some ways to make it work for you.
Get Your Callers Involved
Give curious callers a way to ask questions and listen to answers over a live phone call. You can share your knowledge with Q&A teleconference sessions where participants send questions to you in advance or get your questions live. Another way to do a question and answer session is to invite all participants to be willing to ask and answer each question themselves. This is a great learning opportunity for everyone at different levels.
Interview an Influential Figure
This is a win-win class that lets you, as the host, promote your business while also involving a special guest who callers want to hear interviewed. Examples might be conversing with a top producer in your field or an interview with a person with specialized knowledge. Either way, you’ll be making yourself look great by increasing your circle of influence and involving an exciting guest.
Give a Free Training
Everyone loves a great deal. Give your callers the best deal on the planet with a free teleconference session that they can’t resist. Remember, the call doesn’t have to take all day and you will be doing a service by teaching what you know, while also generating potential referrals or new clients. Your training could be a session on how to save money or build your client list. At the end of the introductory call, you can offer additional sessions for payment.
Add Value by Charging a Fee
Even though free classes are great, when you charge a fee for your classes, participants will come even more eager to hear what you have to say and get the most out of the call. Placing a monetary value on the session makes it even more worthwhile, so don’t shy away from a price tag, as well as a way to order a prerecorded class for payment.
Host a Problem Solving or How-to Session
People love getting answers to their problems. Another teleconference session idea is to present common scenarios and solutions to during calls. You can also run this class as a how-to, with ways to prepare and help callers succeed in a variety of situations. Addressing special challenges could also turn into a weekly support group session or series on various types of difficult situations that we all encounter.
There are many more creative ways to make your teleconference sessions count, so start your own list of ways to entice callers. No matter what kind of class you decide to offer, have fun with it and make it a useful and helpful place for callers to keep coming back.
Attract Visitors to Your Website Using YouTube
Posted by: | CommentsAn online video can attract a lot of new visitors to your website. Using a combination of reading and watching content is a very effective way to grow your number of visitors and make your website contagious. As online videos continue to grow with popularity, there are few things you can do to make yours count and drive traffic to your website. Keep in mind that even though online videos are still not as popular as written content, this may change overtime.
Post on YouTube. Right now YouTube is the best place to share video content. Not only can people watch your video on the site, but they can also post the video to another website, giving you even more free exposure and more opportunities to drive traffic to your website. YouTube is also one of the most popular social networking sites.
Featured Video. When you post your video on YouTube, have it listed as a featured video. This will increase your number of hits during its first days and weeks online. While the secret to making viral videos may have some trial and error, even an average video on YouTube will bring more traffic to your website.
Profile. You can also increase your exposure by filling out a full profile on YouTube, including a link to your website or blog. When you post your video on YouTube, visitors will want to see a detailed description about your video and a way to get more information. This is also a great way for you to interact more with other YouTube watchers, allowing them to see who you are and even more of the content you provide.
Ranking. You will be able to see a raking on your video, so pay attention to how well your videos are received. Videos that are popular get shared on other websites, so use this to your advantage by including your URL in the video itself or place it as a watermark at the bottom of the clip. Google search engines love to see videos and the efforts will help drive traffic to your website by keeping it at the top of the search engines.
Most people do not take full advantage of the opportunity to use online videos so your competition may be limited—for now. As YouTube and online videos grow in popularity, make sure you don’t get left behind.
Make Your Blog Stand Apart From the Crowd
Posted by: | CommentsDoes your blog need a makeover? Perhaps you are burned out on great ideas or maybe your blog is missing that dynamic factor that makes readers want to tune in? If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to make your blog more interesting and fun to write, I have a few ideas. There are a few ways to captive your audience and also make the writing more enjoyable for yourself.
Keep a List of Topics on Hand
When you sit down to write your blog, have a list of topics on hand and ask yourself “why should I write this?†and “who would want to read this?†The answer to those questions is often a good springboard. As you write one blog, you will likely have ideas for others—so keep that list handy. There will be days when the creative energy is low, so that is a perfect time to find your list and charge yourself up.
Be Curious About Everything
Just like an investigator, answer the questions of who, what, when, why, where, and how. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a journalist, go ahead and pretend you absolutely have to get to the bottom of your topic. Each of these questions will get you deeper into a subject matter.
Mix it up
Often, as you begin to write you’ll end up deleting your first few sentences and starting your writing somewhere in the middle. This is normal. Writing is not necessarily a linear process. When you get to the end of your blog, however, go back to the beginning and do a check for repetitive words and read it out loud. Also, don’t underestimate the power of the thesaurus. Your readers’ eyes are going to glaze over if you don’t vary your vocabulary. So mix it up!
Get to the point
Do you use long sentences over and over? Try challenging yourself to write shorter ones. Readers like it when we get to the point and do it quick. If a sentence is getting out of control, turn it into a series of bullet points.
Choose active verbs
One last bit of advice about the mechanics is to use active verbs instead of passive ones. Try to avoid “was†and “were†followed by the “ing†verb form. Staying in the present tense keeps your voice strong. And above all, have fun with writing and encourage commentary from readers to get comments for feedback.
How to Get Higher Rankings in Search Engines
Posted by: | CommentsIt seems like a mystery why certain websites have higher rankings in Google than others, but there are a few things that can increase your traffic. First, if you aren’t already doing so, start a blog and update it weekly. The search engines like fresh content and blogging will increase your ranking. Make it a priority to blog 3-5 times per week and aim for 300 words per post. Also, make sure you interact with other bloggers, including commenting on their posts, linking to other blogs, and guest blogging. These elements will drive traffic to your site and also keep you up to date on what hot topics are being discussed right now.
You can also increase your ranking by incorporating SEO copywriting into your website. You’ll want to first identify a list of phrases and words that your target audience is searching for and place them in your content. Ideally, the keywords should be weaved into the content so that it isn’t totally obvious to readers.
Heather Lloyd-Martin, CEO of SuccessWorks International, says that titles are the most important SEO element on a site. She recommends a unique title on every page of your site with several keyword phrases. A great title should be no more than 75 characters long—just enough to compel readers to want to read more and click on your site. She also suggests no more than 250 words of content per page. If your site is too wordy, not only will readers lose interest, but the search engines also like shorter bursts of content.
While working on the keywords content, type phrases into Google to see what people are searching for in your target market—and then make those your key words. You are now helping to direct readers—and search engines—to find you and click to your site. Since the search engines are set up to rank by keywords, try to have not only words, but also phrases that are specific. Use keywords and phrases 4-5 times per webpage, and remember to balance your keywords with relevant, useful content. You don’t want to just direct visitors to your site without giving them an incentive to stay.
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