You know I like "free" – but I also love "simple." That’s why I’m making the switch to KeoTag to generate tags for my posts when I compose from within TypePad.
Instead of a copy/paste of the tag code into the HTML, I can copy/paste the text links right into the WYSIWYG (see the pointer in the image below?) Be sure to use a space as a separator and a plus sign to put a phrase together.
technorati tags: KeoTag Business Blogging Cool Tool
Benjamin Yoskovitz offers a great example of how by engaging in a conversation, a business might convert a prospect into a customer.
Ben recently took part in the conversation Quotes n Notes:Curiosity. I had seen his name at Blogger Stories, Successful Blog, Buzzoodle: Buzz Marketing and Marketing Roadmaps, but I hadn’t delved too deep into his IGotNewsForYou site or blog.
Here’s the business blog lesson: Ben added to the discussion with relevant thoughts. He didn’t talk about his site or offering, he was simply becoming part of the community.
Here’s the business result: I immediately drew a liking to Ben’s style and thoughts. Since I liked Ben, I bought into his product – and have used it with great fun. Ben’s conversation led to a conversion. Will it happen every time out? Nope. But I probably wouldn’t have taken action without Ben extending his voice and reach.
Here’s a screen shot of what I sent to my pal, Mike Wagner (click image to enlarge):
You can give IGotNewsForYou a test drive or send millions of pages for only $14.95.
Just a reminder that tomorrow is BlogTipping Day (the 1st of each month).
What’s BlogTipping? Quite simple, and everyone benefits. Here’s how:
Many reasons to dig this idea:
Hard to decide on just one blog? Do more than one.
Related:
- May 1st: BlogTipping
- Get Free Blogtipping Icons (From Easton)
Wow, that was fast!
Yesterday, I posted an open letter letting Technorati know that I’m still alive and hadn’t stopped publishing posts. Less than 12 hours later, all previous posts appeared indexed. Thank you, Team T’rati (Still curious if it was my error or just a glitch).
Maybe I can send some much requested link love to Media Orchard so Scott won’t have to step out of his comfort zone again.
Thanks again, Technorati. Good luck, Scott (though I don’t think it’s needed).
Is Des Moines the next LOBAU, USA?…Good to see Paul Chaney back at the reins of Radiant Marketing…Mark White has a thorough eCourse (look under the pencils) on Better Business Blogging – and it’s Free! We love Free.
Creating Passionate Users recently asked "What Makes a Popular Blog?" 133 comments and counting…Darren Barefoot is looking for advice on House Swapping. I wonder if Home Based Holidays has that term plugged into their Blog Search feeds…Scott Berkun is offering 5 copies of his tome, The Art of Project Management to folks working at a start-up. Anyone want to hire me for a day?
Where does KnowMoreMedia find so many rock-solid bloggers?…Is there anything worse than a head cold during the start of summer?…Two books I’m looking forward to reading are Publish & Prosper and The Corporate Blogging Book…Speaking of books, the post officer assures me that Phil’s gift is safe, but it will be a week before they can fix the lock on the box.
Almost forgot – what’s LOBAU? Land Of Business As Usual (borrowed from Mark Stevens’ Your Management Sucks)
“You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you.” – Barbara Sher
Gary Bourgeault at Managers Realm reminds us of the power of curiosity in Keeping the Zeal of a Child, remaining childlike without being childish. Can leaders and managers do this? Absolutely. Your people will follow a curious nature with more zeal and loyalty than a puffed-up know-it-all.
Dearest Technorati,
I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written. By now, you must think I’ve died or just stopped blogging. I’ve noticed that you haven’t recognized any posts I’ve written for 38 days.
I don’t blame you. You’ve been busy with your new agreement with AP (Congrats, BTW). I understand you’re swamped with your new Local Language program. That’s one of the reasons I haven’t written – I empathize that your plate is quite full.
Instead of bothering you, I first scooted over to a Successful blogger I know to see if I could glean some T’rati wisdom. Liz speaks highly of both Dave Sifry and Janice Myint, but I hope not to take advantage of that connection. I did find some helpful hints from Janice (thanks:-))
But here’s the crux of the matter – my customers are beginning to wonder when the same thing is going to happen to their blogs. You see, I fancy myself as a Blog Coach (I even have a Blog Posting Mantra – you’ll like #6 best). I don’t play the SEO card heavily, but rely on the conversations and the linking to and from in efforts to extend the conversation.
Google picks up on the links I use to point to others, such as my fellow Blog Farmer, Scott at Media Orchard. I’m concerned if he doesn’t see my links to him, I might never – ever be a Pick of the Orchard again. I’m getting ripe here!
I searched some of the tags I use to describe my site, but still – no returns for this blog. Even my old archive at Copywriting Watch shows up better, despite the fact it is now a (cob)web site.
Please let me know if I should do anything to correct the situation. Several companies and business leaders are counting on us to work this out.
I’ll continue to evangelize your many offerings in my Business Blog Workshops. I’m confident the solution to this problem will make for a great story (Next workshop in in two weeks). I know your services are free – and at this rate, mine soon will be:-)
In the interim, I’ll be go watch a Paramount Picture. Know of any good documentaries?
Yours truly,
Mike Sansone
Conversation Conductor
Alive and Kicking and Screaming
As I’m trying out the team of GreatNews and Zoundry together this weekend, I thought I should post a few instructions found in the forums of these tools.
The discussion between GreatNews and Zoundry begins on the GreatNews support forum.
From the Zoundry forums:
How do I setup GreatNews to use its BlogThis function?
GreatNews (GN) is another cool news reader from CurioStudio. The developers of GN have now added a BlogThis functionality support external client applications such as Zoundry. To set up GreatNews v1.0.0.366 (GN build 366 or later) to work with Zoundry:
1. From GreatNews applications select menu Tools->Options
2. Choose Features tab.
3. Check BlogThis option and press the Configure button.
4. Create a new configuration (giving it a name such as Zoundry).
5. For Type, choose Generic External Blogging Tool option.
6. For the URL enterpath_to_zoundry_install\sys\pyth\zBlogWriter.exe -blogthis -title "%TITLE%" -file %HTMLFILE%.
wherepath_to_zoundry_installis the install directory for Zoundry. For example,
C:\Program Files\Zoundry Blog Writer\sys\pyth\zBlogWriter.exe -blogthis -title "%TITLE%" -file %HTMLFILE%
(Thanks to GN developer team for adding this support and Dotku for the tip).
For those trying this from home, the Zoundry tool opens right up so you can start blogging on the fly. Not as smooth as Performancing, but if you’re an IE user, it works well.
P.S. The previous post on Jim Turner’s article was written using the GN/Zoundry team.
Reading One by One Media this weekend, I’m reminded of a large local company who once told me they weren’t going to start a blog for fear that their customers would post negative comments.
Truth is, they should rather have those comments directed toward them in a space where they can respond.
Bigger truth is, they don’t have a plan for responding. Jim Turner says Blogging and Company Crisis: Create a Plan. Jim discusses comment moderation in his post, asking several questions that may help design such a plan.
Not blogging doesn’t stifle the conversations your customer are having. Not having a plan (regardless of whether your company blogs) may stifle your business.
“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a story is worth a thousand assurances.” Annette Simmons, The Story Factor
Maria Palma shares a heart-warming story about Life Lessons Learned. Her young friend Lorenzo seems to returning kindness and compassion from afar – just what Maria (and myself) need right now.
I woke up this morning with a long list of To-Do. Thanks for sharing with us, Maria.
Note how Maria brings the subject back to her core message?
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