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WordPress Made Easy: Top Plugins For Your Business Blog

Keeping a business blog can be an effective tool for branding your business, generating leads, and keeping in touch with clients, partners, and anyone else who stumbles across your site. It can also be a headache. That’s why you should be taking advantage of the large directory of plugins available to WordPress users. Plugins, like apps, are easy-to-use and greatly increase the functionality of your site. They can help with everything from reducing spam comments to spell checking to syndicating your content and improving your search-engine rankings. Best of all, they’re typically free and shouldn’t require a degree in computer programming to use.

Here are a few to benefit your blog and your business …

Postie: Posting regular content to your business blog can be challenging, if only because it can be difficult to fit into an otherwise busy work schedule. Using the Postie plugin, however, can take some of the work out of blogging by making it possible to send your posts via email. You can set categories and tags, include pictures and videos, and strip off your email signature and anything else you wouldn’t want appearing on your blog. Easy to set up and customize, Postie requires nothing more than a dedicated email address to send your posts to. After that, posting to your blog will be no more difficult than sending any other email.

Network Publisher: In order to use Network Publisher, you’ll need to register for an account with the plugin’s author, Links Alpha. That’s the bad news. The good news is it’s free and will make updating your entire social network a breeze. Network Publisher allows you to publish your blog posts to any, or all, of the 30 social-media sites offered, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tumblr, Blogger, and Google Buzz.

WPTouch: In the age of the iPhone, iPod, and Android, it’s important that people accessing the Internet from their phone or tablet are still able to find and use your site. WPTouch will automatically transform your blog into a mobile-friendly theme without requiring any coding. In other words, this WordPress plugin will provide an accessible and user-friendly version of your site for mobile visitors without affecting your regular blog theme.

Jetpack: Jetpack is actually a set of plugins, including a widget for displaying your Twitter feed, stats, a URL shortener, and a collection of share buttons that allow your readers to easily pass your posts along to their social networks. It even includes a spelling, style, and grammar check to help you edit your writing efficiently. The all-in-one package is allows users of self-hosting WordPress sites to access the same easy-to-use widgets and tools available from wordpress.com.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

 

Five Business Apps For Your Facebook Fan Page

Pretend your Facebook fan page is your house. Now how inviting a home would it be if you didn’t have furniture, appliances, heat, plumbing, etc.? The answer is not very. It may look nice enough from the outside but you certainly wouldn’t have many guests if, for example, they were expected to bring their own seating, water, and heat source. The same principle applies to your Facebook fan page. In order to attract visitors and keep them long enough to get them to like your page, become a fan, or contact you, you’ll need to take advantage of any available apps and tools that add function, make it easier for you to maintain your page, and – most importantly – attracts visitors and potential business.

Here are some applications to help your business take full advantage of its Facebook fan page …

RSS Graffiti: Visitors to your Facebook page will need something to look at beyond your address and phone number. That means content. RSS Graffiti greatly reduces the stress of coming up with content to share on each of your social-media accounts by automatically sending your posts and tweets to your Facebook fan page. Easy to set up and free, RSS Graffiti can be used with any website or social application that has an RSS/Atom feed.

Schedulicity: Unfortunately this app will cost you a monthly fee but for less than $1 a day it adds a tab to your fan page that allows visitors to schedule an appointment with you directly from Facebook. And, while it can be a benefit to you and your existing clients, it’ll also help you find new clients. After all, making it easier for people to find and book your services can only help boost your business and your fan page’s functionality.

Contact Tab: Much like Schedulicity, this Facebook app makes turning visitors to your fan page into new contacts easier. With Contact Tab, you can collect all of your contact info in one place – from your address to your social-media accounts – and also add a map to your location and a form to send you a message directly from your fan page.

Pagemodo: Pagemodo makes it easier than ever to customize your Facebook fan page. Though the app comes with a price, it also comes with a variety of customizable templates that will take your fan page from dull to dynamic. You won’t need any coding or design skills, either. Features are easily added and include slideshows, video, contact forms, maps, and the ability to hide content behind a “gate” that requires interested visitors to first like your page before they can access the info.

Poll: Just what its name suggests, the Poll application on Facebook allows you to add a poll question to your page or profile. The poll shows up as its own tab and is great for gathering information from your fans and visitors.

More suggestions here, here, and here. Previous article on LinkedIn apps here.

 

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

 

The Top 4 LinkedIn Applications For Business

Everyone likes a bonus. Whether it’s an extra check before the holidays or the surprise in a box of Cracker Jacks, getting something for nothing is always a welcomed development. When it comes to social media, most sites offer bonuses in the form of applications, or apps. Apps provide extra function and are, in most cases, free.

Here are four free apps available on LinkedIn that will add function to your professional profile …

SlideShare: Any application that counts The White House, IBM, and the United Nations among their users must have something to offer. SlideShare is the world’s largest community for sharing documents, PDFs, videos, and webinars. Using the free application on LinkedIn, you can upload presentations and documents to your profile and make them available to anyone visiting your page. You can also upload YouTube videos. And, if that wasn’t enough, SlideShare also allows you to sync your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts, so anything you share will instantly appear on both pages.

Polls: You may think polls are only for research centers and presidential campaigns but they’re also a handy and convenient way to gather information that will boost your business. Use the poll application on LinkedIn to pose a question to your connections and the millions of other professionals on LinkedIn, then use their answers to better your services. In addition, the poll application allows you to embed that voting module on your website or blog.

WordPress: If you have a business blog and haven’t added it to your LinkedIn page, you should. The WordPress application on LinkedIn allows you to easily update your profile with your most recent blog posts, provided you’re using WordPress. And, if embedding your blog on your LinkedIn profile sounds like it may be beyond your technological abilities, it’s as easy as entering your domain name into the application. Everything else is automatic.

Events: Social media is great for networking, but even better when you integrate your online efforts with old-fashioned, face-to-face functionality. The events app allows you to see what industry events and regional functions your connections are attending, in addition to providing you with recommend events based on your profession. Learn more about the conferences and industry seminars that are coming to town and let your network know where you’ll be and when.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

Three Keys To Building A Business Brand Online

There aren’t a lot of self-described idiots out there. Which is to say, people like to believe they’re smart. And that’s the reason branding your business online is so important. After all, your customers and clients want to feel like they’re making an informed decision before spending their money. So the more information you share, the more they feel like they’re making a smart choice by choosing to do business with you.

Here are some tips to building a better business brand through social media …

The Foundation: In order to properly brand your business, you’ll need a foundation. That means, having a business blog. Having a blog provides your social network with a focal point. It also offers a convenient way to share content that can then be posted on any additional social-media sites you’ve set up. Make sure, though, that your blog represents your business professionally and consistently. Pay attention to the theme, layout, and widgets you’re using. Though it’s tempting to use all the bells and whistles available to you, a cluttered blog means a cluttered brand. Make sure it’s easy to read and, most importantly, easy to identify who’s in charge. You’ll want visitors to read what you’ve posted on your blog but you’ll also want them to know who you are and what you do.

The Goal: It’s easy enough to get yourself a blog and/or a Facebook page, Twitter account, or LinkedIn profile but you’ll also need a goal. The idea behind social-media marketing is to brand yourself as an expert and a resource. You want people to do business with you and you’re online to give them better access to you, your knowledge, and your business. In other words, your goal is to offer valuable information about your services, industry, and business and to share it with potential clients and customers. If you’re seen as knowledgeable, experienced, and willing to spend the time to make sure your clients are informed, you’ll increase the visibility and reputation of your business.

The Benefits: A properly branded social-media campaign can provide many benefits to your business. Most of all, it increases customer loyalty and referrals as it creates a stronger bond between you and your clients. If you’re communicating with your customers, sharing content, and responding to comments and questions online, you’re boosting the likelihood that those customers will remember you next time they’re in the market for your services or know someone that is. Social media also offers a platform for you to research your region and industry to help you better your business. Most of all, though, it serves as a word-of-mouth generator. The more you participate, the better the success rate.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

Twitter For Business: Making Better Use Of Your Tweets

 

Social media is a great tool for eavesdroppers, voyeurs, and busybodies. Which means, the best way for you to find new business using social media is to make sure you’re being overheard by the right set of eavesdroppers. Talk loudly and make sure you’re saying something that will garner some attention. Then, once you’ve gotten their attention, be interesting, available, friendly, and polite.

Here are some tips to help you make better use of your Twitter page …

Be Thankful: Using Twitter properly – or any other social-media site for that matter – requires a bit of old-fashioned etiquette. Much like they do in everyday life, people online appreciate a simple thank you from time to time. For our purposes that means turning on email notifications from your Twitter page. Twitter will send you an email any time someone new follows you. Be sure to send a thank you. It’s a good way to encourage communication and requires nothing more than a short message.

Just Tweet Already: Okay, if you’re just starting out on Twitter, you’ll have to have some tweets on your page. You aren’t likely to attract anything but spam with any empty page. If you’re having trouble, re-tweet something you’ve found interesting or informative on someone else’s Twitter feed that relates to your industry or area. You can’t expect to gain any followers unless you’ve got something to share. Starting from scratch can be difficult but keep it professional and relevant and update it regularly for best results.

Make A List: Use Twitter’s list function to categorize and organize your contacts. Twitter allows you to create 20 lists of up to 500 members each. Create lists of industry contacts and leaders, regional pages, past clients, and anyone else that you’d like to keep up with. Breaking up your contacts into separate lists makes it easier to follow their feeds and look for ways to further engage and communicate.

Don’t Be Selfish: You will, of course, have to come up with some tweets of your own but you also shouldn’t feel embarrassed to pass along relevant and quality content to your followers. Promoting content you find elsewhere on the web is mutually beneficial. It gives you something to tweet and it passes along something of interest to your followers. Twitter is, in the end, just another way of keeping in touch with your business contacts. Gaining a reputation for sharing quality info means more activity on your Twitter page. And that means more potential business.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

The Basics: 57 Social-Media Terms To Learn For Better Business Online

The Internet is an incredible resource but keeping up with an always-evolving online world can be a challenge. Sometimes the lingo alone can stand between successfully implementing a social-media strategy and being overwhelmed by widgets, avatars, and hashtags.

Here’s an update of our previous list of basic terms to familiarize yourself with (New terms in bold)  …

Active Rain – The largest social network for real-estate professionals. Launched in 2006, Active Rain has nearly 200,000 members.

Aggregator – A web-based tool or desktop application that collects syndicated content from across the Internet.

API (Application Programming Interface) – A computer system or application that allows programs and websites to communicate and exchange data.

App – An application performing a specific task able to be accessed by your computer or phone.

Archives – An index page that organizes past entries and older posts by date.

Avatar – The image, picture, or username a person uses to identify themselves on social-networking sites.

Badge – A linked image displayed on a blog that promotes a person’s profiles or participation on other social-media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter.

Bit.ly – A popular – and free – URL shortening service that makes it easier to share lengthy web addresses on social-networking sites such as Twitter.

Blog – A regularly updated website or “web log” that allows a company or individual to post content and interact with readers through commentary, subscriptions, widgets, and syndicated RSS feeds.

Blogosphere – A term used to describe the totality of blogs on the Internet.

Blogroll – A list of sites, typically found in the sidebar of a blog, showing the sites that particular blogger recommends.

Content – Content on any website, including text, pictures, video, and audio materials.

Creative Commons – A nonprofit corporation that provides free licenses and legal tools that label creative work with the creator’s specifications on reuse, sharing, and using commercially.

Dashboard – The administrative area on blogs and social-media sites that allows you to edit your information, manage comments, monitor traffic, upload files, etc.

Delicious – A free online bookmarking service that allows users to save web addresses publicly and privately online, so they can be easily accessed and shared.

Domain Name – The identifying name or address of an Internet site.

Facebook – The largest social-networking site for individuals and businesses. Facebook has more than 500 million users.

Feeds (RSS Feed) – A program used by a website that allows the user to syndicate their content and provide subscribers with new blog posts and articles without requiring them to visit the site.

FeedBurner – A Google-based tool that provides a way for users to accept subscriptions by email for their blog posts, podcasts, and online content.

Forums – Online forums allow members of social-media sites to interact with other members by posting messages or questions on particular topics.

Geotagging – Adding location-based data to media such as photos and video to help users find businesses and services by region.

Groups – Communities within social-media sites that allow users interested in particular topics or activities to share information, posts, and messages with other members.

Hashtag – Used on Twitter, a hashtag is a keyword or phrase preceded by a “#” that helps organize posts, making them easier to find in Twitter searches.

Hits – A measurement defined as any request for a file from a web server.

HootSuite – A web-based Twitter service that allows users to manage multiple Twitter profiles, schedule tweets, and view statistics and metrics.

Hyperlink – A navigational reference that embeds a link to a document or page on the Internet.

HTML – The coding language used to link documents, text and multimedia files on the Internet. HTML is the programming language that provides content and structure for web pages in order to define layout, font, color, and graphics.

LinkedIn – A business-oriented social-media site for professional networking. Launched in 2002, LinkedIn now has more than 70 million registered users.

Links – Highlighted text that, when clicked, takes readers to another page containing related content or source materials.

Link Building – The process of generating links to your website from other sites in an effort to boost search-engine ranking. Blogging is a popular method of link building.

Metadata – Information, including titles, tags, and captions, used to describe a media item or blog post in order to make it more easily found by search engines and aggregators.

Micro-Blogging – A form of blogging that limits the amount of characters or words per post, such as Twitter.

Open Media – A term referring to any media, including video, text, and audio, that can be freely shared online.

Permalinks – The permanent address or URL of a blog post or web page. A permalink is what is used when linking to another story within an email message or post.

Profiles and Pages – The pages on social-networking sites where a person or business displays their contact information, pictures, posts, and files.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – The process of improving and increasing traffic to a website from search engines.

Sidebar – A column or columns along either or both sides of a blog’s main content area that includes widgets, contact and biographical information, links to previous posts and favorite sites, archives, badges, subscription information, RSS feeds, and more.

Social Media – Websites that provide communities with common interests a means to communicate and engage with one another online.

Social Networking – Socializing online through a social-media site, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, that allows you to create a profile and communicate with other members.

Subscribing – Signing up for a site’s feed, which automatically sends you new content from that site.

Syndication – The process of sharing and distributing content online.

Tag Cloud – A visual representation of the most popular tags on a blog or website. More popular tags are usually shown in larger type while less popular tags appear smaller.

Tags – Keywords associated with a blog post or other content making them more easily found through searches.

Threads – Messages or posts under a single forum topic or the comments and trackbacks of a particular blog post.

Trulia – A real-estate search engine and networking site that allows professionals to create business profiles and allows consumers to find listings, blogs, and real-estate information.

Tweet – A post or update on Twitter.

TweetDeck – A Twitter application that serves as a real-time browser that connects you with your contacts across Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more.

Twitter – A micro-blogging site where members post “tweets” or messages of 140 characters or less.

Upload – The process of transferring a file from your computer to a website.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – A URL is the technical term for a website’s address.

Video Blog – A blog that produces and posts video content on a regular basis.

Wall – The shared portion, or discussion board, displayed on a social-media profile.

Webinar – A web-based seminar, presentation, lecture, or workshop transmitted over the web.

Widget – An application offered on social-media sites and blogs that performs a specific function allowing users to customize their profiles or blog.

Wiki – A technology that allows many users to edit a web page, such as Wikipedia.

WordPress – A blog publishing application that offers users an easy-to-use template through which they can create their own blog and maintain their own blog.

YouTube – Popular video-sharing website through which users upload, share, and view videos. It is the largest video-sharing site in the world.

Source materials here, here, here, here, here, and here.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

The Business of Blogging: Why You Need A Blog And How To Get Started

The Internet doesn’t stand still. It’s constantly evolving and ever changing. And for that reason alone you need a business blog. Unlike your business website, a blog can – and should – be updated regularly. So, while your website may have all the most pertinent and relevant information about you and your business, it’s the same info anytime anyone visits. A blog gives you the ability to provide potential clients and customers with fresh content and a reason to return to your site in the future. It also gives you a platform to further impress, explain, and inform, in addition to driving page views and traffic to your website.

Here are the basics …

The What: A blog isn’t a replacement for your business website. It is a supplement to your other online destinations. Which means, you’ll benefit most if your blog and website are linked and driving traffic to one another. Promote your blog on your site and your website on your blog. The same goes for any other social-media sites you’ve set up. Creating a network of online properties that are professional, well maintained, and regularly updated gives potential customers the ability to investigate you and your business and become more comfortable with your expertise, experience, and services. It’ll also provide increased customer interaction and loyalty, as well as helping your business appear higher in search-engine results. And, let’s face it, not many people are using the phone book anymore. People search online when looking for goods and services. It’s best that you’re there when they get there.

The How: It’s always easier said than done. It’s one thing to say you’d like to start a business blog and another altogether to actually maintain and update one on a somewhat regular basis. And the number one reason for that is the writing. You’ll have to have some content to share. And you’ll have to have a fair amount too. The good news is content is easier to generate if you think in terms of types and not topics. In other words, come up with a few types of posts that seem easier to craft and then alter the topics each time. Lists, for example, are an always popular choice for blog posts. Others include, how-to posts, insider info and expert opinions, predictions, polls, and surveys. Eventually, you’ll develop a rhythm and schedule that works for you. Don’t give up too quickly.

The When: One would assume, if you’re in business, you’re in business to make money. So you’re likely thinking, “When will I see actual business after writing all these lists, posts, and updates?” Well, your blog is not a sales tool. It’s a marketing vehicle for your brand and an opportunity to attract a new audience for your services. In other words, think of it as added value. It sets you apart from your competition by offering extra information and expertise that benefits your customer. It makes you more accessible online and more easily found. In short, it provides a lot of value to your business and your clients while building your brand, online presence, and reputation. But it may take time and it’s success all depends on your goals and expectations. If you expect to put up a blog and be ringing up sales after your first post, you’ll likely be disappointed. Give it time. The more content you share on your blog, the higher you’ll rank in search-engine results. It adds up. And again, when’s the last time you used a phone book?

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

Email Marketing: Crafting Content That Your Mailing List Will Read

For all its high-tech bells and whistles, the Internet is really all about the written word. After all – whether you’re posting to your blog, tweeting, or updating your Facebook page – what you’re really doing is writing. Which means, spending a little time thinking about your writing could make a big difference in the success, or failure, of your online activities. And nowhere more so than when launching an email marketing campaign.

Here are some tips …

Headlines: Okay, start with the subject line. It is, arguably, the most important part of your email. It will determine whether or not the recipient even opens your mail, let alone reads any of it. That means, you’ll have to start thinking of your email subject line as though it was a headline in a newspaper. In other words, you’ll have to give ’em enough info to know what to expect but also spur enough interest to get your mail opened and read. Subjects left blank, vague, or suspiciously urgent will get you deleted on the spot. For examples, pay attention to the emails in your own inbox. Which subject lines sparked your interest and which didn’t? Mimic and repeat.

The Body: The trick to a successful email-marketing campaign is making the people on your mailing list feel like they’re not on an email-marketing list. That means, keeping it light and easily digested. It also means adding a little personality to your emails. If you’re sending out dry sales pieces, you’ll be treated accordingly. Add a little of your own voice to the emails and include all the pertinent info right there in the body of your email. Don’t fill up on attachments. Instead, copy-and-paste any relevant info, so your recipients won’t have to do any extra work. Sure, it’s only an attachment. But the less you ask, the more you’ll receive. After all, we’re all inherently lazy.

The Content Farm: So now you’re wondering where email marketing fits into your social-media marketing campaign. Right? Well that’s to be expected. Here’s the thing … Integrating your social-media pages and your email marketing campaign is not only the most effective strategy, it’s the least labor intensive. In other words, use your mailing list to promote your social-media sites and your social-media sites to add to your mailing list. Use each to boost the other. And share content, while you’re at it. Say you’ve just posted something to your business blog and wanted to ensure someone, other than you, reads it. Send out an email announcing the post with a link, a few highlights, and a short note to your clients and partners. Make it personal, easy-to-read, and top it with an enticing subject line.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

Simple Steps To Help Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile For Business

 

If it helps, think of social media the same way you would your refrigerator or kitchen pantry. There are some things you should always have on hand since you’d be hard pressed to cook anything edible without them. And if you don’t cook, we’re talking eggs and butter, sugar or salt. The essentials.

In the same way, there are certain social-media sites that are more essential than others. Due to its popularity and functionality, LinkedIn is one of those sites. Niche sites devoted to your profession or preferences have their benefits but can’t compete with the sheer number of users and applications LinkedIn offers.

Here are some tips to optimizing your presence …

Your Profile: Since LinkedIn began as a vehicle for job hunters, many people are still under the impression that some form of copy-and-pasted resume is all you need to attract potential business to your LinkedIn page. Truth is, this is a representation of you and, hopefully, one that will be seen by potential clients and partners. Which means, you’ll want to offer up a bit more than your work history. If you have a Twitter page, add it. Add your websites as well. Also, try recommending some professionals you’ve done business with to get things started. Get connected through your address book and join some industry groups. The more information you offer, the more likely your profile will be found.

Your Summary: It’s easy to think once you’ve added your work history that there’s no point of also writing a summary. Or maybe you’re just not a natural writer so you prefer the fill-in-the-blanks portion of setting up your LinkedIn profile. Either way, you’ll have to get over it. Think of the summary as your pitch to potential business. Sure, you can start with a little background but try to express what you can do just as much as what you’ve done. And keep it short and conversational. It can be difficult to write about yourself. Make it easier by writing the way you speak rather than using corporate lingo only your colleagues can comprehend.

Your Homework: There are no shortage of ways you can use your LinkedIn profile to connect with potential clients and communicate within your industry and region. Nothing will happen unless you make it happen, though. That means, you’ll have to login and participate. For starters, use LinkedIn to research prospects and competition, ask and answer questions, join groups, link your updates with your other social-media accounts, add your blog, setup a vanity URL rather than using the random address provided, and promote your page wherever and whenever you can. Don’t hide behind the Internet. Interact, communicate, and connect.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com

Social-Media Management Or How To Take The Work Out Of Your Network

Whether you’re managing the Chicago Cubs or your local Radio Shack, you’re going to need some organizational skills. Organization is the key to reducing the stress – and amount of work – necessary to manage whatever it is you’re overseeing. And that goes for your social-media accounts too. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with maintaining all the email addresses, Facebook pages, blogs, and assorted Internet properties you’ve setup for your business. Hell, it’s hard enough to remember your passwords without worrying about updating your sites regularly, maintaining a professional presentation, and responding to comments and questions that come in from your friends, fans, and followers. The good news is there’s a better way.

Here are a few tips to help organize your social-media accounts …

Centralize to Minimize: Start by creating a separate email address for your entire social network. Having one email address reserved for your online efforts means, rather than logging in and out of multiple pages and accounts, you receive all of your comments and contacts in one place. It also means you won’t have to remember to update your sites if you change jobs or email providers. Keeping your contacts connected to a single account will reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to keep up with your pages and profiles, if only because it’ll reduce the need for remembering which of your email accounts you used to set up your Twitter page and which you used to set up your blog.

Be Nice: Okay, now that you’ve got all of your correspondence in one easy-to-locate location, you’ll have no excuse for not responding to any messages or comments you receive. That’s right. Just like in the real world, Internet communication requires you to be responsive and polite. It may seem like a lot of work to scroll through your inbox and respond to any questions or criticisms you find along the way but a timely response shows visitors that you haven’t abandoned your site and also helps create a sense of community, availability, and professionalism. After all, if social-media is about communication than communicating has to be the key to a successful social-media marketing campaign.

Work Smart, Work Less: For one, you don’t have to create unique content for each of your sites. Share your updates, link your pages, and syndicate your output. There are more and more opportunities and applications aimed at helping you share your messages across your entire social network. Reduce your workload by sharing content and updates between sites. It may boost traffic from one site to another and it’ll certainly reduce the stress that follows feeling like you’ve got to come up with a tweet, a Facebook update, and a blog post every few minutes.

The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com