So are there any drawbacks to jumping on the blog bandwagon? You bet!

• Lots of people simply don’t have much of value to say or are unable to write down their ideas in a compelling way. But that doesn’t stop most from writing anyway.
Bottom line: It is in no way easy to churn out quality content and ideas on a regular, ongoing basis.

• On the other hand, frequently the people who have most to say don’t have the time to write their thoughts, so the most valuable and relevant information frequently goes un-communicated.
Bottom line: You may have great things to say and the best advice, tips and expertise around, but if you don’t have or find the time to share and write, it’s all for naught.

(more…)

In my last post, I discussed the factors to consider when putting together your copywriting and marketing plan.

Here are the final two:

Credibility. Sometimes clients or readers of one of my blogs or my newsletter will ask about a particular site or service that offers publication, or distribution or something else for a very low price or even for free.

Free always sounds nice and many of us jump at something that seems like a good deal.

But it may be a tacky or unprofessional or inconsequential site or service, so be careful not to waste your time and your resources. You have a certain message and image that you are looking to get out at all times. Be consistent about that – don’t compromise just because you think you have found a good deal.

(more…)

As a Virtual Assistant, you may be writing a blog for your website, or you may be thinking about offering blog copywriting to your clients.

I’d like to share some important don’ts that successful blog writers never forget:

• Let your personality shine through – but don’t get too personal. I remember a blog writer whose every entry centered on her family. The reader quickly got to know not only the names of her spouse and kids, but all of the intimate details of their lives, including the midnight trip to the ER. This is an example of too much information! (Unless, you can clearly bring the topic back around to something related to business.)

• Don’t let your words get away from you. Your blog entry should about 150 to 200 words. If you need to write more, just break up your topic into several entries (Part 1 of 3, Part 2 of 3, etc.).

• Don’t forget the rules of the game: branding, consistency, expertise. Your blog is part of your marketing efforts, so be sure to weave your marketing message and brand identity into your entries. Keep in mind what you’re selling and who you’re selling it to.

• Don’t let typos and poor grammar interfere with your message. Have someone with a keen eye proofread your blogs before posting them.

Need to write blog copy for yourself or a client? Blog copywriting is a little different from other types of copywriting.

• This is a chance to share the writer’s personal viewpoint – and personality. You may be discussing a business-related subject, but in a blog, your personality, or your client’s, can shine through.

• That said, don’t go overboard. Some topics and ideas just have no place in your business blog. Trust me on that one.

• Blogs help to establish someone as an authority. Feel free to give your two cents and draw on your own experiences.

• Blogs should be conversational. Loosen your tie (so to speak), relax and write as if you were talking to a friend or colleague.

• Your blog must be relevant, informational and easy to read. In a blog, you can write about a current event, industry trend or personal experience, even as it’s happening. Keep your copy punchy and easy to scan. Use bullet points.

• Because you want search engines to find you, use plenty of keywords.

As a Virtual Assistant, your blog can tell a story, communicate ideas, draw media attention and drive traffic and sales. But be sure to follow these guidelines, because before it can do any of these things, your blog needs to be read…and read…and read.

(See my next blog post for VA’s blogging don’ts)

Last time we talked about starting a blog for your Virtual Assistant business.

Once you’ve decided to become a blogger, it’s vital that you clarify the purpose of your blog:
Why are you writing?

What do you want to achieve with your blog?

It’s not uncommon to start with a purpose in mind, and then have that purpose evolve into something else. But if you really don’t have a goal in mind now, you may want to take another look at why you’re planning to write a blog.

Blogging for business with no business reason really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Your purpose for blogging might be to:

• Drive more traffic to your website
• Sway and influence opinion on a particular issue
• Publish and share your views
• Showcase your expertise as a thought leader or leading expert in your field
• Build/bolster your company’s reputation or image in the marketplace
• Offer a platform for interacting with others in your industry
• Add SEO (search engine optimization) benefits to your website
• Share and comment on industry news

Take some time to determine your purpose(s) – this decision will color every word you write and every entry you post. It will also help make the difference between blog success and, well, blog oblivion.