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6 Easy Ways to Make Your Blog work better for you and your readers

Posted by Rebecca on November 8th, 2011

There are many ways to keep your blog looking great, user friendly and current. Widgets and Plugins can seem overwhelming though, especially when you are just starting with your blog.

Here are 6 tools to add to your blog that will make it easier for you and your reader. There are many more, but let’s start with 6 easy ones and give you a little homework for the week.

1. Is your RSS subscription accessible and easy to find?

Add your RSS somewhere visible, preferably at the top of your site. Consider having an email option for those who like to get new posts emailed directly.

Set up a Feedburner account if you don’t already have one to get your RSS code. Many WordPress themes (and Blogger) have an option for RSS already built in. (Or try the AddToAny plugin. Also, Feedburner allows you to select sharing options when reading the feed.)

2. Add a ‘tweet me’ and other share buttons to your posts

Make the sharing of your posts as easy for your readers as possible. There are a variety (I currently use Tweet Meme because I like the location and clarity in Google Reader, plus ‘Social Sharing – new icon design’ that incorporates Facebook, StumbleUpon and any other share sites I want).

If you are looking for something simple for Facebook, consider the Facebook Button Plugin. It adds a button that can go to your Facebook page at the top of the post, and a like button which will show up on a reader’s Facebook page.

If I like your post, please make it easy for me to share with readers!

Note: There are a variety of options for this – search ‘social sharing plugin’ and pick one that works best for you, looks best etc.

3. Use threaded comments

When responding to comments, threading the comments means that a reply will appear directly under the original comment. It makes for easier, cleaner conversations in the comment stream. Some themes (like the one on this site) have threaded comments built in, or you can install one like Disqus or Comment Luv (which I’ve been very happy with.)

4. Put your Facebook Page feed in your side bar

Do you have a Facebook page? If so, you can have your recent feed in the sidebar of your blog. It gives readers the chance to like the page plus see what conversations are happening outside of the blog and encourage them to simply like the page. (Facebook Social Plugin page)

5. Have a Search function

Sometimes a reader visits a blog, leaves it for a while then returns to try and find a specific post. Or, they are interested in a specific topic you may have written about. While categories may help in some cases, a search function will make it even easier for the reader to look for their topic.

6. Set up Analytics

While you don’t want to stress about your statistics, they are important to know. They tell stories about your readers – where they are visiting from, what posts are most visited, what search words brought them there and so on. A simple way to start is by setting up a Google Analytics account for your site, then follow the instructions to install your unique tracking code. Some WordPress sites are set up to use your code and track automatically. Note, there are a variety of statistics counters, but research to find one or more that is reliable for you.

Hopefully these tips will help the administrative part of your blogging, which can be time consuming and confusing for many of us.

For the video about my suggestions when first starting a blog (hint: it has a lot to do with writing writing and more writing!) check out the Yummy Mummy Site.

Stay Tuned – more blogging tips and how-tos to come!

Make Change Happen

Posted by Rebecca on September 23rd, 2011

On this blog I try to not only high light conversations relating to blogging, social media, business and learning, but also giving back to the community.

It’s the giving back part that I’ve always been most interested in – ways that through our online worlds we can help make change happen. This is what the United Way is doing in Ottawa and I’m so happy about it.

Firstly, it’s worth noting that the United Way Ottawa is extremely active in social media. They are a fantastic case study in how it can be done by non profits – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube – all serve to engage volunteers, stakeholders and potential donors. How they are approaching social media is reflective of how they are learning and growing as the landscape for charities is changing and requiring a greater online presence.

This morning I was invited to attend the kick off breakfast for this year’s United Way campaign.

It was a morning of mingling, eating and listening as we heard first hand from recipients who have received assistance from United Way funded programs.

For the past couple of years, I have been the Kindness Week blogger for the United Way and in my last post for that week I wrote that kindness happens year round. This is a belief I hold dearly.

What are they funding? What difference are they making?

Check out this video for first hand accounts of how support for these programs is really making a difference (ps: You may recognize some local faces too!)

The United Way Campaign has officially begun. This year, the goal is to raise 33.5 million dollars. No easy task, but in a city as caring and giving as Ottawa I know it can be done.

But this goal won’t happen alone. This is a community need and community opportunity. We all have a role to play.

To start, I’m leaving the United Way logo up at the top of this blog to remind me that the work they do, kindness and support is a year round goal.

Then I’m going to think of other ways to help through out the year. I haven’t firmed anything up yet, but I’ll share once I do!

Together, we can make change happen.

What Bloggers and PR representatives should do to work together

Posted by Rebecca on September 7th, 2011

Over time my blog has not only become a place where I share parenting stories and information, but it’s also a place where I am able to share product/service information with readers, offer ad space and make a small revenue.

In the beginning of my blogging I was over the moon the first time a PR person contacted me with an offer – to share their information for some small trade off. There were things I said yes to 2.5 years ago that I likely wouldn’t now.

Mostly because I have learned that promoted/sponsored posts take a lot of time to write and share, and because I value the space on my blog I want to make sure whatever I am sharing is something I am comfortable with.

Sure, I have received some bizarre pitches that made it clear they hadn’t read my blog but mostly I have been approached by some very wonderful people.

I am still learning but here are some tips for both bloggers and PR representatives to try to make these relationships a bit easier (and many of these tips I learn from my own mistakes and successes!)

What Should Bloggers Do?

1) Be polite and professional. If you are expecting to work with PR people, then you are treating your blog like a professional blog. Act like it. In most cases replies should be courteous and respectful no matter if you are answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to their request. Who knows when a better opportunity may arise – you want them to think about you.

2) Be honest. If it’s not the right fit, that’s ok. Say no when appropriate and if possible offer an explanation why. This will help avoid future requests that again don’t fit.

3) If you do say yes, follow through. By agreeing to work with the PR firm on a certain campaign, you want to deliver what’s been agreed upon in a professional way. Be honest with timelines and if something changes, let them know. However, saying yes and following through doesn’t mean you have to adjust your opinion or report something that you don’t believe in.

4) See number 2 again. Be honest. If you agree to review a product or write about it and end up simply not liking it or you feel uncomfortable promoting it, then you decide how to approach this. Do you want to skip the post but let the PR Firm know your feedback? Proceed with the post and add all honest response? That’s up to you. Be sure to let the PR rep know that you will be writing the post in your own words. At the same time, ensure you have a disclosure note on your post for your readers.

What do I hope PR companies are doing when they contact me or when we work together?

1)Research: Sending me an email about your store in Baltimore about dogs doesn’t necessarily hit the market I’ve been writing to. Sending me an email without my name or mention that you’ve ever read my blog, also isn’t the best idea. Hint: Offering for me to try out the latest, gross chemical cleaner? Not even close to what I write about.

2)Appropriate Follow up: I have no problem getting a follow up email asking if I’ve received the first, or if I have any questions because frankly, I’m human and things slip my mind. But sometimes my polite ‘this isn’t the best fit’ is an honest response, and I’m not looking for more information on how to make it fit.

3)Offer value (money talks): I only work with companies that I am comfortable supporting or writing about. Sometimes I do it because it’s a local business and I like helping to spread the word, or it’s something my readers may really enjoy. But if you are looking for brand ambassadors, paying them is smart business. I don’t mind writing about things I love for free (and often do) but I am selective when I do so. It makes more sense to commit – with full discloser that there is payment – to a formal business partnership.

And PR firms, there are benefits for you. When you pay someone, there is a greater sense of accountability – not that they have to write what you want them to write, but that they will deliver consistent, reliable work. Plus, it shows respect for the work they put in. Writing posts and marketing them (for you) takes time.

4)Don’t send me my words: So you’ve written out a post that you think my readers will love. No thanks. If I decide to share your product/service information on my blog, everything I write will be in my own words – and this especially applies when I am being compensated. You can’t buy my word space. I have ads for that.

I often see discussion online that bloggers are frustrated with PR reps, or terrible pitches, but honestly I have worked with some very polite, professional people. And I make my own mistakes. I’m learning to be better with follow up, to ask better questions and deliver more professionally myself.

Hopefully these few tips will help both sides. There is potential for great relationships between bloggers and PR reps and it starts with respect and honesty.

Are you a blogger that works with PR? Do you think these tips are helpful?

Social Capital Conference Ottawa – The Wrap Up

Posted by Rebecca on August 2nd, 2011

It’s been over a week since the first Social Capital Conference took place in Ottawa. I had the privilege of being asked by Lara Wellman to sit on the 2011 planning committee with five other very talented people. After months of hard work the day was finally upon us. And how did it go?

I think extremely well! Based on feedback we’ve been hearing, tweets and blog posts and especially the follow up that we’ve seen from attendees, year one was something to write about. Attendees have been using what they learned, processing the information and taking their ideas to action. I love hearing about the action and the ‘what happened next’ stories.

Sure, there were the usual event glitches (I’ve been planning events for over 10 years and this is an inevitable it seems) although when you are on the planning committee these glitches don’t go unnoticed and stress you out much more than most people. But these were ones that can be overcome and learned from.

The learning (it was a learn-a-thon after all) and strength of community shone through, and that’s what I took away from Social Capital. I met people that I don’t always have a chance to meet, I heard about ways that people, brands and businesses are using social media, or how I can use it personally to improve the function of my blog.

I heard about Ottawa as an online community – impressive to say the least. But that’s the community I live in (offline and online) and seeing people come together to discuss real ideas and real movements was exhilarating.

Not only was I impressed with the networking/connecting part of the conference, but my to-do list is longer now thanks to Social Capital. I have ideas swirling in my head to apply to my own online experiences. And that to me is what a conference should be about – a learned take away.

Thanks to everyone who supported us in year one – take a list of the sponsors and speakers who were instrumental in keeping things moving. Follow the #socapott hashtag on Twitter for updates during the year.

Congrats Ottawa, you helped make this a success. But I can’t say I expected much less from our amazing city.

I also was able to speak at the conference about Blog Monetization and did a round table on Twitter. I will post more information about that in the upcoming weeks.

These Three Things

Posted by Rebecca on July 15th, 2011

When I went to Women in Biz Network conference at the end of May, I took a lot away from it. I’ve written about some of the things I’ve learned already, but as I was cleaning out my purse the other day (a rare occasion) I found notes from one of the closing sessions.

The task while we were all in the room was to write down our personal answers to the following questions to help move your business ahead:

1 – What are you going to stop doing right now?

2 – What are you going to continue doing?

3 – What are you going to start doing tomorrow (or near future)

My answers?

1 – Self doubt

2 – Making the friendships and connections online I have been doing

3 – Building a business plan

It made me realize, two months later, that I need to continue on this path, keep pushing through and really remember my goals.

What would your answers to these questions be?

How do you handle staying efficient in the summer?

Posted by Rebecca on July 6th, 2011

How do you deal with the summer holidays and work? Many have children at home now, or are juggling between care giver holidays and camps. Not to mention that the nice weather and family plans make it very difficult to sit and do any amount of work during the summer.

But for most, some work has to get done. In my case, I have decided on these tips to help me keep up with my blogging, projects and contracts while being at home with the kids and running to the park at a moment’s notice:

1)      Limit the ‘yes’ word

I’ve accepted that I can let a little revenue slip this summer and that’s simply because I don’t want to say yes to everything, take on too much work and regret it. I am in a fortunate position to have the flexibility.

If you work full time, you may want to limit saying yes to additional projects or activities that don’t fit in with your schedule. It’s okay to say no to the fourth BBQ or event that you’ve been invited to in one weekend. Know your limits and be okay with them.

2)      Accept the reduction in blog posts and line up guest bloggers

When our weeks get busy, the first are that I reduced are my blog posts. If I was better organized, I would set up all of my posts ready to go up while I’m away. Otherwise, I just come to accept that my blog writing will be reduced.

Fortunately, in the summer I often have some fantastic guest posts. Talk to your network and exchange posts for each other during each of your holidays.

3)      Plan ahead

This is what I hope to do this summer, but being prepared is not one of my strong suits. Ideally, as I mentioned above, I will recognize when our holidays or busy weeks are starting and plan to line up all of my posts ahead of time.

In addition, I will make sure my contracts are up to date and inform those who may be expecting deliverables from me of my absence or reduction in time online.

I think the extra planning will take some time, but will be worth it to not worry about outstanding items while we are away.

4)      Being efficient during limited hours

The days for me are filled with sprinklers, parks and fun. And I like it. However, when I want to get some writing done, or have a deliverable, I can’t just ignore it. I have learned to accept that during the day is quite difficult (usually, although some quiet days are helpful) to get much done. I’ve had to maximize other times of day.

My children are up early and since we have leisurely mornings, I answer as many emails and do as much writing as I can then.

After they go to sleep (which again, is early) I respond to most of the emails I had been ignoring during the day, finish some writing/work and try to enjoy some reading and time outside.

When I set my email response or writing into blocks (am/pm) rather than sporadic during the day, I tend to be most efficient.

Above all, let go of the guilt. Get as much as you can done, but it can be easier said than done.

What are you tips for staying efficient during the summer?

Using Twitter #hashtags for learning, organizing and fun

Posted by Rebecca on June 29th, 2011

A #hashtag is a word, saying or grouping of words/letters to identify a specific topic, event or chat on Twitter. It’s identified with the # symbol followed by the word or identifying text. I often use the # symbol in front of random words just to emphasize points, sarcasm or for fun, but hashtags can have real use.

When searching a hashtag or setting up a column in Tweetdeck or Hootsuite to monitor a hashtag, it allows you to follow a very specific conversation.

If you are in a group (writing group, blogging group, business group etc) you can set up your own group hashtag to continue conversations at any time. Anyone can make a hashtag for people to follow.

If you follow specific Twitter Chats (often designated at a set time) you can join in the conversation instantly and learn from or talk to many other people that you may not usually have a chance to engage with. Read this excellent post on surviving Twitter Chats.

I have found that following certain hashtags makes me more organized and allows me to filter tweets better. For example, I can check the #socapott (Social Capital Conference hashtag) to see who is chatting about the event, asking questions and more.

New moms (and those who simply are not getting sleep) can follow the #zombiemoms hashtag at any time of day or night and connect with others who are looking for support with babies and children.

I’ve also discovered some tags that I really can learn from. I love following the #savvyblogging and #blogchat hashtags for insightful looks into blogging, the business of blogging and best practices.

I still use hashtags for fun or to emphasize a point, but the application of being able to sort tweets to a very specific topic is extremely beneficial. The more you search for topics that you are interested in, the more you will come across relevant information and new people.

Are there any specific hashtags you follow?

Women in Biz Conference 2011 and Next Steps

Posted by Rebecca on June 25th, 2011

At the end of May I attended the Women in Biz Conference in Toronto. A group of us from Ottawa enjoyed travelling to Toronto in style thanks to conference sponsor GM Canada and the beautiful, comfortable Traverse they lent us.

It was a day- long event that included a meet up the night before for people attending this conference and Blissdom Canada in October (to which I will be attending).

When I bought my Women in Biz ticket I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the line up of speakers is what sold me. The topics that were outlined for discussion: Building your Brand, Social Media, Public Relations and more. These also seemed like a good fit for me. I’ve written about the importance of education before so I checked this off as a chance to meet people and learn.

I ended up meeting a lot of great people, and learned a lot.

The sessions sparked my elevator pitch post – something that I still have to work on. But it also got me thinking about my brand, how all of my websites work together and how I should be planning my future growth for business.

What business you ask? Yes, that’s the tricky part. I’ve been doing Community Managing for over a year now and it has been great. I’ve also had the pleasure of taking on some consulting gigs to help others position themselves in social media and strategize some ideas to use social media in their small business. I’ve done it mostly by referrals from people who have kindly suggested they work with me.

It’s been a perfect fit. My time is still dedicated to being a stay at home mom, so taking on small consulting projects that are flexible have worked quite well for me.

But the Women in Biz Conference solidified that I am on the right path. I was surrounded by so many women entrepreneurs and it was impossible not to feed on that energy.

I have a lot of exciting projects planned and growing and have had so much support. These learning events are beyond valuable, and the Women in Biz Network has a great website and newsletter that is positioned to help many women who are working hard at their business – no matter how big or small.

Building on what I learned at the conference, I am developing a small goal list. These goals for the next 3 months include:

-Creating a plan to actually grow my business and put myself formally out there

-Completely my Elevator Pitch

-Set up a better invoice and accounting system (seriously, I’m married to an accountant. The way I keep track of stuff must drive him crazy!

What are your business goals for the next 3 months?

Ottawa Business Giving Back: Meet- Taste This Deal

Posted by Rebecca on June 21st, 2011

When I stumbled across Taste This Deal online a few weeks ago, I was instantly impressed. This was a deal site focusing on food, restaurants and hospitality but what really caught my eye was that they’ve built community giving into their business model.

Each deal purchased helps support a variety of charities right here in Ottawa.

What’s even more impressive is how this website was born and how a brother and sister team are working very hard to ensure it’s success while keeping the community in mind.

Here’s my interview with Rusty, co-owner of Taste This Deal:

How was ‘Taste this Deal’ born?

We wanted to find a way to help make a difference in our community. With Taste This Deal, people are able to save money and try new restaurants, bakeries, butchers and more – all while helping out their community! It’s a neat, new way for people to be able to give, while they save.

Tell me about you and those behind Taste This Deal.

My sister Dana and I are originally from Cobourg, Ontario, but she has been a resident here in Ottawa for about ten years now, having attended Ottawa University and receiving her MBA from Carleton University. She is also a Yoga instructor and very active in the community. I recently just moved to Ottawa from New York, where I attended Elmira College, receiving a degree in Business Marketing and Management. I also played NCAA hockey for four years at the college.

What made you decide to incorporate the charitable component? How were the charities selected? Will they change or will you add more?

We wanted to help make a difference here in the Ottawa community. Everyone wants to be able to give back to help others and try to make a difference, but often times don’t have that extra money to be able to do so. We have found a way for people to save money while trying great new restaurants, and in doing so knowing that they helped a great cause along the way. Everyone’s been affected by different things in their life, and the same goes for Dana and I, so some of our charity choices were personal reasons. We know there are so many great causes out there and hope to continue to work with great organizations to help make a difference. We work with a different charity each week, and donate 5%-15% of each deal purchased to that specific campaign. We set a goal each week and all the funds raised that week go towards achieving that goal. ( Ex. Help raise $500 to fill a backpack with school supplies for 50 kids)

There are a lot of group discount sites – Ottawa alone has many. What makes yours different?

What sets Taste This Deal apart is the fact that consumers know they are not only receiving great deals, but are making a difference in their community with every purchase. We also only focus on the food/beverage industry- so when people sign up for our site, they know what they will be getting. We are much more than a ‘deal site’ in a sense that we keep our merchants on our site, building a restaurant database. It is not just up one day and gone the next. We have many free giveaways for our subscribers, news and events section, and more exciting new sections coming soon.

What are some tips you have for others thinking about starting their own business or website?

Work hard! Be honest to yourself and to the people around you and that hard work will pay off. There will always be ups and downs, just like anything else in life, but stay focused and determined and that hard work will pay off!

Follow Taste This Deal on Twitter @tastethisdeal

http://www.tastethisdeal.com

And find them on Facebook

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These Three Things

How do you handle staying efficient in the summer?

Women in Biz Conference 2011 and Next Steps

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