The Maine SEO Blog

I’ve begun been participating in the GuestBlogging.com Apprenticeship Program, run by one of Copyblogger’s associate editors, Jon Morrow. In one of the first offerings of the workshop, Jon teamed up with Sonia Simone of Remarkable Communication to create The 7 Most Common Reasons Guest Blogposts Get Rejected at Copyblogger.

In the most recent session, Jon talked about cultivating connections. He’s not talking about connections with other bloggers – yet – but about other niches, categories, and industries.

Jon starts by saying: Your content is only as valuable as the connections it allows you to make.

Guest blogging is so powerful because of the connections it allows you to make. The bloggers who make it big don’t necessarily have the best content, but they do have the best connections.

Jon suggests creating dozens of little channels to get people to your blog – don’t just focus on the big highways. How do you do that, you may ask? Good question.

Ditch your niche.

Seems kind of crazy, doesn’t it? Hold tight, you’ll soon see why.

Jon suggests that you don’t get trapped in your niche. Every niche or topic interconnects with other topics, and by focusing on just one, you’re losing out on a ton of opportunity. That’s what the Internet is, afterall: an interconnected community.

But…my industry is huge

It doesn’t matter how big or small your niche is, if you focus only on your industry, your blog will eventually suffocate from a lack of new connections. Like a goldfish, it can only grow to the size of its tank…err, community.

Now what?

In order to continue to grow, stop thinking of yourself in a tiny niche. Realize your blog is a tiny piece of a huge network. Then we start the fun stuff.

Start by brainstorming. Think about what your potential audience might be searching for. What topics would bring in new – but still applicable - audiences?

For example

Let’s say I own a cupcake shop in a small town. I’ll certainly post things about latest designs and flavors, recipes, and updates on small town goings-on; but I’ll also post things about:

• Running a small business
• DIY baking that looks professional
• Cooking (not just baking) tips, tricks, and secrets
• Healthy baking and cooking
• Alternate and non-traditional cupcake uses (birthdays, weddings, company events, etc.)

Once you start brainstorming how your industry can play into other niches, the sky is the limit!

Nicki Hicks
Ready to ditch your niche?

The following is a recap of a Remarkable Marketing Blueprint with Sonia Simone and Jon Morrow – both editors at Copyblogger.

1. They Don’t Know Who You Are

Go ahead and submit a guest post via traditional means, but that still means the blogger won’t know who you are. If you’re an unknown, then the big blogs get so many posts from people they know, then why would they post yours?

So how can you fight against it?

• Start commenting on the blog. If the blogger sees that you are participating in the comments, that will work toward the chances of your guest blogposts being published.
• Get on Gravatar.com and get your face connected to your comments. It helps connect your name with your face.
• Don’t use “doppy names”. You’ll stand out…but in the wrong way.
• It’s all about building a relationship with the blogger:
  • Get familiar with the blog
  • Make yourself stand out
  • Keep it short and sweet when you reach out to a blogger
  • Don’t treat the blogger like a god. Here are some tips on how to get a big shot answer your email.

2. You didn’t meet the standards of the blog

Consider the audience.

Submit your best work to the biggest audience.

Put time into your guest post. (Jonathan put together some point that relate to that here.) There’s a direct correlation between time spent on the post and the amount the post is shared.

Feel free to repurpose your content that you submit to guest post, but don’t do it as a blogpost. Try a PDF or a video – repurpose it as something else entirely.

Don’t submit a post you’ve already run on your own blog.

3. You didn’t match the editorial style of blog

For example, Copyblogger’s first paragraph – even the first few paragraphs – is usually only one sentence long. They use a lot of sub-headers and juicy sub-headers throughout the post. Take time to match the writing style of the blog.

Look through the popular posts and mimic the structure of one of those posts. Don’t reinvent the wheel here. Stealing framework is ethical as far as Copyblogger is concerned.

Adapt your own personal style for the blog you’re writing for.

4. Your topic isn’t a fit

If you want to write a post that is PG-13, you wouldn’t want to post it on the PG-rated Copyblogger. If you’re hell-bent on keeping curses in your post, then try to find another blog that would post a PG-13 post.

5. You weren’t memorable

Help readers make a connection with you with a personal story. Mention your kids, or your dog, or how much you hate broccoli – whatever it is! Those personal details will stick with people and bond you with them.

6. You keep making the same mistakes

Take the original post and compare it to the published version. You’ll learn more from those edits than you ever could from a writing book.

Editors feel good when you correct posts you write again for the blog. If you don’t fix mistakes you keep making, editors might see it as being lazy, that you don’t get it, and that it’s going to take a ton of time to edit/keep up with (and the writer becomes a chore).

That said, you’re not expected to be perfect the first time around. They might even make you rewrite the post. That’s not a big deal. You’re never going to be perfect, either.

Guest posts are a collaboration – don’t feel insulted if and when your posts are edited. For one guest post Jon did, he was told up front he’d be creating 3 drafts. Copyblogger posts go through three rounds of edits with multiple editors, including Brian Clark. (Due to this, Copyblogger is willing to take a post with strong ideals and poor writing and do the work to improve it for publishing.) These are all things you need to be aware of for whichever blog you’re looking to do guest posts for.

You can create a relationship with other guest bloggers by reaching out and asking “How was your experience doing the post for Copyblogger?”

7. You think you’re entitled

Sonia talks about an example with a woman who was persistent about a post she submitted which simply wasn’t suitable for the blog’s audience. Sonia nicely told her this, but the woman pushed. Instead of saying “OK, I’ll edit it and make it so it does suit your audience,” the woman presumed her post she be published. So instead of following up and standing out, she’s actually called attention to herself as a trouble maker.

It’s important to remember humility when you post on another person’s blog – you’re a guest blogger, after all. Act like one.

Sonia Simone – Remarkable Marketing Blueprint

Jon Morrow – Associate Editor of Copyblogger

This week, MarketingProfs put on the first series of their Digital Marketing World 2010 conference. These sessions covered social media and its implications. A truly digital conference, participants could move about an auditorium, into a networking lounge, check out the sponsers’ booths, and more.

While I thought all of the speakers brought a ton of great information to the table, I couldn’t help walking away thinking that the information was all well and good with large corporations with hundreds to devote to social media and metrics, but what about small businesses with one – maybe two – employees to be in charge of social media? Well, that’s exactly what I’m aiming to do today.

Since the presentations were broken down by logical steps, that’s how I’m going to break things down:

1. Social Media Setup
2. Social Media Content
3. Social Media Metrics

Social Media Setup

(primarily from the How to Build Successful B2B Social Media Strategies session)

1. Start by understanding that social media is (probably) right for your business. The fact of the matter is, while social media can be extremely powerful, it’s not going to be right for everyone. How do you know if it’s right for your business? Try asking your current customers where they spend their time online.
2. After you find out if and where your current audience spends their time, then you’ll have a good idea about where your potential audience/customers spend their time. Is it LinkedIn? YouTube? Facebook and Twitter?
3. Before you start building out a custom Twitter background, stop and make a plan. (Marketo has a great example social media plan. Or I created an example plan here.)
   Think about (and document):
   1. What do you want to accomplish with social media? What is your goal(s)? (Get more leads? Sell more widgets? Get more email newsletter signups?) Having more Facebook fans is great, but how does that help accomplish your business goals?
   2. Define logistics. Who will be in charge of social media content? How often will they be responsible for posting a tweet/Facebook update/blogpost/YouTube video?
   3. How will you measure? Don’t forget to base measurements on your business goals (from above).
4. Take the time to properly set up your social accounts: with any custom backgrounds, logos or branding, descriptions, etc.
5. Then set up your listening tools.
   1. Listening tools: If you’re using Twitter, how will you incorporate Twitter Search? How about Google Alerts? Will you use a tool like HootSuite for monitoring?
   2. How about sharing tools? Tweet this/Share this buttons on your blog?
6. Get to work!

Social Media Content

(primarily from the Unleash the Power of Content to Engage Your Prospects session)

• Create a blog, community, and/or forum.
• Commit to creating remarkable and relevant content. If you have an editorial calendar, make sure you stick to it.
• Repurpose your content when you can and publish it to all of your online channels.
• Use SEO to optimize content for search engines.
• Use your audience’s conversation to mine for content topics.
• Offer your content in the format your audience likes. White paper? Video? Blogpost? Email newsletter?

Social Media Metrics

(primarily from the Overcoming the Challenges of Social Media Metrics session)

• Remember to always tie metrics back to goals.
• How can you incorporate social media metrics into the current metrics you use?
  • Sales/Revenue
  • Lead generation
  • Email signups
• Discover your Social Media ROI – [(Gain from Investment - Investment Cost)/Investment Cost] x 100
• Possible metrics:
  • Activity & Engagement
    • Members
    • Posts/Threads
    • Comments or Ideas
    • Inbound Links
    • Tags, Votes, Bookmarks
    • Active Profiles
    • Referrals
    • Post Frequency/Density
  • Revenue and Business Development
    • Speed of sales cycle
    • Number/% of repeat business
    • % customer retention
    • Transaction value
    • Referrals
    • Net new leads
    • Cost per lead
    • Conversions from community
  • Cost Savings
    • Issue resolution time
    • % of issues resolved online
    • Account turnover
    • Employee turnover
    • Hiring/recruiting
    • Training costs
    • New product ideas
    • Development cycle time
    • Product/serv adoption rate
  • Awareness and Value
    • Brand loyalty/affinity
    • Media placements
    • Share of conversation
    • Sentiment of posts
    • Net promoter score
    • Interaction with content
    • Employee social graphs

In summary

It’s a lot of initial setup and work along the way but, when done right, incorporating social media into your business model can take your small business to the next level!

Nicki Hicks
How does it apply to small biz?

This webinar recap is part three of a three part series from the Social Media Marketing conference at MarketingProfs’ Digital Marketing World 2010.

In this presentation:

• Your business needs Social Media
• Fundamental concepts of Social Media Marketing
• B2B Social Media tactics and metrics
• Incorporating Social Media at every stage of the revenue cycle
• The ROI of Social Media

1. Your Business Needs Social Media

The Evolution of B2B Marketing

• Before search engines: branding, mass advertising, tradeshows
• After search engines: lead management, scoring, and nurturing
• Arrival of social media: SEO, content marketing

Why Inbound Leads

• Inbound leads: highest conversion rates to qualified opportunities
• Inbound leads: educate themselves beforehand
• Companies now “get found”

Is your company ready for social media?

• Clear objectives and goals
• Available resources and content
• Target audiences use social media
• Prepared to handle social media
• Ready to incorporate social media through revenue cycle

Developing a B2B Social Media Plan

• WHO: Who are you targeting?
• HOW: Which social media tactics will you employ and how will you measure success?
• WHAT: What goals or objectives do you want to accomplish and what are the action items?

Sample social media plan from Marketo

Developing a B2B Social Media Policy

• How do you define social media?
• Ground rules for participation – who will participate and how?
• Importance of confidentiality

2. Fundamental Concepts of Social Media Marketing

• Company identity and brand
• Social media monitoring (“listening”)
• Social sharing
• Social validation (social proofing)

Company Identity and Brand

• Develop your identity
• Create permissions and privacy settings
• Use proper logos, colors
• Customize as much as possible

Social Media Monitoring (“Listening”)

• Start by monitoring the most popular social media sites
• Make best use of alerts
• As activity increases, consider using 3rd party tools (Twitter Search, Facebook Search, and LinkedIn Search – be aware they all have some limitations; Google Alerts)

Social Sharing: A closer look

• ShareThis or AddThis (have your content shared to an audience(s) who wouldn’t have otherwise seen it)
• Custom links for increased personalization

Social Sharing: Customized E-mails and Landing Pages

Share emails and landing pages, but no need to be constrained by generic content

Social Validation: A closer look

Adds transparency and credibility

3. B2B Social Media Tactics

• Social Media Networks
  • The Basics
  • Blogging
  • Twitter
  • Google Buzz
  • Facebook
• Pitfalls to Avoid

Social Media Networks

• Blogging
• Microblogging
• Social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Online video (YouTube)
• Presentation/Document sharing
• Widgets
• Bookmarking
• Podcasting
• Social CRM
• Photo sharing (flickr)
• More!

Crash Course in B2B Blogging: The 5 Ws of Blogging

1. Why blog? (Increase search engine visibility.)
2. What should I blog about? (Anything! FAQs, How-to’s, Numbered lists, etc.)
3. Who should participate? (Everyone who can. For a technical product, engineers are fantastic.)
4. When should I blog/How often? (2 times a week at a minimum. I agree, 2-3 times/week at first is best.)
5. Where should I post your content? (All of your channels that apply)
6. How should I measure my results? (Measurement tools like Google Analytics)

Crash Course in Twitter for B2B

• Twitter profile: humanize and brand it
• Choosing who to follow: import contacts, follow experts in your industry
• Interacting with your followers: be responsive and engaging, not salesy
• Use tools to create and monitor conversations: retweet, hashtags

Crash Course in Google Buzz for B2B

• What is it?
  • Get into inboxes without email
• Getting started:
  • Update Google profile and link accounts
  • Watch privacy settings
  • Be patient as others get acclimated

Crash Course in Facebook for B2B

• Profile and status update: what matters to you and your company?
• Who to “friend”?
• Personal vs. business content: privacy settings
• Groups and Pages: promote awareness and thought leadership

Crash Course in LinkedIn for B2B

• Profile: make it as comprehensive as possible
• Connections: only people you know
• Recommendations positive comments socially validate your company
• Network updates: new business opportunities

Social Network Takeaway: Be aware of your individual vs. company presences

Pitfalls to Avoid in Social Media

• Don’t dive in until you’re ready
• Don’t be a “big brag”
• Don’t be afraid to try it because the metrics are new and different
• Don’t treat social media like advertising
• Don’t assume every social media tool is right for you

4. Incorporating Social Media into Every Stage of the Revenue Cycle

Social Media Across the Revenue Cycle

• Seed Nurturing – Developing relationships with early-stage prospects before they enter your database
• Lead Nurturing – Building and maintaining relationships with known prospects as they educate themselves
• Customer Nurturing – Deepening and expanding relationships with existing customers

Seed Nurturing & Social Media

• Make valuable content freely available
• Create a reputation that builds credibility and trust

Lead Nurturing & Social Media

• Listen
• Segment & Target
• Notify & Score
• Interact

(Maria uses tools to actually score potential customers and people talking about her company.)

Customer Nurturing & Social Media

• Reaffirm purchases after the decision is made
• Deepen relationships, create personal connections
• Discover new needs and requirements
• Manage customer and retention

ROI of Social Media

• Challenging, but not impossible
• The ROI equation remains the same:ROI = [(Amount Gained from Investment - Cost of Investment)/Cost of Investment] x 100
  
• Establish a baseline and measure progress before and after starting your social media strategy

Marketo Case Study

• Clear objectives for success
• Make it easy to share
• Spread the word
• Validate
• Nurture
• Measure return

Social Media Drives Revenue

• Increased brand awareness and thought leadership
• Enhanced lead nurturing and scoring
• Improved sales effectiveness

Maria Pergolino, Director of Marketing, Marketo

This webinar recap is part two of a three part series from the Social Media Marketing conference at MarketingProfs’ Digital Marketing World 2010.

In this presentation:

• Content Marketing
• How BreakingPoint used content to increase new customer acquisition by 240%
• How Kadient built a content library that maps the sales cycle

Content Marketing

Stephanie Tilton, Content Marketing Consultant, Ten Ton Marketing

Michelle Linn, Executive Editor, Content Marketing Institute

Some statistics

• Buyers only find relevant content 42% of the time
• The lack of relevant content as perceived by buyers is responsible for reducing the vendor’s change of closing a sale by 45%

Create the kind of online content that your buyers naturally gravitate to. - David Meerman Scott

Content marketing is the secret, and starts with a strategy:

Create a Content Strategy

1. Listen
   1. Google Alerts
   2. Twitter
   3. Google blog search
   4. Where your customers spend their time
2. Develop buyer personas
   1. Bring your prospects to life
   2. Create sample persona(s)
3. Map content to the buying cycle
   1. Understand content preferences
   2. Map preferences to buying cycle
   3. Map content
4. Think like a publisher
   1. Create an editorial calendar
   2. Keys for the editorial calendar
      1. Be consistent
         1. DO deliver content on a regular basis
         2. DON’T publish only when you have something new
      2. Commit to your content
         1. DO think about the content your audience prefers
         2. DON’T try a lot of things but don’t do anything well
      3. Map out content
         1. DO move people through the buying cycle
         2. DON’T string random pieces of content together
5. Commit to remarkable content
   1. Craft valuable, relevant content
6. Extract maximum value from every asset
   1. For example, use a single whitepaper and create: articles, webinars, checklist, podcast, blogposts, and best practices
   2. Repurposing your content
      1. Don’t…
         1. Simply put the same content in different channels
         2. Ask “what more can I create?”
         3. Consider content reuse as an afterthought
         4. Recycle the same content again and again
      2. Do…
         1. Customize content based on the channel (e.g. mobile)
         2. Ask “How can I give my readers a new way of understanding a key issue?”
         3. Include a plan to reuse content from the start
         4. Customize your content for a certain audience, vertical or place in the buying cycle
7. Make your content easy to find, access, and share
8. Measure

How BreakingPoint used content to increase new customer acquisition by 240%

Pam O’Neal, Vice President of Marketing, BreakingPoint Systems, Inc.

Do not interrupt what people are interested in; be what people are interested in. - Jeff Lanctot

1. Becoming Interesting

2. Monitoring, Engaging, Prioritizing

• Mine for topics and opportunities (key influencers)
• Capture the conversation
• Analyze SEO keyword volume
• Monitor analytics to ID popular topics
• Identify and create content for buyer needs, issues
• Prioritize content by effort
• Identify opportunities

3. Speak to your buyers

• Create blog, forum, community
• Deliver role-based content
• Optimize for search
• Build community of interest
  • Pull with “conversation”
  • Pull with SEO, viral content
  • Push with SEM, email
• Monitor popular content
• Maintain with fresh valuable information

4. Seek to be found: SEO

Forget about your home page. Google is the new home page.

Content Distribution:

• Twitter
• RSS
• Email
• Wikipedia
• Scribd
• flickr
• Facebook
• YouTube
• pitchengine
• marketwire

Content Aggregation:

• Digg
• Google/Google Images
• Bing
• Reddit
• FriendFeed
• Squidoo
• StumbleUpon
• Delicious
• LinkedIn

5. Spread the Word

6. Integrate with Drip Marketing

7. Optimize and Measure

How Kadient built a content library that maps the sales cycle

Amy Black, Director of Marketing, TimeTrade Systems, Inc.

Mapping Content to the Sales Cycle

• Market Education
• Lead Gen
• Nurturing
• Opportunity
• Close

Remember:

• What’s your key objective for the piece?
• How else can you use it?

Content Library: Top of Funnel/Lead Gen

• “How to – Impart practical knowledge
• Provacative – Challenge and introduce a new way to think
• Fresh format – eBook, conversation style, images, video

Content Library: Nurturing

• Entertain with relevant, attention-grabbing humor (also great for viral program)
• Harness customer voices
• Highlight third party validation

Content Library: Lead to Opportunity

• Connect prospects with internal expertise

Content Library: Sales – Opportunity to Close

• Making the iron clad case
• Showing how Kadient is different and better
• Getting over the hurdles

Final Thoughts

• Remember who you’re “talking” to
• Keep your key objective front and center
• Break through the clutter – stand out!
  • Entertainment
  • Provacative POVs
  • Video – short, sweet and interesting
• Create content you can repurpose
• Listen to your sales team
• Pay attention to what is and isn’t working