Ashley

4 Blogs to Follow to Improve Your Blogging Skills

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Whether you are just getting started in blogging or looking to improve your blogging skills, there are blogs for that! For all bloggers, it is important to stay up on trends and follow others for inspiration.

Below you will find our suggestions on which blogs to follow as a blogger. We hope this helps you along in your journey!

Blogs to Follow to Grow Skills Intro
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1. Copyblogger

If you are looking for a blog that will help fine-tune your skills, Copyblogger is a great place to start. Their blog provides concepts to apply to your blogs or other marketing tools. Here you will also find training to help you become a better writer!

2. Problogger

Problogger is an awesome tool to follow for helpful tips on ways to make money on your blog. If you are a beginner, you may find their tips on how to improve your content helpful.

If you are looking for freelance blogging opportunities, they have that too! This is a great source that can add value to any blog. 

3. Spice Up Your Blog

Built on a community of fellow bloggers, Spice Up Your Blog is filled with tips on how to blog successfully. However, you define success. For beginners, this site will help you get your blog set up. Experienced bloggers will find ideas on how to optimize their blogs and get in touch with your audience. It has something for everyone. 

4. The Blog Herald

The Blog Herald is a great spot for finding tips and guides to becoming a blogger. This blog provides guides on blogging, ideas to conduct interviews, specialized tips, and ideas for starting blogs in general. The Blog Herald is a good place to go once you are ready to get your blog started! 

Blogs to Follow to Grow Skills End
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Our suggestion to bloggers just getting started: begin by following The Blog Herald to determine what your blog will be about. Head over to Copyblogger to get tips on how to be a better writer and improve your skills. Decide if you want to make money from your blog or become a freelance blogger by reading posts from Problogger. Once you get your blog up and running, jump onto Spice Up Your Blog to get ideas! 

As a blogger, it is important to keep improving your skills and keeping your audience engaged! All of these blogs are great resources to continue following and reading frequently even after you’ve launched a blog. Subscribe to their blogs and use them as a resource to make your content and blog event better!

Until we meet again, 

TCB, 

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3 Tips to Improve Your Social Media Business Account

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Having a business account on social media shouldn’t scare you. There are simple ways to improve your social media business account and set your business up for success! Here are some tips.

In this day and age of digital marketing, businesses have the opportunity to get to know their consumers better than ever before. With endless BuzzFeed quizzes, social media users are eager to find out which Disney Princess they are most like or which snack food best suits them. In a world where people are willing to give answers about what they most prefer, marketers no longer have to guess!

In a recent study conducted by Sprout Social, it was found that 90% of consumers are more likely to buy from companies they are connected to on social media. Social media is a place where users share information about themselves and marketers should listen.

Many brands have taken a shift in the way they engage with their community on social media. To set your business up for success on social media follow these helpful tips to connect to potential consumers.

1. Engage with your community.

Of course, this seems like an obvious suggestion, but engaging with your audience is huge! The key to successfully engaging with an online community is connecting to them on a personal level – even on your business account. For example, if a consumer leaves a comment on a post that brings about a concern you should comment. A typical response may look like this, “Thanks for your response. Our team is working on resolving the issue.”

Sure, you acknowledge their response and your organization’s willingness to assist but it comes off-dry and not personable. Try responding with something like this: “Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We value your business and are working on resolving your issue. Feel free to DM us if you have any other concerns.”

Taking the time to make the consumer feel heard, understood, and cared for like a human being will not only encourage their business in the future but potentially bring new customers to your business – after all, others will be able to see your comment too!

2. Create engaging posts.

One thing a business account strives for is creating posts that get high engagement results. Not only does this show the benefit of having a social media team for businesses, but it is also an opportunity to get to know the audience. When a user comments on a post they are doing so in the hopes that the brand will respond. Since we have talked about how to respond to their comments, now is the perfect time to learn what they comment on!

Take time to get to know the targeted audience and test what works best for them in terms of content. For instance, create a poll on social media asking which product or service your followers would be more likely to purchase. Not only is this a great tool to get engagement results, but it also tells you exactly which type of content would bring about the biggest results.

When creating visual content, remember the targeted audience. If you are attempting to attract a younger generation of users, research and understand trends to appeal to that audience. If you are working with an older audience, use nostalgia to connect with them.

3. Track your social analytics.

Social media is constantly changing. From new and involving platforms to the latest trends and updates. Keeping up on this is important to successfully manage a business account on social media. Having a business account on social media is AMAZING because it tracks your analytics for you! Taking the time to pull analytics,  understand the numbers, and create a story has the ability to increase the success of the account.

How many likes did a piece of content get? How many views did that video receive? These numbers are a direct reflection of what your audience wants. More importantly, it showcases what they do not want. Posting content that users do not want to see not only decreases the overall engagement of a single post but has the potential to lose followers – which means losing potential customers. Decide the timeline of pulling analytics – monthly, weekly, quarterly – and make changes based on what is seen.

Something to remember about marketing on social media, a large audience doesn’t necessarily mean a good audience. If your audience isn’t engaging or not seeing your posts, you may want to try something else out. (We will get into creating a successful social media strategy later.)

Your social media audience will tell you exactly what they like on social media – there is an actual button for that. When it comes to creating engaging content, knowing your audience is key. Talk to them. Engage with them. Most importantly, listen to them – they are wanting to be heard!

If you are looking for help in specific areas, please reach out! We want you to succeed on social media.

Until we meet again – TCB,

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Considering Freelancing? It’s Not As Easy As People Make It Seem. Here Are Some Reasons I Started.

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If you have been considering freelancing, there are some things that you should know before jumping into this new adventure. 

Freelancing is not as easy as people make it out to be. It takes a lot of drive, ambition, and hustle to get things going. Whether you are cold pitching your skills to people/businesses or signing up through freelancing agencies, it is tough. 

So, if you are considering freelancing, here’s why I decided to start:

Reason 1: The Job Market

Most of us are in a similar boat – currently sinking – but impacted by the pandemic… While obtaining a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication with a concentration in Social Media Management from Liberty University, I built up my skills and professionally interned with large corporations. 

My internship with Disney concluded in January 2020. I was fortunate to have that position transition to a specialist position, which was slated to end in June 2020. I went out of my comfort zone and networked with others within Disney. In March 2020, I accepted a temporary assignment with a different segment of Disney with an end date in October. Then the reality of 2020 reached America. The temporary role was canceled, everyone on my team (along with thousands of other cast members) was furloughed and later laid off, and I was left with zero answers to dozens of questions.

I began looking for jobs and applying to those in the same field I was working in. As I would receive phone calls to interview, companies were being cryptic with their positions and actively avoiding the question, “What position am I considered for?” After applying to Marketing Coordinator and Specialist positions, I was told I was being considered for “Customer Service Positions” in stores. 

Companies are hiring once again, but there are so many incredibly talented people in this pool. Though I have made it to countless interview stages, I failed to secure a stable position that did not end up in another layoff.

Reason 2: Putting My Skills To Use In Freelancing

Having worked at Universal Orlando Resort, the Disneyland Resort, Yamaha Corporation of America, and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, I knew I had a lot to offer a position. I was working on incredible projects at Disney and had helped reshape Yamaha’s social media tone. While obtaining my master’s, I really developed my skills and continue to keep up on trends. 

Being in a weird position where I am not entry-level but not quite manager level, searching for a job has been interesting and discouraging, to say the least. I knew I had more to offer than I was being considered for. You shouldn’t have to settle if you have a specific skill set people are willing to pay for.

Reason 3: Flexibility With Freelancing

When I returned to school and began interning in 2017, I was older than most interns. Having just gotten married earlier that year, my priorities in life were a little different. I worked hard in my internships to obtain entry-level positions and was excited about what was next. My husband and I were moving into our new house, preparing to have children, and then the world happened. 

Even though most people would say, “You are still young,” it did not feel that way. By most people, I mean leadership at certain companies. Being an intern at 30 was not something I envisioned for myself, but I worked hard and dedicated my time to building my career. My husband and I had put off having children for nearly three years and were moving into our forever home. Having so much uncertainty in if I would have a position to return to work following the furlough, making these decisions even more difficult.

Who would hire a pregnant woman? I have been interviewing while pregnant because that is the situation I am in currently. Many large corporations decline me from positions once they learn I am pregnant. As if having a child makes me any less valuable. Knowing how these companies react to this news definitely tells me we do not see eye-to-eye on company culture.

What if I can’t find a job and my career is over before it even began? There are many things to consider. This is why freelancing is the best decision for me.

Big tip: DO NOT WORK SOMEWHERE THAT WILL NOT PAY YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

You deserve to get paid for the work you do. Some places will take advantage of you… learned that the hard way.

Reason 4: My Resume + Freelancing

Considering I may not be a freelancer forever, I wanted to make sure I was setting myself up for success in the future by adding freelancing to my resume. If my dream job becomes available, I want my experience to show how qualified I am. This was another reason freelancing was the right choice for me. 

Working through a content agency, you have the ability to put that organization on your resume with your position title. This gives you ongoing work in your field and helps when applying for freelancing gigs because you already have experience!

Final Thoughts on Considering Freelancing:

There are many things to consider before jumping into freelancing, but there are a ton of resources to check out. Read blogs on freelancing, connect on LinkedIn with other freelancers, and do your research. 

Our stories might be different, by still very similar. I hope this helps you in your decision-making when considering freelancing. Good luck!

Until we meet again, 

TCB,

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How To Write An Effective Blog Post

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There are many ways to write a blog post, but when it comes to writing an effective blog post, you should follow some steps!

Any person can start a blog and write posts. What keeps your readers coming back? Here are some helpful tips for writing an effective blog post and keeping your audience interested in what you have to say. 

Create An Outline

Before you begin writing a blog post on a difficult subject, you may find it beneficial to create an outline. Outlines may seem outdated to you, but your reader will thank you! When you start with an outline, you are creating a template that will make it easier for you to make the topic make sense

Here is an example of how to create an outline: 

COMPELLING TITLE

  • INTRODUCTION (include focus keywords)
    • A captivating lead paragraph addressing the main idea (typically 2-3 sentences)
  • HEADING 1
    • Supporting points of the main idea (typically 2-3 sentences)
  • HEADING 2
    • Supporting points of the main idea (typically 2-3 sentences)
  • HEADING 3
    • Supporting points of the main idea (typically 2-3 sentences)
  • CONCLUSION
    • Create a compelling call to action.

Put It All Together

Once you have your outline filled out, now you can begin developing the paragraphs. When you begin writing, it can become difficult to see which words have been repeated, what ideas have already been discussed, and what you might be forgetting. With the outline, it is easier to see what you need to make your post compelling. Rearrange your supporting points to create a flowing blog post and end it with a compelling call-to-action. 

Depending on your blog, the CTA will vary. Typically, it would be about finding more information, contacting the writer or business, or even answering a question. The CTA changes for each post and depends on the needs of the blog itself.

ALWAYS Proofread and Edit

Okay. I am SUPER guilty of this. Especially with my passion project blog, but this is important. Proofread and consider the following:

  • Does this post make sense?
  • What is the point I am trying to make?
  • Do I actually make the point?
  • Check for spelling and grammar errors.

Finally: Publish Your Blog Post

This is the easy part! Make sure you include images, links, a featured photo, and fill out the SEO section. This will help to take your blog to the next level.

So, now you are ready to publish an effective blog post! For more blogging tips, check out blogging tips. 

If you would like to hire us for freelance blog writing, feel free to contact us. 

Until we meet again, 

TCB, 

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How To Create A Schedule For Your Blog Content

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Setting up a schedule for your blog is easy. Sticking with the schedule may be the biggest hurdle! Here are some tips on how to get started making a schedule for your blog.

As a freelancer, I have two separate areas that I focus on: social media and blogging. When I work with Moody Blue Media, it is my goal to combine the two as I have noticed most keep these areas separate.

In one of my side gigs as a social media writer, I have noticed a common problem: the lack of blog content. Many places require that their blog posts are advertised each week on their social channels but do not want the same blog posts shared each time. This would not be an issue if they had new blog posts available each week. With most problems come a solution:

Plan a schedule for your blog posts!

Blogging Tip: Create A Schedule For Your Blog Posts
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Blogging may be a side hustle, hobby, or a small area of your business. It is important to schedule posts in advance to keep your audience engaged. Scheduled posts increase your overall reach and having a regular flow of content can do wonders for your audience and insights. 

Of course it takes brainstorming to come up with blog writing ideas, but content creators are experts in this area. When you post regularly on your blog, you are notifying your subscribers and creative content that can be shared across your social media channels. Having a blog sit dormant can be a pain when trying to build an audience back up. 

Set up your schedule

Blogging Tip: Make A Schedule
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A blog schedule does not have to be fancy. I manage multiple blogs and social media schedules through Google sheets. 

Deadlines

Blogging Tip: Make Deadlines
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Make sure to give yourself soft and hard deadlines. Meaning giving yourself specific content that needs to go out on a specific date and other content that is more flexible. This will make your goals seem attainable and not completely overwhelm you. 

Number of posts per week

Blogging Tip: Schedule Multiple Posts
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This number totally depends on what you want for your blog. My recommendation is to give yourself goals that are reachable. That being said, start small with 1-2 posts a week and then move it up. If you are dedicating five days a week to your blog, it is possible to keep rolling content out! Try not to push yourself too much in the beginning. 

Creating your schedule

Blogging Tip: Schedule Posts and Make A Calendar
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When actually filling out your calendar, consider which type of content your readers respond to the most and try to generate more of that. Try giving them something to look forward to each week with a quote for social media and corresponding blog post to share. Consider how the blog posts will appear on social media and if it will be engaging. Try new ideas and squat those that don’t make sense. Pay close attention to days and specific trends associated. 

Our calendar

Blogging Tip: Our Calendar
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When it comes to creating our calendars, we have a two-year calendar that is filled with various topics and quotes we want to post about. Towards the end of each month, we pull the next month’s calendar and consider if the posts are current with the trends. This is where we make changes and updates that make sense for the industry and our business. By the end of this process, we have a complete calendar for the next month and start grinding through blog posts and social content. 

This is the process we bring with us to businesses that request our services. It is our goal to set your blog and social accounts up for success and alleviate the pressure of not knowing where to begin. 

If you are needing assistance in setting up a blog and social media schedule, please reach out! We would be more than happy to help you. 

Until next time, 

TCB,

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Blogging and Social Media: Why the two go hand-in-hand

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Blogging is an important tool in marketing, and if you aren’t promoting on social media … well, you might be blogging wrong.

In the past I have worked for major corporations and discovered many keep their blogging teams and social media teams very separate. While obtaining my Masters in Arts degree, I studied the importance of combining efforts and really focusing on what the audience wants to learn. Though people are able to subscribe to a blog, not many want emails each time a brand they love makes a new post. Can you imagine receiving 10-15 emails a day from one single blog?

Social media is definitely something marketers are no longer able to ignore. I recall working within a marketing department, specifically on their social media team, with marketing executives not understanding the purpose in even having social media accounts but understood the importance of a blog. From here, it was my responsibility to prove to them our worth. Instead of preaching my beliefs, I gave them something they were unable to argue with – results!

For the most part, the people who are going to read your blog are the same people who will follow you on social media. That being said, not all the people that follow you on social media will read your blog – especially if you are not using your platforms to market your blog! Here are some reasons why you should:

1. Content marketing is essential to the overall strategy of most organizations

With the future looking digital, the longer organizations fight the digital way of marketing the less likely they will exist in the future. Have a content strategy that speaks for your organization and the goals and the needs of the audience. Avoid posting just to post – quality over quantity wins every time. You are bound to have an audience that trusts you more!

2. Blogging represents the company brand in an industry and their expertise – why not share that on social!

Social media users follow companies to learn more about them and decide if they will become a consumer. Share your expertise with them and build trust. Social media only allows so many characters – take advantage of your blog and let social media users know you!

3. It is easier to build up an audience on social than it is with blogging.

Though many might argue this, I believe it to be true. Look at how many users are on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. Building up a social following can lead to larger readership numbers on your blog. Though social users might not respond the same as subscribers to your blog, you can take the time to learn what content they respond best to by checking social analytics! Your audience will tell you exactly what they want if you are willing to listen!

What it all comes down to is your content calendar. Create an overall editorial calendar consisting of your social channels and your blog. Be picky about which posts are shared to a specific platform. Remember that not all social media networks are created equal. Even though it is important to maintain your brand’s voice, it is also just as important to remember your audience.

Until next time,

TCB,

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