blogging

4 Steps To Start A Smart Guest Blogger Program

May 22, 2019 by Erika Heald Leave a Comment

Blogs are increasingly important to companies for lead generation and nurturing. HubSpot even found that 55% of marketers say blog content creation is their top inbound marketing priority.

With growing content needs, marketers may be inclined to invite guest bloggers to contribute content, thinking it will save time and fill a content gap. Although guest bloggers are a great option that can yield tremendous value for your brand, they are not right for every blog, and they can be more resource-intensive than you think.

If you’ve been considering a guest blogger program, use these four steps as the foundation to assess if your blog is ready for guests, and how to get your guest blogger program off to a good start:

October 22, 2018 Content Chat Recap: B2B Blogging Tips

October 24, 2018 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

Blogs are a staple for many businesses, but B2B blogs can be a tough nut to crack at times. In this #ContentChat with Kapost’s Aubrey Harper (@Aubrey__Harper) we focus on common issues with B2B blogs, and how to ensure you set your content strategy off on the right foot.

Q1: Is blogging still a valuable strategy for #B2B companies to reach their customers and prospects?

Blogging is still incredibly important in the B2B world, and blogs provide multiple opportunities to build brand awareness, generate and nurture leads, and improve your customer experience.

A1: Although it’s not as easy to build a following through a blog today as it was a decade ago when it didn’t seem everyone had a blog, a blog is still a very powerful way for many businesses to engage with clients + prospects. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) October 22, 2018

A1: If you expect to build digital awareness, you need a blog to rank and guide educational interactions. Anecdotal evidence: the @Kapost blog is our largest driver of organic traffic and a huge contributor to open opps. #ContentChat https://t.co/2AeWBEAIye
— Aubrey Harper (@Aubrey__Harper) October 22, 2018

A1: I would think it would be even more important for those brands or websites that are static in nature. Great way to use to build awareness and have content that is constantly changing #ContentChat
— Bernie Fussenegger 🐝✌️the7️⃣ (@B2the7) October 22, 2018

A1: Absolutely! We definitely believe in blogging as a valuable strategy, not only to grab the awareness and interest of prospects, but it’s also a great way to become a trusted resource center for your industry’s relevant topics. #contentchat
— Brafton (@Brafton) October 22, 2018

A1. ABSOLUTELY! Blogging is still a huge traffic and revenue driver for #B2B companies. It helps with SEO, thought leadership and lead generation. #ContentChat
— MeetEdgar (@MeetEdgar) October 22, 2018

A1 #contentchat blogging is a way to answer your audience intent in a very valuable manner by sharing your deep know of your industry to educate, inform, inspire and support your prospects and customers in making the right choice for their businesses.
— Bruce Deschamps (@brucedesch) October 22, 2018

A1 #ContentChat – absolutely blogging is still valuable for B2B companies, and following up on below, our still-young https://t.co/T8jVE6vs8J blog caught up to its 10yo sister site https://t.co/TcFfJGM29g‘s traffic numbers within a year of launch. https://t.co/GAXq7nUHIh
— Laura Pevehouse (@LPVhouse) October 22, 2018

The fact that blogging allows you to put your company’s brand personality and corporate values front and center is so helpful as more #B2B decisions-makers are making purchases based on culture fit. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) October 22, 2018

That said, blogs must have a purpose and overarching strategy that each post points toward.

A1. This is a good question, and it depends on the purpose of the B2B blog. Is it just inbound marketing? That might not be a good use of time. Is it educating future customers? That’s good — it can accelerate the sales cycle. Does it build your brand? That’s ideal! #ContentChat https://t.co/IxSQpF15Jq
— David Simanoff (@dsimanoff) October 22, 2018

A1 I think some blogging is dead, or should be. There are enough generic, evergreen “advice” posts out there. Instead of just CONTENT, what are your posts adding to the CONVERSATION? #contentchat
— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) October 22, 2018

I think the idea of having a viral blog based on one run-away blog post is dead though. Blogs are no longer the Internet equivalent of a novelty act. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) October 22, 2018

October 16 Content Chat Recap: Goal Setting for Bloggers

October 17, 2017 by Erika Heald Leave a Comment

It can be tough to stick with blogging, even though we know the business results it can generate. That’s why this week Debra Eckerling‏ (@WriteOnOnline) joined #ContentChat to talk about setting and achieving your blogging goals.

Q1: What is your primary goal for your blog?

If you don’t have set goals for your blog, you can’t measure success. So what goals are you pursuing?

First, be a resource.

A1a: A resource for my community: newsletter, tips, meetings. Plus, I highlight members through Q&As & guest columns #contentchat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) October 16, 2017

A1. Create #content that informs, educates + connects with our #industry leaders + followers. #ContentChat
— SourceMedia (@SourceMediaCo) October 16, 2017

A1 To educate and inform while adding our own insight. #ContentChat
— Farmore Marketing (@FarmoreInc) October 16, 2017

A1: To provide value and to create content with the end consumer in mind. #ContentChat
— Flying Cork (@flyingcorkpgh) October 16, 2017

A1: To educate users and provide them with value. We want them to come away inspired and well informed. #ContentChat
— Kate Frappell (@katefrappell) October 16, 2017

Blog to demonstrate your expertise.

A1b: From a biz perspective, I use it to showcase my expertise, services, and books. #contentchat
— Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline) October 16, 2017

A1 For my main blog it’s to attract customers for my consulting services. For my recipe blog, the goal is returning visitors. #ContentChat https://t.co/9WGYQffw6m
— Erika Heald (@SFerika) October 16, 2017

A1: Our goal is to be thought-leaders in the marketing industry & to better/more efficiently answer our client’s questions #contentchat
— Power Digital (@PwrDigMarketing) October 16, 2017

A1: My blog is a way to drive awareness about the services I offer and PROVE to prospects that I’m not blowing smoke. #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/rl0OCm9vvi
— Maureen Jann (@MaureenOnPoint) October 16, 2017

Blog as a creative outlet.

A1(1/) : Personal creative satisfaction. I run content campaigns for brands all day long, so mine’s v niche for my interests. #ContentChat
— Jack Appleby (@JuiceboxCA) October 16, 2017

Blog to support issues you’re passionate about supporting.

Q1. Working on a new blog that helps defeat the stigma that #MentalHealth issues are a taboo topic to talk about. #ContentChat
— Donnie II (@DonnieHaflich) October 16, 2017

A1: Our primary goal is to share stories about the work we do in #FosterCare and provide info about #TraumaInformed Care! #ContentChat
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) October 16, 2017

Blog to increase brand awareness.

A1. Our blog aims to drive brand awareness, offer great ideas, convert new subscribers (it’s also one of our products) #contentchat https://t.co/Tf1yOX78GZ
— allison ryder (@allisonryder) October 16, 2017

A1: To provide traffic to our website and inform our audience on what we do. #ContentChat
— JMatt (@JMattMke) October 16, 2017

A1: Our blog is designed to provide value for our readers, while also building brand awareness and trust. #ContentChat
— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) October 16, 2017

A1. My own blog(s), which I’ve neglected forever, were designed to increase brand awareness and keep me current on trends/TL #contentchat
— allison ryder (@allisonryder) October 16, 2017

January 23 Content Chat Recap: Blogging That Drives Serious Business Results

January 25, 2017 by Erika Heald Leave a Comment

Blogging That Drives Serious Business Results

This week #ContentChat was joined by content marketer and blogging pro Heidi Cohen to discuss how blogging can drive real business results.

Q1: What are the biggest benefits of business blogging?

Q1] Business blogging = best measurable way to drive sales & thought leadership #ContentChat
— HeidiCohen (@heidicohen) January 23, 2017

Q1] Blog is jewel in #contentmarketing crown via @JasonMillerCA https://t.co/OOcwmLWSoM #ContentChat
— HeidiCohen (@heidicohen) January 23, 2017

Q1] Blogs under-utilized by #marketing & #PR pros=OPPORTUNITY! #contentchat
— HeidiCohen (@heidicohen) January 23, 2017

A1 There are numerous benefits to blogging for your business or brand…become a thought leader and subject matter expert #ContentChat
— Shannon Mouton Gray (@ShannonRenee) January 23, 2017

Q1] Answer prospects pre-buying online research. Remove sales friction. #ContentChat https://t.co/i4c0u6XLqw https://t.co/i4c0u6XLqw
— HeidiCohen (@heidicohen) January 23, 2017

Q1] Blog=content optimized for customers, search, social media, influencers & your biz. #ContentChat
— HeidiCohen (@heidicohen) January 23, 2017

Business blogging lets you open the curtain to your company so people can get to know you better. #ContentChat https://t.co/tnyTTTlLJY
— Patrick Hayslett (@PatrickHayslett) January 23, 2017

A1: We’ve heard the expression of “thought leaders” – blogging is one way to develop that w/ your audience @SFerika @heidicohen #ContentChat
— 🎙JMatt (@JMattMke) January 23, 2017

Q1] #Bizblogging builds email list @JoePulizzi #ContentChat
— HeidiCohen (@heidicohen) January 23, 2017

A1. Blogging helps you rank for specific terms on search engines by getting specific on your key terms! #ContentChat
— Uniform Nations (@Uniform_Nations) January 23, 2017

A1: Blogging lets you test ideas around your product/brand with low investment #contentchat
— James Ellis (@thewarfortalent) January 23, 2017

A1b: Another big benefit for businesses that host a regular blog is that it drives traffic to your website! #ContentChat
— 🎙JMatt (@JMattMke) January 23, 2017

A1 Aid and support website traffic and SEO; hub & test space for new content that can repurposed. #ContentChat
— Shannon Mouton Gray (@ShannonRenee) January 23, 2017

As long as you ask and make it easy to join! RT @heidicohen: Q1] #Bizblogging builds email list @JoePulizzi #ContentChat
— Linda Dessau (@lindadessau) January 23, 2017

A1: Relationship building #contentchat @heidicohen
— Hal Werner (@halwerner) January 23, 2017

It’s great to unpack an idea and develop it more fully after getting attention with a short info bit on #socialmedia #ContentChat https://t.co/B7ZsPdwhdR
— Patrick Hayslett (@PatrickHayslett) January 23, 2017

A1: Benefits can be that you share your story #ContentChat
— VanderwagenMarketing (@VanderwagenM) January 23, 2017

@SFerika @heidicohen A1: Drive traffic, share ideas, gain followers! #ContentChat
— Stephanie Zatyko (@ExperianDQSteph) January 23, 2017

A1 If you are a good listener you can be really relevant on a blog – offer solutions to actual problems your target group faces #contentchat
— AnnSi Krol (@annsikrol) January 23, 2017

A1: Blogging is a great way to share valuable content with your audience and establishes you as an authority. #ContentChat
— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) January 23, 2017

A1: Establishing yourself as an important and reliable source! #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/gVtezO4Y2R
— Venture Icon Media (@VentureIcon) January 23, 2017

A1 – getting your team involved in your blog: make them famous and make them evangelists for the brand #contentchat
— James Ellis (@thewarfortalent) January 23, 2017

A1 – Blog content is often the most “packagable” content you have: it becomes the core of your social and email campaigns #contentchat
— James Ellis (@thewarfortalent) January 23, 2017

A2 B/c of variety of blogs, you can post anything. Blogs can push boundaries of brand in ways other platforms can’t. #ContentChat
— Shannon Mouton Gray (@ShannonRenee) January 23, 2017

Sharing My Passion for Baking Through Erika’s Gluten-free Kitchen

July 12, 2016 by Erika Heald Leave a Comment

A few months ago, I ran into the ever-inspiring Joe Pulizzi at a conference. After our conversation, I reflected on the fact that I’d spent the past two years incredibly focused on creating awesome content for my in-house and external clients at the expense of writing for myself.

Both agency life and start-up life can be all-consuming. And if I’m spending the bulk of my work hours creating content, especially if it’s highly involved, B2B content, which it often is, I don’t have the time or creative juices leftover at the end of the day to spend time on my personal writing projects. Hence this blog being woefully neglected, as was my World of Warcraft blog. Heck, I didn’t even get around to chronicling our holiday Rhine River cruise!

But talking to Joe, and later, reading this article on the benefits of passion projects, made me prioritize getting back on track with my own writing, starting with this blog.

I also decided to put some time into a more personal passion project, Erika’s Gluten-free Kitchen. This new blog is a place where I can capture what I’ve learned and how I’m progressing in my pursuit of creating tasty yet low-FODMAP food for our family, and learning how to bake without gluten (which is a challenge, even as an experienced and enthusiastic home baker!)

The final part of that pursuing my passion puzzle is raising my hand to host the weekly #ContentChat, Mondays at 12 noon Pacific/ 3:00 p.m. Eastern. It’s been so much fun combining my passions for twitter, content marketing, and professional development into one fun project. I hope you stop by and take part in a future Content Chat.

So that’s my mid-year update. What are YOU doing to follow your passion? I want to hear about it!