Yesterday I started my 5 week “Blogging for Better Business” workshop. I was inspired to teach this intensive as I read and enjoyed many posts on Blogger Monday with Ann Evanston. Blogger Monday was started to help bloggers find a community that would comment. Let’s face it, you write a blog, you want comments right? RIGHT!

 

But wait, blogging for business may actually be less about the comments, and more about making sure potential customers find you, correct? That is why I started this intensive; I wanted people to see there are ways for them to get visibility to their blogs doing some very simple things technically that will make a difference.

 

1- Link to other blogs. Linking is one of the most simple strategies to increase blog visibility. Be sure to link to blogs:

  • That inspired you to write your blog (First that is just good social media etiquette!)
  • Where you did your research- give credit, again
  • That are in your keyword niche and out rank you in search engines

2-Use keyword titles and be sure the permalink is keyword rich

  • It’s not just the title;  it’s the url (the permalink) that is created from the title that help search engine crawlers
  • It’s best to set the permalink prior to publishing, because if you change it later you break the link anywhere you posted it (404 error)

3-Make sure you have categories that you will write relevant content to regularly

  • unless you have a “niche blog” you are best to pick five, maybe seven categories and stick to them
  • Don’t be clever with your categories; think like your customer
  • The more you post to a category, the more “street cred” you get with search engines

 

These are just a few tips taught in week one of my blogging intensive. I bet participants are already making changes to their blogs! What changes do you need to make?

Ann’s next Blogging for Better Business Intensive starts Sept 7, 2011.

Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”