by Ann Evanston | Oct 23, 2014 | Business Strategy, Influence Factor
Blogging…some immediately say UGH! Interestingly I have been teaching blogging as the primary online marketing tool since 2006….and ALL the top online marketing experts say it is the BEST strategy to focus on. Last week I shared that marketing is important, well blogging is a GREAT marketing strategy!
Here is the deal…I am saying it again: this is the TOP social media marketing strategy as well as organic search engine strategy (other than YouTube videos!)
I always say: “If you do one thing, BLOG!” Why?
Blogging:
- builds content
- improves your ability to be more compelling
- organically drives traffic
- feeds to your social media
- is the #1 traffic driver to your website
- helps you write a book or a program (in baby steps)
- can be repurposed for social media marketing
- can be reused for social media marketing or even in your automated list building strategy
- and more!
So what are some important guidelines to really make blogging work?
- Be short and sweet. 250-500 words maximum. If it gets long turn it into a series.
- Focus on education based blogs (what I call credibility blogs) AND vulnerability (storytelling blogs.)
- Remember your basic rules for writing: compelling title, opening paragraph that helps the reader understand they are in the right place, closing paragraph in summary.
- Post blogs at least 2 times a week (once a week or less will not drive traffic)
- Write ahead and schedule blogs, this creates less stress!
- Think about what you sell and write blogs about that! If you are truly an expert, you always have some little thing to say (250 words isn’t much!)
In my “30 Days to Content Creation” program, I show you how to create more content for blogging (and other marketing goals…it all fits together). Trust me it’s in you…we just need to draw it out!
by Ann Evanston | Oct 16, 2014 | Business Strategy
Most of us know WHAT marketing is; ads, direct contact, speaking, social media, blogging, referrals, networking…
Maybe the more important question is HOW.
There are some VERY complicated answers to this question, for sure. Fortunately, I have a simple way of thinking about it, that I teach my clients and you want to be sure that you think along these lines as you develop your plan, write, and speak.
Everything you develop should help you achieve at least ONE of the three goals above. Ask:
1-Does this tell a story so they know, like, and trust me? (like in your bio?)
2-Does this help them trust my ability to get the desired result? (like in a credibility blog?)
3-Will this show them that I understand THEM, their pain, their goals…in their words? (like on sales and landing pages?)
Think about this. Challenge yourself with each thing you create….what is my goal with this piece? Is it VULNERABILITY< >CREDIBILITY< >TRIBE?
See, marketing is about telling people over and over and over….while connecting and converting them into buyers through a message!
by Ann Evanston | Oct 13, 2014 | Business Strategy, Influence Factor, Mental Mind Shifts
How are you building confidence so people want to buy?
If you enjoyed this video blog, can you do me a HUGE favor? Will you please share it on Facebook or twitter? That is how we spread the entrepreneur love! Thank you!
by Ann Evanston | Sep 3, 2014 | Business Strategy
I attended a conference that I selected specifically because I knew I needed to surround myself with people who were playing at the next level of success. Don’t get me wrong; I love my tribe, my followers, my friends my fans, but if you want to get to the next level you’ve got to play with people that are at that level.
It was transformational! And a huge wake up call.
I am famous for telling my clients the only thing that’s holding you back is you. And guess what? The only thing that’s holding me back is me. It was true then, it is true now as I share this with you.
Honestly, I got myself here. I got known for something I did not want to be known for and that is painful, and stressful. Especially when it’s making money, and you need to make some money.
But guess what? I was chasing nickels to make dimes! Attending the conference made me wake up and draw the line.
Is it time for you to draw a line? Have you been caught up in selling something that isn’t really your heart and passion? Do you know you need to change that? Are you ready to say no? Do you REALLY want the next level of success?
I did after the conference and I’ve never looked back. And guess what? The journey has been 1000 times better than chasing the money. And I make way way more than I did when I was chasing the money! Now I am truly doing what I am meant to do, I am clear on my mission, and that has resulted in the next level of success: mentally emotionally and financially!
by Ann Evanston | Apr 21, 2014 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
Becoming a mental warrior is the battle within isn’t it? Ideas are great! Do you have the discipline to make them real?
Every Monday I will post a video blog about your mental warrior mindset! I’d love for you to leave a comment below and tell me what you think!
How is your mental warrior mindset when it comes to discipline?
If you enjoyed this video blog, can you do me a HUGE favor? Will you please share it on Facebook or twitter? That is how we spread the entrepreneur love! Thank you!
by Ann Evanston | Oct 2, 2013 | Business Strategy
Small business success is so interesting because it NEVER ends, huh? And just HOW did it to get to be Wednesday already! And I haven’t gotten a blog post, okay well here it is now! It’s funny how sometimes I get so involved with the writing, and creativity, and expansiveness of my Elite Clients and their marketing that I forget my own.
So here is a simple little bit of food for your Warrior soul. Remember that your small business success starts with you taking care of you first. “But Ann, I need to make some money, I don’t have time for that!”
Value starts with you. Value and making money starts with you. Value and making money starts with you and nurturing you.
So even though I could have stayed later, worked longer to get that blog written…I didn’t. I picked up a book and sat on my deck in the sunshine. I even grabbed a glass of wine!
Value starts with YOU. Small Business Success starts with you.
Did you get that? I wrote a blog for Showcasing Women and it expands on this very important piece. Go take a read. Leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts.
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!”
Blogging…some immediately say UGH! Interestingly I have been teaching blogging as the primary online marketing tool since 2006….and ALL the top online marketing experts say it is the BEST strategy to focus on. Last week I shared that marketing is important, well blogging is a GREAT marketing strategy!
