So how is Business Blogging like dating?

Let’s start at the beginning.

So you and I established the first reason you’ll want to use a business blog as a marketing tool is to get your business found.

So what’s next…what happens once your business gets found?

Let’s get back to the dating analogy.

So, let’s say you’re SINGLE and you’re at a bar or restaurant enjoying a night out.( Had to put the “single” thing in there but each to their own, right?)

Suddenly, across the room you notice a person who really captures your attention and you’re thinking, “Boy, I’d really like to get to know this person.”

So now you’ve “found” the person…what’s your next move?

Well if you’re like most websites online you’ll walk right up to them and ask he/she to Marry you!

You see, this is exactly what most websites do and it’s absolutely the wrong thing to do by far.

Your prospect finds your business online and when they land on your website you ask them to buy from you right away!

Here’s the thing…nothing gets sold until you first build trust…especially online where everyone is afraid of getting ripped off or scammed!

This is why traditional style websites don’t work and why you’re not making as much money as you should be.

It’s almost impossible to build trust and rapport with your prospects using a traditional style 5 page HTML website.

But with a business blog it’s very easy to do!

In no time at all you can have hundreds if not thousands of web pages published online all acting like little sales people working for your business, positioning you as a leader and expert in your market or niche.

How cool is that?

With a business blog you’re able to write about your business.

You share stories, tips and tricks on how to use your products or services so your prospects get the most out of them.

You also become the expert in your prospects eyes and an authority in your market or niche.

You see selling stuff online is very similar to dating…you find the person and then you build trust and rapport on a few dates.  You get the know the person and find out if they are interesting or if what they have to say is meaningful to you.

I’m thinking when you met your significant other you didn’t walk up to this person and ask them to marry you right?

Probably not….so why are you trying to do this with your website?

Look writing at least two to three blog post a week, each only 300-500 words will do wonders for your business.

Not only will it help your website get found but it will build trust and rapport with your prospects.

Blogging makes you the recognized expert in your industry or niche ESPECIALLY if no one else is doing it!

And in this day and age where folks just love to belly ache about the economy yet do nothing to improve their situation you’ll get the opportunity to be the bright ray of sunshine in YOUR prospects life!

So I’ve laid out the second reason why you MUST use business blogs in your business.

In my next post I’ll talk about what to do with your prospects once they find your website and you start building relationships with them.

You got them there and they are listing…what do you do next?

Check back to find out!

Now get busy, Bill Parlaman

P.S. So let’s hear what you have to say about the second reason why you MUST use business blogs in your business?    I would love to hear from you!

Just post your comments below and I’ll do my best to answer each one!

I explained their are really four reasons why you must use a business blog in your business.

So today I’ll cover the first one which is getting found online.

The cold hard truth is it does not matter what you’re selling, how pretty your website is or how great of a person you are, if your prospects can’t find you online your business is dead in the water!

There are over one hundred eighty million websites on the Internet so how are you going to cut through all the clutter?

Well lucky for you there are blogs.

Now when I talk about blogs I am referring to self hosted WordPress blogs because this is where my expertise falls.

Sure there are tons of other blogging platforms out there like Blogger, Wordpress.com and Type Pad for example.

But for my money I’ll go with a self hosted WordPress blog every day of the week

You see Google absolutely loves WordPress blogs.

I have seen self hosted Wordpress Blogs get found, crawled and indexed in under five minutes!

You see getting found means getting found by the search engines and getting found by your prospects.

Google loves websites that update their content on a consitent and regular basis.

The more you update your wordpress blog the more often Google vistist your site with it’s bots and indexes your content.

Just  think about it, every time you write a new blog post you’re adding another web page to the internet and just another way for your prospects to find you.

Image you write just three new blog posts a week.

In a month you’ll have an additional twelve pages published to the Internet where you prospects and customers can find you!

Now if most of your competitors only have an old outdated five page HTML website you’ll effectively eliminate your competition from the Google Map!

How cool is that?

WordPress also has a great selection of website extensions called plugins.

I won’t get into a huge discussion in this post on plugins but what plugins do is basically add incredible functionality to your blog without hiring a programmer.

And here’s the best part, the majority of the best plugins are totally FREE!

There are several plugins you can upload to your blog which increase the SEO of your blog specifically the “All In One SEO Plugin.”

Again, it doesnt matter how pretty your website is or what you have to sell, if your prospects can’t find your website you’re in big trouble bubba!

So there you have it, the first reason you MUST use a business blog for your business!

So in my next lesson I’ll share with you the second reason why you MUST use a blog as a marketing tool for your business.

Talk to you soon!

Bill

Parkinson’s disease  is a chronic and progressive degenerative disease of the brain that impairs motor control, speech, and other functions.

Now my wife’s step Dad was a heck of a guy.  In life he graduated from the Wharton School of business and was the CFO for a major hospital out here in the suburbs of Philly.

Zeau never had a bad word to say about anyone and NEVER said no to the grand kids!

Zeau will be greatly missed that’s for sure.

But despite all the tough times and sorrow, his passing has lead to a new beginning for me.

You see, as we gathered for a meal after the services, a slide show played in the background with old pictures of Zeau.

There were pictures of Zeau as a baby playing with his brothers, a young boy at summer camp, Zeau as a college man and of course lots of pictures with my wife’s mom sharing good times!

I think in times like these we all face our own mortality.

But there was something about those boy hood and college pictures that stuck with me.

As I looked at Zeau in those photos I thought back to when I was a boy… which was not long ago.

I think back to my days in little league, the excitement of Christmas morning and summer vacations in Ocean City, Maryland with my mom and Dad.

I remember counting the years forward and wondering what my life would be like when I was 25, 30 and even in my 60’s.

Ah, not to worry, those days are so far away, right?

But in a blink of an eye  38 years of time is behind me.

So as I’m looking at those old photos from the 1920′ s and 1930’s I am taken back at just how fast time escapes us all.

Then I looked at my wife Michelle and my 3 little ones and I started to think about what’s important.

All those long nights on the computer or on client calls…for what?

I’m missing the precious little time I have with them on this earth!

I understand we work to get the things we want in life but why do we always build our lifestyle around our work?

Shouldn’t we build our work around our lifestyle?

So I am  going to completely rearrange how I do my business going forward ensuring my work and business revolves around my lifestyle…

Look, my goal is to make enough money to have a nice home, a nice car and get to travel with my family all over the world.

To see things only a few ever get to see.

You see a lot of people think money is evil and rich people are greedy but I completely disagree.

I believe God wants you to prosper so you can help the less fortunate and see the world he created.

If you don’t have the means to do this, how will you ever see all the wonder?

I am dedicated to spending more time with my kids and my wife….to go out and grab ice cream and attend their soccer games at the drop of a hat.

To log off my computer EVERY night at 6PM and not cut dinner short for a client call.

I’m now designing my business around my lifestyle and it feels great!

So now I ask you, how are you going to change what you’re doing to mold your business around YOUR lifestyle?

What do you want out of life?

How do you want YOUR life to look?

How can you design your business or work around your lifestyle?

Now get busy, Bill Parlaman

“I have been following this blog and a few other WAHM-type blogs for about two months now and I really DO get the concepts – building exposure and relationships, etc. It all makes perfect sense and I can see how, with work, it all comes together.

I am thinking of pursuing a home-based editing business. Purely editing and proofreading.

My question is: Do I have to have a blog?

I’m an excellent writer but I just don’t have that much to say that would be of interest to others. Who wants to read about split infinitives? Besides, I want to edit what others say, not write.”

First of all I want to thank Deidra for her question!

I  hope you guys keep sending your questions in because when they stop– so do these posts.

And remember, the only “dumb” question is the one you DO NOT ask!

Ok so back to your questions….

The first thing you MUST do when starting a business is change your mindset.

You must treat your business like a business and not a hobby!

If you treat your business like a business you’ll earn like a business…if you treat you business like a hobby you’ll earn like a hobby.

Make sense?

So if you are running a business the most important task any business owner can do is Market their business!

Where most business owners go wrong is they think they are in the business of the “thing.”

Deidra, you said you just want to be an editor and proofreader…this is a mistake!

You must be a MARKETER FIRST!

You see as a business owner you’re really in the business of MARKETING the thing, not doing the thing!

Got it?

This is a very important distinction and you MUST wrap your head around this concept right away!

Here’s the thing, even the very best proofreader and editor will go broke without a consistent and predictable system for generating new leads and new business!

What good is it if you are a great editor and proofreader if you can’t find customers or your customers can’t find you? Make sense?

In fact, you can say this about any business… even the best Doctor, Dentist or Lawyer will go broke if they can not generate new leads and new business!

So what does marketing have to do with Blogging?

Well I just happen to believe there is no better way to market your business online than with a business blog.

You see the 4 things you must do when marketing your business online:

• Get Found
• Build trust with your prospects
• Capture leads
• Make the sale

It just so happens a business blog fullfills all of these requirements quite nicely!

So, over the next few blog posts I will cover each of these topics in more detail and hope to show you how important a business blog really is for your online business.
Now get busy, Bill Parlaman

P.S. I’d love to know what’s going on in your mind so let me know what you’re thinking by posting your comments below.

Don’t forget to keep sending in your questions too!

“I have been studying up on Internet marketing and how to earn an income online for about four months now. I have done a few things here and there not much. The things I am passionate about are niches that don’t make a lot of money (at least that is what I think). For instance coupons and being frugal, sweepstakes (people who want to get things free) and genealogy! So how do I settle for a niche that I am passionate about that won’t make me a lot of profit or do I find a niche that will be profitable that I don’t love? Hope this isn’t to complicated!”

OK Danielle I think I understand what you’re asking…

You want to know if it’s better to pick a niche you’re passionate about and love and might not make a ton of money over a niche where you could make a nice little chunk of change.

Am I right?

Well this is a little tricky and I’m sure a ton of folks will have an opinion on this one but this is my post so I get to go first!

Here’s my advice to you….What is it you want from you home based business?

Are you looking to make a steady income online and start a business or are you looking for a hobby?

If you are hoping to earn an income from your online adventures I’d suggest finding a niche where you know people are already making money.

Now if you can find a niche  you love and make money that’s a great but not always possible.

For instance, I love drinking beer and watching baseball but I’m pretty sure nobody will send me a check every month to do this, see what I mean?

Now I depend on my online endeavors to pay the bills and put food on the table so I must find paying niches regardless if I love them or not.

It’s great if I am interested in the topic but it’s not necessary.

Again, it can help your be work more fun and enjoyable if you love your niche but I found I got over this pretty quickly as the checks started to roll in.

Here’s another example, I love BBQ!

You know, real southern slow cooked BBQ so I decided to start a paid membership site around BBQ called BBQFreaks.com.

Now there were already a bunch of FREE BBQ websites out there but I thought if I jazzed it up with some interviews and some other cool stuff I’d make a killing….

Boy was I wrong…I soon found folks just don’t spend money on this kind of stuff.

BBQ is more of a blue collar hobby and BBQ enthusiasts spend money on their meat, rubs and sauces….Not website membership sites!

However, I still maintain this site, I made it free for folks to join and I make a couple hundred bucks every month from affiliate commission checks from my Amazon Store.

And now, I focus on niches where I know I can make money!

So hope this helps you with your decision.

So please, I’d love to hear from you and what you think of this topic…Do you pick niches where you can make money or niches you love and are inspired by?

Now get busy, Bill Parlaman

P.S. If you like my Friday Q&A segment where I answer you home based business questions make sure you keep sending them in!

Remember…I depend on you for your questions!

I get to wake up and walk down a flight of stairs to my home office.

My daily commute takes me about 30 seconds.

Sometimes I go to work in a t-shirt, athletic shorts and flip-flops but these are never my most productive days.

I’m most productive after a hot shower and a shave.

Then I try to do something with the mess on top of my head I call my hair ( I guess I should happy I still have it, right?)

I also enjoy wearing a long sleeve button down dress shirt with the cuffs unbuttoned and rolled up once or twice.

Sometimes I’ll wear a really nice pair of jeans and sometimes a nice pair of shorts, but either way, I’m feeling my best and most productive wearing my long sleeve oxford rolled up at the sleeves.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot… I’m always most productive when I’m wearing shoes!

Maybe you actually have to jump in your car and drive to your office and wearing t-shirts and flip flops is not an option for you?

Regardless you want to look good, right?

I mean really look the part.

After all, you might own a business or maybe you’re thinking or wanting to start a business and you’ll be attending seminars and networking events

Look, you only get one chance for a first impression, right?

It always amazes me when attending marketing seminars, chamber meetings or networking events of  just how sloppy some of my fellow business owners and entrepreneurs really look.

They could be the smartest person in the world but if they don’t take enough pride in themselves in the way they look, how disciplined are they in their business?

Would you really want to get involved in a project or joint venture with someone who does not take pride in themselves? I know I would not.

Think about it, how hard is it to take health advice from an overweight doctor?

So last night at my local Philadelphia Glazer Kennedy Insiders Circle Chapter meeting we got to hear from two style consultants, Lauren Wuscher and Mara Glazer from Imageineu.com.

Lauren and Mara specialize in helping your find what they call your “Entrepreneurial signature style.”

I really LOVED the idea of finding a signature look.

Your entrepreneurial signature style is really a look where others identify with you.

Think Donal Trumps hair, Matthew Lesko’s crazy question mark outfit ( You know the crazy guy screaming on TV about free government money) and Social Media Expert Mari Smith with her tourqoise outfits.

Let’s face it, social media and web 2.0 has taken over online marketing.

There is no slow down in the need for videos on YouTube and pictures on Facebook, right?

I mean it’s called Facebook for a reason folks!

I think your personal style is especially important if your doing any work with clients or if you are selling face to face.

The fact of the matter is you only get to make a first impression once.

Meeting your clients at a Starbucks in your T-shirt and flip-flops is probably not the way you’ll want to go about it, know what I mean?

So, if you feel like your style could use a little make over or if you would like help finding your “Entrepreneurial signature look” head over to IMAGEineu.com and pick up a ton of FREE tips on how to find your entrepreneurial signature style!

Let me know your thoughts on this topic, OK?

Do you have a signature style?

Are you struggling with your style?

Are you more productive when you’re dressed for success or when you’re dressed for the beach?

Now get busy, Bill Parlaman

P.S. I know some of you are saying, ” I’m going to wear what I want to wear!” and this is fine, just remember, you only get to make ONE first impression.

You’ll never know when you’re going to meet your first 1 Million dollar client or joint venture partner, feel me?

P.S.S. Make sure you check back tomorrow where I’ll answer all your marketing and homebased business questions!

If you sent me a question I want to personally thank you and keep them coming!

It really does mean a lot to me knowing you’re reading my blog and taking the time to send in your questions!

Without your questions this segment will never take off so I’m depending on you to keep it going!

So, the first question comes from Jamie Harrington and she asks…

” How do you decide what?s right for you and your blog money making wise? At what point do I start to look like a total sell out blog with no important info?”

Well this is a very good question and a mistake I see a ton of online marketers make!

The last thing in the world you want to do is constantly “pimp” your products.

So, with this said, here are a few pointers to think about when selling from your blog or website.

First, always think about what you can GIVE back to the world rather than what you want to TAKE from it.

I learned this from my? business and marketing coach Craig Garber who learned it from a very famous french marketer and copywriter, Christian Godefroy.

In other words it’s all about the relationships you have with your customers.

Nothing gets sold until you build a relationship and trust with your customer or prospect,FIRST!

The more YOU give the more your prospects will want to give back…hopefully in the form of money!

Another tip I got from Craig is, ” Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care!”

Again, it’s all about the relationship.

You’ll want to make sure you’re giving your readers, customers and prospects a ton of information FIRST– and then make an offer.

This is why I love two step lead generation.

Basically two step lead generation is when you offer something for free ( usually information such as a free report, free DVD or CD with information you’re selling.)

The reason it’s call two step lead generation is because the first step is when a prospect raises his or her hand and says, ” Yes I want your free report on X.”

The second step is the follow up with your prospect and making them an offer to then buy what you’re selling.

Make sense?

This way you’re only selling to those folks who raised their hand and said they were interested in you or what you’re selling.

So, depending on what you’re selling, you could put together some sort of free report, DVD or CD giving away some information about your product.

And then, at the end of your free report, make an offer for your product or service.

For example, let’s say you are selling an e-book on organic gardening.

You could put together a free report on organic gardening only giving a little bit of info here and there…giving them the why but not the how, got it?

At the end of your free report you’ll make an offer for your more comprehensive e-book showing them step by step how to start and maintain an organic garden.

See how this works?

You’re actually selling the free report and not “pimping” your products.

So at the end of your blog post where you’re talking about how to find the best organic soil for your tomato plants, you’ll say something like this…

If you’d like to discover more about the benefits of Organic Gardening and how you can keep your family safe from harmful pesticides, I’ve created a free booklet or CD or DVD called ” 7 Secrets to growing mouth watering fruits and vegetables with Organic Gardening.” Simply enter your name and email and I’ll rush you this FREE report right away!

So now you are not really selling your product directly but you are generating leads and now you have a list of people who are really interested in what you have to sell.

Now once you get the lead don’t blow it and not follow up with them. You’ll want to load your auto responder again with good information.

Sooner or later you prospect will be like, man, Jamie is really sending me a ton of good information, I really should buy her e-book…

Now you might still get some folks who don’t buy or even opt out of your auto-responder, that’s OK because they really aren’t your customer anyway.

You only want to deal with those folks who love you!

So there you have it!

Now get busy, Bill Parlaman

P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this topic so make sure you leave your comments below.

Now I usually have some sort of business education CD playing on marketing, copywriting or how to get more traffic to websites. ( This is a huge lesson and I’ll write more about this in an upcoming post, OK?)

But this morning I was not playing my CD’s because my kids were in the car and the pain of listening to their moans and groans to my CD’s apparently outweighs my business education.

So anyway, I hear the Stock Market is in a tail spin because the United States lost another 4,67,000 jobs in June, increasing the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.5 %!

Now when I lost my job a little over a month ago I was actually in pretty good shape compared to most folks.

You see,  for the past two years I had started a few part-time home based businesses.

Now I say part time because it was not my main profession but I was putting in at least 40 hours a week into these businesses.

And you know what…It was a lot of work.

I’d say my first year was spent pretty much learning everything I could about marketing, copywriting and other skills related to my web site design and Philadelphia SEO business.

In fact, I spent over $20K last year on my education between seminars, coaching, offline courses and mastermind groups.

Joining coaching and mastermind groups was the biggest reason for my growth last year.

The reason folks join coaching groups and seminars in the first place is to cut down on the amount of time it takes to learn new skills.

And I know many of you out there who are considering or wanting to start your own business probably have a lot of questions on how to get started right?

How would you like to cut your learning curve or simply improve your business?

So,  send me your marketing, copywriting, internet marketing and home based business questions, OK?

Rest assured, I’ll do my very best to answer you.

I’m thinking I’ll post answers to your questions every Friday.

Sound good?

Great!

So check back with me every Friday for a new question and answer session where I answer your marketing and business questions.

I don’t want you to become a victim of circumstances!

I’ve had it up to here with people complaining and wishing they could control their own destiny.

Stop wishing and do!

The late great copywriting Gary Halbert said, ” It’s motion not meditation” and he was right don’t you think?

Remember, a business owner does not OWE you a job.  It’s a privilege…but why not take your destiny into your own hands.

So, send in your questions! Just post them below in the comments box and I’ll be sure to answer each and everyone as best I can, OK?

Now get busy, Bill Parlaman

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