I'm interesting in learning how to improve my blogging skills and read a lot of blogs. I came across the blog below and thought it held a great lesson on actually planning blog content. The Five P's outlined by Pamela Wlson in her post is both entertaining and educational. As a former journalist, I believe she is providing some great content on focusing a blog. Thank you Pamela.
How I Offended Former Australian Cricket Captain Allan Border… and Why that Makes me a Better Blogger Today
Pamela Wilson
Jim Thebeau
CEO, Henry Russell Bruce
jthebeau@hrb-ideas.com
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Do you track your Web metrics?
The first step to building a successful Web site is to track the metrics - who is visiting, where are they coming from, what are they looking at on your site, how much time do they spend on your site?
You can use Google Metrics, which is a free service provided by Google, or another metric tracking software.
The next step is to start the search for the Google ranking of your Web site based on your key words and the site content.
You can even run a search to see what key words turn up on your site - either planned or unplanned.
Basically, you can plan your march to better Web site ratings and improved visibility if you know what to do and how to do it.
Since merging the Internet Marketing Group into HRB, we have experts who can improve your Internet marketing capabilities - on an ongoing basis. On the Web, there is no longer a fix and forget approach. There is the fix and constantly monitor, tweak and enhance approach. And, adding social media to the mix only makes your efforts move valuable.
Jim Thebeau
Partner, HRB
You can use Google Metrics, which is a free service provided by Google, or another metric tracking software.
The next step is to start the search for the Google ranking of your Web site based on your key words and the site content.
You can even run a search to see what key words turn up on your site - either planned or unplanned.
Basically, you can plan your march to better Web site ratings and improved visibility if you know what to do and how to do it.
Since merging the Internet Marketing Group into HRB, we have experts who can improve your Internet marketing capabilities - on an ongoing basis. On the Web, there is no longer a fix and forget approach. There is the fix and constantly monitor, tweak and enhance approach. And, adding social media to the mix only makes your efforts move valuable.
Jim Thebeau
Partner, HRB
Friday, April 10, 2009
Public Relations produces in down economy
Want to continue to generate awareness of our product or company while cutting your advertising or marketing budget. Try public relations. Not only is is a lot less expensive than advertising, the media coverage it generates is 3 to 5 times more credible than advertising. And, by reaching out to the media in a targeted way, you can reach a brand new audience for your messages - through print and broadcast media, via blogs and Web sites - so a whole new group of people will read about you.
Try these simple steps:
1. Develop a media list of the media most likely to cover your type of business - local newspapers and business journals, or trade publications, Web sites and bloggers;
2. Create simple news releases about a new product, a new client, a new trend in your industry, remembering to include the traditional who, what, when, why and how information. Make sure it's something people want to read about, not just a company or product promotion. And, include benefits of this news to the reader.
3. If you can send out your releases electronically, optimize the release by inserting embedded links that provide direct links to more details on information contained in the release.
4. Get copies of anything that appears anywhere. And, you can set up a Google News Alert to track most anything that appears in the media on your products or company as a result of your releases.
5. Keep sending out releases on a regular basis, perhaps once a month. Like any kind of promotion, it is the steady and ongoing mentions in the media that keep your company top of mind.
Jim Thebeau
Partner
Henry Russell Bruce
Try these simple steps:
1. Develop a media list of the media most likely to cover your type of business - local newspapers and business journals, or trade publications, Web sites and bloggers;
2. Create simple news releases about a new product, a new client, a new trend in your industry, remembering to include the traditional who, what, when, why and how information. Make sure it's something people want to read about, not just a company or product promotion. And, include benefits of this news to the reader.
3. If you can send out your releases electronically, optimize the release by inserting embedded links that provide direct links to more details on information contained in the release.
4. Get copies of anything that appears anywhere. And, you can set up a Google News Alert to track most anything that appears in the media on your products or company as a result of your releases.
5. Keep sending out releases on a regular basis, perhaps once a month. Like any kind of promotion, it is the steady and ongoing mentions in the media that keep your company top of mind.
Jim Thebeau
Partner
Henry Russell Bruce
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Can You Afford to be Wrong?
Great marketing starts with insights. And great insights start with research.
Do you know what your customers think? Do you know why they are buying from you? Do you know how close they are to moving their business to your competitor?
Sometimes customers leave because they find a better price somewhere else or because they have had a bad experience with your company. Perhaps it was a lack of follow though, perhaps it was a thoughtless comment by an employee, or perhaps because you had not fully engaged with your customers.
Clients come to us for customer, market and product research so they avoid making a costly mistake. One of our clients avoided a $3 million mistake by simply doing some market research before taking action.
How do you start a research project? Start with a few simple goals such as - What do I want to learn, Who will I survey and What will I do with the survey results?
In today's jittery marketplace it's more important than ever to know than to guess.
Jim Thebeau
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Do you know what your customers think? Do you know why they are buying from you? Do you know how close they are to moving their business to your competitor?
Sometimes customers leave because they find a better price somewhere else or because they have had a bad experience with your company. Perhaps it was a lack of follow though, perhaps it was a thoughtless comment by an employee, or perhaps because you had not fully engaged with your customers.
Clients come to us for customer, market and product research so they avoid making a costly mistake. One of our clients avoided a $3 million mistake by simply doing some market research before taking action.
How do you start a research project? Start with a few simple goals such as - What do I want to learn, Who will I survey and What will I do with the survey results?
In today's jittery marketplace it's more important than ever to know than to guess.
Jim Thebeau
Subscribe
Harnessing the Power of the Web
When it comes to the Web, expectations are higher than ever. If we can’t find what we’re looking for in 8 seconds or less, we leave the Web site and often don’t return. Some people refer to this as the “Internet Death Penalty.”
That’s why it’s so important to connect with your customers on the Web. And while it’s a powerful tool, it’s also constantly changing. That’s why you need someone who can stay on top of all the changes. We believe Web sites are both your business card to the world and that they need to be lovingly cared for and tweaked on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Our goal is to create a sophisticated Web presence that connects with your customers and gives them the information they’re looking for. The end result is that we help you make money online.
Jim Thebeau
That’s why it’s so important to connect with your customers on the Web. And while it’s a powerful tool, it’s also constantly changing. That’s why you need someone who can stay on top of all the changes. We believe Web sites are both your business card to the world and that they need to be lovingly cared for and tweaked on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Our goal is to create a sophisticated Web presence that connects with your customers and gives them the information they’re looking for. The end result is that we help you make money online.
Jim Thebeau
Stand Out
Ever selected a product that is more expensive compared to a similar one sitting right next to it? Ever wonder why you do that?
It’s because you have got an emotional connection with the brand. It takes unique insights about your customers to build those kinds of brands. And talented people who know how to utilize those insights.
We use a proprietary process called the HRB BrandPlan™ to build strong brands. The process includes research, brand building, repositioning, management and communication. It also features workshops and seminars to educate your staff on how to “live” your brand.
How do you get started down the path toward Standing Out? Do a brand audit that shows you where you stand.
Jim Thebeau
It’s because you have got an emotional connection with the brand. It takes unique insights about your customers to build those kinds of brands. And talented people who know how to utilize those insights.
We use a proprietary process called the HRB BrandPlan™ to build strong brands. The process includes research, brand building, repositioning, management and communication. It also features workshops and seminars to educate your staff on how to “live” your brand.
How do you get started down the path toward Standing Out? Do a brand audit that shows you where you stand.
Jim Thebeau
Monday, March 2, 2009
Time for Spring and a New World
It's just starting to warm up in the Midwest. Only 45 days till golf season here and I can't wait. Golf with friends is such a great release. It's outside in the sun and longer than a movie in a dark building.
As we enter a new world with a troubled economy that many of us have not seen in our lifetime, it it important to keep a positive attitude. I set goals and work toward them. That helps keep me focused and on track. Another thing we work on at HRB now is delegation of responsibility to employees who can take on a challenge and run with it. Trusting others to help build the company also makes it stronger. Their involvement, ideas and energy make us better every day.
Even in an economy with 8 percent unemployment, that means that more than 90 percent are still employed. There are a lot of companies doing well now and the key is finding them and building a relationship.
Jim Thebeau
As we enter a new world with a troubled economy that many of us have not seen in our lifetime, it it important to keep a positive attitude. I set goals and work toward them. That helps keep me focused and on track. Another thing we work on at HRB now is delegation of responsibility to employees who can take on a challenge and run with it. Trusting others to help build the company also makes it stronger. Their involvement, ideas and energy make us better every day.
Even in an economy with 8 percent unemployment, that means that more than 90 percent are still employed. There are a lot of companies doing well now and the key is finding them and building a relationship.
Jim Thebeau
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