What is a blog? What is Social Media? How can I be successful with my blogging efforts? Most importantly... how can I write an effective blog post? All these questions and more will be answered in the "Intro to Blogging" training presented at the Houston Technology Center.

1. Intro to Blogging JJ Lassberg | Schipul - The Web Marketing Company | blog.schipul.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/503600331/sizes/l/in/photostream

3. What is Social Media

4. Pillars for Success

5. How to Write a Blog

6. How to Get Started

7. Some Inspirationhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/98834449/sizes/o/in/photostream/

8. Blog = Web + Log http://www.flickr.com/photos/aunto/2845694004/sizes/o/in/photostream/

9. Not Static http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnwilson1969/506785904/sizes/l/in/photostream /

10. Piece of the Pie http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnerobot/3665234144/sizes/o/in/photostream/

11. Social Media

13. Meaningfully CONNECT

14. Build Lasting and LOYAL Relationshipshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/timothymorgan/75288771/sizes/o/in/photostream/

15. Town Square Marketing http://www.flickr.com/photos/13057030@N00/3819461840/

16. Word of Mouth Marketing http://www.flickr.com/photos/13057030@N00/3819461840/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvanrijnberk/2598234846/sizes/l/in/photostream

18. Promoting products or services

19. Brand impressions

20. Customer Servicehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/worldsurfer/149135920/sizes/l/in/photostream/

21. Pillars of Success http://www.schipul.com/en/art/?542

22. Get Started Strategy Successfully start a blog or social media marketing strategy for your brand or business Consulting: Is it right for you Recruiting: The right people Training: Learn before leaping Promotion… http://www.flickr.com/photos/philmcelhinney/1000986005/sizes/l/in/photostream/

23. Get out there (intelligently) Social media runs on good karma… be honest, be transparent. It’s not all about you… generously promote others. Build it and they MAY come… but it may already be build. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22280677@N07/3003916131/sizes/l/in/photostream/

24. Blogging in Motion http://www.flickr.com/photos/sydandsaskia/327483108/sizes/l/in/photostream/

25. Top Tips 13 Top Tips for Effective Blog Writing http://www.flickr.com/photos/23912576@N05/2942522991/sizes/o/in/photostream/

26. 1. Great Title People will not read further if they don’t know what they are getting. Eliminate guesswork with titles that are short and very direct.

27. 2. One Take-Away Think before you write. If readers can only take away one item content from the post – what would you want that to be? Focus the blog post on that. Other topics can be covered (and linked) in other posts. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dslrninja/350982996/sizes/l/in/photostream/

28. 3. Don’t Bury the Topic Tell the reader quickly what the post is about and why they should keep reading. What will the reader get out it.

29. 4. Write Tight Use simple declarative sentences. Stick to one idea per sentence. Avoid passive verbs, run-on sentences, and mixed metaphors. Writing in this way holds the reader’s attention. http://www.flickr.com/photos/deks/3618803169/sizes/z/in/photostream/

30. 5. Keep it Short 800 words are generally enough. If people see that a post scrolls on and on, they will choose to not even start or they will begin reading the post and not finish. http://www.flickr.com/photos/aggarwal_gopal/623879222/sizes/l/in/photostream/

31. 6. Avoid Jargon Your readers may be from anywhere in the world – with vastly different interests. They may not – and will often not – be from your industry. Make sure your content is understandable to anyone. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbrwr/4511921293/sizes/l/in/photostream/

32. 7. Link Often Build credibility by showing you are an expert in your field. Linking to other relevant content keeps the post short and allows someone who is interested to explore further on their own. http://www.flickr.com/photos/uqbar/114320354/sizes/l/in/photostream/

33. 8. Break It Up Use content formatting to break up content. You should be able to read a sentence out loud without having to pause for a breath. Sub-Heading Bold Numbered Lists http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbrwr/4511921293/sizes/l/in/photostream/

34. 9. Search-ability Use relevant keywords in: Title Sub-headings Links. If you want someone to find the post from a specific search - those words have to actually be in the post. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbrenschmidt/1831955837/sizes/o/in/photostream/

35. 10. Use a Graphic People love pictures… they particularly love pictures of other people. If you can find a high quality, relevant photo then use it in the post and more people will read it http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwl/3875936992/sizes/l/in/photostream/

36. 11. Make a Point If you present all the sides to an idea or argument… then no one needs to comment. What are your thoughts on the topic? Write those and then ask other to share theirs in the comments. http://www.flickr.com/photos/billselak/2510268764/sizes/l/in/photostream/

37. 12. Ask A Question If you want people to participate and leave comments you have to give them a reason. Ask them a question and then ask them to answer it. Let readers know you want to know what they think. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiddenloop/4541195635/sizes/l/in/photostream/

38. 13. Proof, Proof, & Proof Again The blog audience will overlook an error or typo here and there… but a pattern will make them question your expertise. Proof before you post and proof again after. Find a typo a few days later when you read with fresh eyes? No worries – just fix it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/m4tik/1862306/sizes/o/in/photostream/

39. Let’s Recap What we covered so far… Social media is just another way of having conversations you’re already having or want to have – but they’re online. The four pillars of blogging and/or social media marketing success are: Consulting, Recruiting, Training, and Promotion. The Lucky 13 Tips for Blog Posting. http://www.flickr.com/photos/epicbeer/2854340861/sizes/o/in/photostream/

40. So Now What? http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoa/2770843565/sizes/l/in/photostream/

41. How to Get Started Ready, Set… Blog! Research Participate Monitor Strategize JUMP!

42. Research ? Monitor?

43. Listen First… then comment, then Blog. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenm1/4759683034/sizes/o/in/photostream/

44. Notes for Success Stay honest and transparent Be interesting Learn by doing Start with a personal account Do a lot of listening, then dive in Spread the love! Comment and friend others Promote good karma Make yourself available Provide links on the website Cross link content Encourage others to participate http://www.flickr.com/photos/a03575/3632344397/sizes/l/in/photostream/

45. Additional Resources Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers Schipul Helpfiles & Training http://schipul.com/education/

46. Questions?

47. JJLassberg@schipul.com Twitter: @jjlassberg http://www.flickr.com/photos/45581782@N00/2086641/