Many content marketers consider an effective business blog to be an important social media marketing tool. A blog is an easy to use platform to create sharable, linkable content that addresses specific questions or solves unique problems. Every single post in your business blog is a potential SEO booster. The optimization of social blog content can improve search visibility for those who are looking for what you have to offer. An effective content marketing strategy combines SEO and social media marketing with high-quality blog and website content. Social media networks are key distribution tools for all of your blog content. Social media marketing is the modern version of word-of-mouth advertising. The social sharing of blog content helps establish credibility, drive new leads, and build that very important lasting first impression.

2. Sample Blog Writing Portfolio
Social Media Articles
Ken Bradford
Article #1:
Social Media Marketing: Should All Of Your Social Profiles Look
The Same?
A very important question to ask – “When you follow someone on a social network, do you also
follow the same person or business on other social channels?” If you do, it might be a little boring to
see identical information presented in the same format across all channels. So, to be successful in social
media marketing, should all of your social profiles look the same or should each one be treated
differently?
There Are Elements Of Your Social Profiles That Should Remain Consistent
Whether your social media marketing involves selling shoes or you are a freelance writer, your goal in
Internet marketing should be to build a brand. There are certain elements of your profiles that should
stay the same in all social networks, including:
• Branding: People must learn to recognize your brand by a certain logo, color, and even your
font selection on the web. Once you have established these characteristics for your brand, keep
them consistent in all social networks.
• Profile Photo (Avatar): Online relationships are driven by face-to-face contact. Don’t use your
logo or other cute graphic, unless you are already a well recognized brand. Anytime you are
asked to upload a profile picture, always use the same one. Do not change your avatar on a
whim. It’s a good idea to go to gravatar.com and register your profile photo. Once registered,
the same photo will show in all of your comments across the web; as long as you always use the
same email address.
• Contact Info: Always use the same address, phone number and email address across all
platforms for obvious reasons.
Your Introduction Must Be Conditioned To The Environment
Think of how you would tell someone what you do if you ran into them while pumping gas, then think
about the way you would introduce yourself in your resume to a prospective employer. They would
certainly be different. This is often referred to as an “elevator pitch”. Your goal is to develop an
introduction that you can give to someone in an elevator before it’s time for one of you to get off.
Remember, each social network has its own personality and use that to your advantage.

3. Is It Really Necessary To Post Your Content On All Social Platforms?
LinkedIn is a professional network and those that consistently use it probably aren’t interested in the
fantastic dinner you had last night, while your followers on Facebook would probably love it. Tweets
on Twitter can be no more than 140 characters. Google Plus provides more freedom in the size of
photos and the actual formatting of your posts. Think about the unique features and characteristics of
each social platform and post your content accordingly.
Think Of Ways To Re-Mix Your Posts To Make Them Unique
One of the most amazing things about social media is that it gives you a voice. How do you want
people to perceive you? What do you want them to do with the content you post? Effective social
marketing is much more than constantly broadcasting the same content in the same way across all
social platforms. It can just get very boring and tiresome. Does being different require more work? It
sure does, but in the long run, it’s worth it. Just take the time to re-mix your content to suit the platform
you’re posting on.
Social media marketing is a very powerful branding and relationship building tool if the right strategy
is used. There are many established techniques that work, but we must also learn to think outside the
box and get creative to mark our rightful place in this socially crowded online world.
We would like to hear your thoughts and ideas concerning social media marketing. Please join our
discussions at Blog Writer's Cafe. Also connect on Google+ and LinkedIn.
This article was written by Ken Bradford and was posted on his "Freelance Writers Connection" blog
on July 13, 2014. The article may not be reproduced in any manner.

4. Article #2:
Writing Articles on LinkedIn to Grow Your Audience
In February 2014, LinkedIn announced the opening of its publishing platform to all members. Even
though this is an excellent opportunity to showcase quality content and improve credibility, it must be
understood that if all 270 million users start publishing articles, there will be a lot of content fighting
for attention. So, how can you write the best articles on LinkedIn to gain the attention you want to grow
your audience?
Write articles tailored to your audience
The importance of focusing LinkedIn articles on your audience is expressed in a statement made by
Jeff Haden in an article pubished on Inc.:
"Write as if you're writing for one person."
The professionals who use LinkedIn on a daily basis are not looking for a sales pitch or how great you
are in doing whatever you do. They simply want to know how you can help them. They want
meaningful information they can use. By placing the needs of your audience above your own, you will
have a better chance of wider distribution.
LinkedIn articles should tap into your professional expertise
The general rule of thumb in blogging is to write about what you know, but people sometimes forget
that "what you know" may not fit in to the professional atmosphere at LinkedIn. You should always
offer business concepts or describe ways of addressing specific problems in your field of expertise.
When you focus on informing, educating, entertaining, or motivating other people, your articles will
be appreciated by more people. People will think more highly of you and that's really the only chance
you have of being widely read.
Articles must be short and to the point
Remember, you are speaking to professionals and professionals are always busy. If people were
conducting research or wanted to read long-winded essays, LinkedIn would probably not be their first
source of reference. Your article should consist of 400-800 words and must deliver your message in a
way that is easy to read and understand. It is a mistake to just add a lot of fluff to make your article
longer. Always stay on topic.
LinkedIn articles must be original
If you are simply posting articles on LinkedIn that you have posted on your blog or website, it's time to
stop doing that. Even though LinkedIn seems to have no established rules concerning duplicate content,
Google does. It would be hard to believe that Google punishes websites and blogs for promoting
duplicate content and make an exception for LinkedIn articles.
Your articles must be honest, transparent, and not be published anywhere else on the Internet. The
publication of duplicate articles will not only affect their popularity, but could adversely affect the
search rankings of your blog or website.

5. Always cross-promote your LinkedIn articles
According to an article on Search Engine Watch, LinkedIn sends four times more people to your home
page that Twitter and Facebook. This doesn't mean that your content will be shared more in social
networks, but it does mean that your LinkedIn articles can drive more traffic to your blog or website.
By posting links to your articles in your most supportive social networks or by simply asking your
colleagues to comment on and share your latest article, you can gain greater visibility.
Gain authority by interacting with your audience
If you are simply submitting a lot of articles in hopes of attracting a huge following, you are making a
terrible mistake. Effective content marketing is much more than broadcasting web copy.
The more you engage in any social platform, the quicker you will build a reputation and establish your
credibility and expertise. You should revisit your articles on a regular basis and acknowledge those who
have taken the time to read your article and always respond to their comments.
Every article you write on LinkedIn becomes part of your professional profile and will be a positive or
negative influence on your credibility. Remember, each article has the ability to reach the largest group
of professionals ever assembled in an online network. The best advice is to just be yourself and
eventually you will find your audience.
If you have tips and ideas about writing effective LinkedIn articles, please share them. If you need help
with your business blog or website, you can find me at BWC Marketing.
This article was written by Ken Bradford and was posted on LinkedIn on November 17, 2014. The
article may not be reproduced in any manner.

6. Article #3:
Is Social Media Making Us Careless?
Just think, only a few years ago, social networks were a novelty and now they are game changers.
Businesses who develop a strategic approach to social marketing have more power than could ever be
realized by traditional marketing methods.
But, wait a minute, social media is also personal. Studies show that the average person spends about 37
minutes a day on social media. This is probably more time than is spent in any other Internet activity.
People use social media to get to know and interact with others, to pass time, for entertainment, and
other various reasons. They post photos of themselves and their kids and many times carelessly share
information that probably should have been kept private.
The other day I was in a social network and I saw this post:
"can't wail til tomorrow . . . 2 wks in Hawaii . . . wish I could take the bemmer!"
Well, this person has certainly let everyone know that he/she is excited about that Hawaii vacation, but
was this being social or just being careless? Every single burglar who has a computer and minimal
technical knowledge now has a key to this person's home for two weeks. It's obviously an excellent
target because this person probably makes a good income. There is a BMW parked in the garage.
I will share one other post:
"b glad when dan gets back from london . . . the house sure does get big."
This lady may have been lonely and just wanted some encouragement from her social friends, but she
was totally careless in the process. She has just issued an invitation to every kind of pervert out there to
come visit her while she is home, alone. It is amazing just how many women post photos of themselves
in skimpy bikinis and then tell the whole world where they like to hang out. If only we would think
before we post.
Social networks can be fun and exciting, but when they are used carelessly, they have the potential of
being dangerous. It's good to share ideas and opinions. It's an excellent place to talk over the fence. Just
don't get so carried away that you share very private information. Don't post photos of your vacation
until you get back home and don't post photos of your most valuable personal possessions. Remember,
the whole world has your address.
Be careful out there!
Other social media articles you may like:
• How To Create Google Plus Business Page To Promote Your Brand, Website, or Blog
• How To Make Web Content More Visible With Social Media
• Keep Everyone Informed By Sharing Your Blog Content On Your Facebook Fan Page
If you would like to learn how to use social media more effectively, come join us at Blog Writer's Cafe.
The coffee is fresh and we're always talking about something interesting.
This article was written by Ken Bradford and posted to LinkedIn on August 8, 2014. The article may
not be reproduced in any manner.

7. Ken has served our country in the U. S. Air Force and has invested over 30 years in the insurance
industry. As an insurance marketing manager, he was responsible for producing all marketing materials
and managing all phases of insurance marketing campaigns.
Ken has been a freelance writer and small business website designer for over a decade. He understands
that those words you use in your marketing materials not only serve to describe you and your products
or services, but also to differentiate you from your competition.
He writes on a variety of topics and always writes with on-page SEO in mind to ensure blog articles or
other web content are properly optimized by the time he's finished writing.
Ken has just co-written "Writing Better Web Content" with his friend and colleague, Dr. Deborah C.
Bauers, LPC. He has also recently published a book on spiritual living - "Walking Life's Road".
As a small business owner, Ken realizes the frustrations in keeping a business website or blog current
and relevant. As a result, he has formed a content writing service - BWC Marketing.
Please feel free to connect with Ken on LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.
The best way to contact Ken is by e-mail: tnwebdesign@charter.net
Other blog writing samples:
Web design articles
Business blogging articles
Content marketing articles
This course will give you a completely new perspective of how to
leverage social media for businesses across various domains. In case
you are looking at using Social Media for Customer Acquisition,
Brand Building or Reputation Management, this course will set the
foundation to create your strategy and start the implementation.
Check out the course!