How to Use WordPress As an Internet Marketing Solution
By Zornitza Pavlova-MacKinnon

WordPress is continuing to grow as one of the most popular and capable platforms for your personal and business presence online today. There is a huge array of benefits to choosing WordPress, ranging from how easy it is to work with, to how many great add-ons there are available, to the amazing versatility and capability that you'll have once you're all set up. Take a look at how to use WordPress as an Internet marketing solution for your own business.

Before learning how to use WordPress, first take a moment to consider what the system actually is. It's a CMS, also known as a content management system. In other words, this is a platform that enables you to create, store, move and edit various pieces of content all within the set confines of a pre-existing base setup.

This means that you don't need to know any programming or coding, or have any prior experience, technical expertise or skill, or anything else. You can get started immediately without hassle, and the options will be endless for what you can accomplish.

An integral part of learning how to use WordPress is understanding this CMS functionality and the platform of themes that it uses. With themes, you can instantly and completely change the look and feel of your website with the click of a button, without having to redo any content or make any other changes.

There is a massive collection of themes available, allowing you to have anything from a classic blog to a magazine style website, to a media focused presence and much more. Even better, there are hundreds and hundreds of free themes available, which means you won't have to pay a dime for a professional looking web presence.

Another benefit for learning how to use WordPress for your web presence is the collection of plug-ins and widgets that are available. Plug-ins are third party applications which allow you to handle all sorts of diverse needs for your website or blog. You can do everything from automate your SEO tasks to insert various kinds of programs or media applications and much more. There are hundreds of free plug-ins to choose between as well, and you can end up finding great, free code for everything from contact forms to image galleries.

WordPress is also ac very intuitive system to work with. The content editing platform is very similar to what you would find in Word and other document software, and you can make visual, instant changes without needing to go behind the scenes. Still, if you're looking for that fine touch, you can switch to the programming side of things and make direct HTML or coding changes by hand.

This is just the beginning of what WordPress can offer you and your business. You'll have a great, professional website that is highly versatile, capable and easy to work with. Learn how to use WordPress and you'll enjoy all of these benefits and more.

If you want to learn how to use WordPress step by step, simply click on the link and watch this free 95 min video tutorial. It's free but truly amazing. Click on the link now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zornitza_Pavlova-MacKinnon
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Use-WordPress-As-an-Internet-Marketing-Solution&id=4918269

By Kristin DeAnn Gabriel

PR has morphed into a combination of old school traditional media, and the latest social media marketing strategies. I have been blogging for a variety of different clients over the last eight years. Some of the first tricks that I first learned still apply, but there are many new rules too.

A number of communities are forming all over the Internet, and blogs increase the search visibility for online audiences. The following blogging tips to work very nicely for our clients including:

1. Use newsworthy topics that tie-in to local, national or industry news if possible. Place these key words in your headline and body copy.
2. Link your key words and phrases in blog posts to a page on your website with relevant content.
3. Use about three links per blog post -- beginning middle and end. Also always link towards the beginning middle and end of each paragraph and/or sentence if possible.
4. Research and use statistics, site studies, and science when you can to lend authority to each blog post.
5. Add photos, diagrams, charts and videos, which should all be uploaded with names that include your keywords.
6. To be clear about a process needing an outcome, use steps or numbers.

Today's journalists do not need PR people - as much as in the past - to send them story ideas because they can find almost everything they need online. But that just means that if you are a company that is trying to get covered by the media, you have to be all over the Internet so the media will find you. The press room on your website must have everything they could possibly need to begin writing about your company right away.

The items in a press room should include a company backgrounder, press releases, a frequently asked questions document (FAQ), product profiles, and photos, videos, etc. Plus today's press rooms also might have RSS feeds or links to Twitter and Facebook fan pages.

If you have a blog but need help writing and performing the right search marketing strategies and tactics for better visibility, look for someone to can ghostwrite your blog, or train you on how to get the best return for blogging on the Internet.

Most businesses that are using Facebook already know about the little "Like" feature, which enables you to click on something someone posts that you like and then share that with your Facebook friends. Facebook wants you to share your likes from other places on the Internet, such as blogs and other websites. Start watching for other web publishers to begin installing the FB Like button everywhere. More than 1,500 Type Pad bloggers installed Like buttons on their blogs when the widget first launched.

The Like widget became available in early May, then soon thereafter a second feature was released allowing users to attach a Facebook "Like" button to the bottom of their blog posts. About 2,400 bloggers added this feature soon thereafter and started enjoying a 200 percent growth spurt in their referral traffic from Facebook according to Type Pad. We test out most all of the revenue boosting social media tactics that we hear about. We have also seen some good results with Facebook ads. These are Facebook's pay per click (PPC) revenue center, but the ads usually work and are low cost.

Kristin Gabriel is writer and social media marketing professional with a Los Angeles SEO firm. Her company also handles marketing, public relations, and online advertising. Visit MarComNewMedia.com or call 323.650.2838.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristin_DeAnn_Gabriel
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Blogging-is-a-Public-Relations-Tool&id=4882607

By: TJ Philpott

Business blogs all have one central 'theme' in common and that is ultimately they are blogging to make money. For this reason these sites are motivated for more than just the passion of the subject matter upon which they base their content. The blogging business is in fact big business anymore being that companies large and small, online and off, are using these platforms as a marketing base of operations. The growing popularity of these platforms have also made it easier for many technically challenged online entrepreneurs to enter into the world of e commerce. No matter who you are or how big your business is however, there are certain characteristics your site must display if you intend to succeed at blogging to make money.

Here are 5 characteristics common to any site that experiences any degree of success in the blogging business regardless of products or services offered.

Focused

If you have a particular product or service you offer, you want to maintain a certain consistency with the content you post to the site. In some way, shape or form you want all the activity on the site to have some sort of relevance to what your blogging business is all about. To keep your readers more focused this way will make them more receptive to any promotional pitches or product offers being made.

Useful  Information

The very basis of your site is to offer plenty of useful information to your visitors so that they will be inclined to return for more. Of course here again you want this information to be relevant to the central theme of the site and you also want it to be educational as well. In this way you can subtly show readers why it is they need what you offer. Blogging to make money involves a lot of give (content) and take (purchases) but it will always be mostly giving on your part.

Offer Insight

Information is always good but offering insight or perspective definitely makes it that much better. Firstly, this is what will make your content so unique since nobody really thinks or feels 'exactly' the way you do. Secondly by adding insight or perspective you stimulate the thoughts of your readers which actually further engages them. An engaged reader is an interested one who is most likely to be converted into a buying one as well!

Provide Opportunity for Participation

This is why blogs are so popular they allow readers to leave comments and actually participate or have an influence by voicing satisfaction/opinion! As we discussed above, engaging your readers is the first step to getting them more actively involved and this is what you want so encourage it!

Always Adding New Content

Obviously keeping your site updated is good not only for search engine rankings, but for reader satisfaction as well. People need a reason to return to your site and fresh content is the answer! I know it is often said that frequent posting is important, but the reason so many talk about this is because it is the single hardest thing for most bloggers to do. Results do not come fast enough for most so they therefore end up quitting. If you are blogging to make money, your posting efforts may take even longer to show results since you are asking people to part with their hard earned income.

Business blogs find that even though they are blogging to make money, they too must place the need of their readers first before attempting any promotional efforts. The thing about the blogging business is that your potential customers can be easily distracted by so many others things they find online. It is therefore necessary for big business and small online entrepreneurs alike to attract and maintain the attention of their site visitors. The 5 characteristics reviewed above are sought out by people online and it is these blogging 'habits' that both attract and retain site visitors interest. So if blogging to make money is an interest of yours, it is best to adopt these characteristic and/or habits right away if you intend to experience any degree of success!

About the Author

TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina. For more tips about how to experience success with your business blogs and to receive a free instructional manual that teaches valuable niche research techniques visit:http://affiliatequickstart.com/

(ArticlesBase SC #3036274)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - 5 Characteristics of Successful Business Blogs

If you've tried blog marketing before, you've probably realized it's not as easy as you might think. It takes a lot of strategizing to see results and is definitely not a onetime thing or a set it and forget it process. While it can be a hassle, if you don't market your blog, you probably won't receive many visitors. Since that's likely the purpose of your blogging in the first place, it's critical to success.

Whether you blog for business or blog for pleasure, blog marketing online can be as easy or in-depth as you want. If you're looking for the easiest ways to market your blog, the four tips in this article can dramatically grow your readership while keeping things simple.

Create New Blog Posts Often

The quickest way to lose readers is not updating your blog frequently. You'll gain repeat readers who will visit your blog regularly if you post often. If you only post once or twice a month, readers will quickly lose interest in your blog. Be consistent with your postings, whether you choose to post every day, every other day, or weekly, so your readers know they will always have something to look forward to when they visit your blog.

Include relevant keywords in your posts to increase your rankings in the search engine results. Also consider linking to outside sources whenever you come across something that may be of value to your readers. This a great form of blog marketing that will add to your credibility as an excellent source of information. It will also keep readers coming back for more of your good advice and recommendations.

Make It Easy For Readers To Subscribe

Encouraging your readers to subscribe is one of the easiest ways to maintain and increase your blog traffic. By subscribing, your readers will get an automatic email of your new blog posts. In addition to getting your new blog posts to your active subscribers, you also make it easy for your subscribers to forward your blog post to others, which can dramatically boost your traffic.

Having a 'subscribe to posts' button is usually not enough to attract subscribers. Some people are so used to seeing subscribe buttons, they don't even really notice them anymore. Others don't understand what clicking your subscribe button really means, so they won't click. The easiest way to gain subscribers is to invite them. Write an invitation next to your subscribe button and at the end of each of your blog posts. Something simple like "If you like my blog, just click the subscribe button at the top of the page and you'll receive an email each time I post something new" will work just fine.

Leave Comments On Other Blogs

If you're a blogger, you probably read other blogs in your field of interest. Make good use of the time you spend on other people's blogs and increase your blog marketing online by leaving comments that link to your blog. Leave useful comments that intrigue readers to click to visit your blog instead of general comments like "Great post. Thanks."

Acknowledge Blog Comments

Whenever someone leaves a comment on your blog, acknowledge it by responding to it on your blog or by visiting their blog and leaving a comment. Not only will this show how much you appreciate the commentor for taking the time to read your blog, but it also makes your blog appear active to other readers. It puts an actual person behind the blog and gives it the impression of being alive and popular. Failing to acknowledge comments can even discourage readers from continuing to visit your blog as everyone appreciates acknowledgement.

When it comes to acknowledging negative comments, just remain professional and avoid posting an angry response. The more helpful you are in your response, the more your readers will respect you and your blog. Besides, everyone knows some people post undeserved negative comments specifically to try to get an angry response. If you don't let these comment posters have what they want, they'll usually move on to annoy another blogger.

These simple blog marketing online tips can help you increase your readership. While there are many more in-depth methods of blog marketing, these four tips are a great place to start building your blog.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/blogging-articles/four-easy-tips-for-blog-marketing-online-2928576.html

Chris Harmen writes for blog marketing agency .COM Marketing. They specialize in comprehensive blog marketing online that drives traffic, establishes audience trust, and increases profits through the power of blogging.

Building and using business blogs has become a standard for many online marketers in terms of marketing on the internet. However with the growth in popularity of online social sites many have begun using these communities as their primary marketing platforms. In particular Twitter is being touted as a site that can supply all your business needs concerning marketing and traffic generation.

Does this mean blogging sites are now endangered in terms of their 'leading' role in web 2.0 online marketing? Actually this would hardly seem the case and here are 5 very strong reasons why.

Self-Hosted Blogs
Most blogs are self hosted meaning you own the site and the content and are therefore in total control. Online social sites have rules and regulations set forth by the site administrator governing behavior. The ability to 'personalize' your space on a social network site is non-existent therefore 'branding' yourself is very difficult. You can not build a solid foundation to an online business on a site where you have no control.

Blogs Gain Authority
Comments or content you share at a social site are not displayed for very long thereby they will have no long lasting affect. On a blogging site every post, comment or useful information is always available for viewing and tends to build up the authority of the site itself. The more content posted the more authority the blog will gain. This is a great foundation for building credibility and a business.

Symbol of Commitment
A blog is a symbol of commitment since it takes effort to maintain the site. Commitment is exactly what people look for in businesses since it is a sign of reliability. This leads to an increase in trust which is a vital asset to have when marketing on the internet. Online social sites require only that you 'show up' and chat a little thereby demonstrating very little effort or commitment.

The Strength is in the Link
Socialization communities normally link to blogs as opposed to the other way around. That kind of says it all right there since it seems these communities need to 'defer' to blogs as a source of reliable and useful content. This does not bode well however for the credibility of social network sites!

Analytics
Blogging sites have analytic capabilities allowing then to function more fully as a business platforms. These capabilities allow the site to improve and grow and are a necessary tool for anyone serious about building a lasting business.

Business blogs have become the adopted standard for online marketers due to their flexibility, ease of use and ability to interact with customers. Recent trends however indicate an increasing acceptance/reliance upon using certain online social sites such as Twitter as free standing marketing platforms. These social communities offer the same attraction that blogging sites do in terms of interaction and ease of use but comparisons stop there. The ability of social sites to help people 'build' a business when marketing on the internet is in question. The 5 reasons mentioned above as to why blogging sites are not likely to fall from favor as online marketing platforms merely fortifies their dominance. While many social network platforms such as Twitter are great traffic sources they do not offer a solid platform upon which to build a long lasting business.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/blogging-articles/can-social-sites-replace-business-blogs-2755014.html