by Marianna Muscat | Jul 7, 2014 | Blogging, Content Marketing
If you’re blogging your heart out and investing blood, sweat, tears and precious time creating blogs, then you obviously want them to be read. Posting a blog doesn’t magically make the post go viral and even sharing the blog post on social media doesn’t always give your blog the traction it needs (and deserves – as we just mentioned, these things take time).
Creating an e-mail list for your blog is a must-have. If you’re sharing knowledge and opinions that people find worthwhile, you need to let them know when you’ve posted a new blog. Creating an e-mail list can achieve this. Here’s a simple tip to help you populate this list:
Make your subscriber pick-up line enticing
Asking people to sign up to an e-mail list for no reason is like sending a Facebook request to a stranger and saying “Wanna have friendship with me?” It’s just not on. Actually, it’s off-putting.
Blog readers aren’t mind readers (in fact, they’re there to pick your brain) so spell it out to them: why should they join your list, what can they expect and how often are you going to be sending them e-mails? People don’t like spam, so assure them that you’re not going to share their information and that you’re not a Rumpelstiltskin-like blogger that churns out hundreds of posts per week. You’ll only be notifying them if you’ve posted something that could, a) improve their business, b) give them new insights that would appeal to them or c) would win a Pulitzer prize (in which case you would probably also close down your blog and start working as a serious investigative journalist for the New York Times). Make it worthwhile.
Need help with your content marketing strategy? Then Contact WSI OMS today.
by Francois Muscat | Feb 20, 2014 | Blogging, Social Media Optimization
Does your company hire someone to manage your company’s blogging and social media content, content marketing or social media campaign for you? If this is the case, then you need to utilise them correctly to get the maximum benefit for your business.
Four reasons why your business needs to embrace social media:
- It’s the best way to get publicity
Social media networks are ideal for listening to the latest buzz – something that can help you keep your finger on the pulse of your target audience. These platforms also allow you to pitch exclusive industry news, services and products to your followers. A steady flow of web traffic on a global social media platform links straight back to your website, so let your business voice be heard!
- It’s where your connections are
Whether you are looking to align your brand with another or to perhaps find someone to help you brainstorm an idea, one thing is sure – there are so many deals waiting to be done out there! Social media is a relevant platform that lends itself to connecting you with other people that are just as passionate as you about a particular industry.
- It helps raise the sales figures
When you use a social media platform, you are building awareness about yourself and your business. It is a long-term strategy that is ideal for creating valuable online publicity and awareness as well as attracting meaningful traffic to your site – thereby increasing sales.
- It’s the future
No business wants to get left behind! The age of social media and blogging and marketing is here to stay – so get on board now to avoid risking your company’s reputation and relevance!
Contact us at WSI for more information – our team is highly experienced in the art of social media and blogging and we can help you take your business forward today!
by Francois Muscat | Feb 13, 2014 | Blogging, Social Media Marketing
What is the bottom line when it comes to blogging and social media? Business blogs should/can/will makes your business grow! Blogs not only attract new visitors and customers to your site, but they also attract repeat visitors who continue to come back to the website for fresh content. Blogging also allows you to team up with people who already have an established audience that instantly attract readers.
A few benefits of blogging:
- Save money – Professional business blogging will bring you results – and every post is a long-term asset, helping you to lower your marketing costs and increase sales.
- Increase reach – Your blog will be shared by the online community, which means that your products and services will be viewed on a global scale and will find it’s way to new people daily.
- Get (and stay) customer focused – Blogging teaches you how to speak in the language of your target market and will help you get in touch with your audience’s wants and needs. Most often, a professional writer or digital marketing agency will be able to help you develop this skill and give your blog the power it needs to attract more consumers and customers.
- Give your company a voice – A blog is your very own company publication where you talk about whatever you choose, however you choose.
- Exchange ideas – Blogs remove the wall that once stood between a company and its customers. With blogs, we are now able to encourage interaction, have a conversation with a consumer and give comments and feedback.
- Connect with customers – Your blog can be a practical, powerful way to share relevant, useful information and industry news with your customers.
- Establish authority – Your business blog is the hub of your content marketing efforts where you can share all your expertise and connect with fellow leaders that can be instrumental in building your business.
At WSI, our goal is to create a unique blog for your business with a personality of its own. We have experienced bloggers that will help you make real connections with fresh, original content. Contact us today and let us bring your blogging on social media to life!
by Francois Muscat | Feb 6, 2014 | Blogging, Social Media Marketing
Blogging on social media is a serious business – and a powerful tool used for online marketing. With blogging, you are able to reach out to your target audience on a global scale.
Ten tips for blogging with purpose:
- Teach, don’t preach – Adopt an educator’s mentality to win trust and to educate consumers on new products and services.
- Converse and answer questions – Respond to any comments or questions posted on the blog as promptly as possible in an effort to satisfy consumer’s needs and exchange ideas. Make sure to ask your readers questions, encourage feedback and criticism in an effort to create an even better product and/or service.
- Be transparent – Don’t be afraid to address real issues, challenges and issues in your specialised field. Write with uncompromising integrity and don’t avoid any tough questions.
- Use images – Make use appealing or informative photographs, illustrations and charts. They will make posts more attractive and attention grabbing.
- No fluff – Often, posts can be too short or too long – or too full of filler material. That is why we suggest that you hire a social media specialist that has the time to do the research and write with expertise and dedication.
- Be consistent – Hire a professional media writer if you plan on starting a blog for your business. The number one reason why blogs fail is because they are neglected. A professional writer and/or agency will make sure that there is a consistent flow of fresh, quality articles posted on your blog.
- Include customers – Cite real customers, real challenges and real solutions.
- Invest seriously – Invest in the tools you need and put the best writers and designers on your blog.
- Promote your blog – Let professional writers keep your social media blog updated by promoting it across other social networks and across all potential touch points.
Contact us at WSI for professional social media and blogging services today – because we take your business seriously!
![How much money does Facebook, Google and Apple make per second? [Infogram]](https://www.wsioms.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/money.jpg)
by Marelise da Silva | Nov 15, 2013 | Blogging
The UK based money saving community, Happier, released an interactive infogram to graphically show how much money top earning tech companies earn per second. The tech companies included on the infogram include Blackberry, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Samsung and more.
According to Happier’s stats Samsung is the highest earning company, earning approximately $6486 per second, while Apple earns $4540 per second. The infogram also has a counter next to each brand showing you how much money they have earned during the time you have been on the website. Take a look at the infogram here
The top earners that made the list:
Source: Happier
by Francois Muscat | Oct 22, 2013 | Blogging
In my 10 years of operating my WSI franchise, I have been blessed to meet many of my fellow WSI Internet Consultants from around the world. Many of us may have experienced the tragic loss of a loved one and found it difficult to cope. Today I want to introduce a good friend of mine and fellow WSI consultant, Alan Tomkins from Scotland as he has a story that I feel is worth sharing with my network. – Francois Muscat
Recently we had bereavement in our family. Tragically it was a nephew that committed suicide. There was no warning just a tragic unexpected death of a 26 year old with the world at his feet.
Our entire family was devastated and the burden that befell us all was very difficult to comprehend. How do you deal with questions like why didn’t I see this coming, what was the reason, was it something I could have helped prevent, how must his parents be feeling, and how do I talk about this to his parents and the rest of the family. This list goes on…
In this situation talking to someone that has no emotional connection with the situation is extremely helpful. George Davidson and his team at Interactions in Kirkcaldy helped me deal with the trauma of an unexpected loss, but also gave me some simple guidelines on how to talk to my family members about this tragedy and help them to deal with their feels of loss and guilt.
George and his team deal with many difficult and often tragic situations like addiction, loss, relationship breakdowns, abuse, stress and trauma. All George’s counsellors are fully qualified and work from an office so there are no difficult home visits.
At every point George was thoughtful, kind, a great listener, and totally discreet. He’s a qualified and highly professional person who truly wants to help his clients, a really refreshing attitude in a world that seems to be more interested in taking money that delivering value.
I am writing about this experience because I was a little lost and George provided me with guidance. I am sure many people find themselves in a similar position several times in their lives and it’s a real help to consult a professional.
I was a little worried about the cost of professional counselling but George’s hourly rate was a very nice surprise and he was worth every penny.
In conclusion I’d recommend that if you are struggling to deal with any difficult emotional problem get in touch with a professional counsellor, they really are fantastic. And if you’re near Kirkcaldy in Fife, Scotland then seek out George, they don’t get any better.
Alan Thomkins is the MD of WSI Web Based Marketing. He is based in Fife in Scotland.
