Content is Queen Blissdom 2010 Session Recap

Content is Queen Blissdom Session Notes 2010

This session was presented by @debontherocks, @emilychats, @amberrunsamuck, and @isabelkallman on Saturday afternoon at #Blissdom 2010

Deb called us “Digital Publishers”. I love that. Love it.

Emily – Chattingatthesky.com – no ads, writes for the writing.

AlphaMom – it’s an online parenting/blog with evergreen content written in a personalized way.

Amberrunsamuck – “My blog has become a good place to come to meet me.” She meant even for HERSELF to meet her and I love that mental picture.

How do you bring out your authentic voice and personality into the blogosphere?

@isabelkallman – Lots of evergreen content – about 90% Wants to be relevant two years from now. Wants people to find you and then stay!

It takes a lot to write well and write well consistently. I look for people who can make a shopping list interesting. Who can write well and write with personality and truth and passion.

How do you create consistantly high quality writing?

Amber – Good writing is truth writing. Writing often helps to develop your own personal voice. To have an authentic voice you have to LIVE LIFE.

Find those other writers and bloggers who’s content is authentic – whether you agree with them or not you can definitely study the writing. The good writing.

Emily – questioned who she was – do I need a niche? Do I need a specific focus? Isn’t it enough to JUST WRITE? (Angela’s note – I LOVED THIS. I could very much relate to this questioning and I have determined that part of the reason I chose “Renaissance Woman” as a tag line is because I have the niche of many niches. And I’m ok with that. Now. I OWN myself, my tendencies and my personality traits. No limits!)

Quote – Howard Therman – “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs is people who are alive. ”

How do you “edit” yourself to that high quality? How do you promote to that high quality?

Writing a series and knowing what your plan is. Creating that expectation. The Linky thing – setting the expectations. Having a passion about the story. Writing for yourself and challenging yourself to push the next level. Approach those topics and be raw about those things.

@emilyspeaks – Some people don’t edit but I do. I want my writing to be well-presented and I’m very economical with my blog posts. Does each sentence say something unique.

Does it add value to the reader is the main question that Isabel asks because the site is NOT a personal blog. Has it been posted a LOT already? Or should it be re-presented because it’s an important topic. Does it add value to the reader. Does it have value. Period.

Amber suggests Aholyexperience.com – Controls her readers breathing. She continues – I don’t have “great thoughts” – if I’m not prepared as a writer to jot down a note to myself out and about, I WILL forget it. It gives me the cue for when it’s time to write and I’m not stuck staring at a blank computer screen.

Creating content throughout the week that has a designated entity or identity. Having a purpose and identity to my blog is key for knowing what to put there.

“I can’t be mother-in-law conscious when I write”

Which post do you write that your finger quakes before hitting publish?
Which post are you exciting to share with others?
Which posts are you interested in reading what other people comment about your post?
Which posts feel like WORK?
If you could write about ANYTHING without any readers at all, what would it be?

Lindsey’s Snuggie Review is suggested by Deb (I think it was) as a review that was amazing and creative. Creativity can be an amazing review – any kind of content can be creative and interesting.

NEVER LIMIT YOURSELF – any time you think “this is supposed to look like THIS” you are limiting your writing and your content will be less creative and less memorable.

What do you see up ahead in the struggles?

Amber – If I click on a link from my cell phone and the post is huge it’s hard to read. Being a reader of other blogs will keep you in touch with trends and changes.

Commenting on other blogs will feed the community.

In our attempt to monetize our efforts we cannot lose what made us powerful in the first place – our unedited voice. Our authentic voice. Our person and personality BEHIND the information!

Isabel – Knowledge is not the same as understanding. We have the knowledge – putting the voice with that, it helps increase UNDERSTANDING.

Emily – “I’m seeing mothers emerge as writers. Crafters emerge as small business women.”
Said she felt it an honor to see the growth in the community.

Angela’s Thoughts

I loved this session. You guys know how my background is web content creation. Yet even through that I’d like to think that my personality comes through. I was thinking about all my sites – the Untrained Housewife, this blogging/writing how-to site, my coming Pregnancy and Infant site…..what is the common thread through them all.

I think the driving passion – what makes me feel alive as Emily shared – is EMPOWERING OTHERS. I love to see others take a tiny spark of fire from something I shared, and turn it into a raging powerhouse of force and energy to drive some kind of change. It is the common silver thread that connects the many-colored tapestry of my various interests and passions.

I wonder. How can I help empower you more? I want to know.

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Posted in Blissdom Thoughts, Blogging Skills.

By AngEngland

February 7, 2010

9 comments

Who are Your True Friends? – Helpful and True or Pleasant Fluff

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17

When you blog often, and venture into various online communities you find some good friends. And some not so good friends. One of the things I’m learning with my consulting, with my own sphere of influence and with my life in general is the difference.

Are you a true friend, sharp as iron? Or a blogging fluff without substance? Photo by Sanja Gjenero

What makes a true blogging friend?

In blogging, as with life, there are certain characteristics that define a true friend. Let’s take a quick look at them, shall we? I think that we sometimes forget.

A friend is true – and willing to tell the truth.

“No, that theme does NOT look better than the last.” “Um, did you see that typo in the second paragraph? Might want to fix that before you tweet it out again.” or “Hey! How’s it going on that blog post you said you were working on?” These are the types of things you might hear a friend say. Especially a blog friend. After all – everyone hates to find the typo in paragraph two a week and a half later.

A friend has your best interest at heart.

In the blogging community I think we sometimes forget this. It’s not about you alone. You cannot reach every reader, work with every company, and write everything there is to say. So it should be obvious then that in the blogging community we should be looking out for each other. Perhaps, introducing sponsors and opportunities to those around us that if they are not something suitable for us specifically. Maybe it’s pointing out a fantastic post or article to our readers and followers. Maybe it’s just that our feedback isn’t fluff designed to stroke the ego, but rather our honest, heart-felt opinion designed to help another put their best foot forward.

I am grateful for those around me who are willing to stand by me, speak up to me and reach out on my behalf. Those who helped me when I championed a cause. Those who supported me when I started a new endeavor.

It makes me honored. And humbled. It makes me wonder, how am I being a friend to those around me? How do they perceive me? As approachable? As honest? As true? I hope so.

I know I can be blunt. As iron, sometimes. But I hope that my friends see the heart behind that – to make them sharper and more effective. What about you? What kind of friend are you?

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Posted in Blogging by the Book.

By AngEngland

January 29, 2010

2 comments

Re-examining Examiner – Is Examiner Still Paying With the Recent Changes

I’ve recently received a ton of traffic and emails about the post I wrote almost a year ago “Can You Make Money Writing For Examiner.com?” now that Examiner has undergone some changes. Everyone wants to know – What does the local Examiner writing bonus mean? What happened with Google news and Examiner? Is writing for Examiner still “worth it”? So then, let’s talk about the latest and greatest with Examiner.

What is Examiner.com Paying Per Page View Now?

When I did the month on my last month’s revenue the pay-per-thousand pay rate was $9.11. It’s still just over double what I make at Suite101.com per thousand page views, although my base revenue there is more than my base payments at Examiner. Of course, I’ve been writing with Suite101 for over three years so there’s the time and volume issue to consider. I still maintain that the key to making a good revenue at Examiner will be to choose a higher search volume topic – traditionally topics like finance which have higher pay-per-click with Google adsense also have lower page views and more competition and will probably not perform as well on Examiner. On the other hand, topics like recipes and sports which draw lots of page views, are topics which do poorly in traditional revenue share models so may be topics to consider for Examiner.

What did the Recent Local-Writing Pay Structure Change?

Honestly? Not much. Local Examiners now receive a $1 bonus for writing local-focused pieces. This is in addition to the regular pay! After a conversation with Examiner personnel via telephone I can assure you that Examiner is not going to delete posts that are NOT locally-slanted; those pieces just won’t be eligible for the extra $1 bonus. The reason Examiner specifically mentioned they have the ability to delete inappropriate content is because too many Examiners were posting articles completely off-topic, such as a Beauty Examiner posting about a sports team or some such thing.

Is Writing for Examiner.com Worth it?

I cannot answer that for you. I do know that with the new minimum requirements of one post per month it is EASY to contribute there. My articles are picked up by Google fairly quickly. I am able to drive traffic to other sites I write for or resources my readers would enjoy. And it’s definitely platform building. When I call someone and introduce myself as the Oklahoma City Alternative Medicine Examiner, they tend to take that pretty seriously. Which is nice. Am I getting rich? Nope. But it did pay for my plane ticket to #Blissdom (the blogging conference I’m speaking at next week).

Will it be worth it FOR YOU? I have no way to know that. There are pros and cons, to be sure. There are benefits that can come and I know many who are doing well there with their writing. I can’t guarantee you will be one of them but it might be worth a shot for the minimal investment it takes to contribute. If you do decide to give Examiner a try let them know [2287] Oklahoma Alternative Medicine Examiner sent you.

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Posted in Freelance Writing, Making Money.

By AngEngland

January 28, 2010

3 comments

The Blogging Buffet

“Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you can find.”

~ Matthew 22:10

The Table is Set - Who's Coming to Your Feast? Photo by Dani Simmonds

This verse from the Bible highlights two unique and interesting aspects of blogging that I personally find fascinating. The ability of blogging to make friends of strangers, and the amazing capacity for connections that is inherent in the genre. (Is blogging an official genre yet? We debated for too long – I think it’s official!)

Feasting at the Table

There is something very personal about sharing a meal with someone – you don’t typically invite random strangers to come and dine with you.

Yet with blogging you are able to do this very thing. I love the duality of the public and the personal natures when it comes to blogging. I share my heart in tiny pixels, and while many friends come and feast there are many strangers who come as well. The invitation is open to ANYONE who can be found! Brilliant!

Connections in Far-Off Corners

Corners of the world.

Corners of the room.

Hidden corners.

Around the corner.

Corners have an elusive mystery and aren’t typically the places we tend to frequent. It’s so easy for me to fall into my routine – see the same people every month and haunt the same places. We are, after all, creatures of habit.

Maybe that’s why this call to go to the street corners resonates to strongly with me! I love new adventures! What else would you call connecting with a kindred spirit ten thousand miles away who heard the invitation to my blogging buffet? I am constantly impressed by the amazing people I’ve connected with through blogging and online writing in general. My life is richer, and the feast more enjoyable, because of it.

Potluck Anyone?

I think potluck suppers are the best, don’t you? Everyone bringing their own contributions to the table. No one dish above any other. No one platter sufficient by itself – all combine to create a vast and amazing whole that more than satisfies anyone coming to the feast.

Isn’t the blogging community the same way? Would any one of us claim to have THE final word on a subject? No! Of course not – the collaboration and great equalization of the web is part of the appeal.

So here’s my question to you – what kind of feast are you presenting? Who have you invited to the buffet? Are you reaching out to the furthest street corners and giving your invitation?

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Posted in Uncategorized.

By AngEngland

January 26, 2010

3 comments

Grocery Grump or Glory? Ten Habits Last Day – Wrapping it Up!

So I’ve been thinking a lot about these Ten Habits for Success and mulled things over in my mind a lot yesterday. It was a busy day – full of everyday life. My husband had worked all night so he was sleeping, while I had errands I needed to do, after being gone for a week.

A trip to the library to return overdue books and let the kids have their “story hour” time. A chiropractor appointment the next town over. Lunch at McDonald’s battling the playplace and all it entails. A long trip to the grocery store to renew all the basics that had disappeared at the same time – things like toothpaste, cereal, fruit and greens for stew. With three children. Pregnant. We had SO much fun.

It’s Mostly What You Make It

You know when you get in a rhythm at the grocery store and find yourself crossing paths with another shopper at every aisle? In this case we kept meeting an older lady, obviously a grandmother, but obviously someone who stayed active and fit and chose to have a slight-edge-style attitude about life. This lady was someone I’d love to sit and have coffee with – a joyful spirit.

You have to understand my family. We sing. We laugh. We enjoy life. Even in the grocery store. So here I am with Micah in front of me, and one preschooler clasping the side of the cart on one side, the other clasping their designated spot on the other side. Quite a sight, I’m sure. Singing the A-A-Apple song and tickling the baby.

The first time we past she smiled at us and I smiled back. Then she came around the corner of the next aisle grinning already, as Micah’s laughter was totally audible to her, I’m sure. My kids saw her coming and said hello. She said HI back. Down the third row we came and the kids were ready. Even Micah said HI and I was laughing at their enthusiasm. She said hello again in a cheerful voice and we passed eachother. As we came down the fourth row she stopped.

She looked at me and said – “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a mother with young children have this much fun at the grocery store.” I replied off-hand, “Oh, we manage to have a good time where ever we are.” and she laughed in satisfaction and we parted. Then I stopped to think….it’s usually true. We usually DO have fun where ever it is that we are.

And if we don’t have fun – it usually starts with me. When I allow the inevitable frustrations of life – say, shopping with three children ages 5 and under by myself – to be my focus we are NOT fun. _I_ am not having a good time. And no one else does either.

An attitude of Stress? or Success? Your choice! Photo by Muriel Miralles de Sawicki

Insert “Blogging” for “Grocery Store”

You see where I’m going right? Connecting the dots here is not rocket science.

Your attitude is largely what you make it. Period. It really is that easy. You can choose to act happy and joyful in the middle of the grocery store, or you can choose to act like a frazzled, miserable grump. The choice is yours. It is what ever YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE IT.

I hope as you look back through the past two and a half weeks you’ll process these Ten Habits with that mindset. They will only ever be what you choose to make them.

Praying for your continued success – Angela

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Posted in Family, Ten Habits of Blogging.

By AngEngland

January 22, 2010

6 comments

Overcoming Obstacles: Get Smarter Through Online Education – Ten Habits Day 16

Susan Payton - Instructor, Marketer and More!

Angela’s Note – Susan Payton is the Managing Partner of Egg Marketing & Public Relations, an internet marketing firm specializing in blogger outreach, social media, and PR. She is also the blogger behind The Marketing Eggspert Blog. She’s written two books: 101 Entrepreneur Tips and Internet Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs, as well as several ecourses on marketing. Follow her on Twitter @eggmarketing. I met her at Type-A-Mom and have collaborated on an ecourse with her. Listen as she shares about continuing to GROW.

If you’re like me, you find it difficult to keep up with the changing times. I’m in marketing, so the fact that there’s a new social media tool coming out every five minutes makes it very hard to stay on top of!

How do I do it?

I find people who are smarter than me and let them teach me. I:

Read blogs by experts
Attend webinars
Take online ecourses

I talk a lot on my blog and others about being an expert in your field. This is a necessity, but the other side of the coin is getting the knowledge you need to be that expert. Remember: there’s always someone more knowledgeable than you. Take that as a challenge to bone up on whatever it is you want to learn more about.

Blogs

So where do I get this knowledge? Since I’m looking for info on internet marketing, public relations and social media, I start with some of the best bloggers:

Chris Brogan’s Blog is a great source for the latest news and innovations as well as genuine reviews of tools and technology.
On Social Media Explorer, Jason Falls covers a nice range of topics, from public relations to social media.
Over on Drew’s Marketing Minute, Drew McLellan gives me great perspective on all things marketing.

Teleseminars

Occasionally I feel like sitting in on a teleseminar. They’re too numerous to name here, but I find having a strong presence on Facebook helps me get invited to some really great free seminars on marketing and entrepreneurship. If you have questions, joining a teleseminar is a great way to get answers from experts.

Ecourses

I also love taking ecourses at my leisure. I actually just launched The Marketing EggSchool to provide business owners with an easy way to learn marketing skills that will benefit their companies. Angela is teaching a course called How to Use Keywords to Drive Traffic for Businesses, so make sure you check it out! The great thing about ecourses is you can take them in your PJs and stop and start as many times as you like.

Your Turn!

So where do you get your inspiration and education? Please share with us so we can use it too!

Make a list of 5 to 10 resources you can use in 2010 to get smarter and brush up on your expert status. Add them to your calendar as to-dos to make sure you don’t forget to check them out!

PS Since you’re Angela’s friends, I want to offer you a special deal on courses at The Marketing EggSchool. Right now everything is just $10. This includes: