Wordpress Expert : Steve Watson Online

Ten Fool-Proof WordPress Blog Post Ideas

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There are no limits to the type of blog posts you may write for your WordPress blog but, truthfully, not every type of post goes off with a bang. People are somewhat predictable online; they often enjoy structure so they can easily skim through a blog post and be on their way. This article will share ten types of blog post ideas that are not only fool-proof but will pull in your readers like magic.

Blog Post Idea #1: Write a Product Review

Product reviews are a great way to generate money with your blog and to educate your audience about the products or services they can purchase that will aid them within your niche. A product review should be ethical; it’s important to fully understand the product which is why it’s recommended that you own the product rather than doing a summary about it using online information. Share your experiences and get people to imagine what their life would be like owning the product and you will increase your chances of earning a sale with the review.

Blog Post Idea #2: Create a Top List

People love to read list style posts because they’re easy to digest and there is a small underlying ‘competitive’ factor to the list (people are itching to see the #1 spot). A list can be created around any top from the top 10 people within your niche to the top 10 products. Top lists are easy to create and can be great to summarize a lot of information without digging too specific into each of the items within the list. Additionally, list posts are great for reference at later times.

Blog Post Idea #3: Share an Interview

There are dozens of experts within each niche that people love to hear from; there are even more people that are worthy of an interview that can lend great insights about information related to your niche. An interview style blog post are easy to create because you only need to hand over questions through email and you’ll get a full, detail post in return; of course, you could do audio or video interviews as well. In all, people love to hear and learn from others with makes this type of blog post highly engaging and fool-proof to create.

Blog Post Idea #4: Shoot a Video

Ever wonder why Youtube has over a billion video views each day? Video is highly engaging because people can sit back, learn or be entertained without needing to read through an expansive blog post. You can begin to create video blog posts by purchasing an inexpensive video camera online or use screen capture tools to create Screencasts. Once published, you can embed and share your video on your blog, social media networks and link to it within other blog posts. Read more »

The Local Search Engine Optimization Checklist

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The inherent problem with the search engines, when first introduced, was the lack of support for local businesses and information due to the platform being seen as a global connection. People were finding it difficult to discover local events, business and locations because search results were displaying results that applied to keywords which could come from any source.

A person doing a quick search for a ‘pizza parlor’ would be given thousands of listings from all over the world; it was a big problem for the search engine user and didn’t reward local businesses that could be reaching this person. In response to the problem with global search results, many search engines have begun to integrate local search features into their listings. Now, businesses can rank within their area for their respected keywords and business products and services.

This article is a basic checklist of how to get your website and business presence ranked to the tops in search results using the application of local search engine optimization.

Checklist Item 1: Have you done your research?

Prior to working on local search engine optimization, it’s important to have an overall goal in mind for what keywords your business will be ranking for. Not only does having a goal keep you aligned to the work you’ll need to do but will also reveal multiple main and secondary keywords that will be applicable to your business for search engine optimization.

Begin by visiting the Google Keyword Tool and plug in the main keywords that relate to your business such as the products, services or information you’re offering. Keep a log of all the relevant terms that apply to your business and add each term back into the tool to see additional related results for your terms.

Once you’ve developed a list for your main keywords, you will begin adding local search engine optimization modifiers to focus each to a specific area which is the basis of this strategy. Add terms like [your city], [your state], [local events], [zip codes] and more. Compile your keyword list into a spreadsheet along with any additional information relevant to your campaign such as the total number of searches for your terms and overall competition; this can be used at a later time to help you focus on “big win” keywords that will have greater amounts of traffic.

How to Create a Wildly Popular Content Series That Your Readers Will Love

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A content series goes beyond the traditional approach of writing one new content piece on occasion while bouncing around in overall subjects. Content series takes a closer examination of a single topic to the most detailed degree, adds your own experience and creates a high level of value to those that follow along.

This article will share how to properly create a series on your website.

Step 1: Find a Highly Interesting Topic

Begin asking questions to your readers about what they would like to learn. Examine your own interests and find an itch that you want to scratch. Try to avoid topics that have been covered time and time again; find something that will give you a unique series that’s offer nowhere else.

Look at what has worked well for other bloggers, website owners and content producers. Research the structure and detail they placed into each post and the series as a whole. Keep notes about what you’d like to write about and finally decide by entertaining the idea to a segment of your community to see how they react; if it’s good than you’re ready to go!

Step 2: Plan and Discover the Inherent Needs and Desires

Before you start digging into a topic you should take a bit of time to examine why people would actually read your series. Much like creating a product you’ll want to find common questions, needs or desires of those that intently want to learn about a topic. Touch on each of the mentioned items than you’ll have a greater chance of engaging your readers and creating lasting impact.

Likewise, plan out your content so you can clearly see where you’ll be going with the topics you plan to discuss. Jumping right in may sound the most appeasing but your series could turn disastrous from lack of planning. Map out where each post will take the reader much like the story of a book.

Step 3: Become Part of the Story

Don’t just write about a topic which you’ve read and researched before; actually engrain yourself within the story by living what you teach. Buy the program you plan to use throughout the series, subscribe to the group you want to cover, live the experience of what you want to share. In short, add a real-world experience to your series rather than writing it as if it were a white paper.

How to Create a Unique Youtube Channel

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Every Youtube account owner has access to a unique Youtube channel but the basic design and feel are very limited and lack the additional elements that will make it stand out and attract Youtube subscribers. This article will take you through every element of why you need a unique Youtube channel, how to get started with one and the additional opportunities it creates once you have one up and running.

Why Create a Unique Youtube Channel

Your Youtube channel is your opportunity to brand. Branding is extremely important in the web today because it’s what aids the building of communities and opens the opportunities to expand into new ventures with a solid backing from your followers; this can be toward anything such as a new website or product launch!

As noted, the basic Youtube channel is very limited and lacks a lot of design features that create the various elements that detail proper branding. A branded, unique Youtube channel allows you to show yourself off through killer design banners, links to your website, a variety of backgrounds and improvements to the organization of your videos. All the small branded elements of your Youtube channel adds up to a greater impact on your visitors and can have a lasting effect on the success of your Youtube presence.

How to Get Started with Youtube Channels

Upon logging into your Youtube account, click on the ‘Channel’ link to be taken to your Youtube channel. Once on your channel page, you will be given a variety of options for editing your Youtube channel including the design, messages, layout and more.

Here are some of the modifications you can make on your channel (apply those that are applicable):

Post Bulletin – This is an option to post a bulletin to your Youtube channel such as when you release a new video or if you have something important to say to your Youtube followers.
Settings – The settings tab allows you to set the title of your Youtube channel, add channel tags and select a channel type (other options are just for visibility and being found). Each of these options will let your channel stand out so name your Youtube channel something interesting, set your tags to describe the type of content you share and change your channel based on the information you offer.
Themes and Color – This tab gives you the options of choosing premade templates for the design of your Youtube channel or enter the advanced options which gives you the chance to change almost every element of the page from the font family to the colors; you can also use this opportunity to upload a background image. To keep branding consistent, edit the Youtube channel design to match that of your website so there is congruency between the platforms.
Modules – Change the modules which appear on your Youtube channel, such as friends, subscribers, recent activities and more, within this tab. Remove anything that isn’t necessary or add the modules you find will be helpful to your community.
Videos and Playlist – This tab gives you the ability to set featured playlists and organize your videos. To promote a new video, you can use ‘Featured Video’ option to automatically display a select video (of your choice) to be shown when people land on your page (you can use this as a branding opportunity such as a personal ‘welcome’ video).

6 Ways to Gain Customers using Local Search Tactics

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The Internet is an amazing platform which can help drive a flood of customers to the doors of your business. Local search engine optimization and web techniques can be applied to your online presence that not only generates buzz around your business but will drive leads your way so they can learn more about what your business has to offer. This article will share several different ways how you can use search engines to gain customers.

Method 1: Get listed in directories

First thing, get your business listed in local business directories such as Google Places, Yahoo Local, Bing Local and Yelp. The business directories are a great way to easily be found when people, in your area, search for keywords relevant to your business. Your business will display within search results and map listings along with being able to collect reviews and feedback from your community.

Method 2: Optimize for local keywords

Use the Google Keyword Tool to find relevant keywords to your business by plugging in phrases that you know, for certain, describe your business, products and services. Use the keywords on your website along with local search modifiers such as your city on each of the pages. Change the URL and link structure of your website to reflect the keywords for each of the pages to ensure search engines can spider your website and apply search engine optimization factors that matter to each of the pages.

Method 3: Start up a local advertising campaign

Sign up for an online advertising platform like Google Adwords and begin advertising your business to the local market. Use your main keywords and geo location to show your ads only to the local towns and cities within the radius of your business; avoid wasting money from advertising to people half way around the world. Optimize your advertising, remove underperforming ads and dump more money into ones that are providing you a significant return on your investment.

Search Engine Optimization: Major Factors for On-Page SEO You Cannot Ignore

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A lot of the focus of website owners and internet marketers lie within creating traffic and link building; these external methods certainly help with the overall ranking of a website but without proper on-page optimization a website hits a glass ceiling on what’s possible within search engine results. This article will share the major factors of on-page SEO which you cannot afford to ignore.

“Keyword Rich URL’s” – Each web page should be assigned a unique URL which uses the main keyword which you’ll be using throughout the content and web page; this keyword is one of the most important elements of on-page optimization and should not be omitted at any interval during the creation of your website. The following is an example of how your website’s URL should look:

Bad: www.yourwebsite.com/?=1234

Good: www.yourwebsite.com/keyword-rich-title.html

“Main Keyword within the Title Tag” – The title tag is the on-page element which is displayed at the top of the web browser’s window and within search engine results. Place your main keyword within the first section of your title tag so search engines and its users are more readily to find it; this improves your overall rankings in SERP’s.

“Main (Relevant) Keyword in the H1 Tag” – The H1 tag is the highest value heading tag on a web page; it tells search engines the main focus of the content and is often considered just as valuable as the title tag of your page. Apply your main keyword to your H1 tag to ensure your on-page SEO is up to par with your competition; equally so, create a headline which entices users to click through and dig into your content.

“Content worth Sharing” – The most widely used adage is “Content is King!” but that’s not necessarily so; to gain the best benefit of content and on-page SEO, you’ll need to create content which people are likely to share with others and link back to on their own site. Content should be created for the end-user in mind by providing the best quality information on the topic.

“Proper Interlinking to Inner Pages” – Each web page should have links to sub-pages which use the destination page’s relevant keyword as the anchor link. Interlinking content on your website allows search engines to dig deep within your website to index pages and apply value to each page along with search engine optimization factors which come from the use of keywords in your anchor links. Instead of a “Click Here” for your interlinks, try using the page’s main keyword.

“Keyword within Image ALT Tags” – A search engine spider does not currently have the capability to “see” what image is placed on your web page; it looks for the image ALT tag. Each image which you place on your website, place an ALT tag within the image HTML text such as: <img src=”image.jpg” alt=”yourKeyword” />.

Top 3 Social Media Platforms for Businesses

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There are thousands of social networks available online today; trying to join each and interacting on them will stretch your efforts far too thin to the point that you’re not making any impact. It’s best to focus on just a few social networks at a time. Staying focused on a small group of social networks will allow you to devote time for market interaction, sharing content and building an online brand.

This article will explore the top three social networks you should be using. Each of the following will provide you with access to the largest segment of your market and give you the ability to try different marketing approaches when interacting with your community.

Facebook

Facebook is the essential social network that every business should be a part of due to the massive size of the platform. With Facebook, your business will be able to build a loyal fan base, take advantage of fan pages, share promotions and interact with your market in ways that may prove difficult on your business website.

Facebook is great for businesses as an outlet to share regular content and updates without requiring manual updates to the businesses’ website. The majority of web users have Facebook accounts; each message they respond to on your own fan page wall or message will show on their own which makes an opportunity for subtle word-of-mouth marketing. Likewise, Facebook has continued to expand their offerings with advertising options, marketplaces and event pages if your business chooses to take advantage of these options on the platform.

Twitter

Twitter is a micro blogging platform where users may interact, share content and build a strong personal brand using 140 characters or less. Even with the limitations on the size of a message your business can fully tap into this social network by providing a great experience to your market in a real-time environment.

Twitter has quickly shot to feverish heights as one of the most popular social media platforms on the web today. Each time your business has news to share to the world, do so on Twitter. Interact with your customers by finding their profiles and build a following by sharing widgets on your own website. Twitter also allow for easy sharing of your content across the platform which may drive customers through your website and increase your bottom line.

WordPress: Why it Matters for Blogging and Business

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Wordpress For Busienss

Ok it’s time for me to start bigging WordPress up. Believe it or not some people are still not convinced that a move from a static html site to a site based on WordPress is a good thing. I am going to start a series of blog posts that really gets into why such a move should be a no brainer.

So let’s start with WHY?

WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems used for blogging on the web. The limits to WordPress are seemingly endless because it is open source (free) by nature which means that anyone may edit and update the platform; this has spawned an entire industry of freelance professionals and businesses that offer great plugins, themes and support for WordPress. More importantly, WordPress is one of the greatest options for setting up a website which is detailed in this article.

Limitless Flexibility

The first, most important element of WordPress is the flexibility of the platform. WordPress is not just a blogging platform but can also be used as an eCommerce portal or an entire website that looks no different than ones you frequent while on the web.

WordPress developers have created an endless amount of options for modifying and updating your WordPress website. There are plugins that speed up your website, plugins to automatically add share buttons for social media websites, plugins to expand the flexibility of your content creation and so much more. In all, WordPress gives you the greatest flexibility over a content management system with the ease-of-use that anyone without technical knowledge can understand.

WordPress for Blogging

WordPress gives a blogger many options for increasing their online presence through themes, plugins and the ability for the community to leave feedback through comments. Unlike a traditional static website, WordPress comes packaged with features that add a new layer of interactivity and flexibility that aid a blogger with getting their content found and building an online following.

Naturally, WordPress does an amazing job at search engine optimization through multiple plugins and the ability to ‘ping’ blog search engines; all of these additions help with getting the website found by search engines. Likewise, WordPress gives its users the ability to drag and drop widgets and modules (depending on the WordPress framework) which adds premium features like opt-in forms for lead capture, automatic feeds from other blogs, payment gateways for selling products and anything you think of that will fit onto your WordPress blog. In short, if you need a feature on your WordPress blog, you can bet that a developer has created it.

7 Strategies to Promote and Build your Facebook Following

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Facebook can be a powerful tool for small businesses to connect and interact with their audience. However, without followers, on Facebook, small businesses really aren’t connecting at all; for this reason, promotion is in order. This article will share several different strategies you could be using to promote your Facebook profile and build your online following …

Method 1: Create a Facebook Fan Page

Start promoting yourself on the big time by creating a Facebook fan page. A fan page can be dedicated to anything from a business to a cause; for the purpose of this article, you would most likely be creating a page dedicated to your business or website (they’re often one in the same). Sign up and create your Facebook Fan page, fill in the necessary information and begin promoting it through various channels you’re already active on such as your emails to people, your website or any other social media profile you may have such as Twitter, Google+ or LinkedIn.

Method 2: Create a Facebook Event

Get active with your industry by holding events within your local area. Events can bridge the offline and online world; you may have a massive amount of potential followers but aren’t very active on the web which puts your local event in the perfect position to get these people on board with following your Facebook profile, joining your fan page or visiting your website. Find out a perfect time to create an event in your area such as a holiday weekend when people are likely to have time off. Host the event and give away free items or products for those that attend. Tell people more about your Facebook profile and where they can find you online; not only will you build trust in your local community but you’ll also have the potential to land some quality leads to your website.

Method 3: Advertise on Facebook

Facebook offers a very large advertising platform with a wealth of features and filters that let you hone in on the exact type of person you wish to market to. The Facebook advertising platform lets you play around with filters such as geographical location, hobbies & interests, age and so much more. Laser focus your advertising campaign, through Facebook, to talk to the niche groups in your industry. Focusing your advertising campaign not only lets you keep the costs low but you’ll also find people that are far more likely to take action because you’re not taking a broad swipe at your marketing message. Send people to your Facebook page and entice them to sign up; a few hundred dollars to promote your page can lead to thousands of new followers in a rapid amount of time.

Method 4: Create a Facebook Group

Groups differ from Fan Pages and Events; they’re more like a collective behind a cause, piece of entertainment or just anything in general. A Facebook group can take on any shape and form; people can easily ‘like’ a Facebook group as it can relate to just about any broad or niche topic. For example, you could create a Facebook group related to your industry. On your group page, you could share valuable information which would, in turn, get people interested in your personal brand. All of your interactions on a broad (or niche) scope can lead people to your Facebook page and convince them to follow you