Writing on the Web from Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad

Writing tasks: they just keep growing

When I started out in 1999, there were only 2 ways I wrote for the web: updating my website (through someone else) and writing email.

Today, I've got a list of writing tasks to do:

1. Blog posts for 4 different blogs
2. Weekly ezine Savvy eBiz Tips
3. Articles for directory submissions
4. Article for my Customized Newsletter Services
5. White paper for Blog Squad
6. Sales copy for new Blog Squad group coaching
7. Email promotion copy for new group
8. 6 press releases to announce client successes

Does this seem a lot to you? It seems if you're trying to do business online, a major part of what you do is write for a living. Am I the only one whose list of writing tasks is growing?

Take our new poll to the left and let us know which tasks are the most challenging for you.

Long or Short Blog Posts? Expert Says Go Long

Usability expert Jakob Nielsen says write articles, not blog entries.

Writing in his latest Alertbox column, Jakob Nielsen says:

"Blog postings will always be commodity content: there's a limit to the value you can provide with a short comment on somebody else's comments. Such postings are good for generating controversy and short-term traffic, and they're definitely easy to write. But they don't build sustainable value." - Jakob Nielsen (July 9, 2007)

I was alerted to this information by Debbie Weil on her BlogWrite for CEOs blog. Debbie adds, "The best blogging strategy (the one that reaps the most rewards as far as establishing yourself as a thought leader) is to mix up your blog posts. Some should be short and reference another article / site / blog."

Article Marketing Tips from The Internet Article Guy

We hosted a great article marketing class with Jeff Herring yesterday on our Blogging and Beyond mentor group teleseminar. Jeff is widely known as The Internet Article Guy, and he's got plenty of tips for using articles for Internet marketing.

He's a master at teaching professionals to simplify the article writing process. He says, "If you can write a 7-item grocery list, you can write a 7-tip article." He even sells article templates which can get you started. Both Denise and I have used his templates.

Once you write several 500-word tip articles, they should be submitted to the article directories, for example, EzineArticles.com.

You can submit the same article to different article directories, but when you have them on your website, article should be at least 20% different to avoid the duplicate content ding from search engines. This means changing the headline and first paragraph, and taking a slightly different angle in your article.

Speaking: Another marketing tool to master

I'm off to downtown San Diego today, to attend the National Speakers Association conference, "Speaking with Soul and Substance." 

Why do this? Anyone who knows me knows I love being behind my computer. For one thing, Tom Antion told us (The Blog Squad) we really should add speaking gigs as part of our marketing and revenue building plan for the coming year.

For another, since Denise and I are being asked to speak anyway, I want to see what others are doing, how to make our presentations more exciting, less boring.

Not that presenting on blogs is boring. But anything you talk about continuously can get that way, if you don't deliver with enthusiasm and pizazz! I want to see how the professionals do it.

I also want to meet up with speakers who blog. Ian Griffin, who writes an excellent blog, is hosting a special interest meet-up with bloggers tonight.

YouTube as a Business Marketing Tool

"YouTube for Business: How You Can Profit"

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Michael Miller, author of YouTube 4 You

July 12, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

YouTube isn't for teenagers and wannabe rock bands anymore. Like MySpace and SecondLife, businesses are getting into the act. How can you use YouTube and videos to attract attention, attract new clients, and grow business no matter what your profession or niche? The Blog Squad interviews technology author Michael Miller from www.molehillgroup.com, author of YouTube 4 You.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 12.

P.S. Check out The Blog Squad's videos on YouTube!

"YouTube for Business: How You Can Profit"

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Michael Miller, author of YouTube 4 You

July 12, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

YouTube isn't for teenagers and wannabe rock bands anymore. Like MySpace and SecondLife, businesses are getting into the act. How can you use YouTube and videos to attract attention, attract new clients, and grow business no matter what your profession or niche? The Blog Squad interviews technology author Michael Miller from www.molehillgroup.com, author of YouTube 4 You.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 12.

P.S. Check out The Blog Squad's videos on YouTube!

Women vs Men: Twice as many words, or the same?

There's new study that says that men and women use the same number of words during a day. But that doesn't mention if the words represent the same or new concepts. Here's the joke:

A husband looking through the paper came upon a study that said women use more words than men. Excited to prove to his wife that he had been right all along when he accused her of talking too much, he showed her the study results. It read "Men use about 15,000 words per day, but women use 30,000".

The wife thought for a while, then finally she said to her husband "It's because we have to repeat everything we say."

The husband said "What?"

Men speak just as many words per day -- about 15,669 -- vs. the 16,215 women do during a 17-hour day. That's according to research (subscription req'd) published today in the journal Science. The findings contradict widely reported, yet unsubstantiated claims that women speak up to 20,000 words per day vs. 7,000 uttered by men.

This was shared by the Church of the Customer blog.

My question is this: do you think that women use more words when they write? I would say yes! Women, or at least some, are more aware of the emotional context and therefore would  address more issues than just the facts when writing on a topic.

But this is my own perspective and may not represent the majority. What's your opinion?

Creative Writing Challenge

This just in from Answers.com:

A chance to win prizes for being a creative writing genius, writing a story or poem using ten words/phrases we randomly chose.

Check out the submission details. Looking forward to reading your entries! Prizes include Amazon gift certificates along with blog mentions on Answers.com and link love. 

If you're a creative writer, here's your chance to strut your stuff! Go for it!

Great Speaking: Get Rid of Fear with Dr. Larina Kase

Speaking Can Boost Your Business

"Speak Confidently to Attract Clients and Business Opportunities"

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Dr. Larina Kase, www.TheMindsetofSuccess.com

July 5, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

The keys for success lie in your ability to communicate confidently and persuade others of your ideas. Yet speaking before groups frequently cripples otherwise competent professionals. Now there is scientific evidence that reveals the secrets behind the psychology of confidence. You can learn to speak confidently, master presentation skills and conquer fear and anxiety. The result? Attract more prospects, clients and opportunities.

The Blog Squad interviews business psychologist Dr. Larina Kase, co-author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Confident Speaker.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 5.

"Speak Confidently to Attract Clients and Business Opportunities"

Blogging and Beyond with The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., and Denise Wakeman
With Guest Expert: Dr. Larina Kase, www.TheMindsetofSuccess.com

July 5, 2007, 3:00 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)

The keys for success lie in your ability to communicate confidently and persuade others of your ideas. Yet speaking before groups frequently cripples otherwise competent professionals. Now there is scientific evidence that reveals the secrets behind the psychology of confidence. You can learn to speak confidently, master presentation skills and conquer fear and anxiety. The result? Attract more prospects, clients and opportunities.

The Blog Squad interviews business psychologist Dr. Larina Kase, co-author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Confident Speaker.

Use this link to listen live on the air at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 5.

Tom Antion: Get Smart, Get Rich Butt Camp

SUNDAY, JULY 8, SAN DIEGO
Our mentor, Tom Antion, is presenting his "infamous" Electronic Marketing ButtCamp (where you learn to make bucks while sitting on your rear end in front of your computer) July 8th in San Diego. This is the day before the National Speakers Association convention.

Tom has done these extensive one day Internet camps all over the world and he guarantees you a fantastic day that will open your eyes to the Internet riches that await you.

In addition to being in Tom Antion's mentor program, we have attended two of these "buttcamps" and we get a ton of new, do-able information that helps boost our business every time.

PLUS...

Graduates get to attend all future ButtCamps forever with no more registration fees.

Check out all the details for the San Diego ButtCamp. This one looks like the best one ever.

Denise and I will be there. We were honored to be asked by Tom to do the presentation on blogs.

We'd love to meet you there.

SUNDAY, JULY 8, SAN DIEGO
Our mentor, Tom Antion, is presenting his "infamous" Electronic Marketing ButtCamp (where you learn to make bucks while sitting on your rear end in front of your computer) July 8th in San Diego. This is the day before the National Speakers Association convention.

Tom has done these extensive one day Internet camps all over the world and he guarantees you a fantastic day that will open your eyes to the Internet riches that await you.

In addition to being in Tom Antion's mentor program, we have attended two of these "buttcamps" and we get a ton of new, do-able information that helps boost our business every time.

PLUS...

Graduates get to attend all future ButtCamps forever with no more registration fees.

Check out all the details for the San Diego ButtCamp. This one looks like the best one ever.

Denise and I will be there. We were honored to be asked by Tom to do the presentation on blogs.

We'd love to meet you there.

Blog Critiques: Common Error Discovered in Consultant Blog Writing

Recently Denise, my partner in The Blog Squad, and I have been doing blog critiques: 20 minute video screen capture reviews on how to make your blog better for business results.

What's the most common mistake some blog authors make? In the blogs we've reviewed so far (from consultants), it has been the exact opposite of what we usually see in blogs all over the Web: lack of personal involvement. No use of the pronoun "I."

With one exception, these blogs all relayed information and knowledge, but without a personal point of view.

The one exception went to the other extreme: too much about me, me, me and not enough about you, the readers.

Either way, blog writers miss the point of having a blog when they merely relay information. Blogs, even when used for business purposes should reveal the blogger's personality and perspectives, all while still appealing to what's in it for readers.

There are way too many blogs that are personally revealing and of no interest on a business level to consumers. But when a blog author forgets to tell readers what they think, then they might as well be writing for a newspaper.

A great business blogger will manage to write in between the two extremes. What do you think?