Writing on the Web from Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad

What Is a Content Marketing Information Funnel?

Are you building a content marketing information funnel? If not, you're leaving money on the table. Not only that, you're missing an opportunity to solidify the relationships your hard-earned content marketing efforts are creating.

It's odd that Wikipedia doesn't have a page written about this key internet marketing strategy. There's a page for purchasing funnel and one for sales funnel. And there are over 3 million results on Google for product funnel. Okay, don't go there now, here's what you need to know:

Content marketing works because you take a reader through the steps of getting to know you, like you, and trust you. This is the KLT factor. Here's how it works:

1. Your blog should have cornerstone content pieces to communicate your core values and passion and business mission. These are stand-alone pages to highlight your core information.
2. Your blog (or website) should have a well-crafted bio or About page, which tells your back story, who you are, and why you care.
3. Your blog or website should have client stories, case studies and testimonials everywhere to tell your clients' experiences with working with you, your products and services.
4. And next, you need continual, clear calls to action, so that readers can take the next steps.

Next Steps

10 Places to Publish Online Content

How many different places online are you publishing content that markets for you and your business?

Rapidly, as new software and user-friendly Web tools emerge, the Internet has been changing the way we communicate with words. Almost too rapidly, some would say.

Here’s a partial list of where you could (and should) write and publish online:

•    Blogs and web pages
•    Ezines, e-newsletters
•    Web-based press releases
•    White Papers, special reports
•    Articles posted on directories
•    E-books, e-courses and autoresponders
•    Surveys & Quizzes
•    Podcasts and audio files
•    Video clips, YouTube
•    Social communities and networks, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

What am I missing on this list?

11 Content Marketing Steps to Master on the Web: Bridging the Gap

What do Holiday dinners have in common with the Internet? Apparently the two are becoming more friendly.

It's inevitable...at every holiday or family gathering,  the discussion eventually rolls around to the Web, and the latest weird video on YouTube. Last night was a first for me, however: someone went and got their netbook and brought it to the table to show a clip of the "middle aged cracker rapper."

Such discussions about the Web are always eye-openers to me because the average person doesn't spend the majority of time connected to the 'Net like I do. Many of them aren't sure what a blog really is or how it's used for business. Email is (finally!) a normal communication channel.

But for most people, the use of Twitter and Facebook is still a rarity. Here's how most are using the Web: entertainment and education.

"I'll Google that question when I get home," one guest said. We were searching for the name of the evil character in the movie "The Usual Suspects." Another guest said, "What did we do before Google?"

Using the Web for Content Marketing

2010 Musings: How can I work less and double my $$?

How do the "Holidays" affect your work life? Do you slow down and enjoy things, or hurry up and finish so you can leave? It's sometimes hard to be work-focused with so much cheer around!

Here's a Holiday pic of the Hubby and I sending you best wishes from Ajijic, Mexico.

I tend to get a little laid back this time of year, which means my brain isn't always thinking about the next tasks that need to be tended to. It opens up possibilities, creative thinking, and I get new ideas for projects.

I write them down and let them simmer and filter through the "is this really a good idea?" process. Sometimes my best ideas are way too much work. I want to work less this year, but double my income. It's not easy to double your income without doubling your work load. But that's my goal for 2010.

I've got a couple of things simmering right now. The best way to know about them is to sign up for Patsi's Private List. I'm going to leave it open for sign ups until Dec. 31. You'll get private access to previews of my new projects, plus big discounts.

Two things I think are in the cards for 2010... more fun woven into my work, more social media and more video. And, a great big info product is going to be announced soon, using MyKnowledgeGenie.com.

How to Replay the Social Media Webinar

 If you missed Thursday's call with Jeanne Hurlbert, PdD, and Joan Stewart on "Cutting through the Clutter, Chatter & Confusion on Social Media Sites," you missed an hour packed with helpful tips that many people are already starting to use to make their lives easier.

Joan's one tip on how to build your credibility and enhance your reputation, with almost no work on your part, was well worth the one hour. I shared how I've been getting clients on Twitter and LinkedIn, without spending much time there, simply because I was doing a few things right.

Here's a way for you to get access to the replay, but I'm not sure how long it's going to be left up, so go there now.

http://www.MySocialMediaRx.com/subscribe

When you listen, stay tuned for an announcement of some special bonuses you can access.

Go here right now and sign up to listen to the replay:

http://www.MySocialMediaRx.com/subscribe

The Importance of Being "Cool"...

A big "Thanks "to Lorrie Morgan Ferrero for compiling a list of "50 Coolest Marketers for 2009" on her Red Hot Copy blog and for including me on the list. This is a good list to check out because there are some very smart people on it, besides being "cool."

Some people on this list you may not know yet, they are up-and-comers in Internet marketing niches.

Why is it important to get to know people on a list like this? Because they're doing things that work. They're doing things you could be doing. I'll bet you could be on this list next year...

Some of them like Ali Brown and Alex Mandossian and Adam Urbanski have been around for years and you would expect them to have huge numbers of followers (and they do!). When they do an email promo, even if they only get a small percentage response, it translates to big money, by virtue of the numbers.

More people on your marketing list, more results you will get. But how do you build up a big list that's responsive?

Social Skills: What's Needed for Social Media

"Getting or giving anything is about social skills. The world is about being comfortable where you are and making people feel comfortable, and that’s what social skills are.

"What’s important is to be kind, and be gracious and do it in ways that make people want to do that for someone else." ~ Penelope Trunk, founder of BrazenCareerist.com. Her blog is blog.penelopetrunk.com.

I read this on page 75 of Seth Godin's new ebook, What Really Matters. There's even more wisdom in these words of Penelope Trunk when you realize she's got Asperger's Syndrome, a brain disorder. Penelope Trunk says she's had to learn to mimic socially appropriate responses because it's not a natural skill for her. Her brain doesn't pick up on things like that.

What Really Matters... the ebook

Seth Godin wants to put this ebook What Really Matters into the hands of 5 million people. I don't blame him. It's got some really good gems written by really good people.

You could take a page a day, and a quote from each page, and write something on your blog about it... with appropriate links to the authors, of course. That's over 80 blog posts almost written for you...

Please go download this book now, right here: Download What-matters-now-2.

Then tell me what you think's the best page... what best describes to you what really matters?

Social Media: You're Shouting Too Loud

"More megaphones don’t equal a better dialogue."

This is a quote from Howard Mann, author of Your Business Brickyard, and I read it in an ebook just published by Seth Godin and Ishita Gupta. (You can get it online for free, What Matters Now.)

More participation on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn isn't going to make you a better person, or richer, or wiser. Well, you may get richer.  People are doing business through Social Media. But you gotta know how to do the dance.

My concern "over there" on Social Media sites, is there's too much chatter, and not enough meaning. It's the reason I got burned-out going to networking breakfasts and Chamber meetings. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find one or two Princes worth talking to. Oh, but when you find that Prince... 

I've figured out a few things that work on Twitter, etc. But I need to get better at this, because it's not going away, and it's getting more crucial to harness the marketing power of Social Media. I've got a card up my sleeve how I'm going to master this, so read on.

I've learned that there are definite steps to the social media dance. If you do the boogie while others are waltzing, you look like a jerk. And if you don't know the latest Hip-Hop moves, you can look like a real doofus trying to get anybody to talk with you.

Conquer the 3 Social Media Monsters: Clutter, Confusion, Chatter

 Are these social media monsters a problem for you? The confusion, clutter and mindless chatter you find on some sites? As I told you yesterday, I lack clarity with what the heck I'm doing in social media. I mean, I have a few things down, but I don't really have a plan or a strategy.

From what I hear, the confusion, clutter and chatter is a problem for many other people too.

It feels like someone let the dogs out and the barking is so loud I can't think. I haven't written much about Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and the likes because it leaves me feeling strangely inadequate and stupid.

Like maybe I should join some sort of 12 Step group for the Twitter-shy and Facebook-phobic. If you're like me, or maybe even worse, my friend Joan Stewart is going to help.

I'm interviewing Joan and her new expert partner Dr. Jeanne Hurlbert this Thusday, December 17, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET. Click here to register:

http://mixiv.com/vp/68753/19900

Please join me for a free teleseminar, you won't regret it. Joan and Jeanne will talk about: