WHY COLOR IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT TO YOUR POWERFUL BUSINESS LOGO

Choosing your business logo color on a whim may seem insignificant. However, it means more than you think. Choosing the wrong color can devastate your brand and raise confusion about who you are.

For many small to medium-sized businesses, the logo color is often an afterthought; however, it can be the most powerful tool in conveying your company’s message. Choosing a signature hue for branding has more impact than one might think –– this selection will become synonymous with your business and act as its foundation!

When choosing a logo, it’s essential to consider the color you select. Many industries use blue, such as health care. Purple can be an excellent option for luxury items. Using an ill-fitting shade may limit your reach to consumers, so it’s critical to research your target audience before committing!

Colors have psychological implications that can help elevate your brand message.

Let’s take a look:

  • Blue implies dependability, trustworthiness, and confidence
  • Green signifies wealth, health, safety, calmness, and nature
  • Yellow makes us think of happiness; it’s cheerful and motivating
  • Red suggests passion, energy, and excitement; it has a contemporary edge
  • Orange is playful and engaging
  • Purple can be mysterious, spiritual, and luxurious
  • White denotes purity and cleanliness
  • Pink shows youthfulness and a nurturing softness
  • Brown is earthy, durable, and natural
  • Black represents power, value, and prestige

With an abundance of color choices for your business color logo, it may be tempting to add multiple hues to your logo. However, limited use can enhance its impact and communicate the intended message more quickly. It also helps minimize printing costs since fewer colors mean less money spent!

Consider these famous corporate logos with color choices and see if you can agree with their brand message:

  • Target (red- excitement/contemporary) and Apple (black- power) all use only one color.
  • Harley Davidson (black/orange – power/playful) and Dunkin Donuts (pink/orange- nurturing/playful) use two colors.
  • Tide uses three colors (red/orange/blue), signifying energy, engagement, and dependability.
  • There are some notable exceptions of multiple colors, like the peacock of NBC and the multicolored Google logo.

If you want eye-catching ideas for color combinations, check out DesignWizard.com. Remember that the more colors you choose, the printing cost will increase with each additional color.

Choosing the right business logo color can significantly impact its success!

Consider whom you target:

  • For executives, try black or red
  • Moms will react more positively to blue, yellow, or pink
  • DIYers like orange (think Home Depot!)
  • Health facilities and medical offices will do well with blue or green

Feel free to incorporate lighter and darker shades of color, such as teal from blue, salmon from orange, and mint from green, to add a unique twist and soften or strengthen your branding.

 Utilize online design tools like Canva to play around with shapes and color ideas before committing; professionalism is vital. Remember that red-on-black typefaces may be complex for seniors (over 65). White-on-black or black-on-white works best regarding font coloring/typing choices.

Color is a power to establish your business identity. Let’s begin defining what makes up your brand today! If selecting and creating colors seems daunting, don’t hesitate to reach out! Drop an email or message here or on my Facebook page.

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BLOGGING FOR BEST RESULTS:  KNOW THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

Blogging for the best results isn’t a trick. It’s knowing the algorithms of Google and what makes an ideal format. Let’s look at some of the essential elements of a perfect blog.

  1. Blogging for the best results starts with choosing relevant topics. Pick a relevant topic that is timely as well as informative. There are several resources to help you know what is currently trending. With so many different interests and issues to choose from, it may be challenging to decide which one to write about first. However, the key is striking a note of timely and informative relevancy. It is vital to have an engaged audience from the get-go. To determine what’s trending, take advantage of blogging resources such as reader surveys, Google Trends, social media platforms, and online publications to stay up-to-date on emerging topics that could prove to be crowd-pleasers. All this combined can help you reach your blogging goals more quickly and effectively than ever before.
  2. Utilizing relevant keywords and tags when blogging is essential to drive the reception of content and achieve the best possible results. Using specific words throughout blog posts can attract more internet traffic as online searches use these exact words as search terms. Including relevant keywords in a blog text increases the number of people reaching an individual web page. Tags allow for the more precise categorization of posts, making them easier to discover by potential readers who specialize in searching for content within a specific niche. 
  3. Lists, numbers, and bullet points make a blog easier to read due to its structured format. This format breaks down lengthy sentences and paragraphs into succinct points. When blogging, breaking readers’ attention into smaller chunks of information allows them to follow the main idea more quickly, leading to better comprehension and engagement. Furthermore, they help prioritize topics by creating a visual hierarchy that readers can easily recognize and navigate. Using these techniques, bloggers can provide a compelling message with tremendous success than traditional text alone.
  4.  Subheadings are one of the most valuable tools available to bloggers wanting to share their thoughts in a practical, organized manner. They structure the reader’s attention through the post and help create a table of contents to help readers quickly navigate the written material. From a blogging standpoint, subheadings can draw attention to specific points in any post, distinguish main ideas from secondary ones, and provide evidence for or against particular arguments. Moreover, blogging for best results means that subheadings should also support search engine optimization (SEO). In short, when blogging correctly, subheadings are indispensable tools that will increase content’s reach and drive more views.
  5. Writing in the active voice has many benefits when blogging for best results. Compared to the passive voice, it is more direct and engaging and helps readers better understand your ideas. When blogging for best results, use the active voice. In the active voice, the subject of a sentence is responsible for taking action, for example, “The dog ran across the park.” The passive voice, however, shifts responsibility away from the subject by rearranging words, “The park was run across by the dog.” Passive voice can disguise blame elements and make sentences longer and harder to understand. By writing in an active voice, you can ensure your posts are concise and clear, focusing on your message rather than drawn-out explanations.
  6. Break up your content with related images. Images are an essential visual element of blogging and can decide how readers perceive the content. A well-placed image is more likely to draw a reader in and make them stay, allowing them to engage better with the style and tone of the writing. However, using just the right amount of images is vital – too little gives readers nothing memorable to look at, while too much undermines the blogging experience by creating bloated content that takes too long to read. For best blogging results, it’s vital to get the balance right – two or three relevant images for every 500 words should be enough to bring your blog post alive without overwhelming your audience.
  7. Avoid lengthy paragraphs and long sentences. When blogging for best results, it is essential to ensure you keep your sentences and paragraphs short. Not only does this make the blog easier to read, but it also keeps your audience engaged. Shorter sentences create smoother transitions between ideas and maintain an even flow throughout the post. Brevity also keeps readers focused on the main points of your blog without any unnecessary distractions from overly long sentences or confusing paragraphs. When blogging, ensure your writing remains concise and clear to bring out the best in your content.
  8. Writing a blog can be a great way to get your thoughts out there and attract readers, but it’s important to remember that blogging should involve more than just taking someone else’s words and using them as your own. Copying another person’s blog content is not only unethical, but it also reduces the opportunities you have for the best results. Creating unique, original content helps to differentiate yourself from other bloggers. Additionally, if you reference or borrow ideas from existing blogs and sources, ensure you give credit where credit is due to avoid plagiarism issues. In blogging (and in life!), creating something that is yours is always better!
  9. When blogging, keep your thoughts simple. You want to ensure that your content is accessible to your readers, and the best way to do that is by making sure they can easily understand what you’re saying. Avoiding jargon and complicated words can ensure your blogging efforts lead to successful outcomes. If your blog is simple enough, readers will avoid getting bored and confused or losing interest. When blogging, you always want to provide clear and easy-to-understand content.
  10. It is vital to proofread your blog before posting to ensure that you put your best foot forward. A well-written and error-free blog will make you look more professional and credible, while a blog full of typos and grammatical errors can make you look uneducated and sloppy. It may be off-putting by a blog that is difficult to read due to errors, and the reader may instead choose to read a different blog. Taking time to proofread your blog before publishing can help you achieve blogging success.

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MARKETING EXPERTS WHO WILL DIRECT YOU TO GREATNESS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Marketing experts are in abundance lately. However, only a few special ones have guided my blogging journey and taught me useful, relevant tips. I like to follow and recommend those who truly inspire me. Some of these below offer free websites, and some have subscriptions.

Check out these marketing experts:

I discovered Neil Patel several years ago when I desperately needed help as a Marketing Director. He uncomplicated my workload. Neil is not only a best-selling author; he’s a successful digital entrepreneur and influencer. One of his helpful sites, www.ubersuggest.com, will guide you through the maze of making SEO decisions. Another is  www.headlines.coschedule.com which will help you elevate a boring headline into one that will rank high.

Seth Godin sends out daily messages of inspiration that will make you ponder many things. Topics range from how we treat people to philosophical issues that can be significant inspirational themes to elaborate on in your blog. Check him out at www.seths.blog.

Marketing Expert in Copywriting

One of the top direct response copywriters is Stefan Georgi. You’ve seen lots of DR on television … you know, the ones that end with “but wait, there’s more.” It’s a style that’s been around for decades. Stefan takes a different approach called “emotional response marketing,” which makes much more sense. His research examines who the audience is, what they want, their target behaviors, and the overall market. His website alone is a fascinating tutorial of what goes into excellent copywriting. Discover him at www.stefanpaulgeorgi.com.

I chanced upon Molly Pittman with Smart Marketer when digitally attending a webinar of several marketing experts two years ago. She talked about a concise formula for writing Facebook copy that makes perfect sense. Her blog and podcasts cover Facebook tips, and she offers paid courses on managing ROI. You can read about her at www.MollyPittman.com.

Big Tech Marketing Expert

At that same webinar, I attended a talk on Big Tech Trends by Scott Galloway. The conference was during the pandemic, and his topic was so appropriate by focusing on how large companies like Amazon could take advantage of people in isolation. He also addressed the work-from-home situation and grocery deliveries, which are no longer foreign to us. His predictions were enlightening, and I view him as an expert in predicting technological trends. Listen to his fascinating Ted Talk here, where he has over 3 million views.

So, there you have it – my gift this holiday season. Check out these marketing experts and elevate your writing skills to a higher level. Have a lovely holiday season and a glorious, prosperous 2023.

HOW DOES TARGETED ADVERTISING INFLUENCE CONSUMER SPENDING?

Targeted advertising influences consumer spending. It’s a fact. The following decades-old poem strikes the simplicity of how this works:

An Advertising Poem: Why Is it?

A man wakes up after sleeping

under an advertised blanket,

on an advertised mattress,

pulls off advertised pajamas,

bathes in an advertised shower,

shaves with an advertised razor,

brushes his teeth with advertised toothpaste,

washes with an advertised soap,

puts on advertised clothes,

drinks a cup of advertised coffee,

drives to work in an advertised car,

and then refuses to advertise, believing it doesn’t pay.

Later, when business is poor, he advertises it for sale.

Lesson learned? It’s clear that not advertising certainly was a contributor to the demise of his small business.

When I first became an ad account executive at an ABC-affiliated television station, getting new businesses to advertise was a struggle. They would say it was a waste of money, or they had enough business, or everyone knew who they were, or they couldn’t afford it, or they had already advertised in other media, and on and on. So many excuses! The simple fact is that the ones who incorporated targeted advertising grew their business exponentially.

The poem above hits the heart of how many small business owners don’t understand why advertising is so important.

We are bombarded daily with thousands of messages, many subliminal. It’s everywhere when you drive: along the highway on billboards, on the radio, on the bumper sticker of the car in front of you, and on every store sign. In the grocery store, every box and can has a logo; you may even recall a brand commercial that encourages you to buy. A logo is on almost every product you use at home or work: the handle of that kitchen knife or pan, on the pen you’re holding, your coffee mug, or the back of your phone or laptop.

You get the idea.
Too much information to remember.

Researchers long ago discovered that advertising influences consumer spending. Studies show that we are faced with advertising in some form every day over 5,000 times. You read that right. Our brains cannot handle that massive amount of information and will ignore anything that doesn’t have meaning for us. Those same studies show we can to recall only a tiny portion of those 5,000 messages. At best, we remember about 20 and can actively identify possibly three.

So how do we break through the clutter of the information highway? How do we influence consumer spending as a small business?

Targeted advertising must be meaningful to be memorable.

It must convey a story or evoke an emotion; funny, sad, horrified … anything to grab attention and get someone and listen, read, or watch. The age-old psychology of advertising is that your brand must be seen at least seven times before it is even noticed. Repetition enforces recall. Your brand is only necessary to those with a need. For example, if you don’t need a new car, you will likely ignore any car advertising. However, when you are ready to buy a car, you become very aware of every car ad and even notice what cars are on the road as you drive.

Remember that “the mind will not go where the heart has not been.” Does your advertising tell a story? Will it engage your audience? Does it instill a smile? A tear? Is it thought-provoking?  Does it feel good?

Does your story help the consumer?

84% of consumers expect your brand to create targeted advertising that builds trust and credibility. What’s your story?

It is also critical to place your marketing in the correct places. Your customer is not “everyone”, much like you would like to believe. Be smart about where you spend your advertising investment. If you are unsure, ask a professional. When you need one, ask us.

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SUCCESSFUL BLOGGING STYLE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS IN TEN STEPS

Successful blogging style is no secret; there are far more than ten blogging guidelines. However, we are showing you the ones most critical for an informative, successful blog post. There are specific ones for getting the highest readership and we’re spelling that out for you right here. 

You’re ready to start blogging, but where do you begin?

KEYWORDS:
Make it easy for everyone to find you with successful blogging

SEO is indispensable for successful blogging because it helps people find your blog. SEO makes it more likely that people will find your blog when searching for information on that topic. Using keywords allows Google and other search engines to understand your blog.

LINKS:

Inbound and outbound links are essential in a blog because they help increase its visibility and authority. Inbound links are links from other websites that point to your blog, while outbound links are links from your blog that point to other websites. 

Both types of links are valuable because they help create a web of connections that spreads across the internet. Relationships help improve the search engine ranking of your blog. 

Additionally, inbound and outbound links help establish your blog as an authority. When other websites see that you have high-quality content and are linking to reputable sources, they will be more likely to link to your blog.

PICTURES:

Writing about a vacation? Show a great picture!

Pictures are paramount in a blog because they help break up the text and make the blog more visually appealing. They also help to illustrate the points that you are trying to make. If you are writing a blog about a trip you took, it is helpful to include pictures of the places you visited. Pictures will help your readers feel like they are right there with you.

ACTIVE VOICE: 

Active voice is a verb form that emphasizes the doer of an action. On the other hand, passive voice is a verb form that emphasizes the recipient of an effort.

There are many reasons why writing in the active voice is better than the passive voice. One reason is that it makes your writing more concise and direct. In addition, using an active tone makes your writing more engaging and easier to read.

EASY TO READ:

There are a few reasons why a blog should be easy to read. First, it makes it more enjoyable for readers to consume. If a blog is challenging to read, people will likely lose interest and move on. Additionally, a blog performs better at a lower reading level. People are more likely to stay engaged when the content is easy to understand. It is also more accessible for people to scan the content and find the information. 

GRAMMAR:

Grammar and punctuation are essential for successful blogging because they help to convey the author’s message effectively. Good grammar ensures the reader understands what is said, while proper punctuation makes the text easier to read and understand. Incorrect grammar and punctuation can confuse or mislead the reader, ultimately affecting the blog’s credibility. A helpful app for blog writers is Grammarly which will assist in making corrections as you create.

KEY PHRASE USAGE:

There are a few reasons why you should include your keyword phrase multiple times within your post:

  1. Including your keyword phrase helps search engines correctly index your content.
  2. Including your keyword phrase helps improve your content’s overall quality by providing readers with relevant information.
  3. Including your keyword phrase can help increase your blog’s traffic by improving your ranking on search engine results pages.

UNIQUE CONTENT:

When it comes to successfully blogging, unique and engaging content is vital. Why? Because if you’re rehashing the same old stuff that everyone else is saying, no one will want to read your blog. Plus, it’s necessary to avoid plagiarizing other people’s work – doing so can get you into trouble. Be sure to put some thought into your blog posts and come up with something new and original each time.

RELEVANCY:
Is your content relevant to your customers? Use our tips for successful blogging

Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts and opinions with the world and can also be a great way to attract new readers and followers. It’s essential to make sure that your content is relevant and engaging. You should focus on writing about hot topics people are interested in and ensure that your posts are well-written and informative.

You can find hot topics to write about by doing online research or by reading popular magazines and newspapers. It’s also good to follow trending hashtags on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest trends.

FORMATTING:

Correctly formatting your blog is crucial because it makes your content easier to read and understand. An essential formatting guideline is to use headings and subheadings to break up your content. Also, use lists for easy scanning with fonts and font sizes that are easy to read. Following these guidelines will help your readers quickly understand your message and keep them engaged with your content.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Guidelines will help you achieve a great blog

Now that you know the basics, you’re on your way to writing an informative blog that will reach your target audience. If you find the time and research effort it takes to blog, feel free to contact us for assistance. Our first consultation is free, and our blog writing fees are surprisingly cost-efficient.

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WHY YOUR SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS A POWERFUL SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

A small business owner has so many jobs but social media shouldn’t be one of them.

As a small business, you can’t afford to ignore social media OR to not have a social media manager. That is, unless you have all the time in the world to do it yourself. It takes an exhaustive amount time and effort to successfully manage a social media strategy and that is time you don’t have as a business owner. You have better things to do like take care of your customers!

Social media is a powerful tool that can help you reach new customers, build brand awareness, and boost sales. It’s also complicated to execute correctly. Sure, anyone can post on social media, however there are guidelines, rules, and even a few tricks of the trade that may escape the novice. Learning those can be a daunting task for even the most experienced marketers. It’s also time-consuming and challenging to navigate and that is precious time that you, as a business owner, don’t have.

With social media playing such a large role in how people interact and do business, it’s more important than ever for small businesses to make sure they’re making the most of these platforms. This means having a strong social media presence however with so many platform options and so much content to create, it’s difficult to keep up.

That’s where a social media manager comes in and why it’s important to find the right person to manage your accounts and create engaging content for your customers.  The role doesn’t need to be a full-time person and in fact, is more likely to be a contract person working off-site for a flat fee. Best of all for you, it doesn’t have to be expensive.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER?

The right person will:

Creating unique, relevant content is important to be found in searches.
  • Ask questions to better understand your goals, your brand, and target audience
  • Have experience in creating social media for other businesses
  • Know which platforms are right for your business
  • Be creative and have an eye for detail
  • Provide unique ideas and content
  • Strategically plan your content to include holidays, milestones, new products, and staff announcements
  • Convey consistency, organization, and reliability
  • Be responsive

When hiring a social media manager, it’s important to find someone strategic who can think unconventionally. They should be able to create content that captures attention. Your expert should also be well-versed in the different social media platforms and know how to use each one to its full potential. In addition, they are able to work well under pressure and handle multiple tasks at once. If you can find someone with all of these qualities, you’ll be on your way to having a successful social media presence.

Another key attribute when considering a social media manager, is to identify their knowledgeable about SEO. A social media manager will optimize your content to rank as high as possible in search engine results pages (SERP). This will help you reach more potential customers. The social media manager should also be familiar with the latest social media trends and algorithms. By hiring a social media manager who is well-versed, your content will reach a wider audience and help grow your business.

ANOTHER CONSIDERATION WHEN SEEKING A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Blogging successfully requires research as well as content writing.

Blogging is an important part of any social media strategy. A blog with relevant content allows communication with customers and the ability to share news and updates about your company. It also helps improve SEO (search engine optimization) because it increases the number of links to your website as well as position you as an expert in your field.

While blogging once or twice a month may be sufficient, it’s important to make sure that the content is relevant and engaging. Some experts recommend blogging once or twice a week. Blogging too often with irrelevant content may lead to customers losing interest and looking elsewhere for information. In order to maximize the impact of blogging, businesses can use social media to promote posts and reach a larger audience. By doing so, they ensure that their blog is seen by as many people as possible, which ultimately leads to more customers and better business results.

SUMMARY

In today’s world, social media is a critical and necessary tool for businesses of all sizes. It provides a way to engage with customers and promote products or services. Done correctly, your social media manager should be able to post content that is engaging and informative as well as be responsive to comments and questions. With the right social media manager, you will take your business to the next level.

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WHY VISIONARY SMALL BUSINESSES NEED A SUCCESSFUL BLOG TO SURVIVE

Blogging is a fantastic way to build authority and share your vision. Your blog can help you attract new customers, connect with potential partners, be a thought leader, and inspire others. But if you’re not seeing the results you want, it might be because you’re not using your blog correctly.

Not all businesses are successful at blogging as there are many guidelines to follow. In this post, we will show you how to improve blogging techniques for a more successful blog that will help your business thrive.

Why blog at all?

Blogging helps to improve search engine optimization by providing fresh content on a regular basis. A well-written blog post can help build trust and credibility with potential customers. When people read an informative or helpful blog, they are more likely to view the author as an expert. Blogging gives small businesses a chance to connect with their target audience in a more personal and informal way. By sharing stories and insights, businesses can establish a strong connection with their readers and lead to increased sales and loyalty.

Building brand awareness is important and blogging is an excellent marketing tool to help with this. By providing informative and engaging content, businesses can demonstrate their expertise and strengthen customer relationships. Most important, blogging can help small businesses stand out from the competition. In a world where everyone is marketing their products and services online, a business that takes the time to blog is sure to stand out from the crowd.

By regularly creating informative and engaging content, you can attract new readers and followers who will be more likely to become customers or clients. By including backlinks in your posts, you can encourage readers to click through and explore your products or services and provide credibility to your statements. Whether you’re looking to boost your brand awareness, drive traffic, or generate leads, blogging can be a powerful marketing tool.

Simply stated, the main benefits of blogging are:

  • increase results on search engines
  • establish you as an expert in your field
  • offer professional information
  • attract new customers
  • display your unique qualities and personally connect
  • stand above your competition
  • provide backlinks to expand credibility

Best practices of blogging

If all you do is pitch your products, people will quickly get bored and stop reading which will reduce your visibility. Don’t oversell because this makes it all about you. Focus on providing valuable content that will help your readers, and only include a call to action if it makes sense in the context of the article.

Don’t go overboard with keywords. A few well-placed keywords will help your blog show up in search engine results, but too many keywords will make your blog difficult to read and hurt your chances of ranking high in the search engines.

Promote your blog to make it easy to find. Share your articles on social media and other websites, and ensure that your blog is readily seen on your website.

A good blog requires regular updates and fresh content. Don’t neglect it. If you let your blog languish, people will stop visiting.

No one wants to read a stale blog that hasn’t been updated in months (or even years!). If you can’t commit to writing new posts on a regular basis, consider hiring an experienced freelance writer. Your time is valuable and blogging is time consuming.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your blog gets the attention it deserves.

Should you hire an expert to blog for you?

If you’re running a business, you know that marketing is essential. In the modern world, one of the best ways to market your business is through blogging. If you’re not a professional writer, you may not be sure how to create a blog that will effectively promote your business. In fact, you may not even realize there are guidelines to follow that will help your blog get noticed. That’s where professional bloggers come in.

A professional blogger can help you create informative and engaging content that will help to attract new customers and clients. Most important, a professional blogger can help to ensure that your blog is optimized for search engines, making it more likely to appear in the top results when potential customers are searching for businesses like yours. As a result, hiring a professional blogger can be an extremely cost-effective marketing investment. It will give you more time to pay attention to your business!

A professional blogger will research your industry for best keywords, the current “hot topics” in your field, and your competition. Consequently, professional bloggers can be a powerful marketing tool for any business.

For all these reasons, small businesses need to make blogging a part of their marketing strategy. With over 30 years in marketing, branding, and advertising, Firewall Branding has expertise along with solid testimonials for helping businesses thrive. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to determine if we are a fit for you! Note: We keep our client list limited so that we are able to provide our full attention. If we can’t help you, we can recommend other experts.

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8 BEST TIPS FOR AN ABSOLUTELY GREAT BLOG

blog thoughts

Blogging can be time consuming so it’s important to know the ins and outs of what makes a great blog. It’s not just the writing, although that’s important. Learning some algorithm tips can help your so-so blog become great and that will bring you more readers. Algorithms are essentially a set of rules or guidelines that determine how something is done. In this case, it’s how search engines rank blogs in search results. And, since we all want to be seen by as many people as possible, it behooves us to learn a little something about algorithms.

Blogging can be a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world. However, one of the hardest tasks is finding a subject that you are passionate about and that other people will find interesting. One approach is to write about something that you know well. Another is to do some research on an interesting topic and then share your own words. When writing about something you know, the blog appears more knowledgeable, and you are more likely to write in an engaging way. People are more likely to trust what you have to say if they can see that you have a genuine interest in and understanding of the topic.

Let’s get started with some important blogging tips:

  1. The title is important.
Use power words in your blog

Along with letting readers know the subject, it’s important for the title to be catchy as well as contain your keywords for search engines to easily find your blog. Including power words and emotion in your title will help strengthen your readership as well as your SEO.

 

2. It’s imperative to use active voice in your blog.

Active voice flows better than passive. Passive voice is used more in formal writing, but blog writing is meant to be informal. Using active voice will make your blog sound more personal and relatable. While there is nothing technically wrong with passive voice, writing in active voice is easier to read.

3. Use keywords.

When you use relevant keywords, your blog will appear more often in search engine results, making it more likely for people to find and visit your site. In addition, using keywords can help you reach a specific audience and ensure that your blog content is relevant to their interests. Ultimately, using keywords strategically can help you attract more visitors to your blog.

4. Include external links.

This gives your readers a map of other relevant sources of information. Most important, linking to other sites helps to build relationships with other bloggers and site owners as well as increasing your site traffic. In addition, external links can also help to improve your search engine ranking.

5. Sub-headings are significant in blog posts.

First, they help to break up the text and make the post easier to read. Second, sub-headings can be used as a way to improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of a blog post, making it more likely to appear in search results.

6. Your blog should be easy to read.

Does the blog flow?

After your first draft, read it out loud. Does it sound natural? Does it flow? Is it conversational? Don’t be afraid to experiment – try different styles and voices until you find the one that feels right for you. Reading aloud will give you a better sense of the overall flow of the piece and listening to your own voice as you read will help you to gauge whether the blog sounds natural. If not, make the necessary changes until it does.

7. Images …

are a vital component because they break up the text and give the reader’s eye a chance to rest. They also make your blog more visually attractive. When selecting images, it’s important to choose ones that are relevant to the topic and that complement the blog’s overall design.

8. It’s essential to proofread your work before hitting publish.

Proofreading your blog is a critical

This may seem like a tedious task, but taking the time to check for spelling and grammatical errors can make a big difference in how your blog is received by readers and search engines. A good idea is to have someone else read over your work before you publish. This second set of eyes can help to catch errors you may have missed. By taking the time to proofread your blog posts, you can be confident you are putting your best foot forward in the blogosphere.

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WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES? CHECK MY FAVORITE THINGS TO-DO LIST

Sing-a-long to today’s blog, “these are a few of my favorite things”. We are taking a turn from “how-to in marketing” and instead, we are highlighting local favorite businesses to give them marketing recognition. Small businesses are the lifeblood of every community and the Suncoast of Florida has an abundance of local small business choices.

That said, everybody loves lists, especially for favorite things. Lists are easy to read, skim-able, and informative. If you live here, you may or may not agree and if you happen to visit, keep this list of favorite things handy and you will be well-rewarded with an awesome vacation.

First, who doesn’t love a fabulous meal?

Sarasota is a delight for foodies. Here are 3 favorites to delight:

  • Nancy’s BBQ lip-smacking ribs and brisket will make you drool. The sides are are satisfying and yummy. Try the tart cucumber salad or the creamy mac n cheese.  Say “hey” to Nancy who is usually in the kitchen smoking something lip-smacking … tell her we sent you.
  • Pazzo Southside on Hillview serves up authentic Italian down-home cooking. Owners Mike and Vicky will have you feeling like you’re in Little Italy. The pizzas are creative; for one that will have you singing “O Sole Mio” all the way home, order the short rib pizza. Best of all, they don’t freak out if you substitute your main course side of potatoes for their crazy good pasta marinara. Veal marsala? Yes please … tender and tasty.
  • Indigenous is an experience you will not long forget. Chef Steve Phelps is committed to locally sustainable seafood and farm to fork ingredients. Try the parmesan beignets with honey, the grass-fed burger or Everglades shrimp, followed by his luscious baked banana cake. All this is in a funky garden setting of the Towles Court art district.

Next, favorite entertainment.

Sweeney Todd at VT

The Sarasota area is rich with cultural activity and our theatres feature an abundance of local talent; several have performed professionally and others who getting their start in entertainment. We have many choices of both community and professional theatres making it possible to attend a performance every week of the year. It’s difficult to pick favorites so here is a sampling:

  • The Players is in its 93rd year and is a beloved icon to the local community. From large cast musicals, to original plays, to new playwriter showcases, and outdoor performances by the bay, you’ll be wowed by the diversity. For the coming season be sure to catch “Godspell”, “Side By Side by Sondheim”, and “Little Shop of Horrors”.
  • Venice Theatre was once called “little” but there is nothing little about this growing force in the theatrical community. With 2 separate stages, one houses large scale productions like “To Kill A Mockingbird” and next year’s “Death of a Salesman”, “Beauty & the Beast”, and “Gypsy” and a smaller stage for intimate productions like “Blackbird” and “Hamlet”. Their educational department boosts of teaching all phases of theatre for children and adults. It’s no surprise that VT has an extensive list of volunteers.
  • Asolo Repertory is one of the oldest professional Equity theatres in the U.S. They consistently produce amazing musicals and plays from “Sound of Music” and “Sweeney Todd” to “Rhinoceros” and “Our Town”. Recently they were home to the world premiere of “Knoxville” from the same lyric/music team who brought “Ragtime” and “Once On This Island” to Broadway.  From the outstanding reviews here, it will likely be destined for the Big Apple.

Who doesn’t love a food truck?

There are lots of food trucks in our area making it difficult to know how to find one on any given day. Waterside, the newest development in Lakewood Ranch, makes it easy to find 10 trucks every Wednesday night in “season”. You’ll find about 10 different trucks and also get your fill of music, libations, vendor tables, and street dancing. Some of the favorites worth exploring:

  • G’s Southern Kitchen has some of the best southern soul food on the planet. It’s hard to choose between the crispy wing sauce choices of Bang Bang, Honey BBQ, Spicy Lemon, or Garlic Parm.
  • Shiny Gumbo serves up Cajun favorites; you will be tempted to try more than one entree. A couple of favorites are Crawfish Etouffee and Jambalaya. Their slow cooked red beans with andouille and Cajun sauce will have your taste buds dancing. 
  • Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company offers a delicious homemade tomato soup to go with your choice of an ooey-gooey grilled cheese treat. How about the Popper made with cheddar, raspberry cream cheese, and jalapeño? Or the Spinner with spinach artichoke dip, parmesan, and pepper? BBGCC is famous for their Big Blue with provolone, blue cheese, and caramelized onion. Choices, choices, choices.

Our area is known for stunning beaches.

Siesta Key Beach

Yes, we know Siesta Key Beach has been voted multiple times as the #1 beach favorite in America for its fine, white sand, long stretch of beach. But we have so many more that tend to be less crowded. Check out these favorites on one of our many days of sunshine.

  • Whitney Beach is a small, quiet portion of beach that’s a hidden gem to tourists. Parking is difficult but oh-so worth finding a spot. No amenities here, just peaceful surroundings, fine white sand, and glorious gulf water.
  • Lido Beach is just past the famous St Armand’s Circle.  After a bit of shopping in the unique boutiques or grabbing a bite around the circle, head west one block to this beautiful stretch of pristine sand.
  • Siesta Key Beach is accessed via one of two bridges. The area contains a lovely village of shops and restaurants and is home to families by day and party-goer’s in the evening.

Favorite things to do alone or with the family.

There are lots of options other than beaches: shopping, theatre, symphony, art, walking trails, parks, and much more. These 3 are our favorites:

  • You will never tire of visiting Selby Gardens.  The flowering displays change with the seasons and the colors will amaze and delight. There is a children’s area, a bamboo display, a stunning orchid display, and various exhibitions. Stroll the gardens or just sit on a bayside bench and enjoy the spectacular surrounding views.
  • The Ringling Art Museum is awash in serious artworks and exhibitions. A full day is barely enough to get your fill of all that is available.  Choose from the splendid art displays in the main building, or the Ringling Circus museum (after all, we are the home of the circus arts!) with miniature displays of circus days from the past, or spent the afternoon at the home and rose garden of John and Mabel Ringling on the bayfront.
  • Mote Marine is not merely an aquarium and education center; it is an important research facility and science laboratory for the world. Located just off St Armand’s Circle, it’s a wonderful way to spend the day with family learning about world oceans, our environment, and inhabitants of the water. Learn about sharks, manatee, and sea turtles.
Ringling Museum

If you’ve been a visitor to the Sarasota area or are a resident with your own local favorites, we’d love to hear about them. Or you can share local favorites in your hometown.  We may just take a trip to visit you!

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