Using Google Alerts For Blogging Ideas

Filed Under What To Blog About | 1 Comment

I was talking to a friend over the weekend, and we ended up on the subject of blogging. She loves the idea of blogging, but can’t think of things to write about on a regular basis. So I asked her if she used Google Alerts.

Google Alerts is a free service you can sign up for that will let you know every time your keywords are found by Google’s search robots.

For example, I’m subscribed to Google Alerts for the keywords “photography business”. Anytime that anything comes through Google with that search result, I receive a notification as to where on the Internet they exist. Because this particular key phrase is fairly common, I receive one email every day, and usually with a dozen or so links.

google alerts

The great thing about Google Alerts is you can put in as many words and phrases as you choose. Also consider using it for your name and your business name – I have it set up for “Lori Osterberg” and my business name and websites. This keeps you up to date if anyone is talking about you online.

By using Google Alerts for your keywords and key phrases, you can find a lot of ideas for future blog posts. You’ll be led to other websites and blogs with ideas you can continue on with. And you’ll receive news and press releases on brand new items coming out that you can alert your readers to.

It only takes a couple minutes a day to stay on top of the news. And to make sure you know what is being said about you.

Jul

20

Keep Your Blog Posts Alive

Filed Under How To Blog | Leave a Comment

Blogging regularly has its benefits – there is always a reason for people to check in with you. But it also means your old content slowly gets pushed away, making it hard to find. And hard for you to get any type of investment from.

Yet there are ways for you to keep your posts alive.

recently written

1. Recently Posted
Instead of having a listing of categories or archives, create a Recent Articles section that lists out the blog post titles. Titles are more meaningful to readers, and spark interest based on the information you are providing.

2. Top Posts
What are your most popular posts? Which posts have received the most traffic?

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How To Add Video To Your Blog

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I’ve long flip video been a fan of video on websites and blogs. In fact I’ve been experimenting with video for around five years now, and love how easy it makes it to connect up with people you may never meet in person. It’s a great way to connect and build relationships even quicker than with words or even audio.

We’ve always used a fairly high quality video camera in the past. You know, get out the tripod, set it up with lighting, create a great background. Hey, we’re photographers right? But I have really wanted a Flip Video since they first started making their appearance online.

They are small and portable.
You can bring them anywhere.
It’s easy to create video – just push the button.
It’s easy to move the video to your computer – just pop out the USB and plug it in.
And amazingly enough, it has high quality video and audio for such a small inexpensive camera.

So a week ago I decided a Flip Video would be the perfect gift for Father’s Day. So we’ve been playing with it for the past week, and I decided its time to get busy and start recording.