Blogging is a powerful business marketing tool but so few businesses know how to use it right! Let’s learn how to blog your way to business success today!
***Add #VCBuzz chats to your calendar here.
***Please sign in here to follow the chat -> twchat.com/hashtag/vcbuzz
About Henneke
Henneke Duistermaat is an irreverent marketer and copywriter as well as founder of Enchanting Marketing
She teaches you how to create a sparkling business blog and write seductive copy to win more clients.
Henneke is the author of two 5-star rated books about writing and blogging: Blog to Win Business and How to Write Seductive Web Copy
Oh, gosh, I love both of your books so much. You make it so clear and sound so easy. Writing easy??? Sauerkraut is good. #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
Questions we discussed
Q1 How and why did you decide to start blogging? What was your first blog? Was it successful?
I started guest blogging before I started my own blog.
My 1st guest post @Copyblogger: 58 Ways to Create Persuasive Content. That first post on Copyblogger was a ‘disaster’ as I didn’t have my landing page ready, but I survived ?
thanks to @jonmorrow RT @jessytroy: wow! How did you get approved to GP? #vcbuzz
— Henneke Duistermaat (@HennekeD) September 27, 2016
It did take me 3 months to write first post & read 6 books ? I write a little faster now.
I remember the anticipation @HennekeD. You caught my attention guest blogging. I could only get on your mailing list. #anticipation #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
@HennekeD Do you still guest blog? #vcbuzz
— Jessy Troy (@jessytroy) September 27, 2016
Not so much anymore. Only occasionally for @copyblogger.
Q2 What’s the ROI of blogging? How can a business justify spending money and resources on blogging?
A well-written and optimized blog generates traffic and leads, also an opportunity to build relationships.
ROI depends on how crowded a niche is; to get a return on investment takes longer in a crowded niche. My blog is a lead engine *and* the heart of my biz – a way to build relationships and connect with my tribe.
Looking for ROI magic? See a blog as a digital way to build an old-school relationship-based business.
.@HennekeD I like that your posts are always something I want to read. Even in the days of quantity, yours were /are quality. #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
How hard was it to turn your blogging into a business? @HennekeD #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
Initially I generated business through guest post rather than through my blog
Q3 What are your favorite blogging tools?
Your #1 blogging tool must be a marketing email provider. I use @aweber. Email & blog are a power duo.
For generating more email subscribers, I also like @plugmatter and @leadpages
My favorite tools for blog images are *real* colored pencils, ink and nib, and @pixlr
I use @evernote to track research and to create a swipe file.
For focus and to take regular breaks, I love @focusboosterapp
I used Scrivener for my books RT @LaraBrittWrites: I use @evernote and Scrivener. I used AWeber but thinking of RainMail #vcbuzz
— Henneke Duistermaat (@HennekeD) September 27, 2016
Others are good, too. I started with @AWeber and I like their new campaigns feature to send content upgrades
@HennekeD I also love @MyBlogU because I can always collect quotes and ideas for my articles there #vcbuzz
— Jessy Troy (@jessytroy) September 27, 2016
That’s a good one!
@HennekeD I like @Cyfe for having everything I need. And @Serpstat for keeping me inspired #vcbuzz
— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) September 27, 2016
I need to check this ?
@HennekeD My fave = Scapple – a freeform brainstorming tool for Windows and Mac #vcbuzz
— Phil Turner (@The5Currencies) September 27, 2016
Another one to check out ?
Q4 What’s your single, most powerful piece of advice to a business owner who is looking to start blogging? Where and how to start?
Create an ideal reader profile. Here’s a form.
When you write for one specific person, your blog becomes valuable, engaging and personal.
To build authority and gain traffic, help your audience by answering super-specific questions.
Examples of good questions to drive traffic via @wordstream.
Yep RT @LaraBrittWrites: Did you take Sean D Souza’s course for cartooning? #vcbuzz
— Henneke Duistermaat (@HennekeD) September 27, 2016
This is the cartoon course I joined with @AlisonBeere @seandsouza
Creating your own images takes time @HennekeD But I can see how it allows you to let the ideas percolate. #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
Hand-drawing blog illustrations takes time, but is also fun. Plus great way to build personal brand. Yess, take lots of breaks. I never work more than 25 mins at a time ? Uhm, except now ?
MAGIC guy – I’ve learned lots from him RT @LaraBrittWrites: Here’s @SeanDSouza‘s link https://t.co/2erV3MFMxP #vcbuzz
— Phil Turner (@The5Currencies) September 27, 2016
He doesn’t teach it anymore but it’s on my bucketlist @seandsouza Davinci Course @HennekeD #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
Q5 What are your productivity secrets? How to accomplish a lot being your own boss?
Productivity secret 1: Take a lot of short breaks. Here’s the science via @99u
Productivity secret 2: Work fewer hours; it focuses your mind. Seriously, I get more done in less time
Write faster (and better!) by breaking the writing process down. Here’s how.
@HennekeD Fantastic article #vcbuzz
— Phil Turner (@The5Currencies) September 27, 2016
Stress is a #productivity killer. This simple question helped me eliminate stress.
I used to be a bitchy boss for myself. I’ve learned to be kinder = more productive. One simple trick to be kinder to yourself: Stop saying “I should.” Try instead “I could”
Do you start with the images or the blog post? I think the answer is none of the above. *wink* But want your answer #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
It depends ? Sometimes image 1st, sometimes text 1st.
@HennekeD How to “sell” a blog idea to your boss? What’s the ROI o a business blog? #vcbuzz
— Jessy Troy (@jessytroy) September 27, 2016
Show how others have made a success of blogging. Don’t overpromise. Blogging = long term commitment.
Plans for another book? @HennekeD #vcbuzz
— Lori Sailiata (@LaraBrittWrites) September 27, 2016
Yes, about 4 or 5 more books, I think ? Which book would you like to read?
Our previous blogging chats:
- Build Up a Blogging Business with @AndyNathan #VCBuzz
- How Blogging Helps Brand Yourself & Sell Your Services: Twitter Chat with @DreBeltrami #VCBuzz
- How To Find Your Blogging Style
- Blogging and Content Marketing with Kristi Hines @kikolani #VCBuzz
- Make Money Blogging Twitter Chat with John Paul Aguiar @JohnAguiar #VCBuzz
Leave a Reply