Indie Business Blog

Time for a change

No, it's not a political slogan! It's an announcement that sometime tomorrow, my blog will change from what you see now to something that looks a bit like this.  Matt and Nate over at Unique Blog Designs are handling the switch. At some unknown time tomorrow, they will push a magic button and export all of the content at this Typepad blog into the new blog, hosted on a WordPress platform. They tell me that no content will be lost or broken, and that the transition will be smooth. I'm going to take them at their word, but just in case there are any glitches, please don't assume that I know about them because I may not. If you find any broken links or wonky looking things, please take a moment and send an email to me at donnamaria @ carolina dot rr dot com and let me know.

It is my hope and intention that the changes being made now will make for a more enjoyable experience for you. I hope you will provide me with your feedback, which I always appreciate. See you at WordPress.

What Do You Think of My New Draft Blog Layout?

I'd Love Your Feedback on My New WordPress Blog Layout

Ihave been blogging since 2005. You can see the remnants of my first blog here. I keep thinking I should take that site down, or at least disable the blog, but I don't because it is such a useful teaching tool. It shows how awful a beginner blogger really is. In fact, shortly after I launched that blog, I interviewed Debbie Weil, author of the Corporate Blogging Book, on Indie Business Radio. On a whim, during the live show, I asked Debbie to log onto my blog and give me some real time feedback. I had not prepared her for the question and I could tell immediately that Debbie did not want to embarrass me on my own radio show. She was gracious of course, yet honest, and I am so thankful to her for telling me the truth without slamming me.

         

So I keep the blog up, and link to it from time to time to encourage other beginner bloggers that everyone has to start somewhere. Now, 3 years and 3 blogs later, I'm considering switching to a WordPress blogging platform. (I'll post an article about why I am considering this later.) I hired Matt Blancarte Unique Blog Designs to create something just for me. What you see in the graphic above is his first draft.

What do you think? I'll ask Debbie too. In fact, I'm working with her to set up a return date on Indie Business Radio. Debbie lives and breathes blogging and she's a fantastic resource. I highly recommend that you enjoy the show from a few years ago and buy her book at the link, and stay tuned for an announcement soon about Debbie's return to Indie Business Radio.

So, what do you think of the draft of my new blog layout?

Related Posts

Blogging: So Easy, Anyone Can Do It
Save Time, Blog Fast
Top 10 Reasons Why Your Business Blog is Dead
My Blog Mentors
The Whole Hog Business Blog

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Blogging: So Easy, Anyone Can Do It

5 Actions That Keep Blogging Simple And Fun

I'm helping a client launch a blog this week so I'm answering a lot of questions. While each one has a different slant, there is one central theme: Am I doing this right? Unfortunately, there's really no right or wrong way to answer that question.

          

I've been blogging now since 2005 and I've helped a lot of people launch blogs. One thing that's universally true is that no one feels comfortable when they first start blogging. But for most people, blogging eventually becomes second nature with practice and consistency. One way to help make that happen is to commit to these five actions that keep blogging simple and fun.

Save Time, Blog Fast

A Weekly Blogging Schedule Gets the Job Done

Not only are your readers busy, but as a small business owner, so are you. Long blogs posts are good if they are meaty and full of interesting information that helps your readers learn something new or enhance how they live their lives. Every blog should have at least a few meaty posts each month.

          

But let's face it, there only so many hours in a day. Yet, in order to make your blog work for you, you have to post regularly. The more the better. I suggest aiming for 5 times a week. Before you start throwing things at me, it's not has hard as it sounds. Here's a weekly blogging schedule to get you started.

One-Way Blogging: Is it Worth It?

Does a No-Comment Blog Help or Hurt Business?

My Group Coaching sessions are getting rave reviews from small business owners who have expanded their use of email newsletters and blogs to grow their businesses. For example, Kelli Parisian of Parisian's Pure Indulgence said that my group coaching took the intimidation out of blogging. Kelli also took last month's Rock Your Email Newsletter Group Coaching, and is now publishing her newsletter regularly -- and watching new orders roll in.

          

In last week's Group Coaching, we focused on how comments at your blog build community around your brand. But not everyone invites comments at their blog. In fact, some people prohibit them entirely.

But if creating community is one of the main reasons to have a blog, why would anyone disallow comments? I turned to "one-way blogger" IBN member Lela Barker of Bella Luccè to find out.

"Post And Go" Blogging

Quick Blog Posting Method Drives Customers To Your Front Door

The biggest concern new bloggers have is whether or not the investment of time to blog is worth it. It's true that blogging consumes a lot of time. It's also true that, if done consistently, blogging change your business and your life in ways you never imagined. Take IBN member Pooka Pure & Simple, for example.

         

Dawn Fitch (bottom left in the picture) started Pooka in 2000. You can read an in-depth Pooka company spotlight here, and you can enjoy my interview of Dawn on Indie Business Radio here.

Dawn launched the Pookalitas blog in 2006, and she says that the results have been tremendous. But you don't have to take my word for it. Here's Dawn to give you the scoop.

What's It Really Like To Blog For Business?

Your Questions Answered

Last week's Blogging For Business Group Coaching session had a record number of participants from across the country! If you were among them, you know first hand how great it is to join forces with like-minded small business owners to swap tips, share war stories and encourage and lift each other up. You also know that blogging can enhance your business and add to your bottom line. But if you're still confused about what it's like to be in the trenches as you blog for business, this interview with will shed some light on the process.

            

Along with her husband Dennis, Kayla Fioravanti owns Essential Wholesale, a supplier of cosmetics basis, essential oils and other raw materials for cosmetics manufacturers to purchase and use in their own branded lines. Essential Wholesale has been an active and faithful participant and sponsor of the Indie Beauty Network since September 2000, and I had the pleasure of helping them set up and launch their blog, EssentialU, last year.

Several months later, I wondered what Kayla thinks of the whole process, whether she feels it (and I!) was worth it and how she likes blogging. Here's what she told me.

A Beginner Blogger Speaks

What's To Like About Blogging After Just One Week

Since last week's Blogging For Business Group Coaching session, I've received a lot of questions and feedback from beginner bloggers. Three of the most frequently asked questions are: (1) what to write about, (2) how much time it will take; and (3) how frequently posts should be added.

          

Since Indie Beauty Network member Joanne Tartaglino of Celtic Chairde Creations in New Brunswick, New Jersey launched the Celtic Chairde blog after last week's coaching session, I thought she was the perfect person to answer some of these questions from the perspective of a newbie blogger. (An assortment of Joanne's Irish-themed bath and body products at a street fair are displayed in the photo.) If you are still undecided about whether to launch a blog of your own, the insights shared by Joanne will help you get off the fence, one way or the other.

Top 10 Reasons Why Your Business Blog Is Dead

And What You Can Do About It

There are currently around 112.8 million blogs. That's according to Technorati's About Page, a company that reports on happenings in the blogosphere. Back in April 2007, Technorati estimated that there were over 70 million blogs. If these statistics are true, there are over 42.8 million more blogs today than there were about a year ago. I launched about 10 of those blogs and today, most of them related to my business. Today, only this one is active. The rest of them are dead.

            

I learned a lot by giving birth to so many small business blogs, and then burying them one by one. Don't make the same mistakes I did. Here are the top 10 reasons why your blog (and 9 of my old ones) is dead, and what you can do about it.

Shea Bath Blog: Kudos & Feedback

Thursday night's Group Coaching was fantastic. Attendance was double what it was last week. My presentation covered blogging basics, based on my 3 years of blogging experience and what I have learned from my blog mentors. (If you did not attend, you can enjoy some great blogging tips here.)

Afterward, we enjoyed such a lively Q&A session that, even after an hour, it was hard to drag ourselves away.

          

One of the attendees was Diana Cyrill of Shea Bath in Georgia. Diana launched Shea Bath Blog on December 7, 2007, after being inspired by Indie Beauty Network member Anne-Marie Faiola's blog. She has made a total of 10 posts, 3 of them within the last week. (Keep it up, Diana!)

Diana asked me if I would visit her blog and provide some feedback. She graciously allowed me to share my comments with you.