Blogging Tips for Businesses

Let’s be honest: blogging is hard work.

Alongside the demand of writing regular content, thinking of new ideas for posts, and managing your business, you may find yourself going around the bend if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Blogging, however, isn’t something you should miss out on. It can help you boost your sales, increase website traffic, make your presence known, and show potential clients you really know your stuff.

In this post, then, I'm sharing with you five helpful tips for blogging for your business:

Make a Publishing Schedule – and Stick To It!

We’re creatures of habit. We love routine. So rather than publish a post whenever you feel like it (which, to be honest, may be every couple of months), consider creating a publishing schedule so readers will know when to expect your articles and updates. 

You don’t need to put any undue stress on yourself by posting daily, but even posting just once a week on the same day can establish a sense of routine and connect you with your readers.

Keep a List of Blog Post Ideas

It’s 3pm - an hour before your next scheduled blog post is supposed to go live. The problem? You haven’t written anything yet, and you don’t know where to start.

Blogging becomes so much easier when you plan ahead (trust me, I know!). Whether your list of post ideas has five items on it or 500, have something to work with so you don’t waste precious time twiddling your fingers over your keyboard, wondering what to write.

One handy way to generate blog post ideas is to listen to your clients. When someone asks you a question or leaves you criticism or feedback, you may just have stumbled on something great to address in your next post.

Optimise your Posts for SEO

Don’t let your blog turn into a desert of blog posts with zero traffic. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) allows your content to be discovered by the right people. This includes adding keywords that will help your website pop up on search engines when a potential client looks something up.

Check out Moz's popular Beginner’s Guide to SEO, filled with the comprehensive information needed to bring your blog into the limelight.

Pull Together an Email List

Grow your readership with an email list. Subscribers can turn into loyal readers, who can then turn into clients for your business. You can use a number of relatively inexpensive email list managers, including MailChimp and Constant Contact, to plan out, write, and schedule regular email updates. Email lists are especially great for keeping readers in the loop when blog posts go live.

Hire a Blog Writer

Yes, hiring a blogger may not be cheap, but time is money, and the time you spend managing your blog could be time spent on your business. It’s not impossible to manage your blog and your business at the same time, but employing someone on a freelance basis to write for you doesn’t have to be an unreasonable option.

Hiring a professional blogger or copywriter (pick me!) is a lot cheaper than you think. Since they’re a specialist in writing blogs, your blog will theoretically end up being better than if you’d written it yourself, leading to boosted sales that eclipse the initial cost. So, if blogging still seems daunting, leave it up to the pros!

Have any more business blogging tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!

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RIP, NME

I was never cool enough for the NME. Or rather, the version of 'cool' the brand sold to the masses when I began freelancing for them back in 2006.

I didn't wear an oversized green parka. I didn't have an undercut. And I certainly didn't always know my Hot Chips from my Klaxons. But what I did have was the ability to prise tantalizing tidbits of gossip from some of music's rising stars. I also had a couple of contacts up my sleeve that, from memory, the magazine had previously been trying to get hold of . And I was in a great position to be able to use them to my advantage.

At 21, I was a lowly editorial assistant on a regional newspaper. While my role soon progressed to feature writing and the creation of a weekly music column, my introduction to journalism was spent typing up reports of the local ramblers' club's walks. Or creating News in Briefs (known in the newspaper world as 'nibs') from bits of info sent in from the public. It was hardly hard news, but I loved it. The dream though? That was to write about music for a living.

The third thing working in my favour in the NME's eyes, was that I was one of very few music journalists living in the 'back of beyond' known as Lancaster - and my little hometown saw quite a few bands pass through. Some of them big, some of them on the up. And some of them, well...take a look.

So, I found myself front and centre at those gigs, before going home bleary-eyed and cider-fuelled to write up a piece or two before deadline.

The don’t recall the rates being amazing, but at 21, the chance to meet some of my favourite acts and attend gigs for nowt, seemed like payment enough. And for me, it paved the way for a career in national journalism.

So, why am I writing this?

NME magazine may have made way for Melody Maker, Record Collector, and later, Kerrang!, but before that, it had long been many a muso's bible for all things band-related. For some, the magazine possessed almost 'God-like' status in paper form. For others, it had sadly - and for reasons unknown - come to be a bit of a laughing stock. Even some of my mates found it comical that I wrote for the magazine. I’m still not sure why as I used to pore over its pages.

Nothing beat the thrill of seeing my name in print, spending my days and evenings backstage at a gig, or being amongst the first to hear about the latest releases. The magazine's staff were always friendly, and always completely committed to the cause.

For me, it came as quite a shock to hear that the magazine has now folded.

If you're a long-time reader of the NME, you'll be well aware that its later issues never quite matched those of the heady heights of the '60s - a decade which saw the then-paper champion new British groups, like a once-little-known band called The Beatles. That said, it was still very much a part of British musical culture - and whether people liked to admit it or not, it did - for a long time - have the monopoly on dictating what was hot and what was not in music.

I've seen people on Twitter saying the magazine's been dead for some time - but I'd say that has a lot more to do with our changing habits than anything else. Why pay £2 for something when you can get the same thing online for free? With the magazine now defunct, the company is planning to put its efforts into its web content - and I'm excited to see what it has to offer. There's definitely still a place for NME and I'd be keen to hear what you think, too.

Yes, there will be people in uproar that this long-standing musical beacon is no more. The same happened only recently when a radio station in my hometown announced it was to be taken over by Heart FM. It's a shame, but if you don't use it, you'll lose it. And that's the sad but true reality of journalism. Like the NME, traditional news isn't dead. It's being reincarnated. And only we can dictate what happens to it next.

Here's what the NME meant to you:

"From about 75 to 79 a beacon of UK gonzo and punk journalism (not just Parchill, tho they were superb once upon a time long ago)" - Tony Thorne, via Twitter

"The difference between working at NME and Kerrang! was this. At NME we talked a lot about what was cool, what a person was wearing, and music. At Kerrang! we just talked about music. I’m sure that’s got something to do with whose still with us, as well as the loyalty of rock fans" - James McMahon, former NME (now Kerrang!) journalist

"The #NME never hid their hostility for the #goth scene, even after helping coin the term. In a 2005 roundup special they said "gothic rock 1976-1992 RIP". This year, #TheCure are celebrating forty years of success. #RIPNME indeed..." - The Blogging Goth, via Twitter

" #RIPNME you gave me a shit album review lol" - Nina Nesbitt, via Twitter.

The Self-Employed Copywriter's Guide to...Surviving Tax Season

January 31: the only date (probably) that's likely to strike fear into any business owner. But getting your self-assessment form in on time is as satisfying as removing the petrol pump from your car just as it hits a good, round number. Or finding the exact change for the parking meter in your glove box. Or - and here's the best one - realising that carrot cake is actually (probably) one of your five-a-day.

But enough about my obsession with cake; here are a few tips on surviving the dreaded tax season as a self-employed copywriter. Read on...

Just Do It...

Cheers Nike, for the sub-heading. My guess is that 'Just Do It' was coined, not by an expert marketer, but by a copywriter who was also in the midst of TRP (Tax Return Procrastination).

The point is, the annual self-assessment tax deadline will be here soon - whether we all like it or not. And trust me when I say it's never a good idea to leave it until the last minute. I have a friend who does the very same; he'll do anything at all to avoid sitting down and cracking on - batch cooking the week's meals, weeding, paying overdue bills, calling old friends - you name it; he does it. But to be frank, I think secretly he enjoys the 'will-I-won't-I-complete-it-in-time' pressure of it all.

For most of us, though, that pressure is excruciating. So don't do it to yourself. Open your laptop, grab those receipts and knuckle down. You'll thank me for it. My pal, on the other hand, can probably be found hitting 'send' on his tax return at precisely 11.59pm. Not you, though; because this year, you're going to be organised. Hey, why not reward yourself after? Now, there's an incentive to get going.

...Or Hire Someone Else to Do It

My editorial assistant salary at the newspaper I worked on, aged 21, wasn't great. So I beavered away in my own time to earn an extra income. Back then, I'd file my tax return myself; there was hardly anything to note down on the self-assessment form, so it made sense to save some money.

But the books soon became more complex when I transitioned from being employed by someone else to being employed - and full-time at that - by myself. So, if you’re transitioning, too, I suppose now’s a good time for me to extol the virtues of a bookkeeping firm, who can take the headache away from filing your taxes.

Cue Relative Accountancy here in Huddersfield, who've not only taken the stress away from the dreaded tax return, but helped to demystify some of the self-assessment jargon for little old me.

If you've taken the plunge to go full-time freelance, believe me when I say one of the best investments you can make is to hire an accountant. Plus, it'll save you on paracetamol for those headaches.

Too late to find an accountant to file this year's tax return? Make it your business to find someone ahead of April 1 and get a good head-start on next year's books. Check out these freelancer tips, too,from 3 Wise Bears.

Hang Onto Those Receipts

No matter how irrelevant they may seem now, hang onto all those even slightly business-related receipts. Lunches out, stationery for your home office, even magazine subscriptions you may need to do your work; they may all add up to a great saving on your tax return.

Establish a System That Works

So, you may have found a great accountant to save you time and money on your taxes. But hiring a bookkeeping company doesn't mean you can switch off and put your feet up. You'll still need to do some work, keeping track of your receipts (the easiest option is to chuck them in an old shoe box, clearly labelled 'Tax Receipts', so a well-meaning partner or pal doesn't throw it out), expenses, and earnings.

If you're a whizz on Excel, you may be able to put a fancy schmancy spreadsheet together, which keeps track of your profits and your expenditure and 'tots' everything up for you, too. Don't know what you're doing? Ask your accountant; mine put me an absolutely brilliant one together, which makes keeping on top of all things money so much easier.

In the meantime, use a bookkeeping website like BrightBook (one of the few free accounting sites out there!) and send invoices directly to clients. It's transformed the way I work and it's meant I've got into a great routine when it comes to sending and logging payment of invoices.

Work Out What You Can & Can't Claim For

I'll admit that when I was freelancing on the side of a full-time job, I had no idea what I could and couldn't claim for - and was therefore doing myself, and my finances, a huge disservice. I'd attend gigs as part of commissions for NME magazine and not even think about claiming travel expenses. And I once spent some of my savings on a short course for work, without realising I could have put that through my books, too.

So if you've just dipped your toes into freelancing, or self-employment, now's the time to discover what you can and can't claim for. The Guardian team answers a few frequently asked questions, just in case you'd like to know more on that very subject.

And Remember: It'll Soon be February 1!

I'll leave you with some sound advice of my Dad's. Whenever I was worried about something as a kid - be it a school exam or presentation - he'd say: just remember; it'll soon be tomorrow. And he's right, you know. You spend days, weeks, sometimes even months, worrying about something - and guess what, it's over before you know it. Don't stress; it’ll all be fine. Why? My Dad says so. And he's never wrong.*

Do you have any tax filing tips of your own? Share them by commenting on this blog. Or better yet, say hello and send me your advice to share on Twitter.

* At least that's what he thinks

Until next time...

Marketing with Clout! Give Yourself (and Your Work) a Kick Up the Backside in January

Regarding this headline on this post, I bet you didn't know you could give your work a kick up the rear end, did you?! Well you can - and here are a few handy instructions:

• Gather all important paperwork
• Hold it out in front of you
• Now, swing back your leg (the right one is usually the best), before forcefully swinging it forward again, catching the edge of said paperwork and sending it flying.

Et voila; you've showed your paperwork - and your projects - who's boss.

But the clue here is: don't take my advice literally. All you'll wind up with is an office covered in paper, and an even more miffed you.

So, this January, aim to give your work - and yourself - a kick up the backside in the metaphorical fashion. And here's how to do that...

Create a Content Marketing Plan

The best way to hold yourself accountable when it comes to ticking things off your marketing to-do list, is to...err..write a list. Or better yet, create a content plan.

Excel will be your go-to tool for this, and with a little bit of consideration, you should be able to put one together that works for you. Whether you're a full-time staff member for one client, or you work for multiple companies, your content marketing plan should help you achieve all your goals - month-by-month, and longer-term - with ease. Plus, when you write things down you're more likely to do them in the first place - and that's a fact.

Want another tip? Find out how and why 'working in threes' will help you get more stuff done, by reading this blog from the Lauren Holden Freelance archives.

Start Small

The problem with to-do lists is that you can feel like you're getting nowhere with them. But that's if you choose the bigger tasks first. After all, why opt to tackle a job that's likely to take you all day, when you can cross three or four items off your list in the same time?

Providing none of your tasks are urgent, start with the smaller ones. That way, you'll be able to enjoy a sense of achievement straight away, which will probably spur you on to rattle through your list that bit quicker.

Fake a Deadline

'What is she going on about here, then?' Well, imagine your client has given you a deadline of February 20. I say, ignore that; pretend he/she never uttered those words. Instead, trick your brain into thinking the deadline was actually February 12. Now, get your thinking cap on and crack on with that work.

This has two benefits and one is the fact that procrastination won't pop into your day; you'll simply soldier on and get the work done - more than a week ahead of time. The bonus? Your client will no doubt be chuffed that the work's in his or her inbox earlier than planned.

Reward Yourself

So, unless it's Christmas, the only reward you can probably expect from your boss - or your client - is a 'thank you very much for your hard work'. And that's absolutely good enough.

So, if you want to push yourself to get that project done ahead of time, allow yourself a reward at the end of it. A huge slab of cake, perhaps, or even a little jaunt to the cinema. Whatever works for you, do it - and I promise January will be all the better for it.

A Problem Shared...

You've heard that old adage: 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. Well, stew on this one; I made it up myself: 'a project shared, is a project halved'.

Okay, so I ain't telling you to delegate your work and put your feet up, but what I am saying is see if you can pool your thoughts and ideas with colleagues. Or, if you're self-employed, a fellow business owner. After all, when you're struggling on a concept or campaign, who better to test it out on than someone who may well be in your target market?

Do you have your own tips when it comes to achieving your goals in 2018? Don't forget to comment on this blog, or say hello if you've enjoyed this piece.

Until next time...

Copywrite vs CopyWRONG: Dos & Don’ts for Creating Winning Website Content

I'll start by saying the title for this article is probably a little misleading. After all, who's to say what's right or wrong when it comes to your business? Aside from sticking two fingers up at your customers when you spot them in the street (clue: VERY wrong), if something's worked for you in the past, you should stick with it.

But there are certainly a few things to keep in mind when writing website content - from my own experience, at least. So, let's have a look at some of them:

Copy'writes' (or rather, 'rights'!)

Think 'You', Not 'I' - When writing your website content, it can be so tempting to talk about yourself. After all, who knows you better than you?! But the key to getting prospective clients to sit up and take notice of you (and your services), is not to talk about 'you' at all. Instead, focus on what your client needs and how your services can help. By adopting this technique, you're still discussing how you can assist them, but you're putting them - and their unique issues and challenges - centre stage.

Bearing that tip in mind (and using a stationery company as a simple example), here's a look at how the following sentence might be reworded to benefit the customer:

This: "We're a trusted supplier of pens and paper here in the UK - and our prices are low."

Can be swapped for this: "Is your stationery cupboard consistently low in stock? Never run out of office essentials again; pens, paper and everything in between can be delivered to your workplace as soon as tomorrow - if required. You can put your trust in us since we're suppliers to X, Y, and Z - and you'll save money, too, since our prices are kept low enough to meet any budget."

The first thing you'll notice about the second snippet of content is that it's longer - why use one sentence when you can let the customer know how you'll make their life easier in three?! More benefits = more chance of you becoming their new go-to stationer.

Just Start Writing - Here's a tip the news editor of a weekly newspaper I used to write for once told me - and it stuck! Knowing full well that the headline of an article or feature is often the hardest thing about the piece to write (it needs to hook the reader from the off, you see), she'd tell me to instead write the rest of the content.

"The headline will come to you while you're typing." she once said - and do you know what? She was right! Nine times out of 10, that's exactly what happened. So why spend the best part of half an hour poring over puns? Just get something down; the rest will come in time.

The very same goes for your website copy. If you don't know where to begin, just begin! It sounds simple, doesn't it - but get everything down on paper, or on your computer to save you faffing around later making long-winded edits, and you'll have a clearer idea where to go from there. I promise.

Add Personality

So, you sell pens and paper - and unless you consistently ace those 'flog me this fountain pen' questions in job interviews, like many things, it won't seem like the most inspiring of subject matters.

But don't let that put you off - you've followed this career path for a reason, and it's because you're good at it!

So, without being all 'me, me, me', or rather, 'we, we, we', think about how you can 'jazz up' your copy in other ways. Offices need pens - and they'll always find a way to get them. But maybe when they're idly browsing the net for a new supplier, your company will stand out - and for another reason than the price.

Get your thinking caps on as a team and consider creative ways you can set yourself apart. Develop a company mascot to use on your site (hello, Peter Pen!*) and run with it. Trust me on this; it'll work.

*you can have that one for free

CopyWrongs

Keywords for Keywords' Sake - No, just N-O! I get it; you want people to find your site - and organically, too. But well-written website copy will mean so much more than a site that's located easily but doesn't quite hit the mark when your customer lands on it - and more importantly, starts reading it.

Instead, think key'worths', not keywords. Does each and every word count? If not, go back and make sure it does.

You can still optimise your site for SEO - and do it well - without over-stuffing it with keywords for the heck of it.

Poor Grammar and Spelling - You'd like prospective customers to trust in you and your services - so if your site's filled with 'text speak' (or your social media page is left in the hands of a disinterested intern), is it really giving off the right impression?

Poor spelling, grammar and an all-round blasé approach to copywriting is just.not.on. (and I use those unnecessary full stops with every last jot of irony).

I won't name and shame (because I'm nice, me) but I've heard business owners say things like: "Apostrophes? Who cares?! The customer knows what we mean" and it makes my pedantic, grammar-obsessed self's heart sink.

The fact is, customers probably will know what you mean - but will they take you seriously?

Just the other day I saw a sign for a company offering 'delivary' for 'breacfasts'. Will I be going there?! No. Because I don't care how well they fry an egg; they didn't think it appropriate to proofread the full-colour banner they probably spent a pretty penny on. So, how much care will they put into that 'breacfast'?! Beep, beep; I'm going to McDonald's drive 'thru' instead.

Too Much Copy - This one ties into point one on my copywrongs list - and really, there's only two reasons people waffle on their site: they don't know when to stop, or they're desperate to increase their organic reach by way of, you guessed it, a few more keywords. But we're a nation of skim readers (hooray if you've made it to the end of this blog - a full-size Curly Wurly bar to you, my friend) and who's got time for reams and reams of text? Not me. It's why I'm signing off this blog now. Ta-ra.

Like this article? Do let me know if it helped you in any way. And keep an eye here on my site for more of the same. If you think you can benefit from my copywriting services in 2018 and beyond, do get in touch and let's schedule a chat or a coffee in the diary.

Until next time...