Wislounge

Thoughts and opinions on web development

Riding the Bandwagon of Controversial Topics

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One of the easiest ways readers can determine that a topic has gone viral is the number of blog posts from different writers dealing with the subject.  Many bloggers are being criticized for swiftly riding on the bandwagon of controversial issues even without sufficient information to make an unbiased article.  The golden rule about blogging on controversial topic is not to blog unless the blogger has something relevant to add to the issue.

Bloggers should also take care to choose controversial topics that can logically be found in their blog.   An out-of-topic controversial issue placed in a blog simply screams attention.  Some regular readers may interpret this as a desperate move to get added traffic and can actually get turned off by the intended over-sell.  Loyal readers appreciate bloggers who remain true to their subject area since they know where to find what they are looking for.  Inclusion of topics that are clearly out-of-topic just to gain traffic can be seen as misleading by some readers.

Once a topic’s connection is established, the next thing to consider is whether or not the blogger has something different to say about the issue.  Merely echoing what has been said over and over again by others may not exactly be an interesting or exciting post except for those personally interested on which side the blogger will take.

Bloggers need to be aware that controversial issues stir different emotions in people.  It is best therefore to take a side without being too over-critical of the other side lest you end up alienating many readers.  There is an art of taking side without antagonizing a person with different views.

Blog Hosting

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Image: notesofgenius

Choosing a blog host cannot be done simply by looking at a list of providers.  Since this is a service that will be used by the blog for some time, it is best to make sure that the services being offered is compatible with the kind of services required.  The blog owner and the blog host will be inconstant communication all throughout the agreement.

Hosting is something every blog needs to be operational.  There are many professional web hosts offering their services and it can be very difficult to determine which one work best.  This is especially so since reviews will tend to reveal that there is no such thing as a perfect blog host.

Each service provider will have its respective strengths and weaknesses.  What works for one will not necessarily be the best option for another.  It really depends on the purpose of the owner of the blog.

It would greatly matter if the blogger intends to make his/her blog merely as a personal record or diary of his/her thoughts and activities.  A different blog platform will be required by those intending to use their blogs for any earning purpose.  The choice will also depend on the technical capability of the blogger since more freedom in customizing usually requires more technical knowledge as compared to the option of always opting for ready-made templates.

Without going to specifics, there are at least three things that have to be considered before making the final choice for a blog host.  These include bandwidth, pricing, and uptime.  Comparison between and among blog hosts will surely result to some degree of confusion.  However, a blog host that is able to provide respectable service in these three areas is a safe choice.

Bandwidth is important because it should be able to accommodate the huge number of visits which a blogger is aiming for.  Pricing is likewise important since blog owners would like to have the advantage of getting the best value for their money in relation to offered services.  The importance of uptime is no longer questioned since no reader will have unlimited patience to repeatedly access blogs that seems to be always down.

Launching a Blog

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Image: blogforprofit

One of the primary issues when launching a new blog is what it should contain at the time of announcement to the public that there is such a blog to look out for.   Is it acceptable to be ready with one post only?  Is there anything else that should be found at once on the blog?

For purposes of introducing a blog, it is always important to know who the blogger is and what exactly is being offered to the online reading public.  With the expected minimal content of a newly-launched blog, it will be hard to gauge a blog’s offering without the necessary background from the blogger.  Proper introduction shows respect to the online audience who will have no other way of getting the information.

A sensibly written “ABOUT” page usually does the trick.  It is up to the blogger if he wishes to expound on his credentials if he thinks that it is relevant to the blog.  Of course, all the other necessities that would allow readers to navigate the blog with ease must be in place.

As to the matter of how many blog posts should be in place at the time of launching, there is no exact number for this.  A niche blog that will have only one main category to tackle throughout the lifetime of a blog can start with a single yet impressive introductory post to get the reader’s attention.  More is actually preferred so the readers can have a better understanding of what is to be expected from the blog.  Blogs that offer several categories however are advised to have one post for each category ready at the time of launching.  Clicking on a category without any content is not exactly a positive experience for new readers

Social Media Marketing of Blogs

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Can blogs survive without social media marketing?  It would appear that as time progresses, the answer tends to favor the negative.  This means that blogs who continue to ignore the social media platform for marketing are getting left behind by their competitors.

Blogs primarily aim to compete for attention.  While most blogs simply compete for increased readership, business blogs employ social media for marketing purposes more than anything else.  The captured audience represented by membership of social media entities is great in actual numbers thereby making it an effective incentive for businesses to run after.

Businesses that have tapped social media reported an improvement in feedback, public perception of company,  customer support,  customer satisfaction, and sales.  Management’s lack of understanding of programs that focus on social media is just one of the identified obstacles to successful implementation of related marketing efforts.  Consumers and customers expect businesses to use social media primarily to solve problems and to get customer feedback on the products or services they are offering.

However, many businesses have wizened up to the other possibilities offered by social media through the use of their blogs.    Through blogs, customers are able to interact with the company and the brand in the swiftest possible time.  A considerable advantage is given to companies with blogs since they are able to react accordingly to comments and opinions.

Maintaining a blog is seen as one of the most positive activities that businesses can undertake in the online environment and one of the most effective support of blogs is social media.  Social media allows blogs to be more interactive.  Many customers feel that they are more inclined to transact with businesses which employ social media options because of the added value offered.  Businesses have to exhaust all possible options in marketing and communicating with customers and there is no better way to do it than through blogs and social media.

Handling an Entrepreneur Blog

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The blog of a business site is often referred to as an entrepreneur blog.  Handling an entrepreneur blog is not the same as handling a personal blog.  The emphasis of an entrepreneur blog is to support the main business site through active engagement of customers, whether existing or potential.

It is in the best interest of businesses who have online presence to maintain an entrepreneur blog.  The main goal is to present the business in the best light by providing relevant and current information directly related to the product or service being offered.  Customers always appreciate additional information especially if it is being volunteered by a company which they intend to transact with.  Every offered product or service tends to be enhanced when they are fully explained to the public especially in relation to surrounding issues of use.

Handling an entrepreneur blog requires the handler to be updated in current and factual information.  Providing the right information establishes a site that provides it as an  authority in the subject.  A company that explains a product or service in an easy and understandable manner will gain more customers.  It shows genuine concern for the welfare of the  buying public, lending an image of reliability and credibility.

There are many blogs that purposely cater to the interests of business bloggers.  They are able to provide important information, positive encouragements, and timely guidelines that are critical for the development of an effective entrepreneur or business blog.  It is a wise move to look into the good practices of business blogs which enjoy considerable following.

An entrepreneur blog has to developed in line with how the main business is being developed.  As it is primarily aimed at providing support, it should never run counter to the business being promoted online.  When handling an entrepreneur blog is done correctly, businesses will reap its benefits in no time.