How to Write a Blog Post in Five Easy Steps

Check out this informative, practical, and even humorous, article by Dan Shewan for WordStream about how to write blog posts that people will actually want to read! Here are the 5 key steps:

Step 1: Planning
Step 2: Write your headline
Step 3: Draft your post
Step 4: Add images
Step 5: Edit your blog post

For more detail about each of the above steps, head to https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/02/09/how-to-write-a-blog-post

Article courtesy of Dan Shewan – journalist and web content specialist – for WordStream

A website will promote your business 24/7

While billions of people use social media these days, and it is important to have a presence on the pertinent platforms, it will still be important in 2023/24 to have a professional business website. With a website you can control the content and how and when you want to connect with customers as opposed to the fast-timed climate of social media where your content is forever changing. Not only that, a website will help to legitimize your business and credibility – an excellent low-cost marketing tool 24/7.

All of these platforms offer many ways to interact on a personal basis with past, present and potential clients and customers. Without a business presence online, missed opportunities can be enormous. Whether you’re interested in getting your business online and need a brand new site, or if you already have one but are curious about the advantages of converting to a WordPress powered platform, we can help. Give us a shout at 403-257-7047. We’d be happy to answer all your questions and get started today.

Ways to Boost Your Small Business’s Social Media Presence

In this article, we’ll explore how small businesses can significantly benefit from a social media presence. Here are 10 great tips for boosting yours!

  1. Pick the Best Social Media Platform
  2. Stay Up-to-date With the Trends
  3. Develop a Strategic Plan
  4. Always Consider Your Audience When Making Content
  5. Skip the Fluff, Be Straightforward
  6. Take Advantage of Powerful Images To Capture the Audience’s Attention
  7. Create Content With Passion
  8. Automation is Key
  9. Build and Maintain a Good Relationship With Your Audience
  10. Appreciate Those Around You

For more details visit https://bit.ly/3RDbvg3

Article courtesy of SiteProNews

WordPress — the go-to platform for websites big and small!

“WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS), and according to data, it currently powers 42.4% of websites on the internet. This makes it the most popular choice among web developers and users.” — by Kathy Haan for Forbes Advisor (Top Website Statistics For 2023)

Whether you’re a blogger or a small business owner, WordPress is a versatile platform that can be adapted to a wide range of needs. Its ease of use, extensive ecosystem, and active community make it a popular choice that allows users to build and manage websites easily. Here are 10 key points about WordPress:

Simply Effective Web Design WordPress

  1. Open Source: WordPress is built on an open-source model. This means that its source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance.
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  2. User-Friendly Interface: One of the main strengths of WordPress is its user-friendly interface editor for content creation.
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  3. Themes: WordPress uses themes to control the visual appearance of a website. Users can choose from a wide range of free and premium themes, and they can also customize these themes to suit their specific needs.
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  4. Plugins: WordPress has a vast ecosystem of plugins that extend its functionality. These plugins can be used to add features such as contact forms, SEO optimization, e-commerce capabilities, and more.
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  5. Content Management: WordPress started as a blogging platform, but it has evolved into a versatile CMS that can be used for various types of websites, including blogs, business sites, portfolios, and e-commerce stores.
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  6. Community and Support: Due to its popularity, WordPress has a large and active community. This community support is valuable for troubleshooting issues and learning how to make the most of the platform.
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  7. Updates and Security: WordPress is regularly updated to address security issues and introduce new features. However, it’s essential for users to keep their installations, themes, and plugins up to date to maintain security.
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  8. Customization: WordPress allows for extensive customization, both in terms of appearance and functionality. Developers can create custom themes and plugins to tailor the website to specific requirements.
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  9. Responsive Design: Many WordPress themes are designed to be responsive, meaning they adapt to different screen sizes. This is crucial for providing a good user experience on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
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  10. Multilingual Support: WordPress has built-in support for multiple languages, allowing users to create websites in different languages or offer multilingual content.
Ready to get connected?

Let’s discuss plans to build your WordPress website today. Get in touch at 403-247-7047.

Time to fall back

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday November 5, 2023 at 2:00 am. At this time, we “fall back” one hour!

Set your clocks back before you go to bed and enjoy an extra hour of sleep Saturday night!

Website Statistics, Trends & Insights (2023 Update)

“Google searches for ‘small business website’ have gone up by 30%. Over the past five years, the number of Google searches for “small business website” skyrocketed to an all-time high. The number of searches has gone up by 30% over the past three years alone, indicating an increased interest from small business owners to build a website for their own brands.” — Fit Small Business

Websites serve as a virtual storefront for businesses in the online world. They are a critical component of a company’s online presence and can play a crucial role in connecting you with customers, establishing your branding, and shaping the perception of the business.

Businesses can use their websites to provide detailed information about their products or services including specifications, features, pricing, and any other relevant details that customers might be interested in. To learn more about 47 Essential Website Statistics for Small Businesses, courtesy of Fit Small Business, click the link below.

https://fitsmallbusiness.com/website-statistics/

 

10 Reasons Video Content is Valuable for Social Media

Video has become an immensely valuable marketing tool for social media. Here are several reasons why:

1. Engagement: Videos are more engaging than text or images. They capture attention quickly and can convey a lot of information in a short amount of time. This can lead to higher user engagement.

2. Storytelling: Video allows for powerful storytelling. It’s a medium that can evoke emotions, tell a brand’s story, and create a more personal connection with the audience.

3. Visual Appeal: People are naturally drawn to visual content. Videos provide a dynamic and visually appealing way to showcase products, services, or ideas.

4. Sharing Potential: Videos are more likely to be shared by users, which can exponentially increase the reach of your content. Shares contribute to the organic growth of your brand or message.

5. Social Media Algorithms: Many social media platforms prioritize video content in their algorithms. This means that your video content is more likely to be seen by a larger audience compared to text or image posts.

6. SEO Benefits: Videos can improve your search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines often prioritize video content, and having videos embedded on your website or shared on social media can positively impact your online visibility.

7. Educational Content: Video is an effective medium for delivering educational content. Whether it’s a tutorial, how-to video, or explainer, videos make it easier to demonstrate concepts.

8. Diverse Content: Video allows for a wide range of content types, including interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, product demonstrations, and more. This diversity helps to keep your content strategy fresh and interesting.

9. Mobile Compatibility: With the increasing use of smartphones, people are consuming content on the go. Videos are easily consumable on mobile devices, making them a convenient and accessible form of content.

10. Metrics and Analytics: Most social media platforms provide detailed analytics for video content. You can track metrics such as views, engagement, watch time, and more, allowing you to assess the performance of your videos and make data-driven decisions.

As you can see, incorporating video into your social media marketing strategy can enhance your brand’s visibility, engagement, and overall effectiveness in reaching and connecting with your target audience.

Check out this excellent infographic outlining Video Content You Can Create for Social Media