Will Google and Yahoo find my Blog?

Question

Does my blog only show up in Blog Search Engines like Technorati or will it also be found on Google, Yahoo and MSN?

The Blog Coach replies:

When they first start to run a Business Blog and learn about the Blog Search Engines, some people worry that blogs will only appear in these blog specific Search Engines and not in the mainstream ones. This is absolutely not true.

A Blog at the end of the day is a website which has certain special characteristics – therefore, it will certainly appear in the main Search Engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN. In fact, blogs are much more likely to rank highly in

Starting to write your Business Blog

It is always an exciting (if slightly nerve racking) time when you actually start to write your Business Blog. It is also a very important time because in your first posts, you will be laying down the ground rules for what your readers can expect from you in the future.

However, there are certain things that you can do in this initial period which will make it easier to get your first posts in place and will give you a solid foundation from which you can then develop.

Set yourself realistic goals for posting

You should try to set yourself some goals as to how often you want to post to your blog. Don’t commit to once a day if you know that you won’t have the time – instead, make your goals realistic and then stick to them. Once you get going, you can be certain that it will not be a lack of subjects to write about that will hold you back, but rather how much time you can dedicate to it. You should also bear in mind that you will need to split that time between researching your posts AND writing them.

Hint: set up your RSS reader NOW and start to record your information sources in it. It will save you hours in research later on!

Plan ahead

You don’t want to feel under pressure to think of what to write about, particularly at the start. You want to be able to concentrate on the post itself. So, map out the topics that you want to cover during the first few days and weeks and try to make them ones that you feel particularly comfortable about. This will provide you with a framework to work with.

You don’t need to plan every post, in fact you shouldn’t. If you are intending to create a blog which will get people coming back on a regular basis then you will also be commenting on breaking news or on articles that are posted elsewhere. However, by getting clear in your own mind the initial topics that you want to cover, you will allow yourself to really focus on them which in turn will help your initial writing.

Set out your stall with your “Foundation” posts

Within this first set of posts, try to include at least 2 or 3 articles on key topics – these are ones that I call “Foundation” posts. They are posts which focus in on some of the principal areas and concepts that you are going to be dealing with in your blog as a whole. They can be simply instructive or could introduce a number of the ideas that you will build on (hence “Foundation”) and develop over the course of writing your blog.

Suggestion: if you are unsure about what to include, then have a look at the presentations that you have made to clients or partners and pick out the important themes that you highlight there.

Write a series of posts on a specific topic

Another good way of getting going is to write a series of posts on a topic which is important to your overall subject area. A series can help in a number of different ways, but in particular will allow you to go into detail on a single topic that you feel is particularly important and that you are comfortable writing about. Not only will this help to get you started and gain some momentum in your writing, it will also establish a strong focus area in your blog.

Comment on news in your industry

By commenting on events and announcements in your industry, you are showing yourself to be up to date with what is happening and that you are informed enough to have an opinion on them. It will also help you to position yourself as a key source of information for your readers who no longer have to trawl the web for the information (and view your competitors’ sites) because they know they will find it on yours! Essentially, this is a great way of adding content to your site which also helps build the level of trust and confidence in you and your knowledge.

Sitting there with a blank screen in front of you is always a difficult time, so use some of these methods to get you started. You can be certain that you’ll be up and running much more quickly than you expected.

Woking Means Business

The title sounds a little threatening but it’s not meant to be … honest!

This is just one of the two places that I will be presenting at during October on the subject of Business Blogging and eMarketing. Both events are free to attend so if you are in the area then it would be great to see you.

Woking Means Business – Seminars and Exhibition

Date: Weds 11th October (all day)
Place: HG Wells Conference & Events Centre, Church Street East, Woking GU21 6HJ
More Details: www.wokingmeansbusiness.com

The Woking Means Business Exhibition is focusing on “Marketing for Growth” and offers great networking, great seminars and the opportunity to do more business with local companies.

West London Business Network

Date: Thurs 19th October (19.30 start)
Place: Drayton Court Hotel, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing W13 8PH
More Details: www.wlbn.org

The West London Business Network is an independent networking organisation which meets on a monthly basis in Ealing, London.

Blogging in the News – w/e 1 October

Small Businesses Failing to use Blogs

which centres on a Fasthosts survey of small businesses showing that (so far) while 50% of small businesses would be prepared to use blogs to market thier business, so far only 3% were doing so.

Cadbury-Schweppes boosts graduate recruitment with blogs

outlines the company’s use of blogs as part of their graduate recruitment campaign.

Tory leader launches ‘Webcameron’ personal ‘blog’ site

reports on the latest politician to look at blogging and online media to get their message across.

Spotlight on UK Blogs – 30 September

Each week, I will be highlighting some of the Business Blogs which exist in the UK. The aim is to show a cross section of what people and businesses are writing about and how they are approaching the task of using blogs in their business activities. As a result, you’ll find that these posts will contain a mix of Blogs displaying a range of topics and styles.

In addition to this weekly selection, I am working with others to build a comprehensive list of Business Blogs in the UK. So if there are UK blogs which you have visited and would recommend (including your own!), then please let me know by leaving a comment or sending me a message. Thanks!

WebCameron
Really not yet sure about this one and it’s brand spanking new (ie. in beta!) but anyway … here’s David Cameron and guests. No marigolds though so I hope he’s using Fairy Liquid!

Winning by Sharing
The future of work, social software, online community, and their impact on business and society through the eyes of Leon Benjamin.

The Money Tree
Martin Bamford talks about finance and his new book. Blogging and podcasting from an IFA – great to see! But, spend a little money and move it from Blogger, eh Martin!

Adam Eason’s Hypnotic Blog
Hypnosis, self-hypnosis and personal development from Adam Eason. Now look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around my eyes … [click] … you will read this blog …

Elemental
Mel Starrs talks about sustainable solutions for the built environment – but also lots more! And all of it is well worth reading!