Archive for January, 2014

Launching A New Legal Blog in 2014

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

Prior to launching a business blog, there are several factors to consider. Some of these are about style and function; others are about content and readership. Ultimately, all of these details, whether big or small, are crucial when developing a successful blogging platform. The following are several tips to explore before you launch your new business blog:

  • Differentiate your blog from others. There are thousands of blogs out there in the business blogosphere. It’s important you are able to differentiate yourself from others, and how your business stands out in your niche market. One way to accomplish this is by providing diverse content via commentary, featuring other articles, and linking other sites and content.
  • Communication is key. The language you use to communicate with your audience is incredibly important. Try and avoid too much legal jargon, or language and wording that may come across too complex and/or challenging for the average reader.
  • Headline your content. By providing headlines and sub-headlines with your articles and blog posts, your readers will have a much easier time navigating and exploring the content of your blog.
  • Layout. The layout of your blog is extremely important from a visual point of view for readers. Make sure that it isn’t too cluttered or to confusing to navigate.
  • Keep it Simple. Try not to use too many different fonts, colors, sizes, etc. Keeping everything consistent and cohesive is key.
  • Include a banner. Including a banner on the home page of your blog establishes to readers the content and objective of your blog. It also gives them an overall sense of the nature or your business and the types of issues and subject matter your blog addresses. The best place for a banner is at the top of the page.
  • Be concise with content. Most readers like to search and sift through as much content as possible when reviewing online material. That’s why it’s important to try and utilize as many ways to be concise and to the point as possible with articles and posts. A few things to consider implementing: headlines, subheadings, bullet points, italics, charts and graphics.
  • Blog Maintenance. Regardless of the phase of development of your blog—whether launching or revamping, it’s imperative you test, oversee, and fine tune your blog on a regular basis to make sure there are no technical issues that could impede its functioning.
  • Blog statistics. It’s a good habit to check on your blog’s search results weekly, or per campaign, etc. Keeping an eye on your blog’s visibility and exposure will allow you to measure your blog’s performance.
  • Promote your blog. When promoting your blog consider a few of these resources: paid traffic with search engines, PPC and banner ads, and/or utilizing social media links such as Twitter, Facebook, etc.
  • Guest articles. Another great way to promote your blog and generate interest and traffic to your site is by writing articles for other blogs in your area of practice and/or other relevant subject matter.
  • Blog directories. Blog directories are a great way for people to find out about your blog, being directed to your site by credible and reliable sources. It is also a cost efficient way to market your blog without having to spend very little or no money at all.
  • Other social media. Stay connected consistently through your other social media accounts—Twitter, Facebook, Google +, and LinkedIn. If you don’t have these set up, its quick and easy, and a great way to create a consistent marketing campaign.
  • Create promotional opportunities. Connecting yourself with other blogs, personalities, and leaders in your field through guest articles, interviews, etc, will bring exposure and traffic to your site. Another easy and effective way to promote your blog. 

 Call us toll free (800) 877-2776 to speak with an expert for more information regarding all of your law firm blogging needs. Get started today with your new law firm business blog!

Tips for Creating a Successful Law Blog

Wednesday, January 1st, 2014

Creating a new blog can seem challenging. There are many aspects to consider and develop besides the content itself. There are also many key practices outside of blogging that will help generate traffic as well as create an audience for your site. Consider the following tips to help you get started:

1. Inbound links. Developing inbound links are a great way to generate traffic to your blog. There are several online directories where you can submit your blog for free. Simply give them your company’s name and a basic overview of your services, and you’ve automatically given your blog more exposure without much effort.

2. Share your content. Make it a point to be able to share your content easily on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. You should also consider doing such with other social bookmarking sites.

3. Repurpose your content. Kick-up your site traffic through email newsletter s and subscriptions sent weekly or monthly. Not everyone will read new posts immediately, so it’s important to keep yourself out there, in front of your audience.

4. Twitter. Twitter can be a very useful marketing tool if utilized correctly. Focusing on your target audience in a relevant, purposeful way will signal visitors to your site. Twitter is an excellent social media tool that can become your blog’s number one way to generate targeted traffic.

5. Guest bloggers. Another way to create interest and bring viewers to your site is to invite others to guest blog. Be careful though, you want to be selective about who you invite and what they will post.

6. Forums. Allowing readers to comment and create dialogue on your blog is another way to generate traffic to your blog. Consider being proactive about this approach by facilitating such opportunities via forums created by you on particular topics that allow visitor to speak freely on.

7. RSS Subscription. Creating an RSS Subscription or your blog is essential. Place the feed button at the top of your blog’s homepage so it’s visible to site visitors.

8. Email Subscription. Inviting visitors to subscribe to your blog via email is a must. This allows you to have access to your readers, and be in touch with them on a regular basis. The best place to have a subscription link for your email newsletter is within your blog’s sidebar.

9. Blog analytics. Every so often it’s a good idea to take an accounting of your blog’s analytics to get and idea of what posts and content are generating the most traffic. You can also take inventory of what search terms are used most frequently, where your traffic is coming from, page views, the links readers have clicked on, etc.

10. Call to action. Creating a call to action gives your readers a clear idea of your blog’s objectives and purpose. It also allows your site visitors to know how to engage with your company’s services. Whatever you choose to say about your business, make sure it’s something effective and to the point, and that it doesn’t require much consideration. A call-to-action will be beneficial in separating real potential client’s from visitors that just want to read your blog’s content, and has no true interest in hiring you for your services.

In addition to the above, there are many things to consider when creating a blog. Hopefully, some these tips will help put you in the right direction and get you on your way to establishing a successful business blog.

For more information about starting a new law firm blog, call us toll free at (800) 877-2776 to speak with an actual blogging expert and not a sale representative. We are here and ready to assist you and help you get started!