The Benefits Of Blogging For Business And Marketing

It is shocking how many crafters, makers, artists and other creatives have stopped blogging. I reviewed my blog reading list to see who was still posting. I ended up purging from 125 blogs to 6, and 2 of those 6 are mine. Most crafters hadn't posted since 2015. A handful had posted in 2017 and after that, none of the 125 bloggers that I was following had posted. Something happened around 2015 in the crafting/makers/creative community where people stopped blogging. I asked myself is blogging dead?

Here are some possible reasons blogging has all but stopped in our creative community. Do any of these reasons fit you?

1. There seems to have been a general loss of enthusiasm, disillusionment and disappointment about online selling. 
2. Seeing many listing websites come and go. The demise of ArtFire, Dawanda and others was depressing. While some creatives migrated to other venues, some gave up listing.
3. The postal system started to increase fees yearly, negatively impacting handmades income. Sellers had to raise prices often when they did not want to.
4. Life has become more busy. Can't find time to blog.
5. Sales have fallen off and can't find a way to increase them.
   

One crafter said to me recently that back during the time when creatives were blogging the public couldn't get enough of handmades. I think there is still a love for handmades but other product types have flooded the market. Etsy's homepage is filled with digitals and printables, which I made the jump to because I love graphic design. POD sites are doing well and 3-D printed products are taking hold. Despite this, many handmades sellers are still doing well but they are not blogging. They are overlooking the greatest value of creating blog posts, advertising and promotion. 

Paying for online advertising is not affordable for most independent creatives. We are left with sharing through the few social media sites that are active. Social media, however, does not provide the value that it used to. People rarely interact anymore and there may be likes given but they lead to few sales. Any economically productive ways to market online have dwindled as well. So, why is blogging important for business? It gives us an easy way to draw potential customers and increase sales.

Consider These Benefits Of Blogging Then Ask Yourself Is Blogging Worth It

1. Can be used to market and promote without being flagged as a spammer. 
2. No advertising fees. 
3. Format, content and length of posts are controlled by the blogger. 
4. The frequency of posting is controlled by the blogger.
5. No limit on images in a post. 
6. No limit on links in a post. 
7. The type of SEO used, words or long-tail phrases, is controlled by the blogger.
8. Blog posts can be found by search engines. 
   

If you are blogging, you should continue and tweak your style and process. If you are a creator and you are not blogging but asking yourself should I blog, you should start. Selling competition has exploded over the past few years, since 2010-2015. Savvy blogging is a great way to successfully compete. The challenge is to:

1. Learn simple ways to start using keywords and phrases in blog posts, product listings, etc. The easy techniques in this book will guide you. Learning and using keyword search doesn't have to be expensive, tedious or frightening. In Simple Keyword Search That Even You Will Feel Like Doing, you'll learn to conduct fast, free and easy keyword phrase searches and add the results to your marketing content.
2. Choose a schedule to consistently prepare posts. You really can post as your schedule allows. Of course, the more frequently you post the better. You can choose to post once a week or twice a month but the key is to post every time you have set aside a time frame to do it. The goal is to be reliable to readers and potential customers. As you become adept at creating posts and are able to free up more time, you can increase your frequency. If you can never make more time, keep posting on your original time schedule.
   

Though I have been consistent with blogging over the years, I've known for some time that I'm too sporadic with posting. I've never given up that I will develop a good blogging schedule. Blogging as a marketing tool is invaluable when used with skill and commitment.

Here are some articles on the value of blogging that I found to be helpful:

 6 Reasons Why Blogging Is Important For Marketing And SEO by Kristi Hines

17 Ways To Get More Traffic To Your Blog In 2022 by Brian Dean

 How Long Should A Blog Post Be In 2022 by Lena Sernoff

Do People Still Read Blogs? The Truth About Blogging In 2022 by Rowena Zaballa

Do People Still Read Blogs In 2022? by Ryan Robinson

Truelist Blogging Statistics by Maja Josifovska

Learn Keyword Search To Use In Blog Posts, Product Descriptions And In Other Marketing Content

 

Simple Keyword Search That Even You Will Feel Like Doing

How Can I Name My Shop?

Whimsical Names For Your Shop

Are you asking yourself, How do I choose a shop name? Well, you have me to help you.

I will skillfully name your shop or brand using research and simple marketing techniques.

Your names are powerful assets with which customers should be able to associate. They should be interesting and easy to remember and pronounce. Your marketing demographic should know what to expect from you when they see your shop or brand names.

My whimsical, charming names are meaningful, appealing and exclusive. They project the message that shop owners want to convey to potential customers. They also can help to keep your shop uppermost in the minds of previous customers, encouraging them to return for a purchase. So, the question, What should I name my online shop?, is an important one.

What are good names for a store? Well, I have created many that have thrilled my customers. I have provided unique names for clients at Fiverr and Picky Domains and my reviews are all 5-star. I was also a member of Naming Force. I am serious about naming and I enjoy it. I have been naming my own products, services, brands, blogs and other for over 15 years.

So, stop obsessing and thinking how can I name my shop! Please don't choose a mediocre name out of tiredness and frustration either! You have me to help you make a shop name choice that will bring you the brand awareness and loyalty that you seek.

 

To Learn

• What Packages Are Available,
  
• What Is Included In The Order,
• The Ordering Process
• and more,

visit my listing here: 

Whimsical Names For Your Shop

Names For Your Product Or Service

Your product or service name is a powerful asset that customers should be able to associate with. It should be interesting and easy to remember and pronounce. It should reflect what your marketing demographic should expect from you.

I will skillfully name your product or service using research and simple marketing techniques. My names are meaningful, appealing and distinctive. They project the message that brand owners want to convey to potential customers. They also can help to keep your brand uppermost in the minds of previous customers.

Using a questionnaire that you complete, I create names that are tailored to your needs and as unique as possible. I don't use any naming software or scan expired domain lists because those names were not created for your distinctive needs.

I have created unique names for clients at Fiverr and Picky Domains and my reviews are all 5-star. Visit my Business Branding category at Printaphoria to order now. I look forward to beginning my research for your new product or service names.

Printaphoria Business Branding

Artsy Craftery Design Studio

Book Funnel Definition Sales Funnel Stages

A book or sales funnel is a marketing method designed to lead visitors and potential customers to a purchasing decision. It is composed of several processes that may include a landing page. While a landing/sales page and a book funnel can work together, they are also different. 

Some book funnel landing pages can be annoying with their in-your-face graphics, popups and extensive length. They lose the potential customer long before the visitor reaches the end. Landing pages, however, are only as good as the writer of the book funnel.

Potential customers often need to be led on what to think and how to think it. Sometimes they seek but do not follow through when they find what they desire. Sales funnels can lead them through the steps to obtain what they are seeking, which are the published products that you and I are offering. Learn how to skillfully create effective book/sales funnels for your written products here:

Book Funnel Optimization: Essential Tips to Convert Leads into Paying Readers

 

Roberto Blake On Successful Brand Deals

When asked if he finds it more difficult, as a person-of-color graphic designer and Youtube creator, to obtain brand deals in comparison to others, he replied,

Not really but I’ve also built a system for brand deals...I also do better on brand deals than most Creators my size or larger regardless of their background, due to my ability to negotiate and package my deals.

While discrimination is often endured daily by many of us, his successful focus is on evaluating how to deliver more value to the clients/customers whom he does acquire.

While I'm not aspiring to produce and upload YT videos (the unpopular slideshows format works better for my schedule), I love Roberto's content. He's clear, engaging and relevant. This is not the first time that I've written about him. 

I like making a pit stop at his channel to see what he's currently sharing. I am also a graphic designer but I don't freelance. I prefer to design pre-made products and services. Roberto produces many videos with inspiring content that can apply to any creative pursuit.

Check out his YT channel and website for great info on boosting the success of your brands.  

About Roberto Blake

Roberto Blake is dedicated to building the creator economy through helping creators and influencers build brands and businesses online. Learn how to monetize your creativity and skills, grow an audience, sell products, monetize YouTube videos, make money online, and build a personal brand. He has grown his Youtube channel to over 500,000 subscribers.

Find Roberto Online

Youtube Community

Youtube Channel 

Awesome Creator Academy 

Roberto's Youtube Starter Kit

Interested In Sponsoring Roberto Blake And Sharing Your Brand With His Viewers?

info@robertoblake.com

725 Ponce De Leon Ave
ATTN WeWork Roberto Blake 2nd Floor
Atlanta GA, 30306 

 

 

 

Optimizing The New Facebook Business Pages

In this still relevant, late 2020 post, Brandastic shares some points on how to make the new Facebook Business Pages work for your brand. 

Their focus is on changing how we use a Page. I like these 2 points:

• Focus more on educational rather than promotional content.
• Join and interact in FB groups with your business page. 

Read the full article here:

Are Facebook Pages Still Useful in 2020?

Another great post on optimizing Facebook Business Pages is this article from Tripepi Smith. The 2022 new pages transition is discussed and tips on optimizing the new design are shared.

Follower count is now rounded up and it seems that page likes are no longer displayed. Some business features, such as jobs and appointments, are no longer available.

Facebook’s New Pages Experience 101

 

 Steps To Creating A Facebook/Meta Business Page

Create A Free Business Page In Minutes  

What To Know Before You Create A Facebook Business Page

 

Pre-Made Logos: Diamond Hearts

 

My first pre-made logo design pkg project has been dragging along behind other projects for some time. This past week, I was inspired for some reason and pushed myself, working all day for several days to refine the first logo and write up the pkg.

I won't have to prepare the marketing content and documents again, since they will serve as templates for new logo designs. That first preparation is the most time-consuming one.

The logos that I design appeal more to handmades sellers, makers, designers, sole proprietors and other creatives. You'll see me list more detailed, artsy designs rather than the simplified, geometric designs used by companies and corporations.

I like using artwork for logo design, rather than vector work, like what I used for this Diamond Hearts logo. Vector design is fun too, so you may see them popping up in my logo shop every now and then.

I never re-sell a logo that a customer buys from me. While I may take some elements from a logo and re-work them into new designs, I never re-sell any sold designs. Any new designs will not be confused with the design from which I may have taken elements. My sold logos are exclusively owned by and identifiable with purchasers.

While I take steps to protect my images, it is important to note that I am not responsible for the possible digital theft and reuse of my logos, before or after sale.

It is the responsibility of the brand owner to become educated about protecting his/her logo and brand name. My design services do not include registering brand names or trademarking logos or providing legal business advice.

Listing For Diamond Hearts Pre-Made Logo Pkg 

Better Twitter Marketing

 

Six years or so ago, Twitter was used daily by me and my crafting friends. Though I was not a faithful participant, I remember fondly the tweeting events, Twitter bombs and striving not to be sent to Twitter jail. I also had fun using Tweet Deck for awhile.

Over the years, Twitter seems to have fallen into disuse by much of my crafting community. I run by my profile occasionally to update my banner and weed out my following and followers lists. I have even tweeted infrequently but I never liked Twitter very much. The tiny posts images and the abbreviated posts lengths always annoyed and constricted me too much.

Recently, I checked on some of my creative associates and found that many had not tweeted in years! I was not surprised but the discovery left me saddened. It was a reminder that so much online activity has declined among creative groups, social sites and selling venues. It seems to have happened swiftly within the last few years and never recovered.

During my visit, I ran across a link to this post on how to better use Twitter. I was surprised that one of the suggestions is to use only one hashtag in tweets. The article author explains why. If you find yourself still using Twitter or wanting to, read this short help article to better promote your products and services when tweeting.

Six Things You Should NOT Do on Twitter  by the social media strategists at the award-winning NYC-based Likable, LLC, a 10Pearls Company

What Is The Sweet Spot In Marketing Today?

The Sweet Spot In Marketing

Unique ideas and creativity in marketing is the sweet spot in selling. When many sellers joined Etsy, Ebay, Amazon and other high-traffic venues, they never learned how to market. The marketing was done for them, traffic was heavy and sales were good.

Nowadays, it's more difficult than ever to get a significant piece of the creative sales pie. Even becoming successful at Etsy today, the old quick-sales stomping ground, is a huge challenge. For a decade or more now, shifting of manufacturing jobs, poor economy and COVID woes have led many to start selling their handmade products and creative services. The influx of overseas sellers offering cheap products has virtually decimated the market for handmades sellers and independent designers.

All of the easy ways for crafters, artists and designers to make money online have largely dried up. Except for a few unique start-ups, the only Etsy sellers who are in the black are those who started with the launch of the selling site and grew their enterprise through it. They are successful today because they got a foot in early on, which was around 2007 for most of them.

Today, the savvy creative is committed and diligent in seeking new places, methods and niches to which to market. I'm not sure how useful services like Google Adwords, Facebook Ads and Pinterest Ads are anymore. I know they can be expensive for the average creative person as you increasingly funnel in money to obtain elusive results. If we can create, we can create our own targeted marketing processes, not with the primary goal to increase sales but to get our products in front of those who would most benefit. It's all about the customers needs and wants.

One way to more effectively invest our advertising dollars is through blog banner advertising. Many bloggers sell banner ad space in the sidebars of their blogs. If we buy banner ad space at blogs that compliment our products, we will place our work, almost exclusively, in front of our target markets. In this way, we can also zero in on niche markets where the competition for our product and service type is not nearly as steep.

In addition to choosing appropriate blogs, it's important to design an attention-getting, yet tasteful banner.

• You can design them yourself
• Barter with a friend or associate skilled at graphic design
• Pay for a banner to be designed at graphics venues like:
• Fiverr, where most gigs start at $5
• People Per Hour, where client deposits are locked in  
• Freelancer, which has an effective time-tracking process
• Truelancer, where you can post a project and be matched with freelancers from which to choose

• Allow the blog owner to design your banner if the service is offered.
  

Fiverr is the most economical design source. It was launched as a $5 per gig site and has since opened up to all price points. I have sold writing and naming services there and am planning to buy illustration services. I have not used the others sites. Always read the guidelines, policies and procedures on these sites before buying work.

Your banners need not be elaborate or complicated. They should be easy to spot and easy to read with a minimum words. Ask the blog owner if there are any specifics that you need to adhere to in your design.

What I like about this type of advertising is the variety of banner sizes and prices that are usually offered and the variety of time frames for the banner to be displayed. Try out several blogs to find the ones through which you get the most response, even if it's just nibbles. Build on those nibbles and turn them into sales and returning purchases! Don't forget to develop some unique products and services, the first part of the equation.