Did you notice blogging is huge and if you’re not on the bandwagon, then your competitors have a solid advantage in the search ranking world. I do hear you, “blogging”, just 1 more thing to do, who has the time?” But you don’t have to do it ALL yourself…. really! By hiring a Blogging Assistant, you can streamline your activities and create a system so that blogging doesn’t become a chore but an integral part of your online business.
Here’s how a Blogging Assistant can help:
A Blogging Schedule …Oh so Important
So let’s say you know your target audience, already have a blog up and running and have a ton of great blog ideas, now what? Your Blogging Assistant will create a blogging calendar to plan what to write and when to post it. Calculate how many posts you want to create on a monthly or weekly basis. Allow your assistant to create a spreadsheet using Google Documents so it’s sharable between all. Forward all of your blog brainstorming ideas so that you’re assistant can slot these into the blog calendar. Keep the spreadsheet up to date by noting which posts have been submitted and which are in draft mode; just having a schedule will make the blogging experience easier.
Our Friend Google does it Again – Use Google Alerts
Google alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) keep you on top of the blogging activity in your niche. Your Blogging Assistant can set up a number of Google Alerts based on your niche keywords and then direct you to the most current blogs. Being the number 1 person to comment on a blog can have great impact.
Upload and Format Posts
Once you’ve written your blog posts, pass them on to your blogging assistant to upload a photo, create emphasis with bolding or add in a blockquote (add
your words
) for more punch. Hint: Write your blog post in your WordPress site but save it as ‘draft’ then all your assistant has to do is finalize the formatting within your site and “Publish” it; a great way to streamline your activities.
Monetize Your Posts
After writing a great blog post, you want people to know about it, right? The social media tools we have at our fingertips today make it more possible than ever to monetize your writing. Ask your Blogging Assistant to add these plugins to your wordpress blog (we hope you are using Worpdress.org) to help spread the news.
- Tweetmeme – allows others to “retweet”your blog post and with a click of a button – http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/tweetmeme/
- Sociable – adds links to major social and networking site http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/sociable/
Comment on Other Blogs
The key to blogging is to bring traffic to your site right, so don’t forget about commenting on posts on other relative blogs in your niche. Have your blogging assistant research what other sites are important for you to be commenting on. A quick search at Google Blog Search (http://blogsearch.google.com/ or Technorati (http://technorati.com/) will give large results.
Always Swim (Blog) with a Buddy
Did you ever hear the phrase, “Always Swim with a Buddy” – the same is true for blogging. Having a blogging buddy to “guest blog” not only brings different traffic to your site, it takes the pressure off you as the sole writer of your blog. Your blogging assistant can research and contact possible blogging buddies for you.
Survey Your List
Looking to really get some great feedback from your audience, think up 8-10 questions about what they would like to hear from you in regards to blog posts, info from your niche etc. Using a tool like Survey Monkey http://www.surveymonkey.com your assistant can format and upload the questions. Then send the link to your list or add it to your blog. Survey results make great blog posts because, if you are anything like me, I love to know what others are thinking!
Alternatively, try adding the Survey plugin –http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/surveys/ straight to the blog so you can engage your audience right on the blog.
So if you want your blog to become an integral part of your marketing plan, take charge and use a Blogging Assistant to make it happen. You won’t be disappointed.
Hi Theresa,
Great information. Having a blogging assistant makes a whole lot of sense. Take it from a writer. I set my own blog up to post when I need it to. Keeping a blogging calendar is one of the easiest ways to make sure you blog regularly.
Thanks for sharing.
Theresa,
Great suggestions. I also always suggest to my clients to keep the blogging schedule in Google Docs, shared with their VA or Blogging Assistant so both parties can update at anytime.
Another good idea is to have a few spare blogs built up in a bank somewhere in case you get sick or have an emergency, the blog does not go unattended for an extended period of time.
This is true..me i get my self a secretstaff to do such stuff. It’s very handy and time saver.
Is there anything a Virtual Assistant can’t do? Great bit of advice, particularly for Business Startups who need all the exposure they can get, but blogging comes low on their To Do List if at all. A benefit yet to be realised!
Great idea but just where does one find a competent blogging assistant?
I’d start looking at http://www.VAnetworking.com/rfp 😉