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Tips From The Blogging Queen
Column 5 - March
2007
*NOTE FROM
DEBBIE: I'm happy to have Linda Walsh (certified "The Blogging
Queen") offer a column here at Faithful Friends Online! Each
month we will feature and archive on the website her columns
regarding her blogging experiences. Thank-you so much Linda for
your wonderful writings for Work At Home Businesses!
How To
Incorporate "Keywords" Into Your Blog
Last month in my TFTBQ Column
4 our blog definition was "keyword" which in blog definitions is
a word or phrase that is used when searching for websites or
blogs in the search engines or directories that explains the
content of a website or blog article post.
So, the question this
month is "How Do You Incorporate "Keywords" Into Your Blog
Articles?"
If you have a
website then I'm sure you are familiar with the term "keywords"
in relationship to "meta tags" and search engines. A "Meta Tag"
is a word or words (i.e. a keyword phrase) that you enter into
defined meta tag fields or into your html code that describe the
contents of that particular website page. Then when someone
types that word or phrase of words into a search engine that
particular page of your website will be included in their
results. Well, "keywords" are
important for blog articles as well except there are no "meta
tags" per se for you to use. What do you do?
Well, for blogs there are two ways to establish
"keywords" for search engines. The first is in the use of
"labels" and the second is in the actual text content of the
article you are writing. You could
think of "labels" as "meta tags" except you attach them to every
article in your blog versus a website page. Labels might also be
called "categories", "tagwords", "keywords", etc. They are
established by the blog service provider in their blog software
and may be a word or words that you can add to an article to
describe the contents of the article, or they may be categories
that you can actually place your article into, or a combination
of both. If your blog service
provider provides for the use of "labels" then it would be wise
to use them for two reasons. The first and foremost is that they
make it easier for your blog readers to find the articles in
your blog that are of interest to them. Think of "labels" as an
index of sorts. The second reason you should us them is that
they provide one of the ways for the search engines to determine
the content of your article.
However, if your blog service provider doesn't use labels all is
not lost. You see, you can establish "labels" within the content
of your article yourself. How do you
do this? By clever use of the words within your article.
Let's say you sell doll patterns and your blog is
about your business, your products, and other information that
you think may be of interest to your blog readers. Now, let's
say that you want to write an article about one of your brand
new doll patterns. Well, first you
would ask yourself if you wanted to buy this pattern and were
going to search for it on the Internet what words would you key
into your search engine? What words best describe your new
pattern? Those words become your "keywords."
Then you would make sure
that you included those "keywords" several times within the
content of your article. If your blog service provider also
provides for "labels" then you would make sure that you include
those "keywords" as the labels, as well. By doing so. hopefully,
you ensure that your article will be included within the search
engine results for a particular keyword or keyword phrase.
Now let's say that
you want to make sure that when your article is pulled up by the
search engines that your reader knows who created the pattern
and how they can purchase it. It doesn't do you any good if the
article doesn't provide a clickable link back to your website or
provide the reader with your companies name.
So, what do you do? Well, first you make sure
that somewhere within the body of your article you mention your
companies name, product name, and/or your companies byline. You
don't want to turn the reader off by overdoing this so be
judicious in the use of this within the body of your article.
Secondly, you can use what I like to call a
"keyword signature" at the bottom of every article you post. You
want to make sure that every single post contains a "Posted by"
keyword signature of your name or your business name, a
clickable link to your website, and maybe your company byline.
By doing so you enhance the possibility that your article will
be contained in the search results for a search of your
companies name or byline. You also provide key information on
your business to your blog reader in every article posted.
So, are "keywords" important for every article
you post? Absolutely. Why?
Well, the answer is simple: By including
"keywords" in the content of your blog and as "labels" you will,
hopefully, ensure that the search engines find your blog
article. By doing so, hopefully, the customer finds you and your
business.
"Tips From The Blogging Queen" Column 5 Definition -
"Ping" - A feature in software to automatically
notify RSS readers, search engines, and subscribers when new posts or comments
have been published on a blog. Can be manually triggered by a blog owner using a
ping service. Or, can be an indicator within the blog software that is turned
"on" for automatic notification to the ping servers.
Be sure to tune in to my
TFTBQ Column 6 on "Are You Pinging?"
Copyright © 2007 -
All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals
E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog.
Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.
http://lindawalshoriginals.com/
Linda
Walsh Originals
Linda Walsh Originals Dolls
Linda's Blog
DOLLS Blog
Instant Download E-Patterns
Top Blogs By Crafters Toplist
The Dollie & Crafts Plugboard
Crafting For All Plugboard
About
Linda Walsh Originals
I Love Crafts & Crafts Blogs
Tips For Crafters On The Web
Twelve Months of Sewing Club
Testing The Blogs Series and Helpful Blog Tops
The Best FREE Craft Articles
Until next month...
Debbie
www.debbiesgiftshop.com
&
www.faithfulfriendsonline.com |
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Business Spotlight of
the Month!
View Past
Newsletters Spotlight Archives: 2004
::
2005 ::
2006
I'm very
pleased to have
Pumpkin Seed Primitives as the Business Spotlight this
month. Thank-you so much Terri!
Here are the Questions and Answers shared by
Terri:
1. Describe your
business: type of business, where you're located, how
long you have been in business, website URL's, etc.
I offer
primitive, vintage and altered art creations! I've been
in business for approx. 6 years. My website url is
www.pumpkin-seed-primitives.com and I sell on Ebay
too! My ebay id is pumpkin*seed*primitives.
2. How did you decide on your business name?
My Dad grows huge crops of pumpkins each year
and sells them at his farm....a.k.a.The Pumpking Patch.
I always told myself that if I ever opened a business, I
would call it Pumpkin Seed Primitives.
3. What were the first things you did to get your
business going?
I made business cards, made sample
products for my website, and got a state tax id number.
4. How long did it take you from the time you decided to
open your business to your Grand Opening Day?
Probably about a month!
5. What was the best thing you did to get your business
going?
The best thing that I did was tell everyone and
anyone who would listen about my website! Word of mouth
is such a wonderful way to help spread the word about
your business!
6. What was one thing that you did
that you would advise others not to do?
Don't make an
abundance of an item. There's nothing worse than having
an overstock on an item that just doesn't sell. Keep a
minimum amount in stock.
7. How do you network? What do you find works the best?
I post at a variety of message boards, I
sell at local craft shows, I sell on ebay, etc. Word of
mouth is what works best for me!
8. Do you advertise? If so, what type of advertising works
the best for your business? I advertise on several
websites, plugboards, and message boards. I hand out my
business cards to local shops. I submit free items to
contests in return for free advertisement. I send out
newsletters to customers. I donate items to local school and
church auctions.
9. Do you have any
advice to give someone thinking of getting into their own
business? If this has been a dream of yours, I
say...Go for it! Don't give up, especially if you don't get
many sales in your first year. It takes a while to get a
solid business going!
10. What type of products do you find are 'hot' right
now?
Vintage
and Altered Art creations are really HOT right now! I can't
make enough! Primitive journals are HOT sellers too!
Thank-you Terri for
sharing your spotlight with us! I wish you much continued
success!
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Beneath The Willow Tree
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I
need help - what's a copyright?
Go
here
for the latest copyright information. Search
records, get information, and find out about the
laws governing copyrights. |
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CRAFTING TIPS FROM TWO OLD CROWS
(From Debbie of
http://www.2oldcrows.com/)
Fabric
Covered Boxes
Don't you just love
the way these fabric
covered boxes look
and they are not
only decorative but
make a great storage
place for all kinds
of things like
photographs, sewing
notions and mail.
They really aren’t
that hard to make
just take a bit of
time. The directions
below are general
directions that can
be used on any size
box paper Mache box
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Measure your fabric for each area of the box and either add a 1/2 inch to the measurement to all sides to allow for turn under with no raw edge OR just rip to the exact measurement for a frayed edge that will give you a more prim look prim look.
Mix up wallpaper paste as stated in the directions- dip each piece of fabric one at a time into the fabric. Run your fingers over the fabric removing the excess wallpaper paste and place it on the desired place on the box.. Smooth the wrinkles out. You may want to wait for a few minutes between adding pieces if they seem to be slipping and sliding around ( these may also mean you have to much wallpaper paste on the fabric and need to remove more)
When you have the piece completed let it dry……the drying time will vary according to the humidity in the air….I sometimes put them in front of a fan to speed up this process. If bubbles appear you can just pop them with a pin or if places appear to becoming loose just restick with the wallpaper paste.
After the box is dry you can paint it with a tea staining mixture to even make it look more prim and decorate it as you wish. These boxes can be bought expensively and make great gifts.
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Written by Debbie Hainline
For
more great crafting tips and techniques visit us at Two Old
Crows (www.2oldcrows.com)
And Now...My personal
favorite
Online WAHM Resources and Networking Partners!
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Please Take the time
to visit our Sponsors: |
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Scrappin Army Wife
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Print Me Prim offers professional LASER printed
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**Horizon
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Ad Expiration: 3-31-07
You have come to the right place for all your printing needs!
Horizon Hill Crafts offers many varieties of labels, business
cards and tags for small business owners. Don't be afraid to use
our products for all your personal items and gifts as well!
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**Instant
Printables**
Instant Printables is a online
resource for all types of digital crafting as well as other
types of printables such as scrapbook, altered art, business
templates, graphics and much more. All of the printable items
featured on
Instant Printables download instantly. We also have free
printables and give away a special printable item every other
week on our Freebie page.
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**Pattern
Mart**
If you like to sew or create patterns...This site is just what
you've been looking for!
For more
information please visit the following pages:
Ordering Info
Pattern Mart News
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**Sew
Cute Dolls & More**
We specialize in primitive /
country dolls, grubby candles and home decor products. |
**Sew
Primitive Ezine**
A great place to advertise,
get craft supplies, business advice, free craft projects and
download a free copy of our magazine "Sew Primitive Ezine"
(filled with craft show pointers & more). |
**Mulberry
Creek Mercantile**
We add your site to Search
Engines, Top Sites and exchange banners with other business
owners. I help you get the added exposure you need to get
traffic to your site. |
**Marketplace
Square**
A place where talented
crafters sell their products. You can rent a booth and sell you
products from the comfort of your home. There are prizes and
also special advertising discounts for new vendors. |
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PUT YOUR AD HERE!
ONLY $6.00 for one month of exposure in Faithful Friends
Online Newsletter! Lots of advertising for ONE LOW PRICE
to fit ALL BUDGETS!
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We asked Jean of
Rustic Haven: "Why do you LOVE advertising with
Faithful Friends Online?" and she said:
The reason I LOVE to
advertise with FFO is that it is an amazingly
affordable, and simple way to promote my website. It
takes all of the pressure off of me, leaving me time to
do what I do best, Crafting! Debbie does a wonderful
job with the site, and offers many different promotional
packages, as well as a site that is professional and
easy to navigate. I would highly recommend FFO to
anyone just starting out, or anyone looking to promote
their site even further |
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GET YOUR FREEBIES HERE!
Each month we feature sites that offer FREEBIES on their
website! Send us your freebies and get listed here!
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