1040Blog.com’s LinkedIN Q & A’s

Here are the latest Q & A’s on LinkedIN that I particpated in.

Updated July 23, 2008

Interactive Features for a Corporate Blog

Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX| 12 hours ago in Blogging | Open

• What’s the best way to start a professional blog? I don’t mean technically opening the account and setting up the infrastructure. I’m talking about producing the original content on a regular basis and growing an audience.

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 4 hours ago in Blogging | Open

  Your public answer:

  “Hey Michael – Producing Original Content :

  • Get the information ‘funneled’ to you, as opposed to hunting and scouring the internet aimlessly. Here are just a few suggestions that come to mind right away …

  • 1. Subscribe to a Newsreader, such as Google Reader or Newsgator (my – current – favorites). Use these to subscribe to various other blogs and news feeds that strike your fancy. You can categorize them, add to them, delete (what turn out to be) irrevlevant ones, etc.

  • 2. Go through your old emails and see what types of questions your clients/colleagues have asked you in the past — these make great fodder for content, and will probably be relevant since if one person asked the question … well you know …

  • 3. Make sure you get a plugin like CopyAlert (for WordPress blogs, don’t know about other platforms) so that your original content isn’t used w/out your permission …

  • GROWING AN AUDIENCE:

  • 1. Post regularly and consistently,

  • 2. Post comments to other related blogs … but do so with honest to goodness relevant commenst that are not blatantly self-promoting, but always include your URL if possible

  • 3. When you reference another blog, place a trackback on your blog entry. While it may seem kinda backwards – promoting anothe rblog – it can get you exposure on proinenent blogs which will only help you.

  • 4. Make sure you have both an RSS Feed Link, as well as an email subscribe RSS form (I prefer Feedburner.com) and do not hide them but make them prominent on your site. I agree problogger is awesome …

  • Best of luck Michael ! Scott”

• Do you blog to make money or more as a hobby?

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 5 days ago in Blogging, Writing and Editing | Open

  Your public answer:

  “The folks I deal with (for the most part accountants and attorneys) develop their blogs to supplement their main firm website and create/develop a niche area of their practice — The two primamry goals are: (1) search engine optimization for that niche within a relatively specific geographic area , usually by state); (2) Position the accountant/attorney as an “expert,” by creating fresh and relevant content on a consistent basis.”

• What’s the best way to build clientele within a particular niche?

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 5 days ago in Writing and Editing, Starting Up | Open

  Your public answer:

  “Hey rachel – I agree on the Blog Idea: Blogs are a great way to increase exposure through search engine optimization and the creation of “expert status” and have some amazing functins that make it both fun and worthwhile to invest time in.”

  Messages about this question (1):

  • RE: What’s the best way to build clientele within a particular niche?

• What Plagiarism websites are you using these days? Is a low cost plagiarism check a possibility?

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 5 days ago in Writing and Editing | Open

  Your public answer:

  “Hey Don – If you are blogging using WordPress, install CopyAlert.”

• How would you generate online leads for real estate?

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 4 days ago in Business Development | Open

  Your public answer:

  “Re Blogs: Blogs can create “expert status” if it is updated consistently with fresh and relevant content (listings, information about the community you service that relate to real estate, e.g., schools, parks, etc., things that would help a person decide to buy property there). Blogs create some SEO buzz if you work a niche market (e.g., lakefront property in North carolina). Much of the power is turning it on to professionals in related industries (lawyers, accountants, folks who may have occassion to seek out a real estate pro) These people who may provide referrals to you. Having them subscribe to your blog will keep putting you in front of them and in the forefront of their mind when that opportunity happens.”

• i need to build a good blog for a growing online business any suggestions?

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 4 days ago in Blogging, Mobile Marketing | Open

  Your public answer:

  “Hey Stuart – I agree with WordPress being the best platform for blogging. It gives you tremendous control and functionality.”

• What is the best web analytics package available?

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 4 days ago in Business Development, Web Development | Closed

  Your answer was selected as a Good Answer

  Your public answer:

  “If you are blogging using WordPress, try WordPress.com Stats. They boast: “something like Google Analytics provides an incredible depth of information, it can be overwhelming and doesn’t really highlight what’s most interesting to me as a writer. That’s why Automattic created its own stats system, to focus on just the most popular metrics a blogger wants to track and provide them in a clear and concise interface. “”

  Messages about this question (1):

  • RE: What is the best web analytics package available?

• Does anyone have information on if a CPA firm has a web site, how much new business could/should be generated as a direct result of this web site? Thanks so much for your input.

  Asked by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 4 days ago in Accounting, Web Development | Open

  Your public answer:

  “Hi Suzanne – I’m not sure this will directly answer your question of how much new business should be generated because I agree that it is an extremely hard thing to quantify. There are too many variables and often the website is one factor, perhaps a minor factor, sometimes a major factor, in why a client comes to a firm … and perhaps stays (good site) or even leaves for anothe firm (bad site). There are some things one can do, however, that will help make the site is effective to various degrees, and in no particular order:

  • 1. Always present a visitor with an opportunity to subscribe to a newsletter and/or rss feed

  • 2. An extremely important component of any website presence is to make your site “client-centered” as opposed to “firm-centered.” By that I mean, most professional service firm’s websites have stale out-dated information that usually centers on the staff’s bios. Instead, the site should have provide answers to questions (without giving away the farm of course)

  • 3. Provide fresh relevant content — and do so consistently. Not only will this make the site more search engine friendly, but it will provide a reason for current clients to return to your site periodically, thus creating some sense of client loyalty. It also keeps you in front of their minds in the event of a referral opportunity

  • 4. Make your contact information promininent

  • 5. Focus on content, not looks, make navigation easy – although the site should be professional looking and in keeping with the image you want to project.

  • 6. One of the goals is to create “expert status” – again, going back to your website content … A site loaded with great relevant content will position yourself in the minds of clients (and other accountants who may have to refer out because of lack of experience/ecpertise/or geographic limitations) as an expert in your field.

  • 7. In creating your content, keep in mind specific keywords/terms you would want to be found by … including geographic locations I agree wholeheartedly with Devesh’s statement that “the approach of a CPA firm should be to consider the website as an investment in an asset, marketing, and a process improvement tool” … and I like alot Debra’s approach to adding value to her website visitor’s experience. This to me creates “expert status””

• Messages about this question (1):

  • RE: Does anyone have information on if a CPA firm