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10 Steps to Develop an Effective Blog

A weblog can be a powerful resource for a coach. Many coaches have achieved significant exposure over the web with their own Blogs, not to mention the extensive professional networking opportunities that the ‘Blogosphere’ can provide.

So if you want to Blog, what do you need to consider? Here are IQ’s top ten tips to assist you launch into the Blogosphere:

1. Niche It

When considering your Blog’s content, make sure you are considering what your niche will seek. If you are planning to develop a Blog to increase your profile, your content will reflect how you position yourself to your prospects. Therefore, write content that matters to them.

2. Search It

Enable search mechanisms in your Blog. Most Blog platforms provide these as easy-to-install widgets at no cost. This function will allow your readers to quickly find content they are after, thus improving the efficiency in which your message will be delivered.

3. Link It

Link your Blog to your personal profile and website (if you have one). Most platforms will provide a Bio page where you can include your qualifications, experience, personal interests and other relevant information. This is a good opportunity to introduce yourself from an up-close position, allowing your readers to identify themselves with their ‘prospective coach’ (include a professionally-looking photo in your bio).

4. Contact It

Make sure you allow your readers to contact you. Some Blog use email links, other use forms – either way, ensure your readers can get to you (and do so without having to spend several minutes looking for your email address or telephone number within your Blog pages).

5. Categorize It

Create meaningful and concise categories to organise your content. If you are serious about Blogging, soon you will have plenty of content which will need to be well-organised to attract readers. Good categories will likely generate a good first impression from your Blog’s potential readers.

6. Domain It

Register a domain name and direct it to your Blog. It is a low investment which can generate an excellent level of return, and also reinforce your brand. Furthermore, it adds a professional touch to your page.

7. Disseminate It

Register your Blog in as many directories and registries as you can. Get your blog out there so people can find your content. You can start by creating a Feedburner account to distribute your feeds (and also take advantage of their automated email notifications, amongst several other tools) and then claiming your Blog at Technorati. Then look for other registries such as Google Blog Search and Blog Top Sites to multiply your presence on the web.

8. Syndicate It

Publish your posts at news syndication sites such as Digg. These websites represent a large margin of the Internet’s web traffic and if your posts prove to be appealing, it could direct more traffic to your Blog than anything else.

9. Network It

Develop relationships with other Bloggers who have the same client profile as you have. Reciprocal links, cross-promotions, and many other web-marketing strategies can help you leverage your content and increase your exposure over the web.

10. IQ It

The most important aspect of all is the quality of your content. Writing superb content will get your Blog on top. Conversely, writing poor content will slowly kill your efforts to create a professional Blog and attract prospects to your business. And if your Blog has great content to offer, it could become one of Coach IQ Coaching Club’s recommended resources