Nine Signs That Your Event Business Blog Sucks!
If I see one more crap event planner blog I’ll scream – blogging without a strategy is a huge waste of time. Stop wasting time!
Random blogging will not get you more clients! Traffic that doesn’t advance your strategy is useless.
I recently tweeted that over at @BrianMcGovern after sifting through the crappy blogs people submitted to the BizBash post over at LinkedIn. Over 90% of the blogs listed there are crap – just a handful of blogs on that list are doing it right.
What Is The Right Way To Blog?
If you want to post your thoughts about reality TV programs and pictures of your cat because it makes you feel good – more power to you. If you like sharing your thoughts and opinions with a handful of people via a blog – knock yourself out.
But if you’re blogging to promote your local event services business you need to think and act strategically. Blogging can generate free leads – it can help your website rank higher – it can build relationships – it can boost your credibility – all for free … except for the hours and hours it takes.
If you’re blog sucks it is sucking your time. If you’re an independent event professional you can’t afford to waste time on anything that is not producing revenue.
Blog smart or stop doing it – stop kidding yourself that you’re promoting your business. Stop using your crap blog a way to “feel productive” and as an excuse not to pick up the phone and make some sales calls or go out and network.
I see too many self-employed people who are so scared of marketing and sales that they hide … tweaking their websites … tweeting on Twitter … acting busy and getting nowhere.
Here are the top signs that your event blog sucks …
Last updated 3 months ago. You don’t need to post things to your blog everyday but not posting things at least once a month tells readers and search engines to ignore you.
No analytics. Is anyone reading your blog? How many visitors did you get? What posts are most popular? How many visitors came from the city or region you serve? How did they find you? There is no excuse not to install analytics.
No Keyword Strategy. What words do your potential buyers search with? If you’re a Brooklyn Kosher Caterer – don’t you think the words Brooklyn Kosher Catering and relevant variations should appear in some form in almost every post? So why do you insist on posting Key Lime Pie Recipes and Event Planning Trends?
Is the Kentucky bride to be searching for a wedding photographer by typing “flower girl” into Google? No! She’s typing “Louisville wedding photographer.”
And when she clicks on a link – does she want to read the deep thoughts or does she want to discover a fantastic portfolio and an easy way to connect?
Check out this amazing blog by a very gifted Louisville wedding photographer, Todd Pellowe. Take notes!
Your Tags Suck or Are Missing. If you want to get attract local buyers you need to put your keywords in your tags.
Your Headlines Suck. Clever titles don’t attract local buyers – keyword rich and titles that promise a relevant benefit do.
Headline examples: If you’re a disc jockey on Long Island ..
Sucks: “Sweet Ideas for Sweet 16”
Better: “Long Island Sweet 16”
Best: “Long Island Sweet 16 Party DJ”
Self Serving Fluff. Please don’t describe yourself as gifted, inspirational, preeminent or world-class. People aren’t that stupid.
Crap Ads. Are you trying to attract clients or sell advertising? Ads are a waste of time unless you have a massive amount of traffic. Otherwise they just distract attention.
Crap Design. Are you still using the default black background on Blogger? Really?
Hidden Contact Forms. How do I contact you? Don’t make me look hard because my finger ready to back click. You have seconds to get and direct attention.
Bad Alt Image Tags. Describe your images with smart keywords. Don’t call that photograph of a bouquet, “roses.” Call it “Miami Wedding Bouquet” if you’re a floral designer there.
If you’re a wedding planner, caterer, corporate event planner, wedding photographer, DJ, entertainer, floral designer or any other event professional who wants to get more clients without spending a lot of money – smart blogging works.
Smart blogs attract local buyers – not random readers from across the globe who can’t hire you. Crap blogs don’t generate leads and what is worse – they waste your valuable time.
In my soon to be announced workshop I’m going to show you how to use blogging to generate a massive amount of leads, goodwill, referrals and repeat business.
To be notified when the workshop is open, be sure to jump on my list and get a free copy of “More Clients Now.”
I appreciate your comments. I found them very helpful. Was not sure how exactly what path the blog was suppose to take. Now I have a clearer idea. Thank you
Thanks Steve!
Excellent post Brian. At least now I know why my blog sucks.
Hah! Actually I got a kick from your last post!
Hola Brian.
Enhorabuena por tus ideas. Las comparto, y creo que hago uso de ellas desde hace varios años.
Podrías decirme porque motibo mi negocio no va muy bien?
Un saludo desde España.
Antonio Rabanal
Antonio,
Gracias por los comentarios!
Thanks for the article, Brian! I am actually reworking the strategy for my blog. This helps so much.
Hey Dawn … I’m glad you found something helpful here. I think a biz blog can still be a place to share your thoughts and personality – but if you want it to attract local customers you have to make it about local buying keywords most of the time.
Brian,
I enjoyed your article and I think that it applies not only to event planners, but all small businesses.
In short, if a business is going to blog it should make a commitment to do it right. Otherwise the time can be used more effectively elsewhere.