Blogging Jobs - 7 Points for Proposing Blogs to Corporate Clients

by Amy Derby on October 9, 2007

In yesterday’s Blogging Jobs vs Freelance Writing Jobs - does the pay add up? post, I suggested anyone looking for corporate blogging jobs talk to their current clients about the possibility of blogging for them. My highest paying blogging jobs have come from my proposing a blog to my clients who didn’t already have one. Some of my clients didn’t even know what a blog was. Others didn’t know the benefits of a blog.

A handful of readers have requested a list of points they can make when proposing a blog to their current clients. I’ve tried to reply to everyone, but I thought I’d also post the list here for anyone else interested. The following are some of the benefits of a blog your corporate clients might not be aware of. Keep in mind that you’ll need to tweak any of these points to personalize the benefits for your individual clients.

1. Research shows it takes between four and seven visits to a website before a visitor
converts into a customer. An active blog gives your visitors reason to return.

2. People interested in your industry will be likely to link to your blog, which means
you’ll rank higher in search engines. The higher your site ranks naturally, the more
free traffic you’ll get. Pay-per-click advertising is expensive and often unreliable.
Why not rank higher without the expense or risk?

3. Blogs offer a cheap/low-maintenance way to interact with potential clients/customers.
Potential clients/customers will be more apt to participate and interact on a blog,
because it’s less formal and more personable than filling out a contact form or
contacting you directly.

4. Blogs also offer a chance for connecting with other industry professionals, meaning more
options for advertising revenue, sponsorships and partnerships.

5. Blogs can be used for stimulating discussion, which can get people back to your blog who
wouldn’t ordinarily return to your website.

6. Many people do blog searches (i.e., http://blogsearch.google.com) that don’t regularly
search Google.

7. An active blog can be submitted to blog directories, which can help draw in even more
traffic.

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The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest

by Amy Derby on October 9, 2007

Andre West, editor of www.dreamquestone.com, has contacted me to announce the following contest for writers. Please note, I have no affiliation with this writing contest and therefore can’t guarantee its legitimacy.

* * * * *

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to everyone whether experienced or not. This competition welcomes anyone who loves to arrange words into beautiful art or to write a short story that is worth telling. And to all who have the ability to dream. Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original. http://www.dreamquestone.com

Guidelines:
Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.
And/or write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-nonfiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed.

Multiple poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Deadline: December 31, 2007.

All winners will be announced on January 31, 2008.

Prizes:
Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100.
Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50.

Entry fees:
Writing Contest entry fee: $10 per short story submitted.
Poetry Contest entry fee: $5 per poem.

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Mail entries/fees payable to: (Dreamquestone.Com)

Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654

Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for further details, to print out an entry form or to enter online.

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