Blog – Page 217

When to Say No to a Collaboration

October 23, 2012

By guest contributor Michelle Edgemont. Photography by Giulio Rojer.

Has this ever happened to you? A professional blogger approaches you, a small business owner, to collaborate with them on a post on their blog – but your gut is telling you it’s a bad idea. Maybe you don’t have time with running your business, or the blog in question is just not your cup of tea. A business lesson that I’m still trying to perfect is when to say no to an opportunity.

Here are a few examples of when saying no is beneficial:

When your brand’s aesthetic and the aesthetic of the other blog don’t jive
Since one of the main reasons to collaborate with bloggers is to get your business in front of the right people, the blogs you chose to work with should be attracting your intended audience. The best business blogger/professional blogger collaboration is one where both are after the same client. A vintage clothing store owner and a blog that features vintage furniture and flea market finds would be a great match. An accountant collaborating with a blog about building a small business is another good example.

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Conversationally

October 23, 2012

By guest contributor PJ Feinstein. Photography by MaidenSydney.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a blog also needs interesting, informative copy to engage readers and build community. Have you ever read a blog post that sounded too formal (read: slightly pretentious) or robotic? The most engaging and fun-to-read blog posts are the ones written in a conversational style. Whether you cover DIY, fashion, lifestyle or home décor, writing conversationally is the easiest way to connect with your readers.

Here are a few dos and don’t to help you find your conversational voice:

Do imagine you’re speaking to a specific person
The easiest way to write conversationally is to pretend you’re telling a story, or explaining how to do something, to one specific reader. Read your finished post out loud with them in mind. Does it sound like something you would say to that person if you were chatting face to face in a coffee shop?

The Best Social Media Icons

October 22, 2012

By guest contributor Tori Bowman. When choosing social media buttons, less is more. But even when you’re trying to keep it as simple as possible, you still have options. Whether you want to stick with black and white, use the original colors, or only use the site’s logo, we’ve got you covered. Here is a […]

5 Email Habits for Communicating with Sponsors

October 22, 2012

By Sara Urquhart. Photography by Esparta Palma.

Think of all the things that the word “professional” connotes: put-together, skilled, efficient, and in control. You work hard to create that level of professionalism on your blog, and nothing can reinforce that to your sponsors better than great email habits.

1. Return emails promptly. If you’re corresponding with sponsors, potential sponsors, or business partners, don’t let those emails sit in your inbox. Train yourself to turn them around quickly.

2. Meet deadlines. Send invoices or agreements on time, without delay.

3. Follow up. If you send out an email, invoice, or agreement, and don’t hear back, follow up to find out why.

Behind The Scenes

October 19, 2012

By Melanie Blodgett. Photography by Shanna Murray. We’ve been busy updating the Alt site and thought you might be interested in a couple new pages we’ve added. On the Service Providers page you can find the people who can help you get your blog and business to where you want it to be. Providers who […]

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