design bloggers conference 2011: the business of blogging

Dan McCarthy, CEO of Network Communications, Inc. gave an informative presentation at the Design Bloggers Conference in Los Angeles.  He reminded us that social media is the single best platform for sharing information.  We write blogs because we want to share our creativity and passion with others.  Social media allows us the opportunity to begin a conversation.  Dan shared with us some key tips to creating a successful blog:







Describe your Blog
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 The description of your blog is key.  It needs to be one line that describes exactly who you are and exactly what kind of work you do.




Get Help
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Look on the web for helpful information.  Here are some links Dan recommends.

• http://www.problogger.net/
• http://MackCollier.com
• http://www.chrisbrogan.com/




Be Authoritative
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Be authentic and authoritative.  Be confident when you write.  Make yourself the authority on the subject you are writing about.



Have Focus
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Business strategy benefits from focus.  Identify your focus and remain consistent.



Know and Claim your Identity
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Claim your Google identity.  Here is a link at Online Media Pros I found helpful for doing just that. 



Connection + Talk = Community
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Talk to who you track (influencers).  Create a contact schedule on a spreadsheet.



Tag, tag, tag!
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Tag videos just like you tag written content.

One of my favorite things that Dan said was,

 "Creativity is a fundamental path to self-discovery; it is not self-indulgent."

Follow the conversation on Twitter via @StudioCInterior using the hashtag #dbc2011.  Let me know what your thoughts are. 

Carrie