Vermont Shortbread Company

Secret Confession of a Bad Blog Girl

I think it was about 2 weeks ago that my marketing and copywriting pal told me she was getting sick of reading my July 3rd post. 

Ooops.  I confess. I broke one of my cardinal rules of blogging (i.e., thou shalt post to blog 2-3 times weekly).  I'm just noticing that always seems to happen when my business is experiencing a growth spurt.  While the blog is an important part of internet marketing, taking care of customer orders takes priority during these times.  July has been a time of big growth for us; sometimes wonderful, sometimes frustrating.  In other local business news, IBM announced another layoff a couple days ago, putting the frustrating times back in perspective for this bad blog girl.  I'm soooooooo grateful to be self employed and small business growth stress of my own making is far more preferable to me than being a the mercy of corporate fickleness.   

Welcome, shortbreadheads, to August:  better blogging, new shortbread products and events in the works, and spreading the shortbread word throughout New England.  In addition to beginning to work with a food broker who will help us increase distribution throughout Vermont, we've got plenty of news and shortbread fun to share this month.  Stay tuned as my typing fingers work to stay abreast of it all! 

I'm off to speak about blogs at the Vermont Women's Business Center Artists' Circle this morning.  It's in Montpelier at Woodbury College, 9:30-11:30.  I'll see you back here tomorrow with more consistent posts to amuse and inform you.  I figured if I was going to speak today, perhaps it was time to get back on the blog bandwagon and practice what I preach to small businesses. 

Time to greet the day.  It's 5 a.m. The aroma of French roast mingled with sweet baking scents are what I awaken to every day when we fire up the oven at 4 a.m.  It feels good. 

I love the possibilities of early dawn...

Do You Really Need a Web Site?

It's a commonly held assumption that if you're going to do business online, you need a web site. 

Is this true anymore?  Can you run an online business just using a blog? 

One of the things that I noted when I ran my August Shortbread Challenge was that my blog generated a lot of sales for me.  My new improved web site has been in the works for a few months, now, but to be honest, I haven't had time to deal with it.  I've got a full time job, a house under construction, and no employees.  Am I personally and professionally ready for explosive growth or should I be carefully mapping out my corporate exit strategy so I am ready for controlled explosive growth?  I've got to build my foundation, my structure, get some help with this business. 

I'd be a fool if I believed that my business doesn't need a web site.  People need the ability to order my product online, quickly and easily.  I know this.  I must say, however, that I am getting my money's worth from my $13.95/month super-dooper Typepad account.  My site will be up soon and I will be happy and ready when it is. 

My personal coach, who is incredibly insightful and just started her own blog, also posed this question.  Does YOUR business really need a web site when blogs are so customizable, search engine-friendly, economical, and quick and easy to use?  So, what did she do?  She designed a teleclass to address this question. 

Here are the details:

Why Should You Care About Blogs?

You've probably heard about blogs by now - they're the latest thing on the Internet. You're not alone if you don't know what blogging is all about and you're wondering if this technology can work for you. Learn how blogs can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your existing web site, when you should use a blog instead of a web site, what blog tools exist and which one is best for YOU, and much more in this 60-minute teleclass on December 6 at noon, Eastern Standard time with Lauren Lee, a Master Spiritual Life Coach and technogeek. Visit Women's U for more information and to sign up. Fee: $9.95.

If you attend, be sure to tell Lauren where you heard about it!  Happy blogging. 

My Freelance Writing Site

Here's a little tip and a blatant self-promotion. 

My goal is to use my technical and copywriting skills to work with companies of my choosing.  This means socially responsible businesses with whom I feel a connection to the big mission.  I've realized I just can't fake passion when I don't feel connected to a company's ethics.

I am building my freelance writing site at www.annzuccardy.com.  It's bare bones now.  I've got the grand vision in my mind and will be building it slowly.  I'm doing it on my own because I learn by doing.  My goal is to learn more about SEO (search engine optimization) and effective copywriting on the Web.  Seems it isn't enough just to be a good writer anymore! 

One of the things I've learned is that search engines love links in blogs and Web sites.  You don't score points with the search engines for having lots of links to other sites in your site (anyone can do that).  Instead the search engines love to see other sites linking to yours.  It tells them you're popular and HOT! 

So today's blog tip/experiment includes a post referring to www.annzuccardy.com.  I'll Google myself daily to see how and where my new site begins to show up and then tweak my links accordingly (ohhh, that sounds a bit naughty!). 

 

Purposeful Blogging for Beginners: Tip of the Day

On a Blog to Book call a few nights ago (part of a bold experiment I'm attempting to turn my blogs into e-books), it occurred to me that writers' block is not so much of a problem for most newbies as is confusion about the mechanics of blogging. 

I don't know about other blogging software, but Typepad can be a bit confusing and the online help could be tighter.  However, I am a click-aholic.  I'll click anything to figure out how it works.  Sometimes it gets me into trouble, but most of the time it helps me understand and explain technical concepts.  That's what they pay me to do at IBM!   

So, part of my intention in creating this blog and in my entries on the Visionary Writers on Purpose blog is to make the technical side of blogging unintimidating to the newbie.  Here's a cool Typepad feature for newbies (I don't know if the other software manufacturers offer this - my guess would be that they do). 

Purposeful Blogging for Beginners - Tip 1

Wanna TrackBack With Me?

Will someone please explain to me how to use a trackback?  Maybe it's Typepad's could-be-better online help or maybe I'm just having a middle aged moment, but I'm not getting it.  (And while we're at it, is trackback a proper noun?)

Let me know if you want to experiment with me to see how it works.  I trackback to you; you trackback to me and the veil of Ann's confusion is lifted once and for all. 

Then we'll tackle world peace. 

Does Your Small Business Need a Blog?

Chances are that if you've found this article, you already know a little bit about blogging.  Perhaps, like me, you know the basics, but are a bit confused about all the hype flying around.  You're in good company.   

Blog is both a noun and a verb.  A Web log or blog is an instant publishing tool that anyone can use to create a Web presence free or inexpensively.  Blogging is a quick way to communicate and get feedback from your target market and to market your company’s products or services by positioning your company as a thought leader.