Less Writing = More Exposure Part Two

Now, back to ways to parlay article writing into Internet optimization and more business!

4. Submit it to Major Directories.
Now you have 10 or so distinct versions of each of your three articles. Submit one version of each article to these top article directories: Ezinearticles.com, Goarticles.com, Buzzle.com, ArticlesBase.com, WebProNews.com

5. Post Your Articles to Your Own Blog.
If they seem to similar to one another, do some slight re-writing. Get them all on your blog within a few days of one another.

6. Create Satellite Blogs and Post Your Articles.
There are a number of places to create free blogs that rank well with Google. Set up accounts at each of these places and post versions of each article as you create them. Some of my favorite free blog sites are Tumblr.com, Livejournal.com, Hi5.com, Multiply.com, Vox.com, Blogspot.com, Webs.com, Bravenet.com and Wordpress.com.

And here’s the sweet part: with the exception of Webs.com and Bravenet.com - which require manual posting -- you’ll be able to distribute your articles to all your other blogs with a single click of a mouse, thanks to ping.fm!
Go to ping.fm and check it out -- it’s simple way to update your Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and all your satellite blogs at once.

7. Collect Your RSS Feeds and Ping Each New
Post.
All of your satellite blogs offer RSS feeds. So do many article and press release directories. Go get them and create text file with each RSS Feed URL for your articles and blogs. Then pick up RSSBot, also from Incansoft. It’s a fabulous piece of software that registers each of your RSS feeds with all the top aggregators and pings each one whenever you add new content. (http://www.incansoft.com/IS0012.php).

This will save hours of time, and assure that search engines are well aware of all your content.
Each and every time you create new content, follow these steps - spin, distribute to directories, post on your blogs and ping.
Remember- strategic effort always translates into more business in less time!

Less Writing = More Exposure

Looking for more bang for your buck online? Today we begin a three part series on new and innovative ways to parlay a single article into driving major traffic back to your website. The purpose of what we’re about to do is two fold: to generate organic traffic from potential visitors seeing the content around the web, and to get
your site ranked higher in the search engines.

1. Define Your Keywords.
Use the Google Adwords Keyword Tool (https://
adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal) or
Wordtracker (http://www.wordtracker.com/) to identify
keywords and phrases that your clients would use to
find you. Develop a list of 3 or 4 keywords that are well
searched and not overloaded with competing sites.
Conduct a search to see if you’re currently listed for these
keywords and, if you are, where you rank.

2. Create Your Base Content.
Now, let’s write a few paragraphs that will serve as the
basis for the entire process. Since your keywords and
phrases are probably fairly similar, you won’t have to
create 5 or 6 articles entirely from scratch. Rather, you’ll
create one “master” article and adapt it as needed.
A simple way to do this is to write 5 or 6 paragraphs
that follow this pattern: (For the sake of this tutorial, let’s
say you have a blog about criminal law and three of the keywords
you’ve selected are “DUI”, “breathalyzer” and “no-refusal”.)

First paragraph. Define the problem: Houston's sprawling size and lack of a mass transit system means many people are on the road in many states of fatigue, inebriation and occasionally medically influenced conditions. This is an issue that can cause considerable traffic accidents and death. As a result police are stepping up patrols through "no-refusal " weekends and stepping on civil liberties.

Second paragraph. Assess the current state of discussion about the issue: A majority of attorneys and civil liberties experts believe forcible blood draws violate basic constitutional rights.

Third and fourth paragraphs. Create specific content for each issue, for instance paragraphs about the best way to avoid arrest, the best way to handle no refusal blood draws and the best methods for defense. Guides that can help people accused of drunk driving through no-refusal weekends can be found at (Your website) (http://yoururl.com), a blog created to help those accused of crimes find reliable advice.

Fifth paragraph. Bio: Joan Smith is a criminal defense attorney that specializes in fighting no-refusal convictions. Her blog, Say No To No-Refusal contains articles, videos, ebooks and more.
Visit it at http://yoururl.com

3. Turn It Into Three Press Releases.
A bit of rewriting and you’ve got some releases ready
to be submitted to directories. Titles could be along the
lines of NO Refusal Blood Draws are a Get Our of Jail Free Card, Expert Says/
Busted for DWI? Here’s What Works..../DWI Attorney: No Refusal Means No Jail Time
Over the course of a few days, distribute each of the
releases to free press release directories. A tool that’s
excellent for the job is PressBot from Incansoft (http://
www.incansoft.com/IS0027.php). It’s an inexpensive tool
that handles the job simply and effectively.

Friday Funny

If you are anything like me, after having watched the brutal and terrifying events at Ft. Hood yesterday life's perspective takes on a new focus. No matter how worried we are about the economy, healthcare, our careers, our waistlines, our relationships and all the other stuff that always seems to work itself out- you have to take time for yourself and do something so completely unproductive all it does is feed your soul. Thats my goal today by calling your attention to this fun site, thereifixedit.com

Enjoy looking at construction projects so poorly executed it looks like a drunk monkey could do a better job and have a relaxing weekend.

Are you Googling Yourself? You Should Be!

How many times has this happened to you? You attend a networking event and meet someone interesting. You exchange cards, jot a few things down on the card from your conversation and then the next day- make the tough decision whether to take the time to input this person's information into your contact list. How do you decide whether your new friend is worthy? Googling them of course! Although many of us are loathe to admit it- this situation plays out all the time- people are using Google as the ultimate character reference. So, how does your own online profile stack up?

Today, tips on how to manage your online presence in a way that projects you exactly the way you want others to see you!

1. Facebook status. Don’t use your Facebook status updates to share information about the actions your employer, or client doesn’t need to know about, censor your wall posts and patrol the posts written by others on your own wall. For example, “Getting trashed” is not an appropriate status update.
2. Facebook photos. While you are not expected to be in a business suit in each photo, use caution when uploading or tagging yourself in pictures. Photos that portray you as immature, inappropriate or unprofessional will impact people’s perceptions on your professional image. Keep watch on the photos your friends upload of you as well.
3. Facebook apps, fan pages and groups. Some of the applications available on Facebook might be fun, but watch which ones you publish on your wall. Informing people of your results on “What is your stripper name?” might not be the best idea. If you wouldn’t want to discuss it with your company’s CEO or your grandparents, don’t join the group or become a fan.

Some of you might believe that since your profile is set to private, that you will be OK. But, what if your friend works at the company you just applied to? The potential employer could go through your friend to see your profile. In conclusion, think twice before posting to social networks such as Facebook or Twitter.

Managing your image isn’t enough. The next step you should take is to use social networks to enhance your image online. Here are four tips to enhance how potential employers see you:

1. Share ideas and information. Did you read an interesting article? Did you learn something new today? Write relevant and useful updates often. Also, consider bookmarking great links on Delicious to share with others.
2. Go beyond just joining networks. The best example to use for this is LinkedIn. How many of you are on LinkedIn? And, how many actually use the features of it? Take full advantage of social networking sites. For example, on LinkedIn you can request recommendations, join groups and answer questions.
3. Start and maintain a blog. Blogging can display to your leadership and knowledge in public relations. It can help others understand the field and inspire them to take a more active role in developing themselves professionally. Write posts that will showcase your skills, knowledge and ambition and comment on other people’s blogs.
4. Create an online portfolio. If you are truly serious about your career, an online portfolio can help promote your personal brand to potential employers. In addition to work samples and your resume, your portfolio also could have recommendations.

First impressions are extremely important. Your social networks can have an affect on them, so be cautious and work hard to enhance your professional image online.

Law Firm Marketing Budgets? You Want HOW Much?

Since the budget process is underway in many firms for 2010- and many firm's budgets are seemingly stuck in 2001, its a good idea to start thinking leaner and meaner and less fat and costly. Today we visit the Legal Marketing Blog.

to learn the best way to think strategically when doing just that.

From Tom Kane: A percentage of gross revenues is not what a marketing budget should be based on. The percentage approach – whether 1%, 2%, 4% or even more – was popular with a number of consultants and some in-house marketers for years. Comparisons to the accounting or architectural industries should not be used as the guide, as in “accounting firms spend X% of revenues on marketing, etc.” This approach is wrong on a couple of fronts.

It isn’t very original, and is the lazy person’s approach to budgeting for marketing. It doesn’t require any planning, which in turn means it is likely to be wasted and/or misdirected. I have been a proponent of zero-based budgeting, that requires thoughtful planning to arrive at what the firm, practice group or individual wants to undertake in order to reach the desired goals. Unfortunately, too many firms do not use such an approach.

If planning is done properly, which means it is goal oriented with specific measurable objectives, and action plans are designed to reach those goals and objectives, the budget can be relatively easy to arrive at and more likely to be approved...

John O'Quinn 1941-2009

I was very saddened to hear yesterday of the fatal car crash that took the life of one of Houston and arguably the world's greatest Plaintiffs lawyer, John O'Quinn. I was fortunate enough to work on the legal team with John O'Quinn, and attorneys Tammy Tran and Lloyd Kelley as we all worked to get wrongfully accused Dynegy accountant Jamie Olis out of prison.

Much has been said about John O'Quinn's enormous monetary verdicts, but not much is shared about the causes he tirelessly worked for and contributed to. John O'Quinn was a true Texas scrapper; he loved nothing more than a good fight. In Jamie Olis's case he saw a man wrongfully targeted as a fall guy for his superiors. O'Quinn jumped into the ring to take on the fight armed with his brilliant legal mind and his financial backing. There would be no big payout at the end of the case, but that wasn't what O'Quinn cared about for this case, in his soul O'Quinn really just loved fighting for the little guy.

I remember walking into John O'Quinn's office past framed pictures covering every inch of wall space in his hallways detailing his enormous verdicts, victories and inspirations. Upon meeting him I was struck that his larger-than-life personality was equally matched by his larger-than-life stature. John O'Quinn was enormous in every sense of the word. O'Quinn's office contained no computer, and my media strategy for the Olis case had to be printed out double spaced for him to see and make notes on. Instantly the focus of the messaging was changed to suit his needs of "humanizing" Jamie Olis. O'Quinn's greatest gift was telling the story of his clients in a way that resulted in the jury empathizing, sympathizing and ultimately benefiting O'Quinn's client. I was expected to create a plan for that same effect in the court of public opinion.

After hours of working out a new strategy and examining the case from every possible angle we ordered dinner, by then it was 11 p.m. and O'Quinn was still working. The energy of a tiger, the famed lawyer was just settling down for another meeting with some of his associates when we finally left at 1:30 a.m. Before we headed out to the parking lot, O'Quinn asked us all to hold hands and stand in a circle. O'Quinn said a prayer for Jamie Olis and his family and before he said, "Amen" he asked God for the strength and guidance to make the right decisions for the Olis family. I looked at him with his head bowed and eyes closed and was comforted that even someone that brilliant and accomplished still looked for the ultimate guidance above.

Rest in peace John O'Quinn.

Still Don't Have a Blog? Build One in Ten Easy Steps

Denise Wakeman from Social Media Examiner has a great article about how to build a business blog. We thought it was important to share as many lawyers and law firms are finding themselves with more time on their hands and less billable hours. Now is the time to leap into the fray but before you get to the nitty-gritty of setting up your blog, there is some pre-work to do. This will ensure you start right and put your best foot forward

1. Before you do anything else, examine the reasons why you want to publish a blog. What is the purpose for the blog? How does the blog’s purpose relate to your business purpose?

2. What are the business objectives or outcomes you want from your business blog? Some people use a blog as a lead generator to build their database. Some are looking to build a visibility platform, while others use the blog to develop content for other purposes like books, articles and programs. What do you want to get out of your blog?

3. Who is your ideal reader? Who are you writing to/for? For most businesses I’ve worked with, the ideal reader is similar to their ideal client. It’s important to know your audience so you can meet their needs and address their concerns, challenges and what they’re looking for to improve their lives.

4. How do you want your readers to feel when they read your blog? This may seem like a weird question, yet it will help you tap into the emotions of your audience. Do you want your reader to be inspired, motivated, and moved to action? Again, tapping into this will help you focus your content on serving your reader.

5. What do you want your readers to DO when they read your blog? This relates to the goals you set for your blog. If your blog is a lead generator, then you must have very clear steps for guiding your reader to subscribe to get blog updates and/or get your lead generating content.

6. How much time do you have to devote to your blog each week? This is getting to the heart of blogging. If you can’t commit to writing a lot of valuable content, then you’re doing yourself and your readers a disservice. Be honest. The most effective and successful blogs are those with fresh, new content posted at least two to three times per week. Is that reasonable for you to manage? Will you have a team of bloggers? Remember, there are many, many ways to create content. It doesn’t have to be all you all the time.

7. What’s your blog’s core message? This relates to the topic of your blog and the niche you are focused on. What do you want your readers to learn? Why should anyone read your blog, and more importantly why should they subscribe to and follow your blog? This is another key piece to get in place before you start your blog. Brian Clark, publisher of Copyblogger.com, recommends creating “cornerstone content.” This is a series of posts that articulates your core message and provides new readers with an introduction and overview of what they can expect to learn from you.

8. Create an editorial calendar. It’s no secret that content rules on a blog, so it’s helpful to have a content plan going into the game. A key element of a good blog is having a list of 7-10 keyword-rich categories. Once you determine the categories (or subtopics) of your blog, you can plan your content calendar. If you plan on posting three times per week, then plot out post ideas for each of your categories. Make a list of 5 topics for each category. Then, fill in your calendar. Five topics times ten categories and you’ve got 50 blog posts in the pipeline.

9. Do your homework. Critical to your blog’s success is knowing your competition. Who is already blogging in your niche? What are they writing about? If blogs in your niche are scarce, this may be a great opportunity to dominate the search engines with your own content. Finding great blogs will take a bit of time and research. Start at Technorati.com and search for blogs using your keywords. Next use Alltop.com and Blogs.com to find the best of the best.

10. Build your blog. Now that the research is done, you know your message and have content ready to go, it’s time to get down to business and build the blog. This is where the fun part starts and cannot be easily covered in a bullet point. Two things to think about: 1) Are you a do-it-yourselfer or will someone build the blog for you? and 2) Are you a techie or not? There are many blogging platforms each with pros and cons. If you’re a techie, you may prefer WordPress.org. If you’re not comfortable with tech stuff, then TypePad may be a better option for you.