Stay Thirsty My Friends (for More Content): 5 Things to Include in Every Blog

When I first started blogging I did it just for fun, because I love to write and I thought it was so cool to see my thoughts come to life within an online platform like Blogger.

As part of the Escaype Enterprises content writing team, however, I've learned that there's a method to the madness... especially if you're blogging for business. 

Here are 5 things our marketing gurus say you should include in EVERY blog for maximum visibility and prolonged reader engagement: 

1. A catchy title.
Just because you've written a blog well and published it on the World Wide Web doesn't necessarily mean it's gonna get read... Writing the darn thing is only half the battle. The most challenging part about getting your content seen is provoking readers to click on your blog link so they'll read it. You can do this with a catchy title-- one that falls in line with one of today's most trending topics, a top 5 (or 10, but no more than 10) list that readers can easily peruse or a title that implies something can be learned or gained (like a how-to post or a unique recipe).

2. Visual stimulation.

Ever wonder why people watch so much TV or get so entrenched in Netflix movies? It's because we're visual creatures. We are wired to want something visible to supplement what we are hearing or experiencing, which is why it's imperative that you utilize images, infographics and/or videos to enhance whatever content (including blogs) that you're dispersing across the Information Superhighway.

More than 50% of consumers today admit blogs influence their purchases, so if you're planning to make a lasting impression on your target audience try generating posts for your business using intriguing imagery.

3. Compelling content.
If you had to hire a credible, well-articulated spokesperson to represent your brand you wouldn't just bring on an intern or someone who is new to this country to pose as the the billboard for your business would you? Of course not. You would find the most intelligent, passionate individual out there (besides you, of course) who knows your company inside and out and isn't bashful about getting the word out for you, right?! Think of your internet marketing efforts in the same way. If you're outsourcing your blogs to 'writers' on the other side of the globe and/or you've nominated your neighbor's teenage daughter to manage your social media simply to save money, it will be obvious to your brand followers. Be sure to invest in quality marketing tactics if your ultimate goal is to see quality results.

4. References or citations.
You know how "THEY say the human head weighs eight pounds?" Well who the heck are they and what makes them experts in the department of human body parts and their true measurements? Blogs seem to have much more credibility among readers when there are citations or references to where the factual tidbits from that blog were actually obtained.

You don 't have to go completely overboard with a Works Cited list or an index of references at the end of each post, but giving credit to the sources which helped you compose your blog will also score you credit as a reliable brand with a wealth of information.

5. A call to action.
While blogging for leisure can be an absolute adventure for some of us writing geeks out there, blogging for business must have a true purpose to be effective. Make sure each time you create a new masterpiece of written excellence that there's actually a point, or call to action in the post. 

If you're blogging about fitness tips, let your readers know where they can go to get more information about any relevant products or services your business provides. If you're putting together a Top 5 list of something, be sure that one of your products or services is included somewhere in that blog and add a backlink to where more details can be found. Ultimately, you want to make sure the visitors to your blog:

- are urged to learn more about your brand
- understand why they are definitely in need of what it is you have to offer

At Escaype Enterprises we carefully craft content specific to your brand's audience to ensure what's published on behalf of your company is not only relevant, it's entertaining, informational and most importantly-- accurate.

For information about our content writing or other internet marketing services for business CLICK HERE to visit our web site now. 

And until then, stay thirsty my friends... for more content, that is!

To Market, To Market: 4 Digital Strategies Worth Implementing for Small Business

Marketing. It's one of the most important components of driving new traffic to your company, yet a lot of times it's the last place business owners want to allocate funds in order to MAKE MORE MONEY. 

Is your brand shooting itself in the foot by not being marketed correctly? The short answer here is, "YES."

Here are 4 digital strategies our marketing gurus at Escaype Enterprises say is totally worth implementing for your small business:

1. Show up in Google search results more prominently.
75% of internet surfers searching for something on Google NEVER click past results on page 1. This is why it's so important for your company to show up on the first page of a search inquiry (especially Google). Stay diligent about posting on your social media channels, publishing informative articles and encouraging others to like/share your content can help keep you extremely visible among search engines like Google, Yahoo & Bing.

2. Incorporate videos into your marketing plan.
87% of marketers will agree that visual content is crucial for traditional marketing efforts... And with the popularity of YouTube and other video-based platforms, it's basically essential to upload videos of your company online to share, whether it's behind-the-scenes footage, highlights of your team members with their contributions or even informational productions about how to make something (cooking segments, DIY home improvement videos, etc.).

3. Use blogs.
Blogs aren't just an effective way to inform people about the products and services your business offers, they're actually a really great way to drive more traffic to your company web site. In fact, brands that have published at least 50 blog posts get 53% more web site traffic...and that number increases by 3 times as much once 100 blogs have been posted to the Information Superhighway.

4. Take advantage of social media.
The social media movement has not only created a fool-proof way to for people to keep in touch with family and long-lost friends all over the globe, it's also sparked an incredible way for businesses to reach their customers and following in a way that's non-invasive as well as affordable. Last time we checked, 77% of B2C (business-to-consumer) companies were able to generate leads for their brand through Facebook alone. Is YOUR business doing the same (and if not, what's stopping you)?!

At Escaype Enterprises we can help you beef up your marketing efforts both online and offline to get your brand more recognition and ultimately, get you more business.

For more information about our services & innovative solutions CLICK HERE to visit our web site.

Here's to more internet presence and improved awareness for your your company!



References:
http://socialmarketingwriting.com/13-blogging-statistics-probably-dont-know-infographic/
https://www.facebook.com/EscaypeEnt

5 Sure Signs You're a Content Writing Scrooge

Let's face it: as content writers, we can be a little (or a lot) eccentric... 

We're set in our ways, we're emphatic about what we do and we insist there's no one else out there as privy to all the grammatical dos and don'ts that exist in the vast world of words around us.

Here are 5 sure signs that YOU too (much like some of our writers at Escaype Enterprises ) are a content writing Scrooge:

1. When a colleague writes you a work-related email...
you can't help but correct the typos and errors in his/her message prior to writing and sending your response.

2. Someone sends you a Christmas card... 
you instantly notice it's enclosed with a couple of grammatical mistakes and you instantly grab a red pen to mark through and revise their heartfelt greeting.

3. You're sending someone a text message...
and you purposely type out the entire word, "Christmas" because you can't stand when people write or type the holiday as "Xmas" instead.

4. You're shopping for presents at a local mom & pop shop...
and you go out of your way to tell the cashier there's a typo on their door sign announcing their special holiday business hours.

5. You're perusing your daily newsfeed on Facebook...
and you REFUSE to share (or even "like") those cute little holiday memes anywhere on social media simply because there's a spelling error or misuse of punctuation in it.

At Escaype Enterprises we know correct grammar, spelling & punctuation matter. For information about our content writing services visit our web site TODAY!

Stuck on You: 4 Easy Ways to Create "Sticky" Content

When it comes to creating quality content, there are a myriad of ways to communicate with your audience on the web these days.

You can tweet, you can write an article to publish on your blog or you can use multimedia (a video or an image).

You can also post colorful infographics on your company social media... which have recently become quite popular (plus, they allow you to communicate using the best of both worlds: text AND visual media). 

So how does one get started with generating this exactly? By creating content that sticks... to our eyes, in our minds and on our lips. 

Our Escaype Enterprises marketing gurus have 4 easy ways to help you nail the "sticky content" challenge your business may be facing:


1. Select SIMPLICITY over spillin' the beans.
Keeping it simple is achievable for all of us... We just need to keep reminding ourselves that not everyone knows what your business does, nor do they need to know everything all at one time. Simple content makes for an easy read, and something easy to remember as well!

2. Don't underestimate UNEXPECTEDNESS.
We often slip into the communicating the same way, day in and day out. Generating significant impact can often be achieved through: 

- an unexpected, yet appropriate image uploaded to your company Facebook page (such as a pic of one of your staff members in action)
- an entertaining tweet celebrating the victory of your favorite college football team
- a surprise blog post written by someone from outside your business who has had a positive experience with your products/services

3. Cultivate CREDIBILITY.
A way to add credibility to the content you write/generate/post on our Information Superhighway is through the use of statistics (they're easy to find and they make your company look wiser!). Credibility is often carried by someone who has experienced it for themselves and is prepared to state it publicly, so it's great to dig up those positive customer reviews of yours and/or inspirational quotes from famous people and utilize them as part of your marketing strategy!

4. Evoke EMOTION.
A compelling story about a special event or someone in particular can produce a much greater effect and emotional response (REALLY. It's okay to show a softer side of your business). Remember this: With the 27 million pieces of content that are shared daily you’re competing not just with other like-minded brands, but with the media, blogs and anyone else who publishes an article, photo or comment as well. Say something meaningful already!

So how can you be more than just another company promoting yourself on the web? You just need to BE DIFFERENT.


Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop and execute a unique marketing strategy to help you stand out effectively and get noticed quickly. Don't believe us? Visit our web site TODAY for more information.

Here's to finding yourself in sticky situations more often (in a good way, of course)!
--Your Escaype Enterprises Marketing Gurus

Our 2 Cents: How to Boost Your Web Presence Without Breaking the Bank

It's no secret that having a strong web presence for your business is essential in today's internet-driven world. 

Marketers frequently throw around terms like, “ search engine optimization ” ( SEO ) and act as though there's some magic formula that only they know to move your company up in Google's search rankings. 

The good news is that increasing your company's web presence and visibility isn't rocket science. 

With a little effort and common sense advice from those with experience, you can implement practical strategies like these for making your business visible to current and potential customers alike:

1. Have compelling content.
It's pretty simple if you think about it. How likely are you to share someone else's sales pitch with all of your Facebook friends or Twitter followers? It's probably not going to happen. 

When you are creating website content, writing blog posts, sharing information on social media and participating in online discussions, it's so important to think in terms of who your audience is and what they will find interesting and worthy of passing on. 

It may initially be hard to break out of the "hard sell" mode, but giving your current and potential customers information they can use and offering to help them find solutions that work for them will go much further. Stumped about how to create compelling content that's relevant to your brand? Ragan Communicationsoffers these tips.

2. Keywords = Traffic.
Keywords hugely influence the amount of traffic websites that blogs get because they allow search engines to determine how well a page matches a user's search term. 

Make sure your website pages have popular keyword tags and that you include keyword labels when posting blog entries in sites such as Blogger and WordPress. 

3. Use review sites to your advantage.
When deciding between you and your competitors, a majority of adults turn to online reviews. The popular site, Yelp, has 18 million unique visitors each month, and 85% of users say they give as much weight to an online review as they would a personal recommendation. 

Seek out your best customers and ask if they would be willing to write reviews for you, and make sure you monitor new reviews and respond when needed. Here are some basics for making Yelp work for you.

4. Get social. Get involved.
We've discussed the importance of social media for businesses in this blog, but it bears repeating. Most people who are online are on at least one social network. 

Depending on your type of business, it's most likely beneficial to have a presence on popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or LinkedIn. In addition to that, become involved in online forums, newsgroups and discussions to increase your visibility.

Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop a customized strategy to increase your web presence and allow you to stand out and get noticed. 

Visit our website TODAY for more information!

3 Reasons to Social-Eyes with a Purpose for Your Business

In the last decade, social media and blogging have moved from the realm of teenagers on MySpace to being widely-used business tools. 

When done correctly, social media and blogging can be part of a very effective marketing strategy. If you’re not already using social media and blogging to tell your story and interact with current and potential customers, here are three reasons you should:

1. You position yourself as an expert.
By sharing useful content (usually called inbound marketing) about your industry and company, you show your current and future customers that you have knowledge and expertise and can be trusted. Also, your existing customers need content to share if they’re going to be online ambassadors for your company and tell others about the great job you’re doing. A recent Harvard Business Review article shows approximately 43% of social media users have purchased a product or service as a result of seeing it shared or favorited on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

2. You get instant feedback from the people who matter the most. Social media and blogging allow for interaction with your current and future customers. The public nature of this interaction has made some companies hesitate to jump into the conversation, but there’s great value in the feedback you can get via social media and blogs. By using old-fashioned customer service strategies in new media, you can quickly resolve potential issues and keep loyal customers. Companies such as Comcast have developed reputations as social media stars because of their responses to customers experiencing difficulties.

3. It’s inexpensive and effective.
Before social media and blogging, companies were more limited in their options for reaching out to current and potential customers. While options such as direct mail and advertising are effective, they also can be expensive and are one shot deals. Social media tools and blogging allow you to inexpensively target customers and provide multiple opportunities for interaction. Researchers estimate 90% of internet-savvy adults use some form of social media--if your customers are using these tools, shouldn’t you?

Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop and execute a social media strategy that will make you stand out and get noticed. Visit our website TODAY for more information.

 

4 Ways to Boost Your Web Presence Without Breaking the Bank

It's no secret that having a strong web presence for your business is essential in today's internet-driven world. 

Marketers frequently throw around terms like, “search engine optimization” (SEO) and act as though there's some magic formula that only they know to move your company up in Google's search rankings. 

The good news is that increasing your company's web presence and visibility isn't rocket science. With a little effort and common sense The good The good news is that increasing your company's web presence and visibility isn't rocket science. 

With a little effort and common sense advice from those with experience, you can implement practical strategies like these for making your business visible to current and potential customers alike:

1. Have compelling content. 
It's pretty simple if you think about it. How likely are you to share someone else's sales pitch with all of your Facebook friends or Twitter followers? It's probably not going to happen. When you are creating website content, writing blog posts, sharing information on social media and participating in online discussions, it's so important to think in terms of who your audience is and what they will find interesting and worthy of passing on. It may initially be hard to break out of the "hard sell" mode, but giving your current and potential customers information they can use and offering to help them find solutions that work for them will go much further. Stumped about how to create compelling content that's relevant to your brand? Ragan Communicationsoffers these tips.

2. Keywords = Traffic. 
Keywords hugely influence the amount of traffic websites that blogs get because they allow search engines to determine how well a page matches a user's search term. Make sure your website pages have popular keyword tags and that you include keyword labels when posting blog entries in sites such as Blogger and WordPress. 

3. Use review sites to your advantage. 
When deciding between you and your competitors, a majority of adults turn to online reviews. The popular site, Yelp, has 18 million unique visitors each month, and 85% of users say they give as much weight to an online review as they would a personal recommendation. Seek out your best customers and ask if they would be willing to write reviews for you, and make sure you monitor new reviews and respond when needed. Here are some basics for making Yelp work for you.

4. Get social. Get involved. 
We've discussed the importance of social media for businesses in this blog, but it bears repeating. Most people who are online are on at least one social network. Depending on your type of business, it's most likely beneficial to have a presence on popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or LinkedIn. In addition to that, become involved in online forums, newsgroups and discussions to increase your visibility.

Escaype Enterprises can help your company develop a customized strategy to increase your web presence and allow you to stand out and get noticed. 

Visit our website TODAY for more information.