Using Google Calendar to Set Up an Easy Blogging Editorial Calendar

This week, the 2011 Wordcount Blogathon launched with some great incentives to start blogging daily! At last count, there were over 200 unique blogs participating in this fun activity. When you think about it, that’s a lot of blog posts! 

To start things off right, I decided to be proactive with my own blog and set up an easy editorial calendar using Google calendar. I use this free web-based calendar for so many things in my Charleston copy writing business. From booking private clients and scheduling myself for events, to setting up reminders for project deadlines and important networking meetings – I use Google calendar ALL the time. The cool thing is that it’s not only just a nice web-based calendar, it has a lot of great features such as sending invitations to others for meetings, and text message reminders right to any mobile device! Without this technology wonder, I would be lost most days!

So, when it came down to the Blogathon, I wanted to get myself set up with fresh ideas and reminders for topic days on my Google calendar so I have it all planned out. That way I don’t forget a day or get burnt out on blogging.

Here’s how I set up an Editorial Calendar for the Blogathon:

1. Signed into my Google accounts
2. Clicked on “Calendar” which took me to another page
3. Set up a New Calendar Named “Blogathon”
4. Added a Daily Topic for each day of the month of May
5. Set up reminders to send me a text and email each day

It really was that easy! Anyone can use this handy FREE tool to create an online editorial calendar to maintain a blog. Try to think of topics that are relevant to your business, what your clients or friends may be into, and in a specific order that makes the best sense. If you have a complex topic, try breaking it up into a series and then writing about it for a few days – expanding on the topic as you go.

Wishing all the participants of the 2011 Wordcount Blogathon the best of success! Looking forward to getting to know others, share some great information and make new friends.

OK now it’s YOUR turn – how are you keeping track of your blog posts??? Please leave comments below!

About the Author:

Tess C. Taylor, Web Copy Writer and Owner of Taylor Resources Writing, has been writing for the web since 2007. After transitioning from a 14 year career in Human Resources, Tess writes on many topics close to the hearts of small business owners and entrepreneurs. Her work has been featured on Yahoo Business, US News and Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Tess, please visit www.trwriting.com

Charleston Copy Writing Small Business Marketing Help is Just a Phone Call Away

As a small business owner, you may not realize the incredible services and support you can get from a Charleston copy writer. Contrary to common belief, writers don’t just write. Because we work closely with many small business owners, as well as marketing powerhouses, copy writers in the Charleston area and abroad have a wealth of knowledge that’s not often seen with other professionals. Here are some questions to start asking yourself now:

• Are you looking for ways to increase your circle of influence in your niche market?
• Feeling overwhelmed with work and don’t know where to start?
• Have ideas that you are struggling to get across to the rest of the world?
• Worried that you may not understand how to use online marketing resources?
• Love social media, but find yourself getting distracted too often?

The solution to these common issues and more are just a quick phone call away when you have a skilled  Charleston copy writer in your network!

How can a Charleston copy writer help you?

In addition to creating super copy for your websites, blogs and print materials; web copy writers in Charleston understand from the small business perspective how to get your brand message across in a clear way. It’s entirely possible that because you have so much on your plate that you have been spreading a message that lacks consistency. That can confuse potential clients. Instead of struggling in this area, hire the help of an objective Charleston copy writer who can look at the “big picture” and craft a marketing campaign that works.

A copy writer can also help connect you with the right people who can give you a leg up. Chances are you have a few areas in your business that need attention, but you don’t have time to research where to find the help. Or you may fear working with people who you can’t trust. Since you already know your Charleston web copy writer, you have someone who is in your court and can point you in the right direction in terms of finding help you can depend on. Just ask and you shall recieve!

Most copy writers have the unique ability to see the steps that small businesses can use to market their ideas to the rest of the world. We have seen people become successful through strategic efforts. We have also seen people fall on their faces from not having a strategy. Whereever you see yourself at this point in time, consider picking up the phone and calling your Charleston web writer and asking for help with drafting up a marketing plan that wil work for you. It’s liberating having someone else look at things and give you a plan to make it happen.

Need help with your business and don’t know where to turn? Call your Charleston copy writer today and get the help you need to become successful this year. What have you got to lose?

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About the author: Tess C. Taylor is a seasoned SEO Web Copy Writer with over 100 website clients and 2,500 small business articles published worldwide. For marketing help, please visit WWW.TRWRITING.COM or call (843) 548 – 0077 today!

What You Need to Know About Local Web Copy Writers and Web Designers

If you own a small business and you are looking for the best quality and values in web copy writing and web design, why not look in your own backyard? Chances are, there are some wonderful marketing and creative service providers who live right in your neighborhood, have kids who go to your kids’ schools and may even go to your church! While many creatives work on the side for extra income, there are some who dedicate their lives on a full time basis to supporting small businesses with excellent quality web copy, websites and art.

Charleston web copy writers and web designers are plentiful due to the influx of new business growth in the Low Country. To find them, one must simply do a quick search online or check with the regional Chamber of Commerce. There are also many networking groups in the North Area, Summerville, downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant and beyond where small business owners can connect with talented writers, web developers, graphic designers and other creatives. These folks are eager to provide entrepreneurs with their best work.

A great way to save money on any web or print marketing project is by hiring a local Charleston web copy writer who can handle all types of content. Instead of farming work out to some unknown print company in another state, it’s always a better idea to look for a local professional. Remember, a local copy writer has more at stake than just a sale. He or she is interested in making sure you are 100% happy and get what you need to be successful. You can experience a personal level of concern and a long-term business relationship with a local creative professional – something that you will never get with a “sweat shop” printing mill.

You will also benefit from working with a local web copy writer  or web developer because you know that this person understands your market better than someone from out of the area. A Charleston based writer knows the people who are your customers. A website designer from the Low Country understands the unique culture and tone that your website will need to get the right message across to your patrons. Instead of trying to explain this to an outsider, save time and trouble by hiring local for all your creative marketing needs.

When you find a Charleston web content writer who you like working with, many doors will open to you. You can easily get connected with other local creatives like web developers, photographers, graphic designers, and more because writers often work hand-in-hand with other creative types. Once you have a trusted Charleston web copy writer on your team, you can rest assured that the people that work with your writer are people that this writer trusts to do a great job for you.  Writers happen to be very social creatures, so they know all the right people!

So before you lay down a lot of cash for a website or a marketing brochure through some overseas company, with no face or name to refer to, take a moment to contact a Charleston web copy writer or web development firm. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the great response and quality of work you will receive for your investment!

For more information and rates for Charleston Copy Writing, please feel free to contact Tess C. Taylor of Taylor Resources Writing, LLC. today at 843.548.0077. Or visit HTTP://WWW.TRWRITING.COM

10 Tips for Working with a Great Web Copy Writer

In this global economy, the smartest investment a small business owner will ever make is a professional website. Not only can a website become a central point from which to market products and services, but it can be an excellent way to convey a message to the rest of the world. A well designed website can also be an effective resource that will provide value and dimension to your company. In other words, what your website tells others about you initially will leave a lasting impression on anyone searching for your particular offering(s).

Your new website should be able to do two things and do them well. It should clearly state that “Hey, I’m here to serve your needs!” and “This is what makes me better than other companies!” 

Without these two critical things, a website will fail – no matter how much you pay someone to design it for you or how much time you spend on it. If you are struggling to come up with a clear message, no one can help you better than a professional web copy writer!

So how can you be sure to find the best web copy writer to handle the job correctly the first time? Here are some helpful tips for working with a great web copy writer for your new website:

1. Know your expectations before searching for a web copy writer. Before you start placing ads for a writer, consider what your actual needs will be. Do you have a website that’s ready for content? Is there a specific time frame you have for the web copy to be completed? What are your ideas in terms of budget for the writing project? Make sure you have all these questions answered in advance so you can find a copy writer who can handle your writing project with ease. Failure to provide full disclosure can have disastrous results.

2. Review multiple portfolios of web copy writers in your market. This is a mistake that far too many business owners make when beginning a search for a web copy writer. Think about it. Would you hire someone off the street to fix your expensive foreign car if that person had only worked on American vehicles? No, of course not. You would find someone who had experience in your specific market. Likewise with web copy writers. Look for those who have experience writing in your market, industry or business focus. Their expertise will come across in your web copy, making you sound more authorative.

3. Evaluate the performance of previous web copy projects. As you search through the online portfolio of the web copy writers you are considering for the job, take a look at how well the websites come up in the search engines. You can do this easily by typing in the keywords highlighted on the website or the keywords you would search for to find each particular business. You may also contact the webmaster for each website and ask how well the websites are performing. The goal of your website is to rank well on the first page of the search engine results, so choose writers who consistently provide SEO friendly copy and results you can actually see.

4. Read client testimonials / ask for references. Any good web copy writer worth his or her salt will be able to produce actual client testimonials as to the quality of work. These testimonials are generally found on the web copy writer’s website or social media pages (like LinkedIn). You should also feel free to ask for client references as to the validity of these testimonials if you are unsure of things. Remember, this is your project and you want the very best professional for the job.

5. Have a reasonable budget in mind. The old rule of “you get what you pay for” definitely applies when searching for a great web copy writer. Cheap is never better. In fact, if you want cheap you can hire someone who doesn’t speak your language, doesn’t care about quality and cares nothing about your business or it’s success online. If you want website copy that outperforms your competitors, hire a web copy writer who charges accordingly. Have a realistic budget in mind when hiring a copy writer, which can range on average from $200-600 per website.

6. Look for versatility in a web copy writer. When you are hiring a web copy writer to complete the most important aspects of your online marketing project, consider a writer who is versatile. Afterall, once the website is completed, you will no doubt want to promote it through a wide range of marketing medium. A good web copy writer should also offer other writing services such as press releases, print marketing, social media marketing and more. You will want to keep this person around for future jobs!

7.  Get it in writing. Once you have found the right copy writer for the job, ask about getting a contract. In this day and age, just because you have a nice telephone conversation doesn’t mean you will get what you paid for. A web copy writer who is a true professional will be glad to send a contract for services and get everything in writing before taking on a job or accepting payment. Make sure all terms are clear and your content will be 100% original and owned by you. Failure to do this, and you can risk more than just money.

8. Communicate often with your web copy writer. The key to any working relationship is to communicate on a frequent basis. So too, it is important to talk with your copy writer on a regular basis. Make an ongoing effort to gently ask for updates on the project and be available and responsive when your copy writer has a question or needs more information. Give a phone number where your writer can call you. Set up a weekly telephone meeting to discuss the project and assign someone to be the central point of contact at your company.

9. Provide full company information. Be sure to send your copy writer all the background information on your company that you can. This includes your company location, founding date, leaders, mission statement, goals, target customers and products. Never assume that your web copy writer will know all this information or be able to find it. Remember that it’s always better to give too much information to your writer than not enough.

10. Treat your web copy writer right!  Your web copy writer can be your best source of help and information in terms of marketing and advertising. Many of the better copy writers have worked with prominent clients and web marketing professionals and they have learned a lot along the way. Treat your copy writer well by giving prompt feedback, sending payments in on time and offering to give a testimonial or referals. Your web copy writer will most likely bend over backwards to give you the very best service this time and every time if you follow these tips.

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About the Author: Tess C. Taylor is a web copy writer and owner of Taylor Resources Writing. She has written for well over 5 years now and her client list includes many small businesses and large media firms like Yahoo & US News. You can find out more at www.TRWRITING.com

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