News

Once you’ve made the big decisions about who your course is serving and what transformation your course will deliver (our topic last week), it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty of determining how you will actually execute your lessons.

In this episode, we discuss three important questions you need to ask yourself to be sure that you are moving forward in the direction that serves your big picture goals for your course.

Click to subscribe to Site Success on Apple Podcasts

Other links of note:

• Try StudioPress Sites
• Sites Weekly Newsletter
• Subscribe to Sites on Apple Podcasts
• Contact Jerod: jerod@copyblogger.com

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Welcome to another edition of Sites Weekly.

In this week’s edition, you will find links to articles about the following:

• Content. How to use documentary filmmaking techniques to craft memorable content
• Design. How mobile optimization can affect your conversions in 2018
• Technology. How voice search is rocking the foundations of digital marketing
• Strategy. 4 tips for 15-second video storytelling
• Bonus. Weak email marketing and Nickelback have less in common than you might think

But first …

Last week on Sites

The best way to navigate the crowded marketplace for online content is with a smart positioning strategy. What makes you stand out? Why will people pay attention to you and your content with so many other options out there? In this episode, we take a high-level look at how to reassess, and improve, the positioning of your content and offers.

Listen: [61] 3Q for Assessing (and Improving) Your Positioning

And now, on to this week’s links …

Content: How to use documentary filmmaking techniques to craft memorable content

At the heart of every great documentary is a compelling story with a relatable hero. And it just so happens that compelling stories and relatable heroes are also at the heart of all successful content marketing campaigns.

This post provides several useful examples and a few basic tips about where you should begin when it comes to finding your story.

Read at Content Marketing Institute

Design: How mobile optimization can affect your conversions in 2018

Given that more and more people are now web browsing on mobile devices, and search engines are prioritizing sites that deliver the best mobile experiences, it may no longer be enough to just have a mobile responsive site.

In this post, Neil Patel explains what mobile optimization is, and why it should be your guiding principle the next time you redesign your website.

Read at Crazy Egg

---

Two of the most important decisions you will make about your WordPress website are your theme and your hosting. Wouldn’t it be great if they worked together to make your website more powerful?

Now they can.

Discover why over 213,675 website owners trust StudioPress.

---

Technology: How voice search is rocking the foundations of digital marketing

This post doesn’t provide a whole lot of answers, but it does pose several important questions that are worth considering.

Overall, it reinforces the indomitable charge of voice search as a force in digital marketing

And if you’re still unconvinced about the growing power of voice recognition and voice search, then hopefully this is one more piece of evidence that will sway you.

Read at Smart Insights

Strategy: 4 tips for 15-second video storytelling

You probably know already how effective videos can be, especially on social media. And the most effective videos are usually short videos. But just because a video is short doesn’t mean it can’t still do a lot.

In fact, it has to. But how can you fit all of the essential components for a successful short video into 15 measly seconds?

This post provides some really smart tips that will have you deliver videos that pack the most punch possible.

Read at Socially Sorted

Bonus article: Weak email marketing and Nickelback have less in common than you might think

Have you ever considered the similarities and differences between weak email marketing and Nickelback? No?

Well, lucky for all of us, one intrepid writer — Stefanie Flaxman — did make such a consideration. And it’s well worth your time, because weak email marketing needs to be called out for what it is: a lesser quality investment of time and attention than Nickelback.

Actually, if you do happen to be a fan of Nickelback, and clearly there are many fans out there, then Stefanie’s post might actually make you feel a little bit … redeemed.

A little bit.

Read at Copyblogger

So …

Which of the ideas in these posts will you put to good use immediately?

I’ll be back with a new edition next week.

Keep building.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Welcome to another edition of Sites Weekly.

In this week’s edition, you will find links to articles about the following:

• Content. How to use documentary filmmaking techniques to craft memorable content
• Design. How mobile optimization can affect your conversions in 2018
• Technology. How voice search is rocking the foundations of digital marketing
• Strategy. 4 tips for 15-second video storytelling
• Bonus. Weak email marketing and Nickelback have less in common than you might think

But first …

Last week on Sites

The best way to navigate the crowded marketplace for online content is with a smart positioning strategy. What makes you stand out? Why will people pay attention to you and your content with so many other options out there? In this episode, we take a high-level look at how to reassess, and improve, the positioning of your content and offers.

Listen: [61] 3Q for Assessing (and Improving) Your Positioning

And now, on to this week’s links …

Content: How to use documentary filmmaking techniques to craft memorable content

At the heart of every great documentary is a compelling story with a relatable hero. And it just so happens that compelling stories and relatable heroes are also at the heart of all successful content marketing campaigns.

This post provides several useful examples and a few basic tips about where you should begin when it comes to finding your story.

Read at Content Marketing Institute

Design: How mobile optimization can affect your conversions in 2018

Given that more and more people are now web browsing on mobile devices, and search engines are prioritizing sites that deliver the best mobile experiences, it may no longer be enough to just have a mobile responsive site.

In this post, Neil Patel explains what mobile optimization is, and why it should be your guiding principle the next time you redesign your website.

Read at Crazy Egg

---

Two of the most important decisions you will make about your WordPress website are your theme and your hosting. Wouldn’t it be great if they worked together to make your website more powerful?

Now they can.

Discover why over 213,675 website owners trust StudioPress.

---

Technology: How voice search is rocking the foundations of digital marketing

This post doesn’t provide a whole lot of answers, but it does pose several important questions that are worth considering.

Overall, it reinforces the indomitable charge of voice search as a force in digital marketing

And if you’re still unconvinced about the growing power of voice recognition and voice search, then hopefully this is one more piece of evidence that will sway you.

Read at Smart Insights

Strategy: 4 tips for 15-second video storytelling

You probably know already how effective videos can be, especially on social media. And the most effective videos are usually short videos. But just because a video is short doesn’t mean it can’t still do a lot.

In fact, it has to. But how can you fit all of the essential components for a successful short video into 15 measly seconds?

This post provides some really smart tips that will have you deliver videos that pack the most punch possible.

Read at Socially Sorted

Bonus article: Weak email marketing and Nickelback have less in common than you might think

Have you ever considered the similarities and differences between weak email marketing and Nickelback? No?

Well, lucky for all of us, one intrepid writer — Stefanie Flaxman — did make such a consideration. And it’s well worth your time, because weak email marketing needs to be called out for what it is: a lesser quality investment of time and attention than Nickelback.

Actually, if you do happen to be a fan of Nickelback, and clearly there are many fans out there, then Stefanie’s post might actually make you feel a little bit … redeemed.

A little bit.

Read at Copyblogger

So …

Which of the ideas in these posts will you put to good use immediately?

I’ll be back with a new edition next week.

Keep building.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Once you have your website up and running, and youÔÇÖre consistently publishing good content and connecting with your audience, itÔÇÖs time to ponder whether creating an online course would be a smart next move. There are many different ways — both big and small — to incorporate an online course into your content and product mix. In this episode, we run down a few of them and then explore three questions that will help you plan your online course in a smart way from the beginning so you avoid major missteps later on.

Click to subscribe to Site Success on Apple Podcasts

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• The Showrunner Podcast Positioning Course: showrunner.fm/podcast-positioning

EPISODE URL

Click to subscribe to Sites on Apple Podcasts

Other links of note:

• Try StudioPress Sites
• Sites Weekly Newsletter
• Subscribe to Sites on Apple Podcasts
• Contact Jerod: jerod@copyblogger.com

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Once you have your website up and running, and youÔÇÖre consistently publishing good content and connecting with your audience, itÔÇÖs time to ponder whether creating an online course would be a smart next move. There are many different ways — both big and small — to incorporate an online course into your content and product mix. In this episode, we run down a few of them and then explore three questions that will help you plan your online course in a smart way from the beginning so you avoid major missteps later on.

Click to subscribe to Site Success on Apple Podcasts

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• The Showrunner Podcast Positioning Course: showrunner.fm/podcast-positioning

EPISODE URL

Click to subscribe to Sites on Apple Podcasts

Other links of note:

• Try StudioPress Sites
• Sites Weekly Newsletter
• Subscribe to Sites on Apple Podcasts
• Contact Jerod: jerod@copyblogger.com

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Welcome to another edition of Sites Weekly.

In this week’s edition, you will find links to articles about the following:

• Content. How to evolve beyond ÔÇ£actionable contentÔÇØ
• Design. Is accessibility the new SEO?
• Technology. Skynet, gluten-free cupcakes, and the paradox of automation
• Strategy. DonÔÇÖt sell to startups
• Bonus. Consuming less and creating more

But first …

Last week on Sites

As our series on SEO continued, we talked about getting more links — which remains one of the most important and influential ranking factors that search engines look at. In general, what should you be doing to get more links? Here are three questions to ask yourself …

Listen: [60] 3Q for Optimizing Your Link Strategy for Better SEO

Have you checked out the new StudioPress theme yet?

A new StudioPress theme dropped two weeks ago, and as I mentioned last week … it’s a beauty.

The theme is called Essence Pro, and it’s a clutter-free theme for sites in the health, wellness, and lifestyle niches. Imagined and built by our own Rafal Tomal and Chris Hufnagel, itÔÇÖs designed for simplicity, both at the exterior and on the back end, allowing you and your readers to focus on the essentials.

You should check it out for yourself: Essence Pro demo.

And now, on to this week’s links …

Content: How to evolve beyond ÔÇ£actionable contentÔÇØ

This is a smart post by Jimmy Daly that highlights the difference between tactical content that is written for people actually doing the work and strategic content that is written for decision makers.

Is one better than the other?

No, it’s all about context. But if you want to reach the decision makers, you probably aren’t going to do so with just tactical content.

Read at Animalz

Design: Is accessibility the new SEO?

I hadn’t really thought about it in these terms, but this article makes a compelling case.

Regardless of how you frame the importance of accessibility, the bottom line is that it’s important.

It’s important from a moral and humanistic perspective, and it’s important from the perspective of making your website open and available to as many people as possible.

Read at Mark Schaefer’s blog

---

Two of the most important decisions you will make about your WordPress website are your theme and your hosting. Wouldn’t it be great if they worked together to make your website more powerful?

Now they can.

Discover why over 213,675 website owners trust StudioPress.

---

Technology: Skynet, gluten-free cupcakes, and the paradox of automation

This post by Sonia Simone might give you a new perspective on marketing automation.

Is it possible that the term itself, and other terms we use to describe it, are sending the wrong messages and associating ethical marketing automation with the nefarious stuff that companies like Cambridge Analytica have been up to?

She makes a compelling argument.

Read at Copyblogger

Strategy: DonÔÇÖt sell to startups

Who is your target customer? Are you targeting someone who is a bootstrapping beginner, and thus prone to seeking out free solutions or at risk of not making it past the runway?

Or are you targeting someone further down the road, with resources to invest and stability you can count on?

There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer, but this post will give you some reasons why targeting the latter may be your best bet — if it’s an option.

Read at Justin Jackson’s blog

Bonus article: Consuming less and creating more

This post by Brian Gardner was inspired by 10 special words that he read in a book — and yes, it is important that he read them in a book and not on Twitter or Facebook, and that he didn’t hear them in a podcast.

The words are:

ÔÇ£Where your passion meets their need, that is your calling.ÔÇØ

Brian outlines six tips to help you consume less and be more productive.

Read at Authenik

So …

Which of the ideas in these posts will you put to good use immediately?

I’ll be back with a new edition next week.

Keep building.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

The best way to navigate the crowded marketplace for online content is with a smart positioning strategy. What makes you stand out? Why will people pay attention to you and your content with so many other options out there? In this episode, we take a high-level look at how to reassess, and improve, the positioning of your content and offers.

Click to subscribe to Site Success on Apple Podcasts

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• The Showrunner Podcast Positioning Course

Other links of note:

• Try StudioPress Sites
• Sites Weekly Newsletter
• Subscribe to Sites on Apple Podcasts
• Contact Jerod: jerod@copyblogger.com

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Welcome to another edition of Sites Weekly.

In this week’s edition, you will find links to articles about the following:

• Content. Why people request more emails
• Design. How colors and fonts impact consumer behavior
• Technology. After GDPR, here come the unintended consequences
• Strategy. 11 ideas for creating link-worthy content
• Bonus. The first release of WordPress just turned 15 years old

But first …

Have you seen the new StudioPress theme?

A new StudioPress theme dropped last week, and it’s a beauty.

The theme is called Essence Pro, and it’s a clutter-free theme for sites in the health, wellness, and lifestyle niches. (Although, I will say, I have a sports website that I am thinking about using it for.)

Imagined and built by our own Rafal Tomal and Chris Hufnagel, itÔÇÖs designed for simplicity, both at the exterior and on the back end, allowing you and your readers to focus on the essentials.

You should check out the demo and see for yourself: Essence Pro demo.

Last week on Sites

How do you attract more search visitors to your site? And more importantly, how do you make sure that the majority of those visitors are members of your target audience? Your keyword strategy will play a huge role in this, and in this episode you will discover three areas of focus that will optimize your keyword strategy for success.

Listen: [59] 3Q for Optimizing Your Keyword Strategy

And now, on to this week’s links …

Content: Why people request more emails

I find the excessive bravado in this post a little off-putting, and I wonder if their customers universally like their emails as much as the writer Leif Abraham seems to think they do … but … I’m linking to it because it does offer a few solid points about writing good emails that I agree with.

1. You need subject lines that grab attention — and the examples here go beyond traditional subject lines.

2. The tip about sending emails that are not branded and thus look like regular, personal emails (except for product emails) is a good one. I have found that works.

3. Getting rid of the “noreply” email address, and ensuring that emails can be replied to is the right and authentic way to do email.

So give the article a perusal. It has some good tips that will help you write better emails.

Read at Medium

Design: How colors and fonts impact consumer behavior

This post features a well-done infographic that explains some of the primary impacts of colors and fonts. I’m glad that the main point of the color section is that context matters — because it does.

Learn more about how to make smart color and font choices that fit your brand and drive people toward the action you’re hoping they take.

Read at MarTech Zone

---

Two of the most important decisions you will make about your WordPress website are your theme and your hosting. Wouldn’t it be great if they worked together to make your website more powerful?

Now they can.

Discover why over 213,675 website owners trust StudioPress.

---

Technology: After GDPR, here come the unintended consequences

Check out this excellent lede:

“ItÔÇÖs not the wave youÔÇÖre expecting that knocks you down when youÔÇÖre body surfing in the ocean. ItÔÇÖs the waves you didnÔÇÖt expect, behind that first wave.”

So, what are the potential unintended consequences of GDPR? This post highlights several possibilities.

Read at MarTech Today

Strategy: 11 ideas for creating link-worthy content

Yesterday’s episode of Site Success discusses how to build a smart link strategy.

It’s imperative that you don’t focus too much on different linking strategies at the expense of the most important one: great content.

This post from Search Engine Journal complements that episode. It discusses what effective content looks like, and then runs down 11 ideas for creating the kind of content people want to share with their audiences because it is valuable and, in so many other ways, linkable.

Read at Search Engine Journal

Bonus article: The first release of WordPress just turned 15 years old

Wow — think about how influential WordPress has been in driving the growth and development of the web.

Then consider that WordPress still isn’t even old enough to drive yet. But at least it can now get its learner’s permit!

Read at WP Tavern

So …

Which of the ideas in these posts will you put to good use immediately?

I’ll be back with a new edition next week.

Keep building.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

This week, as our series on SEO continues, weÔÇÖre talking about getting more links — which remain one of the most important and influential ranking factors that search engines look at. In general, what should you be doing to get more links? Here are three questions to ask yourself …

Click to subscribe to Site Success on Apple Podcasts

Here is a quick rundown of what you’ll find in this episode:

• Why you shouldn’t overlook the most basic link strategy question of all
• The power of a network when it comes to getting links
• Why any link strategy should actually start on your own site

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• How to Build a Diverse & Healthy Link Profile

Other links of note:

• Try StudioPress Sites
• Sites Weekly Newsletter
• Subscribe to Sites on Apple Podcasts
• Contact Jerod: jerod@copyblogger.com

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Welcome to another edition of Sites Weekly.

In this week’s edition, you will find links to articles about the following:

• Content. Why every writer should learn basic SEO principles
• Design. 3 reasons why web designers should consider SEO
• Technology. Grab complete website screenshots with this chrome extension
• Strategy. 5 reasons why you should hire a ghostwriter to write your content

But first …

Last week on Sites

As we continue our SEO series, weÔÇÖre diving into local SEO. And we have a special guest to help out with this weekÔÇÖs lesson — itÔÇÖs a voice you know well: Sean Jackson. He provides insight on what NAP means, how to harness the power of reviews, and why images make such a big difference for local SEO.

Listen: [58] 3Q for Local SEO Done Right

Free webinar on web personalization with Copyblogger founder and Rainmaker Digital CEO Brian Clark

Brian was back on the Copyblogger blog last week with a few wise words about web personalization and why it’s so important moving forward.

Check out Brian’s commentary and get details on a free webinar he is hosting Thursday, May 24 (tomorrow!) that you may want to sign up for.

Read: Web Personalization: The Future of Digital Marketing and Sales Is Now

And now, on to this week’s links …

Content: Why every writer should learn basic SEO principles

This blog post by Emily Gaudette provides an insightful summary of the reasons why writers should be mindful of SEO. I think her reasons apply to anyone who is creating content online.

The anecdotes that she cites from her personal experience using smart SEO strategies to drive traffic to her articles are useful and applicable to niches beyond her own.

Read at Contently

Design: 3 reasons why web designers should consider SEO

If you are designing websites or themes for other people, you can’t focus strictly on the design at the expense of important elements of the site that may affect traffic.

Plus, since most people hiring designers for websites understand the importance of SEO, incorporating on-page optimizations can be a value-add service that clients are willing to pay more for.

Learn a few other reasons why designers shouldn’t overlook the importance of SEO in this article.

Read at Design Beep

---

Two of the most important decisions you will make about your WordPress website are your theme and your hosting. Wouldn’t it be great if they worked together to make your website more powerful?

Now they can.

Discover why over 213,675 website owners trust StudioPress.

---

Technology: Grab complete website screenshots with this chrome extension

Sometimes you stumble across a tool that is just a spectacular fit for a particular need you have. The Chrome plugin Full Page Screen Capture is exactly that.

I take a lot of screenshots using the default Mac function, but those screenshots are limited to what is actually on the page. This plugin takes a screenshot of an entire webpage in a matter of seconds.

Sign me up!

Read at Hongkiat

Strategy: 5 reasons why you should hire a ghostwriter to write your content

Take note that the author of this post is a ghostwriter himself and runs a ghostwriting agency — so he isn’t exactly a neutral observer. But he makes some good points about why you might want to hire a ghostwriter for your content.

Peruse and then decide for yourself if it’s something that would make sense as part of your content strategy.

Read at Search Engine Journal

So …

Which of the ideas in these posts will you put to good use immediately?

I’ll be back with a new edition next week.

Keep building.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.