Top 10 Tips for Blogging

Written by S. Housley


Tips for creating a blog. There are no hard and fast rules on how to blog. Having said that, bloggers will likely increase their exposure by following some simple blog guidelines.

1.) Stay on topic. Opinions are generally accepted butrepparttar content ofrepparttar 135131 items inrepparttar 135132 blog should all relate to a general theme. Unless you have an uncanny knack for wit, humor or cynicism,repparttar 135133 majority of your readers will be interested inrepparttar 135134 content that relates to a specific defined theme or loosely defined area of interest. Most readers won't care that you eat Cheerios for breakfast. They may, however, be interested inrepparttar 135135 fact that vinegar takes out stains and that toilet paper rolls make great wreaths. Define a topic and stick to it. This will ensure that you create a loyal following of interested readers.

2.) Stay informative. If you are attempting to createrepparttar 135136 impression that you are knowledgeable about a specific industry or sector, be sure that you stay current on news. If you are endorsing a product or voicing an opinion, be sure to check your facts; your reputation is at stake. If you are offering an opinion, be sure to qualify your post, making it clear thatrepparttar 135137 content is intended as an editorial.

3.) Old news is not news. While blogging every day can be a drain, it is important thatrepparttar 135138 information presented is current and accurate, writing an article or blurb about something that happened 6 months ago, will not be of interest to many. Telling your audience that Martha Stewart was convicted and will be going to prison, after her sentence is completed will make people questionrepparttar 135139 value of your columns.

4.) Adhere to a schedule. Create a schedule and stick to it. Realizing that blogging requires time and effort, don't create unrealistic expectations and be unable to deliver. An occasional lapse or holiday is generally understood but readers returning to find stale, out-dated content are going to find another blog with similar content. New blogs and RSS feeds are popping up on a daily basis. If you have worked hard to develop an audience and a community you don't want to lose them due to lack of communication.

The "Right" Logo

Written by Colleen Ryan


The Logo: a little history

Logotype, commonly know as a logo, is a design, a graphic representation/image/trademark symbolizing one’s organization. Designed for instant identification, a logo can appear on company letterhead, advertising material and signs as an emblem by way of whichrepparttar organization can easily be recognized.

Originating inrepparttar 135105 19th century, after a surge in industrial manufacturing that led to an increase in output, global distribution, andrepparttar 135106 commencement of competition, logos were created to differentiate between products withinrepparttar 135107 same industry. Emblems or symbols were included on products, packages and labels so buyers could easily recognizerepparttar 135108 product they preferred. Logos revolutionizedrepparttar 135109 advertising world.

There was a time when only affluent organizations could afford their own crest, emblem or logo. They were, in some cases, a very detailed drawing with many objects. Cost was not an issue and more was considered better. Then, flags were used due to their larger format. They were visible fromrepparttar 135110 craft fields and from long distances.

Today, successful companies continue to say that "simpler is better". Especially whenrepparttar 135111 world is advancing so rapidly, you have less and less time to impress your customers. Logo designs, now, are very stylish yet remain conservative, which makes them eye-catching and easier forrepparttar 135112 brain to memorize.

Selectingrepparttar 135113 Logo Concept

The most crucial aspect of logo selection isrepparttar 135114 logo concept. You must first determine what your logo should say about your company. You may come up with an image related to a business like a house for real estate or a car for a car dealer, or your logo could be just an abstract image representingrepparttar 135115 company’s philosophy, for example, a pyramid or a blocky image for a stable, trustworthy company. A very dynamic image with orbits and swooshes, sparks, or particles might be suitable for a very young, modern, high tech company.

Not all businesses, though, can be easily associated with any particular image. For example, a programming company doesn't have many images to associate with (except a computer). In this situation, it would be recommended to concentrate on an abstract image and to representrepparttar 135116 feel ofrepparttar 135117 company's business rather than coming up with a specific image. Companies that deal with more than one business should have a more generic image, butrepparttar 135118 logo can still be made to look technological by implementing some straight lines in combination with curves, or more corporate with more proportional, symmetrical, geometrical shapes.

As a result ofrepparttar 135119 expense involved in changing a logo, a "good" logo shouldn’t be too trendy, but ideally last many years before needing a redesign. You need to ask yourself ifrepparttar 135120 design will be relevant in 5 or 10 years.

Once a company has established itself with a specific look, feel and image, it becomes more and more difficult to change as time goes by. Some companies have enjoyed success without ever having to change their logo design. Kentucky Fried Chicken has used Colonel Sanders in their logo sincerepparttar 135121 company was founded in 1952. Aside from some updates on their marketing front, Nike would be another good example (the Nike swoosh). Pepsi took a risk inrepparttar 135122 mid 1990s by drastically changing their image and logo but did so with success. However, it could have resulted in commercial suicide. If you'll remember, inrepparttar 135123 1980s Coca-cola changed their brand image to Coke. Pepsi then took over top seat inrepparttar 135124 market shortly thereafter. Creating a logo that can appeal to customers and consumers throughoutrepparttar 135125 ages is important, considering that there will always be a risk involved with change.

If, however, you decide that your logo is in need of a face life, here are some points to take into consideration:

Does your current logo represent 3 ofrepparttar 135126 key elements that make up a credible and high quality logo design?

a. Doesrepparttar 135127 logo portray your company in a manner which says that you are an expert

in this field?

b. Isrepparttar 135128 logo "contemporary", symbolizing a "forward-thinking" look?

c. Isrepparttar 135129 message that you are trying to convey torepparttar 135130 consumer clear?

If you answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions, then why change your logo? By revamping your company image, you may risk losing your supporters, clients that are already familiar with your products and services, your popularity, respect, as well as your market share. You can, however, clean-up your logo or update it with a lot less risk.

Tagline

When creating a tagline for your company, it is important to consider whether or not you are going to, eventually, go global. If so, create a tagline that gets your point across when translated into different languages. Here are some examples of successful companies that did not take this into consideration:

a. Kentucky Fried Chicken's tagline "finger-lickin' good" translates in Chinese as "eat your fingers off”.

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