Telephone Directory, 1896 (Photo credit: MildlyDiverting)Information Please
These days telephone books and other specialized directories have nearly become obsolete. Like most people probably do, when I want to find a business or information about somebody or something, I will typically do an internet search. Most information provided by directories can be found on-line, plus we have the added ability of cross-referencing information in multiple sources. If you are in business or trying to market something, this is why you need a web presence.
Leave Footprints
If you're reading this, it probably indicates that you already have some web presence. Odds are you have a blog and that's one step in establishing your place in cyberspace. You are also probably signed up on one or more social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. The more places on the web that you can be found, the more significant your web presence is.
I am of course stating the obvious to most of you. My blog entry today is not going to be any extensive how-to on the subject of search engine optimization or building a website or anything of this nature. And since I am no expert on these types of topics I can only allude to them and recommend that you do your own research in the many books, blogs, and websites that are dedicated to these topics.
Tied in with physical visibility is the virtual visibility provided by the internet. The platform that concerns most of us is our blog. Once you have a blog established it is important to infuse quality content into it, especially if you are intending it to be a professional showcase of who you are and the abilities you possess. A blog can be a great marketing tool as much as it can be the stage for a fool. Hopefully you are not putting yourself in the latter category unless buffoonery is the persona you are trying to sell.
Blogging web presence is not just limited to your blog. Realize that your comments on other blogs are also part of that presence. Quality comments can get noticed in a good way. A caveat which I know well is that an inappropriate comment can linger as well and bite you in the behind when you least expect it. Be careful what you say.
Be Sociable
Another very important aspect to blogging presence is being recognized on the blogs of others. Make friends in the community of other bloggers. Give credit to what other bloggers are doing and showcase them on your blog. Host guest bloggers if you can. And whenever possible be a guest on other blogs if you are invited to do so. Maximum exposure without overexposure is the name of the game in blogging.
Be My Guest
So with that opening let me extend my invitation. After the April Challenge it's business back to normal on my blogs. I will be looking for the occasional guests on Tossing It Out who have books released or something of particular interest to my audience. On Wrote By Rote I frequently feature those who have memoirs in print or who have something of special interest to those who are interested in the topic of memoir writing. If you have something that might fit well on my dream blog I'll even consider a guest now and then on A Faraway View. We will also be looking for a lot of guest posts at the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Blog during the course of the rest of the year--contact us or watch that blog for more details.
If you are interested in doing guest posts for any of these, please contact me at arleebird@gmail.com.
Some of my past guests include:
Teresa at Journaling Woman has long been a blog friend of mine. If you haven't visited her A to Z entries you must experience the unique treats she has to offer. She's been working very hard on her stories.
Karen Walker is another blogger whom I have followed since my earliest blogging days and will provide some food for thought when you visit her blog Author Karen Walker...following the whispers.
Larry Cavanaugh at DiscConnected could not join us for this year's Challenge but he's given much input into my site both on the page and behind the scenes. Music lovers will especially appreciate his site.
Marcus Clearspring has not actually been posting in this year's Challenge, but he's made an important contribution. You know those A to Z Navigation Buttons that so many of you have added to your pages? Well, Marcus is the guy that created those for you to use. Please stop by to say hello and thank him.
What are some ways you have left digital footprints? Do you host guests on your blog? Do you make guest appearances on other blogs?
