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7 Smashing Social Media Marketing Links

Robert Bruce — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

This week on The Lede …

What really works on Twitter
One thing social media copywriters should never do
9 productive social media hacks
A reminder of the power of the original social media

If you just can’t wait for The Lede every Saturday, and you want even more practical, useable links than the seven we highlight here every week, follow @copyblogger on Twitter.

It’s painless. Really.

9 Social Media Hacks You Need to Embrace Now
Mr. Baer makes a good case that though social media is inexpensive in monetary terms, it can get good and costly when it comes to spending your time and brain power. His 9 “hacks” can help keep you sane and productive in the fast, fast digital world we run in.

100 Ways to Become a Twitter Power User
Mr. Patel is on a content tear lately, not just cranking it out, but cranking out the good stuff. The headline of his article says it all, and you’d do your Twitter efforts a service to give it the once over. From how to generate more retweets, to becoming a more interesting Twitter writer, this one is well worth an hour.

The Basics of Pinterest for Content Marketers
Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest. It’s on the tip of many tongues these days, for good reason: it’s driving quality traffic. If you’re a content marketer with a visual bent, you should get over there and start pinning. But first check out the infographic above …

Copywriters Should Never Try to Change the Prospect’s Mind
Remember that person you used to date, how you tolerated certain personality quirks or behaviors because you were sure you could change them … eventually? Veteran copywriter Nick Usborne shows you why it didn’t work back then, and why you shouldn’t try to do it now, in your business. Hint: It’s impossible.

What Works on Twitter: The Definitive, Data-Driven Guide
It’s official, people on Twitter don’t care what you ate for lunch. What works? If you’ve been reading Copyblogger for any amount of time, the answer to that question won’t come as a surprise. At all. We’ve been preaching this very thing for more than six years …

Email Newsletters are a Serious Business
Email: the original social media. By collecting and briefly analyzing a few top email newsletters publishing today, Mr. Baptiste has given us an important reminder — sexy does not always sell (best). Do you publish an email newsletter? Are you reaching out to your customers and fans on a regular schedule via email? If not, you’re leaving money on the table, and why would you want to do that?

How to Create a Powerful Password You Can Actually Remember
The greatest plague that Social Media hath wrought? Passwords. There are a few great password management tools out there (that you should definitely be using), but xkcd brings us back to the old school in this cartoon. As always, the old school is simple, and it confuses the hell out of hackers and their big, bad hacking machines. Yeah.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

7 Useful Marketing Articles for Your Weekend

Robert Bruce — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

This week on The Lede …

Seth Godin’s simple cure for writer’s block.
Why David Ogilvy called himself a lousy copywriter.
A case study in the power of the blog.
10 ways to use Pinterest for your business.

If you want more links you can use than the seven we highlight here every week, follow @copyblogger on Twitter.

A Stalker’s Guide to Competitive Research
If you ever wanted a shot at becoming a private detective (without the hassle of becoming a private detective), this is it. Comprehensive does not begin to describe this article from Ms. Narayanasamy. In it, she lays out an amazingly simple and incredibly thorough strategy to gain a lasting competitive advantage in your industry.

Seth Godin’s Simple Cure for Writer’s Block
Leave it to Mr. Godin to supply a sensible solution to a wicked problem that has plagued writers since we were etching useful content on tablets. Stone tablets, I mean. Like most good advice, you’ll likely say “Of course…” when you read this. Don’t forget to act on it.

I am a lousy copywriter ~ David Ogilvy
There is some kind of relief in reading a line like that from a titan of your craft. This honest, engaging little 1955 letter from Mr. Ogilvy says much about practical professionalism, struggle, and getting your work done despite the forces working against you from within and without.

How to Find the Time for Content Creation
Warning: do not dismiss this post for its deceptive simplicity. We’ve heard it one hundred times, and could stand to hear it one hundred more. This advice lies at the core of getting good content produced. And yes, that’s the content that can drive your business.

Content Marketing is a War of Attrition
Babe Ruth said, “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” That, along with a plan that changed and morphed along the way, is pretty much the story of Copyblogger. It can pretty much be the story of anyone who chooses to take it up.

The Power of a Blog
Mr. Lefsetz asks if you’re better off being written up in the major media, or on a major blog. Then he answers the question definitively. This might seem a bit like preaching to the choir, but the reminder — in this case — is a valuable one.

10 Ways to Use Pinterest for Business
I’ve heard it said that Pinterest is for soccer moms. I also remember hearing that Facebook was just for college kids …

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

7 Content Marketing Articles Worth Reading

Robert Bruce — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Almost everything you wanted to know about content marketing in one post.
How to thrive in difficult times.
How to create a social media calendar.
A powerful content marketing plan you can put to use.
Several more smart bits of content marketing goodness.

If you want even more links you can use than the seven we highlight here, follow @copyblogger on Twitter.

This is The Lede …

[Almost] Everything You Wanted To Know about Content Marketing in One Post
Brackets are mine. Shane Snow has made things easy for the beginning content marketer, and useful for the veteran. To make a start right here would be a wise decision.

A Simple and Powerful Content Marketing Plan
The headline says it all. If you’re wondering how to actually begin your content marketing efforts, these simple frameworks will get you started. Oh, had articles like this been around in 2005 …

How to Create a Social Media [or Content Marketing] Editorial Calendar
Ms. Buyer has written invaluable advice on tackling one of the most difficult (and elusive) aspects of content marketing: the editorial calendar. You’ll find tips, tools, and definitions on the other side of this link. Thank her when you get there.

The Power of Real-Time Content Marketing
David Meerman Scott joined us on the radio show this week to discuss newsjacking. This article is a fascinating follow up to and summation of his strategy that can bring free PR and media exposure to you and your business.

How to Thrive in Difficult Economic Times
Ben Settle read something 10 years ago that changed his life. It’s a big piece of what carried him through some scary economic times, to becoming a highly-paid expert on email marketing. Mr. Settle’s opinion is that this lesson teaches the most valuable skill a working person can possess.

Don’t Wait, Pick Yourself Right Now
It wasn’t long ago that this seemed like a futile idea. The gatekeepers were too powerful, the distribution systems locked up, the audience too far away. What’s one thing good content marketing does for you? It allows you to pick yourself.

97 Ideas for Building a Valuable Content Platform
Mr. Godin wants you to pick yourself. Mr. Brogan offers 97 specific ideas on how to do it.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

7 Content Marketing Links Worth Clicking

Robert Bruce — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

How to work from home like you mean it.

How to code like a hacker. In one year. Via email.

The lost art of becoming good at things, and a handful of reasons why you should have your own place on the web.

Follow @copyblogger on Twitter to grab these links (and more) every week.

This is The Lede …

The Problem with SOPA (And How to Stop It)
Yes, you’ve been seeing stuff on this “SOPA” thing everywhere. Yes, this link also appears at the bottom of this page. If you’re a content creator, it’s time to get on the bus, learn what SOPA is, and make your own decision regarding its importance or lack thereof. Ms. Simone has written an outstanding article that will help you do just that.

How to Work from Home Like You Mean It
It’s the dream of many — the “freedom” of working from home. For some, it becomes a nightmare of broken productivity, unconscious web surfing, and showerless days. Mr. Purdy offers some great insights into making the most of being a stay-at-home professional.

10 Hard-Hitting Link Building Tactics
The Lede makes an appearance in Neil Patel’s list, but that’s not why I linked it here. Link building is a foundational function of good SEO, and of therefore supporting your business on the web. Mr. Patel gives you real tactics you can put to use this morning, right after you finish reading The Lede.

How a Niche Email Newsletter Grew to a Million Subscribers
An incredible story of the use of email marketing to build a business. Email is so simple, and arguably the most powerful of all the social technology tools at our disposal. Are you building your email list? Watch this video and see how Tasting Table built theirs to one million subscribers in just a few years.

5 Reasons Why Your Business Should Have a Blog
Content marketing is the new advertising, and the best way to do content marketing right now is on the blog you own. Mr. Gardner lays out the most compelling reasons why in this post. For some, this will be elementary, for many, this read will be just what you needed. For all, this post offers a valuable reminder …

Learn to Code in One Year via Email
Every small business is in the media business now. The media business is largely online. Even if you think you’ve got the best developer in Silicon Valley locked up tight for the next decade, it’s good for everyone to know the basics of how to code. Here’s how to get those basics down in a painless, easily understood series of lessons.

The Lost Art of Becoming Good at Things
Are you really good at something? Anything? Have you ever worried that maybe you’re spending too much time consuming and not enough time doing? In this Age of Distraction, what would happen if you decided to focus? Mr. Barr takes an intriguing look at what it means to get good.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse. Get him on Twitter or Google+.

7 Marketing Links You Can Use

Robert Bruce — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

What’s the best time of day to publish a tweet or send an email?

A simple way to generate endless ideas for blog posts.

How to get good at making money.

Follow @copyblogger on Twitter to grab these links (and more) every week.

This is The Lede …

Tweet Late, Email Early, and Don’t Forget About Saturday
The opinions about what works best on what day and at what hour — regarding social media — are endless. Two “experts” will give you five answers. One remedy for this comedy of errors is to make use of data, which is exactly what Mr. Phelps (through Mr. Zarrella) presents in this article.

How Luther Went Viral: A 16th Century Social Media Strategy
Martin Luther’s now famous blog post 95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences used a very crude content management system — a nail, a piece of paper, and a church door. Do not discount this publishing act as a 500-year-old curiosity, the successful spread of Luther’s message has much to teach us about our own social, multimedia world.

8 Content Marketing Articles You Should Have Read in 2011
The term “Content Marketing” has nearly gone household. But that’s meaningless compared to what executing a smart content marketing strategy can do for your business or ideas. Here’s 8 important content marketing articles you should’ve gotten around to last year, but might have missed.

Malcolm Gladwell on Late Bloomers
If you’ve ever despaired that you’ve missed the bus, that the sands of time have passed too far through your hourglass, or that you’ll lose your mind the next time you read an article about a 20-something CEO who’s built the hottest startup in the valley… take courage. If you are a late bloomer in business or in life, you are in good company. Very good company indeed.

8 Email Strategies for Your Business
Mr. Keath provides a supremely helpful overview of 8 basic email marketing strategies, as well as the pros and cons of each. If you’re thinking about email, you’ll want to read this rundown first.

How to Generate One Year Worth of Content Ideas in One Hour
It’s common to run into seemingly unbelievable headlines on the internet. Sensation draws a crowd. This is not one of those headlines. Mr. Alsopp makes a death-defying claim from atop a high wire, and then fully delivers on that promise in this stunningly useful article.

How to Get Good at Making Money
Pragmatic advice from a man who has proven he knows how to bring home the bacon.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger recently?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

7 Marketing Links You Can Use in the Field

Robert Bruce — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0000

David Ogilvy on Social Media.

How a “drug-taking college dropout” created one of the most successful corporations in the world.

The Secrets of the biggest-selling launch ever.

Follow @copyblogger on Twitter to grab these links (and more) every week.

This is The Lede …

6 Social Media Lessons from David Ogilvy
The ad at the top of this post alone is worth clicking over for. Beyond that, Mr. Vodden has very aptly applied some of Ogilvy’s core philosophies to good social media marketing.

Steve Jobs: Billion Dollar Hippy
All right, all right, you’ve had enough of the Steve Jobs onslaught. I have too, but when a BBC documentary gets out into the wild (if it’s still up now), how can I not link to it?

Secrets of the Biggest Selling Launch Ever
A look at the 2010 iPad launch in 10 succinct lessons. “They didn’t sell 300,000 iPads in one day, they sold them over a few decades.”

Your Readers are Changing. Are You?
The maturation of mobile. The massive release last week of Flipboard for the iPhone is only one indicator of where readers want to read. “Smartphones are built for reading as well as talking, for literacy as much as audibility.” Here we go …

How 3 Companies Built Their Twitter Strategies
A quick look at how these old-school monoliths are nimbly dancing (and winning) on social networking platforms.

The Beginner’s Guide to Content Marketing
A clear (and bold) primer on what content marketing is and does, as well as its advantages over traditional advertising.

The One Resolution You Need to Make in 2012
I linked this up mainly as a reminder to myself. It’s simple, valuable advice you can use out there in the field all day, every day. Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’…

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

7 Marketing Links They Didn’t Show You in School

Robert Bruce — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Your “Big Break” is not coming (and why that’s good news).

Is your industry about to be transformed by the Internet?

Instagram marketing, some fresh ideas for email, and why you’re not as busy as you think you are.

Get into it all below, and make sure you follow @copyblogger on Twitter to grab these links — and a lot more — every week.

This is The Lede …

Meet the New Twitter
If you’ve downloaded the new Twitter app to your phone, you may have seen the new Twitter online by now. I’d have to get @bgardner or @rafaltomal over here to make a serious run at how the separate elements of the redesign really shake out, but I like it.

3 Email Marketing Techniques You Haven’t Seen
All right, I’m a bit of an email nerd. If you are too, these won’t be completely foreign to you, but they’re a good reminder of what works when it comes to email list conversion.

What Truly Matters in Business and in Life
With his trademark generosity, Chris Guillebeau makes an attempt at answering this question (and more) in another stunning manifesto. No opt-in required.

4 Industries About to be Transformed by the Internet
You might take a glance at this article and say “Yeah, duh?” and that’s fine. The question remains: how will these changes affect what you’re working on?

How to Use Instagram to Tell (and Sell) Your Marketing Story
If you’re an Instagram freak, you’ll love this. If, like me, you’re not on Instagram, John makes a good, indirect case for thinking creatively about your marketing.

You’re Not as Busy as You Think
A solid reminder that, though busy makes you feel good, it does not necessarily mean you’re doing good work. Less is more?

The Myth of the Big Break
Nobody’s coming to save you. No “single moment” is likely to change your career. Particularly if you’re chasing that single moment instead of consistently working to make great stuff. I love this article.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

7 Marketing Links You’d Be Crazy to Ignore

Robert Bruce — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0000

The best (and shortest) business book ever written.

Why visualizing your success could actually be hurting your chances for success.

The #1 overlooked skill for every author, and how to get 7,000 Twitter followers.

Oh yeah, make sure to follow @copyblogger on Twitter to grab these links — and a lot more — every week.

This is The Lede …

7 Unwritten Rules of Social Media
Well, now they’re written. This is a very good and basic structure for operating effectively within any social media.

The Best (and Shortest) Business Book Ever Written
You’ve heard about this author all your life. You’ve probably even quoted him a few times without knowing it. Have you read his amazingly practical business philosophies?

If You Want to Fail, Visualize Success
The word counterintuitive doesn’t begin to describe the results of this research. What do you think?

10 Ways to Get Your Emails Read
You do know that not everyone is opening your emails right? Number 4 is a bit vague in its counsel, but there’s a lot of solid, specific advice in this list to help you along in your email marketing.

How to Get 7,000 Twitter Followers
The lesson in this story lies under the surface. This is not necessarily a tactic to be replicated, as much as a philosphy to keep in mind: Strategically enter the conversations that matter to your business goals.

The No. 1 Overlooked Skill for Every Author
A powerful observation made by well-respected writer and editor Jane Friedman. Copyblogger hasn’t been teaching this stuff for almost six years just for the hell of it, it really matters.

The Secret of New Marketing
I would promise not to link to Seth in every edition of The Lede, but that could very possibly become a lie. There’s just too much in his archive that needs to be read, spread, and understood … like the link above.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

The Lede: 7 Marketing Links for Smart People

Robert Bruce — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

“Total freedom” is a creative cage.

What people are really doing online.

Steve Martin’s secret of success, and a massive (and mostly missed) opportunity on Twitter.

Speaking of Twitter, follow @copyblogger to grab these links – and a lot more – throughout the week.

On with The Lede …

Need to Create? Get a Constraint.
I once heard a Portland indie rocker say “Rules? I don’t follow rules man, music is all about freedom.” What an idiot. Immortal music — like any creative work — is all about rules. Apply the shackles to your creative thinking and watch what happens to the quality of your work.

10 Tools for Converting New Blog Visitors into Fans
Traffic means nothing without conversion. Here are some great ways to make conversion easier.

The No. 1 Thing People Do Online [Infographic]
When you see the most common use of the Internet in this infographic (bottom section, left side), you’ll say “Oh man, of course.” There’s a good reason we talk again and again about this old workhorse of technology, it’s what most people use most often online.

The Steve Martin Method for Dominating Your Industry
Read this article three times. Seriously.

Only Smart Content Strategies Can Save the Book Publishing Industry
I recently surprised myself by getting rid of 99% of my physical books. I’ve decided to replace the ones that matter with eBook versions. I’m old. I’m a relative luddite and technophobe. Think about the digitally radical generations to come, and you’ll realize that extraordinary content is the only way forward.

A Call (and Opportunity) for Twitter Content Curators
At first glance, the premise of this article seems to herald The Fall of Twitter. It actually states (implicitly) a glaring opportunity for those who use the service to thoughtfully give their audience what it’s been waiting for.

The “Drip, Drip, Drip” Method of Content Marketing
Possibly my favorite Godin marketing koan. A world-class education in 232 words.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.

The Lede: 7 Writing and Marketing Links You Don’t Want to Miss

Robert Bruce — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Do you have the most important virtue needed to make it online (or off)?

Do you know what your marketing gig may look like tomorrow? How about next year?

Also, Louis CK, Google+, and some of the best writing advice you’ll ever read — right here, right now, in The Lede.

Follow @copyblogger on Twitter to grab these links – and a lot more – throughout the week.

All right, on with it …

The Marketing Problem of Every Business
Are you throwing a desperate hail mary into a crowd of strangers, or regularly talking to friends that have come to know, like and trust you?

What’s Required of the Next Generation of Marketers
Basically, listen to Brian Clark when he talks about the rise of the Entreproducer. More on what that term means for you (and me) later.

Louis CK Goes His Own Way on the Web
You may think this an obvious choice for an internationally famous comedian with millions of fans and mainstream acceptance. I’d agree with you, it’s a choice that many of us (without a fraction of his mojo) have already made. Soon, this may be the only choice, no matter who you are.

Why Google+ Isn’t Going Away
Bilton’s take here is right on. Google is — and always has been — playing a much bigger game than anyone gives them credit for.

Writing Advice from History’s Most Prolific Authors
Sit back and soak this one in. Yes, this is advice from writers of fiction, but it’s all grist for the mill. Really.

14 Statistics About Word of Mouth Marketing
How easily we forget the old faithful and most effective marketing campaign of all — word of mouth.

The Secret of The Web
Probably the greatest blog post ever written regarding working on the web. Note the date of publication.

Did you miss anything on Copyblogger this week?

About the Author: Robert Bruce is Copyblogger Media’s copywriter and resident recluse.