Author Archives: James King

About James King

James King is a freelance web designer and blogger. If you want to learn to more about blogging tips make sure you sign up to my free newsletter.

Why Bloggers Need Reliable Email

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Professional Bloggers Require Business Class Email

Business professionals including bloggers solely depend on Internet communications. If you’re online presence is your main source of income, then it is imperative that you invest in highly reliable hosting and email hosting. Did you know that a highly reliable hosting provider provides a SLA (service level agreement)?

An SLA is a guarantee that provides a dedicated level of service. For instances, a web hosting provider that provides a Service Level Agreement of 99.99% guarantees that your website, blog or Hosted Exchange mailbox is available 99.99% of the time generally on a monthly cycle. Many bloggers make the mistake of purchasing the cheapest web hosting packages available with slow site speeds and unreliable connectivity. To be successful with your online presence and communications always go for a product that has high availability and is backed up by a comprehensive SLA.

What is Hosted Exchange and why use it?

Hosted Exchange is a cloud based email solution – that’s available anywhere in the world and from a variety of smartphone devices. Hosted Exchange is stored and located in a highly secure data centre and usually stored on multiple servers, this is known as high availability. In the event of a server fail over, you’re safe in the knowledge that your emails are accessible. High availability is crucial for business professionals and bloggers that use a variety of email communications. If your business is mission critical and works within time sensitive deadlines then high availability is for you.

Bloggers are tied to their email communications and commentators around the clock, therefore, it is important to have a reliable solution in place. If you’re providing customer service, it’s also crucial to deliver professional customer service in record time.

Are you a blogger or business professional that requires high availability? If so, it’s important to choose business class email. Did you know that a majority of Hosted Exchange solutions are preinstalled with Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus solutions? Saving you even more time and money. In a ever changing world, time is money. Customer service is an important factor of any business.

Blogging with your iPhone

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Technology has come over in leaps and bounds. It’s amazing how fast technology develops. Working in the technology field can be lonesome. Especially if you’re training to become a web designer, programmer or anything that requires you to work on a computer alone.

In the terms of blogging, you’ll notice that you have to work very hard to develop your online presence. If you’re not careful developing a blog can take over your life. Leaving you feel drained and mentally burnt out. I’m a living example of this.

Let’s go back in time to 2008, I was working in 40 hours a week for an employer where I wasn’t really happy and I choose to develop a blog to try and open some new doors. At the time, I started blogging on my primary website atmmultimedia.com. This was purely my introduction to SEO and online marketing. I knew when I first started learning SEO that is would a valuable skill to have at the time and still is now. I knew it would be something I wanted to do, but I never knew a few years later I’d get a job in eMarketing.

Writing and developing a blog takes time, determination and a huge amount of effort.

Since late 2007, I started blogging and spending more time on my backside in front of a computer. I become a workaholic and at times this is required to stay ahead in the online marketing and web design arena.

The more time I spent in front of a computer I became fatter, less healthier and more importantly I wasn’t happy. Although having a blog was great, I was suffering from burnout. I decided that I needed a break from blogging. You can only do so much in a day.

I lost momentum on the blogging treadmill. Blogging can be rewarding and even more so when you have an audience.

Blogging was something I did off my own back to enhance my own professional development. I’m glad I did because I learnt so much. In my early years of blogging, I was burnt out quite frequently.

In 2009, I purchased my first iPhone. Over the past few years the iPhone has become my own little computer. I love the idea of being free from a laptop or desktop. Blogging is something that I enjoy, but I don’t like being in the house on warm sunny weekends. I spend most of my working days in front of a computer in a stuffy office.

Being healthy is important. I can go on a 30 mile bike ride and I’ll in the middle of nowhere, then I’ll decide to write an article using the WordPress plugin on the iPhone.

The technology world is changing. People want freedom and flexibility. In the warm summer months people want to be outside. Unfortunately this is time where blogs become neglected. If you’re serious about blogging I suggest you use a variety of blogging technologies.

As the summer months are around the corner, how do you plan to keep your blog running?

Showcase & Promote Your Blog

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Blogging is all about connection. In this post, I’m giving you the opportunity to promote yourself and your blog.

  • Introduce yourself by giving your name and where you come from
  • Introduce the purpose of your blog
  • How long have you been blogging
  • State your hobbies and interests
  • Generally tell us about yourself & your blog
  • Please no affiliate links. This is an opportunity to network, not to hard sell.

Please leave your comments below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Harvest Your Blogging Crops

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The world of blogging is constantly evolving. Thousands of blogs are created and many perish. Growing is an important aspect of life. Whether you’re learning a musician instrument or learning a language – things take time to learn & master.

Blogging is a never ending learning experience. Depending on your goals and ambitions, it’s important to plan ahead to attain the results that you desire. When you work on your blog, always remember that you can be as successful as you wish – as long as you’re determined to put the effort in. If you’re looking to develop an online community, the principles are relatively simple.  It’s not easy to do,  but the theories are simple.

If you’re new to blogging and looking for ways to attain a new audience here’s how.

  1. Write original & relevant content
  2. Publish your blog article
  3. Comment on other relevant blogs
  4. Chances are people will comment on your blog  to return the favour
  5. Network like crazy

Tips for original & relevant content

Writing original & relevant is not easy. Many bloggers talk about producing a wealth of great content, but don’t seem to back it up. When I write content I look for metaphors that can be implemented.

Funny enough, I was speaking to my girlfriend on the phone for the 17th time in the space of a hour – and she mentioned that: “growing fresh vegetables is having a growing website. When you build a website watching the traffic grow it’s exciting!”

Anything you work on a consist basis and can have measured results, whether it’s: blogging, bodybuilding, playing the piano or completing an exam – each element of a project can be tracked as determined as successful or requires improvement.

It’s important to measure your successful. But the question is: “How do you measure a successful blog?”

There are a number of measuring factors including: conversions, returning visitors, bounce rate, new leads or even blog comments.

To summarise, focus on your results and develop a strategy for a successful blog.

Now it’s your turn

How do you measure a successful blog? What makes you continue blogging? If so I’d love to hear from you. If you’re reading this blog for the first time, please leave or comment and say hello.

Blogging in 2011

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The power of blogging

First of all, I’d like to thank every single person that has read this blog and supported me since the beginning. I’d also especially like to thank AJ Clarke at WpExplorer for sending me a Tweet and asking how I was. Although, I haven’t been blogging much on my personal blog – it’s wonderful to know that I am still missed and people wonder where I am and what I’m up to.

Although, I’ve been absent on Better Start Blogging, I feel that’s my duty to write content and educate other’s even if it’s a comment from just one blogger. Blogging is about relationships and learning from others.

What Am I Up To Now?

As some of you are aware, that I have a full time job as an eMarketer for a IT Group. I want to you to know that this blog will remain active, I will aim to write an article once a week or once a fortnight at a bare minimum. Life has so many commitments. Currently I am studying for my Google AdWords Professional Individual Certification.

I wanted to let you all know that I will be blogging, but on a variety of other blogs. I am mostly writing on the Intrahost Team blog where we discuss about: web hosting, blogging, web design and SEO.

My Blogging Goals For The Next 12 Months

I wanted to share with you my main blogging goal. I’d like to network with as many bloggers and readers as possible so that we can all learn from each other and be more passionate and educated about our craft. To be a successful blogger you need to be part of a community where everyone can grow.

I am offering  an open invitation to get in contact. Social media is purely about networking and building communities.

I conducted a little experiment this weekend. In Twitter Land, I’ve started to develop conversations with others to see how active people really are. There are a number of awesome people in the Twitter community.

Top Twitter people to have a conversation with:

@Ryan Biddulph
@bizchickblogs
@youngprepro
@smartincomeblog

Twitter is about conversation. There were a number of nitwits on Twitter that were constantly tweeting affiliate links. These people give Twitter a bad name. If you want to succeed online and with social media it’s important to develop a conversation and relationships.

“Sometimes it is the person closest to us who must travel the furthest distance to be our friend.”  - Robert Brault

Now it’s your turn

How do you use social media? Please get in touch. Please leave a comment below. Let’s start a conversation.  If you want to hear more from me I’m also blogging on the Intrahost Web Hosting blog.

Many thanks

James King

Why Do People Blog?

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As the new year unfolds, people start on their new year projects and goals. In 2011, I am certain we will see a number of new blogs appearing  into the blogosphere. Creating an online presence is like weight training , you have to start small and work your way upwards. As time goes  by you’ll become stronger and better at what you do.

Many new bloggers are going to expect instant results. Just remember that when you begin blogging, think of the reasons you started a blog.

Here are a few of mine:

  1. To build creditability
  2. To improve my writing skills
  3. To obtain career opportunities
  4. To continue learning
  5. Oh yeah, to earn some money from it

Reason number five is the most important for many. You must place value first before you obtain any type of reward. As 2011, is the start of a new decade, is it time that you considered the direction of your blog? Is your blog working? Are you getting the best results? Can you do better? Challenge yourself to do better.

So why are you blogging in 2011? Is it for the money or to learn more? I am interested to hear your thoughts.

Blogging Tips From 2010

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Blogging Tips To Help Bloggers

As 2011, is not far away I wanted to share some relevant blogging articles with you. Over the festive season, do not worry if you leave your blog until January. It is a blessing in disguise. We all need a break from time to time. In life we all need balance. You can’t work on a blog constantly, otherwise you’ll become burnt out.

You don’t have to answer all your comments on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. People will understand.

Useful Blogging Tips

I hope you have a wonderful festive period and take a break from blogging.

My Views On Blogging

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Over the past few weeks, I’ve started a wonderful job where I can embrace the true potential of: blogging, SEO, social media, traffic generation, Twitter marketing and copy writing. I get paid to do this 40 hours a week. It is a dream. However, it’s a been a rocky road to find an enjoyable career.

Ever since I’ve written my first article, I wondered: “Why am I doing this?” Firstly, I started blogging to get noticed. For many companies, it is a method of educating their audience. However, corporate blogging is somewhat different than personal blogging. There are a number of restrictions such as: reputation, conflicts of interest and so on.

My Views On Blogging – No Holds Barred!

You’re competitors will read your blog – you’ll have to accept it! In the western world, the culture is to get a job, learn the skills from your employer and then set up your own business. This is a common thread in web design and in any creative field. Even more so in blogging, your competitors will read your blog and then re-hash the same content over and over again. I could read 10 blogs related to blogging and be certain, I’ll find a number of articles on each blog that are the same.

The common articles that you’ll on any blog about blogging include:

  • Passive income
  • Avoid blogging burnout

Bloggers will advertise the same products - no matter how crap they are! We all know why people blog. It’s for money. Passive income is not blogging. Okay, so Mr. Internet Marketer who claims it’s easy to make 6 figures a month is praying that you’ll buy into the culture of becoming rich over night.The easiest way is to add affiliates onto your site.  Visit 10 to 15 sites in the same niche and what do you get? That’s right the same over-saturated product. However, from an SEO approach this is great for the product owner.

I’ve been recommended to some dreadful hosting packages in the past and I bought from affiliates. The Internet Marketer couldn’t care less as long as I am lining his or her product. Some bloggers have no integrity. Even more so annoying when you think of purchasing a product and the marketer constantly hints “buy this product from my link!” I’ll be honest with you. I will buy what I want from who I want. remember that:”people like to buy, not be sold to.”

Blog commenting

Commenting is a subjective thing for me. Look on any blog and especially blogs related to blogging, who comments on there?  Your competitors. Why? Because it’s a marketing strategy. We all want to get noticed. It’s all about relevancy. In addition, to blog commenting it’s about back links.

Blog commenting is about community as well. Receiving comments is great for bloggers, however, at times it does consist of a hidden agenda.

Summary

There you have it some of the truths of the blogging world. What’s your thoughts on the blogging world?

You Choose The Next Article

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It’s been a chaotic week. Here in East Yorkshire, where many businesses have been snowed in. According to some, this has been the worst snowfall in 20 years.  Many schools, colleges and universities have closed due to the heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions. Luckily for me, everything is in walking distance. My new job as an eMarketing Executive is fantastic. Where I am fully capable: of blogging for the company, develop social media campaigns, create link building campaigns and continue to learn about SEO.

A bit of a disclaimer here. Everything on Better Start Blogging are the opinions and thoughts of James King. This is not the reflections or views of my employer.

In my own professional opinion, there are too many bloggers recreating the same material and not enough people writing from experience. I have experience in a vast range of subjects including: web design, SEO, content creation, working from home and marketing.

To be keep things fresh. I am giving you the opportunity to decide what the next article should be.

I have a few ideas, however, it’s nice to see what the loyal followers would like to read about.

Please leave your suggestion in the comment box below. The comment that is the most inspiring will have their article produced, plus a back-link to the blog.

A successful blogger knows it’s all about their audience.

I look forward to your suggestions.

SEO Tips for blog marketing

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A good understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is important if you’re going to succeed online. Throughout this article, I will expose three tips for all the bloggers and webmasters out there.

SEO Tip #1:Keyword Research

Keyword research is a vital part of any SEO campaign. Many internet marketers, will suggest that you use Keyword Samurai. However, the Google Keyword Research tool is just as good plus it’s free. Try to use Google products as much as possible. The reason for this is Google products are free and very professional.

Make sure that you focus on the keywords that your audience are searching for. Your SEO marketing campaign is a long-term project. Focus on a variety of keywords. Use broad phrases as well as long-tail. Yes, the long-tail keyword phrases you’ll easily rank for, but you’ll want to focus on some of the high traffic keywords as well.

Conduct a thorough keyword research. Bearing in mind, that the English Language is famous for words with alterative meanings so double check that the keywords are related to your products or services.

SEO Tip #2: Start creating content

Many overlook the importance of good quality content. Many bloggers talk about creating amazing content, but it’s mostly rehashed content from the last blog they’ve read. Google carves excellent information. Before creating a website or blog, your best bet is to create at least 20 pages of rich content. A website that is wealthy in content will be noticed in Google much more rapidly than a new blog with a single post online.

It’s common, for bloggers and web designers to focus on creating a beautifully graphic designed website. I must admit it’s important but from the eyes of Google a fast loading website or blog with rich content is more important.

A new blog has a 3 to 6 month grace period before you start gaining an abundance of comments and followers. Do yourself a favour and develop lots of great articles before you allow the Googlebot  (Google’s search spider) to crawl your blog.

SEO Tip #3: Read Matt Cutt’s Blog

For those, who don’t know Matt Cutts he’s the head of the Web Spam team for Google. Matt Cutts provides advice on SEO and the further developments on Google’s algorithms. He’s the best person to listen because Mr. Cutts is a very valuable source.

Also visit the Google Webmaster Tools to read more about the rules on SEO.