These are the 10 things every blogger must have in place for their strategy to become a successful resource in their niche. More info: http://savvysexysocial.com/2013/01/03/new-year-new-blog-webinar/

1. New Year New Blog!
10 Things for a Successful 2013
Presented by:
Amy Schmittauer, Founder & Face

2. Our Goal
For you to have a better understanding of the important elements that
make up a successful blog presence taking it from just another website
to a legitimate resource of a specific niche.

3. Make sure you have these 10 items aligned in your
blogging plan to allow your content to grow your
audience and give you the opportunity to be that
resource...
Get ready to take notes!

4. 1. Elevator Pitch
What's your niche??
● Can you tell me what you're all about (in less than 10 seconds)?
● If you can't say it, how will anyone know what you do?
● About Page
● Rethink the "Elevator Pitch"

5. The "About Page" Elevator Pitch:
Savvy Sexy Social helps people understand and implement
effective business strategy with social media tools and digital
public relations. Our strong focus on personal branding and
multimedia content help increase audience growth and greater
brand awareness.

6. The Actual Elevator Pitch:
We help brands show off their fabulous personality online.

7. 2. Google Analytics
How can you get better if you don't know what's already working?
● You should always have GA measuring your site, even if you want to use another
tool as well.
● Most robust tool for free.
● Schedule time every month to go over site performance such as pageviews, unique
visitors, and most popular content.
● Also watch for what search terms are landing people on your site and how you can
create more content with that information.
● Don't worry about numbers, but be aware of them so you can see how growth it
happening. When you're in the know, it will help you grow.

8. At the end of 2012:
● Increase in Pageviews of 66% from 2011
● Increase in Unique Visitors of 108% from 2011
● Increase in Site Visits of 84% from 2011
● Increase in Search Traffic of 18% from 2011
Now I know:
● Audience is doubling but I need to continue optimizing articles to make readers
want to see more content upon visiting.
● SEO is working ideally and I should continue my current efforts.

9. 3. Email
There is no better way to communicate your message than through email... unless its in
person
● At the same time that you prepare Google Analytics you should be adding an opt
in form to collect emails from new visitors
● Permission to enter one's inbox is much more valuable than any social network
following.
● If you don't collect emails, you're missing out on monetization opportunities.
● They will forget you and never come back.

10. 4. Email Form
Strategy
Make them beg to give you their email
● Aweber or Mailchimp are my top recommendations
● Nobody puts Baby in the corner, so your opt in form shouldn't be there either
● The best placement for your email opt in form is at the top of your sidebar, always
above the fold
● Other good options: About Page, under each blog post, pop up form
● Get the readers who are on the fence with a free product

11. 5. Blog Topics
brainstorming
How can you turn your knowledge into content?
● Just because you know your niche doesn't mean you always know what to write
about. Even seasoned bloggers get blog topic block.
● Have a brainstorm session:
○ Grab paper, pencil and timer, and then make three columns
■ New trends/insight
■ Overcoming obstacles
■ Teaching Skills
○ Keeping your niche and different categories of content in mind. Set a timer
for 20 minutes to start brainstorming and do nothing but come up with ideas
for those different types of blog posts.
○ Don't erase or evaluate, just keep writing.
○ At the end take a 5 minute break.
○ Reset the timer for 10 minutes and keep writing.
● If you have 10 topics for each column, that's 30 days of content!

12. 6. Editorial Calendar
Stay organized with your content! Schedule it.
● Keep your blog post ideas in a certain place (I like paper notebook and Evernote)
and then when you're ready to schedule them, use a content calendar
● Best way to stay on task for the site and make sure types of content are evenly
spread
● Helps you plan for time to write content when you know the due date for each post
● Guest bloggers or PR pitches will also inquire and looking at the editorial calendar
to figure out availability is a great way to keep that process organized

13. 7. Multimedia
Higher engagement comes from something easy on the eyes
● Video and photo are great ways to express content other than writing
● Also great compliments to your basic posts
● A lot of content is seen because of the supporting photo... thus the success of
Pinterest and its referrals
● Video blogging is a great way to drive your message because of the personal
connection it can create (also, if you host on YouTube you've now introduced your
content to a whole new audience!)
● Think about how you can incorporate multimedia to help spread your message
across more platforms

14. 8. Competitor watch
Stay on top of your game by keeping an eye on similar sites
● No need to be a copycat but you should know what your competitors are doing...
● Whether it works or not
● Make sure you're staying up on trends that your competitors might pick up before
you
● Look at their social content to see what is well received
● Avoid what isn't working and figure out why so you can do it better

15. 9. Partner watch
You can't do it all alone so work with people who want you to succeed
● If there are industries that could be a great partner for you, start sharing the love.
● The more you prove yourself as a good partner, the more likely they will help
make their audience aware of you.
● Consider starting a group of blog supporters... partners who comment and share
each other's content.
● Built in brand ambassadors are a great way to start if you're low on traffic. Just
make sure you can return the favor and you're not just begging for help.

16. 10. Creative Discipline
The blog isn't going to grow on its own.
● You can plan and have ideas and great intentions, but unless you take the blog
seriously and schedule the time you need to support it... it will not grow an
audience!
● When do you get your best writing done? When does no one bother you? When
can you control your environment?
● Make appointments on your calendar to be creative whether it's brainstorming,
writing, or any kind of creating.
● Do you have to blog a certain number of times? No. But consistency is key.
Going awol for months will not build any relationships.

17. ten things
1. Elevator Pitch
2. Google Analytics
3. Email Client
4. Opt In Form Strategy
5. Blog Topic
Brainstorming
6. Editorial Calendar
7. Multimedia
8. Competitor Watch
9. Partner Watch
10. Creative Discipline