The Open Source Marketer

If you want to put audio on your blog but don’t know where to start then the next few articles in this series will introduce you to some of the available solutions for adding audio to your blog. In this article we’ll start by looking at a text to speech option. Then in the next few articles we’ll look at podcasting, paid services, and a free conference call solution. When we’re done you should have enough information to mix and match to get what you want. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are looking for creative ways to generate content and value for your blog readers or podcast listeners, then consider hosting a recorded call with someone who is an expert in you topic of interest.

The recorded call can be turned into a downloadable MP3 as part of a series of audios, as content for a podcast, or as the basis for articles on your blog. You can even have the audio transcribed for a minimal fee. The transcript can also be made available on your blog as a search engine friendly version of the call.

The number of possible options is inspiring. But, before we get caught up on our options, let’s look at what goes into creating an interesting, well structured call.

The following list of suggested activities is simply a rough guide for conducting a call and I highly recommend that you listen to existing successful calls to understand how different formats work best for different subjects and audiences. Take note of how the host of the call leads the conversation and how they create value for both the listener and the guest speaker. The more value everyone takes away from the call the most successful the call will be. Valuable content is something people will pay for and something they will distribute on your behalf, free of charge. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are thinking of starting a new blog as a business, be careful not to use your personal name as the blog title unless you fully intend to never sell it. Using your personal name is a seemingly simple choice if you are trying to create a brand around your expertises, but it doesn’t give you the option of easily selling the business in the future. So, unless you are specifically marketing your services or promoting yourself, then choosing a personally disconnected domain name and blog title is a better long term solution.

After enrolling in Yaro Starak’s Blog Master Mind Course, I made the executive decision to change this blog’s title and domain name from Charles McKeever’s Internet Marketing Blog (CharlesMcKeever.com) to Open Source Marketer (OpenSourceMarketer.com). The decision to make the switch was based largely on the idea that the blog was being marketed as a resource for Internet Entrepreneurs on the topic of Internet Marketing. If my name continued to be pushed out front as the brand grew then it might be difficult to sell the blog to an interested buyer in the future. Read the rest of this entry »