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Outdated Blogging Myths Debunked

By on September 23, 2014 in Edie Melson, Learn the art of Social Networking, Social Media Primer

I’m on a lot of writer lists, and I read a lot of really questionable advice from well-meaning folks. But recently I read some advice that just about set my hair on fire.

The person giving the questionable advice stated that no one should ever use BlogSpot or WordPress in their blog address. They said that if someone did, it would be almost impossible to break into the highest levels of SEO discoverability. They went on to say the reason for this is that there are millions of Blogger (BlogSpot) and WordPress blogs, so SEO doesn’t consider them professional, no matter how often the site is update.

This advice is so wrong—on so many levels—I almost don’t know where to start.

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Why Blogging Numbers Drop during the Summer

By on September 9, 2014 in Edie Melson, Learn the art of Social Networking, Social Media Primer

I’ve had a number of similar conversations this summer. They always begin the same way, with an inquiry about how he/she can improve the numbers that are dwindling at an alarming rate. These worried bloggers are certain they’ve either done—or not done—something to cause the drop in views, comments and shares. And my answer is always the same.

A drop in blogging numbers is normal during the summer.

My one-sentence assurance is rarely enough to calm a blogger’s nerves. And that’s understandable from someone who’s seen consistent growth through out the first of the year. So today, I’m going to break down the normal ebb and flow of blogging numbers throughout the calendar year, to help you evaluate the health of your own site.

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Social Media Minute—T.H.I.N.K. Before You Share On Social Media

By on August 26, 2014 in Edie Melson, Learn the art of Social Networking, Social Media Primer

I didn’t always enjoy social media. Before I spent time on the various networks I assumed that interactions there were at best, shallow, with little or no real-world value. I’d formed my opinions by listening to the comments and complaints of others.

It wasn’t until I actually took time to interact online that I discovered there were lots of things of value being shared. The people I’ve met and the skills I’ve learned through online connections have added so much to my life—professionally and personally.

Unfortunately, I’ve also run across my fair share of time-wasting interactions. These have run the gamut of spam sales notices to misleading articles. But even these experiences have been, in a strange way, valuable. They’ve helped me develop my own set of guidelines to keep me from adding to the worthless noise that clutters up our digital universe.

I think of these things as a series of filters that help me keep out any junk that might otherwise slip through. I call it my T. H. I. N. K. before you share online system.

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Nice Guys NEVER Finish Last with Social Media

By on July 8, 2014 in Edie Melson, Learn the art of Social Networking, Social Media Primer

I spend a lot of time speaking with people about social media, and in almost every instance the same three concerns come up.

First, the person I’m talking to shares his belief that social media posts are irrelevant and inane. This statement is then followed by the infamous example of how so-and-so posts updates about trips to the powder room and/or coffee consumption.

The second is directly related to the first. I hear complaints about how social media is all about—me, me, me—and the person I’m talking with never wants to be seen like. (Newsflash, neither do I!)

The third is frequently voiced by those new to the medium. They claim they have nothing of value to share.

Today I want to address all three of these issues.

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