comment Archives | Kristi Dement

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How To Ask for a Link Request

Posted on July 8, 2014 by kdement Leave a comment

Do you wonder how to ask for a link request? I am going to sum up the main points in the awesome book published by Entrepreneur Press called Ultimate Guide to Link Building: Build Backlinks, Earn a Higher Search Engine Rank, Increase the Authority and Popularity of Your Site by Eric Ward and Garrett French.

Steps:

Look over the website you want to have your link on to make sure it is relevant
Do not put the words “link request” in the email subject line
Start the e-mail off addressing the website owner by name
Introduce yourself, your website, and why you would like to the link
Identify the exact URL on their site where you think the link is a fit
List the exact URL from your site that you want them to link to
Give a valid email address and respond to any email requests they send
Provide your phone number–something a spammer would not do
Follow any link request instructions they give
If a reciprocal link, confirm that you have linked to their site and provide the URL
Be attentive, professional, courteous, and to the point

This book also lists Link Building Strategies written by Jon Cooper of Point Blank SEO:

Start blogging on your website
Have internal links to other content on your website
List resources and outside links
Build relationships with others
Find niche-specific directories
Write guest posts or have guests write posts for your blog
Provide educational content
Write compelling testimonials
Provide useful lists–there is power in making lists!
Be interviewed or interview someone in your industry
Offer timely/seasonal content
Use humor
Provide printable resources
Host contests
Cover news first
Give helpful infographics
Host online webinars
Promote National Days and Events
Survey people and post results
Debunk popular myths
Comment on relevant blogs
Do question and answer blog post
Ask customers what they want to see more of
Connect with industry associations and organizations
Attend relevant conferences
Call people
Host local group meetings
Retweet Twitter tweets
Provide email signature listing website & ways to connect with you via social media
and much more!

There are always things you can do to draw bigger audiences to your website. By taking the steps to ask for link requests and implementing the link building strategies, you will be well on your way to developing more a popular website.

Readers, I welcome your responses to this post as well as other ideas related to the topic of link requests and link building. I read every comment and respond when appropriate. Thanks! Kristi

Posted in Associations and Ratings, Blog and Social Media, Conferences, Events, Promotion

How To Get Started Blogging

Posted on May 28, 2014 by kdement Leave a comment

I recently received a comment from a reader asking about how they could get started blogging. As a professional blogger and librarian, the first thing I recommend to get started blogging is to read successful blogs and to read about blogging. I recommend the following resources:

Technorati is a website that lists the top 100 blogs. Since it is updated daily, the list stays current. By reading the top blogs, you can get a feel for different blogging styles and techniques as well as what is popularly read. You will have your own style of writing, but this is a great place to start. This website also offers a directory of blogs.

When you do read other blogs, ask yourself:

What do I like about this blog? What do I dislike?
What sort of content does it provide?
Does the blogger put a unique spin on the topic and/or share their opinions?
Do the readers give comments? Does the blogger respond to the comments?

Another cool website is ProBlogger. On the home page, you can sign up for free blogging tips to be sent to your e-mail. This website is run by Darren Rowse, co-author of the very informative book Problogger: Secrets For Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income.

Some other blogging books I recommend:

Bloggers Boot Camp: learning how to build, write, and run a successful blog by Charlies White and John Biggs

Blogging for Creatives: how designers, artists, crafters, and writers can blog to make contacts, win business, and build success by Robin Houghton

Born To Blog: building your blog for personal and business success one post at a time by Mark W. Schaefer and Stanford A. Smith

Creative Blogging: your first steps to a successful blog by Heather Wright-Porto

A couple more websites about blogging I recommend:

Daily Blog Tips, Daniel Scocco

CopyBlogger, Brian Clark

In upcoming blog posts, I plan to write about how to blog and why some blogs become very successful. I appreciate your comments and questions below.

Posted in Blog and Social Media, Promotion

Pinning Means Winning!

Posted on March 4, 2014 by kdement Leave a comment

With more than 25 billion pins to explore, you are sure to come up with exciting boards to showcase your bed and breakfast. You just click on the plus sign (+) to the left of your user name to create a new board. They will give you the following three options:

Upload a pin (you are adding your own image)
Add from a website (add pins from another website)
Create a board (each board represents a new category of pictures)

When you create a board, they ask you to:

Name the board (use keywords or a memorable name that makes sense)
Description (description of the kind of pictures on your board so visitors know what to expect)
Category of your board (such as Travel or Food and Drink)
Gives you the option to add a map (don’t have to do this with each board)
Keep it secret? (it you are not ready to unveil your masterpiece)

Each pin goes on a pinboard. Viewers can like, repin, or comment on your pin. This is where you can market your bed and breakfast. Even if you don’t have a lot your own pins, you can creatively pin other people’s pins onto memorable boards. For example, I got over 100 followers in the time period of just a few months. It does not take long to get attention.

I will share with you some of my Pinterest boards in the next series of blog posts. Till then, just get started–you will be so glad you did! Getting noticed is exciting–winning more business even more exciting!!

Posted in Blog and Social Media, Guests, Promotion

Hosting Honeymooners

Posted on February 12, 2014 by kdement Leave a comment

Did you ever think of putting together a Honeymoon Package for you bed and breakfast? Bed and breakfasts can be very romantic–especially for the newly married. Depending upon your B&B’s amenities, you could offer any of the following:

Beautiful fresh cut flowers in your own room
Choice of a chilled bottle of champagne, wine, or sparkling juice.
Box of chocolates by their bedside
Chocolate covered strawberries
Scented candles
Two luxurious robes
CD’s of romantic music
Romantic movies the couple can choose from for viewing in the privacy of their own room
Complimentary snack basket
Pampering that comes with a “his and her” massage
Relax at a spa and enjoy a facial and manicure
Private couples mineral bath
Gift certificate to local restaurant and/or local shopping
2 tickets to a local popular attraction
Dessert served in the dining room by candlelight
Rose petal turn-down service (silk rose petals scattered on your bed)
A luscious gourmet breakfast served in your suite or the dining room

If you have a Honeymoon Suite or even a private cottage, you can let your guests stay there. You can even make the package “a la carte” and let them decide which services they would like to you to provide.

When they make an online reservation, have them specify in one of the comments boxes on the confirmation page. Be sure to feature this package on your website, in your blog, and on social media. You can help make their honeymoon be filled with treasured memories!

Posted in Amenities, Blog and Social Media, Guests, Promotion

Your Breakfast Menu

Posted on December 14, 2013 by kdement

Do your bed and breakfast guests give you feedback on your cooking? It is important to pay attention to a comment if you have heard it many times. If ten guests rave that you have awesome blueberry pancakes, then you must have awesome blueberry pancakes. If there is something you make that does not normally get finished on people’s plates, that may mean that you are not preparing it in a way that most people like.

Variety is the key to “spicing” up life. If you make the same breakfast menu over and over, you are bound to not enjoy cooking as much. Try implementing some new recipes as well as adjusting recipes with great guest feedback. For example, maybe you can offer strawberry pancakes next time you make pancakes.

If you would like feedback on your cooking, but do not want to make it awkward for you or your guests, then offer them an opportunity to provide you feedback on their stay by answering a short survey. Some of the questions can focus on the food they had at your B&B.

What breakfast items were on your plate?
Which ones were your favorite?
Were there any items you disliked?
Do you have any suggestions for us?

This way guests have an opportunity to say something without feeling like they are judging you and your cooking. Most people like to give helpful feedback. For any unkind comments, take them with a grain of salt! You will likely receive some very useful advice for planning future breakfasts.

Posted in Food