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How to Go Local With Your Blog Rachel Phelps www.PrestonSpeaks.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrestonSpeaks Twitter: Preston_Speaks
How to Go Local With Your Blog
Rachel Phelpswww.PrestonSpeaks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrestonSpeaks
Twitter: Preston_Speaks
Who is Preston? Yes he is a “talking “dog
(and he is here at Blogpaws!)
How we got started in pet bloggingGot married and got a puppy
Didn’t have a clue what we were doing so we joined
A blog was bornWhat do we call it? Went live June 2010
We got involved with fostering We’ve had a many fosters (but we always had something to talk about on the blog!)
We failed fostering
Intern Elvis
PrestonSpeaks.com“Educational, Informative, and Fun!”5,000+ monthly page viewsPage Rank of 31,700 Facebook Friends1,500 Twitter followsWe speak at conferences
AgendaSo you want to go local…Why go local?Creating creative local contentI want to go local, now what??Local media
So you want to go local…What is your local target audience and niche? Where is your local pet community?Why should local readers follow your blog?What messages do you want to send to local readers?
AgendaSo You want to go local…Why go local?Creating creative local contentI want to go local, now what??The local media
Why go local?More engagementNew revenue streamsSpokeperson jobsSponsorshipsLeverage your brand to do goodMake a difference Be a community expertNew business opportunitiesPet issues fundraisingCommunity events
Why go local: blog engagementPeople feel more deeply connected with a blog if they have met the writer, owner, or even their pet. The more connected people feel to your blog, the more likely they are to comment
Why go local: new revenue streams
AdsSponsored postsPhotography workWriting for local blogs
Why go local: Spokesperson (dog) Opportunities
Local rescue groupsPet storesEven non-pet issues Non-pet businesses
Why go local: sponsorship
If you show value to local businesses, they may sponsoryou to conferences or events.
Why go local: leverage your brand to do good
Help spread the word to your followers about community animal issues– Hoarding – Shelters are crowded – Animals needing homes– Rescue groups needing
donations– Working with national
brands at a local level
Working with brands: Iams Home for the Holidays
Working with brands: PetFinder’s Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week
Working with brands: Hills Food Donation
Working with brands: Hartz shelter dog makeovers
Why go local: make a difference in your community
Volunteer with local rescue groups/animal causesWord of warning
Why go local: be an community expert
Be a “go-to” person for local media on pet issues.Be an advocate for causes near and dear to your heartAs an expert, you musttake a stance on whatis right and wrong
Why go local: new business opportunities
Allows your blog to branch outNetworkingSocial media clubsYour local chamber of commerceBlogger meets/twitter meet-ups
Why go local: pet issues fundraisingYour brand can create awareness and raise money for non-profits– Indianapolis Westie Walk– Best Friends Society Strutt Your Mutt– Silent Auctions for local rescues/groups– Two Million Dogs Walk– Cancer – Bark in the Park– American Street Cat Auction
Why go local: Community EventsBe a presence at your town’s pet friendly events– Dog days at the pool– Photos with Santa– Pet expos– Street festivals– Baseball games– Create your own event
Create your own event: pet socials
Meet-up
Create your own event: Westie Wednesdays
Preston’s Cross Country Tail Waggin Tour 2012
Don’t forget: breed specific groupsDog events such as Scottish weekends or dog/cat showsDogster.com groupsMeetup.comYour local kennel club
AgendaSo You want to go local…Why go local?Creative local contentI want to go local, now what??The local media
Creative Local ContentHave fun with your content!Interview local peopleCover local eventsVisit pet friendly establishmentsLocal guest posts
AgendaSo You want to go local…Why go local?Creative local contentI want to go local, now what??The local media
I want to go local, now what?Marketing is key!– Be where your pet
people are– Flyers, banners, business
cards, etc.– Tee-shirts– Is your blog on your car?– Swag always helps!– Event giveaways– Preston even does his
own marketing!
Agenda
So You want to go local…Why go local?Creative local contentI want to go local, now what??The local media
The media is so important!
Find and target your local media– Media databases– Community calendars– Other local blogs
Three types of press releases– Media advisory– Press releases– Calendar advisory
In Closing…..
Don’t overlook your own backyardRemember, no matter where the people live, you must have content they want to read and share!
