Blogging Best Practices

The site: Jessica Rayborn Photography

The blog: Rayborn Photography Blog

When examining blogs with best practices, I immediately thought of the blog of one of my great friends, Jessica Rayborn. She has her own photography business and shoots an array of events. She is not limited to wedding events although she is a two-time winner of Wedding Wire’s Bride’s Choice Awards (2012-2013). She started her business in Nashville, moved to Charlotte, resides in Atlanta and as the site promises, “she serves globally.” I have also had the pleasure of being her Maid of Honor years ago.

One of the great blog aspects is a hook – something to keep you coming back and reliability. Rest assured, her blog is updated regularly with freshness and contains robust content from worldwide travels and many different types of events (See “Categories” link). Her clients are amazed by her work and personality so word of mouth does a great deal for her business. Imagine being a client of hers – you would share this link with everyone! Gorgeous and unique photography, great personality, thriving business.

Don’t believe my bias? Check Ilias Chelidonis’ “12 Steps to Launch a Successful Blog:”

1.     Decide what you are going to blog about: her photography business

2.     Decide your blog’s name: the namesake of her business

3.     Get a professional blog theme: one that matches her accompanying site

4.     Get a professionally designed logo: check

5.     Select a good and reliable web host: purchased her own (and husband is an IT analyst)

6.     Install few but powerful Wordpress plugins: reviews and newsletter function, search

7.     Install Google web analytics: backend process

8.     Write down any ideas for topics you may have: Content is analyzed while processing and editing photography and through new meetings with her clients

9.     Install social media sharing widgets and buttons: comment, link, email a friend.

10.  Optimize all your posts for search engines: check

11.  Blog as often as possible but try to have a post at least 3 times a week: check

12.  Develop a system to get new content ideas: Content is based off of clients, which as long as the business is in full effect which is has been successfully for years, her clients and content will be, as well.

References

Chelidonis, Ilias. (2011). “12 Steps to Launch a Successful Blog.” TheWebCitizen. Retrieved from http://www.dailyblogtips.com/steps-to-successful-blog/

Rayborn, Jessica. (2013). “Jessica Rayborn Photography.” Retrieved from http://www.jessicaraybornphotography.com/index2.php?v=v1

Rayborn, Jessica. (2013). “Rayborn Photography.” [Blog]. Retrieved from http://www.raybornphotography.com/