You’re busy — so busy, in fact, that you’ve got enough tasks to keep you busy til the end of time.

But we also know how important it is to write blog posts. It’s how you stay in touch AND in the forefront of your niche’s mind. It’s also a key factor in how much money you make (or not).

So how can you carve out the time to write these posts?

Well, WordPress has a great little tool that will make the job a little easier.

It’s right there in the “Publish” capsule to the right of your editor, and it’s uses are many.

You can:

1. Write a draft and edit it when you have a little time

Perhaps you’ve just thought of something brilliant, but you don’t have the time to write a complete post.  You can type that brilliant thought into the editor and save it as a draft. Come back later and it’s still there, reminding you of the post you wanted to write (how often have you had a brilliant thought like that only to forget it because you didn’t write it down).

Add to your brilliant thought and save as a draft once again. Do this as many times as you need until it’s ready for publication.

2. Set your post to publish at a later date (in an hour, a day, a week, nine days…)

You may want a post to publish at a date or time that corresponds with a launch or an event, and this is very simple to do.

1. Write your post and instead of clicking the blue “Publish” button, click on the “Edit” link to the right of the “Publish immediately” option.
2. You’ll now see a drop-down menu where you can choose the date and time that the post should publish. (I know, it’s like magic…)
3. After you’ve chosen the date and time, do NOT click on “Publish” button, but instead select the small gray “OK” button.
4. The “Publish” button will then change to “Schedule”.  Click that button and your post will go out at the appointed time and day.

3. Spend some time pre-loading posts

Just follow the steps above. If you try to publish a post every week, schedule your posts to publish one each week. If you pre-load just 10 posts, this will free your from having to write blog posts for 2.5 months!

Don’t even have time for pre-scheduling posts? Get some help and outsource this task. Contact me with the form below (the message will go directly to my email inbox). I have affordable monthly packages just for this purpose.

We all know that images are extremely important little additions to your WordPress posts, pages and sidebar.  They create interest, allow the eyes to rest in big blocks of content, and generally create visual appeal. And they are easy enough to add to a page or post.

But if you’ve ever tried to figure out how to write the code to add an image to your sidebar, then you know how frustrating  scary this can be. It IS code after all!  And who knows, maybe you’ll take down the whole internet if you get it wrong. Right?

Well here’s a crazy simple way to do it that will leave you smiling all the way to your dashboard.

1. Create a new post (do not publish)
2. Change the editor from visual to HTML
3. Upload a photo into the post

before you forget, delete the fake post you just wrote.

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WordPress 3.3, also known as “Sonny”, has been named to honor of the great jazz saxophonist, Sonny Stitt (all major releases are named in honor of a famous Jazz musician) .

WordPress 3.3 offers added simplicity to the dashboard area in terms of tips, navigation and uploading media. This will be an especially welcome change for the new user and their experience in getting to know WordPress.

To quote the people from WordPress:

For Users

Experienced users will appreciate the new drag-and-drop uploader, hover menus for the navigation, the new toolbar, improved co-editing support, and the new Tumblr importer. We’ve also been thinking a ton about what the WordPress experience is like for people completely new to the software. Version 3.3 has significant improvements there with pointer tips for new features included in each update, a friendly welcome message for first-time users, and revamped help tabs throughout the interface. Finally we’ve improved the dashboard experience on the iPad and other tablets with better touch support.

For Developers

There is a ton of candy for developers as well. I’d recommend starting your exploration with the new editor API, new jQuery version, better ways to hook into the help screens, more performant post-slug-only permalinks, and of course the entire list of improvements on the Codex and in Trac.

They’ve also created this quick video that gives a really good overview of the changes.

Need help updating your site to the new version?

Contact me via the form below. It goes directly to my personal email address.

PS:  Tomorrow, December 15th  is the last day to enter the draw to win a complete WordPress Website from The Savvy VA. Click here to find out more: thesavvyva.com/wordpress-website-giveaway/

Imagine getting the:

1. Genesis Framework for only $45.

2. Most Genesis / design combos for a song (save close to $20).

3. StudioPress Pro Plus All-Theme Package at 25% off. This means you’ll get the Genesis framework AND every design (Child Theme) they’ve ever made AS WELL AS every design they’ll ever make in the future!  You’ll save more than $74 on the cost of the Genesis Framework, and over $875 off the retail price — (and that’s just the existing 43 designs)!

Just use the code THANKS at the check out and get the savings automatically (25% on anything and everything at StudioPress.com).

This deal ends promptly at 7:00 pm Pacific time on Monday, November 28, 2011. Hurry up and claim your new WordPress theme before the code expires!

A WordPress theme is a collection of PHP and CSS files that change the appearance of your site without changing the content, which is stored in a database. This allows you to easily change the presentation of your website by switching themes, while the content remains.

To use a metaphor, the Theme system provides a “skin” your website while WordPress is providing the “bones” of the site in its underlying code.

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.hyperarts.com/blog/intro-wordpress-theme-frameworks-child-themes/

I’ve been using this plugin for over 3 years and it has never failed to be useful. It’s one of the simplest plugins to use and once you get your feet wet with it, you’ll find a ton of uses for it.

What are some of the best uses for this plugin?

• quickly add your YouTube videos to build traffic (instead of sending people to YouTube, send them to your site to view it)
• interlink to articles, posts, or pages within your own site (huge SEO purpose!)
• add news articles (back up your information with up to the minute information)
• add Wikipedia articles (excellent as a reference)
• search and add Google content (easily find relevant information on Google)
• recommend a book (your own?)
• add an image or two (“decorate” your posts to create interest)

Check it out here:

For help installing and setting up this plugin, contact me via the form below:

If you are like most of my clients, you’re new to business (at least new to online business) and/or new to marketing your business. I hear over and over that the difficulty they face is in knowing where, why, or how to begin building a list. So let’s start with the why:

There are 7 important reasons for building a list for your business:

 1.  Automatic Follow-Up Processes:

(Ahhh automation… The dream come true for the stretched-to-the-limit business owner). Having a list allows you to set repeatable tasks on auto-pilot.  With a list and your autoresponder service,  you can have a follow-up system in place that makes sales for you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

 2.  Strategically and Continuously Build Your Business

Other than being available via chat on your website 24/7, how can you “be there” for your website visitor? Well, new prospects can be signing up to your email list automatically, every day, without your help or involvement. This is a way to continuously build your business without a lot of repeated effort.

 3.  ”Capture” Visitors

You’ve put a lot of time and (financial) resources into your website, and this will really be a waste if you don’t have any way to “connect” with your visitors.  You have to begin adding systems and the most important one is to capture visitors.

Most will come and go from your site (forever) without even leaving a mark. Why not at least attempt to stay in touch with them? It’s an easy system to implement with a simple opt in form that captures their name and email address so you can begin to building a relationship with them.

4.  Stay on the Forefront of Their Minds

Who was it that sang, “You were always on my mind…”? It came to mind as I was writing this. Why? Because most of your business connections will not be ready to buy from you right away. People use the internet to do research, compare prices, and get free information.

If you’ve got a system in place for capturing their name and email address, you can stay on their mind by using your email autoresponders to send out your messages. When they are ready to buy what you offer they’ll remember you and what you offer because you’ve kept in touch with them all along the way.

Here’s mine. Sign up now — I’d love to send you updates like this one. AND I’ve got a great free gift for you. (Check it out here: FREE GIFT)

5.  Save Time

Very few small business owners have a lot of extra time. Most women today are dividing their time between being mom, grandma, daughter, wife, housekeeper, cook, volunteer, worker, and business owner. Having tools to help put anything on auto pilot is usually a very welcome addition to their lives.

So instead of having to share your message one (you) to one (one client at a time) repeatedly, your autoresponder and list will enable you to reach one (you) to many (your whole list).  Imagine not only saving time, but also leveraging your time into long-term profits.

6.  (Appear to) Be Super-Human

It’s not humanly possible to “personally” connect with all your visitors (prospects) and customers unless you are using an automated system. Your autoresponder system allows you to send out a message  that appears to be written specifically for that person. It’s a great way to build relationships (and the “know, like, and trust” factor) that are vital to building your business.  

7.  Increase Your Sales Too

But the goal isn’t to just be awesome (although this is also a great goal too!) and send out lots of free, personalized information. What you really want to do is increase sales and profits. Nothing else can help you deliver these results the way an email list can.

SUMMARY: You now have 7 good reasons to begin to capture names and stay “always on their minds” so you can increase sales and save time while appearing to be super human as you message your list to strategically build your business. What are you thoughts? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear…

By the way, I have been testing out list building and autoresponder service providers, and I have to say that Aweber leads the pack for a lot of reasons.

Find out why here (and receive a 30 trial for only $1):  http://aweber.com

Disclaimer: The links mentioned in this post may lead to my affiliate links and in such case, I will get compensated for recommending the product. However, I will never recommend anything that I don’t personally believe in.

I have been using Bluehost as my web hosting company for over three years. I am a very happy customer mostly because their support is second to none.

In fact, I am so happy with Bluehost that when the Canadian dollar was only worth 60 cents, I stayed a loyal Bluehost customer. If you do the math, I paid about $150 Canadian per year for hosting! It was a killer, but I gladly paid for the security that comes with being their customer.

I have never seen a sale this good in the time I’ve been their customer.

Honestly, if you need hosting to get your WordPress site online, click this link to go and see not only the details of their sale, but why I appreciate this company so much.

You won’t be sorry because if you sign up for their superb hosting between now and October 24th,

you pay only $3.95 per month. 

 This promotion is available for any new hosting account but hurry, this offer ends October 24th

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE DETAILS AT BLUEHOST.COM

Warmly

PS: I am a proud affiliate and will receive a commission if you purchase hosting via this link.

and you know you should do it, but wonder where to start.  This post will shed some light on what SEO means and why it’s important.

SEO is the shortened term for Search Engine Optimization.  As an online business and WordPress site owner, you need to know that SEO is what helps drive visitors to your website.  And without visitors…well you know.

Search engines have names like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. When you are searching for information on the internet, you type your phrases or keywords into the Google, Yahoo, or Bing search field. Once you press Enter, you receive a page with a list of results.

A search engine is a program that searches documents on the World Wide Web for a specific word or phrase.  Dictionary.com

You may have heard this term before too, because it is often referred to as “the first page of Google“.  It is called this because what you are seeing is, literally, the first page of results based on your keywords and keyword phrases.

Although it can be difficult because everyone else is vying for top position too,

all businesses on the internet need to be doing all they can to get their site to come up higher in the search engine results. Ideally, your goal should be to be represented on the first page or two of the search engine results.

Next post:  The SEO steps you can easily take. 

In the meantime,  do a little keyword research so you can follow along. Click here for more information: 

FREE KEYWORD RESEARCH TOOL AND TUTORIAL

Enjoy

Search

Have a search function 

Having a search function on your site is a great idea. Just like in Google, visitors can use keywords to search within your site for the content they are looking for.

It’s a good idea to have this above the fold (before they have to scroll) for the visitor’s convenience so they can speedily find the content they are interested in.

Some templates have the search field built into the navigation bar and others offer you a sidebar widget.

You can go beyond just the search function and add both archives and category widgets in the sidebar. The archives widget allows your visitor to find posts of interest that are sorted by date. The category widget allows them to search your posts by the categories you write under.

PS  The words that people use to search online are important to know because their keywords have to match the keywords you use on your site.  To learn more about this, get my free report: FREE KEYWORD RESEARCH TOOL

Contact information

Have a contact page

The best option for adding your contact information is to have it on its own separate page. You’ll then have a link on the navigation bar and with one click, your visitor will have all of your information (telephone, email, and/or contact form) at their fingertips.

I have also included my toll free phone number in my header (banner) on my site.

Opt in form

Offer a way to keep in touch

This is a very important step as this is how you will keep in touch with your visitors. Have it front and center on your site, before the fold. Offer a valuable gift to those who subscribe. It’s a great way to let your clients and visitors know about your products, services, special offers, and upcoming sales or events.

By the way, Aweber is the best service I’ve used so far. They are more cost effective, they have all the bells and whistles, AND they don’t charge extra to see your stats (how many opens etc).  Check them out for yourself:  AWEBER

Design

Keep it easy on the eyes

The design of your page should support your brand image. But it should also be simple and not distract from your goals or purpose. Sidebars allow for the containment of additional information, and provide a way to have even more information above the fold.

Colors convey a lot of information and your color choice should be a good representation of your (type of) business or the image your are trying to present.

Word of caution:

• Rotating banners, flashing things, and similar effects should be avoided unless your site is just an affiliate site.
• Avoid anything that slows down the loading speed of your site. (flash)
• Avoid using a dark background and light colored font. They are almost impossible to read online

Community Building

Interact

Integrate social networking buttons (lots of plugins easily manage this step for you). Let people find you on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

Use Social Bookmarking plugins as well. These are the little icons you see after a post where people can share your content on any number of bookmarking sites.

Allow for and encourage comments. There are several plugins out there that require people to sign up for accounts and jump through other hoops to leave a comment. I don’t recommend this. Make it as simple as possible for your visitors to interact with you.

When people feel involved or able to contribute they tend to revisit a website.

What are you thoughts? Let us know in a comment.

Get my Free Keyword Research Tool and Tutorial by Clicking Here

I am a proud Aweber affiliate and will receive a commission when  anyone signs up for Aweber by clicking the link provided in this blog post.

Kathleen

Didn’t read part 1?  Click here: http://www.thesavvyva.com/9-wordpress-essentials-part-1/