31 Days of VMA | Summit Storage

While we do most of our work in other states, VMA loves to work with local business here in ‪#‎Missouri‬. In addition to building this new mobile responsive site, we also created the new logo and took all of the photos. At Summit Self Storage, they provide solutions to all your storage problems. If you find that your things are slowly inching you out of house and home, come to Summit Self Storage. They maintain the property in excellent condition, both inside and out. Their facility is well-lit, and we have a computerized security gate and video surveillance. So if your storage problems are driving you nuts, come to Summit Self Storage. They can help!

31 Days of VMA | Patriot Homes

Patriot Homes, Inc. is a group of talented professionals in the field of home design, including residential interiors, exteriors, and landscape. They provide a one-stop resource for everything involved with the contracting to build your new home from the ground up. They have a policy of building lovely places to live, so VMA had to make a website that was equally beautiful to showcase their talents. The responsive bootstrap design utilizes photographs and colors elegantly, and allows for virtual tours, easy contact, and plenty of information. We also provided the photography for the Franklin floor plan virtual tour! Keep Patriot Homes, Inc. in mind if you or someone you know is thinking about building a home in the Kansas City area; you’ll love working with them!

31 Days of VMA | Subliminal Inc.

Subliminal Inc. is a very special website for VMA, since it’s creator is one of our very own employees! Alec Sartianno, AKA Smartalec, is an American record producer and songwriter when he’s not busy working for us. The website encompasses Subliminal Inc. (the conglomerate), Subliminal Beats LLC (the music production company), and Subliminal Music Group LLC (the record label/publishing company). Alec’s instrumental music has appeared on the networks E!, MTV, and Oxygen, and he has cooperated with well-known rappers such as E-40 and Tech N9ne. He also designed the website himself, and it includes ways to listen to and purchase the music and watch the music videos. Check out what Alec and the other musicians he produces can do!

31 Days of VMA | Rowdy Roddy Piper

Roderick George Toombs, AKA “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, was a master of all forms of entertainment as well as a genuinely great guy. From the ‘70s to the ‘90s, Roddy generated a following of loyal fans as a wrestler and is still considered one of the best villains in the WWF’s history, matching up against such names as Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Roddy also found success in film, and probably his most notorious role was in John Carpenter’s They Live. Over 9 million people hit the site in the first 15 minutes. VMA was devastated to hear of Roddy’s death in July 2015, but we are so glad that we had the chance to work with him on his website to help spread the magnificence of his works. The site integrates all kinds of content including videos and social media, and it highlights his e-commerce store that sells amazing t-shirts. His family is keeping the site active, posting about events and other information, so keep an eye on Rowdy Roddy Piper’s legacy! 

31 Days of VMA | Stump Us

Stump Us is an exciting new forum location for asking and answering questions about any subject imaginable. Streamlined and easy to use, Stump Us lets you sign up and dive right in immediately. Its presentation is clean and simple, without the busy, ad-covered clutter of websites such as Yahoo! Answers. VMA is thrilled to be a part of this project, and we are working closely with its inventor to make it the best Q&A site available. Soon we will be incorporating AI software to help answer questions more efficiently. Google searches are already sending people to stumpus.com posts when people look up relevant keywords, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself there on your next Internet search!

31 Days of VMA | Atomic Cotton

VMA built this mobile responsive website for our good friends at Atomic Cotton​. This was one of our first e-commerce sites, and it has been fun and exciting watching them sell and create new products. Zack and Erica create and design most of these incredible shirts themselves. Art, films, and shirts are a passion of Atomic Cotton - and they have combined them into amazing wearable art. Atomic Cotton also travels across America slinging shirts and meeting new friends. We are excited to work with Atomic Cotton and we all wear many of their designs. In fact, they also printed our VMA shirts.

31 Days of VMA | Vixen Pinup Photography

We are very excited to get to work with such talented artists. We helped our friends at Vixen Pinup Photography create a new mobile responsive website, that was properly optimized for better search engine ranking results. On top of that, we had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot at their studio. Check out the pictures on our front page - we promise you we are not that good looking! Vixen Pin-Up Photography is a collaboration of local photographer Nikki Moreno-Whipple and makeup artist and business partner Candy Cunningham. They specialize in pin up, boudoir and glamor photography. Vixen Pin-Up Photography was founded in 2007 and was the very first full scale pin up studio of its kind in Kansas City. They’ve worked with hundreds of everyday gals from all over the United States. If you’re looking for true cheesecake pin up you’ve come to the right place! Their work has graced the covers of magazines and has been published all over the world. 

31 Days of VMA | I-29/I-35 Self Storage

New logos and mobile responsive design was what was needed to update the I-29/I-35 Self Storage website. If you need extra storage space in the Kansas City Area, look no further than locally-owned I-29/I-35 Self Storage. This company keeps your belongings safe with a well-lighted space, 24-hour security footage, and computerized security gate. They needed a simple, one-page website overhaul to modernize their online presence, and VMA was happy to help. Having the company features, contact forms, and directions with a map all clearly visible and easy to use give I-29/I-35 Self Storage all the tools they need to bring in the customers. 

31 Days of VMA | Salient Pictures

Salient means projecting beyond, which is a fantastic description of Salient Pictures, a group dedicated to producing films that go beyond the norm through works of independent film, television, and documentary. Salient Pictures brings together the artistic talent of Robert Gilman (a producer, writer, and actor) and the practical necessity of Bianca Goodloe’s exceptional legal counsel in motion picture and television development, financing, production, and distribution. The new website for Salient Pictures is easily updatable as new ideas take shape, and it facilitates the advertisement and distribution of finished products. Examples of projects currently in the works are a film about the struggles of a female train conductor during a difficult period of her life, a drama about family sacrifices as a result of being in debt to a mobster, and the personal story behind a talk radio host. Keep an eye on Salient Pictures; you don’t want to miss out on Gilman’s gripping works!

31 Days of VMA | KC Creates

Virtual Market Advantage is very proud to be the web developers for the arts organization Kansas City Creates! This group promotes the arts and organizes events throughout the year in the Kansas City area. The website we built for KC Creates is constantly being updated as the organization grows and hosts more and more shows. Their events include the KC Fringe Festival, KC Fringe Presents, Inspire KC Corporate Arts Challenge, and WaterFire. The talented, amazing people who run the events and who perform in them produce one-of-a-kind shows. Whether you enjoy traditional or oddball performances, you’re guaranteed to love something that KC Creates hosts. Visit www.kccreates.org often for news and updates about upcoming arts events in Kansas City!

31 Days of VMA | Rosee's Rush

Every employee at VMA is musical in some way, and we have a wide assortment of musical tastes, so we love working for artists and bands. We made this one-page responsive website as a calling card for the exciting new band, Rosee’s Rush. Rosee's Rush is a collaboration between [the cutting edge young DJ and Alternative Artist WAKELIN], and [ROSEE X, the sultry and enigmatic young singer and fashion model]. "Crazy" is the first single from the act’s upcoming self-titled debut. Combining progressive elements of Glitch Hop, Hip-Hop, and darker Indie Rock textures, Rosee's Rush's music is unique and futuristic, genre-breaking Pop Music. Request "Crazy" at your local Top 40 and CHR radio stations, download or stream "Crazy" everywhere online, and please watch and repost the new "Crazy" video!

31 Days of VMA | Klubb Krokstrom

Krokstrom Klubb & Market is an upcoming restaurant in the Broadway Uptown District of Kansas City. Owners Josh Rogers and Katee McLean intend to bring the feel of the Scandinavian Peninsula to an area that previously lacked any true Scandinavian restaurant. Krokstrom, pronounced CROAK-STRUM, is a family name of Katee’s, and she draws on her Swedish heritage to find inspiration for her dishes. She incorporates an assortment of unfamiliar Scandinavian-style dishes, but even the pickiest eaters will be able to find something they’ll like on the diverse menu. The venue will also provide a variety of craft cocktails to supplement the dining experience, including akvavit, a Scandinavian spirit similar to spiced vodka.

Josh and Katee needed an elegant website to showcase their budding business. They will easily be able to update their menu, include photographs of their current dishes, and have the option of selling products from their market online when they expand into selling homemade pickles and Scandinavian goods. Keep an eye out for Krokstrom Klubb & Market when you visit downtown Kansas City, it’s sure to be a delicious experience!

31 Days of VMA | Grennier Law

VMA helped Grennier Law update their existing website for better Search Engine Optimization. We were fortunate enough to be provided HD images by staff photographer Mike Levine, which really make the website stand out. Grennier Law, PC specializes in Personal Injury, Bankruptcy and Tax Law. Their are several positive reviews all over the internet showing how Grennier Law has continuously taken care of their clients. They offer high quality service at affordable fees. Grennier Law helps people get back on their feet after the stressful and difficult times surrounding bankruptcy and personal injury cases. If you need an attorney in the Ventura County area, call Grennier Law at 805-643-3900.

31 Days of VMA | 3rd Street Asylum

We were thrilled to have the incredible opportunity to work with the team at 3rd Street Asylum Haunted House in Bonner Springs. This is one of the scariest and longest Haunted Houses in the Kansas City Metro Area. We got the unique experience of walking through the abandoned school/haunted house before it opened. In many ways, the school itself is completely terrifying on its own, which makes it the perfect location. We built this site for 3rd Street Asylum, and they kept it updated with new images, daily hours, and current coupon offers throughout their season. VMA is very proud of this website, and we are excited to work with these masters of fear next year. Keep 3rd Street Asylum in mind when the next spooky season rolls around!

31 Days of VMA | Back Office Brigade

VMA built this simple, clean website for our friends at Back Office Brigade. They needed a blogging platform that they could easily manage. We set them up with a new mobile responsive site, and now they are running their own blog. Back Office Brigade is a women-owned business that provides back office management, accounting, and consultation. They deliver a variety of organizational services ranging from file system set-ups and employee manuals to procedure development and deployment and organizational assessments. They firmly believe that quality principles apply to all types of businesses and strive to ensure that Back Office Brigade exemplifies these practices, and we are proud to work with this amazing company!

31 Days of VMA | The Kansas City Lithuanian Community

VMA loves working for non-profits! The Kansas City Lithuanian Community was one of our very first websites. We have updated it many times over the years, and this year we changed to a mobile responsive theme with a great modern look. The Kansas City Lithuanian Community's purpose is to preserve and promote the cultures, traditions, and achievements of people of Lithuanian descent through education, folk dancing, and the Lithuanian language. We also love to support the Versmė Lithuanian School of Kansas City in their annual poker tournament! We have always been very grateful they took a chance on VMA when we were just starting. Ačiū!

31 Days of VMA | 20/20 Leadership Business Expo

Spent the morning talking to young people at the 20/20 Leadership Business Expo at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation! This is the second year in a row we have been invited to this event and the second year we have been completely blown away at the talent and enthusiasm of all of the local juniors and seniors. Oh, and Doug got to hang out with 41 Action News - KSHB-TV's Cynthia Newsome all morning!

31 Days of VMA | The Red Elvises

Sometime in early spring of 2015, VMA had a night out at Knuckleheads to go see The Reverend Horton Heat. To our delight, the opening band The Red Elvises, was incredible! We took a quick peek at their website and decided we should help! If Igor and Red Elvises aren't in the middle of a tour, they are getting ready for the next one - this is a group that is constantly in motion and consistently evolving. Singer, songwriter, guitarist and showman extraordinaire Igor Yuzov is perpetually globetrotting and in the process he has found scores of wildly talented, entertaining musicians to bring into the fold of this increasingly international party band.  Red Elvises started as a Russian group, playing what they dubbed "Siberian Surf Rock". Since then the band has included musicians from many other countries including United States, Israel, Puerto Rico and Bulgaria, to name just a few. Old and new fans alike can expect to be surprised at shows again and again, however the roots of Red Elvises remain the same: Igor's unique brand of humor combined with guitar based rock'n'roll that makes audiences want to sing, dance, scream and shout.

31 Days of VMA | Lance Loewenstein Kansas City Lawyer

Kansas City Lawyer Lance Loewenstein is focused on helping small businesses make more money. Mr. Loewenstein advises Missouri businesses, start-ups, non-profits, and families on a wide range of issues including: Employment Law, Business Startup and Organization, Landlord-Tenant Law, Home Owners Associations, Contracts, Non-Profit Organizations, Real Estate Tax Incentives, and Collections. VMA was happy to help build a new mobile-responsive website for Mr. Loewenstein, and we feel lucky to have him as a legal asset. It is clear that he has experience starting, running, and selling successful small businesses. If you have a small business and you need legal advice, call Lance Loewenstein today at 816-448-3778.

31 Days of VMA | 2015 Kansas City Fringe Festival

In the summer of 2015, VMA built and helped manage the website for the 2015 Kansas City Fringe Festival. KC Fringe is a Missouri-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support artists, celebrate expression, and engage the community. They do this by organizing the KC Fringe Festival, an annual 11-day performing and visual arts extravaganza. It straddles a thin line between mass appeal and eclectic tastes. Fringe links these two worlds together, helping people find inspiration and entertainment no matter what their tastes may be. It takes hundreds of volunteers to pull this thing off, and we were extremely proud to be a part of it. And we had a blast along the way! With over 500 pages, this was our biggest project at the time. When it was all said and done, our KC Fringe site had over 250,000 visitors in a two week time period. Not too shabby!

What is Web 2.0?

If you have gone down the SEO rabbit hole, then chances are you have come across the term Web 2.0. But what is it? Simply put, Web 2.0 is the term used to describe free blogging platforms. Most of these properties allow for a wide range of freedom, such as URL modification and the ability to place images, videos, and links all over the page. Utilizing these sites is a great technique for building links back to your main site. Do a little research on link-building if you haven’t already - you will quickly learn that it is the heart of Search Engine Optimization. One of the many factors Google uses to determine your placement in its search results is the number of quality backlinks you have pointing to your site.

Core Competencies of Web 2.0 Companies:

Services, not packaged software, with cost-effective scalability.

Control over unique, hard-to-recreate data sources that get richer as more people use them.

Trusting users as co-developers.

Harnessing collective intelligence.

Leveraging the long tail through customer self-service.

Software above the level of a single device.

Lightweight user interfaces, development models, and business models.

Web 2.0 describes World Wide Web sites that emphasize user-generated content, usability, and interoperability. The term was popularized by Tim O'Reilly and Dale Dougherty at the O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 Conference in late 2004. Although Web 2.0 suggests a new version of the World Wide Web, it does not refer to an update to any technical specification, but rather to cumulative changes in the way Web pages are made and used.

A Web 2.0 site may allow users to interact and collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue as creators of user-generated content in a virtual community, in contrast to Web sites where people are limited to the passive viewing of content. Examples of Web 2.0 include social networking sites, blogs, wikis, video sharing sites, hosted services, Web applications, and mash-ups.

Instead of merely reading a Web 2.0 site, a user is invited to contribute to the site's content by commenting on published articles or creating a user account or profile on the site, which enables increased participation. By increasing emphasis on these already extant capabilities, they encourage the user to rely more on their browser for user interface, application software, and file storage facilities. This has been called "network as platform" computing.

The great thing about Web 2.0 properties is that you’re basically piggybacking off the authority and trust already established by these sites. And these sites build authority very quickly. With only a few strong links, any given Web 2.0 can become a valuable link source.

So what do you need to get started? You need time, determination, and at least one email address. You’ll have to make accounts for these Web 2.0s, so make a default email for this purpose. It doesn’t matter if you use the same email account to create the properties – but you will need at least one to get started. Keep in mind that it could get tricky to keep track of them if you make a new email address for each website.

Once you have an email address, pick a platform and get registered. As of this writing, by far the most popular and valuable Web 2.0 platform to build links in is WordPress.com. All you need is an email address, and you can start building links. This book will go more into detail on how you can get the most out of WordPress’s and other platforms’ most popular and useful properties. You will learn how to create great content that will help move your site up the search engine results.

Creating your content to post on the Web 2.0 platforms is the most important part. There are a few different ways you can approach the content creation. Deciding on which technique to use completely depends on your resources and time. Major features of Web 2.0 include social networking sites, self-publishing platforms, tagging, like buttons, and social bookmarking. As a user, you can provide the data that is on a Web 2.0 site and exercise complete control over that data.

No matter what type of content creation you decide on, you must make sure your articles are 500+ words, and try to naturally include your primary keywords throughout the articles without keyword stuffing. We want these properties to look natural. 1-3% keyword density is more than enough. Again, if you aren’t familiar with keywords and their use in SEO, I advise you to do some research on the subject. Simply put, good keywords are the terms most used when people go to search for your niche on the Internet.

As mentioned, one of the best things about Web 2.0 properties is that you have the ability to make the URL anything you want. Don’t miss this opportunity to use your keyword. For instance, if your store in Portland is called Don’s Bikes, make your URL something like portlandbikestore.wordpress.com or bikestoreinportland.tumblr instead of calling your page donsbikes.tumblr. This action alone can make all the difference. Google will see these links as much more relevant and trustworthy, and potential customers searching for a bike store in Portland are much more likely to use those terms.

Once you have your domain, start putting in your content. Simply paste your article inside the editor for whatever Web 2.0 you choose. At this point, you will need to gather photos and videos for your post. After you have inserted your photos and videos, it’s time for you to insert your links. One link will obviously be for the page you are targeting, and the other will be to a relevant and/or authority website. Be random with link placement and use many different types of supporting outbound links.

Some Web 2.0s allow you to schedule posts, and others don’t. It is best to schedule your posts in daily intervals. Do not post all of your Web 2.0s in one day. Always keep your posting frequency random to make sure things are staying natural. Using Web 2.0s is one of many link-building strategies you can use to achieve awesome SEO results. This alone will not guarantee that you achieve #1 rankings, but it is an important part of your campaign to diversify your link and anchor profile, and generate some serious trust and relevancy to your site.

31 Days of VMA | Credentialing and Consulting Alliance, LLC

In practices where staff is at a premium, the job of credentialing often takes a back seat. To maintain proper credentialing, it needs to be managed on a regular basis. VMA helped our friends at Credentialing Consulting Alliance build their new mobile friendly website. If you are in the medical profession, let CCA be your invisible, full-time, off-site employees. With their services, you get the benefit of additional staff members without the extensive employee costs. When it comes to credentialing and consulting - CCA has you covered!

31 Days of VMA | Gel Nails & Spa

We built this fancy new site for our favorite salon. Gel Nails & Spa recently moved into a beautiful brand new location in North Kansas City. Gel Nails & Spa delivers custom service, high-quality work, and always ensures that their clients are satisfied! VMA can personally testify that they provide pampering services that not only meet your needs but also create an unforgettable experience. We not only loved working on this site - we love getting mani/pedis from Ruby, Lee and everyone else on the team. And for a great example of a business owner taking control and mastering business social media - take a look at owner Jon Tran and his incredibly supportive following on Facebook.  

31 Days of VMA | The Corner Restaurant

Looking for a great place to start the day in Kansas City? The Corner Restaurant has a history as a neighborhood staple, where breakfast, brunch, and lunch is offered 7 days a week in the diverse Westport area of Kansas City, Missouri. Building on an already rich history, The Corner restaurant has a very strong menu of Americana – home-style cooking, rich with flavor. They also offer a diverse list of specialty cocktails, wines, and microbrews from around the country. VMA is happy to be working with The Corner Restaurant, since just about every meeting involves breakfast!

31 Days of VMA | The Epilepsy Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas is a nonprofit organization that helps people learn to cope with seizure disorders. It offers advocacy and education for people who suffer from epilepsy, their families, and their community. We have empowered the organization so they can make their own changes to their website as needed without any hassle or previous coding experience. The site helps them spread awareness, promote events, recruit volunteers, and is set up to facilitate their fundraising. We were excited to be able to donate this website to EFMK, because we believe in what they are doing. Go check them out!

31 Days of VMA | Ranger Mac

Ranger Mac was an early genius in mass media. Wakelin McNeel (aka Ranger Mac) reached an estimated 700,000 young people with his Wisconsin Public Radio program, “Afield With Ranger Mac.” The program ran from 1933 until 1954, reaching out to students in one-room schoolhouses and big city schools alike with colorful and knowledge-filled messages about conservation and nature. The mere mention of “Ranger Mac” evokes warm memories among those who looked forward to his program each week.

It has been an honor and a privilege to build this website in Ranger Mac’s memory. Luckily we have intact recordings of the original radio broadcasts, so we can continue to spread his vision as he intended. We hope to continue to develop this page as a forum and social network for Trail Hitters, new and old, to share their experiences.

31 Days of VMA | Daniel A. Higson Bankruptcy Atttorney

Daniel A. Higson, attorney in Ventura, California, is a Certified Bankruptcy Specialist who has been practicing law in Ventura County for 38 years. If you have absolutely any assets or any interest in a business in the area, it is imperative that you see him. During your free consultation, Dan and his talented staff will determine which course of action is right for you. They are experts in navigating you through the intricacies involved in managing your assets, and are always available to answer any questions you may have. Mr. Higson has filed over 10,000 cases in his career and is the only Certified Bankruptcy Specialist in Ventura County who is certified by two boards – the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and the American Board of Certification.

When Dan Higson joined Hathaway Law, he needed a brand new website to inform the community of his new position. VMA used many of the most popular web elements to create a beautiful website full of keyword-rich content that brings his name to the top of the search. Mr. Higson has been pleased with the amount of clients who have been directed his way by our website design and SEO work.

31 Days of VMA | Oleander Aesthetics

Local aesthetician and brow specialist Emma Powis has a peaceful little private studio, Oleander Aesthetics, in ‪Kansas City's eclectic West Plaza neighborhood. Here you can find skin care tips, the wonderful IMAGE skincare line, and signature Oleander Aesthetics brow products, all in a warm, welcoming environment. Emma’s website is such an important part of her digital marketing journey, and while she loved her previous website’s design and the customers it attracted, she needed it to work properly on all the various browsers and devices. VMA was able to fix the bugs, added a Search Engine Optimized blog, and empower her with NetBrite - while keeping the same look. Now that her monthly newsletters can be found easily and her clients can make appointments using their mobile phones, business is definitely picking up! Find out what kind of magic she can work on your skin or brows by booking an appointment now at www.oleanderaesthetics.com. You’ll love every minute of it!

31 Days of VMA | Porta-Stor

Porta-Stor is one of our biggest websites. It has over 500 search engine optimized pages and is completely responsive on all devices. We built this site on Netbrite, which allows the company’s employees to easily keep it updated. VMA has created several YouTube videos specifically for Porta-Stor, and we maintain all of their social media websites. Through our efforts, Porta-Stor now takes the first position in over 1000 search terms.

If you need more storage space, Porta-Stor is the answer for you. Locally owned and operated since 1975 - they provide clean, secure, and economical storage containers for commercial facilities, construction sites, retail stores, and residential homes along with many other applications. Porta-Stor gives you the space you need. There are NO hidden fees, NO sales tax, NO setup costs, and NO fuel surcharges! If you need portable storage containers in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, or Ventura Counties in California, call Porta-Stor today at 1-800-833-7744.

Blogging For Your Business

Providing content for your website through blogging takes a lot of effort. It’s hard to find the time to come up with a topic, research it, and sit down and write week after week. Not to mention promoting each blog through ever-changing social media. Don’t give up, because blogging is an increasingly important tool for your business. It can generate traffic for your website and attract new clients. So how can you engage your readers and draw in new business? Here are some tips to help you along the way:

Stay Organized

As with any change to your lifestyle, it’s crucial to make a schedule and stick to it. Make sure you allow for enough time to bust out blogs that stay current, but don’t overextend yourself. Most sites don’t need to publish a blog every single day.

Look everywhere for new post ideas. Whenever a client asks a question, consider whether or not it’d make a good topic. If you have to do some research to figure out how to solve a problem, chances are someone else wants that information as well. Ideas can pop up any time, any place, so make sure you write them down when they do!

Outline your writing, and try not to digress too far from the topic at hand. That tangent might be a good idea for the next blog! Practice your writing skills as much as you can. It will get easier to produce posts the longer you keep at it.

Life is full of twists and turns. If you keep a spare post around, you don’t have to worry about producing more content if a problem arises such as sickness, injury, or a surprise visit from the family.

Analyze other writers. There’s always room for improvement. Whether it’s to find new topics to write about, learn how best to outline your work, or see how other people make their posts riveting, search the web and make note of anything you think will help make your posts stand out.

Draw People In

The previous tips can help you streamline your blogs, but how do you engage your readers and draw them in with your content? People try to avoid sales pitches and can tell immediately if your blog is trying to sell them something. You have to clearly let them know what’s in it for them. Get in the mindset of being a guide rather than a salesman. As a mentor, learn to care for your students (readers) by helping them get ahead using your profession of choice.

Make sure you know your audience. Figure out what your readers want to accomplish and why they should look to your site for the information they need.

Also know your own purpose. Here at Virtual Market Advantage, we want to help you get ahead in website design and content management. Who are you, and what is your blog about?

Write for your clients, not mindless click-bait. Hyperbolic links with outrageous claims may get a lot of people to click on them, but they don’t keep the viewer on the website for long and definitely won’t expand your clientele. Also be careful with jargon. If you have to use technical terms, make sure you explain them in ways that all readers will understand.

Don’t be afraid to alienate some readers. You can never cater to 100% of your audience: there will always be people who disagree with you. Focus on the positive side, and reach out to the contacts that want your help.

Keep Readers Engaged

No matter what topic of interest you’re writing about on your website, you have competition on the internet. A lot of it is bland and repetitive, so you can always find a way to stand out. It’s crucial to become an authority in your field and have a strong opinion. Cut out weak phrases like “maybe” and “in my opinion”. Blogs are always about the writer’s opinion so spread yours with confidence.

Make sure every post provides valuable information for your readers. Don’t write common sense blogs full of shallow lists. Refer to experts in the field and provide examples and case studies to reveal the depth of your knowledge on the subject and liven up your writing.

Don’t worry about giving away information for free. Providing valuable and interesting content draws in readers who can easily become new clients.

If you sound too much like you’re lecturing, it can bore or even push away your audience. Try to keep them captivated, motivated, and inspired. Empathize with your readers. Work to understand the problems they suffer from and provide solutions for them.

While you get to know your readers, let them get to know you too. People will be more transfixed by your writing if you make it seem like a conversation. It can help to mix in questions here and there. Be generous, and reward them with helpful tips. Make sureyour unique voice infuses your writing. Make your readers want to come back again and again to hear from you!

Use the Tools of the Internet

There are many ways to help spread your ideas across the web and turn readers into customers. Start an email list to stay in contact with interested viewers and make sure they get the most up-to-date information. You can set up an auto-response system thatwelcomes new readers when they sign up to follow you. This can help make the initial connection. Follow up with short email responses to readers who ask questions or post noteworthy comments.

Spread your content using social media. Everything is interconnected these days, and you can use this to your benefit. It’s easy to connect your website to Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram, or any other site you want.

Utilize other bloggers by welcoming guests to your site. It’s easy to direct new clients your way by connecting with other writers. They get the same benefit too, so many should be happy to help.

Optimize your SEO. This is what VMA is all about, so you should keep in touch with us for information about every aspect of website optimization. And make sure you ask us questions so we can keep coming up with new blog topics that can help you and the rest of our readers in the future. We’d love to hear from you!http://virtualmarketadvantage.com/blogging-for-your-business/