Content Editor
Blog
Wikipedia: A blog (a contraction of the term "web log") is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
To learn more about using the Blog feature on the Vin65 platform please watch the following video: (Watch this in HD »)
Adding a Blog Post
Adding a Blog post for the first time is a three step proccess:
Blog Entries
The Blog Entries tab allows you to create and edit blog posts. This will be the default landing page when clicking the blog tab. You will also be able to view past blog posts using the search feature.
To add a blog post simply click “Add a Blog Entry”.
General Tab: To start out you post you will want to select your blog author. Next you will set the Post Date & Time. The post will not become visible on the website until the set Post Date & Time. Blog can be postdated to a future date. This would allow you, for example, to sit a write multiple blog posts at once time but set them to post in montly intervals. Next title your blog post. You can add teaser information to give readers a taste of what your blog post contains before they navigate to your actual post. Checking the Allow Comments box will allow readers to comment on your blog post.
Description Tab: This is where you will enter the content of your blog post. It works the same way as content entry on your General Pages. Components such as forms and polls can be added to your blog posts, allowing for greater feedback and interaction with your readers.
Mobile Tab: This tab is where you will edit the mobile version of your blog post. It is important to customize the blog post for your mobile site because you will want to be able to customize the pictures and videos to display correctly for this smaller page that your customers will view. Now you will be able to provide your customers with the best experience of viewing your blog on a mobile phone. For more information on this please see the Editing your Mobile Content.
Categories Tab: Here you can assign your blog posts to custom categories that you setup. A blog can be assigned to multiple categories. Simply check off the categories you would like your blog post to be a part of.
Marketing Tab: The marketing tab is where you will find the Marketing URL for the specific blog post. You can use this to direct readers right to the blog post page. For example you could send newsletter subscribers an email with a link to a specific blog page.
Comments Tab: From the comments tab you can moderate and remove inapproprite blog posts that have been made on a blog post.
Blog Frequency
When clients first start using the blog feature, or when they are considering
adding it to their website, many wonder:
“How often do I need to write a blog post?”
If you’re looking for a easy answer or “magic number” as to how often you should write a blog post, unfortunately there isn’t one. What is recommended is that you find out what works best for your business, posting as often as possible, while maintianing consistency. At least once a week would be best otherwise biweekly works as well. The bare minimum would be once a month. Remember you want to frequently add fresh content on your site, giving your customers a reason to frequent your site. When estabilishing your buisnesses “Blog Plan” cosider the following factors:
- Resources: When considering how often you should write a post, it’s best to consider your resources. How many authors will be posting? Will I be the only one writing? How much time can I devote to blog posts without neglecting other neccissary tasks? It is best to write as often as possible, once or twice a week if possible. Try to decide on a day and shedule it each week specifically for your blog posts. Note: The Vin65 platform allows you to postdate your blog posts allowing you to write a number of posts and post date each. Though you may write a number of posts at once remember to stick to your posting schedule.
- Quality Content: While it is recommended to post often, do not sacrifice Quantity for Quality. No one likes to read a slapped together post that offers little more than a distraction from more important tasks. Tailor your content to your customers. Remember you want your blog to offer your customers something they can’t get from your competitors, a personal touch from you. Make sure that each blog post is meaningful and informative to customers. Make sure your posts reflect your brand. For example: if part of your winery experience is the love of wine and food, why not highlight this with featured recipe posts, or perhaps entertaining tips. Are you passionate about wine making? Why not use a blog posts to inform and educate customers about how great wine is made. Your blog allows you to showcase the fact you know your industry as well as bring your brand personality and passion to your customers.
- Consider Your Audience: Who is your target market? Are you trying to reach out to a younger more social audience? As consumers become more social minded they will come to expect to hear from you more often. By creating regular features on different topics you create a reader base that looks forward with anticipation for your next blog post.
Whatever you blog plan turns out to be, stay consistent. For example if you regularly post on Tuesday and Thursday, make sure that you keep to these deadlines. You can always adjust your posting schedule as needed, but try to post often.
Additional Advantages:
- Blog posts will help to boost your Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Search engines like Google love blog posts. It’s a great way to add new content to your website, increasing the likelihood that Google and other search engines will crawl your site. For more information on SEO please see the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Documentation.
Blog Categories
The Blog Categories tab allows you to setup custom blog catagories to separate your blog posts.
To add a category first select Blog Categories from the Blog drop down menu. Next click “Add a Blog Category”. The only information you will need to enter is the title of the category, for instance Wine Making. After you have created different blog categories and begin to assigning blog posts to them, you will be able to view the number blog posts assigned to each category.
Blog Authors
The Blog Authors tab allows to you create and edit blog authors. Blog Authors will be able to create & edit blog posts, as well as moderate comments made on their specific posts.
To add an author first select Blog Authors from the Blog drop down menu. Next click “Add a Blog Author”. You will be asked for the First & Last names of the author as well as their email address. Comment notifications made on an author’s blog post will be emailed the blog author. You can add an avatar icon, which will appear next to the authors name on the website (Ideally 48 X 48. Must be a JPG). You can select whether a blog author is active or not. Posts made by inactive authors will not display on the website. Bio information and a digital signature can be added as well.