rachel phelps: how to go local with your blog

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!

Any questions?

Preston@Prestonspeaks.com