RISE #29: Why You Should Be Creating Online Content In 2010

Trust me, if you wait until 2011, you are going to be kicking yourself.

We are in the middle of a fundamental shift towards online content becoming more and more important for entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs and business owners.

Blogs vs. Newspapers

Here is the key question (and please let us all know your thoughts on this below): Would you/your business rather be on the front page of your local newspaper or front page of the best blog in your niche?

I would take the blog all day and night. Why?

1. Blogs are spreadable. When was the last time someone clipped a newspaper article out, scanned it and sent it to 5, 50 or 500 people?

2. Blogs are sharable (think Facebook, Twitter).

3. Blog posts can increase in value over time. This is key. Blogs are not here today, gone tomorrow like a newspaper. Instead, they stay up (in most cases..forever). Which means even six months from now someone can link to the post. From personal experience, this is more than true as I’m always surprised when I see a hit on a post that was created in, for example, November 2008.

3 Ways You Can Get Involved With Online Content:

1. Create: A tremendous opportunity for every entrepreneur, solopreneur and business. And not just talking about your product. I’m talking about creating around your expertise. If you are a fitness trainer, you wouldn’t want to create a blog about how awesome your personal training sessions are and everyone should buy, buy, buy. Instead, it would be better to talk about fitness tips, show routines on video, interview clients with their tips, etc. The opportunity is in text, video and audio. The one key piece of advice? Stick out. Try something different to stand out from the pack of content creators.

2. Become A Content DJ: This is a great solution if you don’t want to create your own content but want to be of a curator (which doesn’t mean you can’t do this AND create content…sometimes it is great to mix it up). Becoming a content DJ means finding the best content and putting your unique spin on it. Top lists, recommended books, hot articles in your niche, etc. Here is a great example. Guy Kawasaki does this every day on his blog Holy Kaw.

3. Sponsor Content: If you don’t want to do #1 and #2, but still want to get involved with online content, there has never been a better time to BECOME a sponsor. Why? Because even on the top blogs it is still relatively cheap compared to all other forms of media (TV, radio, print) and prices will go up over time (another reason right there why it is a good time to start creating). Best thing about online content is you can break all kinds of “traditional” advertising and sponsorship rules for maximizing the relationship on both ends. I’m not talking about banner ads. I’m talking about feature-rich sponsorships such as guest blogging, a special contest, or branded content (which you can also put on your website). Something that is spreadable, sharable and longer lasting. For some more ideas, check out the 10 Big Marketing Predictions For 2010.

Note: Much more on how to ATTRACT sponsors on upcoming episodes as well which has been heavily requested.

St. Louis Lunch & Learn: Less Than 10 Tickets Left

I know I said 20, but we actually down to only 10. Details and final few tickets can be found right here.

And Always A Big Thanks To Our Local Presenting Sponsor Making RISE Possible: Johnny Londoff Chevrolet

Just for being a RISE viewer, you get haggle-free, supplier pricing whether you are from St. Louis or anywhere else at Johnny Londoff Chevrolet. A great guy really getting into online marketing and relationship building.