The word ‘blog’ is a shortened form of ‘web log’, and refers to a web site that contains the owner’s opinions, commentary, photos, video, audio/or and other contributions.
A blog with an online marketing purpose has to focus on the particular market it’s attempting to attract. That usually means content of interest to that market. For example, a person selling Pensions might focus their blog on investment strategy. Such a site would include economic commentary, investment trends, and legal methods to reduce tax.
Alternatively, a blog doesn’t need to attract and/or educate its target market to serve a marketing purpose. It may have an SEO (search engine optimisation) objective. In this case, the owner will…
Add content relevant to the keyword phrases s/he is targeting Create contextual links to the site s/he wants at the top of Google for those keyword phrases Attempt to build page rank and ‘trust’ for the Blog (which is then conveyed to his/her site)
A blog with an SEO objective still needs to contain useful information. And as its page rank and ‘trust’ grow, so will the number of people who find it. The owner will then have to give more consideration to the interests of his/her followers, rather than content that merely convey ‘link juice’ to his/her main site.
It’s possible to set up a blog on your own site, and many people like to do it this way. I prefer to use third party blogging software because it saves time, it’s free, and it allows me to create contextual inbound links from a third party site (I use my blog to achieve an SEO objective).
A blog can pay off in other ways too. For example, Blogger has a built in ability to host ads from Google’s AdWords system. It’s very easy to get AdWords up and running in Blogger, and leave the advertising revenue and supply to Google. You can then focus on content and readers. The better your content, and the more readers you attract, the more advertising revenue you’ll generate.
Of course, generating revenue from advertising requires patience. It isn’t going to pay off immediately. In time, you could find yourself earning hundreds of dollars a week from AdWords if you have the patience and determination to do what it takes.
A blog with a lot of content is a useful way of adding value to your Twitter ‘tweets’. I like to add ‘tweets’ throughout the day, and a history of blog entries is fertile ground for a quick ‘tweet’ idea. I often link the ‘tweet’ to the blog article that inspired it, and this usually sends me an extra visitor or two.
Twitter and your blog make for an interesting relationship, especially if your objective is SEO. A ‘Tweet’ can pick up leads, who then visit your blog. From time-to-time, the visitor will like what they see and link to it from their site. This conveys some of their Google ‘trust’ to your blog.
Over time, this trust grows and is passed on to the sites you link to from your blog. It’s a virtuous circle, and well worth pursuing. Once again, it requires a long term view. This doesn’t happen over night.
A blog is a useful way to establish your expertise in a particular area. For example, I’ve named my blog: Lead Generation Expert. One of my objectives is to become a world-renowned expert in lead generation. My blog has a part to play in establishing a base of evidence for my expertise, and has already helped to open doors to new business opportunities that weren’t previously open.
Whether you’re interested in picking up new clients, pushing your site onto page one of Google, generating extra money from advertising, or establishing your expertise in a particular area – a well written blog can help get you there.
Introduction
Interest rates for savers generally follow inflation trends and statistics show that these gains are always positive unless you are very unlucky. The reason why so many people invest in Banks is because they are usually a safe bet. Indeed, often your savings will be guaranteed.
Money in a savings account is usually a safe investment but the return can sometimes be limited for the investor when compared to other options.
There are many opportunities for investment depending on the level of risk an individual is prepared to take. These forms of investment might include stocks and shares, endowment insurance policies, pensions etc. We are focusing our attention on the property market where our expertise is.
Stability of Property Values
In real terms although property markets do suffer from peaks and troughs, property does increase in value in the long term. Recently in some areas, property prices have actually gone down, this is due to the economy which has an effect on supply and demand. An over supply of property can easily reduce property prices when the property market is struggling.
Property prices do go down but history has shown that they always recover and they are stable in the long term. Steady or significant increases in property prices are usually the norm.
Whilst there can be no guarantee that property prices will increase over say, a one year period it is generally accepted that a well maintained property in a reasonable area will appreciate in value.
Interesting Statistics
The following statistics make interesting reading:
50% of individuals mentioned in The Sunday Times Rich List made their money through investing in property. A property worth just EUR10,000 some 30 years ago would be worth around half a million Euros at today’s prices. Between 5th October and 6th November 1987 the FTSE share index fell by a massive 32.1%. (Published Bank of England Statistics) It would not be fair to say that money cannot be made on the Stock Exchange and no one could dispute that. Most people take professional advice before investing in the stock market which is advisable.
Property Investment
The most successful property investors usually research the market and build up a considerable knowledge before they invest. Speculators often make huge profits by predicting changes in the property market and investing for gain, often just at the right time.
Most individuals who invest in property do so based on their own research and experience. The success rate for property investments is usually quite high which is why it is such a popular and sometimes enjoyable choice.
Building up a Portfolio
When a property which has increased in value, or if the loan has diminished, equity can be released from that property. Many buy to let investors have successfully used their borrowing ability to build a property portfolio and many have generated substantial wealth for themselves.
Buying property enables the investor to secure borrowing which can then be used to make further investments in property; this cannot be said of most conventional types of investment.
Rental Income from a property can then be used repay the loan which in time also increases the value of the investment. As property prices increase, so to does the investment and the increased equity can therefore be used to secure more funds and increase investments in property.
Many individuals have also increased their gains by investing in property located in up and coming areas or by making improvements to properties. Property improvement will always enhance property value.
Short or Long Term Property Investment
Whatever type of investor you are, property should always be a good long term investment.
If you are purchasing that place in the sun you can still benefit from the same investment opportunities but perhaps also with the advantage of an increased income from holiday letting.
Buying an off plan property can be a lucrative short term investment because Developers usually sell the opportunities at less than the market value in order to attract investors. The reason for this is that the Developer will benefit commercially by the the Investor funding the development cost.
It is not unusual for Investors to make 20 per cent profit by the time they get the keys. The Investor benefits from the enhanced inflationary value of the property during the construction period because the price is fixed before construction. Some Investors are able to sell the property on before it is even finished.
Opportunities for Investment in the Property Market
Prices are probably lower now than they have been in real terms for a couple of years so now is a good time to invest.
We have many bargain properties and off plan property investments on our website, if you need any help deciding on the best opportunities why not contact us for advice.