Testing Windows Live Writer With This Post

Well, I’m trying out Windows Live Writer here, not sure if I’m going to like this or not.  Another ribbon on the top – geez louise! 

However, the ability to type here and then have the post automatically placed into the blogging platform might help me be more efficient, and perhaps help me to post more often.

Checking links now.  Here’s my simplicity blog. 

One thing – I cannot choose categories here – no indexing of posts with this remote function.  Wrong: after I published this post and returned to WLW, a window popped up with my Labels Index list.  So, you can choose the Blogger categories with Windows Live Writer. 

Well, that’s enough text.  Let’s see how this looks as a published post. 

Technorati Tags: windows live writer,blogging,software

My call: I like this.  I may end up liking this a lot. 

Using Hyperlinks in Your Blog Posts

Hyperlinks (see my earlier post to learn what these are) connect you with other places on the web.  Which is good.  Google likes this, so does Yahoo and Bing.

More than that - readers like this, and so do the folk who are responsible for the places you are sending your readers to via these hyperlinks.

It's not as direct an introduction as Twitter, but trust me: I know who links to my blogs because I have stats that give me this information. You probably check your stats, too, right? Ever go see who has been sending traffic your way? (For details on Trackbacks and Pingbacks, go here.)

I've built blog rolls based upon the sites that have had the courtesy of linking to my blogs.  I've emailed these bloggers, or placed their blogs in my readers, etc.  I've returned the favor and linked to posts or articles they've written within my blog posts.

Of course, it's important to do this in a professional and responsible manner. Some don't and you know who they are.

One easy and smart use of hyperlinks for lawyers: link the case name to the actual opinion at the court's website. I do this as a standard practice at Terry Lenamon's Death Penalty Blog -- saves time, and lots of those readers want to read the full opinion (and the dissents).

Blogging Tip: Who R U Writing 4? Build a Profile of Your Readers and Write for Them, Not You

I consult with attorneys on how to write blog posts. Their blogs may be firm blogs or they may be personal blogs covering any number of personal interests.  One thing ribbons through lots of these chats, though:  lawyers tend to focus on the issue and not on the reader.

Which is fine, it’s what good lawyers do.  Take issues and break them apart.  Dogs getting every bit of meat off the bone. 

Problem is: readers may not care.  Or maybe they care about the issue, but they don’t want to read in depth about it.  They may surf right on by your great blog post. 

Here’s the thing.  You want to connect with your readers.  To do that, you need to know who they are. 
Thing about who you want to read your blog on a regular basis.  What other sites would they be visiting during their day?  Go read their content.
 
If you’re really dedicated here, then build a profile – one or more.  Ponder demographics (I’m thinking here of law firms who are blogging as a marketing strategy) if you want to get serious.  If not, just make a short list of characteristics that your readers will share.  Moms.  Divorcees.  Bankers.  Investors.  Brokers.  Foodies. Whatever.