Thank you, Women’s Business Forum, for inviting me to speak this week about Better Blogging.

I’m a huge proponent of blogging (I must pause here and put in a plug in for my good friend, Stacie Tamaki of The Flirty Guide, who showed me the light and encouraged me to start my blog.   Thank you, Stacie!!)  What a great era to be in business and to have the opportunity to blog.   I have studios in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Doylestown, PA and with clients all over the world, it’s integral that they feel connected to me.

In conjunction with the product of my photography, I am selling an experience and my blog affords me the opportunity to build relationships with each of my clients.  Oftentimes, I’ll meet someone and I’m flattered at how much they already know about me.

I understand how overwhelming starting a blog and maintaining a blog can seem, in addition to maintaining a Facebook account, a Twitter account and a Linked-in profile.  Fortunately, there are a myriad of tools available now that link all of these accounts together and make posting more streamline.

My #1 piece of advice is that it’s better to do something badly than not to do it at all.  You need to start somewhere and the more you do it, the easier it’ll become.  Think of it as yoga for your brain.

I suggest that before you start, you find a notebook in which you keep all of your notes for your blog.  Write things down as you do them.  Chances are you’ll have to do them again and you may forget how to do them.  If you have the steps written down, you won’t have to spend time researching the issue again.

The two main platforms for a blog are Blogger and Wordpress. Take some time to look at each and decide which works best for you.  I use Wordpress.

Here are my action items for a blog :

1. Set your blogging goals. What do you want to accomplish with your blog?  Will your blog be your primary website or a supplement to an existing website?

1. Know your audience. Take the time to research your demographic and understand the type of information they need then fill that need.  Post useful information on your blog to drive traffic.

1. Ask for Permission. Use your manners and ask for permission before posting images, music or text that belong to someone else.  Chances are that the author of the content will be happy to share it with you if you ask first.  If you don’t ask first, you open yourself up to the possibility of a legal mess.

1. Permalink to Other Sites. Be sure to include links to other sites in your content. When creating a permalink, choose “open in another window” (or the equivalent) so that the link opens in a new page and leaves your blog open.  Having permalinks in the content of your blog helps increase your chances of being found in a Google search.

1. Reply to Comments. Take the time to thank people who have commented on your blog.  And, take the time to comment on other blogs.  The more you eNetwork, the more you build your readership.

1. Add a Subscription Widget to your Blog. Readers can subscribe to receive new posts via email when you have a subscription widget on your blog.  I use FeedBurner.

1. Add an RSS Feed from your Blog.  (RSS=Really Simple Syndication)  This allows your reader to receive feeds from all their favorite blogs on one page in their browsers.  Read the support documentation for your preferred platform to determine the best way to add an RSS button to your blog, however FeedBurner also has the capability of creating an RSS feed for your blog.

1. Use Keywords. Add keywords in the keyword section of your post to increase  your chances of top placement in Google.

1. Don’t Forget to Brag About Yourself. This is the appropriate forum to brag about yourself.  People want to know what you’re doing!

1. Budget Your Time. Yes, technically you should be posting on a somewhat consistent basis, but if you can’t, don’t beat yourself up over it.  Remember, it’s better to something badly than not to do it all.  Just make sure to schedule an appropriate amount of time to post on your blog.  Blogging does take time.  You could post in 5 minutes if you really wanted to, but it’s important that you take the time to proofread your copy and make your images look pretty.  Your blog is a reflection on you professionally and you always want to put your best eFoot forward.  Also keep in mind that when your readers receive your blog either thru their email subscription or their RSS feed, they’ll begin commenting.  Remember to budget time to reply to them.

So many of us are using the internet today before making our purchasing decisions and having a blog helps put you in the running.  Take the time to research your options and invest time in building your blogging empire.  Blogging can open doors that you never knew existed.

(Chorus of Angels)

ME!!!

But seriously, I’m very proud to announce that I have just been named Senior Editor of Nesting Newbies Magazine, in addition to being a contributing photographer.

Nesting Newbies Magazine is the brain-child of Lea McIntosh and Jodi Murphy and is aimed towards newlyweds who are just learning how to design their homes and entertain.  But don’t under-estimate the content of this magazine.  I’ve been told by several design pros and well-established foodies that they devoured our premier issue in one sitting and were left begging for more.

Well, design enthusiasts and foodies–buy your coffee beans this weekend and get ready for the next issue of Nesting Newbies Magazine, which is due out any day now!

I so enjoyed photographing the Lambertville House in my hometown of Lambertville, NJ.  Being at the Lambertville House made me feel so warm and comfortable on this brisk winter day and I know your guests will feel the same when you invite them to join you in the 1812 Room.

The Lambertville House is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and among its guests, has been host to celebrities and dignitaries since 1812 (hence the 1812 Room).  This classic boutique hotel is an exceptional place where ambiance, service and attention to detail come together to create an unforgettable event, be it social or corporate.  The Lambertville House offers Corporate Day Meeting Packages (DMP) including several ammenities such as an on-site event planner, full-time meeting/banquet specialists, state of the art A/V equipment and gourmet catering services.  The 1812 Room holds up to 90 people in rounds, 70 people in rounds with a dance floor, 45 people classroom-style and 25 in a U-shaped setup.

Which ever configuration you select, I can guarantee that your guests will have a top of the line experience from the moment they walk thru the door at the Lambertville House.

For Corporate and Event Sales, contact Alison Stickle, 609-397-0200 Ext 101.

For Meeting and Event Planning, contact Nicole Loudenslager, 609-397-0200 Ext 121.

Allure West Studios has been awarded certification as a Woman Business Enterprise by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities.  Allure West Studios qualified for certification as a privately held Pennsylvania company with at least 51% ownership represented by a woman.

Natalie Napoleon Wi, Principal Photographer, founded Allure Photography (DBA Allure West Studios) in Washington, D.C. in 2001 and has gone on to open and operate studios in San Francisco, CA and Doylestown, PA since the company’s inception.

“I’m proud that Allure West Studios has achieved this certification and am looking forward to embarking on this new journey,” said Natalie Napoleon Wi, Principal Photographer, Allure West Studios.

The Minority and Woman Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) state certification program is designed to assist the growth and development of businesses owned and controlled by women and minorities.  Its mission is to encourage and assist state agencies in their efforts to increase participation by minority and woman business enterprises on state contracts so as to facilitate the award of a fair share of such contracts to MBEs and WBEs.  Certified companies are listed in the Directory of Certified Minority and Woman Business Enterprises which is used by state agencies, the federal government and major corporations.  To view the Pennsylvania Minority and the Woman Business Enterprise Directory, visit http://www.dgsweb.state.pa.us/mbewbe/VendorSearch.aspx.

Allure Photography Certified Codes

82131501 :: Still film processing or reproduction

82131604 :: Studio photography services or still photographs

For more information, visit www.allurewest.com or call 267-247-5858.

The holidays are in full-swing and Aldie Mansion is particularly beautiful during this time of year.  I love seeing the snow on the roof and the lights twinkling inside.  I love the sound of the floors creaking beneath my feet and the warmth that envelopes me as I walk in thru the stately front entrance.

Aldie Mansion was built in 1927 by William Mercer Jr. (brother of Henry Mercer) and his wife, Martha Dana of Boston and replaced the previous structure handed down to them by William Jr.’s parents.  Martha continued to live in the house after William passed away and was well known for throwing lavish Christmas parties.  Her most famous Christmas party was held in 1941 when the Von Trapp family sang in the great hall.

Martha died in 1960 and bequeathed Aldie Mansion to the Catholic Archdiocese, which used the mansion first as a seminary and later as a drug and alcohol treatment center.  In the 1980’s, Aldie was abandoned, vandalized and burned.  After many changes of hands, Genuardi Markets, Inc and Vesterra Corporation sold the property to the Heritage Conservancy for $1.  In 1991, the Conservancy, with the support of the community, complete a 3-year capital campaign to restore the mansion.  Aldie now houses the business offices of the Heritage Conservancy and is rented for weddings, receptions, meetings and community events.

Since we are now Doylestown community members, my family and I recently attended the annual Christmas at Aldie Community night where we indulged ourselves on sweets, listened to the local high-school choir sing Christmas carols, made a Christmas ornament, learned how to make a bat house, watched a rescue dog presentation and played instruments at a sing along.  I’m so thankful to the Heritage Conservancy and the community for resurrecting Aldie so that we can enjoy it today.

To schedule your holiday event at Aldie and dine on exclusive caterer Jeffrey Miller’s cuisine, contact Kimberly Bates or Shelley Nohowel.

Allure West Studios’s arrival and new headquarters located in Doylestown, PA is announced in the 2009 November-December issue of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce’s award-winning publication, W4.  Thank you to Melissa Napoleon for writing this spectacular article!

I had the pleasure of photographing Cairnwood’s Annual Trim the Tree Event yesterday and I couldn’t think of a better start to December! As much as I love California, I so enjoyed waking up to the crisp winter morning in Pennsylvania yesterday. The door on my frost covered car crackled when I opened it and I had to wait for the ice to melt off the windshield before I headed to Cairnwood. At Cairnwood, I was ensconced with warmness and cheer at this richly historic home. Joyous holiday music and the mouth-watering smells of freshly baked pastries, quiche and coffee catered by Peachtree & Ward intermingled throughout the house. As the guests arrived, some began their morning by decorating the tree while others participated in a holiday flower workshop led by Donna of Beautiful Blooms, where they could design their own creation using bright red oasis, white birch branches and red gerber daisies. Once the tree was decorated and the holiday arrangements were complete, guests sipped sipped coffee, chatted with friends and made labels for their Christmas presents. It was so lovely to see all of the generations in the community, including a family who once lived at Cairnwood, come together to decorate the tree and keep the history of Cairnwood alive. I left with a warm heart and a huge smile on my face, as I’m sure everyone else did as well. Thank you to the Cairnwood staff for all of the hard work they put into making the Trim the Tree Event so successful!

the venue | cairnwood estate

the caterer | peachtree & ward catering

the flowers | beautiful blooms

Take a minute to flip thru this sleekly designed digital magazine of which I am proud to say I am Photography Editor.  See the articles I photographed above.

Nesting Newbies Magazine aims to inspire readers, making them feel comfortable about home-keeping their way. “Our goal is to celebrate home and show readers ways to cook, entertain, and decorate in affordable, fun and stylish ways,” says Jodi Murphy, Editor. In every issue, Chef Lea McIntosh shares her expertise and original recipes. Designers stage table settings and show readers how easy they are to recreate. Iconic nesters give their sage decorating advice and real home makeovers are covered in the Design Chronicles. Profiles of favorite foodie peeps, new products, resources and favorite bloggers round out the content. In the Fall 2009 premier issue, Barclay Butera is the Iconic Nester, Kathy Goodman, the foodie peep, and Shelly Amoroso’s transformation of a San Francisco basement garage into five separate living spaces is featured in the design chronicles.

the editor | jodi murphy
the creative director | lea mcintosh
the photo editor | natalie wi
the copy editor | betsy rose

CONTRIBUTORS
Kathy Goodman, Lea McIntosh, Jodi Murphy, Barclay Butera

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS
Dean Birinyi (djbphoto.com), Steph Dewey (refleximaging.com), Michael Soo (soophotography.com), Natalie Wi (allurewest.com), Fu Wong (fcwongweddings.com), Jed Wormhoudt Photography

FRONT AND BACK COVERS
Michael Soo (soophotography.com)

SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to Christopher Peacock for the use of their San Francisco Showrom for the Thanksgiving to Go photo shoot.

Nesting Newbies Magazine is another creative endeavor by McIntosh & Murphy.  For additional cooking, entertaining, and decorating ideas, go to
nestingnewbies.com

Link to the Press Release

Follow Nesting Newbies on Facebook