Delivered at the Expatica I Am Not a Tourist Fair 04 October 2015 http://www1.expatica.com/iamnotatourist/programme.php If you blog, or would like to, come and join us! Whether you are brand new to blogging or more experienced, you can listen, share and learn practical tips. We will talk about the many benefits of blogging and discuss ideas on how to either start or grow your blog. We'll answer questions such as: Which platform should I use? How personal should I get on my blog? What about images? Can a blog be a business? Should I guest post? How often should I blog? We will also share our experience of how 27 bloggers in The Netherlands recently came together to publish a book. Renée Veldman-Tentori loves to connect, share, create, learn and teach. A digital native with several blogs of her own including Dutch Australian, Culture and Kids and Professional Parents, she has taught hundreds of individuals and organisations how to build a blog and create a social media strategy through her business Zestee Social Media. She is both a lecturer and student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, teaching modules on ebusiness, marketing, intercultural competence, branding and business planning and studying towards a Masters in International Communication Management. Renee is raising two little Dutch Australians and particularly loves taking them to explore the amazing museums in the Netherlands. Olga Mecking is a blogger, writer and translator. Her blog, The European Mama is all about living abroad, parenting and travel. Olga's writing has been published on multiple websites (including the Huffington Post) and anthologies. She's also the editor of Dutched Up, Rocking the Clogs, Expat Style.

2. Who are we?
Renée Veldman-Tentori
www.zestee.com
Olga Mecking
www.europeanmama.com

3. Social media for Expats
Social media is changing our world, how
we connect and communicate, how we do
business and how we live.

4. Benefits of Blogging...
• What can blogging do for you?
• Particularly suitable for expats and
internationals
• Who already blogs?

5. What is Blogging...
One type of social media - interactive
Short for "Weblog"
Personal or for business
Lots of different types of platforms

6. How to blog...
Really easy to get started
Choose a platform
Just get writing!
Write about anything you like

7. Which platform should I use?
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
Blogger
Tumblr
LinkedIn
Lots more….

8. The European Mama Top 7
1. Stay in touch with family and friends
2. Expat life can be isolating
3. Constant Inspiration
4. Knowledge that is worth sharing
5. Opportunities
6. It's fun!
7. Your perspective is unique

9. 1. Family and friends
Source: Flikr commons. Photographer: Paul Stang

10. 2. Isolation
Source: Flikr commons. Photographer: David Smith, Digital Mind Photography

11. 3. Constant inspiration
Source: www.facebook.com/hollandphotography1. Photographer: Rich Theemling

12. 4. Sharing knowledge
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

13. 5. Opportunities
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

14. 6. It's fun!
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

15. 7. Unique perspective
Photographer: Renee Veldman-Tentori

16. Zestee Top 5
1. Build a business
2. An online portfolio
3. Create a community
4. Find some structure
5. Creative outlet

17. 1. Build a Business

18. 2. Online portfolio

19. 3. Create a community

20. 4. Find some structure

21. 5. Creative outlet

22. How personal should I get?
It’s totally up to you!
Personal posts are usually the most popular but it
really depends on the context
Identify your goals for blogging and this will help to
answer this question

23. What about images?
Keep in mind: copyright and IP issues
Taking your own photos is a great idea
Join stock photo sites
Use plugins like photodropper
Use services such as Canva.com

24. Can a blog be a business?
Yes – but it’s hard work
Making the blog itself a business
Online advertising: need significant traffic
Using a blog to grow your own business (which is
based on other products and services)

25. What does it cost?
Starting for free
Costs include buying a URL and hosting
Once you self host, you have more flexibility but take
on a lot of other responsibilities such as backups and
security.

26. Should I guest post?
More traffic
Networking ops
Preparation for freelance writing
You may have more knowledge
You can write about different topics

27. Tips to increase readership
Think about your categories and keywords
Network with other bloggers - online and offline
Cross promote across social media channels
Enter competitions and themed "events"
Work on a captivating layout and images

28. Share your blog!
Zestee and European Mama Facebook Pages
Expatica
Online directories
Other suggestions?

29. Can a blog become a book?
Dutched Up!
27 women bloggers in NL
http://dutchedup.wordpress.c
om

30. Some blogs to check out...
Authors of Dutched Up!
Bloggers in the room?
Your favourite blogs?

31. Special Offer
2014 version of the Zestee Social Media School for
free via www.zestee.com (was 150 euros)
Valid until 15 October 2015
Dutched Up! Book: limited copies available today