As The Blog Squad, we hear this complaint from entrepreneurs who start blogging: "Why isn't my blog working for my business?" As part of our "blog crisis prevention" program, we have reviewed hundreds of business blogs and can spot common errors immediately.

Blogs that work well for attracting new clients have these key elements:

1. A great blog name
2. A tag line or blog purpose statement
3. An easy way to get automatic blog updates
4. A list of categories
5. A list of recent posts and recent comments
6. Links to useful websites, products and services
7. Frequent posts with links relevant to the blog's purpose
8. An easy way for readers to have a conversation with the author

Ingredient #1: What's in a good blog name?

A good blog name must say what your blog is about. Ideally, the name lets the reader know whom the blog is for, and the focus of your topic. It is also compelling — it makes you hungry to dive in and start reading.

It's can be difficult to create a great name. Plus, you probably want the title to be clever. Never sacrifice clarity when trying to be clever. The name is important for search engines, so it should use keywords readers use when searching for products and services in your niche.

But, wait! As long as we're creating the ideal blog name, there's more. It should also connect with your company name and contribute to your branding.

Don't get discouraged. You've probably already formulated a title for your business or website that meets some of these requirements. In many cases, you can simply name your blog the same as your website, and tack "blog" or "online" at the end of it.

(If you have a blog platform that resides on your website you don't have to worry about naming your blog as much because it will have the same name as your website and will simply be a page on the site.)

Finding a name for your blog depends on the availability of that name as a domain URL. Search for your ideal blog name using a domain registrar, such as www.AllinOneBizTools.com. You will want to "map" your registered blog name URL over the URL your blog provider created when you set up your blog. For branding purposes you don't want to have "typepad" or "blogspot" in your domain URL. You can get a free tutorial on how to map your domain here: http://www.buildabetterblog.com/2006/05/typepad_domain_.html

Next, you'll want to tell readers who your blog is for and "what's in it for them." On some blogging platforms, this is done in the header, after the title and is called a tag line. The tag line states the benefits for readers, the readers you are targeting, as well as the blog author's name (you).

The next article in this series will focus on the blog tag line. Stay tuned.

Author's Bio: 

For more leading edge Internet Marketing tips subscribe to The Blog Squad's ezine Savvy eBiz Tips at www.savvyebiztips.com . To learn about using social media tools like blogs, go to www.buildabetterblog.com . Denise Wakeman & Patsi Krakoff are The Blog Squad and can be found online at www.blogsquad.biz