The BMW Enthusiast's Blogging Tips

Starting this blog as been awesome, especially with blogging about my favorite automaker. Here are some tips for new bloggers. These aren't in any particular order, just some thoughts off the top of my head...

Pick a blog topic that interests you.
It doesn't help your blog by posting on a topic that you dred writing about. Find something that you will go all out to write about. Find a topic that you have an opinion on. This will help create your voice to your publics.

Be a consistent blogger.
Set a goal to blog on a consistent basis. Normally, I'll blog once a week. If you can, do that. Once a week is a good starter to blogging. If your topic is newsworthy, then there should be enough info to cover each week. You can also bring up old topics and compare them to new ones. Your consistency will lead to consistent followers.

Invite others to your blog.
It's huge that your blog invites readers to join in effective two-way communication. Ask your readers to leave comments. It's a good way for readers to come back and to share your blog to others, not to mention keep the conversation about your interesting topic going.

Go outside of your blog.
Go out and find other bloggers who are blogging about similar topics like yourself and gain a greater audience. Not only could you gain the audience of a similar blogger, but vice versa. Its a win-win situation.

Be yourself.
Your blog is an extension of you and what you want to portray to your audience. Loyal readers will keep coming back to hear what you have to say. Put your personality into your blog and create a consistent tone for your posts. Readers dont read because they just want news. They value your opinion so they'll look to you for it.

So, take these tips to heart and start blogging! Comment and let me know how your blog is going and what is an important tip for you!

Issuu.com

As a part of my Advanced Public Relations course, I created a digital magazine about myself. This was a great challenge to strengthen my Adobe Creative Suite skills, namely InDesign. I think the end product turned out great... for the time being. I am always tweaking, changing, and modifying my work. Here's the "issuu" below and check out other digital magazines at ISSUU.

Open publication - Free publishing - More social media

Follow Sunday...

Alright, it doesn't roll off the tongue like Follow Friday does, but none the less, here are some BMW newsgroups and twitter profiles I follow:

BimmerFile
BimmerFile has a vast array of BMW reviews, articles, and media outlets to tickle your weiss mit blau fancy. The editors at BimmerFile are concise and unbiased when it comes to their reviews, just the way it should be. If you have an interest in any BMW vehicle, you are apt to find it on their site. You can also follow BimmerFile on twitter.

BimmerPost
Like BimmerFile, BimmerPost offers reviews, news articles and lots of pictures and videos. BimmerPost offers one more feature that is definitely worth mentioning: a forum. This is where BMW enthusiasts such as myself go to voice our opinions for various topics. Check out their forum here over the E90s (current BMW 3 series models, including the 330i I did a video review over last week.)

BMWBlog
This is my favorite out of the BMW info groups, namely because I know instantly when there's a new article on the site via twitter. I also have the ability to subscribe to RSS and E-mail feeds. BMWBlog is dedicated to posting current news, photos and other bits of interesting info about the BMW world. Their ultimate goal is to bring BMW enthusiasts together and create a unique BMW community.

Take a look at these pages and happy following!

2006 BMW 330i Video Review

I had the opportunity to test and review a friend's BMW over the past weekend. I had a great time filming with Eric and Michael, and thanks to Lisa for letting me drive your BMW. Check out the vlog and let me know what you think and if you're now thinking of buying one!

BMW M3 Sedan Review

This week, I present to you one of my favorite beemers: BMW M3. Produced as a 2008 model, this M3 is the first saloon debut in a decade. Driving Television produced a great video blog about this 2008 model. The review is very informative, presents factual information, and the driving shots are great. The best part about this review is the comparison within the same brand: BMW M3 vs. BMW 335i. Check out the video and comment if you'd rather have the M3 or the 335i and why.

On Another Note...

This past week, I had the opportunity to create a podcast with 3 of my classmates about Social Media. Elyse, Taylor, Kylie and I quickly went to work on our tips to creating an effective online presence. Listen to the podcast guys, you'll be glad you did. Happy Halloween!

7 Social Media Tips for Creating an Effective Online Presence

Blast from the Past: BMW Podcasts

I've recently discovered podcasts from BMW. According to the website, you can listen to the stories direct from BMW. These stories cover BMW models, innovations and various technologies. These podcasts contain interviews with individual BMW experts about innovations and their personal impressions. The site also includes various audio books. Unfortunately, they all are about 4 to 5 years old. This would be an interesting concept for BMW to market along with their viral videos, but nonetheless, true enthusiasts would be more than willing to listen to the podcasts anyway. I listened to a couple podcasts, more news about BMW products than audio books. Of course, the information was dated, but they were accurate and a joy to listen to. I'd advise any enthusiast to listen to any of the podcasts here.

BMW Films

In my first post, I told you guys that my love affair began with a viral video BMW produced to show their cars in action. Let me give you a background to BMW's viral video campaign.

The BMW film series, The Hire, was a series of eight short films. These films were produced for the internet in both 2001 and 2002. Each video consisted of actor Clive Owen as the driver and highlighted BMW vehicles. Each short film was directed by a world renown director, with actors such as Forest Whitaker, Mickey Rourke, Ray Liotta and James Brown.

BMW premiered the first short film, Ambush on April 26, 2001 on the BMW Films website. BMW then featured Ang Lee's Chosen two weeks later. Films The Follow and Powder Keg rounded out the first year of the series. After the series began, BMW saw their 2001 sales numbers go up 12 percent from the previous year. The movies were viewed over 11 million times in four months. Two million people registered with the BMW Films website and a large majority of users posted links on blogs and other social mediums. The German automaker created DVDs and gave them to those who bought a BMW.

These viral videos were a great success for BMW, and loved by all beemer fans, including myself. The series had been viewed over 100 million times in four years and had changed the way products were advertised. Here are the first four films in the series, including my favorite, Star.


Ambush


Chosen


The Follow


Star

The Ultimate Ownership Experience.

"The ownership experience doesn't stop when you get out of your BMW."

This is the tagline on the Owners Overview page on BMW's website. This section is dedicated to keeping the owner involved beyond just driving their beemer. There are owner's manuals, video tips, and many more links to make the BMW ownership experience more than just keeping up with with scheduled maintenance and mileage. They also keep track of your vehicle and where the nearest BMW authorized dealership is located.

Another personalized part of the BMW website is located under the Experience tab. There is a media collection of BMW videos, imagery, news and articles. You can also find out about driving programs, events, BMW sports, and the BMW community. There, you are linked to different driving clubs, including BMW's Car Club of America. There are different enthusiast websites and forums to go in more depth on your BMW.

I personally follow @bmwblog, @CooperBMWltd, @BMW_Group_News and @BMWNA_news, just to know what's going on with BMW. All were found by connecting to BMW's page. BMW is doing something that other car companies are catching on to, and their tagline sums it up. By using these social media tools, BMW is able to keep their owners involved with the company and with each other. These tools also lure enthusiasts, such as myself, to be a part of their world. Check out some of the links above and maybe you'll be hooked too.

All Electric: BMW ActiveE in Select Cities

BMW has recently announced at the Opportunity Green Business Conference that an electric version of its entry-level 1-series is headed to select cities after a year-long Mini E trial with consumers.

Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Boston, and selected markets in Connecticut will be the host of the Active E vehicles, and will be made available in Summer, 2011.

The Active E addresses what the Mini E "pioneers" complained about: a lack of cargo space and seating for only two. This electric car is based on a BMW 1 Series coupe, so the Active E offers seating for four and seven cubic feet of cargo space. Like the Mini E, the Active E will have a range of 100 miles from its lithium-ion battery pack.

BMW is preparing to join the wave of other automakers selling electric cars in the near future, including Nissan, Ford, and Mitsubishi. I look forward to seeing the future of green cars, with the joy and excitement of driving a BMW.

Below are links about the Mini E year-long trial, the Active E 1-series and a glimpse of the future of BMW. Enjoy.


Mini E: Behind the Wheel

Active E Concept Press Release

BMW Efficient Dynamics

BMW 6 Series Concept Photos

This week I'm excited to bring you concept photos of the new 6 Series, with a release sometime in 2011. In the official press release found here, the German automaker will debut the concept at the Paris Motor Show. Until then, here are some photos from bmwblog.com. Check out their website, and if you're really a fan, follow them on Twitter.

Love Affair.

Borderline obsession even. But I stand firm in belief of their slogan: "The Ultimate Driving Machine." There is nothing like taking a highway entrance ramp at 65 MPH while others are limited at 45. If I'm not speeding, everything feels oh so slow. Sounds crazy? I know. But you have to drive one. But before I go any further I will tell you that I actually don't own a BMW... yet. Why you ask?

1. Insurance for owning one of these objects of my fascination is a pretty penny. So I'll stick with my Honda Accord for now.
2. If you are able to afford a BMW, you must be able to keep up with the cost of maintenance. Also not able to do so. Thus I drive my ever so reliable Accord.
3. I don't believe I should have that nice of a vehicle in college. And that's not to say that you can't, I want to gradually step my car game up, per say. In other words, so I don't peak when I'm 30.

Needless to say, I'm dying to own one. And in the years after graduation, I'm bound to make it happen. Until then, I won't take my bimmer driving opportunities lightly.

Here's my favorite BMW film and most likely the one to ignite my love affair. It encompasses the fun, excitement and joy of driving a bimmer. The car featured in the film is a 2002 Titanium Silver Metallic BMW M5, probably one of my top 3 practical choices in choosing a BMW. Enjoy the video and the weekend.