What’s the Difference Between Categories and Tags?

Posted Leave a commentPosted in Administration, Blogs, Websites

This is one of the first questions I asked myself when starting my blog through WordPress.  When you add a blog to your website you will probably notice the options to add both categories and tags to your posts, but what exactly does this mean and why do you need them?

 

Categories and Tags are basically administration techniques to ensure your posts are properly filed on your website.

There are 2 main reasons for doing this:

  1. It makes your posts easier to find when a reader is looking for a specific topic area which basically means that your users can interact with your website more straightforwardly.
  2. It can work towards improving your SEO.

 

But what exactly are they?

 

What is a Category?

A category is basically a wide-ranging subject heading for posts.  These display topics which help explain to your readers the subject of your blog post.  Think of it like a kind of index page: just click on the theme and it will take you to the relevant pages. Try to limit these to 2/3 per post.

You can also create subcategories within categories.  Don’t get carried away here!  Things like Artist Names and Play Titles keep as tags.  Always remember that the purpose of a category is to make your website navigable.  So, if you are running a blog for a Shakespearean Theatre Company you might have ‘Shakespeare Plays’ as a main category then ‘Histories’, ‘Tragedies’ and ‘Comedies’ as Subcategories.

 

What is a Tag?

Tags get into the nitty gritty.  You can use these to really get the detail in there.  Continuing with the example above your tags may specify things like play titles (‘Twelfth Night’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Hamlet’, etc.) or Actors (‘David Tennant’, ‘Jodie Whittaker’, ‘Christopher Eccleston’ etc.)

 

Things to Remember

  • You have to give your posts at least one category.  If you don’t then it will be filed under the ‘Uncategorized’ Category.  Don’t forget you can always rename this category to something like ‘Other’ or ‘Random’.
  • If you custom your blog posts URL then you can build your categories or tags into the web address for each post.  Here at The Arts Business we custom our blog post URL to include both the title of each post and the lead category whereas you could include the tags as well or instead.  This will help with your SEO.
  • Even though your tags are more specific you still want to limit them to a point.  Remember both tags and categories are primarily there to make you website easier to navigate for the user so you don’t want to end up with thousands of tags to traipse through.  Keep it in the hundreds.  Every few months you can go through and edit these to ensure they remain limited or simply have a range you stick to.

 

And there you have it!  Easy when you know how.

If you have any advice about Tags and Categories we would love you to share this in the comments below!

Press Articles Explained

Posted Leave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Marketing, Publicity

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is covered by press from all over the world.  Publications, big and small, journalists both employed and self-employed, flock to Scotland to report on anything and everything!

 

Here at The Arts Business we have already talked you through how to write the Perfect Edinburgh Fringe Press Release, but now it’s time you really understand the ins and outs of the articles their looking to print.

 

1.       Features

What is it?

These are the large pieces you often see in publications.  It could be all about you: ‘New feminist comedian breaks the comedy circuit’ or about a group of people doing something similar: ‘New feminist comedians who are breaking the comedy circuit’.  These often include quotes and interviews with the performers.

How do I get one?

Write a pitch: What makes your show distinct? What are its special qualities that aren’t in anyone else’s shows? Does it discuss any current affair topics? Find your unique selling point and pitch the f**k out of it! 

 

2.       News

What is it?

Simply something worthy of being a headline!  It is pretty tricky to get a fringe show in the news as not only do you have to contend with the rest of your fringe fellows but you will also have to battle the rest of the world! 

How do I get one?

You seriously need to have something deemed reportable, but remember, even though it’s difficult to remember at the moment, not everything in the news is doom and gloom, if it’s a slow or bleak news day they’ll be looking for that piece which will lift spirits.

 
3.       Diary

What is it?

A story that isn’t quite newsworthy enough to be news and isn’t quite long enough to be a feature, frequently associated with gossip columns.  Short and juicy titbits worth a short mention! 

How do I get one?

It’s not really something you can plan!  It’s more if you happen upon: an interesting anecdote during your run!  Maybe a celebrity saw your show, maybe a streaker with ‘BREXIT SUX’ scrawled across their chest took to the stage!  Any cheeky morsel you believe will make readable gossip!

 

4.       Newsletters

What is it?

Chances are every receiving house in Edinburgh will have an email and mailing list which they send a weekly or monthly newsletter to their followers.  This is an easy and free way for you to get the news of your show out to potentially thousands of customers.

How do I get one?

Firstly, check out if it is tailored to your kind of show promotion by joining the mailing list yourself and checking out the information you receive.  You can also simply ask the venue if this is something they do and if you can be on it.  The earlier you ask the more likely this is to be an option.

 

5.       Reviews

What is it?

When someone comes to judge your show!  Remember there is no guarantee the reviewers response will be positive so it could be good or bad press for your show.  Having said that, don’t obsess about reviews!  They are not the be all and end all.

How do I get one?

Check out our Fringe Press Release article to grab the press’ attention and remember to pick reviewers who are interested in your genre of work!  You wouldn’t want a children’s theatre reviewer to see your very adult naked cabaret and they probably won’t be too keen on hearing from you either.

 

6.       Podcasts

What is it?

The modern radio programmes, these vary from clip shows of full sessions to tailor made, specific broadcasts for certain target audiences.  They even have some which run especially during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

How do I get one?

Find the right one for your show!  There are podcasts out for anything and everything so you are bound to come across one that meets your exact category!  For example, if you’re doing a show on Harry Potter, why not try getting a slot on ‘The Mugglecast’

 

7.       Bloggers

What is it?

Basically: online newspapers, often more personal and easy for individuals to set up and talk about their interests!  Fun Fact: they were originally called Web Logs which eventually was shortened to blog.

How do I get one?

As you would a podcast.  Be sure to do your research on audience number and reach to clarify that they are definitely for you.  If they only have four followers on facebook and have been going for 2 years then it probably isn’t worth your time.

 

8.       Sharable Online Content

What is it?

Simply the posts, tweets, grams, messages, videos, gifs, photos and content you share across your social media platforms when they are shared by someone else.

How do I get one?

Try tagging the people you want to share your content in your posts, if the content is special enough they may just share you, but at the very least they should notice you.  But, don’t be a spammer!  Nobody likes a spammer!  Using topical and appropriate hashtags can help to!

 

So, go out and get in the paper so you and your followers can: READ ALL ABOUT IT!