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Blogging:
Effective Marketing
Author: Scott Lindsay
Weblogs, or “blogs” were introduced in 1997. As with
most new
technology the initial users of blogs were those gifted
in the
field of technology.
The growth of blogging began as the user interface
became more
simplified requiring no knowledge of HTML or other
specialized
coding.
Today blogging is used for personal as well as business
applications. In the domain of business blogging
(B-Blogging)
many businesses are seeing the value of a b-blog and are
allowing key personnel to blog on company time. The
reasons are
varied, but a b-blog is useful in presenting the face
behind the
brand.
The best b-blogs do
not look at this format of information sharing as simply a means to say
whatever comes to mind. A helpful b-blog for business is one that
provides customers with
the following. |
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1) INFORMATION – Customers are interested in the latest
news on
the products you offer and they may be very interested
in the
benefits your product or service has to offer.
2) ANNOUNCEMENTS – By providing important new offerings
or
staff changes, your client may feel more connected to
your
firm.
3) CONTESTS – In keeping with the fun nature of a
b-blog,
contests can be conducted through a blog that can supply
visitors with a chance to receive promotional products.
4) SALES – If you will be conducting a sale on your
products a
b-blog can provide an easy way to pass that information
along
to people who are genuinely interested in what you have
to
offer.
5) JUST THE FAQ’S –
A b-blog is an effective way to solicit questions and then respond to
them in your blog.
One of the key functions of a b-blog is to raise awareness and
trust for your products and/or services while keeping things
light, informal and highly personable. |
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B-blogs can be updated as often as you need to and your
posts
do not need to be exceptionally long. You should say
what needs
to be said and sign off. By making your comments short
and to
the point you will likely discover your visitors will
respond
better than if you insist on drawing things out.
Unlike email, customers who regularly visit b-blogs
indicate it
is a bonus to see the personality behind the company
name. At
the end of the day if you have encouraged a customer to
remain
a customer or if you find new prospects visiting your
blog then
your goodwill gesture has actually moved from a nice
idea to a
valuable marketing tool. Isn’t that what you wanted in
the
first place?
About The Author: Scott Lindsay is a web developer and
entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and
many
other web projects. Get your own website online in just
5
minutes with http://HighPowerSites.com at:
http://www.highpowersites.com
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B-Blogs: A
Business Prerequisite
Author: Scott Lindsay“How does business change when
everyone is a potential
publisher? A vast new stretch of the information world
opens
up.” – Stephen Baker and Heather Green
As a Business Blogger (b-blogger) you do not need to
reinvent
the wheel and you don’t even need to be an especially
gifted
writer. Simple software solutions are available to allow
you to
blog with confidence even if you feel technologically
challenged.
Link and Click
One of the principal benefits of blogging is you can
simply
provide an opening sentence or paragraph on a subject
that may
be of interest to your clients. Once this is
accomplished you
can simply provide a direct link to the story you wish
to cite.
You can also include an associated photo. The client
then has
the ability to see first hand the information you found
so
valuable in relation to your business; it’s services,
goods and
future.
The information you can provide may be tied to the
movement of
stock in relations to a product you carry. New
advancements in
scientific research that has a bearing on a product you
carry
or new uses for an existing product.
Comprehensive Coverage
Many b-blogs have a list of outside links that may be
interest
to visitors. The purpose of a blog is not to withhold
information or to provide that information on a
time-released
basis. For most b-bloggers there is a realization that
the
information they have to share is available elsewhere on
the
worldwide web, so being as timely as possible simply
makes
sense.
“There are some 9 million blogs out there, with 40,000
new ones
popping up each day.” – Stephen Baker and Heather Green
Point of Comparison
Companies that have made blogging a priority have seen
as many
as five million visits to their blog. When you have web
traffic
at that level you can see how a search engine will
recognize
your blog site as authoritative and reputable and
provide your
blog with a higher rank.
“Given the changes barreling down upon us, blogs are not
a
business elective. They're a prerequisite.” – Stephen
Baker and
Heather Green
Commitment
Operating a b-blog takes discipline and an understanding
that
this IS a marketing tool. It is possible that a b-blog
might
take some time to attract visitors and it may be
tempting to
simply give up on the prospect and drop this marketing
element
from your overall business plan. |
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