This Wednesday: Should you bother yourself with Blogs ?
This Wednesday: Self Questioning time!
Recently I asked my self a question: "Are blogs meaningful tool for Small business owner and Start ups ? "
I did do some research and also talked to several of my trusted experts (clinets, advisers and friends in professional area)
Answer:
Blogs are a meaningful tool for small businesses and will grow in their importance in the next few years. Blogs have already been gaining their importance. They work as an effective mechanism to inform and create relationships with online readers. They also are a way for business owners to easily create online content and make a website more search-engine friendly.
To be effective, a blog has to be updated on an ongoing basis. Most people don't visit blogs that aren't regularly featuring new content. Therefore, if a small business owner (or an employee) wants a blog to be an effective part of their marketing efforts, they must make a commitment to update it on a regular basis. As with any component of a business marketing strategy, the blog must also have information that appeals to a specific target audience.
Blogs can be used for product updates, company news, and any other type of information companies want to get in front of their audience. The blog content can be used to drive people to specific offers. It can also be a great tool to get feedback from customers in the "Comments" section. However, a blog must contain helpful information and tips - not just sales promotions; otherwise people are much less likely to return repeatedly. Blogs are a relatively new phenomena and we are all still experimenting with their parameters.
My vote for small business owners: if you like to write and you are willing to make the time...then add a blog to your marketing bag of tricks.
if you need help / support to set up one - Contact Me. I will be happy to help.
BTW: Apologies, I know "This Wednesday" is coming out on a Thursday this week. I have been swamped with work. But Still I didn't want to fall back & skip the This Wednesday Series. I figured better late than never (in this case)
Wishing You Success
Henry Joshua
www.dot-sign.com
"Gateway To Your Web identity"
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Thanks for the post Henry.
I find that blogs help establish the author as a perceived expert. It's then up to us to turn that perception into a reality.
My latest blog post is entitled "10 things that a networking event aren't".
Here are 2 of the 10:
They arent a good place to try out your fancy new cologne.
They arent the place for you to repeatedly practice youe entire 10 minute sales pitch repeatedly (got that?).
If you would like to see the other eight, check them out on my website here.
Where's your blog?
Terry, thanks for sharing your blog link.
I loved it. I liked the way you put across the misconceptions, wrong expectations and "side tracks" that people get into while attending network events. It was a cool read...
Sharing my blog:
I call my blog (click to read) "DotSign Directives" . I primarily write on topics that are very relevant for business professionals and owners, like new technologies for productivity, Leadership, Marketing, New concepts ,Pod casts, Trainings, networking, things that are noticed from professionals, both good and bad and a lot more !!
You can also access my blog from here : http://www.dot-sign.com/resources_directives.html . Along with several other resources (free productivity software tools, audio books etc) within DotSign Site
excellent topic, henry!
i agree that a blog could be a powerful marketing tool for small businesses, and maybe even essential for start-ups (what better way to get potential and early-adopter clients excited about what you're doing?). i also agree that a commitment should be made to regular updates that are meaningful to the reader.
i'd also point out that if you're concerned about your writing ability, or want to make sure you're getting the right point across to the right people, it may be a good idea to work with a professional copywriter. remember that your blog--as easy as it is to publish--is still a public-facing marketing tool, and your marketing efforts have a direct impact on the bottom line of your business. so don't be afraid to call in a professional.
cheers!
Hadi - True statement.Depending on the blog, and especially for professional purpose it definitely worth to have some one proof read or have an editor. But there are also casual blogs that people just write , which is perfectly fine. I guess its more of the purpose.
Its amazing how what internet had done - how much freedom has been given in term of writing, broadcasting etc. In a way, I am very excited to be working in field of Internet - Not only making an impact for the business owners and professionals but also for the huge scope of the people it reaches.
I believe that more important than blogging is taking on a blogging mind set.
Just like the "gotta have a Web site" craze of the late 90s, now everyone is jumping on the band wagon to get a blog with no real rhyme or reason. People just "know" that they have to be blogging because everyone else is.
The real benefit of blogs, and other Web 2.0 technologies, is that they are collaborative tools. Blogs and other Web 2.0 tools create or strengthen relationships.
For example, you can start a blog that no one can comment on. That's really not very Web 2.0; it's just a simple way to publish Web content.
But if you enable the commenting feature of your blog, so people can respond to your blog posts, and you read the comments and respond in new blog posts, you've created a dialog. You have empowered your readers with the ability to add to (or collaborate on) the content of the blog. And if you read their comments and sincerely respond, you honor their thoughts and input. That's what Web 2.0 and blogging is, or should be, about.
Dana
Thanks Dana for the comment.
Sometimes people think that internet does not build relationship (now I am not saying you should eliminate face to face), but technically a well designed website or a well written blog actually reaches out to the invisible mass and builds relationship even before you get to see them fact to face. Plus think of the geographical reach that you have !
One of the top website strategies that makes people return to your website is "interaction" !!
Great points about blogging. Since we began our two blogs, Impact Today for leadership and Tapestry for cultural empowerment, our web hits have catapulted to the next level. The result is unsolicted calls and email to learn more about our products and services.
I highly recommend every entrepreneur take the time to use a blog to get the attention they need as an expert in their field.
Henry, Rick, Hadi, Dana and whoever reads next-
I believe in blogging- especially as a part of your company's website. I also agree that if you aren't the best writer- get someone else to look at it for you. For me, blogging shares with my customer base and anyone else why my business is so creative and unique- and what makes us tick as a whole. If a decision comes down to whether you have the creative spirit that your customer is looking for, they will find it in your blog. Further, blogging gives you a chance to explain in a more "casual" manner- without "business-speak" that can turn away prospective clients. But don't take that "casual" notion that you can be lazy or put up some mindless information. Use whole sentences and words. I would rather have someone complain about that then send the wrong message because you are unsure what the abbreviation is. That doesn't mean you have to use "business speak"- but you do have to look educated.
I am always amazed at who finds my blog or website because of my blog. I had to be talked into doing blogs- now I do them once a week- and spend the week thinking about the topics I want to talk about. So the blog can be right on target. And find the right audience.
Blogs are more than that, they have created the door many artists around the world needed to open their market to new horizons and break the chains from the strick and sometimes overwhelming art gallery market.
Many artists around the world use blogs to connect directly to a segment of the population they couldn't access before even with the venue of the websites creating a more flexible one-on-one relationship with the collector.
To me it is an essential tool.
MV./
I blog but I post my blog on Myspace so I guess it is only my friends on there and it isn't directed to the entire www audience.
I guess there is no right or wrong place... but the way I would like to think is that an effective way and place for bloging is dependent on the intended audience, goal and content !
Bloging is one other power full tool that had opend up to every one (not just the tech savy) the doors of expression in different forms (text, image, multimedia) and without having to go through the graduation of Web development !
But ofcourse fo bloging to be effective...it goes back to the point of goals, expectation and dicipline !!
BTW.. you should share your blog with us !! :)
Hmmm... NO.
I blog about my personal life in my blog on Myspace. I tend to want to keep the audience small and in my control.
Oops . I was thinking it was a blog for profesisonal networking ... I agree personal shoudlbe kept personal.
and by the way (BTW) I am uploading the 7 Habit for you in my serverwill email you the link for you to listen to.
Henry...once again congratulations on posting a very pertinent topic. I am like so many others who know on some level our businesses would benefit from a blog, but know little about where to begin let aline the time, format, and commitment required. Maybe Dot Sign could offer a seminar that includes the how to's needed as well as the software set up required as a package deal????? I know everyone is busy now, but we could save the date for after the first of the year! You have done such an excellent job with every aspect I have hired you for I would welcome learning from an expert like yourself. Thank you for continuously and generously sharing your knowledge and insights with us. Lin
Trust me... I am getting into the professional scene for blogging too. I just asked someone about a NHL one that I could try and I asked what copy right laws would be involved. I don't want to tick off the PTB that would want me to take it down. So I have that set up. That is good now I just need to get writing.
Then I have my other project that I will be blogging about. So I am on my way for professional usage of blogs too!