Marketing 101 (part three - blogging for business)

by James Fowler
www.mywebsource1.com

Previous Post: Marketing 101 (part one)

Marketing 101 (part two)




As blogging is becoming more mainstream, businesses are beginning to understand its’ effectiveness as a tool to communicate with customers and employees. While some major corporations are embracing the blog, some are waiting to see what this new medium has to offer. For small business, the blog can become a powerful implement in gaining more market share.

If you are unfamiliar with a blog, it is an abbreviation of the words “web log”. Further information on the basics of this can be found in my previous article, “Why Don’t You Have a Blog?”.

The reason a blog for small business is effective is because it offers several features that a company with limited resources can use to broadcast their thoughts and ideas to the general public. Here are a few benefits of having a blog for your business:

Ease of Use: Running a blog is very simple. Blogging companies such as mySpace, Blogger, and Moveable Type have created software that will allow anyone to have a blog. It doesn’t matter what company you use (I personally use Blogger) or what skill level you are on the computer, you can create your own blog in a matter of minutes. As a suggestion, do not forget to write down your user name and password so you can get back into your blog at a later date. Also, make sure you bookmark the location of your blog so you don’t lose it out on the internet.

Low Cost: Blogging is a low-cost alternative to having a web presence out on the internet. This is not to say that you shouldn’t have a web site, but a blog can get your company name out on the internet without having one. My suggestion to clients is to start a blog while your web site is being built so that you already have some web exposure when your site is finally launched. This is a good way of getting your site indexed prior to the launch date.

Real Time Updates: One of the most important reasons for having a blog is that you can send information to your customers or clients in real time. By creating a mailing list, you can have your blog sent to all the people on your email list, notifying them that you have sent out new information about your business. You can send press releases, product introductions, and pictures of your new line with a blog. “How does this differ from email?” you may ask. With the use of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds, you can have your blog broadcast all over the internet. The RSS can be activated through your blog hosting site. People interested in your business will be able to find you through blog readers and search engines, such as Google, Yahoo!, and MSN.

Sharing your Expertise: The content of your blog can be anything about your business. You are the expert in your field and your readers come to your blog to learn from you. Offer helpful tips, How-To’s, and insightful information about your products or services. Let them know where to find you and what you have available.

Marketing and Advertising: Why stop at helpful tips? Maybe your blog should contain coupons only available to your list. Why not list all of your sale and clearance items? Take polls about new product that you want to offer. Let your customers have a voice in your product line and what they would like to see from your business. This offers valuable information without the high cost of marketing analysis and it is from people already purchasing from you.

Blogging can be very effective. Be warned, however, there are drawbacks to blogging. It can be very time-consuming on your part, having to write each and every article. You have to constantly keep coming up with ideas to write. To reach more people and have your blog listed on search engines, you need to keep blogging. You are required to build your own list of readers and you have to keep them reading. Blogging does not provide the same function of a web site and e-commerce is very limited.

Several big businesses are now offering blogs. This is further proof that blogging will be the way companies will reach out to the people. You can do this now. Look at these sites to get ideas for your own blogs:

Apple Computers
Google Blog
Wal-Mart
General Motors


With this knowledge in mind, I encourage you to go out and start your own blogs. Inform your customers, build your client list, and market your business. If you need any assistance in starting your blog, feel free to contact me at mywebsource1@gmail.com . Happy Blogging!