Short for "weblog", a blog is a type of shared online journal. It is written by an individual and published on a web page. What once was a "diary" style format has blown up into the corporate world as well!
In the last several years "Corporate Blogs" have spread across the blogosphere like a plague of locusts in recent years. Blogs are FREE...each time you create a POST it is like creating a flyer, tv or radio commercial on the world wide web...for FREE! Why wouldn't you want that exposure for your company? These days websites look naked without one or two executive blogs. Of course high tech companies are using them and you may ask "I am just a small Sheet Metal Company...do I need a BLOG?"...I say ABSOLUTELY! In today's marketing circles, a blog is actually more important than a company's website on which it appears. Blogs are immediate, dynamic and much easier to update than the content of a website...unless you speak "html" all the time- Most importantly a BLOG is designed to generate reader response and comments. It begins a conversation and a company is able to see how the public views its products and services.
The more obvious benefit is you are able to communicate to the public with a message, share expertise...build a relationship with them. ...Okay this is turning into "Carol's" blog...lol. The idea here is to build a relationship and create a BRAND for yourself.
Even if you think no one is reading...they are! Keep writing...It is recommended that you try to post at least once a week but even better 2-3 times a week. Don't freak out... these posts don't have to be novels...quick tips or promotions that you have going on at that time. Also with BLOGGER.com you can use the "post options" tab and schedule them. What does that mean?... Spend 45 minutes to and hour once a week and write 3 posts, schedule them to post at the same time of day Monday, Wednesday and Friday and you are done for the week! It may seem overwhelming but it is the investment in your business that is needed in the marketplace today.
For those that would like to hire a service to do this for you, a company called Upward Trends (my sister, Jean Massa is a partner) does this for businesses. They set up and maintain websites, blogs, twitter, eccomerce, newsletters...all your social media for you. There's a plug for you sis!
http://upwardtrend.blogspot.com/ Check out their blog
Here are a few BIG companies...that utilize blogging, and some small ones too!
General Motors Corporation
http://www.gmheadlines.com/?brandId=gm&src=gm_com&evar24=gm_com_homepage_rolloverimage_OurC
Whole Foods
http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/
Forbes reviews on Small Business Blogs
http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/category.jhtml?id=320
http://www.invesp.com/blog-rank/Small_Business#ultimate
Blog Rank 100 top Small Business blogs
Carol Woldhuis Designs
http://www.carolwoldhuisdesigns.blogspot.com/
JAM Designs
http://myjamdesigns.blogspot.com/
Weber Metals, Inc.
http://webermetalsinc.blogspot.com/
CTS Daily Inspirations
http://networkedblogs.com/fNnQG
Danielle Ruggiero
http://danielleruggiero.blogspot.com/2011/02/thank-god-for-nice-people-left-in-this.html
Enjoy and HAPPY BLOGGING!
Some content provided by
The Everything Guide to Social Media by John K Waters
No comments:
Post a Comment